Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.03.04
General Apple and Mac desktops are now covered in The Mac News Review.
'Book News
iPod News
Tech News
Windows Watch
'Book News
Fujitsu Sampling 120 GB Notebook Hard
Drive
CNET News.com's
David Becker reports:
"Fujitsu plans to boost the storage limit for notebook computers
with the industry's first 120 GB hard drive, the company announced
Monday. The MHV2120AT will be available to laptop manufacturers
this May, the company said."
And IDG News Service's
Martyn Williams reports:
"Fujitsu has begun initial production of a hard-disk drive for
notebook computers that offers 120 GB of storage capacity.
"The new drive offered 20 per cent more storage capacity and
several other improvements over Fujitsu's nearest 2.5-inch rival,
vice-president of marketing at Fujitsu Computer Products of
America, Joel Hagberg, said.
"Samples of the drives were already with notebook vendors for
testing and Fujitsu planned to begin shipping commercial versions
of the drive during the second quarter, he said."
Forget the Cell Processor, What Other Chip
Options Does Apple Have?
AppleMatters' Chris
Seibold reports:
"When you buy a new Mac your choices are limited when it comes
to the processor: G4 or G5. It is akin to walking down the salty
snacks aisle at the supermarket and finding only Doritos and
Pringles. There is nothing new about this situation, Apple computer
seems to be terminally bereft of adequate chip supply on the top
end and lacking chip options in general. Standard PC manufacturers
aren't faced with this issue, there is a massive amount of chip
diversity and a seemingly inexhaustible supply . . . I
suppose the plethora of choices drive the R&D department at
Dell a little crazy . . . Wait, scratch that. After all
the Dell R&D is Apple computer. I meant to say that the careful
balancing act probably drives the R&D department at Alienware
to distraction.
"Right now it is difficult not to consider Apple a little behind
in this area. As previously mentioned you've two basic choices: Hot
and powerful (G4) or very hot and very powerful (G5). Some might
take issue with the notion that the G4 is hot. Indeed compared to
the G5 it is positively artic [sic] in temperature but compared
with ultra low power chips (Pentium M1400) the G4 is fairly
scalding. All that heat has to get there from somewhere,
conservation laws of the universe being what they are and all, and
that somewhere is the power supply. No big deal if you're using
desktop machine but if you're using a notebook more heat generally
means less battery life.
"Things might be very different in the future. You are
undoubtedly aware of the Cell Chip developed jointly by IBM, Sony
and Toshiba. It is a very exciting technology and possibly scalable
all the way from cell phones to the render farms used by film pros.
The scalability of the Cell chip means it can be all things to all
people, at least in theory. The eventual adoption of the Cell chip
is not without significant technological hurdles and it may never
be appropriate for the kind of tasks required by the Macintosh so
it is too early to call it a done deal. Cell chip dreams aside
there are plenty of other choices heading Apple's way.
"Freescale (formerly a division of Motorola) recently introduced
a G4 variant that features dual cores, minimal power consumption
and a bus that runs at a comparatively speedy 667 MHz. Additionally
the chip is pin for pin compatible with current G4 chips so, if
Apple chooses, the transitional difficulties should be
minimal."
Apple Using Cheaper Screens on New 12"
PowerBook?
ubergizmo.com reports:
"It has been reported by a handful of users only but the rumor
is that Apple is using cheaper LCD screens on their new 12-inch
PowerBook. After all, a bit more gross margins wouldn't hurt,
right?
"These screens are usually found in the iBook, the entry-level
laptop at Apple. This has to be confirmed, and even if it's true,
it has not been bad enough to have caused outrage yet."
If anyone has more information on this issue, please let me
know. CM
15" PowerBook G4 Review
The Register's Charles
Arthur reports:
"Ten months is a long time to go without a hardware refresh in
the PC industry. For Apple, whose top-end PowerBook notebooks
pretty much defined the genre, it's an eternity. The introduction
this month of new, speed-bumped PowerBooks thus felt enormously
overdue - the delay had led many to expect the fabled PowerBook
G5....
"Offering such a modest
improvement - lagging well behind Moore's Law - Apple has focussed
on improving other facets, so what used to be build-to-order is now
standard . . . Surprisingly, the frontside bus hasn't
been upgraded - it's still 167 MHz, meaning it now runs up to ten
times slower than the CPU. The PowerBook FSB speed has been in the
mid-100s since 2001....
"We tested a 1.67 GHz 15in
PowerBook with 512 MB RAM and DVD-R SuperDrive.
