Apple Wins Notebook Tech Support Showdown, MacBook Cracks Persist, DeepSleep Widget, and More

General Apple and Mac desktops is covered in The Mac News Review. iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV news is covered in The iNews Review. All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

News & Opinion

• Why an Apple Tablet Will Succeed
• Apple Tablet to Fill Gap Between PC Netbooks and Mac Laptops
• Moving to the 13" MacBook Pro
• Apple Wins Laptop Tech Support Showdown
• Apple to Address MacBook Hard Drive Beeping and Pausing
• MacBook Cracks Threaten to Upset Apple Cart
• Another Look at Mac Hacked Netbooks
• Who's to Blame for Poor MacBook Battery Life under Windows?

Apple Updates

• Apple Adds Antiglare Display Option to 15" MacBook Pro
• AirPort Client Update for MacBook and MacBook Pro

Reviews

• 3.06 GHz 17" MacBook Pro vs. iMac and Mac Pro
• 13" MacBook Pro: Small but Mighty
• 13" MacBook Pro Video Review

Software

• DeepSleep Widget Allows 'Books to Sleep without Using Power, Draining Battery
• SideTrack Trackpad Enhancer

Products & Services

• Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone
• Verbatim Tuff-'N'-Tiny Penny-thin USB Drives
• Verbatim Tuff-Clip USB Drives
• iSkin Next Generation of ProTouch Keyboard Protectors
• NewerTech Apple Notebook Battery Charger/Conditioner
• Kensington Smart Tips and Accessories Help Make the Grade for Back to School

Bargain 'Books

News & Opinion

Why an Apple Tablet Will Succeed

Cnet's Brooke Crothers says:

"The Apple tablet, if it arrives, is an extension of a design that already has mass appeal - and does not require a leap of faith to believe it will succeed.

"The Apple iPhone and iPod are arguably small tablets - and consumers have demonstrated unmistakably that they love these devices. So, a larger, more versatile version of the iPod makes perfect sense."

Link: Why an Apple Tablet Will Succeed

Apple Tablet to Fill Gap Between PC Netbooks and Mac Laptops

eWeek's Nicholas Kolakowski says:

"Apple could roll out a tablet PC in early 2010, according to a new research note by Piper Jaffray. The Apple tablet PC would be cheaper than a MacBook but still more expensive than the mininotebooks or netbooks that are currently dominating sales on the lower end of the PC market. Despite that higher price point, Piper Jaffray sees an Apple tablet PC as a challenging competitor in the netbook market, as well for mobile devices from companies such as Amazon.com."

Link: Apple Tablet to Fill Gap Between PC Netbooks and Mac Laptops

Moving to the 13" MacBook Pro

infrageeks' alphageek says:

"I just upgraded to the latest model of the 13" MacBook Pro as a replacement for my 2007 15" MacBook Pro. The major push for the move was a really nice computer bag that I fell in love with, but is too small for the 15" screen. We had recently purchased a 13" at the office for someone that decided not to stay on, so I hijacked the machine."

Link: Moving to the MacBook Pro 13"

Apple Wins Laptop Tech Support Showdown

Cnet's Jim Dalrymple reports:

"If a top-notch customer support program is high on your list of features when buying a new computer, you should be looking at a Mac, according to a new ranking.

"Laptop magazine's Tech Support Showdown 2009 rates 10 computer companies' tech support, with Apple coming out the overall winner...."

Link: Apple Wins Laptop Tech-support Showdown

Apple to Address MacBook Hard Drive Beeping and Pausing

MacFixIt's Topher Kessler reports:

"There has been an ongoing issue with new MacBook and MacBook Pro computers where the system will pause for a second or two and make a clicking sound, and then continue functioning normally."

Link: MacBook Hard Drive Beeping and Pausing to Be Addressed by Apple

MacBook Cracks Threaten to Upset Apple Cart

ITWire's Asher Moses reports that Apple is refusing to formally acknowledge a widespread design flaw in its polycarbonate-bodied (not the unibodies) MacBooks that has been a topic on forums for years. Moses says this could develop into a major PR disaster and spark a recall.

