Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2007.05.25
PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, and other portable computing is
covered in The 'Book Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Products
iPod News
Software
News & Opinion
Apple to Revamp iMac Line Next Month?
The Register's Tony Smith says:
"Apple will update its iMac
desktop family late next month, it has been claimed - and that the
move that will see the 17in model dropped from the line up....
"As per the recent MacBook
update, the new iMac line-up is likely to see small price drops
accompanied by beefier processor, memory and hard drive specs, with
20in models moving downmarket and the 24-inchers filling out the
top end of the range."
Link: Apple
to Revamp iMac Line Next Month?
Apple Solves File Sharing Issues Between Mac OS
9 and X
Ars Technica's Erik Kennedy reports:
"Ever since the release of Mac OS X 10.4.9, users have been
reporting problems with file sharing between Mac OS X and its
immediate predecessor. This is inconvenient because it is, strange
as it may seem, still in use in a number of production
environments. The problems appeared when copying files from a
OS 9 computer to an AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) share point
hosted by OS X or OS X Server; the copy would fail, and
the served-out volume would be disconnected. It's one of those
sideline issues that only affect a handful of people, but it does
so in a critical way."
"It appears that Apple has finally come up with its own fix for
this issue, and luckily for us it's a lot simpler than hacking up
the OS installation. Adjusting the TCPQuantum parameter for the AFP
server will apparently prevent the timeouts and disconnects between
the two operating systems."
Link:
A Fix for File Sharing Issues Between Mac OS X and Mac OS 9
Apple Offers Free Computer and Peripherals
Recycling to Schools
PR: There has never been a better time to get rid of
those old computers that have been accumulating in your closets and
storage rooms.
You've Got the Green Light
For a limited time, Apple will dispose of your old computers
from any manufacturer, along with any associated peripherals, at no
cost to you. There is no purchase required to participate in the
program and all accredited K-12 and Higher Education institutions
with at least 25 systems to recycle are eligible! There is no limit
to the number of systems you can recycle - just register between
May 10 and June 30, 2007.
Your Data Is Secure
When you dispose of your end-of-life assets through Apple's
Recycle Program for Education, you have peace of mind knowing that
100% of the recycling is done domestically within the United
States. You can also rest easy knowing that all asset tags or other
identifying marks are completely removed and that all hard drives
are ground into confetti-sized pieces to ensure your data is
secure.
The Process
To take advantage of this limited time opportunity, just follow
these simple steps:
- Register between May 10 and June 30, 2007. All product must be
collected by July 31, 2007. (There is a minimum of 25 systems to be
recycled in order to participate.)
- To register for the program, you may either:
- Click on the tile to the right and fill out the online form;
you will be contacted by an Apple representative within 3 business
days to coordinate the pick up.
- Call 1-800-APPLE-LN (1-800-277-5356).
- Shrink wrap the items to be recycled on one or more standard
wooden shipping pallets.
- Make the pallets available for pick up at an accessible first
floor location at the mutually agreed upon date and time.
That's all there is to it. You will receive a certificate of
destruction and recycling for each lot that is collected.
This offer expires June 30th, so act now!
Link: Limited Time
Offer - Free Recycling from Apple
Pick the Right File System for Your Hard
Drive
Ars Technica's Iljitsch van Beijnum says:
"When you put a new hard drive in your Mac - or connect an
external one using FireWire or USB - you need to decide how to
partition the drive and what file system to put on it. The easiest
way to do that is with the Disk Utility in Applications/Utilities.
After you start it, Disk Utility shows a list of all available
disks along with all the volumes (partitions) present on those
disks on the left side of the window. If you want to keep things
simple, just select a disk, click on the "erase" tab and you can
create a volume that uses the entire disk with a few mouse
clicks.
"If your needs are more complex, select the 'partition' tab.
There, you can divide the disk into several partitions. The
advantage of having multiple partitions is that if one fails, the
others may be unaffected. The downside is that you need to think
about the size of the different partitions and keep track of which
files go where. And copying files from one partition to another is
slow, even slower than copying from one disk to another. Keep in
mind that disk access is fastest on the outside of the disk, where
the first partition is located. Whether you decide to partition the
disk or not, the "options" button lets you set the type of
"partition scheme" for the disk. There are three choices...."
