Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2006.08.25
Will Apple support any G3 Macs when Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5)
ships early next year? Early indications were yes, but changes on
Apple's website have removed any mention of the G3.
As OS X grows more power hungry, 512 MB becomes a less practical
configuration. Many are saying that it's just not enough with
Tiger.
One neat development this week if a free recycling service for
rechargeable iPod, notebook, and other batteries. Kudos to
Kokopelli Music!
We also have links to several in-depth looks at the Mac Pro, a
new compact keyboard, two new mice, and some new iPod
accessories.
PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
G3 or Not G3 for Leopard?
News & Opinion
Reviews
Products
iPod Accessories
G3 or Not G3 for Leopard?
Leopard on the G3, Will It Run or Not?
Hardmac's Yoc says:
"It seems that the answer is: no!
"Indeed, Apple posted the following sentence on its site shortly
after Steve Job's keynote:
"'From G3 to Xeon, from MacBook to Xserve, there is just one
Leopard.' It has since been changed to:
"'And in just one great package: Leopard.' In addition, the
README of the version which was distributed to developers at WWDC
states that the minimal system required is a G4."
Link: Leopard on the G3,
Will It Run or Not?
Buh Bye, G3s?
MacUser's Dan Moren says:
"The debate over whether Leopard will run on G3s has thickened.
Our initial report noted that Apple's Leopard page read as follows:
'From G3 to Xeon, from MacBook to Xserve, there is just one
Leopard.' But only a couple of days later, Apple revised the
sentence to read: 'Leopard delivers 64-bit power to both Intel- and
PowerPC-based Macs, so you don't have to install separate
applications for different machines.' Explicit confirmation of
compatibility PowerPC-based Macs: good. Dropping the specific
mention of G3 processors: uh oh."
Link: Buh Bye,
G3s?
News & Opinion
512 MB Not Really Enough for Tiger?
MacUser's Dan Moren says:
"
Pierre at Betalogue seems to confirm what I
suggested a few weeks ago: running Tiger on 512 MB of RAM
hurts. While in the process of troubleshooting some random freezes,
he removed the third-party RAM from his Power Mac G5 Quad, bringing him down
from 4.5 GB to 512 MB.
"My, this is a painful computing experience! I
just cannot believe how slow the machine becomes with only 512 MB.
There was, quite predictably, lots of hard disk activity, but I
didn't expect the machine to become this slow. It was actually
quite close to being unusable. Everything, absolutely everything
was excruciatingly sluggish...."
Editor's note: I agree. IMHO, 512 MB is the barest of bare
practical minimums for running Tiger (OS X 10.4.x), and even
640 MB (which I have in two of my laptops) is not really enough for
running Tiger comfortably. I have 1.5 GB in my 17" PowerBook, and
some days I could use more. cm
Other editor's note: Agreed. I've run Tiger on a 500 MHz G3 iMac
with 512 MB of RAM, and it shouldn't be this slow. My recently
deceased PowerBook G4/400 with 768 MB of RAM ran Tiger much more
smoothly, and I consider that a minimum for decent performance.
When I upgraded my dual 1 GHz Power Mac G4 from 768 MB to 1.75
GB, I saw a significant improvement - probably because I often have
over a dozen apps (including two Classic ones) open. dk
Tim Bray: 'For Now I'm a Macboy Again'
Tim Bray says:
"It took nearly two weeks to get the PowerBook fixed, but for
now I'm a Macboy again. On balance, the Mac experience is better.
But Ubuntu is not that far behind, and it's catching up. I'm
thinking about the endgame.
"Where OS X Wins · The single biggest quality-of-life
delta, weirdly, was the control keys. On Mac, it's command-C for
cut and command-V for paste. On Linux it's Control-C and Control-V,
except when it's not, which is in a terminal window and Emacs,
which is where I spend a whole bunch of my time. OK, a small
irritant, but one that bites all the time.
"Then there are the fonts. Anti-aliasing is an optional extra on
Linux, and I wasn't willing to do the sources.list wrangling to get
the bleeding-edge allegedly-anti-aliased Emacs. Also, lots of fonts
Windows & Mac people use every day just aren't there on Linux.
There are apparently some gyrations and downloads and things you
can do to get some of them....
"Weirdly, now that I've realized that I can have a decent
application suite that doesn't lock up my data and runs on whatever
OS/Hardware, my desire to get off the Mac has moderated."
