The 'Book Review returns to Fridays
after a brief experiment with Monday publication. 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.
A Portable Mouse for Portable Computers
Logitech has
announced a new mouse with an ultra-slim profile optimized for notebook
computer users. 
Tired of struggling with a
difficult-to-use integrated pointing device such as a touchpad or
stick? This small optical mouse has been developed to meet the needs of
road warriors. Logitech's MouseManTraveler is currently available in
the US at retail outlets and online for $49.95.
MouseMan Traveler features a seamless industrial design of brushed
aluminum that gives the appearance of one solid piece of metal and
harmonizes nicely with either the TiBook or iceBook. Its slim body
allows it to easily slip into a notebook case or work on small airplane
serving trays and other cramped work spaces.
In spite of its small size, MouseMan Traveler is equipped with a new
optical sensor that is now in all of Logitech's optical mice, providing
an 800 dots-per-inch (dpi) resolution that yields twice the accuracy of
previous sensors for improved tracking on all surfaces without the need
for a mousepad. The mouse also offers the convenience of a three-button
design with scroll wheel. Each MouseMan Traveler ships with an
attractive black protective carrying case and includes a three-foot USB
extension for desktop use.
Using Logitech MouseWare drivers, each of the buttons can be
programmed to the user's preference. The iTouch software, included with
all Logitech mice, lets users instantly access the Internet and
favorite web sites by simply depressing the scroll wheel button.
MouseMan Traveler uses either a USB or a PS/2 interface and is
compatible with Macintosh OS 8.6 or later as well as Windows95 or later
operating systems. MouseMan Traveler has a five-year limited
warranty.
MouseMan Traveler uses a proprietary optical positioning sensor
developed by Logitech and Agilent Technologies. The sensor tracks its
relative location by "taking a picture'' of the surface on which the
mouse is operating. Each captured image is then sequentially analyzed
by a powerful digital signal processor, which detects the speed and
direction of even the slightest movement and translates it into smooth
cursor movements on the computer screen. Optical mice offer more
precise pointing and movement, and because they have no ball or cavity,
no cleaning is necessary.
Do It Yourself TiBook Hinge Repair
Kjartan Petur Sigurdsson of Iceland has a posted a photo tutorial of his
do-it-yourself Titanium
PowerBook hinge repair. Kjartan decided to engineer and execute his
own fix when Apple quoted him $1,600 to fix his damaged five-month-old
TiBook. The repair he came up with cost 1/160th that amount.
Sigurdsson's tutorial shows how he fashioned new hinges for the
TiBook from thin aluminum sheet metal and fastened them with epoxy
adhesive.
He also has some suggestions for Apple, which include:
- Apple should redesign these very expensive hinges.
- Apple should have a closer look at the drop test program for the
Titanium.
- Apple should lower their repair prices. It is disconcerting to pay
almost the same amount for one simple repair as you can pay for a
refurbished Titanium 400 MHz with a 1-year warranty
- Apple should take better care of their best market in the world,
the Icelandic market with most sold machines per capita.
Kjartan Petur also says he likes his 1-1/2 year old G3/500 MHz Pismo better
than the TiBook because it does not have scratches all over it that
make it look like it's 3-4 years old.
PowerLogix Fixes Production Flaw in 466 MHz
BlueChip Processor Upgrade Card
The PowerBook Source has posted a letter PowerLogix has sent to all
customers who purchased the 466 MHz BlueChip CPU upgrade card for their
WallStreet PowerBooks over the summer.
Apparently one batch of cards shipped last summer had a timing
flaw.
The failure mode that was evident on these cards prevented them from
booting properly. If you have a 466 Blue Chip that boots in your
PowerBook then your card is not affected and will not need
replacement.
PowerLogix is replacing the defective cards free of charge If you
have any questions regarding this replacement program, email
bluechip@powerlogix.com.
APM Tuner Adjusts APM Value to Quiet Noisy
PowerBook Hard Drives
APM
Tuner allows you to adjust the Advanced Power Management Value
(APM Value) for hard disks in the internal ATA bus and expansion bays
of recent PowerBooks.
Advanced Power Management is a feature found in hard disks for
portable usage aimed at conserving power. However, APM can effect the
user experience, creating a sense of "lag" or clunking sounds when the
head is parked. By increasing the APM Value, the drive will "park" its
heads less often. The result is a more responsive drive with less
"clunking."
