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.
Arcing Yo-Yo Power Adapters
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
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.
I had no luck bring West Coast's Website up, but you try this
URL:
<http://www.microwestech.com/>.
TechWorks Releases New 512 MB SO-DIMM RAM 'Book
Modules
Speaking of RAM, TechWorks' 512 MB SO-DIMM, Part
Number 12467-0001, is designed for the Titanium and PowerBook FireWire 2000
(Pismo) and allows you to upgrade to 1 gigabyte with two
modules.
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."
Bargain 'Books
This Week's Best PowerBook Deals
This Week's 'Book Deals
Although the page doesn't say, we presume this is the Lombard at
this price, not the newer Pismo.
- PowerBook G4/400
Travel Bundle, 128 MB/10 GB, Brenthaven Titanium 1 case, factory
refurbished with a 1 year Apple warranty, $2,228
For hot deals on new iBooks and PowerBooks, see the Best iBook & PowerBook Deals.