"First, an admission. I ordered one of these, to replace my
ageing 500 MHz 12in iBook,
before the call came to review it. I just knew I needed a bigger
screen and faster CPU. Off went my order, and then in came the
review unit...."
Pros: Cool. Quiet. Fast.
Cons: Weak wireless reception. The damage-prone power lead.
TechRestore Announces Flat-Rate Screen
Replacement Program for 'Books
PR: TechRestore,
Inc. has announced that they have begun offering a
flat-rate LCD screen repair service for PowerBook and iBook
laptops
The new service provides a fast and hassle-free method for
PowerBook and iBook owners that experience a screen failure due to
mechanical issues or accidental damage. The LCD screen repair
program has a 24-hour turnaround time and flat-rate pricing that
includes all shipping, parts and installation.
"When we began developing our new LCD screen program, we
realized that we could offer a complete repair service for the same
price other companies were selling just a screen for." said Shannon
Jean, Founder and President of TechRestore. "Our volume and
experience allows us to pass on the savings to our customers."
The TechRestore flat-rate LCD repair service is a complete,
door-to-door overnight service for customers in the continental
U.S. Once a repair is scheduled, a RestoreBox is sent via overnight
courier to the customers home, office or school where their system
is picked up and brought back overnight to TechRestore. Within
24-hours of receipt, the LCD screen repair is completed and the
system is sent back to the customer's location via overnight
courier. Customers outside the U.S. can use our Self-Restore
service to schedule a screen repair.
The flat-rate LCD repair service price starts at $399 for iBooks
and $499 for G4 Titanium systems, which includes all overnight
shipping charges, repair parts and installation. The screen repairs
are performed in an antistatic and dust-free environment by a
TechRestore Certified Technician
"Our quest is to eliminate the long delays, high prices and
other headaches associated with electronics repair," said Jean,
"our new flat-rate screen repair is another exclusive service that
combines the speed, value and customer care that TechRestore is
known for."
SolarRoll Solar Panel Power
PR: The waterproof SolarRoll
has given sea kayakers the power to photograph their voyages from
the far reaches of the planet. And next spring, it will assist Ed
Viesturs in his final summit, Annapurna, as he polishes off the
last peak of Endeavor 8000.
Ideal for powering satellite phones, members of
expeditions worldwide pack the SolarRoll in place of expensive
extra batteries that don't offer much relief in the form of weight.
Some simply need the SolarRoll for charging a car battery or
running a video camera. With this in mind, alternative sizes and
outputs are available this year to accommodate the growing
demand.
Flexible Solar Panels
- Amorphous solar cells for effective low-light performance
- Reverse flow protection
- Tefzel fluoropolymer construction for extreme durability
- Waterproof
- UV transparent
- Link multiple like-units together for even more output
- Rolls and stores in convenient storage tube
- Includes vehicle outlet cable & multi-linking cable
- One-year warranty
SolarRoll 14
- MSRP: $399
- 12" x 57" open
- 17 oz
- Max output: 14 watts (15.4 Volts / 900 mA)
- Perfect for running satellite phones and charging laptops
SolarRoll 9
- MSRP: $279
- 12" x 40" open
- 10.6 oz
- Max output: 9 watts (15.4 Volts / 600 mA)
- Ideal for running cell phones and charging digital and video
cameras
SolarRoll 4.5
- MSRP: $169
- 12" x 22" open
- 6.4 oz
- Max output: 4.5 watts (15.4 Volts / 300 mA)
- Designed for charging small electronics like cell phones and
PDA's
Ant Infested iBooks
The Register-Guard's
Bob Welch says:
"I opened my laptop computer at home recently and there it was:
an ant wiggling up through the 'W' and the 'E' keys....
"Before I could smite it, the ant zipped into the crevice
between 'Enter' and 'Home' - and was gone.
"I'd just been taunted, I realized, by an actual computer bug.
And yet, flipping up the keyboard on my Apple iBook, I was stunned
to find he wasn't working alone.
"Like Indiana Jones first seeing the Temple of Doom, I found
myself staring at a mini colony of ants, scurrying around in the
recesses of my laptop."
Keyspan Adds USB 2.0, Cat5E Zip-Linq
Retractable Cables
PR: Keyspan has announced it is expanding its family of
Zip-Linq
retractable cables. Shipping this month, the new USB 2.0
and Cat5E Zip-Linq retractable cables will retail for $14.99.
