Pismo Now 10 Years Old, Whither i5 MacBook Pros?, MacBook Repair Extension Program, and More
So we can post our three news roundups (Mac News Review, The 'Book
Review, and The iNews Review) earlier, we first do a quick proofread and
link check, leaving out images. We add images later when time permits.
dk
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
Apple Updates
Tech Trends
Products & Services
News & Opinion
'Pismo' PowerBook Turns 10
Accelerate Your Mac reports:
"My friend Matthew sent a note the PowerBook G3 FireWire (a.k.a.
Pismo) turned 10 years old today [Feb. 16] and his is still
running. That reminded me of my March 2000
review of the PB G3/500 'Pismo' here. (Still on linked on the
PowerBook section of the Mac models page.) I'm sure there's a lot of
broken off-site links in that decade-old article and remember the
comments were relative to what was available at that time. I often
forget about all the old articles/reviews from that era here. They
bring back a lot of fond memories. (Man where did the last decade
go...)
"The Pismo's pricing was $2499 for the G3/400 MHz/6 GB HD/64 MB RAM
model and $3499 for the G3/500 MHz/12 GB HD/128 MB RAM model. Of course
hardware has advanced a lot since then, but the Pismo was one of the
best PowerBooks made IMHO. Rugged and reliable."
Link: The
PowerBook G3 FireWire ('Pismo') Turns 10 Yrs Old (and Still Running) -
a Look Back
Where Are the i5/i7 MacBook Pros?
The Mac Observer's John Martellaro says:
"We've all be eagerly awaiting Apple's launch of i5/i7-based MacBook
Pros. These are Intel's quad core CPUs, and Hewlett Packard has been
shipping notebooks with these CPUs for some time. Is Apple overloaded
with iPad attentions? Are there product
timing issues?
"One school of thought says that resources have been diverted from
the new MacBook Pros to Mr. Jobs' pet project, the iPad....
"Another possibility is that there are timing issues to work out.
With so many people not sure if they need an iPad, but very sure they
need a faster Mac notebook, why have tens of thousands of customers
shelling out big bucks for a quad core MacBook Pro - only to be flat
broke on March 26th or so when the iPad ships?
"If Apple can manage it, now would be a very good time to release
those MacBook Pros with the new Intel CPUs...."
Link:
Where Are the i5/i7 MacBook Pros?
Apple: Late to the Core i5 Laptop Party
Cnet's Brooke Crothers says:
"As performance laptops based on the Intel Core i5 processor
proliferate, older Core 2 models look, well, old. That means Apple's
core silicon is past its prime....
"What began as a trickle about a month ago is now a torrent of new
Core i-based notebooks....
"By comparison, Apple offers its aesthetically attractive Core 2-based 13-inch
aluminum MacBook Pro with an Nvidia graphics chipset. But the
$1,499 model is using last-year's Intel and Nvidia technology."
Link: Apple's Late to
the Core i5 Laptop Party
MacBook Pro Wish List: USB 3.0, WiDi, 3G
9 To 5 Mac's Seth Weintraub thinks Apple's next generation MacBook
Pros could be released on any given Tuesday now, but will they simply
be Core i5/i7 processor updates or will they offer something more?
Weintraub is hoping for 3G support, the debut of USB 3.0 on Macs
(noting that Snow Leopard has native support baked in for USB 3.0), and
even as a long shot Intel's new WiDi Wireless
display technology unveiled at CES this year.
However, the latter requires Core i3/i5/i7 processors and Intel
motherboards, so Nvidia would have to get the heave-ho, and at this
point the technology itself only supports 64-bit Windows 7, compressing
HD video and sending the signal over 802.11N WiFi to a node on the
network which then connects via HDMI to a display.
Link: Next Generation
MacBook Pro Wishlist: USB3, WiDi, 3G?
Gates: iPad Nice, Netbooks Better
Macworld UK's Nick Spence reports that Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates
has called Apple's iPad a "nice reader" but still claims netbooks are
the way forward, and while Gates copped to BNET's Brent Schlender that
he had been in awe of the iPhone when it was first released, he
perceives nothing in the iPad to excite him similarly, contending that
devices with some mixture of voice, the pen and a real keyboard, ergo:
netbooks, are the way forward. commenting that while it's a nice
reader, there's nothing on the iPad to make him say, "Oh, I wish
Microsoft had done it."
