Low End Mac Reader Specials
Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core 8GB kit $232 / 4GB kit $116 / 2GB kit $72. New Macbook 2GB DDR3-$65. HARD DRIVES available -- Free shipping / LIfetime warranty.
Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, iMac's, MacBook Pros and more. Optical Drives for Apple iBooks, Powerbooks, MacBooks, MacBook Pros in Stock. Call 1-800-941-7654 Click Here.
OWC: Big Drives, High Performance - Not High Prices! SATA 3.5" up to 1.5TB. Notebook up to 500GB. FW up to 6.0TB. 1.0TB Drive Models from as low as $97.99 www.MacSales.com
Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how
to download and install a native Mac poker application such as Full
Tilt Poker Mac.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
Compare products like desktop computers, apple laptops, apple macs, and LCD Monitors side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for new mobile phones, sat nav systems, or MP3 players. The Ciao online shopping community makes searching products easy for you.
The 'Book Page
New PowerBook, iBook
February 17, 2000 - Dan Knight
Yesterday Apple unveiled faster computers: the G4 finally hit 500 MHz, the PowerBook also reached 500 MHz, and the iBook saw a 22% speed boost to 366 MHz in the graphite special edition.
There's really nothing to say about the Power Mac G4/500 except that it's about time Apple reached the 500 MHz mark. Shoot, Intel now says it'll hit 1 GHz (1,000 MHz) during the third quarter, and the AMD Athlon has already hit 850 MHz.
iBook Updated
I'd call it a real smart move on Apple's part, bumping the blueberry and tangerine iBook to 64 MB of memory and a 6 GB hard drive. With Mac OS 9 requiring 40 MB, it was a bit ridiculous to sell a 32 MB computer. Best of all, Apple did this without raising the price.
But the best touch was the
graphite iBook Special
Edition (or SE). It's much more professional looking and over 20%
faster then the regular iBook. Where most people in business would
hesitate to carry a candy colored iBook, the SE will lose that stigma.
Demand for a graphite iBook alone could probably command the US$200
premium, but Apple also bumped the processor to 366 MHz.
In terms of value, the iBook is probably the most laptop for the dollar, with the SE a close second. Buyers will no longer be forced to immediately buy a memory upgrade.
This is a pair of real class moves on Apple's part
The PowerBook
I almost missed it, but Apple's gone one step
further in simplifying the product line. The new powerhouse portable
isn't yet another PowerBook G3 - it's simply called the PowerBook.
The new PowerBook is no smaller than the Lombard model it replaces, although it is a couple ounces lighter. It uses the same 14.1" 1024 x 768 TFT screen, the same keyboard and trackpad, and the same drive bay accessories.
But beneath the surface, it's a whole new PowerBook. The 400 and 500 MHz processors run on a more efficient 100 MHz motherboard using Apple's unified architecture components. There's room for an AirPort card, so now the entire Macintosh line is AirPort-ready. And the SCSI port on the back of all previous PowerBooks gives way to a pair of FireWire ports.
Video is handled by the ATI Rage Mobility 128 for even better performance than the Lombard had. There's also support for a 21" monitor, although I can't find any specs on resolution.
Both models have a 1 MB backside cache, in contrast to the slower Lombard using a 512 MB cache. The new PowerBook uses the same kind of "yo-yo" AC adapter as the iBook. DVD is standard on both models.
The PowerBook/400 ships with 64 MB of memory and a 6 GB hard drive at US$2,500. For many business users, this is all the laptop they could need or want.
The PowerBook/500 has 128 MB of memory and a 12 GB hard drive for $1,000 more. I can't imagine needing that much power in the field, but this also makes it a more attractive desktop replacement, as does the build-to-order option of an 18 GB hard drive. Hook this up to a big monitor, a mouse, and a keyboard, and you've got a killer combination of portable and desktop power in a six pound package.
Apple typifies the new PowerBook as Pentium-crushing - and they're right. The fastest Windows laptops use a special Pentium III processor that runs at 650 MHz while using the power adapter, but slows down to 500 MHz in the field (to extend battery life). With full-time 500 MHz G3 performance and a 1 MB cache, the PowerBook will easily outperform the fastest Wintel laptops.
Conclusion
My wife will be buying a laptop for her business. I'd pretty much settled on suggesting the iBook because of price, but will definitely let her know about the iBook SE.
At work, we've been very pleased with the Lombard, so I see no reason we won't absolutely love the extra performance at the same price. It's the perfect portable for most users.
As for my personal use, the PowerBook offers everything I want in a laptop and then some - with one big exception. When Apple couples this with a higher pixel count screen (1152 x 870 or higher), I'll buy one and pretty much retire my desktop computer.
Although Apple hasn't quite met my needs yet, they have done a
marvelous job with the new iBook and PowerBook configurations.
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- iPhone 3GS Overheating, Battery Life App, 240 GB Upgrade for 5G iPod, Total Baby App, and More, iNews Review, 07.02. Also low cost international calls, U-verse remote DVR control, Sync Blocker USB-to-Dock cable, Rocket Taxi improved, and more.
- MacBooks Top Amazon Sales, EFI 1.7 Problems, Pros and Cons of Built-in Batteries, and More, The 'Book Review, 07.02. Also make a bootable SD Card, Leopard on a 9" Dell netbook, MacBook Pro and Air reviews, triple WiFi range, bargain 'Books from $179 to $2,300, and more.
- Apple Tops in Satisfaction Again, Slim Profits on Mac mini, Ultimate Photo Setup, and More, Mac News Review, 07.02. Also tips for cloning hard drives and moving files from old Macs, Clickfree Transformer turns USB drive into a backup drive, maximum Mac Pro RAM, and more.
- Refurb MacBook Pro Deal, Fastest Mac Browser, 256 MB Modules for WallStreet, and More, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 07.01. Also more Safari 4 feedback, praise for Camino, MacBook cracks, looking for Craigslist software for Macs, and more.
- Amazon.com v. Interstate Sales Tax: Everyone Loses, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 07.01. Amazon.com is standing up to states that are trying to have it collect sales tax on interstate commerce, which most see as a violation of federal law.
- Introduction to Autofs in Mac OS X, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 07.01. "Autofs is often used in enterprise environments to set up network-based home directories and other network mounts for users at login."
Latest Deals on Low End Mac
About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts
Navigation
Used Mac Dealers
Apple History
Video Cards
Email Lists
Favorite Sites
MacSurfer
MacMinute
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
Macs Only!
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac
Museum
DealMac
DealsOnTheWeb
Mac2Sell
ramseeker
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System
6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End
Mac FAQ
Abandonware
Petition
Mac vs. PC Info
Affiliates
The Apple
Store
Mac
Connection
MacMall
TechRestore
ExperCom
Crucial
Memory
batteries.com
Have a question?
Ask an expert!
Advertise
MacMinute
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
Macs Only!
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac
Museum
DealMac
DealsOnTheWeb
Mac2Sell
ramseeker
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System 6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End
Mac FAQ
Abandonware
Petition
Mac vs. PC Info
Mac Connection
MacMall
TechRestore
ExperCom
Crucial Memory
batteries.com
Ask an expert!