The USB 2.0 retractable cables connect a computer to USB
2.0 or USB 1.1 devices. The cable is just four inches long when
retracted, yet it extends to four feet. It supports data transfer
rates of 480 Mbps. The USB 2.0 retractable cables are available in
three versions for use with devices that have USB "B" connectors,
mini USB 4-pin connectors, or mini USB 5-pin connectors.
The new Cat5E Ethernet retractable cable connects your computer
to a 10/100 Ethernet network and extends to five feet. The cable
features Evernew flat Cat5E cabling with twisted pair
construction.
"Customers will appreciate the high-performance and small form
factor of these new Zip-Linq cables," noted Mike Ridenhour,
president of Keyspan. "Plus our Zip-Linq line offers an unmatched
breadth of retractable cabling solutions."
Zip-Linq cables are available to resellers at Ingram Micro and
D&H. Consumers can purchase the cables at CDW, PC
Connection,
Amazon.com and other leading computer products retailers.
The Zip-Linq line of cables is a result of Keyspan's partnership
with Cables Unlimited, a Concord, California-based manufacturer and
distributor of cables. Keyspan and Cables Unlimited are
collaborating to market Zip-Linq cables in the United States.
Keyspan products provide "Connections for Your Computer."
Keyspan cards, cables, hubs and adapters provide reliable
connectivity solutions for the home, school and office.
Notebook DriveDock FireWire Bridge
Solution
PR: WiebeTech's Notebook
DriveDock features:
- Bus-powered FireWire bridge.
- Supports 2.5" notebook drives up to 80 GB and beyond.
- Plug and play without drivers under Windows 98SE, ME, 2K, XP,
Mac OS 9.1, 9.2, OS X. Bootable on the Mac!
- Utilizes the Oxford OXFW911 FireWire bridge!
- Small size, attractive enclosure. Current shipping units are
blue in color. FireWire cables are not included, sorry!
- Also includes improved rigid bottom plate to provide base and
protection for drive electronics.
WiebeTech is no longer bundling MacDrive 5 software with any of
their products.
Price: $99.95
SideTrack: Adding a New (Scrolling)
Dimension to Mac OS X
OSnews' Eugenia
Loli-Queru says:
"Recently Apple added the ability to scroll with your trackpad
on the new series of PowerBooks. However, most Mac OS X users
were already able to do just that and much more by using the
SideTrack utility which works on most iBook and PowerBook
models.
"Sidetrack is basically a new driver for your Mac's trackpad. It
installs some system-wide files and requires a reboot (an
uninstaller is included). After you do that, you will be having a
new item on your Preference panel, under the 'Other'
section....
"Overall, this is one of my favorite utilities in the Mac
OS X world. Using the scrolling feature with Firefox has
brought a new meaning of using the Mac."
Bus-powered UltraGB+ FireWire 800 Drive
Carries Huge Amounts of Data
PR: WiebeTech's bus-powered
UltraGB+ FireWire drive carries huge amounts of data and
needs no AC adapter.
- Bus powered FireWire 800 (400 compatible) plus a USB2 port (not
bus-powered).
- FireWire 800-800 and 800-400 cables included.
- High capacities available.
- 7200 RPM 3.5" drives for high performance - as fast as any
desktop drive.
- FlexMount" shock absorbers.
- Quiet, fanless operation.
- Power on LED. Access LED. Power switch.
- +12V DC in - When used, overrides bus power automatically.
- Durable aluminum case.
- World compatible AC adapter - accepts 100-240VAC.
- Compatible with most FireWire host ports that supply bus
power.
Prices
- Bus Powered UltraGB+ 800 with 120 GB 7200 RPM drive,
$359.95
- Bus Powered UltraGB+ 800 with 160 GB 7200 RPM drive,
$399.95
- Bus Powered UltraGB+ 800 with 200 GB 7200 RPM drive,
$439.95
surfACE Laptop Stand
PR: edgeBlur, Inc., a company in
New York State's Hudson Valley not far from the big city, has
announced surfACE 1.5, a laptop stand that enhances the mobility of
your notebook, allowing you to use it a chair, on a sofa, on a bed,
or in your lap comfortably. The ability to raise the back off the
computer helps with the ergonomics as well as aids in the cooling
of the computer, for longer battery life and a quieter work
environment by allowing the fan to cut in less often.
With its side boards resting on the armrests of an easy chair
and the laptop computer resting on the main board suspended above
the lap a fabulous complete working environment is created with
space for a mouse, iPod, a cup of coffee, phone or anything else
you want easily accessible. Turned up-side-down it fills the same
functions in a bed or sofa.
