'Book Value
Low End Mac is pleased to publish 'Book Value by Charles Moore . Moore has been a freelance journalist since 1986, began writing for Mac websites in mid 1997, and has been writing for Low End Mac since September 1999. He oversees our weekly news reviews, and also writes the Miscellaneous Ramblings column. His Road Warrior column is a regular feature on MacOpinion, he writes The 'Book Mystique for PB Central, is a news editor and columnist at Applelinks.com, and also writes for The Apple Blog.
Moore lives and works in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, on the shore of Indian Harbour Lake and in sight of the Atlantic Ocean, where he accesses the Internet using dial-up. His newspaper columns are syndicated across Canada, and he writes regularly for several magazines, as well as doing Mac website journalism. Moore has also contributed to MacToday magazine.
His current stable of Macs includes a Mac Plus, an LC 520, a PowerBook 1400, a PowerBook 5300, and a 233 MHz PowerBook G3 Series II (a.k.a. WallStreet, currently on loan to his daughter), two PowerBook G3 (Pismo) machines, both with G4 upgrades, a 17" 1.33 GHz PowerBook G4, and a 2.0 GHz Unibody MacBook, as well as a Umax SuperMac S900.
- End of the Road in Sight for OS X Tiger and My Pismo PowerBooks, 2012.06.21. The 12-year-old PowerBooks and 7-year-old operating system are falling too far behind in browser support.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the Pismo PowerBook, 2012.02.16. The first PowerBook with FireWire and AirPort support, Pismo had a great keyboard and lots of connection and expansion options.
- The Siren Call of PC Laptop Prices Revisited, 2012.01.09. Hmm, a lot of those PC notebooks can run Mac OS X. That changes things!
- The Siren Call of PC Laptop Prices, 2012.01.03. Macs are wonderful, but Windows notebook appear to offer so much more for your dollar spent.
- My New iPad 2: A User's Guide, 2011.08.23. Wallace Wang's introduction to the iPad, available in print or as an ebook, is a great reference for any iPad 2 user.
- LapWorks iPad Space Dock Aluminum iPad Stand, 2011.07.14. For real work, your iPad deserves a stand. The aluminum iPad Space Dock provides solid support with good looks.
- Moore's iPad Adventure, Part 1: Underwhelming in the Early Going, 2011.06.20. Using an iPad is very, very different from using a Mac, and it's definitely limited as a content creation tool.
- Of Cars and Trucks, iPads and Macs, 2011.06.14. Steve Jobs says iPads are like cars while PCs are like trucks, and most people today don't need trucks. Or Macs?
- My Quixotic Quest for Quietness: Keeping My 'Book's Fans Spooled Down, 2011.04.27. Silence is golden, but computers run hot and need to be cooled. The Targus Chill Mat for Mac provides cooling with quiet fans.
- Asus and Lamborghini Team Up on Cobranded Notebooks, 2011.04.20. If Asus can team up with Lamborghini and Acer with Ferrari, why hasn't Apple done a cobranded MacBook Pro?
- Steve Wozniak Says the iPad Is for Normal People: How Normal Are You?, 2011.04.07. Charles Moore contemplates choosing an iPad as his next computer instead of a MacBook.
- Firmware Update Supports 8 GB in Unibody MacBook and Late 2008 15" MacBook Pro, 2011.03.08. With the latest firmware version and Mac OS X 10.6.6, the Late 2008 Unibody MacBook and 15" MacBook Pro reliably work with 8 GB of RAM.
- AppleCare Pros and Cons, 2011.01.26. To AppleCare or not to AppleCare? That is the question facing anyone buying a new or certified refurbished Mac.
- My Latest Pismo Adventure: Bad RAM, 2011.01.12. After ten years of mostly faithful service, the Pismo was running hot and then wouldn't wake from sleep due to bad memory.
- OmniWeb: The Best Surviving Free Browser for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger?, 2011.01.10. OmniWeb was the last commercial browser to become free, and the current version tends to run quite well on PowerPC Macs with OS X 10.4.
