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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The big news in the Apple portable orbit this week was the
rollout of upgraded PowerBooks and iBooks. I won't belabor news
that you've no doubt read elsewhere by now, but here's a brief
recap of the highlights.
Titanium PowerBook G4
The new PowerBook G4 line features G4 processors of 550 and 667
MHz with 256K of on-chip level 2 cache running at full processor speed, a 133 MHz system
bus on the 667 MHz variant, a new ATI Mobility Radeon AGP 4x
graphics card with 16 MB of DDR video memory, built-in gigabit
ethernet, larger hard drives (up to 48 GB), and an optional CD-RW
slot-loading optical drive ($100 extra), as well as a very nice new AC power adapter to replace the unloved
yo-yo style unit. The $99 AirPort card is now preinstalled on 667
MHz model.
For a limited time, the Titanium PowerBook G4s will ship from
The Apple
Store with double the amount of RAM (i.e.: 256 MB and 512
MB) at no additional cost. Other vendors may offer similar
deals.
New, New iBook
The upgraded iBook offers 600
MHz PowerPC G3 processors on the higher-end units, a new system bus
running up to 100 MHz on the 600 MHz machines,
larger hard drives (up to 20 GB), and 128 MB of RAM standard across
the board. iBook buyers can choose the 600 MHz model with DVD,
CD-RW, or a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive for both burning CDs and
watching movies on DVDs.
The $1,299 base model continues
with a CD-ROM drive, 500 MHz processor, and 66 MHz system bus. The
iBook gets the new, small, lightweight power adapter as well.
The value-added new features are solid improvements, and the
fact that the top-end model come with a significant price reduction
is icing on the cake. This will add more downward pressure to used
PowerBook and iBook prices, with the first
generation TiBooks now selling used, refurbished, and even new
for under $2,000.
Tote and Tilt Adds Handle to New iBook or
TiBook
Wish your 2001 iBook had
a handle like the old iBook? Cyber3 comes to the rescue with
the iBook Tote
and Tilt.
Features:
Tote your iBook by a handle
Tilt to allow air circulation under your iBook
Installs in less than five minutes
Does not void warranty
100% made in the USA
Color matches iBook
Price: $39.95
Wish your titanium PowerBook G4 had a handle like the iBook used
to? Cyber3 comes through with an updated TiBook Tote and
Tilt. The display now opens to approx. 135 degrees and it
better matches the Titanium PowerBook's color.
Features
Tote your PowerBook by a handle.
Tilt to allow air circulation under your PowerBook, helps to
increase battery life and performance.
Easy access to rear data ports.
Installs in five minutes.
Does not void warranty.
100% handmade in the USA.
All aluminum construction for lightness & sturdiness.
Color powder coated to match the PowerBook.
Price: $44.95
Dr. Bott Releases TiCasePlus
The Dr. Bott
TiCasePlus for the PowerBook G4 has a side bag for
additional storage for peripherals and paperwork and a comfortable
shoulder strap.
No less than James Bond uses the case in "The World Is Not
Enough" to pave his way out of a sticky situation.
The worldwide success of TiCase provided Dr. Bott with highly
valued feedback from enthusiastic users. With these hints and ideas
we set out to extend usability and flexibility of the original
model.
Developers faced the following requests from various fractions
of the installed base:
Usable space was to be increased without compromising the sleek
shape and the outstanding protectiveness.
A shoulder strap was requested for added carrying comfort,
particularly when walking for longer distances.
The design needs to be variable enough to offer the original
low-bulk solution, too.
Existing TiCases must be upgradeable. After all, it was our
existing customers who gave us vital input for TiCasePlus!
The insides, complete with LiftoMatic, which allows for
comfortable use of the TiBook right inside TiCase, are standard in
TiCasePlus as well.
TiCasePlus was extended by a removable black side
bag. The side bag offers three inside pockets, pen holders and an
external zippered pocket.
The inside pockets offer enough space to hold an external drive
and several CDs. The VST ultra portable CD-RW FireWire drive fits
very nicely into the largest of the inside pockets.
The side bag is fastened on the TiCase body with four buttons
and is removed in a snap. This leaves you with light gear: the
original TiCase and a shoulder strap.
The side bag is also a useful standalone - just Velcro the
buttons to the sides and use it as a light briefcase whenever you
leave your TiBook at home!
