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Mac News & Opinion
Power Mac G5 Reaches 2.7
GHz
Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) officially ships today, and
the first Macs to ship with Tiger installed are the speed-bumped
2005 Power Mac G5s. In addition
to increased CPU speed, the new models have 16x SuperDrive and
Radeon 9600 video is standard on the two slower models. The top-end
2.7 GHz model comes with Radeon 9650 and 256 MB of video
memory.
The entry-level dual 2.0 GHz model retails for
$1,999, the midrange 2.3 GHz for $2,499, and the high-end 2.7 GHz
for $2,999.
Mac Mini: Perfect Computer for the Right
Tasks
MacMovieMaker's Robert
Czachorski says:
"Looking for an affordable way to get an introduction to Apple's
advanced and elegant operating system - OS X, or perhaps a
cheap second computer for the family room or for the kids room? The
Mac Mini may be perfect for you, if you have the right expectations
and tasks in mind for the newest member of Apple's Mac lineup."
Longest Uptime without Restarting
Challenge
PR: Hit-Up
application gets your computer uptime on your Mac OS X and
sends information to this website - the challenge is "I never
restart my Macintosh!"
Your computer must be a workstation or server. You must specify
category in account creation. if you do not send your results
during two days, you disappear from the list of participants.
This system is controlled by a human being; it is useless to
cheat.
Download the application, open an account, and take up the
challenge.
Join the HitUp iChat community, discuss about HitUp on iChat. To
reach the discussion type command G in iChat application and enter
hitup.
Hitup application records the time spent on your machine without
restarting and informs a website with classification.
This version is Tiger compatible and option added to display
Hit-Up in iChat Status.
HitUp is freeware.
Updating the Mac mini?
Mini
Ture_MacJournal says:
"The Mac mini comes with a great gift, the Mac
OS X Panther suite of intuitive excellent multi media
incredibly linked and responsive software and the advanced Apple
OS X Tiger will soon be available.
"The software is the other amazing part of the Mac mini package
and to use this suite of software is to experience the workability
of a powerful desktop multi media system.
"The Mac mini can be updated through software and with many new
accessories. Excellent articles and commentary may be found on
123Macmini.com and this site is not just informative but fun for
Mac mini aficionado's and anyone who truly is contemplating
acquiring a Mac mini and experiencing the amazing multi media
experience that comes with this little iAppliance because the
ground has been walked before and help is handy."
Tips
Use a Vintage Mac as a Drive Dock to Enhance
Mac mini Performance
AMUG's
Arthur Whalem writes:
"In a previous article titled, 'Mac mini using a 3.5" Drive on
the Internal IDE' I showed you how the Mac mini can perform considerably
faster using regular 3.5" hard drives. In that article I used Adam
Eberbach's 2.5"->3.5" IDE adapter to attach a 3.5" 160 GB Maxtor
hard drive to the Mac mini and compared its performance to the Mac
mini 1.42 GHz 2.5" 80 GB stock hard drive. While the Combo drive
was removed in my previous tests you can also leave it connected if
you still want to use the slim DVD/CD combo drive that comes with a
stock Mac mini. I have found slim DVR's to be quite a bit slower
than a standard 5.25" DVR and they are more expensive.
"In this article I will show you how to recycle an old Apple
Centris 660 computer into a
drive dock for your Mac mini. If the looks and size of your Mac
mini are more important to you than its performance this dock may
not be for you. For myself, I find the performance increases and
the upgrade savings of using the Mac mini Centris Drive Dock very
nice. The Mac mini has a great processor and a fast ATA/100 bus
that can perform much better with standard desktop drives."
New Products
miniMate External Disk Drive and FireWire/USB
2.0 Dock for Mac mini
PR: So you got
your new, stylish computer from Apple, and together with iLife you
embark on your new calling as a digital media producer. With USB
and FireWire audio and video input and ouput devices, printers and
scanners, you may find yourself running out of ports- and running
out of space to store all your creations. Enter the miniMate,
MicroNet's new external disk drive and port replicator created
specifically to complement Apple's new Mac mini computers. With available
storage up to 400 GB, 4 USB 2.0 ports and 3 FireWire ports, the
miniMate extends the capabilities of your new Mac to match the most
capable workstations, all in a stylish aluminum and plastic
enclosure that perfectly complements your computer. Although
miniMate was created with Apple's Mac Mini in mind, miniMate will
work with most Macs and PCs.
The miniMate is created specifically to complement
Apple's new Mac Mini. With available storage up to 400 GB, 4 USB
2.0 ports and 3 FireWire ports, the miniMate extends the
capabilities of your new Mac to match the most capable
workstations, all in a stylish aluminum and plastic enclosure that
perfectly complements Apple's Mac Mini!
Features
Up to 400 GB additional storage - miniMate is available in the
following configurations: 80 GB, 160 GB, 250 GB, 400 GB.
The miniMate offers hub functionality for both USB and FireWire.
As long as a FireWire connection is present, the disk drive will
mount as a FireWire device; otherwise, it will mount as a USB
device - 3 FireWire ports; 4 USB 2.0 ports
Attach power, USB and FireWire cable and you're ready to rock.
Cables included are: 1 x 7" Firewire Cable, 1 x 9" USB 2.0
Cable.