- TenFourFox: Firefox 4 Beta 7 for PowerPC Macs, 2010.11.24. Firefox 4 has no OS X 10.4 support, and since Beta 4, it doesn't support PowerPC Macs at all. TenFourFox fixes that.
- Mac OS X 10.6.5 Update a Step Backward, 2010.11.17. Ever since migrating from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard, Moore has had some persistent problems, which are worse with the latest update.
- Bringing Back Pismo, 2010.11.04. Replacing the hard drive in a Pismo PowerBook is a project anyone who is careful should have no problem undertaking.
- After Upgrades, Moore's Pismo Becomes His Best Ever, 2010.11.01. After transplanting a better display and installing a FastMac G4 upgrade, this has become Moore's fastest Pismo.
- Charles Moore's Pismo Has a Near Death Experience, 2010.10.05. The Pismo wouldn't wake from sleep, manifested a crashing sound at startup, and refused to boot. Going back to the original G3 resurrected it, but with a lot less power than the G4.
- iPad Users Prefer iPad to Paper, 7" iPad Rumored, Yahoo and Gmail Improve iPad Email, and More, 2010.08.20. Also most Americans prefer hard copy to electronic devices, downgrade iPhone 3G to iOS 3.1.3, Haptic tablet to take on iPad, $5 iPad USB charging adapter, and more.
- Commodious SLAPPA V2 Velocity Spyder Pro Laptop Backpack Just Right for Large Notebooks, 2010.08.16. If you're looking for a backpack case for a 15" or larger notebook, the Velocity Spyder is light, spacious, and provides lots of protection.
- NokHoo Pretty Smart Laptop Bags Are Stylish, Distinctive, and Practical, 2010.08.05. Hand crafted using top quality materials, the NokHoo bags hold a 15" laptop and look like works of art.
- 2 Weeks with OS X 10.6.4 and Safari 5, 2010.06.30. The latest update to Snow Leopard retains several problems from earlier versions, but Safari is now faster than ever.
- MacSpeech and a MacBook Complement Each Other Nicely, 2010.06.23. MacSpeech Dictate has impressive accuracy and is almost effortless to use. It turns a MacBook into a great portable dictation machine.
- Hot 'Book? It Could Be Your Apps, 2010.04.13. Some programs, such as Firefox, Chrome, and Thunderbird, can really raise CPU temperature. Others have less impact on heat.
- Notebook Value Paradox: The Hole in the Middle, 2010.04.05. While low-cost netbooks and $1,000-plus Apple notebooks are selling well, midrange notebook sales languish.
- Maximize Your MacBook's Hard Drive Capacity, 2010.03.30. Western Digital and Toshiba both make 1 TB notebook hard drives for the ultimate in MacBook storage.
- Why Multitasking Is a Big Deal for the iPad, 2010.03.22. With its large screen, the iPad cries out to run multiple apps simultaneously. Without it, it's like using a pre-System 5 Mac.
- Targus Chill Mat for Mac, 2010.01.18. Updated Chill Mat does a great job of keeping your 'book (and your lap) cool.
- Weather Bombs, Wireless Internet, and the Importance of Dialup Access, 2010.01.12. Wireless broadband access is a wonderful thing, but what happens when the local tower loses power? Dialup to the rescue.
- State of the Fleet: 2009 Has Been an Eventful Year, 2009.12.22. Two iBooks died, a Unibody MacBook joined the fleet, the 17" PowerBook changed hands, and the Pismos are as reliable as ever.
- Further Upgrading My Pismo PowerBooks, 2009.12.01. Both Pismos already have larger, faster hard drives, higher capacity batteries, and 576 MB or 640 MB of RAM. Thoughts on upgrading to 1 GB and running Leopard.
- Handing Off My 17" PowerBook G4, 2009.11.30. Over the weekend, Charles Moore swapped his 17" G4 PowerBook for a G4-upgraded Pismo - in many ways, a step forward.
