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The 'Book Review
MacBook nano Rumored, Laptop Sales Strong for Holidays, MacBook Software Update 1.1, and More
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook News
Compiled by Charles Moore and edited by Dan Knight - 2007.12.21
General Apple and Mac desktop news is
covered in The Mac News Review. iPod,
iPhone, and Apple TV news is covered in The
iNews Review.
This is the last 'Book Review of the year - Low End Mac will be closed from Christmas through New Year's Day. We'll be back with more MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook news in two weeks. We wish you and yours a joyous Christmas and a blessed 2008.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Products
Bargain 'Books
News & Opinion
Impossibly Thin MacBook nano Rumored
Digital Daily's John Paczkowski says:
"In the run-up to January's Macworld Expo conference in San Francisco, analysts are sifting the entrails of their channel checks for portents of Apple devices to come. This morning UBS analyst Ben Reitzes and Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster published research notes suggesting Apple will use Macworld to debut a number of new Macs, among them the company's smallest laptop ever.
"'Although we were anticipating an 'ultraportable' device with an 8-inch to 11-inch screen, our checks indicate the screen will likely be 11 inches to 13 inches,' Munster wrote. 'That said, we continue to expect the 'ultraportable' MacBook to be Apple's thinnest and lightest ever. It will likely be priced between the $1,099 consumer-level MacBook and the $1,999 MacBook Pro.'"
Link: MacBook Nano: Impossibly Thin (Just Like Your Wallet After Visiting the Apple Store)
Laptops Sales Strong This Christmas
Computerworld's Sharon Gaudin reports:
"Strong laptop sales are making this a hot holiday shopping season for PC makers, according to a report from IDC.
"In its Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, IDC projects that worldwide PC shipments will increase by 16.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of this year, bolstered by the strong laptop sales. The growth projection is good news for manufacturers, who probably still vividly remember slogging through a slow second half of 2006. PC growth was merely 7.9 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2006....
"The laptop share of client PCs nearly hit 45 per cent in the third quarter and is expected to reach 50 per cent by the end of 2008, IDC added...."
Link: Laptops Sales Strong This Christmas
Apple Updates
MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1
This update addresses a
responsiveness issue on MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers.
Some MacBook and MacBook Pro systems may occasionally experience a
temporary suspension of keyboard input which can last a minute or
longer. The Mac OS X 10.5.1 update is required before installing the
MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1.
File Size: 979 KB
System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5.1
Link: MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1
Products
Sonnet Offers MacBook Pro Users ExpressCard/34 Memory Card Reader/Writer
PR: Sonnet Technologies
announces the introduction of its new 21-in-1 Multimedia Memory Card
Reader & Writer for ExpressCard slots. This product replaces
Sonnet's popular reader-only version at the same price. ExpressCard is
the expansion slot technology of choice in today's most popular
notebook computers.
Without cables, Sonnet's 21-in-1 Multimedia Memory Card Reader &
Writer ExpressCard/34 quickly moves files between memory cards and a
notebook computer. With the ability to also write data to memory cards,
users can copy image and music files to memory cards for use in digital
picture frames and MP3 players, respectively. 
Sonnet's memory card reader & writer sits flush
in a MacBook Pro or Windows notebook's ExpressCard slot, so it can be
carried inside the computer slot even when not in use. The Sonnet
product supports the most popular memory card formats used in digital
cameras, cell phones, and other electronic devices, including Memory
Stick™, MMC (Multimedia Card), SD (Secure Digital), XD-Picture
Card™, and all their variations. The card works in ExpressCard/34
and ExpressCard/54 slots.
Multimedia Memory Card Reader & Writer ExpressCard/34 Compatibility
- MacBook Pro running Mac OS X Version 10.4 or later
- PC notebook computer with ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 slot, running Windows Vista or XP SP2
Multimedia Memory Card Reader & Writer ExpressCard/34 (part number MMRW-E34) became available December 17, 2007, with the suggested retail price of $29.95.
Link: Sonnet ExpressCard Memory Card Reader
Bargain 'Books
Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233 MHz, the cacheless MainStreet version and the later Series II with a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from the vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included links within this paragraph to the two models. The same goes for the PowerBook G4/667 (VGA) and G4/667 (DVI), the titanium vs. aluminum 15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz, and 1.25 GHz to 1.5 GHz 15" PowerBooks.
PowerBook, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.
This week with Apple refurb 'Books the $1,699. 2.2 GHz 15" MacBook Pros are back, the 2.4 GHz models have dropped by $100, and there are three 17" MacBook Pro and three MacBook models offered. cm
- refurb 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $899
- refurb 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,049
- refurb 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,249
- refurb 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,699
- refurb 15" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,899
- refurb 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,099
- refurb 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,199
- refurb 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,399
- refurb hi-res 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,599
TechRestore is offering a $25 discount to 'Book Review readers off any PowerBook or iBook in stock. Just enter the code CWM during checkout when ordering online. The coupon code is valid from now through 2007.12.31.
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/SD, $549.99 less $25 = $524.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SD, $879.99 less $25 = $854.99
- 15" 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/100/SD, $1,349.99 less $25 = $1,324.99
iBook Christmas Specials!