Link:
For Now I'm a Macboy Again
Ubuntu Switcher Takes a Step Back to Mac
Hawk Wings reports:
"A month ago Tim Bray and Mark Pilgrim torched off a
mini-firestorm in the blogosphere by announcing that they were
switching away from Mac OS X to Ubuntu.
"Hawk Wings covered it because of Mail.app's central role in
Mark Pilgrim's decision to switch away.
"Now Tim Bray is almost having second thoughts. He has posted a
list of things that Mac OS X does better and things that
Ubuntu does better. Mac OS X wins out in some important areas."
Link:
Ubuntu Switcher Takes a Step Back to Mac
Security Costs Make Windows More Costly than
Mac OS X
Roughly Drafted's Daniel Eran says:
"How much does it cost to maintain Windows and Mac OS X?
Since Apple has released five times as many major updates and over
fifteen times as many minor updates to Mac OS X since 2000, you
might not have guessed that Windows actually costs users five times
as much to keep up to date!
"How will software pricing affect sales of Apple's upcoming
Leopard and Microsoft's Vista? Here's a historical comparison of
professional desktop operating systems from both, leading up to a
future outlook for how Microsoft's significantly more expensive
platform will affect new computer sales in 2007....
"Maintaining a Windows install is like owning an aging, imported
car: the initial sale price pales in comparison to its ongoing
maintenance costs."
Link:
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain Windows and Mac OS X?
Free Recycling for iPod, 'Book Batteries
PR: Got an old rechargeable battery and don't know what
to do with it? Don't throw it away, it's toxic! Send it to
Kokopelli Music and they'll recycle it for you, for free.
Kokopelli Music, one of the world's leading providers of iPod
replacement batteries, is delighted to participate in a worldwide
battery recycling program organized by the Rechargeable Battery
Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit, public service
organization created to promote the recycling of portable
rechargeable batteries and cellular phones.
Kokopelli Music will now accept any rechargeable battery,
regardless of where you got it, and recycle it for you. We ship all
our old batteries to RBRC, where they use a thermal recovery
process to reclaim the metals (nickel, iron, cadmium, lead, and
cobalt) from the batteries and prepare them for use in new products
such as new batteries and stainless steel.
If it's rechargeable, it's recyclable!
The following rechargeable battery chemistries can be recycled -
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion
(Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb). Rechargeable batteries are
commonly found in portable media players like iPods, as well as
cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop
computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, camcorders, and remote
control toys. Look for the Battery Recycling Seals on the battery.
Please do not send us alkaline or non-rechargeable batteries, as
they are not recyclable.
Here's how to participate in our recycling program:
- Put your old battery in a plastic bag, or wrap the contacts
with electrical tape, and place it in an ordinary envelope.
- If you like, include a few coins or a dollar to help us defray
the costs of this program.
- Put postage on it - a single first class stamp covers anything
up to 2 ounces total, and that should be enough for an iPod
battery. For packages over 2 ounces, add 1 stamp for every
additional ounce.
- Mail to Kokopelli Music Recycling, 310 Fifth Street Ext.,
Verona PA 15147 USA
Link: Kokopelli
Recycles!
Apple Updates 'Vintage and Obsolete Products'
List
Apple has discontinued support for certain "technologically
obsolete and vintage" products.
Vintage products are those that were discontinued more than five
and less than seven years ago. Apple has discontinued hardware
service for vintage products with the following exception:
- Products purchased in the state of California, United States,
as required by statute. Owners of these products may obtain service
and parts from Apple Service Providers within the state of
California, United States.
Obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than
seven years ago. Apple has discontinued all hardware service for
obsolete products with no exceptions. Service providers cannot
order parts for obsolete products.
U.S. Vintage Products now include:
U.S. Obsolete Products now include:
Link: Vintage and
Obsolete Products
Reviews
What Everyone Should Know about Mac Pro
Memory Upgrades
Bare Feats' rob-ART Morgan says:
"The memory for the Mac
Pro is not only fully buffered and error correcting, Apple
recommends large heat spreaders (or heatsinks) to 'ensure that the
fans run at the proper speed to maintain the optimal temperature
and ensure acoustic performance. While a system will operate with
FB-DIMMs with conventional heat spreaders, Apple recommends
Apple-approved heat sinks for optimum performance and
acoustics.'....