- Thoughts on Downsizing from a 17" 'Book to a 13" MacBook, 2009.11.17. With its big screen, the 17" PowerBook was a real workhorse, but the smaller, lighter, faster MacBook is just about the perfect notebook computer.
- Razer Orochi: One of the Nicest Mice I've Ever Used, 2009.11.03. The author detests the trackpad on the 17" PowerBook. This notebook gaming mouse is an absolute pleasure to use.
- Goldtouch Go! Travel Keyboard: Ergonomics for the Road Warrior, 2009.09.29. Ergonomic keyboards designed for mobile use are few and far between. This one from Goldtouch is compact, solidly built, and very flexible.
- Retro Clamshell iBook Case Returns for Modern 'Books, 2009.09.14. Originally designed for the clamshell iBook, the Classic Case from MacCase is back - and just right for 12" and 13" iBooks, PowerBooks, and MacBooks.
- OS X 10.5.8 Update Provides Incentive to Get 10.6, 2009.09.08. Installing the 10.5.8 update was unproblematic, but one old bug reared its ugly head. Maybe 'Snow Leopard' will fix it....
- Affordable, Ultralight 13" Laptop Case Perfect for MacBooks, 2009.09.01. Thin and light $40 notebook sleeve fits MacBook, 13" MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air like a glove.
- Protect Your Notebook Against Loss, Theft, Data Loss, and Security Breaches, 2009.08.25. 10 percent of laptops are lost or stolen every year. Tips on preventing theft, securing your data, and recovering from a lost, stolen, or broken notebook.
- Mac Notebook Value for the College Student, 2009.08.20. "...Apple 'Books represent the best long-term value for money spent, not to mention user experience...."
- 'Snow Leopard' Doesn't Mean the End of the Road for PowerPC Macs, 2009.08.18. Although Mac development will shift more and more towards requiring Intel CPUs and Snow Leopard, PowerPC Macs will remain viable for years to come.
- Apple Finally Brings Antiglare to 15" MacBook Pro, 2009.08.13. Losing a matte display option has kept some Mac users away from the new glossy screen MacBooks. For $50 extra, that objection goes away.
- Laptop Sleeve Shootout: iSkin SOHO Sleeve Portfolio, 2009.08.10. iSkin's SOHO Sleeve Portfolio protects your 'Book while adding a minimal amount of weight.
- The Day the Pismo Died, 2009.08.04. At eight years old, a short or power surge took out the Pismo PowerBook. But with the right parts, it's been brought back to life and remains in daily use.
- Enduring Pismo Still King of the Mac Laptop Hill, 2009.07.30. Nearly a decade after its introduction, the Pismo PowerBook remains a great choice and great value.
- Apple's Tablet: The iTouch Cometh, 2009.07.28. Apple's long rumored tablet is likely to have a 10" screen and run the iPhone OS rather than Mac OS X.
- Finding the Best Values in Apple's MacBook Matrix, 2009.07.21. With prices ranging from $999 to $2,499, speeds from 1.86 to 2.8 GHz, and sized from 13 to 17 inches, what's right for you?
- Are Close-out MacBooks a Better Value than the New Models?, 2009.07.14. There are great prices on previous gen MacBooks, new and refurbished, but the June 2009 models have lots to offer as well.
- Proporta Protective Laptop Bag Capacious and Affordable, 2009.07.08. "I really like this bag. It's a clever, sensibly practical, and amazingly capacious designed, considering its light weight, svelte dimensions, and clean styling."
- Checking Out Safari 4 on an Old PowerBook, 2009.06.30. Safari 4 is the fastest it's ever been, but it's not without some frustrating drawbacks.
- More Blackout Workaround Strategies, 2009.06.25. With climate change, power outages are more common than ever. Two tools to keep you powered when the lights go out.
- Avoiding Dead and Stuck Pixels on Your LCD Screen, 2009.06.22. While CRT monitors would sometimes develop burn-in, LCD monitors may ship with or develop bad pixels.
- Low-end MacBook Pros: SD Card and FireWire In, ExpressCard Out, 2009.06.16. The new 13" and 15" MacBook Pro have FireWire 800 and SD Card slots, but ExpressCard is gone, left for the 17" MacBook Pro.