Link:
Pick the Right File System for Your Mac's Internal or External
Storage
A Happy Apple Service Story
In his latest Less Tangible on MacOpinion, Marc Zeedar says:
"Last week I returned from my trip away to discover my G5 iMac had expired. That is, it was turned
off and wouldn't turn back on. This is an important machine for me
as it is my email center, used for handling all the correspondence
for my businesses. It is vital it being running at all times.
"At first I assumed this was merely an electrical issue. At one
time I had that Mac plugged into a questionable UPS
(Uninterruptible Power Supply) and I thought maybe that was the
problem again. But when I crawled under the desk to check, I saw
with surprise that the iMac was plugged directly into a wall socket
- it didn't even use a surge protector."
Link: Power
Supplied
Is Intel's 'Penryn' Chip Hiding Graphics
Support?
ExtremeTech's Mark Hachman reports:
"It might not make much difference to the end user, but a tiny
instruction in Intel's upcoming SSE-4 instruction set included in
the 'Penryn' processor might be the first step on Intel's road
toward enhancing its CPUs with graphics capabilities.
"Much of the discussion of 'Penryn' - Intel's first 45-nm CPU,
probably due by the end of the year - here at the Microprocessor
Forum rehashed announcements Intel has previously disclosed, such
as the addition of a Deep Power Down state as well as the
disclosure that it will contain new SSE-4 multimedia
instructions."
Link: Is
Intel's 'Penryn' Chip Hiding Graphics Support?
Future Intel Processors Might Add 'Router
Cache'
ExtremeTech's Mark Hachman reports:
"As Intel crams more and more processor cores onto a piece of
silicon, its designers might just steal a page from the router
market.
"A presentation at the Microprocessor Forum here revealed that
Intel is considering using quality-of-service prioritization in its
caches. In addition, a multicore server processor may include not
only level-3 but also level-4 caches, consisting of DRAM bolted
directly to the die."
Link: Future
Intel Processors Might Add 'Router Cache'
Apple Updates
Mac OS 9 Client Cannot Copy Some Files to Mac
OS X Server 10.4.9 via AFP
A new Apple Knowledge Base article says:
File larger than about 1.5 MB may not successfully copy from a
Mac OS 9.2.2 client to Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 via AFP. The copy may
stop and this alert may appear:
"The file server's connection has unexpectedly closed down."
Products affected
- Mac OS X 10.4.9 Server
- Mac OS 9
Solution
On the server, change the TCPQuantum value used by the Apple
File Service from 262144 to 327680. You can change this value using
the serveradmin command, or by directly editing the preference
file. You only need to use one of these methods:
Serveradmin Method
- 1. Make sure all users are disconnected from the server.
- 2. Open Terminal (or ssh to the server from another computer)
and execute these commands, each on a single line:
sudo serveradmin stop afp
sudo serveradmin settings afp:TCPQuantum = 327680
sudo serveradmin start afp
Defaults Method
- 1. Make sure all users are disconnected from the server.
- 2. Stop Apple File Service.
- 3. Open Terminal (or ssh to the server from another computer)
and execute this command on a single line:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.AppleFileServer TCPQuantum -int 327680
- 1. Start Apple File Service.
This document will be updated as more information becomes
available.
Link: Mac OS X
Server 10.4.9: Mac OS 9 Client Cannot Copy Some Files via
AFP
Products
SoundTech Lightsnake iChat Multimedia
Headset
PR: The SoundTech LightSnake iChat stereo headset
with the built in microphone is an excellent solution for
multimedia applications as well as Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) or any application that requires clear and crisp audio. Now
you can use the same product to conduct video-conferences and voice
chats over the Internet, take advantage of the latest speech
recognition technology, and enjoy your favorite music or games.
Just plug in this headset to your USB port and get started
immediately. The in-line volume and mute control features
soft-touch surface for fingertip convenience. The dynamic stereo
sound lets you immerse yourself in your games and music. You can
connect your own headphones instead of the supplied ear bud
headphones or use a stereo mini adaptor and connect to you powered
speakers.
Features
- USB headphone/microphone
- Perfect for multimedia applications, VoIP (Voice over Internet
Protocol), multiplayer gaming, music playback, online conferencing,
voice commands and online voice chat.
- Simple plug-and-play operation with Mac and Windows computers.
No soundcard needed.