"This new 667 MHz Mac Pro memory is pricey, typically costing
twice what you would pay for the 533 MHz memory for the Dual-Core and Quad-Core G5 Power Macs. For a 2
gigabyte kit (2 x 1 GB), Apple lists $700 and OWC lists $559. There
are other companies selling that same size kit for as low as $355
as we write this.
"I'm all for competition and lower prices but what concerns me
is that the lower priced sources either have a conventional heat
spreader or they have no heat spreader at all. Eeek! Without the
proper heat spreader, the memory will run hotter, causing the Mac
Pro's fans to kick up in an attempt to keep the temperature down.
With the memory we used (shown above), the fans never raised above
idle even when we ran a CPU 'basher' for an hour. The Mac Pro
didn't even register on our Decibel meter which measures 40 dB and
above."
Link: What
Everyone Should Know about Mac Pro Memory Upgrades
Mac Pro Up to 85% Faster than G5 Quad
maconintel.com reports:
"Good ole' Bare Feats has just published a set of benchmarks
comparing the performance of a 2.66 GHz Mac Pro, a 3 GHz Mac Pro, and a 2.5
GHz quad-core Power Mac G5 at
running both Universal and non-Universal OS X applications.
While it was no surprise that the Mac Pro notably surpassed the
Power Mac in Universal application performance, the former's
ability to run Photoshop CS2 under Rosetta was surprisingly
impressive.
"We don't want to spoil it for everyone, but some concluding
remarks from the article are indeed rather telling...."
What's the Fastest Boot Drive for the Mac
Pro?
Bare Feats rob-ART Morgan says:
"What is the best boot drive for my Mac Pro? And what about a dual drive
RAID 0 boot volume?
"The factory 'stock' drives that came with the two Mac Pros we
tested were a Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 250 GB and Western Digital
Caviar WD2500JS 250 GB. We were not overly impressed with their
performance and believed we could do better. We tested single boot
drives and dual drive RAID 0 boot volumes in our 3 GHz Mac Pro.
Tests included Reboot, Launching of a disk intensive application,
Finder Duplicate of large single file, and QuickBench small block
random read/write."
Link: Shootout:
What's the Fastest Boot Drive for the Mac Pro?
Mac Pro Overview: Inside and Out
Macsimum News' Dennis Sellers reports:
"Today I'm starting a multipart review/look at the Mac Pro, which was announced on Aug.
7. I received one last week. This is Macsimum's first multipart
review, but the Mac Pro is a complicated system with more new
features than you might suspect. Today we're going to look at the
case itself....
"Those hoping for a new pro desktop design were doubtless
disappointed - at least regarding the outside of the Mac Pro. The
aluminum case is pretty much identical at first glance to its
PowerPC predecessor, though there are some welcome improvements.
There are now two USB 2.0 ports on the front, and one each of
FireWire 400 and 800. There are three more USB 2.0 ports on the
back. Do the math, and you'll see that the Mac Pro sports a total
of five USB 2.0 and four FireWire ports. Thank you, Apple. I was
able to put away a couple of hubs and save some desktop space."
Link:
The Mac Pro Overview, Part 1: Inside and Out
Mac Pro Is 'One Screamer'
Computerworld's Yuval Kossovsky reports:
"Earlier this week, I got a chance to work with a Mac Pro for an hour or so to see how
it stacks up against the now-discontinued Power Mac G5. The model
offered by Apple for purposes of this quick review was the standard
configuration, which has the stock 2.66-GHz Xeon processors,
1 GB of RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, a single 16x SuperDrive and
the Nvidia GeForce 7300 GT graphics card with 256 MB of video
RAM.
"The dual-core, dual-processor, 64-bit machine is significantly
quieter than Apple's previous top-of-the-line machine, the Power
Mac G5 Quad, no doubt due to the lower power requirements and
dramatically lower heat output from Intel Corp.'s Xeon 'Woodcrest'
chips. While the Mac Pro's outer casing is not appreciably
different from the Quad G5, the inside has been completely
revamped. Since the heat output of the new system is so much lower
than in the G5, the number of fans has been cut from nine to four,
and the liquid cooling system is gone. That leaves much more room
for computing components, and having fewer fans means less
noise."