- Mac 'Book Power Management Adventures, 2009.05.19. If your 'Book won't power up, shuts down while your working, or has other power issues, resetting its internal power manager may clear things up.
- 12", 4 Pound Averatech N2700 Exactly What Apple Should Be Building, 2009.05.11. This lightweight laptop has the power of the MacBook, the footprint of the 12" PowerBook, and a $699 price tag.
- 12 Year Old PowerBook 2400c Apple's First Crossover Notebook?,, 2009.05.08. Built by IBM Japan, the PowerBook 2400c remains the smallest footprint notebook that Apple has ever produced, comparable in size to today's 12" netbooks.
- Are Crossover Notebooks the Next Wave?, 2009.05.05. The netbook market has grown, but netbook makers are now moving to larger, more fully featured, still small-and-light models.
- 11 Years Later, WallStreet PowerBook Still Productive, 2009.05.04. Introduced on May 4, 1998, the PowerBook G3 Series had lots of power and a curvaceous new design that lasted until the Titanium PowerBook arrived in 2001.
- Looking Back at the Dual USB iBook on Its Eighth Birthday, 2009.05.01. Introduced on May 1, 2001, the white iBook had a fresh new design that endured until it was replaced by the MacBook five years later.
- Computers and the Internet Can Be Key Flu Avoidance and Prevention Tools, 2009.04.28. As the 'swine flu' spreads, being able to work and communicate from home can be an important element in avoiding infection and preventing its spread.
- The Importance of Feel to the Computing Experience, 2009.04.21. Computing power is important, but a keyboard and mouse or trackpad with the right feel may have more impact on productivity.
- Unibody MacBook 'an Excellent Successor' to 12" PowerBooks and iBooks, 2009.04.14. The MacBook is a bit wider and lacks FireWire and a built-in modem, but overall it's a worthy successor to the Apple's 12" 'Books.
- A Dozen Years of Low End Mac, 2009.04.07. Charles Moore reflects on 9-1/2 years of writing for Low End Mac.
- My Apple Laptops: Past, Present, and Future, 2009.03.31. Looking back at the WallStreet, Pismo, and PowerBook G4 while moving ahead with a Unibody MacBook.
- Getting Settled in with the Unibody MacBook, 2009.03.24. Using a new Mac with dialup is made easier with the preview version of Opera Turbo.
- Making the Switch from a G4 PowerBook to a Unibody MacBook, 2009.03.17. The transition to an Intel-based Mac hasn't been without its problems - slow dial-up performance, incompatibility with Eudora, and no real gain in speed with standby apps.
- $40 802.11g CardBus WiFi Card for OS X 10.3 and Later, 2009.03.10. Whether it's the Buffalo or Belkin card, it has the same Broadcom chipset as Apple's AirPort Extreme and needs no special drivers.
- Migrating to an Intel Mac More Difficult than Expected, 2009.02.20. Eudora won't configure properly or work over dial-up, Migration Assistant isn't importing setting, and Color It 4.5 simply refuses to work at this point.
- First Impressions of the Unibody MacBook, 2009.02.09. Construction is sold, size is just right, the keyboard and mouse require a bit too much pressure, and just two USB ports is impractical.
- Charles Moore Going Intel with a Unibody MacBook, 2009.02.03. Although the 5-year-old 17" PowerBook is just fine, refurb pricing makes this a great time to order a Unibody MacBook.
- Plastic or Aluminum: What's the Better MacBook Now?, 2009.01.26. Last week Apple updated the polycarbonate MacBook with the same graphics processor as the Unibody MacBook. Which is more compelling?
- The Value of the Overlooked $999 2.1 GHz MacBook White, 2009.01.20. The Unibody MacBook has been getting most of the press, but the $999 MacBook White with its SuperDrive and proven design provides great value.
- OS Robustness, Mac Reliability, and the Upgrade Cycle, 2009.01.15. This user has no compelling reason to upgrade from his 5- to 9-year-old PowerBooks, yet he finds the Intel 'Books alluring.
