Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2006.11.22
We hope you've had a great year and have many things to be
thankful for.
Thursday is Thanksgiving here in the States, and we're taking a
four-day weekend to travel, spend time with family, and maybe do
some Christmas shopping. Maybe. So this week's Mac News Review is
coming out on Wednesday - and it's been a slow news week.
Enjoy the break!
PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, and other portable computing is
covered in The 'Book Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Products
iPod Accessories
News & Opinion
Apple-AMD Rumors Gain Traction
BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl reports:
"I've asked Hector Ruiz, the CEO of chipmaker Advanced Micro
Devices about his views on Apple several times, especially in light
of Apple's switch to using chips from Intel over the last year and
change. He's always been at once supportive of Apple, and happy
that the Mac now runs on an x86-based processor. But he's never
confirmed any talks between Apple and AMD concerning microprocessor
supply deals.
"So what then to make of this? DigiTimes of Taiwan, which is
often a good source of early warning intelligence about such
things, is reporting on the surge in demand for a particular type
of component that is going to be used in an Apple-made notebook
that would use an AMD chip."
Link:
Apple-AMD Rumors Gain Traction
Products
MAXPower G4 Processor Upgrades Reach 2.0
GHz
PR: The Newer Technology MAXPower Processor upgrade cards
are designed to add years to your older Power Macintosh G4's life. If your
older system is feeling it's age and needs a boost, a new processor
is just what you need to rejuvenate your Macintosh!
Quiet and cool running, these upgrades are simple to install,
taking less than 10 minutes.
MAXPower G4 Processor Upgrades Features:
- Up to 2.0 GHz - a huge speed gain!
- Easy to install - high speed Plug and Play
- Freescale PowerPC G4/7447A
- 64-bit bus interface
- Bus ratio of up to 20:1
- 3 year warranty
- 30 day 100% money back guarantee
Achieve furious Mac acceleration in 20 minutes or less with
easy to install MAXPower Processor upgrades from Newer Technology!
Engineered for high speed with Plug and Play technology, it is
possible to effectively double or even triple the speed of an older
Power Macintosh by adding a MAXPower G4 upgrade from NewerTech.
NewerTech MAXPower G4 upgrades dramatically improve Mac performance
and restore the value of your investment. MAXPower Upgrades utilize
higher speed Motorola/Freescale PowerPC G4 processors that are
coupled with exclusive technology advancements and added cache
capacity over standard original CPU. Advanced features are designed
to make the NewerTech MAXPower G4 upgrade the most stable and
highest performing processor upgrade available on the market.
About the Motorola/Freescale PowerPC G47447A Processors used in
the MAXPower G4 Upgrade
The Motorola/Freescale MPC7447A processor is a high-performance,
low-power, 32-bit implementation of the PowerPC RISC architecture.
Key architectural features include 512 KB of on-chip L2 cache, a
64-bit bus interface and a full 128-bit implementation of
Freescale's AltiVec technology. The MPC7447A processors are ideal
for leading-edge computing, embedded network control and signal
processing applications.
MPC7447A processors benefit from Freescale's
silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process technology, engineered to help
deliver significant power savings without sacrificing speed.
The MPC7447A offers eight instruction BAT and data BAT registers
to help support lightweight embedded operating systems, enabling
more large tables of data. The processors also provide cache
locking to the L1 caches so that key performance algorithms and
code can be locked in the L1 cache.
Compatibility:
- Mac OS 9.2.2 or Mac OS X 10.3.5 (or later) is required for 7447
CPUs.
- Mac OS X 10.3.8 (Including Mac OS X 10.4) or later is
recommended for all systems.
Compatible Systems:
One note of clarification: If your Power Mac G4 came from Apple
as a dual processor machine, it has a single card with two
processors on it. This dual CPU card is removed and the MAXPower G4
card replaces the Apple card and both CPUs. It is not
possible to install two MAXPower G4 cards to replace the two
processors in your machine; only one card is required.
Warranty: Limited three year hardware warranty
Specifications subject to change without notice.
- MAXPower G4/7447A 1.6 GHz - $249
- MAXPower G4/7447A 2.0 GHz - $399
- MAXPower G4/7447A Dual 1.6 GHz - $449
- MAXPower G4/7447A Dual 1.7 GHz - $529
- MAXPower G4/7447A Dual 1.8 GHz - $599
Link: MAXPower G4
Processor Upgrades
Apricorn EZ Bus Desktop Combo FireWire/USB 2.0
Drives
PR: Apricorn, specialist in personal storage, has
announced further expansion of its EZ Bus Desktop Storage and
Backup line with Apricorn's award winning Data Protection Suite for
Mac. Providing powerful backup, synchronization and encryption
tools, Apricorn's Data Protection Suite contains ShirtPocket
SuperDuper!, Qdea Synchronize! X, and Apricorn's Encryption
Utility.