The new shoulder strap is ergonomically formed, very wide and
soft and has a special anti-slip surface. As it is fastened to the
lid you will find that weight is evenly distributed even when the
side bag is loaded.
Feature summary:
Sleek, ultra-protective case in cool brushed-aluminum
look.
Protects the ultra thin TiBook display from accidental bumps
and flexing common to bags and skins!
Get to work on the TiBook right inside the case - no messing
with straps!
Room for power supply, power cord, spare battery and
miscellanea.
Ergonomic Deluxe shoulder strap.
Detachable side bag with room for documents, CDs, drives and
more!
TiCasePlus sells for $539.
Archos MiniCDRW
No larger than a personal CD player, the Archos MiniCDRW 8x4x24
is a CD-Recordable and CD-Rewritable device for reading,
duplicating, and compiling CD media. The MiniCDRW product line
provides the perfect solution to store data, music, video or other
large capacity files both at home or on the road.
MiniCDRW 8x4x24 with FireWire Interface
The first CD-RW device no larger than portable CD-Player weighs
just over 18 oz. and provides you with recording capability of up
to 3 CD-R or CD-RW in one hour!
You can connect to virtually any Mac notebook or desktop with a
FireWire interface cable. The MiniCDRW is hot swappable, with plug
and play convenience.
Delivered with mastering software - Toast for the Mac, the
MiniCDRW allows you to write, update and rewrite your files
thousands of times. The "Drag and Drop" feature facilitates the
task - just like saving data on a hard disk.
System Requirements:
iMac, iBook, PowerBook, G3, G4
Mac OS 8.5 or Higher
Package Includes MiniCDRW with FireWire interface cable and AC
adapter. Includes CD mastering software for creating audio and data
compact discs.
MiniCDRW 8x4x24 with USB Interface (Mac)
Similar to the FireWire product, the Archos MiniCDRW with USB
interface rivals the reading speed of many CD-ROM drives on the
market by reading at up to 24x, writing up to 8x, and rewriting at
up to 4x. This provides you with recording capability of up to 3
CD-R or CD-RW in one hour.
You can connect to virtually any Mac notebook or desktop with a
USB interface cable.
System Requirements:
iMac, iBook, PowerBook, G3, G4
Mac OS 8.5 or Higher
Package Includes MiniCDRW with USB interface cable and AC
adapter. Includes CD mastering software for creating audio and data
compact discs.
MiniCDRW 4x4x24x with USB
The Archos MiniCDRW 4x4x24 is a CD-Recordable and CD-Rewritable
device for reading, duplicating, and compiling CD media. MiniCDRW
reads at up to 24x, writes up to 4x, and rewrites at up to 4x,
providing you with recording capability of up to 2 CD-R or CD-RW in
one hour.
System Requirements:
Mac OS 8.1 or Higher
Interface: USB Interface Cable
Package Includes MiniCDRW with USB cable and AC adapter.
Includes CD mastering software for creating audio and data compact
discs.
Apple's New Lightweight AC Adapter
As noted in the item above about the new
'Books, Apple has done away with the yo-yo power adapter and
replaced it with a slick and innovative new unit shipping with the
newest 'Books. It will be available separately next month at a
projected price of $70.
The new power adapter comes with an AC cord used for plugging it
into the wall. This configuration allows the adapter to stretch 12
feet (4 m) from wall to computer. The power adapter may also come
with an AC-plug (not available in all regions). The AC-plug, used
in place of the AC cord, allows the adapter to plug directly into
the wall outlet. This configuration allows for maximum portability.
The DC-cable, which plugs into your computer, has an embedded
status ring that glows amber when your battery is charging and
green when your it is fully charged. When not in use, the DC-cord
may be wound around two retractable gull-wings, which fold from two
of the adapter's corners.
LED functions
The DC connector has a built-in indicator light:
Green glow: Power is only being used to operate the
computer.
Amber glow: If the computer is on, power is being used to
operate the computer and any remaining power is used to charge the
battery. If the computer is shut down or in sleep, the majority of
power is directed toward charging the main battery.
Note: Make sure the adapter's DC connector is fully inserted
into the computer's power adapter port. The adapter's green
indicator will come on before the connector is fully inserted into
the computer.
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.
OWC: NewerTech NuPower Batteries for iBook and PowerBooks Designed+Built in USA to run longer, LAST LONGER TOO! Free Battery Recycling Return Label; Quality High-Capacity from $99.95
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