LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, iMac's, Apple Batteries and Apple A/C Adapters. Also Great prices on Used Apple Computers. Call 1-800-941-7654 Click Here.
OWC: Burn DVDs, DVD-DL, CDs, DVD-Ram - FAST! Superdrive upgrades from OWC starting from $31.99 with options for nearly every Mac. Models with Lightscribe, Blu-Ray too!
I continue to have mixed feelings about Apple's power adapter
recall program for WallStreet and Lombard PowerBooks. My
original M4402 AC adapter brick that shipped with my WallStreet
never got more than moderately warm in 2-1/2 years of 24/7 use.
However, there are some unsettling stories about the "yo-yo"
style power adapters that are being used to replace the M4402. in
the recall program.
The yo-yos are manufactured by either Samsung in China or Delta
in Thailand
Reportedly, some of the Samsung units have an electrical
problem. If you first plug the AC cord into the wall, and then plug
the other end of the cord into the yo-yo, it frequently arcs,
creating a bright blue spark to jump.
Apparently, the twin metal prongs inside the adapter in the
Delta unit are somewhat conical (non-arcing), while the Samsung's
are rounded (arcing).
The eligible units are small rectangular black AC adapter boxes
with a permanently attached cord on one end to connect to the
computer and a detachable two-prong cord on the other end to plug
into an AC outlet. The adapter is approximately 4.75 inches long by
2 inches wide. The label located on the side of the adapter reads
in part, "Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapter" and "Model Number:
M4402."
iBook Overclocking Tutorial Posted
Accelerate Your
Mac has posted an iBook 2001 Overclocking Guide, a tutorial by David
Giessel on how to goose the 2001 iBook to 100 MHz bus speed and 600
MHz CPU speed (while voiding your warranty in the process).
As the article's disclaimer/caution notice reads: "This article
is for entertainment purposes only. The author nor the site
publisher assumes any liability for modifications you make to your
iBook, which voids the warranty and may affect short or long term
reliability. Incorrectly done modifications may cause immediate
system damage or injury."
So don't even think about trying this at home, kids, unless
you're prepared to assume full personal responsibility for
potentially wrecking your new iBook.
Geissel also notes:
...taking a compact laptop apart is a very daunting task (I'd
say that it is at least 3x more difficult than completely
disassembling one of Apple's current towers). There are dozens of
screws and small parts, and the case has to be pried off of the
magnesium frame. Not a walk in the park. I took my time the first
time around and 1.5 hours later I had the motherboard out. It was
very stressful and there are no guarantees that you will be able to
get any extra speed out of YOUR PARTICULAR iBook. You will also
lose your warranty and it is likely that local service shops will
refuse to work on your iBook as well....
Was it worth it?
The tweaked 'Book is definitely faster.
Carriage Trade 'Book Accessories
Lee Herrington touts his Herrington Catalog as "a catalog for
enthusiasts - those who share my passion for great automobiles,
serious golf, fine photography, hassle-free travel, physical
fitness, and distinctive executive accessories."
Among the items Herrington offers are some PowerBook
accessories.
Mobile
75-Watt DC/AC Inverter: Charge your laptop on the road or
in the air - and never run out of computing power, or things to do,
while traveling.
No matter what the capacity of your laptop's battery, it always
seems to go dead when you're miles away from home, and nowhere near
an AC socket. Solve that with this mobile DC to AC Inverter. Slips
into your briefcase at just 5"x 3"x 1.5", but plugs into any
12-volt DC lighter socket to provide plenty of 110 volt AC to
recharge your laptop, video camera, or portable CD/DVD player.
Modified sine wave design for smooth, reliable current; peak surge
power of 150 watts. Low-current draw permits use with car running
or engine turned off; includes low-battery alarm and auto
low-battery shutdown just in case! For use on airlines, simply plug
Inverter's 12-volt lighter plug into our matching Airline Power
Port. Plugs directly into in-seat 12-volt power sockets now offered
in 1st Class and Business Class on most major domestic and
international flights. So you can work productively as you fly from
coast to coast - without a power failure!
The Mobile 75-Watt DC/AC Inverter adapter sells for $49.95. You
can purchase an optional airline adapter for $19.95. Power Set -
both for $65.00
Autobahn
Desk: Transform your passenger seat into a mobile office -
work at peak efficiency on the road!