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $139.99
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/15/CD, $169.99
Free ground shipping
- new MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $1,049
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, warranty started, $1,199
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,229
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,439
- new 15" Core 2 MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz, 2 GB/200/SD, $2,969
- new 15" Core 2 MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz, 2 GB/200/SD, $3,079
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, warranty started, $1,399
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,439
- open box 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, $2,229
- open box 15" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, warranty started, $2,199
- open box 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,599
- open box 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, warranty started, $2,649
- 12" iBook G3/700, 128/20/CD, AP, small crack, $249
- 12" iBook G4/1.0 GHz, 512/30/Combo, $475
- 12" iBook G4/1.0 GHz, 512/30/Combo, AirPort, $509
- Add AirPort Extreme for $39
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $199.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/40/CD, $219.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 256/10/CD-RW, $239.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 256/10/Combo, $299.95
- 12" iBook G3/600, 256/20/CD, $229.95
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $249.95
- Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 192/6/Zip, $249.95
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/40/Combo, $499.95
- 14" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/40/Combo, $549.95
- 15" PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/Combo, $529.95
For more deals on current and discontinued models, see our MacBook deals, MacBook Pro deals, 12" PowerBook G4 deals,
15" PowerBook G4
deals, 17"
PowerBook G4 deals, titanium PowerBook G4
deals, iBook G4
deals, PowerBook G3
deals, and iBook G3
deals. 
Recent 'Book Reviews
- Apple #4 in Reliability, Apple Tablet a Gadget for All?, HP's i7 Notebook Outdoes Mac Rivals, and More, 11.20. Also Flash 10.1 improves video on Hackintosh netbooks, thin-and-light notebooks impress, Windows XP finally on the way out, and more.
- OS X 10.6.2 Breaks Atom Netbooks, 320 GB MicroDrive, Adamo XPS World's Thinnest Laptop, and More, 11.13. Also Mini DisplayPort now a VESA standard, Modbook price drop, Litl Webbook Internet appliance, 3G USB device from AT&T, and more.
- Quad-Core CPU Makes Sense in MacBook Pro, OS X 10.6 Causing Overheating, Overseas Power, and More, 11.06. Also Late 2009 MacBook reviewed, how to add RAM to new MacBook, 18.4in Acer notebook used Intel i7, and SanDisk SSD chosen for Sony VAIO X.
- Upgrades for New MacBook, Quad-core MacBook Pro Expected, New MacBook Benchmarked, and More, 10.30. Also equivalent PC laptops nearly the same price as Apple's MacBook, Late 2009 MacBook reviewed, 8 GB memory upgrade for new MacBook, and more.
- More in the .
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: Power Mac G5 Quad, Oct. 2005 - With two 2.5 GHz dual-core G5 CPUs, the G5 Quad was the most powerful PowerPC Mac ever and introduced PCI Express.
- Group of the Day: Mac Network deals with all aspects of Mac networking.
- November 20 in LEM history: 85: Windows 1.0 - 00: Mac dreams - 01: Stop the upgrade insanity - Good people, good software, good business - The digital lifestyle: Text - 06: To AppleCare or not? - One year with my 'free' Mac mini - 07: Why you want to avoid integrated graphics - Problem with Leopard on a MDD
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Apple's Tablet an End Run Beyond Netbooks, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. Whatever Apple has planned will leverage existing technologies while going beyond what its competitors can offer.
- NASA Chemical Sensor for iPhone, Smartphone Death Match, iPhone Earrings, and More, Ian R Campbell, 11.20. Also mobile phone dangers, new apps, GPS solution for iPod touch, new iPod and iPhone cases, and more.
- i5 iMac Benchmarked, Mac mini 'Shouldn't Be Overlooked', Twitter Client for Classic Mac OS, and More, Mac News Review, 11.20. Also why Apple leaves the low end to others, 10.6.2 fixes video playback problem in 27" iMac, 3D Leopard and Snow Leopard performance, and more.
- Replacing the Hard Drive in a Clamshell iBook, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 11.19. Yes, it is one of the most difficult Apple notebooks to disassemble and reassemble, but a 10 GB hard drive just will not do.
- IBM Model F: A Great Old Keyboard with an Outdated Layout, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 11.19. Although it used a different technology than the revered IBM Model M keyboard, the Model F was a great keyboard in its own right.
- Soft Touch Keyboards, Wireless Mouse Options, Loving SeaMonkey 2, and More, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.18. Also the future of browsing with PowerPC Macs and the multiple mouse input bug introduced with OS X 10.5.8.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
- Best Xserve Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz dual G4, $649; 2.3 dual G5, $795; 3.0 4-core Xeon, $1,899; refurb 2.26 4-core, $2,499; new, $2,888; refurb 8-core, $2,999; new, $3,449; more.
- Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, 11.17. Used 1.83 GHz, $750; 2.16, $800; 2.33, $900; refurb 2.4, $1,299; 2.53, $1,449; 2.66, $1,699; 2.8, $1,899; new 2.53, $1,579; 2.66, $1,799; more.
- Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.17. Used 400 MHz, $50; 933 MHz, $80; 500 dual, $60; 867 dual, $90; 1 GHz dual, $150; 1.25 GHz dual, $225; 1.42 GHz, $499.
- Best Mac OS X 10.5 Deals, 11.17. "Leopard" upgrade, $80; single user license, $135; 5 users, $173; Mac Box Set, 5 users, $230; Server, 10 users, $340; unlimited, $850. Shipping included.
- Best Mac mini Deals, 11.16. Used 1.42 GHz G4 mini, $379; 1.66 GHz Core Solo, $419; 2.0 Core 2, $450; new 2.26 GHz nVidia, $580; 2.53 GHz, $769; Server, $990.
- Best iBook G4 Deals, 11.16. Used 12" 1.07 GHz Combo, $210; 1.33 GHz, $298; 14" 1.33 GHz, $398; 1.42 GHz, $479; SuperDrive, $498.
- Best iPod shuffle Deals, 11.16. Used 1 GB, $35; 4 GB, $65; refurb 1 GB, $39; 2 GB, $59; new 2 GB, $55, 4 GB, $75. New and refurb prices include shipping.
- More deals in our archive.
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