Link: MacBook Cracks Threaten to Upset Apple Cart

Another Look at Mac Hacked Netbooks

Macworld's Rob Griffiths says:

"After much consideration, I finally dove into the do-it-yourself Mac netbook pool . . . with a couple of trips coming up, I wanted to stop lugging around the 15-inch MacBook Pro for simply reading e-mail and browsing the web while traveling. My beloved 12-inch PowerBook G4 was an alternative . . . [but] in the end, the temptation to try one of the ultra-small PC laptops (but running OS X, of course) was too great to resist . . . there's just something about carrying around a full-blown computer that's slightly larger than a paperback book that appeals to my inner geek."

Griffiths netbook of choice for this is the Dell Vostro A90.

Link: Frankenbook! Another Look at Hacked Mac Netbooks

Who's to Blame for Poor MacBook Battery Life under Windows?

Computerworld's Eric Lai says:

"Users running Windows on Apple Inc.'s Intel-based MacBook laptops have long complained about how quickly they find themselves running on empty....

"That's not surprising. Virtualization software performs the extremely CPU-taxing task of simulating an entire PC environment to get Windows to run. This generates heat that must be dissipated by the MacBook's fan, which drains the battery even faster...."

Link: Who's to Blame for MacBook's Poor Battery Life under Windows?

Apple Updates

Apple Adds Antiglare Display Option to 15" MacBook Pro

In what is a fairly huge development for many 15" MacBook Pro (MBP) fans, Apple quietly quietly restored a matte display option for the 15" MBP as a $50 build-to-order option at Apple's online store.

Some may still gripe - and they have a point - that you could get a matte finish screen on the February 2008 15" MacBook Pro at no extra charge, but for those for whom this issue was a real deal-breaker, it will be welcome news, and I expect a lot of folks will cough up the extra fifty bucks, however grudgingly.

Can the 13" MacBook Pro be next?

The 15" machine's new matte display matches the standard glossy unit in resolution at 1440 x 900 pixels and has an LED backlight, but it incorporates a silver screen bezel instead of the glossy one's black.

Apple still hypes the glossy version as displaying graphics, photos, and videos with richer colors and deeper blacks, but now advises: "If you prefer a display with antiglare coating for a matte rather than glossy viewing experience, choose the antiglare widescreen display."

Link: 15" MacBook Pro at Apple Store

AirPort Client Update for MacBook and MacBook Pro

This update is recommended for some Intel-based Macintosh computers running Mac OS X 10.5.8 and addresses an issue with AirPort performance while running on battery power. It may only be installed on:

• MacBook (13-inch, Late 2007)
• MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008)
• MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2008)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008)

1.68 MB

System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5.8

• Link: AirPort Client Update for MacBook and MacBook Pro
• Link: Discussion of this problem in Apple Support forums
• Link: MacFixIt's examination of MacBooks unable to install Airport Client Update 1.0

Reviews

3.06 GHz 17" MacBook Pro vs. iMac and Mac Pro

Bare Feats' rob-ART Morgan asks:

"Can the MacBook Pro do heavy lifting if it has 8 GB of RAM?

"We continue testing the only true 'Pro' laptop remaining in the Apple lineup, the 17" MacBook Pro. We say 'true Pro' because it's the only Apple laptop with an ExpressCard/34 slot along with core frequencies equal to the best iMac and best Mac Pro. Plus the screen resolution is equal to the 24" screens of the iMac and Mac Pro. Our first CPU Crunch test page shows the MacBook Pro equaling the top iMac [editor's note: also 3.06 GHz] on all six tests while it was beat by the 8-core Mac Pro 2.93 GHz on all six tests."

Link: Mid 2009 MacBook Pro 17" 3.06 GHz versus iMac and Mac Pro

13" MacBook Pro: Small but Mighty

The Star's Chong Jinn Xiung says:

"The 13in MacBook Pro may be the tiniest ever in Apple's premium line of notebooks but there's nothing small about its performance and price....

