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MCE Ships Expansion Bay DVD/CDRW Combo Drive, DVD
Decoder Card for WallStreet PowerBook G3 Series
One of the relatively few shortcomings of the formidable WallStreet
and PDQ G3 Series PowerBooks
has been the rarity of Apple DVD kits for these models and the
unavailability of a CD-RW expansion bay drive. Additionally, the
stock 20x CD-ROM module is not the most robust or versatile, and it
refuses to read CD-RW disks.
However, there is now a solution for all of these
deficiencies.
MCE Technologies has
added a DVD/CD-RW combo drive for the WallStreet/PDQ to their
Xcarét Pro line of expansion bay devices, along with a
separately available DVD Decoder CardBus Card, required in order to
decode and playback DVD movies for customers who do not already own
one.
The Xcarét Pro DVD/CDRW Combo Drive and the DVD Decoder
CardBus Card are designed for the Apple PowerBook G3 Series
(WallStreet), which includes the 300, 292, 266, 250, and 233 MHz
models. The DVD Decoder CardBus Card is also designed for use with
Apple PowerBook G3 Series
(Bronze/Lombard) 333 MHz machines that do not have built-in DVD
decoder hardware.
The Xcarét Pro DVD/CDRW Combo Drive writes to CD-R media at
4x, to CD-RW media at 4x, reads DVDs at 6x, and reads CD-ROMs at 24x.
Both items are limited editions and are available in limited
quantities for a limited time.
"Since the release of our Xcarét Pro 2000 Expansion Bay
DVD/CDRW Combo Drive for the Lombard and Pismo PowerBooks a short
time ago, we've received numerous requests from Wall Street owners
for the same product but for their machines," said Arnold Ramirez,
President of MCE Technologies. "We are happy for the opportunity now
to fulfill those requests as well as to support a machine with such a
large and devoted following."
The MCE Xcarét Pro Expansion Bay DVD/CDRW Combo Drive is
designed to fit into the right-side expansion bay slot of the
WallStreet. It gives users the ability to write data to recordable
and rewritable CDs anywhere they can use their PowerBook. In
addition, the device will read prerecorded CD-ROMs at 24x speeds. The
device will ship with Roxio Toast CD-recording software.
As with all PowerBook expansion bay devices, the MCE Xcarét
Pro Expansion Bay DVD/CDRW Combo Drive is truly portable in that it
requires no external power since all power is supplied by the
PowerBook.
The MCE DVD Decoder CardBus Card is an MPEG-2 decoder card
designed for the lower PC Card slot of the WallStreet well as the PC
Card slot of 333 MHz Lombard machines which do not have MPEG-2
decoding hardware built in. The DVD Decoder CardBus Card decodes
MPEG-2 video data found on commercial DVDs and transmits the decoded
video data to the PowerBook's LCD display at 30 fps full screen, full
motion.
The MCE Xcarét Pro Expansion Bay DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
retails for $449. This price includes the drive, Roxio Toast
CD-recording software, owner's manual, one CD-R and one CD-RW media,
and the MCE Xbay expansion bay device protective carrying case.
Drives are compatible with Mac OS 8.6 through Mac OS X as well
as Apple's iTunes and Disc Burner software. The DVD Decoder CardBus
Card retails for $99.
MCE Ships FireBay FireWire Expansion Bay Docking
Station
Also new from MCE is
FireBay, a FireWire Expansion Bay Docking Station for expansion bay
modules designed to fit the Pismo and Lombard PowerBooks. When
plugged into the MCE FireBay, PowerBook expansion bay devices such as
hard disks, CD/DVD-ROMs, CD-RWs, etc. become high speed, portable,
FireWire devices usable on any Mac, PowerBook, or PC with a FireWire
port.
"PowerBook expansion bay devices, previously usable only in the
expansion bay slot of PowerBooks, are very capable devices on the
cutting edge of miniaturization and technology," said Arnold Ramirez,
President, MCE Technologies, LLC. "Our latest product, the FireBay,
allows them to be used as high-speed, portable FireWire devices that
can connect to any Mac or PC with FireWire ports."
The MCE FireBay is a small FireWire expansion bay into which a
PowerBook expansion bay device is inserted. The FireBay gives
PowerBook users the ability to use their expansion bay devices as an
external FireWire device, and connect it to any machine, PowerBook,
Mac, or PC, with a FireWire port. In addition, expansion bay devices
can, for the first time, be used simultaneously instead of just one
at a time and only in the PowerBook's single expansion bay. With the
MCE FireBay one now has the ability to easily install software to an
expansion bay hard drive from CD-ROM, as well as the ability to make
CD to CD copies on the PowerBook using CD-RW and CD/DVD-ROM expansion
bay devices simultaneously. Depending on the particular expansion bay
device in use, the FireBay can be either bus-powered, or powered by
an optional AC adapter.
Supported expansion bay devices include: Hard drives, CD-ROM/DVD
drives, CD-RW drives, CD-RW/DVD Combo drives, and SuperDisk/Floppy
drives.
Of particular interest to multimedia authors is the ability now to
capture digital video on location using their PowerBook and expansion
bay hard drive, and then later simply inserting the expansion bay
hard drive into the MCE FireBay connected to their PowerMac G4
desktop machine for final editing and rendering.