Link: Gates:
iPad Nice, Netbooks Better
DIY Vinyl MacBook Covers
Adrian Jankowiak says:
"Wherever I go, people ask me how I've managed to get a coloured
MacBook. For a few years now, I've been covering my MacBooks in vinyl
stickers that I custom make. Apart from the aesthetic advantages, they
protect my MacBook, so much so that when I take them off, underneath I
still have a pristine white one in case I ever want to sell it.
Yesterday I got bored of my old cover and decided to replace it with a
new one, but I thought that I'll finally put up a how to for those who
might want to attempt it themselves, so read on if you re
interested."
Link:
DIY Vinyl MacBook Covers
DIY Magnetic Power Adaptor
instructables.com says:
"We all know that one of the most common places for a laptop to
break is its power adaptor. The combination of being directly attached
to the motherboard, heat, and constant moving and shifting leads the
connector to become loose and sloppy. Eventually the connection stops
working altogether. Apple has solved this problem on their laptops by
use of a magnetic power adaptor, unfortunately for us they also
patented the idea.
"This is my version of a magnetic power adaptor for an Acer 1410
laptop, You should be able to modify the steps fairly easily for work
for any laptop though. It is effective, easy to build with common
materials, and takes the strain off of the internal connection and
motherboard. It also holds on well enough to not come off unless it is
supposed to."
Link:
MagSafe for the Rest of Us: A DIY Magnetic Power Adaptor
Apple Updates
MacBook Repair Extension Program for Hard Drive
Issues
Apple says it has has determined that a very small percentage of
hard drives that were used in MacBook systems, sold between
approximately May 2006 and December 2007, may fail under certain
conditions and are eligible for replacement free of charge, under this
program
If your MacBook was purchased in the date range listed above and
shows a flashing question mark on the screen, please take it to Apple
or an Apple Authorized Service Provider and they will examine the hard
drive to confirm if it is eligible for a replacement, free of charge,
under this program.
Note: If your MacBook is not experiencing the symptom listed above,
you do not have to contact Apple or any Apple Authorized Service
Provider. As always, Apple recommends that you back up your data. Learn
more.
Identifying Affected MacBook Systems:
Symptom
- A flashing question mark appears on screen when the MacBook is
turned on.
Affected MacBook models
- 13-inch black and white MacBook models with the following processor
speeds and hard drive capacities:
- Processor speed - 1.83 GHz, 2 GHz, or 2.16 GHz
- Hard drive capacity - 60 GB, 80 GB, 100 GB, 120 GB, or 160 GB
If your MacBook exhibits the flashing question mark symptom and
matches the affected model descriptions above, the hard drive needs to
be examined.
Take your MacBook to the Apple representative most convenient for
you:
Apple Retail Store - Set up an appointment with a Genius.
If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider confirms that your
hard drive is affected, Apple will replace it with a new hard drive.
You will need to have the original OS installation discs that were
shipped with your product in order to reinstall your operating system,
other applications, and any backed up data.
Some customers may have paid for out of warranty repairs that
qualify under this program. Apple will contact affected customers
(where contact information is available) with details on the
reimbursement process. If you believe that you paid for a repair
covered by this program and you have not been contacted, you may
contact Apple Technical Support.
This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty
coverage of the MacBook.
This program covers affected MacBook models for 3 years from their
original date of purchase or until August 15, 2010 whichever provides
longer coverage. Apple will continue to evaluate the repair data and
will provide further repair extensions if needed.
Editor's note: Models covered include the Mid 2006 Core Duo
MacBook, the Late 2006 Core 2 Duo
MacBook, and the Mid 2007 Core 2 Duo
MacBook. The Late 2007 "Santa Rosa"
and later models are not included. dk
Link: MacBook
Repair Extension Program for Hard Drive Issues
Tech Trends
HP Announces Android Netbook
HP isn't resting on its laurels as #1, and VentureBeat's Paul Boutin
reports that its Compaq division will launch a new netbook- the
cloud-white Compaq AirLife 100 - running on the same basic (and fully
multitasking) Android operating system as Motorola's Droid phones and
Google's Nexus One.