Link:
Hands On: The New Mac Pro Is 'One Screamer'
Products
Adesso Mac SlimMedia Mini Keyboard
PR: The Adesso Mac SlimMedia Mini keyboard for
Mac takes its inspiration from Apple's distinctive, contemporary
approach to design. Inside its low-profile form, the keyboard is
packed with performance and convenience functions. Low-travel, high
quality membrane key switches delivers a crisp, responsive touch
for faster typing. And multimedia hot keys provide intuitive,
one-button control of audio playback & web browsing.
Features:
- Hot Keys for Instant Web & Email Access
- Slim Compact Design
- Convenient Multimedia Controls
- Bus Power USB with 2 downstream ports keyboard
- Instant access to Multimedia, Internet and Application
functions
- Easy tactile keys lets you work longer in comfort
- Compatible with Mac OS 9/ OS X (Jaguar & Tiger)
Specification:
- Multimedia Hot Keys: 7 - Volume down, Volume up, Mute, Pre
track, Next track, Play/Pause, Stop
- Internet Hot Keys: 5 - WWW/home, favorite, Refresh, Stop,
Email
- Application Hot Keys: 3 - Calculator, Print, Sleep
- OS Compatibility: Mac 9.1/10.3 or greater
- Key Layout: 100 with 12 hot keys
- Operating Force: 55 ± 10 ( gm )
- Total Travel: 2.2 ± 0.3 ( mm )
- Connector: USB Port
- Key switches: Membrane switch with tactile feedback
- Keycaps type: Low profile
- Cable Length: 5 ft
- Power consumption: DC 5 V ± 5%, low power
consumption
- Dimension: L x W x H 15.75 x 6.73 x .05 ( in )
- Link: Adesso
Mac SlimMedia Mini Keyboard
MacMice Announces Danger Mouse USB Laser
Mouse
PR: MacMice has announced its new flagship product, the
Danger Mouse USB laser mouse.
"When
Apple released its Mighty Mouse product just over a year ago, we
were already well along in our design work to create what we felt
would be the perfect USB laser mouse," says M.H. Peng, CEO of
AllSpirit Co., Ltd., manufacturer of the new MacMice product. "Like
Apple, we were seeking the simplest, cleanest design that would
perform well and look great on the desktop. The Danger Mouse is the
result of this effort."
The Danger Mouse has a glossy white outer shell with two button,
scroll button, and scroll wheel functions. Its 1,600 dpi laser
pickup mechanism provides superior tracking performance on
difficult surfaces. And it's notchless MicroScroll mini scroll
wheel gives an impressive sense of precision. MacMice's proprietary
glide pads on the bottom provide a silky mouse motion, with or
without a mousepad. It has a five-foot soft grey USB cable, and is
compatible with the standard mouse drivers included in either Mac
OS X or Win XP systems.
If you have not experienced the joys of using a modern laser
pickup equipped mouse, you simply must know what you have been
missing. Finally, you no longer need a mousepad; the laser pickup
is sensitive and accurate enough to work on virtually any mousing
surface . . . no more uncertain performance on glossy or
colored table tops. The feel of precision of the 1,600 dpi
resolution of this laser mechanism will make your image or video
work, your drawing or graphics projects, or your detailed document
creation tasks a sheer joy.
Apple's
use of a miniature scroll ball on their Mighty Mouse product
exposed many users to a new and seemingly contradictory concept: a
tiny scrolling device "feels" more precise in usage than a larger
one. However, many of these same users have learned that a sealed,
embedded mini-trackball is not the perfect implementation of this
idea. The MicroScroll miniature scrollwheel delivers the precision
of an ultra-small scrolling device, but without the frustrations of
a tiny trackball. It uses a 10mm diameter clickable, notchless
design that provides smoothly gliding, highly precise operation,
and a silky smooth feel.
Danger Mouse is available from the MacMice website or any
MacMice retailer worldwide for $29.99, and began shipping on August
22, 2006.
Link: Danger
Mouse
Adesso BlueIce USB Optical Mouse
PR: With its streamlined
and stylish design, Adesso's BlueIce mouse features Plug and Play
simplicity. and 800 DPI resolution offers twice the accuracy of
typical mouse movement. This mouse features a blue LED on the
scrolling wheel that allows the entire mouse to glow or light ( we
do not use gleam in the U.S. in this manner, you must stop using
it.) in the dark. Optical functionality is accurate on almost any
surface. The three buttons are fully programmable, including the
Internet scroll wheel.