"The MacBook Pro, like its predecessor, is a solidly-built notebook that weighs approximately 2 kg. It is certainly more portable than its larger 15in and 17in cousins and its smaller screen makes it easy to slip it into a bag and carry around....

"The glossy screen is also back and the resolution has not changed. It still feels surprisingly spacious to work on despite maintaining its 1,280 x 800-pixel resolution....

"Along the sides you will find two USB ports, an Ethernet port and slot-in DVD drive. However, you ll also notice a new SD card slot which replaces* the old Express Card slot....

"As far as we could tell, the MacBook Pro handled everything we threw at it without even breaking a sweat....

"It also runs very silently even when it is undertaking the heaviest of tasks you won't even hear the hard disk spin....

"Fortunately, the new MacBook Pro's heat output is pretty low.

"The . . . price tag is a little on the high side for a notebook but considering you are getting a full-featured MacBook Pro that's both powerful as it is portable (not to mention classy), it is worth the price of admission."

* Editor's note: actually on the 13" MacBook Pro the new SD Card slot doesn't replace anything. The preceding 13" unibody MacBook was slotless, although as the reviewer notes, the erstwhile discrete headphone and microphone jacks have been merged into a single port, which is also partly due to the restoration of a FireWire port (800). cm

Link: 13" MacBook Pro - Small but Mighty

13" MacBook Pro Video Review

Hot Hardware's intro to its video review of the 13" MacBook Pro says:

"A number of other features like a built in iSight webcam, a SuperDrive (CD/DVD reader and writer), a MagSafe power adapter and for the first time for Apple a built in SD card reader - all in a package that's about 4.5 pounds - make this one heck of an attractive little notebook. The one we tested was the lower end model equipped with a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 1066 MHz frontside bus and 4 GB (two 2 GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory."

Link: Apple 13" MacBook Pro Video Review (7 minutes)

Software

DeepSleep Widget Allows 'Books to Sleep without Using Power, Draining Battery

PR: Many people have a lot applications on their laptop and they like to simply close the lid to put the laptop to sleep so they can get back into their applications instantly. But if the laptop is not used for a while, the batteries on the laptop will be drained while the laptop is sleeping.

DeepSleep will allow your Mac laptop or desktop to sleep without using any power or drain the batteries (also known as hibernate for people that are used to Windows PCs). It saves everything to disk and stops using power completely. When you wake up your machines by pressing the power button, DeepSleep will restore everything and wake up just like you left it. It takes a little longer than normal sleep but it is a great battery saver when you know you won't be using the computer for a while. Give it a try, you will love the convenience and the extra battery life!

Features

• Hibernates your Mac.
• Extends the battery life on your MacBook.
• Saves power when you are not using your desktop Mac.
• Compatible with "Password on wake" feature.
• Easy to use Dashboard Widget.
• Donations
• DeepSleep is freeware, but a lot of effort has been put into it. If you like it and find it useful please support it with your donations.
• Requirements
• Mac OS X 10.4.3 (or above).
• Intel based Mac or a Mac that supports Safe Sleep.
• Now works with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later, a Mac that supports Safe Sleep

Platform Support: PPC/Intel

Freeware

Link: DeepSleep Widget

SideTrack Trackpad Enhancer

PR: Turn your trackpad into a powerful multi-button mouse for less than the cost of a quality external mouse

SideTrack is a replacement driver for Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook and iBook trackpads. With SideTrack installed your standard trackpad becomes a powerful multi-button scrolling mouse.

Leave your external mouse at home and take full control over your trackpad:

• Vertical scrolling at left or right edge of pad.
• Horizontal scrolling at top or bottom edge of pad.
• Map hardware button to left or right click.
• Map trackpad taps to no action, left click, left click drag (with or without drag lock), or right click.
• Map trackpad corner taps to mouse buttons 1-6 or simulated keystrokes.
• Extensive control over accidental input filtering.

SideTrack is multiuser aware and fully compatible with Mac OS X fast user switching (FUS). Every user on your laptop can have different settings depending on their needs.

