Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited
by Dan Knight
- 2007.01.26
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook News
The biggest controversy this week seems to be over Apple's
decision to charge US$2 to enable the 802.11n support already built
into most current Macs instead of giving away the enabler for free.
Apple claims is required by generally accepted accounting
principles.
We have articles about two new battery technologies, both of
which appear promising but aren't initially aimed at notebook
computers.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
General Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review.
News & Opinion
Reviews
Products and Services
Software
News & Opinion
Apple to $2 Charge for Faster WiFi
Cnet News.com's Tom Krazit reports:
"Some MacBook Pro and MacBook customers have the faster 802.11n
Wi-Fi chip already sitting in their systems, but it will cost $2 to
light it up.
"Apple on Thursday confirmed reports that it plans to charge
customers a fee to download software that will enable the 802.11n
capability in the Wi-Fi chips found in some MacBook and MacBook Pro
systems...."
"Apple said it is required under generally accepted accounting
principles to charge customers for the software upgrade. 'The
nominal distribution fee for the 802.11n software is required in
order for Apple to comply with generally accepted accounting
principles for revenue recognition, which generally require that we
charge for significant feature enhancements, such as 802.11n, when
added to previously purchased products,' Fox said in a
statement."
Link:
Apple to Charge for Faster Wi-Fi
LED Backlighting Too Expensive for MacBook
Pro?
Hardmac's Lionel says:
"A few days ago a rumour suggested that Apple could start using
LED to improve the backlighting of its laptop screens.
"Although that rumour has a certain appeal, it does not confront
to reality too well. According to DigiTimes this manufacturing
process will only start being widespread in 2008. Currently, the
adoption of LEDs would double the price of the backlighting,
whereas in 2008 it is likely to only represent a 20% increase in
price...."
Link: LED Backlighting Too
Expensive for Next Generation MacBook Pros?
Japanese Inventor Touts Water Activated
Battery
Engadget's Donald Melanson reports:
"Japanese inventor Susumu Suzuki claims to have found a solution
to some of the world's energy problems (the AA-sized ones anyway),
recently showing off his water-powered battery to Reuters. The
battery itself is made mostly of carbon-based compounds but is
activated with only a tiny amount of water - even licking it will
apparently do."
Editor's note: This technology appears to target 1.5V AA through
D cells. Suzuki claims it could cost one-tenth as much as regular
batteries when mass produced. Today's notebooks are built around
higher voltage batteries, so it remains to be seen whether this
will be practical for them. dk
Link:
Japanese Inventor Touts Water-powered Battery
Battery Power at the Tip of Your Tongue?
Crave's Leslie Katz says:
"As kids, some people (none of us here at Crave, of course)
licked batteries to experience a little jolt. Turns out that old
pastime could now have a practical application - producing battery
power. A Japanese inventor is developing a battery, made mainly of
carbon-based compounds, that's activated by a single drop of water.
Susumu Suzuki describes his device in a video interview with
Reuters."
Link: Battery Power at
the Tip of Your Tongue
Can Ultracapacitors Replace Batteries?
Technology Review's Tyler Hamilton reports:
"A Texas company says it can make a new ultracapacitor power
system to replace the electrochemical batteries in everything from
cars to laptops....
"The company boldly claims that its system, a kind of
battery-ultracapacitor hybrid based on barium-titanate powders,
will dramatically outperform the best lithium-ion batteries on the
market in terms of energy density, price, charge time, and safety.
Pound for pound, it will also pack 10 times the punch of lead-acid
batteries at half the cost and without the need for toxic materials
or chemicals, according to the company."
"Ultracapacitors have many advantages over traditional
electrochemical batteries. Unlike batteries, 'ultracaps' can
completely absorb and release a charge at high rates and in a
virtually endless cycle with little degradation."
Editor's note: This technology targets electric and hybrid cars.
Whether it could eventually be applied to notebook computers
remains to be seen. dk
Link: Battery
Breakthrough?
Reviews
Black MacBook No Great Value
vnunet.com's Ben Tudor reports:
"Apple's computer range runs from basic desktops through to
high-end MacBook Pro notebooks, but it's the relatively cheap
MacBook that steals the show.
"The latest breed of MacBook, now with Intel's Core 2 Duo
processors providing the oomph, is an update of 2006's dual-core
version introduced last year.
"Outwardly, not much has changed from last years [sic] MacBook,
apart from the replacement of the Core Duo processor with the more
recent and faster Core 2 Duo. However, several months using the
original MacBook unearthed a number of overheating cases that shut
down the computer when it got too hot.
"Thankfully, this isn't something we've noticed with two Core 2
Duo notebooks we tested, although both became uncomfortably warm
after prolonged use. Nevertheless, it seems Apple has addressed
these issues."