Strap Autobahn Desk into your front passenger seat with the
existing seat belt, and establish a spacious, flexible work space
right next to you. Large slide-out writing surface creates a
two-tiered desk top. Nonskid material keeps your briefcase or
computer from sliding. Generous storage compartment stows your
notebook computer, cell phone, and folio out of sight. Wedge shape
nestles right into the contours of the seat, creating a flat work
surface. And a generous tub file lets you suspend a dozen or more
standard hanging files. So you can access key account, vendor, or
product data easily from the driver's seat.
Although lightweight (12 lbs.) and portable, Autobahn Desk's
thoughtful design and rigid construction creates a solid, stable
mobile office. So you can turn wasted hours away from the office,
into productive ones!
Autobahn Nonskid Desk, $160.00
Canvas Carry Bag, $49.95
Retractable
Connectivity Kit: Access the web anywhere, any way, with
the retractable travel kit that keeps you connected.
Until wireless technology becomes the standard, we're all stuck
with cords. Travel with this compact Connectivity Kit, and you'll
never be unable to access the Net. One spool of cord gives you 7'
of reach. Just pull out to the desired length; push the button to
retract. Both ends have a standard RJ-45 phone connector that fits
into a Router/Hub or RJ-45 wall plate. Inside the 4"x 2.75"x .75"
case, 3 separate adaptors nest neatly together, letting you
customize the cable for different applications.
Two RJ-45 to RJ-11 conversion adaptors let you hook your laptop
to any standard phone outlet for modem use. A third adaptor lets
you "split" a standard phone outlet so you can connect two devices
to one outlet (i.e. a telephone and your laptop). Lastly, use
simply as a 7' extension cord to an existing network or phone cord
that's just too far away for convenience! Cord is Cat-5e Ethernet
standard for corporate networking.
Retractable Connectivity Kit, $36.95
Low-Current 512 MB Pismo RAM Modules
Available
The PowerBook Source notes that low-current 512 MB RAM modules,
which are the only modules that can be used together reliably in a
Pismo PowerBook to obtain the maximum 1 GB of memory, are
available from MicroWest Technologies and West Coast
Technology.
A second SO-DIMM, 512 MB, Part Number 12468-0001, upgrades all
iBooks, from the original to the new iBook.
Keyspan Announces New Versions of USB PDA
Adapter and High Speed USB Serial Adapter
The Keyspan USB PDA
Adapter (USA-19Q) now has the ability to hot sync PDA devices at up
to 115 Kbps. In addition to supporting serial PDAs from Palm, HP,
Compaq, Casio, and Sharp, the enhanced adapter now works with Psion
organizers. Additionally, the adapter now sports a 3-foot
detachable USB cable. The enhanced adapter has an MSRP of $39 and
is now shipping.
Keyspan's High Speed Serial Adapter (USA-19QW), which continues
to offer data rates up to 230 Kbps, now includes a 3-foot
detachable USB cable, and is compatible with an even broader range
of modems, cameras, PDAs, GPS, cell phones, handheld scanners, and
other serial devices. This adapter has an MSRP of $59 and is now
shipping.
In addition to "off-the shelf" support for Linux 2.4, Keyspan's
Serial-to-USB Adapters also support Windows 98, Windows Me and
Windows 2000, as well as Mac OS 8.6 or higher. Beta drivers for Mac
OS X are available at http://www.keyspan.com/support/macosx/.
Willow Whumphs! iBook Slipcase for
Backpacks
Willow Design
has introduced an iBook slipcase for those who want easy access to
their iBook while the slipcase is still in the
pack.
The Whumph!
slipcase protects with half inch soft open cell foam backed
up by the protective rigidity of corrugated plastic on the case
outside. Both the foam and plastic are tightly fitted to maximize
protection.
The slipcase is also comfortable to carry on its own. The
Whumph! features a removable foam padded wrap handle around the web
handle which is riveted through a high density polyethylene backing
plate for extra security. Each slipcase comes with a comfortable,
foam padded, contoured shoulder strap.
iBook Whumph! Slipcase Features
excellent protection for your iBook afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5")
soft "gushy" foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on the top and
bottom plus all sides.
a clean, very lightweight and compact size.
convenient end access for those who wanting to stuff the
slipcase into and remove the iBook from top loading backpacks.
great carrying comfort insured by a removable foam padded wrap
handle with extra strength ensured by web handle being riveted
through high density polyethylene backing .
contoured, padded shoulder strap with a special sticky bottom
to keep it on your shoulder.
nylon web handle, quadruple reinforced with rivets, to insure
the safety of your laptop.
outer front organizer panel with pockets for business cards,
pens, elasticized pocket for the Apple power supply plus room for
the power cord and an ethernet cable.
flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines
or newspapers.
lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or
craftsmanship.
