Except as noted, prices are in US dollars, bold links are to
outside sites, and regular links lead to 'Book profiles on Low End
Mac.
512 MB RAM Module for Apple iBooks Released
Trans Intl. has
announced the availability of a high density 512 MB SDRAM SO-DIMM
memory module for the Apple iBook laptops.
iBooks have one memory expansion slot for main memory expansion.
Memory expansion of the system had been limited to 256 MB with memory
modules currently available.
The new 512 MB memory modules double the memory capacity of the
iBook, which enables users to have more than a half gigabyte of main
memory, making iBooks' memory capacity equal to the latest PC
notebooks.
Compatibility:
Trans Intl. earlier this year released an industry first 512 MB
memory module for the Apple PowerBook G4
Titanium that enabled the system memory to be upgraded up to one
full gigabyte of main memory.
keyBORG PowerBook G3/iBook 
Translucent Key Caps Available from MacImports.Com
Replace your tired bronze or white keycaps with these cool
translucent keys from DigitalHipps. The keys have a stylish Techno font
and are much thinner than the original keys to reduce or eliminate
scuffing the screen. MacImports.com
has keyBORG keys in translucent gray and graphite blue. Installation is
simple. The keyBORG keys fit only the PowerBook G3 1999 (Lombard), 2000
(Pismo) and original iBook. Made by DigitalHipps Co. and imported from
Japan.
How to Use Your 'Book in FireWire Target Disk
Mode
Apple Tech
Info Library (TIL) article #58583 explains what FireWire target
disk mode (TDM) is and how to use it.
FireWire target disk mode allows a Macintosh computer with a
FireWire port (the target computer) to be used as an external hard disk
connected to another computer (the host). Once a target computer is
started up as a FireWire hard disk and is available to the host
computer, you can copy files to or from that volume.
Host computers must meet the following requirements:
- Built-in FireWire port, or a FireWire port on a PC card
- FireWire 2.3.3 or later
- Mac OS 8.6 or later
The following models can be used as target computers:
- PowerBook (FireWire)
- PowerBook G4
- iBook (FireWire)
- iBook SE (FireWire)
- iBook (Dual USB)
- Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) with ATA drive
- Power Mac G4 Cube
- Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
- Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver)
- iMac (Slot Loading) with Firmware version 2.4 or later
- iMac (Summer 2000)
- iMac (Early 2001)
- iMac (Summer 2001)
MCE FireBay FireWire Docking Unit
With MCE's FireBay FireWire
Docking Unit, you can take the expansion bay drives from your PowerBook
G3 and use them with any FireWire-equipped Mac.
Simply insert the PowerBook G3 expansion bay drive, such as the
bootable MCE Xcarét Pro CD-RW drive or the high-speed MCE
Xcarét Pro hard drive, into the FireBay - and now you've got a
bus-powered FireWire device which you can use with your PowerBook G4 Titanium, your Power Mac G4 minitower, or any other
FireWire-equipped Mac. The FireBay also works great with Mac OS X
or any earlier FireWire-capable Mac OS.
If you've got more than one expansion bay device, you can use them
simultaneously by stacking multiple MCE FireBay docks using their
built-in stacking mechanism - no need for an extra FireWire cable; the
stacking interface is built in!
This product is expected to ship in August, 2001
MCE Xcarét Pro Expansion Bay CD-RW
Drives
The MCE
Xcarét Pro 2000 Expansion Bay CD-RW and the MCE Xcarét
Pro Expansion Bay CD-RW are CD-RW drives designed to fit into
the right-side expansion bay slot of your PowerBook. Now you can write
data to standard recordable (CD-R) and rewritable (CD-RW) CDs at up to
8x speeds anywhere you can use your PowerBook. In addition, the devices
will read prerecorded CD-ROMs at up to 24x speeds!
The MCE Xcarét Pro 2000 Expansion Bay DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
allows you to burn CDs and read DVD-ROM discs on your PowerBook G3 1999 (Lombard, Bronze) or
PowerBook G3 2000 (FireWire) with a
single expansion bay drive!
Included with the drive is Roxio Toast Lite CD-recording software,
which allows you to create audio CDs, bootable CDs, and general backup
CDs as well as a host of other CD formats. As with all PowerBook
expansion bay devices, the MCE Xcarét Pro 2000 Expansion Bay
CD-RW, MCE Xcarét Pro Expansion Bay CD-RW drives, and MCE
Xcarét Pro Expansion Bay DVD/CD-RW Combo drive are all
hot-swappable, meaning that you don't need to shut down or put your
PowerBook to sleep to insert and use the drive. They are truly portable
in that they require no external power supply, since power is supplied
by the PowerBook itself. As an added bonus, MCE includes the MCE Xbay
Expansion Bay Device carrying case, a protective carrying case for your
CD-RW or for any of your other expansion bay devices.
MCE also claims that its Xcarét Pro and Xcarét Pro
2000 Expansion Bay CD-RW Drive's are the only expansion bay CD-RW
drives on the market that are capable of booting your PowerBook. This
means you can leave your original CD-ROM/DVD drive at home without
worry should you need to boot from a CD.
Specifications:
- 4x4x20 CD-RW drives: write 4x (800 KB/sec), rewrite 4x (800
KB/sec), read 20x (3000 KB/sec)
- 8x8x24 CD-RW drives: write 8x (1200 KB/sec), rewrite 8x (1200
KB/sec), read 24x (3600 KB/sec)
- DVD/CD-RW combo drive: write 4x (600 KB/sec), rewrite 4x (600
KB/sec), DVD-ROM/read 6x/CD-ROM, read 24x (3600 KB/sec)
- Requires MacOS 8.6 or later
- 1 year warranty
Another PowerBook PCI Expansion Option
Stephen Hildreth of
PowerBook Central reports, "Mobility's EasiExpansion product
family offers an inexpensive PCI and drive expansion solution for
PowerBooks with FireWire capability."
The EasiExpansion T45 PowerBook Expansion Base is available at
MacZone for $399.99. The T35 model, with 3 expansion slots,
is available for $249.99.
Nubaggage Leather Bags for Apple Laptops
Nubaggage offers high
quality 
leather bags made specifically for Apple portable
computers.
- Available in black, tan, and brown.
- Constructed of top grain leather.
- Lined with genuine pig suede.
- Hand made to custom specifications for the following Apple portable
computers.
- PowerBook G4: The G4 bag fits all G4 models
- PowerBook G3: The G3 bag fits G3 models 2" thick or less.
- iBook: The iBook bag fits all iBook models
Cost for each model is $399 US
MarWare Sportfolio Laptop Cases
A new line for MarWare,
the SportFolio laptop cases The SportFolio offers rugged protection in
a slim case with an adjustable, shock absorbing shoulder strap. Two
roomy exterior pockets accommodate cell phones and other items for
quick access. The inside features padding for the laptop, and a pocket
for files or other essentials. The slim design makes the case easy to
carry anywhere. The shoulder strap can be removed and the SportFolio
can be slipped into a large briefcase for travel.
The SportFolio is available in two sizes to accommodate most
laptops, and is offered in black, red, and blue. The SportFolio retails
for $44.95.
Bargain 'Books
This Week's Best PowerBook Deals
- PowerBook G4/500 Titanium, 512 MB RAM
installed, 20 GB hard drive, factory refurbished, 1 year factory
warranty, sale price: $3,049
That's the best price on a 292 MHz WallStreet I've seen. Every
system DataTech sells has been reconditioned, tested at their facility,
and ships with a 180 day guarantee.