- MicroNet miniMate 80 GB 7200rpm FireWire + USB 2.0 Hard Drive
& Integrated FireWire and USB Hub for Mac Mini. $149.00
- MicroNet miniMate 160 GB 7200rpm FireWire + USB 2.0 Hard Drive
& Integrated FireWire and USB Hub for Mac Mini. $179.00
- MicroNet miniMate 250 GB 7200rpm FireWire + USB 2.0 Hard Drive
& Integrated FireWire and USB Hub for Mac Mini. $249.00
- MicroNet miniMate 400 GB 7200rpm FireWire + USB 2.0 Hard Drive
& Integrated FireWire and USB Hub for Mac Mini. $499.00
Midsize Bluetooth Mouse, the Right Click for
left-handers
PR: RadTech has
announced immediate availability of the BT510
mid-size, three-button, optical scrolling Bluetooth mouse. With
electronically reversible left-right buttons and backup USB power
umbilical, it's the right click for left-handed people!
Sleek, versatile, and feature-rich, it's the right Bluetooth
mouse for everyone.
The BT-510 touts a comfortable mid-sized form factor - perfect
for the desktop or on the road. Three button control plus scroll
wheel makes navigating your workspace a breeze. 800 dpi optical
resolution and ultra-precise tracking make it especially attractive
to engineering and design professionals. And, connecting the BT-510
is simple - no drivers needed for Mac OS X.
To ensure maximum battery
life, the BT-510's smart, power-saving sleep mode conserves power
when idle, and an easily accessible power switch allows it to be
powered down when not in use. The BT-510 can also be powered via
any USB port using its included power cable - so you always have
the option of conserving battery life with direct power or using it
as a back up to keep you up and running when batteries are low.
As a bonus, the BT-510 is
available as a bundle with the RadPak Travel case - a compact,
semi-rigid clamshell case featuring a cushioned interior, twin
rubber-tabbed zipper pulls and internal bays to accommodate a spare
set of batteries.
The BT-510 Bluetooth mouse is available in gloss black or white
for $59.95 or bundled with the RadPak Travel case for $69.95.
Kinesis MiniType Keyboard
PR: The Kinesis MiniType
keyboard doesn't sacrifice size for comfort. Full size
keycaps are integrated with a scissors (notebook style) key switch.
A vast improvement over traditional membrane key switches, the
MiniType switches are silent, tactile and comfortable.
The elegant, aluminum ultra-thin design makes it ideal for your
laptop, serving as an ergonomic alternative to typing on your
laptop's integrated keyboard. Use the MiniType where space is a
premium or where you want to eliminate excessive reach to other
input devices.
Specifications
- USB - PS/2 Combo, PC and Macintosh compatible
- Full size keys - Notebook style key switches
- Brushed aluminum top housing
- Multi Media Features: Included driver supports special buttons
for Email, Browser and My Computer for Windows operating systems.
Driver not required for XP.
- Sleep and Shutdown buttons (driver not required)
- Software & driver included
- Dimensions: 11.875" (L) x 6.375" (W) x .75" (H)
- Weight: 14 ounces
Compatibility
- Windows 98, NT, Me, 2000 and XP
- Macintosh 8.6 - 10.x (Available USB port required - Not all
Multi Media Features will function)
Kinesis MiniType USB-PS/2 Keyboard sells for $39.95.
Miglia Introduces New Version of MediaBank HS-R
FireWire 800 Drive
PR: Miglia Technology, a leading manufacturer of video,
audio and storage products for Mac and Windows, today announced the
immediate availability of a new version of
MediaBank HS-R.
MediaBank HS-R now sports a high-speed Oxford 912-based
FireWire 800 interface to increase the data transfer rates.
Furthermore, the power supply unit has been upgraded to cope with
the larger and more power-hungry drives appearing on the
market.
Eric Ferraz, Product Marketing Director, Miglia Technology,
commented: "MediaBank HS-R has been an incredible success for the
company since its launch. Many small businesses rely on MediaBank
HS-R as a combined storage and automatic back up solution. The new
MediaBank HS-R model offers even greater security, performance and
reliability. The Catalyst 912 FireWire interface we developed for
the award winning DualDisk hard drive is now integrated within
MediaBank HS-R giving it another edge in terms of performance."
Featuring two easily removable hard drive trays and hardware
support for Raid 1 (mirroring), HS-R is the most secure FireWire
storage solution available today.
Data is written to two hard drives simultaneously, preventing
total data loss if a drive were to fail. Hardware support for
mirroring removes potential software conflicts and guarantees a
faultless and automatic backup of your vital data.
MediaBank HS-R ships with a spare hard drive tray, allowing you
to keep a drive containing all your data in a secure location
(automatic backup facility)!
The Miglia HS-R is available now from Miglia's distribution
partners, refurb or online store, for a recommended retail price
of: £449, $449, Eu299. All prices are ex VAT. All units carry
a full 2 year RTB warranty. A list of distributors and resellers is
available on Miglia's website.
Desktop Mac
Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers every two
weeks:
For deals on laptops, see our Best PowerBook G4 Deals,
Best iBook G4 Deals,
and Best iBook G3
Deals. For deals on iPods, see our Best iPod Deals.