SideTrack supports most Apple laptops, including MacBooks, MacBook Pros, PowerBooks and iBooks.

SideTrack is not presently compatible with the new trackpad hardware on MacBook Air and 2008 MacBook Pro models. All previous Apple trackpad hardware is fully supported. Support for the new models is being investigated and may appear in a future release.

Introduction

• Extended control over the trackpad button and tap gestures.
• Use trackpad taps for left click, drag gestures, or right click.
• Complete scrollwheel mouse emulation with customizable scrolling speed.
• Place your scroll zones on either side of the pad, or both sides simultaneously.
• Turn the corners of your trackpad into independent tap actions.
• Use the corner zones to emulate up to a 6 button mouse or generate custom keystrokes.
• Customize SideTrack's sensitivity and accuracy. Calibrate to your own trackpad style and adjust filtering to reduce accidental taps while typing.
• Choose from several mouse acceleration options.

System Requirements

• Most Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook or iBook models (for specific supported models please see the FAQ)
• Mac OS X 10.2 or later, including 10.5 "Leopard"

SideTrack is $15 shareware. Unregistered copies of SideTrack will periodically remind you to register. Registered users receive technical support and free upgrades.

Link: SideTrack

Products & Services

Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone

PR: Further expanding on its diverse line of USB microphones, Samson introduces Go Mic, the ideal portable recording microphone that clips to your laptop.

Go Mic is perfect for recording music, podcasts or field recording, but its range of functionality extends beyond typical USB microphones. Ideal for voice recognition software, iChat, web casting and even Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Go Mic is the ideal solution for recording on the go.

Because of its custom, compact design, the Go Mic can clip right onto your laptop or sit unobtrusively on your desk. Plug and play operation also means it's completely compatible with a Mac OS or Windows, with no drivers required.

High-quality components and meticulous engineering ensure the Go Mic offers remarkably clear, professional audio reproduction. Thanks to its switchable cardioid and omni polar patterns, you can pick whichever pattern is more appropriate for your specific situation. Plus, with a frequency response of 20 Hz 18 kHz and a resolution of 16-bit/44.1 kHz, you can be sure you're getting professional audio specs in a compact, multipurpose design.

Go Mic is perfect for anyone who wants to make great recordings on a computer. And no matter where you go to record, Go Mic goes with you.

• Portable USB condenser microphone
• Plug and Play Mac and PC compatible, no drivers required
• Custom compact design that clips to a laptop or sits on a desk
• Perfect for recording music, podcasting and field recording
• Ideal for voice recognition software, iChat, VoIP and web casting
• Transducer Type: condenser, pressure gradient with USB digital output
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz 18 kHz
• Polar Pattern: cardioid or omni
• Resolution: 16-bit/44.1 kHz
• 1/8-inch headphone output

Link: Go Mic

Verbatim Tuff-'N'-Tiny Penny-thin USB Drives

PR: Verbatim Americas, LLC has announced its new Tuff-'N'-Tiny family of ultraportable USB drives with capacities of 4 GB in emerald green and 8 GB in royal purple. Among the most compact, durable USB flash drives on the market, the new Tuff-'N'-Tiny drives measure about 1-inch long, one-half inch wide and are the thickness of a penny. Ideal for storing, backing up, sharing and transporting data and multimedia files, Verbatim Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drives are available with retail prices starting as low as $30.

With support for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, the Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drives also provide true cross-platform compatibility and a convenient way to transfer files between systems. Verbatim's new travel-tough USB drives include a key ring lanyard that can be clipped on a key ring, PDA or cell phone to ensure that the user's data is always conveniently at hand.

The 8 GB drive can be used to store nearly eight hours of MPEG-1 video, about 2,000 hours of MP3 music, about 4,000 300 dpi color photos or 8 GB of personal and business files. The drive's ultra-portability makes it easy for students to carry research and project files from school to home and for business people to have current files with them wherever they go. The drive's small form factor, durability and high capacity will also appeal to videographers and photographers who want to collaborate with others on post-production projects and quickly move work from one system to another.