- Convenient soft-touch volume control lets you adjust ear bud
volume precisely.
- Advanced digital USB streaming audio provides superior clarity
with the simplicity of a single USB plug-and-play.
- Use your headphones or speakers instead of ear buds by using
convenient 1/8"stereo plug
- Digital quality sound input without the need for a sound
card.
- Embedded 16 Bit ADC Input with audio signal boost.
- HSDL (Host Side Data Loss) Noise Reduction Function.
- 48/44 KHz 16-Bit Sampling Rate for Recording
- Compatible with Win 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP and Mac OS 9, X without
additional driver
Specifications:
- Resolution 16bit 48/44.1 KHz
- THD + N (-3dBr): -76.1 dB*SNR: 83.1 dB
- Dynamic Range: 81.6 dB
- Ear bud Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20 KHz
- Microphone Frequency R3sponse: 100Hz to 16 KHz
- Signal Input Range: 0 - 2.88 Vpp
- Signal Boost Gain: +20 dB
- Microphone Sensitivity: -59dB/Vµbar, -38
dBV/PA±-4dB
System Requirements:
- PC with Windows 98/SE, ME, 2000 or XP
- Mac OS 9.0.4 or higher
- Computer with USB port
Package Contents
- STICHAT
- Stereo Ear buds
- PC driver CD for older OS
- User's Guide
$29.99
Link: SoundTech
Lightsnake iChat Multimedia Headset
24" iMac Users Now Get 802.11n Wireless
Networking
PR: QuickerTek now makes the huge speed improvement of
802.11n wireless available to 24" Intel iMac and Mac Mini users.
With this N upgrade, iMac users are not "left behind" in the
wireless networking speed race. The user-installed version is
available for $179 while the upgrade can be installed by QuickerTek
for $199 plus shipping of the customer's choice.
This 802.11 N Upgrade is made to the same specifications as the
Apple wireless networking card. This upgrade requires OSX 10.4.8 or
later and the supplied QuickerTek software. Although it comes with
a second antenna to complete the MIMO functionality, it is easy to
attach and use. QuickerTek's n Upgrade works with all common WiFi
equipment including 802.11b, g and of course n as well as the Apple
AirPort, AirPort Extreme even the new AirPort N version recently
announced.
The user-installed upgrade includes all of the parts,
illustrated instructions and tools required to complete the
upgrade. For the QuickerTek upgrade service, the customer selects
the shipping method they prefer and the iMac is upgraded and return
shipped to the customer using the same shipper and service
speed.
Like most QuickerTek products, the 802.11n wireless upgrade for
the 24" iMac is backed with a one-year warranty on parts and
labor.
Link: 802.11n
Upgrade for 24" iMacs
WiebeTech Accepting Orders for One
Terabyte Hard Drives
PR: WiebeTech is accepting pre-orders for new 1 Terabyte
hard drives, which will begin shipping in June.
These drives feature SATA II interface with a 32MB buffer,
quieting acoustics, SMART, and a 7200 RPM spindle speed.
One Terabyte drives will be available in several WiebeTech
products, including the ToughTech XE enclosures, SilverSATA IV SJ
JBOD, and trays for tray based configurations.
In all, 14 1 TB models are offered.
Link: WiebeTech
Software
Rember, a Free Memory Test Utility
PR: Rember is a front-end GUI to the 'memtest' command
line memory testing program. This application will allow the user
to select the number of test loops, as well as the amount of memory
to test. There is a 'Log' tab that will allow the user to monitor
memory testing. The user can toggle a 'verbose' switch to limit the
amount of output.The user can choose to quit Finder and other
applications.
Defective memory can cause computers to malfunction, crash, and
behave in a variety of ways which can sometimes baffle end users
and computer technicians alike. Apple provides hardware test CDs
with most of their products, and there are some third-party
utilties for Mac OS X which perform memory testing. In my
experience, these tools have not always been able to quickly and
efficiently diagnose memory problems. Rember has been designed to
simplify the testing, and diagnosis of these problems.
System requirements:
- Rember v.0.3.3b (Mac OS X, 10.3.9 and higher)
- Rember v.0.3b (Mac OS X, 10.3.8 and lower)
- Rember v.0.2.1b (Mac OS X, 10.2.x)
This software is free, and is covered under the GNU GPL.
Link: Rember
Desktop Mac
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