Link:
Review: Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo
17" MacBook Pro Lightest, Thinnest in
Class
Cnet's Dan Ackerman reports:
"The high-end 17-inch MacBook
Pro adds some hard drive space and screen real estate over the
15-inch MacBook Pro,boosting the base price by $300. The $2,799 system (our $3,374
review unit was tricked out with extra RAM) is very light for a
17-inch laptop, and it's a good choice for anyone needing an easily
transportable big-screen laptop, although most users will be just
as happy with the excellent 15-inch version.
"The aluminum MacBook Pro is a clear departure from the black or
white plastic look of the iPod, the iMac, or the (non-Pro) MacBook.
Weighing just 6.8 pounds (7.5 with the AC adapter), it's easily the
lightest desktop replacement laptop we've seen. Other 17-inch
systems, such as the Dell XPS M1710 and the Fujitsu LifeBook N6420
weigh between 3 and 4 pounds more. The MacBook Pro is also very
thin, measuring 15.4 inches wide by 10.4 inches deep by only 1 inch
thick. While it's still too bulky to commute with every day, it can
certainly make for high-impact presentations and can act as a
decent portable home theater."
Link:
MacBook Pro (Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz, 17-inch)
Products and Services
Cinergy T Express - Digital TV on Your MacBook
Pro
With Cinergy T Express for the ExpressCard interface of
your MacBook Pro you can receive digital TV via antenna (DVB-T)
while on the move. The tuner card is extremely compact and can
easily be stored anywhere. An additional power adapter is not
required, as the Cinergy draws its power directly from the
notebook. A suitable compact antenna is included - simply insert
the ExpressCard and you're ready to watch TV. Naturally, you can
also connect the Cinergy to your roof antenna at home.
Timeshifting
This function liberates you from the TV stations' rigid
programming schedule. If you still have something to take care of,
simply tune in ten minutes after your favorite program has actually
started. The elapsed part of the program has been recorded to your
hard drive, letting you rewind, fast-forward or pause the show at
any time. Simply press a button to skip annoying commercial
breaks.
Electronic program guide (EPG)
An integrated electronic program guide (free one-year
subscription included) helps you keep a clear overview of the
wealth of available digital stations. You therefore have a
complete, current program guide for the next one to two weeks at
your fingertips. The programs currently running on all stations are
conveniently grouped on a single page, and information on the
content, actors, production year, etc. is also available from that
page.
Powerful hard-drive video recorder
Record programs manually or set up timer-controlled recordings
without quality losses and edit out unwanted content such as
commercial breaks with ease. To manage your recordings, simply drag
and drop them to organize them in playlists. Sort recordings
according to series and seasons, artists, genres, etc. You can
create as many playlists as you like for convenient searching and
perfect organization.
Teletext and digital radio
The convenient teletext function provides useful information
related to the TV program and more. Teletext can be displayed on a
black background or transparently superimposed on the current
program. Navigating teletext is as simple as on a conventional TV
set. If radio stations are available via DVB-T in your service
area, you can not only listen to them, but also record them to your
hard drive and export them to iTunes or your iPod.
Support for iPods with video functionality
Transfer music videos, TV shows and other recordings to your
iPod with a single click. Connect it to your TV and enjoy the
recordings not only on the iPod's display, but also on your TV
screen. The iPod export is fully automatic - as soon as the
recordings are complete, they are automatically converted to iPod
format and transferred to iTunes for synchronization with your
iPod.
Perfect Mac integration
EyeTV is a universal application that delivers its full
performance on PowerPC and Intel Core platforms. The management and
organization of recordings has also been optimized for Mac: each
recording is stored in a separate file that you can rename, copy,
move or launch in the Finder. The appearance fits, too: all program
windows and the elegant onscreen remote control are perfectly
matched to the Mac OS design.
Convenient remote control
Thanks to the Cinergy remote control and the full-screen menu of
the EyeTV application, you can now enjoy TV on your Mac from the
comfort of your sofa. All important functions are literally in the
palm of your hand - there's no need to get up continually to use
the keyboard. The Apple Front Row media center is fully integrated
and only a click away. Naturally, the full-screen menu will also
work if your Mac does not have Front Row and an Apple Remote.
Scope of Delivery:
- TerraTec Cinergy T Express
- Portable aerial with magnetic base
- Software CD-ROM: Elgato EyeTV (Mac), TerraTec Home Cinema
(PC)
- Manual on CD-ROM
MSR: €129 plus shipping
Link: TerraTec
Alcantara Sleeves for iPods & MacBooks
Maserati covers Quattroporte car seats in Alcantara.
Porsche Boxster interiors are lined in Alcantara. In fact almost
every luxury car maker in Europe chooses the sensory comfort of
Alcantara as a mark of quality.
Rev up your Apple products with genuine Alcantara sleeves: the
slim fitting collection is available in three colours: Jubilee Red,
Otter Grey and Slate Black.
Wrappers covers for MacBooks are fitted sleeves lined with
microfibre. Our tight, fitted Alcantara tubes for iPod's original
and new nano models give access to headphone port, dock connector
and hold switch.
