Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.10.14
PowerBook, iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review. News about Apple's
transition to Intel CPUs and other Intel developments is covered in
The Macintel Report. iPod news is
covered in The iNews Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Reviews
Products
News & Opinion
Apple Refreshes iMac G5
This week's top Mac story is the introduction of
updated iMac models that are slimmer, lighter, and have built-in
iSight webcams.
Apple Discontinues eMac
MacTeens' Chris Saribay reports:
"Apple today has
quietly removed the eMac
from its online store, and has removed most product references on
Apple.com. While a few references remain to it on various pages on
the companies' website, it seems that the last CRT all-in-one
computer Apple manufactures has finally been laid to rest, at least
for consumers....
"Upon inspection, the eMac is now only available through the
Apple Store Education (institutions)...."
Apple Computers Top Reliability Poll
The Guardian's Bobbie Johnson reports:
"Apple is the computer brand which buyers find most reliable,
according to a survey by consumer magazine Which? It found that
consumers were more likely to recommend Apple computers to their
friends than any other brand, closely followed by Dell and
Sony."
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 Drives
Extreme Tech reports:
"Seagate Technology Ltd. has brought its desktop Barracuda
drives into the fifth generation, adding a half-terabyte model and
3-Gbit SATA technology to its lineup.
"The Barracuda 7200.9 drives, as they're known, have begun
shipping in 4-GB to 500-GB capacities, with cache sizes ranging
from 2 to 16 Mbytes. Manufacturer suggested pricing will be $61 for
a 40-Gbyte parallel drive, $75 for an 80-GB SATA drive, and $429
for the high-end 500-GB SATA drive, said Michael Hall, a Seagate
spokesman."
Reviews
Add Up to 500 GB to Any Mac mini
Arizona Macintosh Users Group, Inc. (AMUG)'s Arthur Whalem
reports:
"WiebeTech is shipping the Maxelerate enclosure that allows you
to add an additional hard drive to the Mac mini using FireWire 400
or USB 2.0 connections. In addition, the Maxelerate has three
FireWire 400 and three USB 2.0 ports allowing it to be used as a
hub for additional computer peripherals.
"During this review, an Apple Mac mini 1.42 GHz with an 80 GB
hard drive and 512 MB of memory was used with the Maxelerate
Max-250 enclosure. This article will examine how the Maxelerate 250
GB enclosure performs in various configurations with the Mac
mini."
Products
zStand Monitor Stand and Hub for Mac mini
PR: Continuing in the Art-Techo style of fusing
technology and art, Pressure Drop announces zStand, the first
sleek, stylish monitor stand that ingeniously includes a USB 2.0
and FireWire 400 combination hub hidden in the back. The zStand is
designed to perfectly accommodate a Mac mini, providing a place to
store the computer safely inside the stand while organizing a
user's desktop.
The zStand is constructed of
solid steel for strength and powder-coated white and silver to
perfectly match the Mac mini. Delivering beauty through its stylish
"Z" shape but brawn through its dual, hardened-steel support walls,
zStand gracefully elevates monitors weighing up to 50 lbs. to a
more ergonomically correct height, easing common neck and shoulder
fatigue associated with improper monitor positioning.
As with other Pressure Drop products, the zStand is not only an
artistic addition to a user's space but a demonstration of
technology blending with art. Hidden from view is a combination hub
employing the lightning-fast Cypress TetraHub to provide four
additional USB 2.0 ports, and the industry-standard TI controller
chip to provide four additional FireWire 400 ports. zStand offers
more expansion ports for the Mac mini than any other hub on the
market today. (excluding other Pressure Drop products)
"Users are going to love the multi-functionality and style of
the zStand", said David Gawlowski, CEO of Pressure Drop. "We have
created a distinguished, high quality monitor stand with the
technology hidden away but immediately accessible. It is Pressure
Drop's crusade through the Art-Techo movement to stop technology
from taking over our space and start blending it into the
background, and we believe zStand exemplifies the future of
technology product design."
USB
Connect your USB 2.0 devices to your computer at up to 480 Mbps,
or your legacy USB 1.1 devices at up to a full 12 Mbps per channel.
Whereas most USB hubs restrict all USB 1.1 devices to share one 12
Mbps channel, the zStand is built around the new Cypress
TetraHub™ controller chip which uses unique Turbo Transaction
Translator Technology to dedicate a fast, 12 Mbps channel to each
USB 1.1 device.
Powered by the zStand's single, shared power supply, a full
500ma of current is available per port, with over-current detection
to protect what you plug in.