However, the AirLife 100, which sports a 10.1" display, a "92
percent full size" keyboard, a 16 GB SSD storage drive, an SD card
slot, and a touch interface, will initially be sold exclusively through
Telefonica in Europe, and there's no word as yet about when/if it'll be
available in North America.
Link: HP Announces
Android Netbook
Acer Developing Ultrathin Laptop, Puts MacBook Air
on Notice
Engadget's Vladislav Savov says that Acer was perhaps the biggest
believer in Intel's Core 2 Duo ULV processors, with its Timeline range
running almost exclusively on Intel's lower voltage parts, so it's no
surprise to hear that the Taiwanese laptop specialist is investing
heavily again in Intel's 2010 ULV variants of its Core i5 and Core i7
CPUs, thus paving the way for an aggressively ultrathin (think: 1.9cm
(0.7 inches) challenger to Apple's getting long-in-the-tooth MacBook Air.
Link:
Acer Developing Ultrathin Laptop, Putting MacBook Air on Notice
Acer Ultrathin Would Get Intel ULV Core i5 or i7
CPUs
Electronista also weighs in on Acer's prospective MacBook Air rival,
noting that what is being touted as an "ace in the hole" system would
use Intel's ULV Core i5 or i7 processors and still be slightly thinner
than the MacBook Air, albeit those low-energy Core i5 and i7 top out at
1.2 GHz, but can ramp up to 1.86 GHz and 2.26 GHz in Turbo Boost mode
in short bursts and also support Hyperthreading to occasionally perform
more like quad-core processors.
Link:
Acer Ultrathin Would Get Intel ULV Core i5 or i7 CPUs
Products & Services
LaCie Rugged eSATA/USB 2.0 500 GB External Hard
Drive
PR: <img src="{filedir_5}lacierugged2th.jpg" border="0"
alt="image" name="image" width="317" height="106" align="left"
hspace="10" /> Make your hard drive eSATA bus-powered with the Power
eSATA interface. eSATA lets you work faster; up to 90 MB/s. Rugged;
ideal for protecting valuable data
The LaCie Rugged Hard Disk has both the universal USB 2.0 interface
as well as the new Power eSATA interface, which, when connected to a
Power eSATA port on your laptop, will allow your drive to be
bus-powered. With the included USB power-sharing cable, it can also
work with a standard eSATA port as well, making it more versatile. Its
unique varnished, scratch-protected aluminum shell and shock-resistant
metal and rubber design with internal anti-shock bumpers by Neil
Poulton makes the LaCie Rugged Hard Disk especially resistant to harsh
elements for extra protection wherever you go.
lacierugged1.jpg
Specifications:
- Capacity: 500 GB
- Interface: USB 2.0, eSATA 3 Gb/s
- Rotational Speed (rpm): 7200
- Interface Transfer Rate: USB 2.0: up to 480 Mbits/s; eSATA: up to 3
Gbits/s
- Data Transfer Rate: USB 2.0: up to 36 MB/s; eSATA: up to 90
MB/s
- Seek Time (Read): <15.5ms
- Maximum Drop Height: 2.2 m/86.6 in. in nonoperating mode (dropping
is not recommended in operating mode)
- Software: LaCie Backup Assistant; LaCie Setup Assistant
- Size: 90 x 145 x 25 mm/3.5 x 5.7 x .9 in.
- Weight: 239 g/8.8 oz.
System Requirements:
- Computer with an eSATA or USB 2.0 port
- High speed Internet for online storage
- Latest versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7/Mac OS X
10.5 or 10.6
- Minimum free disk space: 600 MB recommended
lacierugged2.jpg
Box Content:
- LaCie Rugged Hard Disk
- USB 2.0 cable
- USB power-sharing cable
- Power eSATA cable
- Quick Install Guide
Warranty: 3-Year Limited Warranty
$159.99
Link: LaCie Rugged
eSATA/USB 2.0 500 GB External Hard Drive
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