Verbatim Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drives are significantly more portable and more rugged than standard flash drives because they feature SIP technology which encapsulates all of the electronic components into a single miniaturized and sealed unit. As a result, the tiny drives are resistant to dust, water and static discharges.

For security conscious PC users, the Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drives also include password security features to protect sensitive data in a user-defined private zone, while allowing a public zone for open access and sharing of non-sensitive content. With support for Windows ReadyBoostô, the Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drive becomes a dual-purpose device for Windows Vistaô users who want to speed system performance by utilizing a portion of the device's unused flash memory.

A true Plug-and-Play device, the Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drive can be easily connected through a USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 port of a desktop or notebook computer. The system automatically recognizes the drive as a new removable drive as soon as it is connected. Featuring a solid-state design (no moving parts) and nonvolatile flash memory, the drives will retain data for 10 years or more.

Designed for Windows Vista, XP or 2000; Mac OS 9.x or higher and Linux kernel 2.6x or higher, Verbatim Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drives are available through Verbatim retail and distribution channels. Street prices are about $29.99 for the 4 GB drive and $49.99 for the 8 GB drive. The complete package includes the Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drive, preloaded password security software for Windows systems, a key ring lanyard and a Quick Start Guide.

Link: Tuff-'N'-Tiny USB Drives

Verbatim Tuff-Clip USB Drives

PR: Verbatim Americas, LLC has announced its new Tuff-Clip USB Drives. Available now with capacities of 4 GB in turquoise and 8 GB in black, the new flash drives combine clip-and-go convenience with industrial strength toughness.

Verbatim's Tuff-Clip USB drives feature an ultra-rugged plastic enclosure with a convenient retractable slider that protects the USB connector. Tough enough for active users to carry their data wherever they go, the innovative design also has an integrated carabiner clip that can be securely fastened onto a backpack, key chain, belt loop or notebook.

The drives come preloaded with password security software for Windows systems that protects sensitive data in a user-defined private zone, while allowing a public zone for open access and sharing of non-sensitive content.

"The Tuff-Clip drive's enclosure is made of ABS plastic and built to take everyday knocks in stride," explained Mark Rogers, Verbatim Product Manager. "With the clip-on design, the drives are also less likely to get lost or misplaced; and with the retractable cover, there is no cap to lose."

The features that make the Tuff-Clip USB drives both tough and convenient, also make them ideal for young, active users who want to share data files, music, photos or videos; and students who want to transport research and project files between school and home. The drives will also appeal to on the go business users who must have current files with them wherever they go.

With support for Windows, Mac and Linux systems, the Tuff-Clip USB Drives also provide true cross-platform compatibility and a convenient way to transfer files between systems.

Certified for Windows Vista, Tuff-Clip USB Drives support Windows ReadyBoost, a feature that allows Vista PC users to allocate a portion of the device's unused flash memory to speed system performance.

Verbatim's new Tuff-Clip USB Drives measure 2.90" x .45" x 0.90" and weigh less than 2 ounces. When connected to a USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 port of a desktop or notebook computer, the system automatically recognizes the drive as a new removable drive. With its solid-state design (no moving parts) and nonvolatile flash memory, the drives will retain data for 10 years or more.

Designed for Windows Vista, XP or 2000; Mac OS 9.x or higher and Linux kernel 2.6x or higher systems, Verbatim Tuff-Clip USB Drives are available through Verbatim retail partners and distribution channels. The suggested list prices are $29.99 for the 4 GB drive and $49.99 for the 8 GB drive. The complete package includes the Tuff-Clip USB Drive, preloaded password security software for Windows systems and a Quick Start Guide.

Link: Tuff-Clip USB Drives

iSkin Next Generation of ProTouch Keyboard Protectors

PR: iSkin, the first company to create the silicone keyboard protector for Macintosh computer keyboards, today released the next generation of its ProTouch keyboard protectors. This launch continues the company's tradition of excellence in delivering products to Macintosh users who demand premium accessories with functional design and fashionable flare.