Features:
- Comfortable & Stylish dual-shell design with blue internal
light
- Super High sensitive with 400/800 DPI
- Fully programmable buttons with scroll wheel
- Compatible with PC and MAC
- Navigate Through Windows with Unprecedented Ease and Speed
- Easy to Install, Just Plug & Play
- White color to match new iMac and iBook
- Super Auto Scroll without Scrollbar / On Line Zoom / Connect to
Internet (Special Driver Required)
Features a blue LED on the
scrolling wheel. Allows the mouse to gleam in the dark.
Specification:
- Precise optical sensor mouse
- No moving parts to clean
- Work on most surfaces without mousepad
- Fully programmable buttons with scroll wheel
- Button: 3 buttons, Internet scroll wheel
- Maximum Cable Length : 4.5' feet
- Net Weight : 2.4 oz
- Dimensions : (W) 2.3", (H) 4", (D) 1.25"
- 1 year warranty
System Requirements:
- G3/G4, iMac or PowerBook with a built-in USB port or any
PowerPC with 3rd party USB adapter installed
- Mac OS X or later
- Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000 and XP
Dimensions: 2.3" x 4" x 1.25"
Weight: 2.4 oz.
Link: Adesso
BlueIce USB Optical Mouse
FastMac Reduces Prices on G4 Upgrades by
30%
PR: FastMac has announced it has lowered prices on its
top-rated G4 AGP processor upgrades by 30%. Upgrades from 1.4 GHz
to 1.5 GHz now start at just $249, providing the best pricing for
upgrades with Level 3 Cache. FastMac also announced a new
"SuperGrade" bundle that features a 16x Double Layer SuperDrive and
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger for just $99, representing a savings of
over $100 if bought individually. The new, reduced pricing &
"SuperGrade" bundle makes upgrading to Mac OS X Tiger and
iLife '06 even more affordable.
"Tests have shown that our Motorola 7455-based G4 upgrades with
Level 3 Cache provide 1/2 the speed of a 2 GHz G5 for just 1/8th
the cost," said Michael Lowdermilk, Business Development Manager
for FastMac Performance Upgrades, Inc. "Adding the SuperGrade
bundle gives maximum performance with minimal cost."
"Many of our customers are choosing to upgrade their existing
G4s while waiting on Adobe to ship Universal Binaries of their
Creative Suite," said Edward Savio, President of FastMac
Performance Upgrades, Inc. "The good news is that by then, Mac Pro
prices will have dropped, meaning good things for those who
wait."
The updated pricing, effective immediately, is:
- G4 1.4 GHz, $249
- G4 1.467 GHz, $259.95 (exclusive web-only deal)
- G4 1.5 GHz, $269.95
- G4 SuperGrade, $348 to $368.95
Each G4 AGP processor upgrade from FastMac carries a 3 year
warranty and includes 256 Kb of 1:1 L2 cache on chip and 2 Mb of
high speed L3 cache, along with an integrated heat sink that stays
cool-to-the-touch even under extreme operating conditions.
FastMac's G4 AGP upgrades are designed to work inside Apple
PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics (Sawtooth), Gigabit Ethernet, Digital
Audio and Quicksilver models. They are compatible with Mac
OS 9 and Mac OS X, including Mac OS X 10.4
Tiger.
Link: FastMac AGP
Upgrades
iPod Accessories
Hand Carved SafariPod iPod Stands from
Kenya
PR: A new website and product brand, SafariPod, is
announced today with the first products offered being a group of
six tropical wood jungle animal iPod stands that are hand carved in
Kenya, Africa.
The first SafariPod products is a group of six gorgeous little
iPod stands for all full-size iPods. Offered are hand carved
figurines of a cheetah, elephant, lion, rhinoceros, hippopotamus,
and giraffe. The figurines are carved to meet the Kenya "Good Wood"
guidelines for conserving native hardwoods. And, each figure sells
for $99.99.
SafariPod will offer a growing line of technology art, all hand
carved from native woods by craftsmen in Kenya, Africa. All
products will be stocked and shipped from a facility in the United
States. And, all web orders from the SafariPod site will be for USA
sale, only. Non-USA buyers will purchase their SafariPod items from
dealers in their own international areas.
