Safari 3.1 Will Be 'Crazy Fast', OS X 10.5.2 Update, 20x SuperDrive from $35, and More

PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, and other portable computing is covered in The 'Book Review. iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV news is covered in The iNews Review.

All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

News & Opinion

• Safari 3.1 Will Be 'CrazyFast'
• Safari Browser Set to Speed by the Competition
• Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update
• Leopard Graphics Update 1.0 for OS X 10.5.2
• Apple Security Update 2008-001 for Mac OS X 10.4.11

Reviews

• Core 2 Mac mini 'as Powerful as a Larger Desktop'

Products & Services

• 20x SuperDrive for Most Desktop Macs from $35
• MacRecycler.com Wants to Buy Your Old Macs
• OWC's 'Quick Install' Guide for Mac Pro 800 MHz Memory

Software

• TechTool Deluxe 3.1.2 Updater for AppleCare Version of TechTool Deluxe

Desktop Mac Deals

News & Opinion

Safari 3.1 Will Be 'CrazyFast'

Macworld UK's Jonny Evans reports:

"Apple is preparing its latest update for the Safari browser it offers Mac, Windows and iPhone clients - and early reports claim the new version to be speedier than ever before.

"Some reports claim the browser runs between 2-6 times faster than Firefox 3, with Computerworld claiming the new build to be 2.5 times faster than the existing version of the Apple browser."

Link: Safari 3.1 Will Be 2.5 Times Faster - Report

Safari Browser Set to Speed by the Competition

Wired's Scott Gilbertson reports:

"It's no secret that Apple's Safari is a svelte piece of software and, if developer previews are any indication, future versions of Safari will be even sleeker and faster.

"While Safari began life mainly trying to catch up to existing browsers like Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer, in terms of functionality, it has arrived and now Apple seems to be focusing on speed."

Link: Apple's Safari Browser Set to Speed by the Competition

Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update

PR: The 10.5.2 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes fixes and enhancements for Stacks, Time Machine, bundled iLife apps., and Safari, enhanced camera RAW support, Mail bugfixes, and general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac. For a more comprehensive list of changes, see below.

The updater file is a whopping 343 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later. To update to Mac OS X 10.5.2, use Software Update or the standalone installer which can be downloaded from Apple.com

It is recommended that you back up your system prior to installing any updates.

Choose Software Update from the Apple menu to automatically check for the latest Apple software using the Internet, including this update. (Software Update might have linked you to this article to learn more about the update.) If your computer is not up-to-date, other software updates available for your computer may appear that you should install. Note that an update's size may vary from computer to computer when installed using Software Update. Also, some updates must be installed prior to others, so you should run Software Update more than once to make sure you have all available updates.

You can download the update installer and run it manually if you don't want to use Software Update. The standalone installer is a useful option when you need to update multiple computers but only want to download the update once. The Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update standalone installer is available from Apple Support Downloads.

• Link: About the Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update
• Link: Download page

Leopard Graphics Update 1.0 for OS X 10.5.2

Adding another 48.9 MB to the already humongous OS X 10.5.2 update is the somewhat mysterious Leopard Graphics Update, which Apple is recommending for all users and says improves the stability and compatibility of your Mac. This update requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 to be installed first, and wants a second reboot.

Reportedly, the Leopard Graphics Update contains mainly graphics drivers it contains graphics drivers, including an AltivecDVDDriver, IntelGMA drivers, ATI drivers, GeForce and NVDANV drivers, and a new OpenGL framework.

System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5.2

You can download the update from Apple.com.

Link: Download page

Apple Security Update 2008-001 for Mac OS X 10.4.11

About Security Update 2008-001 (Universal)

Security Update 2008-001 (Universal) is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:

Security Update 2008-001 (Universal) SHA1 Digest:

SecUpd2008-001Univ.dmg=

f572a0e29df4b44e124a92d5601ba45772818e02

For explanation of what a SHA1 digest is, visit this website:

http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n75510

File Size: 28.8 MB

About Security Update 2008-001 (PPC)

Security Update 2008-001 (PPC) is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:

Security Update 2008-001 (PPC) SHA1 Digest:

SecUpd2008-001PPC.dmg=

bf3ebc69e094000d48d94e997a4d51f25c4824e0

For explanation of what a SHA1 digest is, please visit this website:

http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n75510

File Size: 16.7 MB

• Link: Security Update 2008-001 (Universal)
• Link: Security Update 2008-001 for PowerPC

Reviews

Core 2 Mac mini 'as Powerful as a Larger Desktop'

PC Magazine's Joel Santo Domingo reports:

"The Apple Mac mini has been around in one form or another for almost three years, and while the internal components have changed, the general concept and overall design has stayed the same . . . but now that it's equipped with the Core 2 Duo processors, it is as powerful as a larger desktop while retaining its power (and space) savings. The Apple Mac mini appeals to both space-constrained and green-thinking PC users."

Link: Apple Mac mini (2-GHz Core 2 Duo)

Products & Services

20x SuperDrive for Most Desktop Macs from $35

PR: Other World Computing (OWC), a leading Mac and PC technology company, has announced new SuperDrive optical drives for all Mac computers, including Mac Pro; PowerBook G4 Titanium 15", 12/15/17" Aluminum; iBook G4; PowerMac G3, G4, G5; iMac G4; and eMac.

Whether upgrading from a read-only drive, replacing an older SuperDrive or adding additional optical drive, OWC's SuperDrives are priced right and are Plug & Play easy to install. OWC offers the newest, fastest, and quietest SuperDrive technology from Pioneer, including 20x DL SuperDrive DVR-115D to read and write DVDs, CDs, and dual-layer DVDs. Capacity for dual layer DVDs is 8.5 GB at speeds of 10X; regular DVDs for 4.7 GB capacity at 20x; and CDs for 700 MB at 40X.