The EZ Bus Desktop FireWire/USB 2.0 Combo (EZ Bus DTC),
featuring a combination FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 interface is the
ideal external hard drive for backing up data or adding extra
storage to any notebook or desktop Mac. The plug-n-play and hot
swappable features make hard drive capacity expansion simple. With
up to 500 GB of additional storage in a high performance 7200 RPM
drive, users can backup their entire systems and safely store large
files including digital photographs, emails, music and video files.
To ensure optimal operating temperature and to protect stored data,
the EZ Bus DTC was designed with an ultra-cool fan and aluminum
enclosure to dissipate heat.
"We're proud to further expand our product offerings to the Mac
market, first with the Aegis external hard drive line and now with
EZ Bus Desktop Combo," said Mike McCandless, Apricorn's Vice
President of Sales and Marketing. "The design of the EZ Bus Desktop
Combo makes it portable and convenient, and the large storage
capacity and powerful software bundle provides a back up solution
for an entire system."
Apricorn's EZ Bus DTC hard drive models are available in 80 GB
to 500 GB sizes and come with a vertical stand. Additional features
for the EZ Bus DTC include a 7200 RPM drive with FireWire/USB 2.0
interface, 6 to 6 pin FireWire/1394 cable, 4 to 6 pin FireWire/1394
cable, USB cable and AC adapter. The hard drives are also bundled
with extensive backup, synchronizing and encryption software:
ShirtPocket SuperDuper!, Qdea Synchronize! X and Apricorn
Encryption Utility for Mac.
Mac System Requirements
- Apple G3 or later
- Mac OS X version 10.2 or later
Price
- 80 GB: $119
- 160 GB: $149
- 250 GB: $179
- 400 GB: $279
- 500 GB: $369
Warranty: 1 year limited
Apricorn's EZ Bus Desktop Storage and Backup Solution for Mac
user's is currently available in the US, Canada, and online.
Link: Apricorn
EZ Bus DTC
XRackPro2 Rackmount Enclosure Cabinet Reduces
Noise up to 75%
PR: XRackPro2 is a server rack rackmount enclosure
cabinet specifically designed for noise reduction, security and
mobility. Rackmount computer servers and RAID storage become
whisper quiet in these rolling rack systems.
The XRackPro2
is an ideal server rack and computer rackmount cabinet for Apple
(Xserve server and Xserve RAID), Windows (Dell, HP, IBM, etc.),
Linux, Sun, SGI, and other PC computer rackmount servers.
Noise from equipment mounted inside the XRackPro2 server rack
rackmount enclosure cabinet will be reduced by as much as 75% from
the sound dampening rackmount cabinet design while keeping
everything cool at the same time.
With the benefits of noise reduction, security and mobility that
the XRack Pro2 server racks provide, rack mount servers, RAID
systems and other components can now be used in environments where
they could not before.
XRack Pro2 server racks are available in Platinum and also
available in Black
XtroVERT is a vertical mounting enclosure that brings the Xserve
RAID out of the rack and to the desk. Whether you have a need to
use the Apple Xserve RAID close to the host computers or that you
do not have rack space available, the XtroVERT is the solution.
The XtroVERT's classic, sleek shape is engineered to match the
Xserve RAID perfectly and provides a fully integrated, single-unit
look.
Engineered with Xserve RAID's demanding performance in mind, the
XtroVERT includes an integrated mounting system that allows proper
tensioning of the Xserve RAID's superstructure.
With the freedom the XtroVERT provides, there are many more
options to where the Apple Xserve RAID can be placed.
Link: XRackPro2
Server Rack Mount Cabinet Released in
Black
PR: GizMac Accessories, designer and manufacturer of
server rack mount cabinet enclosures for noise reduction, begins
shipping their XRackPro2 server rack mount cabinets in black.
GizMac Accessories produces 4U, 12U, and 25U server rack
models which reduce the noise from installed equipment up to 80%.
Until now, platinum has been the only color available for the
XRackPro2, this color closely matches many Apple, Dell, Sun, or
other servers and RAID systems with silver or gray type
finishes.
"We surveyed our customers and found that many XRackPro owners
have black furniture or black equipment," says Tim Cave, LOAHS for
GizMac Accessories, "GizMac realized a need to make a black version
of our XRackPro noise reducing server rack line and we are
introducing it today."
The XRackPro2 server rack mount cabinet allows computer, audio /
video and other equipment to be placed in areas that require low
noise. Post production for film, video and audio editing;
television, cable and radio broadcasting; business offices or any
other environment that requires low noise and want a darker cabinet
will benefit from the new black XRackPro2 series.