What Is Technology Art?
We live in the age of plastic doodads and gadgets. Face it, you
probably don't have a single wooden item anywhere on your desk top
right now. And, we think that's a shame. Just because we use
computers, like digital music, and, keep our important information
on a pocket PDA doesn't mean we have to strip our lives of things a
little warmer, a bit more personal. At SafariPod, we are adding
back a touch of humanity to our otherwise sterile environments. We
hope you appreciate the effort.
For anyone accustomed to a plastic, mass-produced world, the
idea of "hand carved" might not conjure the strong image we need to
communicate to truly paint the picture of what is involved in
creating one of these laboriously crafted iPod stands.
When we say hand-carved, we mean that a chunk of native hardwood
is attacked with an adz, and chopped to approximately the right
dimensions for the intended figurine by a native, Kenyan craftsman.
And, from there, many hours of intense, tedious for-real human
labor goes into creating your unique, one-of-a-kind iPod stand. No
two SafariPod stands are the same, as all are made individually by
different native carvers. Each is truly a personal work of art,
created just for you.
Note: These are individually hand carved. Your specific iPod
stand will be different from all others, and different from the
ones shown here. These carvings are all in the same style, and vary
in length from about 6-inches to 9-inches. Carvings are sold as-is,
with no refund or exchange for any reason other than a gross
defect.
SafariPod is proud to be an active financial supporter of the
People and Plants wood conservation research project in coastal
Kenya.
The SafariPod Lion iPod Stand
Our Lion iPod stand is a regally crafted carving, representing
the king of the Big Cats... the African Lion. It fits all full-size
Apple iPods (except the original 60 GB iPod photo model).
Lion iPod Stand - $79.99
USA Customers Only
Ships September 8th, 2006
The SafariPod Giraffe iPod Stand
Our Giraffe iPod stand is a beautifully detailed carving,
colored with the native mottled fur pattern of the Kenyan Giraffe.
It fits all full-size Apple iPods (except the original 60 GB iPod
photo model).
Giraffe iPod Stand - $79.99
USA Customers Only
Ships September 8th, 2006
The SafariPod Hippopotamus iPod Stand
Our Hippopotamus iPod stand is a nicely detailed carving that
pleasantly and humorously depicts the mildest of African creatures.
It fits all full-size Apple iPods (except the original 60 GB iPod
photo model).
Hippopotamus iPod Stand - $79.99
USA Customers Only
Ships September 8th, 2006
The SafariPod Cheetah iPod Stand
Our Cheetah iPod stand is a magnificently detailed carving,
colored with the native spotted pattern of the East African
Cheetah. It fits all full-size Apple iPods (except the original 60
GB iPod photo model).
Cheetah iPod Stand - $79.99
USA Customers Only
Ships September 8th, 2006
The SafariPod Elephant iPod Stand
Our Elephant iPod stand is an exquisitely detailed carving,
capturing the magnificence of Kenya's most regal and recognized
animal. It fits all full-size Apple iPods (except the original 60
GB iPod photo model).
Elephant iPod Stand - $79.99
USA Customers Only
Ships September 8th, 2006
The SafariPod Rhinoceros iPod Stand
Our Rhinoceros iPod stand is an elegantly executed carving,
capturing the strength and poise of one of our most respected
creatures. It fits all full-size Apple iPods (except the original
60 GB iPod photo model).
Rhinoceros iPod Stand - $79.99
USA Customers Only
Ships September 8th, 2006
Link: SafariPod
BoomBall iPod Speakers
PR:
No power, no problem! The high audio quality and deep bass will
have you staring in amazement at these speakers. The compact,
single cable connects to the headphone jack on your iPod or any
other device with audio outputs. This ultra-portable sound system
allows you enjoy your music anywhere you go. These travel-size
speakers require no batteries or bulky AC adapters. When you are
ready to go, simply coil the cord around the inset groove around
the ball, fold in half, and roll!
