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.
D-Link Launches Roq-it Jukebox with 10 GB hard
drive
The new D-Link Roq-it MP3
Jukebox is a powerful portable hard drive-based MP3 Jukebox featuring a
10 GB hard drive that can store over 150 hours of nonstop music and a
large, easy to read blue backlit LCD screen that displays song title,
album name, genre and other track information contained in each MP3
file's ID3 Tag.
Features:
- 10 GB Jukebox Storage Capacity
- ID3 Tag Support
- Large Blue Backlit LCD Display
- USB Interface
- M3U Playlist Support
Plug and Play software drivers combined with the USB interface
ensures a fast and easy installation of the MP3 Jukebox. When connected
through the USB interface, the Roq-it will show up as a new drive
letter to allow a user to employ drag and drop functionality from a PC
or Mac to copy music to the Roq-it.
The D-Link Roq-it has all of the programming modes that are standard
on portable CD and MP3 players including: Repeat, Repeat All, Program,
Random and Random All. In addition, the D-Link Roq-it 10 GB Jukebox has
preset equalizer modes for Jazz, Rock, Pop and Classic and showcases a
user-definable preset equalizer mode that allows users to adjust the
sound of the Roq-it to their particular taste.
Up, Down, Left and Right buttons on the face of the Roq-it control
navigation to a particular song or album. The Keypad Lock feature
disables the use of all buttons so that the user cannot accidentally
change any function. Further flexibility is added to the Roq-it with
the included infrared remote control for ease of use from a distance.
The Roq-it 10 GB provides an audio jack for connection to earphones or
playing through speakers. A Line-Out stereo jack is also provided that
enables the connection to an external audio input.
With 10 GB of hard drive capacity, the D-Link Roq-it provides up to
150 hours of digital-quality music and other recordings using the
popular MP3 standard. In addition, Roq-it 10 GB can also double as a
portable external hard drive so that users can copy any file (such as
word processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics) to
the Roq-it Jukebox in the same manner as a floppy disk. The hard drive
compartment can be opened easily to replace the hard drive with
separate 2.5" hard drives. The capacity of the hard drive is limited
only to the capacity of 2.5" laptop hard drives available. The Roq-it
10 GB's USB interface allows for a full 800 KB of bandwidth to deliver
music file transfers at blazing speeds.
Five minutes of Electronic Shock Protection (ESP) is supplied by
2 MB of DRAM buffer to ensure constant playing without skipping.
The included Lithium-Ion Rechargeable battery will give users up to
eight hours of listening enjoyment and the provided AC Power Adapter
also functions as a battery charger. The Roq-it 10 GB is usable out of
the box with included headphones, shoulder strap, carrying case and USB
cable for a complete Digital Audio Package. The D-Link Roq-it is
compatible with Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 98SE,
Windows 98, and Mac OS 9 and above.
The D-Link Roq-it 10 GB MP3 Jukebox sells for $209 and comes with a
1 Year Warranty and free Technical Support including firmware
updates.
Apple Releases PowerBook Firmware Update 4.2.9
for Rev. B TiBooks
The PowerBook Firmware Update 4.2.9 will only run on 550 MHz or 667 MHz PowerBook G4 computers
running Mac OS 9.1 or later from a local drive. If you are using Mac
OS X, you must boot from a local Mac OS 9.1 writeable partition
(not a CD or network disk) prior to following the update
instructions.
Firmware Update 4.2.9 includes improvements to FireWire target disk
mode when running Mac OS X, improves starting up on systems with
1 GB RAM, and enables Netbooting over gigabit ethernet.
For more information, read <http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120092>
Dr. Bott Titanium G4 PowerBook
Case Updated
Dr. Bott's TiCase and TiCase Plus have been updated for the
latest revision of the PowerBook G4. The new interior design support
either the new square power adapter or the original round model and
also includes space for Apple's iPod.
"Steve Jobs touted the Titanium PowerBook G4 as the ultimate in
power and sex," said Eric Prentice, CEO of Dr. Bott LLC. "We're excited
to offer a case that is specifically designed to protect the TiBook
without compromising the style of the sexiest computer around."
The detachable cover allows you to use the TiBook while it is in the
case using the special "Lift-o-Matic" rear pads. These risers provide
access to the rear ports while adding an ergonomic tilt to the
keyboard. These cases may look sleek and satin-smooth, but they're also
tough and durable. This model of case was used in the James Bond movie
"The World Is Not Enough."
- Brushed Aluminum Shell
- Combination lock
- Unique TiBook Interior Design
- Weighs less than 11.5 lbs with the TiBook inside
Price: $399
TiCasePlus
Stylish Case for the PowerBook G4 with side bag for additional
storage for peripherals and paperwork and comfortable shoulder strap.
Price: $539.
TiCasePlus Upgrade (TiCase to TiCasePlus)
Contains replacement lid for the original TiCase to upgrade it to
TiCasePlus. Includes new lid, shoulder strap and internal peripheral
separator. $297.
Evergreen fireLINE 2.5" FireWire/USB 2.0 Combo
Pocket HotDrive
Evergreen
Technologies' new fireLINE 1394 and USB 2.0 Pocket HotDrive
delivers up to 40 GB of high speed external data storage that PC and
Mac users can quickly add to any desktop or laptop simply by plugging
the drive into an available 1394 or USB (either 1.1 or the new 2.0
standard) port.
Evergreen's fireLINE 1394 and USB 2.0 Pocket HotDrive has a
lightweight, compact 2.5" case that fits in a 
pocket, making it a good storage solution for users on the go
who frequently back up large amounts of data or need to share data
between multiple systems quickly. With both PC and Mac compatibility,
it is also an excellent vehicle for users to transfer data between the
two environments.