- 2 Compact Portable USB 2.0 Hubs, 2009.01.12. Compact hubs from Targus and Proporta make a great complement to your notebook computer. Each accepts a third-party AC adapter to provide bus power.
- Waterfield First with SleeveCase for New 17" Unibody MacBook Pro, 2009.01.08. Waterfield has a reputation for top quality bags at appropriate prices, and it's already designed a sleeve for the new 17" Unibody MacBook Pro.
- Notebooks and Blackouts, 2008.12.23. When the power goes out, a notebook computer with long-lasting batteries lets you keep working for hours and hours.
- The 1 GHz Pismo, the Fastest G3 Notebook Ever, 2008.12.15. Apple never shipped a G3 faster than 900 MHz, but the PowerLogix BlueChip upgrade could bring the Pismo PowerBook to 1 GHz.
- How Come Dell Can Sell a New 15" Notebook for Half the Price of a Refurbished MacBook?, 2008.12.11. With Dell Canada selling a 15" Inspiron notebook for $549 and Apple selling a refurbished last generation MacBook for $1,049, one has to wonder.
- Targus Velos Messenger Case: Versatile, Attractive, and Modestly Priced, 2008.12.04. The Velos Messenger Case is solidly built, had pockets for lots of extras, and could even handle a second 15" notebook computer.
- A Used 17" PowerBook as a Budget Notebook Alternative, 2008.12.02. Sure, you can buy a refurbished 13.3" MacBook for under $900, but you could also have an expansive, feature laden 17" PowerBook in the same price range.
- Netbooks Tempting, Cry Out for Mac OS X, 2008.11.24. Netbooks are light, cheap, compact, and underpowered. One with OS X and a real Core 2 Duo processor would fly.
- Just Right: Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear MacBooks, 2008.11.20. Some people like small and light notebooks, others prefer huge desktop replacements, but the best value tends to be in the middle.
- Kensington Ci95m Wireless Mouse: Great Battery Life, Smooth Performance, 2008.11.13. Kensington's slim wireless mouse is well built, works smoothly, has great battery life, and avoids Bluetooth pairing and wake-up issues.
- Unibody MacBook the Logical Successor to the 12" PowerBook, 2008.11.05. All things considered, the thinner, lighter aluminum MacBook is a worthy successor to the 12" PowerBook beloved by so many.
- New Unibody MacBook or Discontinued 15" MacBook Pro?, 2008.10.28. The new aluminum MacBook is tempting, but the older MacBook Pro has so many more expansion options.
- Will Apple's Rumored $800 Notebook Be a Netbook?, 2008.10.13. Netbooks are hot, and with the economy in turmoil, Apple needs to offer a netbook for the OS X crowd.
- New Apple Notebooks at Zero Minus One Week, 2008.10.07. It's widely anticipated that Apple will overhaul the MacBook Pro and MacBook lines next Tuesday. What should we expect?
- Dell's Quad Core Workstation Notebook Shows Where Apple's 17" MacBook Pro Falls Short, 2008.09.30. Inch thin notebooks have their place, but some users need more power and expansion options that current MacBooks simply cannot accommodate.
- Converting a Car's Front Seat for Use Around the House, 2008.09.22. It started with the passenger seat from a 1987 Chrysler New Yorker and became the most comfortable seat in the house.
- Connect Any Drive to USB with the $25 XLR8 AnyDrive USB 2.0 Drive Adapter, 2008.09.16. This handy device lets you connect a 2.5" or 3.5" IDE or SATA drive to any Mac with USB support. Windows drivers are also included.
- Bring Back the Macintosh Portable, 2008.09.09. Not to fault today's MacBooks, but there's something to be said for a no compromise, very expandable, portable Macintosh as well.
- Upgrade Options for 15" and 17" Aluminum PowerBooks, 2008.09.02. Memory, hard drive, optical drive, and flash card readers for 15-inch and 17-inch aluminum G4 PowerBooks.