Features
- Portable
- High quality sound
- No power outlet needed
- Sleek design
- Colors: Black, white, and pink (special order)
Technical
Specifications
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Maximum power input: 2W + 2W
- Standard power input: 1W + 1W
- Dynamic range: 300 - 20,000 Hz
- Power: none required
- Cord Length: 16 cm (6.24 inches)
- Closed Speakers specifications: 83.5 X 77 X 77 mm (3.29 x 3.03
x 3.03 inches)
- Opened Speakers specifications: 156 X 38.5 X 77 mm (6.14 x 1.51
x 3.03 inches)
- Weight: 163 grams (5.75 ounces)
Link: BoomBall iPod
Speakers
Logitech AudioStation a Complete
Home-Stereo System for Your iPod
PR: Logitech has unveiled its best-sounding, most
powerful and most complete speaker system for the iPod: the
Logitech AudioStation high-performance stereo system for iPod.
This
premium stereo system transforms any room in the home into a
digital-music concert hall - delivering a full range of incredibly
smooth, balanced audio, from floor-thumping bass to the precision
high frequencies that bring music to life. Its relatively compact
design (16-inches long, 4 1/4-inches deep, 7 1/4-inches tall)
allows the AudioStation speaker system to sit elegantly atop an end
table, book shelf or even a nightstand. And with the digital AM/FM
tuner, the speakers can be a replacement for a traditional
living-room stereo system as well as a perfect solution for an
office or bedroom.
Just add your iPod to create a full-function stereo that fills
any room in your home with high-performance sound. Enjoy audiophile
acoustics from two-way speakers, featuring 1" soft-dome tweeters
and 4" long-throw woofers. Command your experience with
sophisticated touch-sensitive controls, and switch to the
integrated digital AM/FM radio tuner when you prefer to listen to
live music. Whether you're looking to replace your existing stereo,
or just enjoy high-quality music for another room, Logitech
AudioStation™ makes it easy: just plug it in and plug in your
iPod.
The Logitech AudioStation speaker system features matching
satellites with two drivers each that together offer a wide dynamic
range of clear, powerful audio. The 1-inch, high-definition,
soft-dome tweeters produce high frequencies with remarkable detail
and clarity, and the 4-inch, high-power, long-throw woofers offer
deep, powerful bass. Its bi-amplified acoustic design delivers
unprecedented performance from a surprisingly svelte system.
While its audio performance is impressive, the AudioStation
system's design is equally notable. The elegant one-piece system
has a black finish and removable cloth grille covers, accommodating
any room's decor. There are no buttons or knobs on the system - the
controls on the front panel are all touch sensitive - giving the
speakers a seamless, smooth appearance. When powered on, small LEDs
illuminate the touch-sensitive controls with a soft white glow. The
buttons are used with the soft touch of a finger to turn the power
on and off, adjust the volume up and down, select radio stations,
and switch the input from the iPod to other audio sources.
"With the AudioStation, we are redefining the premium iPod
speaker category," said Jef Holove, vice president of product
marketing for Logitech's audio business. "Nothing else delivers
this level of full, balanced acoustic performance, the cutting-edge
design, and the unanticipated extras - like digital AM/FM radio and
touch-sensitive controls. It's a sophisticated and complete stereo
system for any room in the house."
Above the control panel, the Logitech AudioStation speaker
system has a large LCD that can show information such as radio
station channels, the time, or an audio spectrum analyzer. The LCD
also can display track information using Radio Data System (RDS)
for FM stations that support RDS.
For complete control, the AudioStation speakers system comes
with an advanced remote that includes the same controls as those on
the control panel, as well as a menu button, a sleep timer, and a
switch to turn the system's 3D stereo mode on or off - which widens
the stereo sound stage, making the speakers sound farther apart
than they actually are. Using the menu button, people can adjust
bass and treble levels independently, change the display
brightness, and choose whether or not the iPod backlight stays on
while plugged into the AudioStation system.
When the iPod is connected using the Universal Dock connector,
the AudioStation speaker system can simultaneously play music from
the iPod and recharge its batteries. The AudioStation also features
a 3.5 mm input that connects to other MP3 players and other audio
devices.
Logitech's award-winning family of speakers for iPod and MP3
players also includes the midrange Logitech AudioStation Express
portable speakers, also announced today; the award-winning Logitech
mm50 portable speakers for iPod; the stylish Logitech mm32 portable
speakers; and the ultra-compact Logitech mm28 portable
speakers.
