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The 'Book Review

MacPowerBook.com, New TiBook Cases, iBook Audio Update, G3/466 WallStreet Upgrade, and More

Charles W Moore - 2001.06.01

2001-06-01: New PowerBook website. New PowerBook G4 cases. iBook audio update. More ‘Book news.

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Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.

Two New Titanium PowerBook Bags from Willow Design

Willow Design has followed up on its successful Titanium carry case with the first of its backpacks specifically designed for the Titanium and a second Titanium carry case slimmed down for those traveling lighter.

The Jacques pack (PK-10) was designed from scratch for the Titanium. It features extra padded internal dividers to isolate the Titanium on all sides within the computer compartment, a new accessory pouch to maximize space utilization in the paperwork compartment and many new extra mesh zippered pockets for easier organization on the road.

Other new features of the Jacque Pack include a cellphone pocket attached to the shoulder strap for quick access and reflective strips (which can be removed) for enhanced night time visibility and safety.

The new Titanium Brief carry case (NL-12) was a response to requests from those who wanted the heavy duty protection of the first Titanium case (NL-11) but wanted it to be a thinner and lighter case. Willow Design set the Titanium in a double foam padded, corrugated plastic and hardboard reinforced central compartment which is just over the size of the Titanium but extremely protective.

The case features a organizer pocket on the outside to fit the power supply, cord and ethernet cable as well as business cards, pens, pencils and cell phone. The unpadded pocket on the back of the case lies flat but expands to three inches for the extra gear when needed.

As with all other Willow backpacks, laptop and tower carry cases, the new Titanium G4 backpack and carry case is covered by Willow’s 100% satisfaction guarantee and lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and craftsmanship.

Interesting PowerBook Website

If you, like me, enjoy Remy Davison’s PowerBook musings on Insanely-Great Mac, you might also want to check out Remy’s own PowerBook site, MacPowerBook.com.

There you will find information on various PowerBook and iBook models as well as tutorial articles on PowerBookSCSI, PowerBook software, Crash Management, PowerBook statistics, and much more.

New, Lightweight TiBook Cases From Tom Bihn

TomBihn.com has announced the imminent release of two new PowerBook cases for the G4 TiBook

Available in late June, the G4 Monolith is a simple, highly protective case for the PowerBook G4. Its vertical format is great for slipping inside a backpack. No pockets, no shoulder strap, and simple webbing handles.

Available in early July, the G4 Mitre is an affordable, lightly padded case for the PowerBook G4. Slip it inside your briefcase or backpack: no handles, straps or pockets. Cool titanium color, and it makes a great hat (hence the name).

New iBook Hard Drive Replacement Tutorial

Don’t try this at home, kids, unless you want to risk voiding your warranty, but if you’re curious (as I was) about how difficult it is to replace the hard drive in the new iBook, check out this page [PDF] by CyberGreg.

It looks significantly more complex and challenging than switching the drive in my WallStreet (a 20 minute job), but doable if you are determined.

Tools required include:

  • Jeweler’s flat head and Phillips screwdriver.
  • Small flat head and Phillips screwdriver.
  • Small needle nose pliers.
  • Small Torx screwdriver

Apple’s iBook Audio Update 1.3.6 Fixes Audio Problems on New iBooks

The iBook Audio Update improves the quality of sound output on Apple’s iBook (Dual USB) computers introduced in May 2001.

Apple Tech Info Library (TIL) article #12255 provides the details.

About the iBook (Dual USB) RGB Port

Another Apple Tech Info Library (TIL) article #60855 contains compatibility information for the RGB port on the iBook (Dual USB) computer.

The iBook (Dual USB) computer has an RGB (standard red/green/blue video) output port that allows you to connect an RGB video monitor to the computer. The computer detects when a monitor is plugged in and sets up the monitor accordingly.

You use the RGB Display Adapter included with your iBook computer to connect an external monitor to the computer’s RGB port.

The iBook (Dual USB) computer’s RGB port can work with monitors that are compatible with these video resolutions:

  • 640 x 480 pixels at 60 Hz
  • 800 x 600 pixels at 75 Hz
  • 1024 x 768 pixels at 75 Hz

The RGB port and Apple RGB Display Adapter are compatible with most monitors that have a VGA-style connector. Many monitors have this connector. If you use an earlier Apple monitor that has a DA-15 connector, you may need to connect a Mac-to-VGA adapter, which you can purchase from an Apple reseller.

The iBook (Dual USB) computer’s RGB port works with RGB monitors that use the DDC (display data channel) standard for identification. Earlier monitors that do not use the DDC standard are not compatible, including the following Apple monitors:

  • Multiple Scan 17
  • Multiple Scan 20
  • AudioVision 14
  • Apple Hi-Res RGB
  • Apple 16-inch Color
  • Apple Hi-Res Monochrome
  • Macintosh 12-inch RGB

Available Resolutions From iBook RGB and Composite Video Ports

Apple Tech Info Library (TIL) article #88139, posted this week, lists the available resolutions from the RGB and composite audio/video ports of the iBook (Dual USB) computer.

The following resolutions are available from the iBook computer’s RGB port. (These are the same as the computer’s built-in display):

  • 640 x 480 pixels at 60 Hz
  • 800 x 600 pixels at 75 Hz
  • 1024 x 768 pixels at 75 Hz

You would use the RGB port to connect the computer to an external display or projector. An RGB adapter cable is included with the computer for this purpose.

The following resolutions are available from the iBook computer’s composite audio/video port:

  • 640 x 480 pixels at 60 Hz (NTSC)
  • 800 x 600 pixels at 60 Hz (NTSC)
  • 1024 x 768 pixels at 60 Hz (NTSC)
  • 640 x 480 pixels at 50 Hz (PAL)
  • 800 x 600 pixels at 50 Hz (PAL)
  • 1024 x 768 pixels at 50 Hz (PAL)

You would use the composite audio/video port to connect the computer to a television. This connection requires the optional Apple AV Cable, which is available from The Apple Store at http://www.apple.com/store/, or from an Apple reseller.

Blue Chip G3 466 MHz WallStreet PowerBook Upgrade At Small Dog

Small Dog offers the PowerLogix processor upgrade WallStreet PowerBooks for $449.

Features

  • PowerPC 750 @ 466 MHz
  • 1 MB backside cache
  • No downtime or trade-in hassles
  • Easy to Install

Compatible with the following computers (Apple family number M4753):

 

This Week’s PowerBook Deals

Small Dog Electronics

  • iBook Indigo G3/366 64/10 GB/CD/56k/FireWire with additional 128 MB installed, $1,199. This iBook is factory refurbished with a 1 year Apple Warranty.

MacWorks

  • Pismo PowerBook G3/500 256/12 GB/DVD/56k/14.1″ for $1,999.99. This machine is refurbished, with a MacWorks 90 day Warranty

Note that MacWorks experienced problems with their web server over the Memorial Day weekend and have extended their Weekend free shipping offer until 5 p.m. Central, Friday, June 1, 2001.

The PowerBook Guy

  • PowerBook G3/233 WallStreet 32/2 GB/CD/ethernet/13.3 Active/ for $949.95

Globaldeals.com

  • PowerBook G3/233 32/2 GB/CD/14.1/56K for $975
  • PowerBook G3/233 32/2 GB/CD/12.1 for $750