The new lineup, which includes ProTouch Classic, FX and Vibes, provides enhanced typing comfort, protection against food spills, dust, key wear and more, while embedded Microban antimicrobial product protection helps inhibit the growth of odor and stain causing bacteria on the product. Additionally, a newly reengineered design optimizes the way each key is protected, allowing a comfortable, non-obtrusive typing experience that will appeal to slow and fast typists alike.

ProTouch Classic retains the original version's simple, yet functional design, while adding enhanced refinements. ProTouch Classic protectors are targeted towards home users and institutions alike who are seeking effective, yet simple keyboard protection to protect their investment. ProTouch Classic is available in one color (for MacBook keyboards) or three colors (for Apple Aluminum Wired/Wireless keyboards), and retails for a suggested $24.99. Educational institutions are also eligible for volume discounts when purchasing directly from iSkin.

The new ProTouch FX, designed specifically for MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users, features color-printed key caps against a glow-white background for enhanced contrast. It also allows owners of LED-backlit keyboards the continued benefit of illuminated keys in low light conditions. ProTouch FX protectors are available in three color printed combinations, and retails for a suggested $29.99.

The new ProTouch Vibes brings colorful design and added convenience for new Apple iMac keyboard and Apple MacBook customers. Geared primarily towards those seeking a stylish way to protect and enhance their keyboards, ProTouch Vibes features larger printed key characters, printed keyboard shortcut characters and a color-on-color designer pattern. ProTouch Vibes is available in four color combinations, and retails for a suggested $34.99.

Link: ProTouch keyboard protectors

NewerTech Apple Notebook Battery Charger/Conditioner

PR: NewerTech's Intelligent Battery Charging Station - keep your batteries at their best

Do you have more than one battery for your notebook? Looking to keep your laptop's battery or batteries at their best?

The NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging Station is the solution you've been waiting for!

Load two batteries and when first battery is done charging, the unit "intelligently" begins charging the second battery. Plus, not only does this product charge your batteries quickly and correctly, but the deep conditioning feature can both extend the life of your battery, as well as bring back additional life to a battery that's started to show its age.

You're probably asking yourself why you need to condition your batteries. Aren't the Li-Ion batteries immune to the "memory effects" that plagued the old style NiMH batteries? Yes, they are - to a point! It is always best to exercise the battery cells to get the longest life and most runtime possible. And instead of the hassle of charging and draining, charging and draining, charging and draining, this charger makes conditioning a simple, painless task!

With such maintenance, you'll be sure to get the longest runtimes over the longest lifetime possible. Whether for your stock Apple battery, or for one of our industry leading NuPower batteries, the NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging Station will help you to get the most from your battery by being an extremely convenient way to keep them charged and ready to go.

Features:

• 2 Bays - 1 Charges, 1 Charges and Conditions
• 2 year warranty Register
• Power Input: 120~240V 50/60 Hz 1.5A
• Power Output: 24V 2.3A, regulated

*Battery not included.

Link: NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging Station

Kensington Smart Tips and Accessories Help Make the Grade for Back to School

PR: Kensington Computer Products Group, a worldwide leader in delivering smart made simple computing accessories for the mobile consumer, kicks off the Back to School season with smart tips and products to help you stay connected. The affordable and fun to use accessories provide students and families with tools to succeed, whether in a dorm room or in a shared home office environment.

"Back to School season is naturally a very hectic time for any family. Getting the kids ready to start off a new school year the best way possible, with the gear and gadgets they need, can add to that stress level, said Christine Dumery, Director, Marketing Communications at Kensington. "We have come up with a short list of smart tips as well as the products we believe can make the school year that much more enjoyable, while still accommodating the budget consciousness that all households face.