I've been using APM Tuner for nearly two years, and it makes my
WallStreet PowerBook
much nicer to live with, both with the original 2 GB IBM hard
drive, and with the 10 GB Toshiba drive I upgraded to a year ago. I
hate computer noise, and the constant hard drive "hunting" noises even
when the drive is not being accessed drive me nuts. APM Tuner silences
them. Happily, now there is an OS X version available - one less
obstacle to upgrading.
If you set the APM Value larger than the factory default (I keep it
at the max of 254), power consumption will increase. It is recommended
to set a higher APM Value only when the PowerBook is in a stationary
condition with the AC Adapter plugged in (this is where the separate
settings for AC and battery power is useful).
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.1 or higher
- Mac OS 8.5 or later
- The disk must support Advanced Power Management (APM is a feature
of ATA/ATAPI-4, so only recent, larger disks support this and will
benefit).
Here is a partial list of hard disks and PowerBooks that work with
APM Tuner. Many reports were gathered at the PBG3 BBS (in Japanese) and
also via e-mail. Please contact me with new information and
corrections.
Hard disks where APM Tuner worked
IBM
- DARA-206000 6 GB (233, 2400c/180, iBook SE, FW400)
- DARA-212000 12 GB (FW500)
- DARA-218000 18 GB (266/14", Lombard400, FW400)
- DBCA-206480 6.4 GB (Lombard400)
- DBCA-203240 3.2 GB (iBook)
- DKLA-24320 4.3 GB (2400c/240, Lombard/333)
- DJSA-220 20 GB (?, iBook, Lombard400, FW500, G4 400/500)
- DJSA-210 10 GB (iBook Dual USB)
- DJSA-232 32 GB (Lombard/333)
- DJSA-230 30 GB (FW500)
- IC25N020ATDA04-0 20 GB (iBook)
- IC25T048ATDA05-0 48 GB (FW500, Wallstreet + BlueChip G3 500
MHz)
Toshiba
- MK6014GAP 6 GB (iBook, 233/14", Lombard/333, FW400+Expansion
Bay, FW400/500)
- MK1011GAV 11 GB (Lombard400, FW400)
- MK1214GAP 12 GB (250/13.3"+XCaret Pro, Lombard/333/400, iBook 300,
FW400/500)
- MK1814GAV 18 GB (Lombard400, FW400/500)
- MK2016GAP 20 GB (iBook SE, G4 500, FW400/500)
- MK1016GAP 10 GB (iBook SE, FW400, G4 400)
- MK1017GAP 10 GB (iBook Dual USB)
Hitachi
- DK229A-10 10 GB (Lombard/333)
- DK239A-65 6 GB (233)
APM Tuner made no difference:
IBM
- DCXA-210000 10 GB (?, 2400c)
- DARA-225000 25 GB (266/14", 300/14")
APM Tuner did not work
Fujitsu
- MHJ2181AT (FW500)
- MHK2120AT (FW500)
- MHK2060AT (FW)
- MHH2048AT (Lombard/333)
- MHH2064AT (Lombard/333)
- MHN2300AT (FW500)
- MHM2100AT (iBook SE)
Toshiba
- MK4309MAT 4.3 GB (Lombard/333)
- MK6411MAT 6 GB (Lombard400)
- MK3211MAT 3 GB (iBook)
APM Tuner is provided as freeware to the PowerBook community.
Willow Design NL-11 Titanium G4 PowerBook Carry
Case
The Willow Titanium
G4 Case has been specifically designed to maximize the protection
of your G4 and to compactly 
carry the
accessories that are a part of your working system. Everything is
protected by sturdy outer foam walls reinforced with corrugated plastic
and a hardboard bottom. There are many dividers to separate the
Titanium, adapter, accessories and paperwork. The case also features a
convenient support panel which can be pulled out to use as a more
stable base for laptop computing.
Willow Titanium Case Features
- excellent protection for your Titanium G4 afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5")
foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on the upper display side, high
density polyethylene reinforcement on the handle side and 4 mm (1/8")
hardboard on the bottom.
- clean, lightweight and flexible design with a multiple compartments
to carry all your accessories.
- superb comfort insured by a thick, reinforced padded handle and
wide contoured shoulder strap.
- double thickness high density briefcase handle polyethylene
reinforcement with quadruple rivet reinforcing through wrap handle to
insure the safety of your laptop.