- What's the Best Mac OS for Your iBook, PowerBook, or MacBook?, 2008.08.19. Tips on choosing the best OS for your PowerBook 500 Series or newer Mac notebook.
- TruePower AC Adapter for iBooks and PowerBooks Is Rugged, Reliable, and Affordable, 2008.08.14. Apple's track record with AC adapters is spotty, but the TruePower adapter is tough enough to survive being run over by a truck.
- 8 Hour Runtime Realisitic with TruePower Batteries for Lombard and Pismo, 2008.08.05. Apple's original batteries could keep you going for up to 5 hours when they were new; these high capacity replacement batteries improve that by 60%.
- Tricking Out Your Notebook for Superior Desktop Duty, 2008.07.29. For desktop use, you don't need to be limited by the built-in trackpad, keyboard, and display or a notebook's compromised ergonomics.
- Kensington Portable Power Outlet a great accessory for the road warrior, 2008.07.22. With three AC outlets and two USB charging ports, this compact device is a great way to have extra power outlets when you're on the go.
- New MacBook models for the back-to-school buying season?, 2008.07.21. Intel's new Centrino 2 platform plus the long time since MacBook and MacBook Pro updates makes new Mac notebooks almost a certainty before school resumes.
- You have to be able to see the screen: Buying prescription specs online, 2008.07.15. Computing can be a challenge if you're far- or nearsighted, and you can save a bundle by ordering your eyeglasses online.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the iBook G4, 2008.07.09. Replacing the G3 iBook in October 2003, the iBook G4 was and remains a value leader until it was replaced by the MacBook in 2006.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the Dual USB iBook G3, 2008.07.01. From a 500 MHz model introduced in May 2001 through 12" and 14" 900 MHz G3 iBooks rolled out in April 2003, these iBooks offered unprecedented value.
- The PowerBook G5: Long rumored, never produced, 2008.06.24. Five years ago Apple introduced the G5 Power Mac, but the new CPU never made it to the PowerBook. Apple called it 'the mother of all thermal challenges'.
- Win the depreciation game by buying on the low end, 2008.06.24. The worst depreciation afflicts high-end models. By buying a less powerful version, choosing certified refurbished, or picking up a used computer, you'll come out ahead.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the 17" PowerBook, 2008.06.17. The world's first 17" notebook had a spacious 1440 x 900 display, was just an inch thick, and ran at an impressive 1 GHz.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the 15" PowerBook, 2008.06.10. The 15" PowerBook G4 gained speed, better graphics, faster WiFi, and much more with the transition to aluminum.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the 12" PowerBook, 2008.06.03. The most compact PowerBook ever is very portable and has enough power to run Leopard decently.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the Kanga PowerBook, 2008.05.29. The first G3 PowerBook was the world's fastest laptop computer when it was released - and 2.5x as fast as the PowerBook 3400 that it replaced.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the Pismo PowerBook, 2008.05.20. The first PowerBook with FireWire and AirPort support, Pismo had a great keyboard and lots of connection and expansion options.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the Lombard PowerBook G3, 2008.05.13. With the Lombard PowerBook, Apple abandoned the legacy ADB and serial ports for USB, trimmed 20% from WallStreet's weight, and hit 400 MHz.
- Where's the best MacBook value: Top, bottom, or middle?, 2008.05.06. When it comes to MacBook and MacBook Pro value, the top-end model is usually the worst value, but which model holds the sweet spot?
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to the WallStreet PowerBook G3, 2008.05.05. Introduced 10 years ago, the PowerBook G3 had a whole new design, a faster system bus, 2 expansion bays, 2 PC Card slots, and plenty of options.
- Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Titanium PowerBooks, 2008.04.29. Between January 2001 and November 2002, Apple went through four revisions and eight models ranging from 400 MHz to 1 GHz.
- Clamshell iBooks reconsidered, 2008.04.17. Back in 2000, it was about time to replace the WallStreet PowerBook. Would a clamshell iBook be a better value than a newer PowerBook G3?
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