By making it possible to
sit, or lay in a relaxed position for hours on end - without heat
or pressure transferred to the legs - the promise of the mobile
computer is fulfilled. Now you can concentrate on getting work done
instead of trying to find a comfortable position.
Conceived as a piece of fine furniture surfACE 1.5 is skillfully
designed and crafted out of high quality materials, it looks great
in any environment and works with any notebook computer including
17" screen models.
surfACE 1.5 is the first of a line of modular products that will
all work together to maximize the comfort and convenience that a
customizable and moveable computing environment can offer.
surfACE 1.5 in short:
- Support for your laptop indoors as well as outdoors
- For web-surfing, gaming, watching DVDs, and more
- Intelligent design, high quality materials and fine
craftsmanship
- Sturdy, durable, secure, adjustable and expandable
- Supplies convenient surfaces for a mouse, iPod or coffee
cup
- enhances comfort, cooling and ergonomics.
- Use it on the desktop to raise screen display.
surfACE 1.5 currently available in two models:
- Clear acrylic with aluminum hardware, $159
- Translucent white acrylic with aluminum hardware, $164
iPod News
- For current iPod prices from a variety of sources, see our
Best iPod Deals.
Apple Takes a Step Away from
FireWire
CNET News.com's
Ina Fried reports:
"FireWire is still Apple Computer's baby, but the proud parent
is cutting the cord.
"With the latest crop of iPods, Apple is no longer including a
FireWire cable in the box. The music players will still work with
FireWire, if a cord is purchased separately, but only a USB 2.0
cable comes with the device. The move is part of a gradual shift on
Apple's part to standardize the iPod on USB, which is far more
common in the Windows world.
"Although Apple's embrace has been gradual over several years,
it is still a big shift for a company that helped develop the
standard behind FireWire, technically known as IEEE 1394, and has
been one of its biggest proponents....
"....some Mac owners were rankled by the move, saying that as
recently as a year or two ago many Macs didn't include a USB 2.0
port. As of Wednesday night, more than 1,300 people had signed an
online petition calling on Apple to again include a FireWire cable
with iPods....
"FireWire and USB 2.0 both have roughly similar transfer rates,
but they have found different markets. Macs typically have both
ports. On Windows machines, USB 2.0 is standard, while FireWire is
often left out or made available as an option."
Dock to FireWire 400 FireWire Connection
for iPod
PR: The Dock400
FireWire cable allows you to connect your iPod to a Mac's
or PC's FireWire port for charging and file transfers.
Apple's newest offerings of the iPod photo and iPod mini have
added features, but omitted a FireWire cable.
The Dock400 cable is 48" long, uses Apple-approved connectors,
and is built with the quality that users have come to expect from
Griffin. It can be used with Apple's iPod dock or plugged directly
into the iPod.
Price: $17
Seagate, Hitachi Launch 1" 6 GB Hard
Drives
The Register's
Tony Smith reports:
"Seagate and Hitachi both announced 1in hard drives with a
6 GB storage capacity this week, though the US company appears
to have been the first to ship such a product.
"Seagate's 6 GB ST-1 unit started shipping last December,
the company said yesterday, and may well be the storage component
found in Apple's latest iPod mini....
"Certainly when news of a higher-capacity iPod mini emerged late
last year, it was suggested that the new machine would not contain
a Hitachi drive as the first version had done, Apple allegedly
having been annoyed with the problems the drive maker experienced
ramping up production of its 4 GB 1in unit, the Microdrive
3K4"
Apple Switches Drives Used in iPod
mini
extremeiPod
reports: "Sources have confirmed that Apple's 6 GB
iPod mini uses a new drive from Seagate, rather than the Hitachi
mechanisms that the company has previously chosen to be the heart
of its portable music player."
Hitachi Ramps 6 GB Microdrive to High
Volume, Reduces Drive Prices
PR: Users of miniature MP3 players and other
storage-demanding handheld consumer electronics can rejoice today
as Hitachi Global Storage
Technologies begins shipping its 6 gigabyte (GB) one-inch
hard drive in high volume. As the leader in one-inch hard drives,
Hitachi is raising the stakes by making available the new
Microdrive 3K6 with a suggested retail price reduction of up to 60
percent.
With 6 GB, the new Microdrive lets consumers carry even more of
what they love - 1,500-3,000 songs, 6,000 pictures (1 MB each), or
8 hours of MPEG-4 video. Hitachi is making all this possible, now,
at a significant price reduction, retailing the 6 GB Microdrive for
$299 USD or pennies per megabyte. Hitachi's new suggested retail
pricing represents the best value of capacity, reliability and
performance at a price point that's affordable to virtually all
owners of consumer devices. The Microdrive 3K6 is available in
removable Compact Flash Type II and embedded versions.