LED indicator for uplink status
One upstream Type B port to connect the zStand to the computer
or another hub
Four Type A downstream ports to connect your USB peripherals,
devices, or other hubs. Cascade multiple hubs in series to connect
up to 127 devices.
Compliant with USB Specifications 1.1 and 2.0, OHCI, EHCI, FCC
Part 15
FireWire
Connect your FireWire 400 devices to your computer at an
auto-switching 100, 200, or 400 Mbps. With plenty of bandwidth and
optimized for large multimedia files, FireWire is the choice for
the demanding audio and video devices of today. Using the
industry-standard Texas Instruments hub controller chip, the zStand
intelligently manages all your data to stream or capture video or
access huge files.
Power your devices through bus-powered mode or the zStand's
single, shared power supply, all with over-current protection.
LED indicator for uplink status
One dedicated upstream port to connect the zStand to the
computer or another hub.
Four downstream ports to connect your external storage devices,
cameras, camcorders, music players, or other peripherals. By
connecting multiple hubs together, you can connect up to 63
devices.
Compliant with IEEE 1394-1395 &1394a
zStand is available now from Pressure Drop's online store for
$99.99 and ships with a choice of 12 inch or 6 foot USB and
FireWire cables for connection to either a Mac mini or a standard
desktop computer.
Colorize Your iMac G5
PR: Mactallic.com's new
Mactallic display frame product adds a aluminum finish to the plain
old white iMac G5 and comes in six Colors - plus TouchTurn, an
accessory that allows your iMac or PC Monitor to rotate with
ease
The new Mactallic display frame is a natural addition to the
iMac family. Its modern simplicity will add a touch of class to any
home or office decor. The stylish anodized metallic finish matches
the aluminum exterior of the Power Mac, PowerBook, and Cinema
Display.
The Mactallic display frame is available in the original silver
anodized aluminum finish as well as five additional anodized custom
metallic colors. A free desktop image specifically designed for
each Mactallic display frame is available for download.
Not only is the new Mactallic display frame eye catching,
affordable, and one of the few truly inexpensive ways to upgrade
the aesthetic appearance of your iMac G5 without experiencing
sticker shock.
- 17" Display Frame $39.95
- 20" Display Frame $44.95
The new TouchTurn enables you to rotate most flat panel displays
180º in either direction with a single touch of your
finger.
Price: $24.95
NewerTech Drops Prices on miniStack
PR: Newer Technology, Inc.'s miniStack has been named
MacAddict's Editors' Choice for November 2005, and we're
celebrating by passing along savings of up to 10 percent.
The miniStack has been a hit with reviewers and customers since
its introduction in July. It's an even better value with new, lower
pricing effective immediately.
The new pricing is:
- 0 GB (enclosure only), $89.95
- 80 GB w/2 MB buffer, $139.99
- 160 GB w/8 MB buffer, $179.99
- 250 GB w/8 MB buffer, $219.99
- 320 GB w/8 MB buffer, $259.99
- 400 GB w/8 MB buffer, $359.99
- 500 GB w/8 MB buffer, $479.99
All miniStack models feature high-performance 7200 RPM hard disk
mechanisms and data buffers of 2- or 8 MB. The line utilizes the
latest Oxford 911+ chipset in a custom FireWire/USB 2/.0 bridge for
unrivaled performance and reliability. The miniStack provides
significantly better hard drive performance versus the stock Mac
mini hard drive while at the same time providing additional USB
2/.0 and FireWire ports via its integrated USB 2/.0 and FireWire
Hubs.
"We knew we had a great product when we unleashed the
miniStack," said Larry O'Connor, president of NewerTech. "It's nice
to have others enjoy them as much as we do. Now we're going to make
it easier by dropping the prices. You just can't get a better drive
at a better price."
The sleek miniStack was designed to complement the size, shape
and color of Apple's demure Mac mini, but the drives are compatible
with any computer with an available FireWire or USB port.
Each miniStack features a smart power switch so the drive turns
on and off with your mini and a thermal probe that automatically
regulates and varies fan speed according to the temperature. It
provides integrated 2-Port FireWire and 3-Port USB 2.0/1.1 powered
hubs for additional devices. The dimensions of the miniStack are
6.5 inches x 6.5 inches x 1.5 inches.
SwitchView DVI 4-port KVM Switch DVI
PR: Avocent SwitchView DVI KVM switch easily manage up to
four USB DVI computers from a single USB keyboard, mouse and DVI
monitor. With video resolutions up to 1920 x 1200, the SwitchView
DVI delivers crisp images for today's high-end displays. Audio and
microphone support are added benefits for today's demanding user.
The SwitchView DVI switch also features a sleek design that makes
it a compact and versatile solution for the small office and home
office desktop.
