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I love doing a product review, whether it's a keyboard, processor upgrade, add-in card, switchbox, or program. In fact, anything I buy for use with the Mac is possible review material.

I don't like writing a bad review, especially since there's a very subjective element to reviewing. The mouse that I didn't like may be just perfect for someone else - but that doesn't alter the fact that I never found it comfortable.

I am happy to review freebies. I have no policy against accepting free product, whether software or hardware. At the same time, I can't guarantee that everything I receive will be reviewed. Time is a limited commodity, and even though running Low End Mac is my full time job, the many aspects of Web publishing keep me pretty busy.

I am usually interested in evaluating loaner equipment, especially more expensive things like processor upgrades. I have a host of Macs to test things on, ranging from a Mac Plus through PowerBook G4s and eMacs.

Our Testbed Computers

My everyday workhorse computer is a "Mirror Drive Door" Power Mac G4 with dual 1 GHz CPUs, the original version that can boot into Mac OS 9.2.x. I have the original CPU and video card in it, along with 2 GB of RAM, two USB 2.0 cards (you can never have too many USB ports), and two 400 GB Deskstar drives. I use this daily with a Dell LCD monitor (great price, great display) and an old, well used Logitech Cordless Mouse and Keyboard. I run Mac OS X 10.4.11 and use Classic Mode constantly (still living happily with the ancient Claris Home Page software). I prefer not to fiddle to much with this, as it is my production machine.
My main testbed is a "Mystic" Power Mac G4 with dual 450 MHz CPUs, a SuperDrive, 768 MB of RAM, and an 80 GB Deskstar hard drive. It has its original video card and no add-in cards. I can boot it into Mac OS 9.1, 10.2.8, 10.3.9, and 10.4.11.
Blue & White Power Mac G3 running at 350 MHz (I should experiment with overclocking). It has 384 MB of RAM,a Combo drive, and a 60 GB Maxtor drive with Mac OS 9.2.2, 10.2.8, 10.3.9, and 10.4.11 installed. Original video card and no other hardware add-ins.
Beige Power Mac G3 running at 333 MHz as best as I can recall. It's next on my list for refurbishing. It's run OS X 10.2 and 10.3, and I have a USB card installed. More details once it's been cleaned up and tested.
Ruby iMac G3 (Summer 2000) running at 400 MHz (as well as a 450 MHz Indigo iMac that's on long term loan to my son while he finishes school). 512 MB of RAM, stock hard drive, Mac OS X 10.3.9 installed, and 9.2.2, 10.2.8, 10.3.9, and 10.4.11 available on an external FireWire drive.
Blueberry Rev. D iMac, 333 MHz, probably 192 MB of RAM and a hard drive upgrade. On my list of refurb projects.
In my store room and not tested recently: SuperMac S900 and J700, Radius System 81/110, Power Mac 6100 and 7100, Performa 5260 and 5400, Quadras (605, 630, 650, 660av, 700, 840av, 950), Mac II series (II, IIx, IIcx, IIci, IIsi, IIfx, Performa 600), LC series (LC, LC II, LC III, LC III+), some 500 series Performas, Mac Plus, Mac SE, Mac SE/30, Mac Classic, Classic II, Color Classic, Mac Portable, PowerBook 100, PowerBook 500 series, and PowerBook 1400.

I am not interested in paying for review equipment. One keyboard company offered me that option. Sorry, but even with the option of returning it for a refund, I don't want to work that way. If you can't trust me to return it, how can you trust me to review it?

That said, I don't object to being billed for review equipment, as long as you're good about issuing a credit upon its return.

If you would like Low End Mac to review your product, please contact Dan Knight .

Thank you,
Dan Knight, publisher, lowendmac.com

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