"Replacing an existing optical drive or even adding an additional drive lets you enjoy the latest DVD and CD authoring performance and reliability," said Larry O'Connor, President, Other World Computing . "For most Macs, this is an incredibly easy upgrade and one of great return for anyone who's currently making or planning to make their own DVDs or CDs."

OWC makes it easy to upgrade to fast DVD/CD burners compatible with the latest software, such as Apple iLife, Apple Discburner, Roxio Toast, NTI Dragonburn, and other CD/DVD authoring applications. SuperDrives are available immediately from OWC priced starting at $29.99. Online installation guides and videos show users how to quickly install.

Link: SuperDrive page, OWC

MacRecycler.com Wants to Buy Your Old Macs

PR: Don't know what to do with your used Macintosh Computer? Sell it to MacRecycler.

G3Apples.com (The Apple Liquidator) is now MacRecycler.com (The Apple Recycler)

Power Macs, Power Books, iBooks & Mac minis - any G4, G5, or Intel Mac. Visit the MacRecycler Service Page to request a quote.

They pay for the shipping. Broken Screen? No Problem. Bad Hard Drive? Not an Issue. Dead Battery? No Trouble at all.

New Program Coming Soon:

Donate your old Mac and Apple Recycler will refurbish it and give it local charities or low income families.

MacRecycler.com

905 Crestview Rd

Newton, NJ 07860

Link: MacRecycler.com

OWC's 'Quick Install' Guide for Mac Pro 800 MHz Memory

PR: Other World Computing (OWC), a leading Mac and PC technology company and leading after-market supplier of memory upgrades for the Mac Pro, today announced its new "Quick Install" Guide for OWC Memory Upgrade Kits for the latest Mac Pro 8-Core Xeon models for the fastest, easiest installation a user can do on their own. Priced as low as $48.75 per GB, OWC memory upgrades offer a savings of well over 70% as compared to factory-installed and other competitors.

There are some slight changes to the memory riser configuration vs. the prior model, so users need to plan for a slightly different memory installation procedure. To simplify the process, OWC has created both a standard "Quick Install" Guide included with every Mac Pro 800 MHz Memory set shipped and an online video installation guide to show just how easy it is to install. As OWC's guide and online video affirms (link below), Mac Pro memory is an easily user installable upgrade.

OWC (FB-DIMM) 800 MHz DDR2 72-Bit ECC fully-buffered Memory Upgrade Modules are available in matched sets of 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB modules for up to 32 GB of total memory (see full pricing info below).

OWC Memory Module New Pricing:

• 2 GB Matched Sets (1 GB Module x 2) for as low as $60.00/GB
• 4 GB Matched Sets (2 GB Module x 2) for as low as $48.75/GB
• 8 GB Matched Sets (4 GB Module x 2) for as low as $85.94/GB

OWC has been providing memory to upgrade Apple computers for nearly 20 years. In August of 2006, OWC was the first to provide true Apple-Qualified memory for the first Apple Mac Pro Quad Xeon computers at independent prices and now without delay, has the new 800 MHz memory available for these most recent Apple Mac Pro 8-Core Xeon models. OWC Memory Upgrade Kits provide premium quality, fully tested modules that completely meet and/or exceed all Apple specifications. Utilizing superior components, including true Apple-Qualified heat spreaders, the modules provide a lifetime of high-performance, reliable operation backed by OWC's Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty.

Cash Back Trade-in Rebate

A cash-back rebate of up to $55 per set is also available from OWC for the trade-in of Apple factory memory. Available for immediate order, the OWC Memory Upgrade Kits consist of matched pairs of FB-DIMM modules manufactured to Apple's stringent Mac Pro specifications, far exceeding JEDEC (the leading developer of solid-state industry standards) specifications. For additional information on OWC's Mac Pro 8-Way Quad Xeon Memory Modules, see the Mac Pro Memory page or call toll free (800) 275-4576.

OWC also offers a full line of memory for upgrading nearly every Apple model made from the last twenty years, including MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, PowerMac, and PowerBook computers. The full OWC Memory line, as well as a compatibility guide which directs customers to the correct upgrades for each specific Apple model, can be found online.

• Link: 'Quick Install' Guide for Mac Pro 800 MHz Memory
• Link: Mac Pro Memory

Software

TechTool Deluxe 3.1.2 Updater for AppleCare Version of TechTool Deluxe

TechTool Deluxe is included with Apple's AppleCare Protection Plan.

Updates TechTool Deluxe 3.0.x to version 3.1.2 for the AppleCare Protection Plan.

NOTE: Version 3.1.2 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or greater.

For complete change list, see the ReadMe file.

Owners of TechTool Deluxe are eligible to upgrade to the premiere diagnostic and repair utility TechTool Pro. It includes many features that are not available in TechTool Deluxe.

New in version 3.1.2:

• Full Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) compatibility.
• Other minor changes and feature enhancements.
• Updated localization.

System requirements:

• Mac OS X 10.4 or later
• TechTool Deluxe 3.0.x or later.

System Support: PPC/Intel

Link: TechTool Deluxe 3.1.2 Updater

Desktop Mac Deals

Low End Mac updates the following price trackers once or twice a month:

• Intel iMac deals
• iMac G5 deals
• iMac G4 deals
• iMac G3 deals
• eMac deals
• Mac mini deals
• Mac Pro deals
• Power Mac G5 deals
• Power Mac G4 deals
• Power Mac G3 deals

For more deals on current and discontinued notebook models, see our MacBook, MacBook Air, 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 iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.