Smokey black iPod covers are individually tailored for 30 GB, 60
GB and 80 GB models so make sure to order a size to fit.
iPod
nano Alcantara tube
- Tailored tube for iPod nano original and remastered
- Genuine Alcantara
- Contract quality fabric that doesn't loose its shape after
machine washing
- Super soft microfibre lining helps remove fingerprints
Alcantara tube for iPod nano £9.99 plus £3.50
p&p
iPod video Alcantara sleeve
- Tailored sleeve for iPod video
- Genuine Alcantara
- Contract quality fabric that doesn't loose its shape after
machine washing
- Super soft microfibre lining helps remove fingerprints
Alcantara sleeve for iPod video £12.99 plus £3.50
p&p
MacBook & MacBook Pro Alcantara sleeves
- Tailored sleeve for Apple MacBook & MacBook Pro
notebook
- Genuine Alcantara
- Contract quality fabric that doesn't loose its shape after
machine washing
- Super soft microfibre lining helps remove fingerprints
Prices:
- Alcantara sleeve for MacBook 13 inch £32.00 plus
£3.50 p&p
- Alcantara sleeve for MacBook Pro 15 inch £34.00 plus
£3.50 p&p
- Alcantara sleeve for MacBook Pro 17 inch £37.00 plus
£3.50 p&p
Link: Wrappers
Software
Bargain 'Books
Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and
refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible
for AppleCare.
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.
PowerBook, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.
The only 15" MacBook Pro listed as we go to press is the 1.83
GHz Core Duo, but there are now Core 2 Duo 17" MacBook Pros
available. The only MacBook is the 2.0 GHz Core Duo White
model.
- refurb 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 512/60/SuperDrive,
$899
- refurb 15" 1.83 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 512/80/SuperDrive,
$1,299
- refurb 17" 2.16 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SuperDrive,
$1,999
- refurb 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SuperDrive,
$2,299
- new 15" 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro, 512/80/SuperDrive,
$1,449
- 14" iBook G3/800 MHz, 640/40/Combo, $519
- 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 256/60/SuperDrive, $799
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/40/Combo, $649
TechRestore is offering a $25 discount to 'Book Review readers
off any PowerBook or iBook in stock. Just enter the code CWM during
checkout when ordering online. The coupon code is valid from now
through 2007.12.31.
- 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/Combo, $429.99 less $25 = $404.99
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $399.99 less $25 = $374.99
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/20/Combo, $429.99 less $25 = $404.99
- 12" iBook G3/900, 256/40/Combo, $469.99 less $25 = $444.99
- 14" iBook G3/700, 256/30/Combo, $499.99 less $25 = $474.99
- PowerBook Pismo G3/400, 256/20 (new)/DVD, $379.95
- PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 256/20 (new)/DVD, $429.95
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, $239.95
- 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/CD, $269.95
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $299.95
- 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/Combo, $379.95
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/30/CD, Minor Case Defect, $379.95
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/30/CD, $429.95
- 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 512/30/CD, $479.95
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/30/Combo, $529.95
- 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 512/30/Combo, $579.95
- 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/4020/Combo, AirPort, Bluetooth,
$629.95
- 12" PowerBook G4/867 MHz, 256/40/Combo, Mac OS X, $599.99
- 12" iBook G3 600, 256/20/Combo, $295
- 12" iBook G3 700, 256/20/Combo, $325
- 12" iBook G3 800, 256/30/CD, $379
- 14" iBook G3 700, 256/20/Combo, $375
- 14" iBook G3 900, 256/40/Combo, $465
- 15" PowerBook G4/667 MHz, 256/30/Combo, $625
- Add AirPort for $69
$50 rebate on Power Max MP3 Sunglasses with the purchase of any
new or refurbished Mac.
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 256/30/CD, $599
- refurb 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 256/30/CD, $749
- refurb 14" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, APX, $949
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, APX, $1,149
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz 512/80/SuperDrive, APX,
$1,349
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/100/SuperDrive, APX,
$1,649
- Apple Emate 300 PDA - Touch Screen in great working shape -
$59.99
Computer Geeks
- 12" iBook G4/1.0 GHz, 512/30/CD, AirPort, OS X, $519.99
- 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 512/30/CD, AirPort, OS X, $579.99
- 12" iBook G4/1.3 GHz, 512/40/Combo, AirPort, OS X, $699.99
- 12" iBook G4/1.0 GHz, 512/30/CD, AirPort, OS X, $529.99
- 12" iBook 500, 128/10/CD, OS X, $209
- 12" iBook 500, 128/30/CD, OS X, $279
- 12" iBook 600, 128/30/CD, OS X, $329
For deals on current and discontinued 'Books, see our 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro,
MacBook Air, 13" MacBook Pro, 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 iPad,
iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.