Kensington's 5 Smart Tips to Ace Back to School

1. Take a load off: Carry lightweight and pocketable essentials to lighten your bag
2. Keep it simple: Use plug-n-play technology that doesn't require a Ph.D. to figure out
3. Work smarter, not harder: Be efficient while on the go with multifunctional accessories
4. Expect the unexpected: Prevent battery drain and device theft by bringing extra power and a lock for your equipment with you
5. Kill the clutter: Get gear that will organize your computer accessories

Must Have Back to School Accessories from Kensington:

Kensington Charging Dock with Mini Battery Pack for iPhone and iPod - (SKU K33457US; SRP $69.99)

All the power you need and is never far away. The compact dock recharges your iPhone or iPod so you can leave home or the dorm with it fully charged. The dock also charges the included Mini Battery Pack so you can take an extra boost of backup power with you on the go.

• Dock simultaneously charges your iPhone or iPod and Mini Battery Pack
• Includes detachable USB charging and synching cable, USB wall adapter, and iPhone 3G dock insert
• Mini Battery Pack extends play time up to 30 hours of music*; 6 hours of video*; 3 hours of talk**

*iPod nano 3rd Generation
** iPhone

Link: Kensington Charging Dock with Mini Battery Pack for iPhone and iPod, currently $44.65 shipped from Amazon.com

Kensington Nightstand Charging Dock for iPhone and iPod Touch with Rise Shine Application - (SKU K33458US; SRP $39.99)

The multifunction dock allows you to download, at no extra cost, an application that transforms your iPhone or iPod touch* into a bedside clock and weather center. Waking up for class is easy when your iPhone or iPod touch keeps you on time, is charged and ready to go. Its small footprint reduces nightstand clutter and the charging dock powers and holds your iPhone or iPod touch in landscape mode using a kickstand to clearly display the time and weather.

• Large, landscape display that doesn't go into sleep mode, with optional screen dimming
• Includes charging cable
• Download Kensington Rise&Shine Clock and Weather application for clock and weather (Visit www.riseandshine.kensington.com for more details)

*Application compatible with iPhone 3G, iPhone and iPod touch only

Link: Kensington Nightstand Charging Dock for iPhone and iPod Touch with Rise Shine Application, currently $39.99 shipped from Amazon.com

Kensington ComboSaver Combination Portable Notebook Lock - (SKU K64560US Steel Grey, SKU K64576US Red; SRP $24.99)

Protect your notebook from theft wherever you go, whether in the dorm room, college café or in the classroom. This easy-to-use combination lock has a low-profile design and self-coiling cable for easy travel to keep notebooks securely anchored.

• Slim-profile lock attaches to 99% of notebooks with patented T-bar locking mechanism
• 10,000 personalized combination codes
• SAFE-tested for greater security and peace of mind

Link: Kensington ComboSaver Combination Portable Notebook Lock, Steel Grey currently $20.33 from Amazon.com, Red currently $18.71 from Amazon.com

Kensington ShareCentral 2 (SKU K33900US; SRP $59.99)

Now you can share USB devices between two computers without all that plugging and unplugging. Simply push a button and the ShareCentral automatically makes the swap. Conveniently sharing your printer and other USB gadgets with dorm mates makes those essays and homework assignments that much easier.

• Simply press a button to switch individual USB devices from one computer to another
• Easy to set up and easy to use with no network required and one USB cable
• Both computers have direct access to the printer thanks to Automatic Printer Sharing
• Eliminates cable clutter and is wall mountable

Link: Kensington ShareCentral 2, currently $45.24 shipped from Amazon.com

Kensington Contour Backpack - (SKU K62238US; SRP $69.99)

The ultimate in mobility for comfort-minded students. Its unique, fully adjustable lumbar support uses a contoured panel to hug the back and help shift weight onto the hips. The curved, shock-absorbing shoulder straps help keep the load light while the padded SnugFit sleeve delivers heavy-duty computer protection.

• Padded, contoured shoulder straps ease neck and shoulder strain
• Flap-free access to quickly reach computer and contents. Convenient front pocket organizes key items at your fingertips
• Handle doubles as strap to hang case from wheeled bag
• Expandable water bottle holder and headphone port for MP3 player

Link: Kensington Contour Backpack, currently $49.99 shipped from Amazon.com

The Kensington products are available at select retail stores and both Amazon.com and Kensington.com.