Performance
- Power: 80W RMS
- Max SPL: 110 dB
- Frequency Response: 36 Hz - 23 kHz +/- 3 dB
Design
- Tweeter amplifiers: (2) ultra-linear, Class AB
- Woofer amplifiers: (2) high-efficiency, Class D
- Sealed, tuned speaker enclosures
- Adjustable sound field (bass, treble, 3D stereo)
- Removable speaker grilles
Connections
- 3.5mm aux input jack
- Composite and S-video output jacks
- Universal Dock with support for all iPods with dock
connectors
Package Contents
- Logitech® AudioStation™ speaker system
- Advanced remote control
- Universal Dock adapters
- AM & FM antennas
- Quick-start guide
- User manual
- 2-year limited warranty
The Logitech AudioStation high-performance stereo system for
iPod will be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in October.
It will be available for a suggested retail price of $299.99 in the
U.S.
Link:
Logitech AudioStation
Logitech AudioStation Express Speakers
for iPod
Logitech has extended its award-winning line of speakers for the
iPod by introducing the midrange Logitech AudioStation Express
portable speakers. In addition to its great sound quality,
Logitech's newest speakers offer a durable design, a choice of
power options, a protective case, and a wireless remote - making it
the perfect solution in the home or outdoors.
In a recent Logitech study, consumers said that a rugged,
durable design and the option of using either AC power or batteries
are two of the most important features for portable iPod speakers.
A complement to the minimalist styling of the iPod, the Logitech
AudioStation Express speakers are extremely durable: Metal grilles
protect the audio drivers, and the convenient case protects the
speakers on the go. The case can also be left on the speakers while
playing music to prevent scratches. To give people power options,
Logitech designed the speakers to run on AC power, for use at home,
or AA batteries, ideal for use outdoors. When powered by the
included AC adaptor, the speakers also recharge the iPod
battery.
"Our research has shown us unambiguously what people value in
portable iPod speakers: durability and flexibility," said Jef
Holove, vice president of product marketing for Logitech's audio
business. "The AudioStation Express delivers directly on consumer
desires, enabling people to play and share their music, around the
home on AC power or outside on batteries, with a design that's
durable enough to withstand a variety of environments."
Despite its compact size, the speaker system delivers dynamic,
full-range sound quality with two 2.5" Max-X high-excursion drivers
and a bass port. And, because the speakers support the Universal
Dock Adaptor specification from Apple, current and future iPods
with a dock connector on the base will be compatible to play music
with the AudioStation Express. Using the system's video output
jack, located on the back of the speakers, people can watch their
iPod photos and movies on their television. The speaker system also
features an auxiliary (3.5 mm) input that allows people to use the
speaker system with early iPod models as well as with other audio
devices, including CD, MP3 and portable DVD players.
Part of Apple's "Made for iPod" program, the AudioStation
Express system is glossy white on all sides with black grilles and
ports - a perfect match for the iPod itself. Using the included
wireless remote control, people can adjust the volume, track
forward, track back, play and pause the music while sitting on the
couch or at the dining-room table. When not in use, the remote can
slide into the integrated storage slot on the back of the speaker
system.
Logitech's family of speakers for iPod and MP3 players also
includes the Logitech AudioStation high-performance stereo speakers
for iPod, also announced today; the award-winning Logitech mm50
portable speakers for iPod; the stylish Logitech mm32 portable
speakers; and the ultra-compact Logitech mm28 portable
speakers.
Features
- Charges your iPod
- Just place it in the dock; it charges while in use.
- Wireless remote
- Command your listening experience from a distance
- Protective case
- Take AudioStation Express with you. Metal grilles also protect
the speakers.
Specifications
Audio
- 2.5" Max-X™ high-excursion drivers provide full, balanced
sound
- Tuned port for deep bass
- Custom EQ for accurate audio performance
Hardware
- AC or battery powered
- Battery life: up to 10 hours using 6 AA batteries (not
included)
- Universal Dock (supports all iPods with dock connectors)**
- 3.5 mm aux input jack (for MP3 players and iPods without dock
connectors)***
- Video output jack
Package Contents
- Logitech® AudioStation™ Express speaker system
- International voltage AC power adapter (100-240 V)
- Wireless remote
- Protective case
- Universal Dock adapters
- Quick-start guide
- 2-year limited warranty
The Logitech AudioStation Express speakers will be available in
the U.S. and Europe beginning in October. The speakers will have a
suggested retail price in the U.S. of $129.99.
Link:
Logitech AudioStation Express
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