The MCE FireBay can be used as a single, stand-alone unit or
multiple FireBays can be stacked on top of each other. In addition to
a standard FireWire port on the rear, each MCE FireBay has a topside
FireWire port which connects to a port underneath each unit when
stacked, thereby eliminating the need for extra cables.
The MCE FireBay FireWire Expansion Bay carries a retail price of
$169 and ships with FireWire driver software, FireWire cable, and
owner's manual.
4 mm neoprene provides protection from light impacts and
scratches.
Felt-lined zippers for added scratch protection.
Comfortable and sturdy nylon handles.
Two mounting plates for Accessory Savers.
Can also be used as an inner for most carrying cases.
Available in black only.
Price: $58
G3 Productivity Case
Expandable gusseted front pocket.
Pocket for paper, magazines,
pens, airline tickets, PDAs etc.
Made with tough Ballistics nylon - will not scuff or pick up
lint. (Available in black only)
Comfortable reinforced leather handle and leather shoulder
strap.
Pockets for CD or DVD drive. Extra pocket for CDs.
Large pockets for your AC adapter and cords.
Slip pocket for paper or a magazine
1/4" closed cell foam to provide the best protection.
Top and bottom reinforced with mylar.
30 day money back, lifetime warranty on materials and
workmanship.
PowerBook can be used while in the case.
Price: ballistic nylon $99, black leather $150
Leather Slimline G3 Case
Made with glove tanned leather.
Comfortable reinforced leather handle and shoulder strap.
Pockets for CD or DVD drive. Extra pocket for CDs.
Large pockets for your AC adapter and cords.
Slip pocket for paper or a magazine
1/4" closed cell foam to provide the best protection.
Top and bottom reinforced with mylar.
PowerBook can be used while in the case.
30 day money back, lifetime warranty on materials and
workmanship.
Price: black leather $150, Nubuck tan $150
Brenthaven Titanium 1 Case
Brenthaven's
Titanium 1 case includes a dual-action computer protection sleeve
that safeguards your PowerBook and an acetal rod handle system and
contoured shoulder strap for comfort. At 3.9 lbs., the Titanium 1
doesn't add a whole lot of weight to the TiBook.
Constructed of black military grade Ballistic nylon fabric, the
Titanium 1 features an organizer compartment and quick-access pockets
to provide storage for peripherals and accessories. The second
compartment houses the removable computer sleeve, an accordion file
and customized pockets for TiBook's AC adaptor and cable, spare
batteries, and disks.
Specifications
Constructed of black military grade, ballistic nylon
fabric
2 compartment design: one for the computer, hardware
accessories and accordion file; the other with an organizer panel
and quick access pockets
Removable, dual-action computer protection sleeve
4 computer hardware pockets, 3 media pockets, 3 quick access
pockets for TiBook's AC adaptor and cable, spare batteries, and
disks.
Best Power Mac G4 deals, Low End Mac Deals, 07.25.
Used 450 MHz AGP, $79; 533 DA, $100; 733 DA, $199; 1.25 GHz MDD, $375; 450 MHz dual, $200; 867 dual, $300; 1 GHz dual, $395; 1.42 dual, $500.
Best iBook G3 deals, Low End Mac Deals, 07.25.
Used 366 MHz clamshell, $150; 500 MHz CD, $169; 600, $200; 800, $250; 600 CD-RW, $240; 900 Combo, $299; 14" 600, $360; 900, $449.
Best Apple TV deals, Low End Mac Deals, 07.25.
Refurb 40 GB Apple TV, $199; new, $224; refurb 160 GB, $279; new, $322.
Mac of the Day: 'Mirror Drive Door' Power Mac G4, Aug. 2002 - Dual CPUs from 867 MHz to 1.25 GHz on the most powerful Mac to boot OS 9.
List of the Day: PowerBooks covers pre-G3 PowerBook users.
July 25 in LEM history: 97: Dream Machines - 01: I'm not paying $20 for my OS X upgrade - Recording music on your Mac - The curse of being Apple - Guide to rare and collectible Macs - 02: Macs not just for designers - The iTools bait and switch - 03: The many failings of BuyMusic.com - Biking with a 'Book - 06: 2 weeks for repair is excessive - 23 reasons Zune is doomed - 07: iPhone: Apple's $3 billion cash cow - External video for a G3 iMac
The compressed air keyboard repair, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 07.24.
If your keyboard isn't working as well as it once did, blasting under the keys with compressed air may be the cure.
Best MacBook deals, Low End Mac Deals, 07.24.
Used 1.83 GHz SD, $825; 2.0, $845; refurb 2.1 GHz Combo, $949; 2.4 SD, $1,099; black, $1,299; new 2.1 Combo, $1,019 after rebate; 2.4 SD, $1,212 a/r; black, $1,394 a/r.
Best iMac G5 deals, Low End Mac Deals, 07.24.
Used 17" 1.6 GHz Combo, $450; 1.8, $500; SuperDrive, $530; 1.9 iSight, $630; 20" 1.8 GHz, $580; 2.0, $650; 2.1 iSight, $700.
LA Computer Company: LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, Apple Displays, MacBooks, iMac's, MacBook Pros, Laptop and iPod accessories and more. Apple A/C Adapters for laptops starting at $25.00 Call 1-800-941-7654 or Click Here.
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