Link: Kensington

Bargain 'Books

Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.

PowerBook, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.

Factory refurbished units with Apple's full one-year warranty.

• 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/120 HD, $1,099
• 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/64 SSD, $1,199
• 1.8 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80 HD, $1,099
• 1.8 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/64 GB SSD, $1,299
• 1.86 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/128 GB SSD, $1,449
• 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 MacBook White, 2 GB/160/SD, $849
• 2.0 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/160/SD, $899
• 2.4 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/250/SD, $999
• 2.4 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/128 SSD/SD, $1,299
• 2.4 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/128 SSD/SD, $1,449
• 13" 2.53 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 GB/250/SD, $1,299
• 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,349
• 15" 2.53 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,449
• 15" 2.66 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,499
• 15" 2.8 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,699
• 15" 2.93 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,949
• 17" 2.5 GHz MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,799
• 17" 2.5 GHz hi-res MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,999
• 17" 2.66 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,949
• 17" 2.66 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, antiglare, $1,999

• 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/120, $1,124.99
• 2.0 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/160/SD, $924.99
• 2.0 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/250/SD $1,024.99
• 17" 2.66 GHz hi-res Core 2 MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,849

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/Combo, $599.99
• 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/SD, $629.99
• 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/SD, $649.99
• 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $699
• 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $729.99
• 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/80/SD, $749.99
• 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/160/SD, $7679.99
• 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $779.99
• 15" 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/80/SD, $849.99
• 15" 2.16 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/200/SD, $899.99
• 17" 2.16 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, APX, $1,099
• 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, APX, $1,269
• 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,399

• Lombard PowerBook G3/400, 256/6/DVD, OS 9, $179
• Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 512/10/no optical drive?, AP, $299
• 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, black, 1 GB/80/SD, $879

- Pismo - G3 iBooks - G4 iBooks - MacBook

• Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 128/6/DVD, $299.99
• Pismo PowerBook G3/500, 128/6/DVD, $349.99
• Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 256/40/DVD, $399.99
• Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 256/60/DVD, $419.99
• Pismo PowerBook G3/500, 256/40/DVD, $439.99
• Pismo PowerBook G3/500, 256/60/DVD, $449.99
• Pismo PowerBook with G4/550 upgrade, 256/40/Combo, $529.99
• 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $169.99
• 12" iBook G3/600, 128/15/CD, $249.99
• 12" iBook G3/700, 128/20/Combo, $329.99
• 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/Combo, $399.99
• 12" iBook G4/800 MHz, 256/30/Combo, 60 day warranty, $289.99
• 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 256/30/Combo, 60 day warranty, $369.99
• 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 256/30/Combo, 60 day warranty, $409.99
• 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/40/Combo, AirPort & Bluetooth, 60 day warranty, $489.99
• 14" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/60/Combo, 60 day warranty, $499.99
• 14" iBook G4/1.42 GHz, 512/60/SD, 60 day warranty, $529.99
• 1.83 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 512/60/Combo, $594.99
• 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 512/60/Combo, $659.99
• 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, black, 512/80/SD, $719.99
• 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white Core2 Duo, 1 GB/80/SD, $769.99
• 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black Core2 Duo, 1 GB/120/SD, $799.99

• 12" iBook G3/800 MHz, 384/30/Combo, $249
• 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 640/30/Combo, $299
• 2.0 GHz MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/SD, scratched, $549
• 2.0 GHz MacBook, white, 1 GB/100/SD, $679
• 15" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, 2 GB/100/SD, $999
• 15" 2.33 GHz MacBook Pro, 3 GB/500/SD, $1,299
• 17" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, scratched, $399
• 17" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, $699

For more deals on current and discontinued 'Books, see our 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, 15" MacBook Pro, 17" MacBook Pro, 12" PowerBook G4, 15" PowerBook G4, 17" PowerBook G4, titanium PowerBook G4, iBook G4, PowerBook G3, and iBook G3 deals.

We also track iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.