In its fourth generation, the newest Hitachi Microdrive product
combines a mature architecture and unmatched reliability with
industry-leading storage capacity. The Microdrive's high standard
of quality and breakthrough capacity are what users of consumer
electronics products have come to expect. Hitachi is also seeing
growing interest from makers of personal digital assistants and
mobile phones in using the Microdrive as the preferred technology
for miniature, high-capacity storage.
Hitachi recently announced plans for a 20-percent smaller
one-inch hard drive with 8-10 GB of capacity. The new drive -
nicknamed "Mikey," the baby Microdrive - is expected later this
year.
For the first time since its 1999 introduction, the
new-generation Microdrive product is being offered at a suggested
retail price of $299, representing a 40-percent reduction of
Hitachi's standard debut price of $499 for the one-inch product.
The 4 GB version of the Microdrive 3K6 will be offered at
$199, representing a 60-percent decrease.
Tech News
Philips Unrolls 'Paper' Display
The Register's
Jan Libbenga reports:
"Philips has announced that it will start developing rollable
displays in earnest. Until now, the Dutch company only had a
working prototype.
"Such displays are projected to be the primary solution to
demand for larger displays in mobile devices: just pull the screen
out of a smart phone or PDA and enjoy a movie. Or read an
electronic newspaper that you can roll up and put in your
pocket."
Hydrogen: The Next Fuel for
Laptops?
Mercury News's Therese
Poletti reports:
"A small New Jersey company is working on a hydrogen-fueled
battery that it hopes will eventually provide eight hours of power
for laptop computers.
"At Intel's Developer Forum in San Francisco on Tuesday,
Millennium Cell demonstrated an IBM ThinkPad running on a prototype
of the battery. Most notebook computers today can run for three or
four hours on a fully charged battery. So far, Millennium Cell's
runs for only three hours, but the goal is to increase that
performance to eight hours."
Windows Watch
Sony Vaio VGN-FS115B 'Sonoma' Notebook
Reviewed
The Register's
Trusted Reviews says:
"The Vaio VGN-FS115B is one of the first machines we've seen
based on Intel's new 'Sonoma' platform. Intel launched Sonoma as
the next generation Centrino standard back in January, and it
brings with it some key advantages over the outgoing technology,
writes Riyad Emeran.
"Sony Vaio VGN-FS115BThe major advancement with Sonoma is PCI
Express support, but you also get dual-channel DDR 2 memory, a 533
MHz frontside bus, Serial-ATA support and a raft of new processors.
The VGN-FS115B incorporates the new Sonoma technology, but sticks
with the integrated Intel graphics, rather than going with a
dedicated PCI Express-connected chip from Nvidia or ATI....
"The Vaio VGN-FS115B marries the latest mobile technology with a
design that looks slim and stylish, but is still large enough to be
used as your sole computer. But it's the price that makes this
machine truly impressive and it proves that you don't have to pay
through the nose for a big brand laptop these days. If you can live
with the decidedly average battery life, the FS115B is well worth a
look."
Bargain 'Books
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233
MHz, the cacheless MainStreet version and the later
Series II with a level 2
cache. It's not always possible to determine from the vendor's
listing which is being offered, so we've included links within this
paragraph to the two models. The same goes for the PowerBook G4/667 (VGA) and G4/667 (DVI), the titanium vs. aluminum
15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz, and 1.25 GHz to 1.5 GHz 15"
PowerBooks.
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1.2
GHz, 256/30/CD-ROM, $799
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1.2
GHz, 256/30/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $849
- refurb 14" iBook G4/1.2
GHz, 256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $1,049
- refurb 14" iBook G4/1.33
GHz, 256/60/Combo, AirPort Extreme, $1,099
- refurb 14" iBook G4/1.33
GHz, 256/60/SuperDrive, AirPort Extreme, $1,299
- used 15" PowerBook G4/500,
128/20/DVD-ROM, with 60 day guarantee, $899.99
- Buy with 16x Combo Drive installed, $1,099.99
- Upgrade to 1 GB of RAM, $189.99
- Add 512 MB of RAM, $99.99
- Add an AirPort wireless card, $54.50, installed
Power Max
For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see
our Best PowerBook G4 Deals,
Best iBook G4 Deals, Best PowerBook G3 Deals, and Best iBook G3 Deals.