- convenient DVD, CD-ROM & cable pockets located in the laptop
section for easy access plus extra room for manuals or other letter
sized paperwork on lower accessory level.
- simple outer front organizer panel with pockets business cards,
pens, pencils, etc.
- outside flat, outer pocket for airline tickets, thin paperwork,
etc.
- flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines or
newspapers.
- easily removable horizontal divider for the Titanium G4 which
doubles as a comfortable and convenient laptop work surface with
special foam spacer to maximize airflow cooling.
- extra protection for the display screen afforded by corrugated
plastic layer and extra 0.5 cm (1/4") protective space between Titanium
and laptop lid level.
- three separate Velcroed elastic straps to lock down Titanium G4,
adapter and accessories and extra items.
- handy mesh pocket in the lid for safe and convenient storage of
cables or other thin items.
- luggage feet riveted through the hardboard bottom of the case which
actually keep it up and off the ground when you want to set the case
down whilst entering and leaving your vehicle.
- lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or
craftsmanship.
Available Colors: Black Charcoal Navy Teal Purple
Price: $123.00 U.S.; $185.00 Cdn
PowerBook Zone Launches PowerBook Desktop Image
Contest
The PowerBook Zone is
looking for the best/most interesting/most attractive desktop image you
can possibly create, preferably with a PowerBook theme. The only catch
is that it must include "The PowerBook Zone" and the site's URL
somewhere in the image.
Prizes include
- Shrinkwrapped "MacAdvocate" CD from 1997. This is a full CD of
propaganda, including all the Apple commercials made up until that
point, among other neat stuff. You could order as many as you wanted
back in the day, and Apple would send them to you, free of charge.
- A 8" FireWire cable.
- 1 Dr. Bott T3Hub
The contest closes October 21st at noon.
Dr. Bott TiCase G4 PowerBook Case
With style, elegance, performance, and protection, Dr. Bott's TiCase is ideal for the
sophisticated road warrior. 
These cases
may look sleek and satin-smooth, but they're also tough and durable,
with brushed aluminum shell, combination lock, and an interior which
combines elegance with ease.
TiCase sports a skin of brushed Aluminum - size, shape, and color
perfectly complimenting the TiBook. TiCase includes 2 inches of closed
cell Styrofoam provide the necessary protection.
Matching cutouts cover the power supply, power cable and accessories
to protect the TiBook from accidental scratches. The total combined
weight of TiCase, Titanium PowerBook, power supply, and power cable is
less than 11.5 lbs.
Lift off the lid, press gently on the rear corners of the TiBook and
your favorite laptop lifts into working position.
The "LiftoMatic" telescopic feet raise the rear of the TiBook so
that the natural decline of your knees is properly balanced and the
TiBook comes to a level rest in desk height.
As a side effect LiftoMatic makes room for ample air circulation
under the TiBook.
And if you now look at the back of the TiBook you will be pleased to
discover that you can easily flip down the lid covering the ports.
Whether you fancy a mini-mouse or you require a projector to amplify
your ideas - all ports are directly accessible.
Now shipping in limited quantities.
TiCase price: $399.
Bargain 'Books
This Week's Best PowerBook Deals
Since we are moving back to Fridays from Mondays, this is a short
week for the 'Book Review, so I wasn't able to find a whole lot of
PowerBook and iBook deals that weren't covered in Monday's edition.
However, I did spot a super deal on the QPS Que! M2 FireWire Hard
Drive. Read on.
Mac Zone
I have one of these units, and I love it. The M2 hard drive makes an
excellent companion for a PowerBook 
or FireWire iBook,
and it mounts nicely on my WallStreet through the Macally FireWire PC
Card adapter.
Specs:
- Data Transfer Rate: 16.6 MBps
- Average Seek Time: 13 ms
- Spindle Speed: 4200 rpm
- 1 year warranty
QPS claims that The Que! M2 QuadSlim is the industry's first and
only externally shock protected storage device in the world. With the
included suction cup and belt-clip accessories you can attach the M2 to
any smooth surface, or clip it to your belt.
QPS also gives you hot-docking/stacking connectability. Connect up
to five drives by stacking and interlocking the QPS built-in vertical
FireWire IEEE-1394 connectors located on the top and bottom of each
drive, or up to ten M2's with the optional 2U-10-bay rack mount
accessory kit. Simply run a single cable to your computer to power up
and connect all stacked drives for up to 100 GB of RAID ready
storage.