Like the original 1394 data transmission standard, new USB 2.0 also
supports 'hot swapping' (plugging devices in and out without powering
down the host system), daisy chaining of devices and power transmission
from the host system. The 1394 and USB 2.0 Pocket HotDrive is supported
by Windows 98SE or higher or Mac OS 8.6 or higher. It comes with an
illustrated installation guide, 1394 and USB 2.0 device drivers (1394
digital video camera drivers needed for Windows 98SE/ME only), 1394 and
USB cables, a 5V power supply and a one year warranty.
Prices
- 10 GB, $259.99 (list), $199.99 (direct web purchase)
- 20 GB, $329.99 (list), $249.99 (direct web purchase)
- 30 GB, $399.99 (list), $299.99 (direct web purchase)
- 40 GB, $529.99 (list), $399.99 (direct web purchase)
Besides the new fireLINE 1394 and USB 2.0 Pocket HotDrive, which is
very compact, Evergreen continues to offer its complete line of
fireLINE 1394 External HotDrives in the more standard 5.5" case size.
Users can obtain up to 100 GB of additional storage capacity, and each
HotDrive comes with one 6 Pin to 6 Pin 1394 cable. Evergreen also
provides a HotDrive kit for customers who already have an external
drive but want to convert it to IEEE 1394.
Pricing of fireLINE 1394 HotDrives and HotDrive Kit:
- 40 GB, $259.99 (list), $199.99 (direct web purchase)
- 60 GB, $329.99 (list), $249.99 (direct web purchase)
- 80 GB, $399.99 (list), $299.99 (direct web purchase)
- 100 GB, $529.99 (list), $399.99 (direct web purchase)
- HotDrive Kit, $104.99 (list), $79.99 (direct web purchase)
1394 (FireWire) has become the industry standard for digital
multimedia devices, as it enables transfer speeds up to 400 Mbps,
provides power to the connected device and offers hot-swap and
plug-n-play convenience. The new USB 2.0 standard enables data transfer
speeds up to 480 Mbps and is backwardly compatible with the initial USB
1.1 standard, providing speeds up to 12 Mbps. USB has long been the
communication standard of choice for office peripherals like printers,
scanners and faxes. Connectivity between systems and both 1394 and USB
peripherals is supported by Windows 98SE or higher (including the new
Windows XP operating system), and Mac OS 8.6 or higher.
SmartDisk FireFly Pocket-Sized FireWire Hard
Drive
Extreme portability, striking design and high performance - a
groundbreaking achievement in personal storage. Store up to five hours
of superior quality video, more than 1,000 MP3 songs 
or more than 2,000 high-quality digital photos on a drive you
can place in the palm of your hand. Smaller than a pack of playing
cards, the four-ounce drive fits easily in your pocket or purse. When
you need to get to your files, you do so at fast FireWire speeds. Read
and write at 12 MB/sec. That's 100 high-quality digital photos
transferred in ten seconds!
FireFly is powered by your computer, so you don't need an AC
adapter or battery pack. Simply plug the drive into your FireWire port,
and you're ready to go. Because FireFly is so small, it uses a minimal
amount of a laptop's battery power.
FireFly features:
- Easy installation: just one cable to connect.
- Doesn't require an external power supply.
- No software to install - just plug it in and use it.
- Great performance - use data directly from the drive.
- Perfect for both desktop and portable uses.
Potential uses:
- Transfer documents easily between computers
- Boost your laptop or desktop storage capacity
- Use it as a high-capacity 'sneakernet'
- Back-up programs and files you can't live without
- Create a bootable backup image of your Mac
FireFly specs:
- Weighs less than four ounces
- dimensions: Width 2-1/2", Height 1/2", Depth 4"
- 5 GB of storage
- Durable, reliable and built for the road
System requirements for Mac OS users:
- Any Macintosh with built-in FireWire port or a Power Macintosh G3
with a powered PCI 6-pin FireWire adapter
- Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x, Mac OS X 10.1 or higher
Dr. Bott Shipping iPod Connection Kit with FM
Transmitter
Dr. Bott's iPod Connection Kit includes everything you might
need to bring your music anywhere you might want it. iPod Connection
Kit provides many options for connecting to iPod's 3.5 mm stereo
headphone jack to automobile stereo systems, home stereo systems, mic
input of computers and other devices, boom boxes, and clock radios. The
kit, valued at over $90, includes an iPod Auto Charger, FM Transmitter
(batteries included), three audio cables and a carry pouch.
Dr. Bott's iPod Connection Kit is available immediately in the US
and retails for $49.95.
Dr. Bott's iPod Connection Kit II with cassette adapter will
be available worldwide in January 2002.
Bargain 'Books
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233 MHz,
the cacheless MainStreet version and the
later Series II with
a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from the
vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included links within
this paragraph to the two models.
That's the cheapest price I've seen on a refurb. TiBook.
- PowerBook G4/400,
128/10 GB/56K, factory refurbished, $1,649
- PowerBook G3/500
Pismo, 128/12 GB/DVD, factory refurbished, $1,749
- PowerBook G4/500,
256/20 GB, factory refurbished, $1,849
Interesting how well the Pismo is holding its value compared with
the newer TiBooks.
- PowerBook 3400/200,
144/2 GB/12x CD-ROM/floppy/modem, OWC refurbished, excellent
condition, 90 Day Warranty, $499.95
- PowerBook G3/233 WallStreet, 96/2 GB/CD, $799
- iBook 366, Key
Lime, 192/10 GB/FireWire/CD, used, 90 day warranty, $899
- iBook 500,128/10
GB/DVD, factory refurbished, 1 year Warranty, $1,089
- PowerBook G4/400
128/ 10 GB /DVD/56k/14.1", new, $1,739