Pricing for the black XRackPro2 server racks start at $499.99 US
retail. Purchases can be made through authorized resellers and on
the XRack Pro website or by calling the corporate headquarters at
(800) 475-1677.
Link: XRackPro2
iPod Accessories
JukeDock
PR: Presenting
JukeDock!
The perfect melding of nostalgia, modern design, advanced
technology, and style. It's time to 'dock around the clock!'
- Cool retro style
- Dynamic, adjustable lights
- Uses your home stereo's remote!
- Crystal Clear Audio
- Razor Sharp Video
- Sync to your Mac or PC
- All cables included
- Available in White or Black
Compatible with
- 5G- all models
- 1G and 2G iPod nano, even the red one!
- 4G and 4G Photo
- iPod mini- we still love our mini too
the fusion of art and technology
This product has been designed specifically to work with iPod
and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance
standards.
Rainbow Mode: All the colors of the rainbow, soothingly flowing
from the base to the top. Even freeze the lights at your favorite
blend!
EQ Mode: An exciting, pulsing level meter tuned to the volume of
your iPod's music.
Cycle Mode: A slow progression through every color in the
spectrum. Adjust the speed of cycling for a calming or exciting
effect.
Steady Mode: Tune JukeDock to one, steady color to match your
decor or mood. With most of the entire spectrum of colors to choose
from, JukeDock is the most customizable dock ever made!
In addition, you can adjust the brightness of each mode, and
change lighting modes or turn them off with your remote control.
Check back soon for movies of the lights in action.
Requirements
- Electrical Power: 100 - 240 volts, 50 or 60 Hz, outlet that
takes a U.S.-style plug
- Any iPod with a dock connector will be charged by JukeDock
except 3G iPods, which are not supported. (Note: It is strongly
recommended you use a source protected from surges, such as an
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) or power strip.)
- Audio: A home stereo or powered speakers with RCA inputs.
- A supported iPod: 4G (click wheel or Photo), iPod mini, 5G
iPod, iPod nano. JukeDock includes a 5' RCA cable
- Video and Photos: A video-ready or photo-ready iPod. To
determine if your iPod supports video-out, please check Apple's web
site or your iPod manual. A video display with a spare S-video or
composite video input. JukeDock includes a 5' S-video cable PLUS a
composite video RCA cable
- Sync: To sync with your computer you must have an unused USB
port on a computer that support iTunes. Yep, JukeDock includes a 6'
USB 2.0 cable too!
$99.99
Link: JukeDock
Over 50 Internet iPod Download Companies
Reviewed
PR: Consumer Rated purchased popular Apple iPod downloads
such as movie, games, music, and software downloads from 50
different Internet companies. All reviewed and you will be
surprised what they found.
The iPod has become one of the most popular electronic devices
in recent history. With its technological advancement of the way we
listen to music, watch videos or play games, it is a wonder how we
can do with out it. Every new iPod release adds more to the
addiction of having that little box attached to your body with a
set of ear phones sticking out of your ear.
With all the new iPod releases, such as the iPod nano and iPod
video, many Internet software companies have shown up to the
Internet to provide iPod downloads such as iPod music downloads,
iPod movie downloads, iPod game downloads and iPod software
downloads. Now you can download Movies, Music and Games and much
more with the touch of a button directly to your iPod.
The question is what iPod downloads are the best? Is the iPod
software compatible to my iPod set up? and Is it really worth the
money for what you get? With these questions in mind one company
put over 50 iPod download companies to the test. The company is
Consumer Rated, and what they found was many of these companies
offering iPod Games, iPod Music, iPod Video Converters, iPod
Wallpapers and various iPod software were really just selling
unusable software that did not even work on their iPod. In one case
the iPod download disrupted the normal functions that eventually
caused the premature death of their iPod.
Consumer Rated did however find a few that were quite unique,
and lived up to what the download company promised. After months of
testing Consumer Rated found a few that they actually were able to
give their top rating (5 Stars). The criteria they used were iPod
download compatibility, easy to use iPod software that did not
disrupt the normal functions of the iPod, the value to what was
offered and most important whether the company gave a 100%
satisfaction guarantee. So if you are one of the millions of people
that own an iPod and would like to get much more use out of it, you
should take a look at the reviews that Consumer-Rated.com provides
on some of the best downloads you will find for your iPod.
Link: Consumer-Rated.com
Desktop Mac
Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers monthly:
For deals on current and discontinued 'Books, see our 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro,
MacBook Air, 13" MacBook Pro, 15" MacBook Pro, 17" MacBook Pro, 12" PowerBook G4, 15" PowerBook G4, 17" PowerBook G4, titanium PowerBook G4,
iBook G4, PowerBook G3, and iBook G3 deals.
We also track iPad,
iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.