Price: $90 Cdn., $60 U.S.
Available Colours: Black, Charcoal, Navy, Teal, Purple, eRoyal,
and Mauve
Looking for a Job?
macnet2.com's Chris
Volpe notes that according to a job posting on the Apple's
Website, the company is looking for someone to "own the development
of the product from first concept phase through architecture,
design, development and release to manufacturing." The right man or
woman will manage "hardware and system engineering" for Apple's
PowerBook line, including the current G4 Titanium PowerBook and its
successors.
"Apple is looking for a dynamic, highly motivated worldwide
product manager to join the PowerBook team," states the post. "As a
PowerBook product manager, you will be responsible for the creation
of the world's best portable computer."
Mac of the Day: Centris 650, Feb. 1993 - The replacement for the Quadra 700 has room for an internal CD-ROM.
List of the Day: Old Mac MP covers 604-based multiprocessor Macs and clones.
September 7 in LEM history: 98: Banner exchanges - 00: Tips from the Mac manager - Getting a Mac job - 01: Apple and the gray market - Repositioning the 'Books - 04: Tray loading iMac a good choice for OS X? - Pismo CPU upgrades - 06: Mac mini value equation - Setting up a Mac Classic II - Putting the Intel transition in perspective - 07: Region free DVD viewing, - My Newton - Solving Mac disk and hardware problems - 2 apps every MacBook should have
Listen to Just the Music with the V-Moda Vibe Earbuds, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 09.05.
Well built, the noise canceling earbuds will let you hear all the nuances of your music without letting through background noise.
Best iPod touch Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.05.
Refurb 8 GB, $199; new, $284; refurb 16 GB, $299; new, $370; refurb 32 GB, $399; new, $453.
Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.05.
Used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $999; 2.16, $1,125; new, 2.2, $1,450 after rebate; refurb 2.4, $1,699; 2.5, $1,999; 2.6 Santa Rosa, $1,849; rebates on new.
Best iMac G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.05.
Used 15" 700 MHz CD-RW, $279; 800 Combo, $300; 1 GHz $390; 17" 800 MHz SD, $439; 1.25 GHz, $449; 20", $569.
Tomorrow's Solid State Drives and Notebooks, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 09.04.
Flash drives are great but have some shortcomings. Some thoughts on building better SSDs and notebooks to use them.
Best Mac mini Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.04.
Used 1.25 GHz G4 SD, $549; 1.42 Combo, $409; new 1.83 Core2 Combo, $569 after rebate; 2.0 SD, $769 after rebate.
Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.04.
Used 867 MHz Combo, no APX, $490; 1 GHz, $550; SuperDrive, $625; 1.5 GHz w/o APX, $660; w/APX, $675.
Best 17" PowerBook G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.04.
Used 1 GHz, $779; 1.33 GHz, $799; 1.5 GHz, $859; 1.67 GHz, $910.
11 Mac Browsers Compared, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 09.03.
The latest versions of Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, Shiira, iCab, Radon, Firefox, Netscape Navigator, SeaMonkey, Flock, and Camino tested in Leopard.
Best eMac Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.03.
Used 700 MHz Combo, $120; 1.25 GHz SuperDrive, $150; 1.42 GHz, $349.
Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.03.
Mac OS X 10.5, single user, $99; 5 users, $140; 10.5 Server, 10 users, $395; unlimited, $850.
Best MacBook Air Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 09.03.
Refurb 1.6 HD, $1,499; new, $1,690 after rebate; refurb 1.8, $1,699; new, $1,919 a/r; refurb 1.6 SSD, $2,099; new, $2,294 a/r; refurb 1.8, $2,299; new, $2,400 a/r.
Psystar Strikes Back, Countersues Apple, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 09.03.
Psystar is trying to paint Apple as a monopoly and force it to license the Mac OS.
LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, iMac's, Apple Batteries and Apple A/C Adapters. Also Great prices on Used Apple Computers. Call 1-800-941-7654 Click Here.
Other World Computing has the Upgrades, Enhancements, and Accessories for getting the most from your Mac. Quality Products, Competitive Prices, Expert Support Staff - www.macsales.com
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is still in the
pack.