SwitchView DVI 2-port KVM Switch
- Manage two USB DVI computers from a single USB keyboard, mouse
and DVI monitor
- Push-button or multiple keyboard hotkeys for customize channel
selections
- Integrated USB hub
- Audio support
SwitchView DVI 4-port KVM Switch
- Manage up to four USB DVI computers from a single USB keyboard,
mouse and DVI monitor
- Push-button or multiple keyboard hotkeys for customize channel
selections
- Integrated USB hub
- Audio support
- Link:
SwitchView DVI 4-port KVM Switch DVI Desktop Solution
SeriTek/2eEN4 Four-Bay Hot-Swap External eSATA
Enclosure
PR: FirmTek, LLC is again pushing the price/performance
envelope with the introduction of their new external SeriTek/2eEN4
Serial ATA 4-bay enclosure. The SeriTek/2eEn4 features the latest
eSATA technology and delivers four state-of-the-art hot swappable
hard drive bays to support today's demanding media-rich
applications.
"We are raising the bar again with this storage solution by
coupling the latest advances in Serial ATA technology with
best-in-class features including new eSATA connectors, a
whisper-quiet design, 3.0 Gbps transfer rate, exclusive Heat
Management System, a true hot swappable backplane design with no
internal cabling, and the smallest footprint," said Chi Kim
Stanford, Vice President of Business Development. "We are following
through on our continuing commitment of offering the best values
and most solid products in the industry by providing the
SeriTek/2eEN4 at an affordable price."
The SeriTek/2eEN4's exclusive Heat Management System ensures
hard drives are kept cool and reliable while keeping noise to a
minimum. This is accomplished by utilizing whisper quiet fans and
special warning indicators. In the unlikely event a fan fails or
temperatures become too extreme, fan or temperature LEDs will light
and a "mute-able" audible alert will warn the user. The
SeriTek/2eEN4's sturdy anodized aluminum case gives it a look
that's as professional as its advanced features. It is compatible
with virtually every external Serial ATA host adapter on the market
and supports data transfer rates of up to 300 Mbytes/sec or 3.0
Gbits/sec per drive. It easily supports the most demanding
applications like uncompressed high-definition digital video
creation & editing, computer animation, and digital
photography.
SeriTek/2eEN4 Key Features and Benefits
- Attractive, durable design with a professional appearance
- Brushed & anodized extruded aluminum case for maximum
rigidity and heat dissipation
- Supports up to four 3.5" hard disk drives; original style
Serial ATA drives plus the latest 3 Gbps Serial ATA drives
- Provides physical lock and key security for each hard
drive
- Features Kensington Security Slot to secure chassis
- Built-in server-class universal power supply for maximum
reliability
- Supports host adapter, operating system, and software-based
RAID or JBOD configurations
- Heat Management System: Two quiet fans combined with
fan/temperature status, fault LEDs and mute-able alarm
- Enclosure Power Status LED; power and activity LEDs for each
hard drive
- Easy to set up: Only 3 steps to integrate each hard drive
- Easy to operate: Simply unlock the latch, & use the handle
to add or remove drives
- Easy to transport: Compact and portable
- Hot-swappable, plug-and-play flexibility in switching
drives
- Hot-swap drive trays are interchangeable with FirmTek's two-bay
SeriTek/1EN2 enclosure
- Designed as a native Serial ATA solution; no Parallel
ATA/USB/FireWire to Serial ATA bridge chips that might impact
performance and reliability
- Features the newly defined eSATA external connectors and 300
Mbytes/sec or 3.0 Gbits/sec data transfer rate per drive
- Enclosure's hot-swap backplane design, connectors, and external
shielded cables are designed to minimize electrostatic discharge
and electromagnetic emissions, providing the most secure
environment for your data
- Includes four fully shielded external eSATA cables
- Platform independent; compatible with all Macintosh and PC
computers running Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux
- Works with original style shielded SATA-I or the latest eSATA
ports (original style shielded SATA-I to eSATA data cables
available separately)
- Ideal for multimedia-intensive applications: high-definition
audio/video capture and editing, graphics manipulation and high-end
digital publishing
FirmTek's SeriTek/2eEN4 Serial ATA enclosure is available now
for the estimated retail price of $499.95 (P/N SATA-2eEN4).
Specially priced bundles with host adapters are also available.
Desktop Mac
Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers every two
weeks:
For deals on laptops, see our Best
Aluminum PowerBook G4 Deals, Best
Titanium PowerBook G4 Deals, Best
iBook G4 Deals, and Best White iBook
G3 Deals. For deals on iPods, see our Best iPod Deals.
