Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited
by Dan Knight
- 2007.04.13
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook News
On the high end, FastMac has the first Blu-ray upgrade for
MacBooks and PowerBooks. Just $800.
On the low end, Addonics has released a pair of adapters that
will let you replace a 2.5" IDE laptop drive with one or two
Compact Flash (CF) cards, bringing solid state booting to a host of
older notebook computers such as the PowerBook 150, 1400, 5300,
WallStreet, and clamshell iBook. We're hoping to obtain a review
unit.
For those who need speed and capacity, the new 7200 rpm 160 GB
hard drives should be a popular option, albeit a bit on the costly
side.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
General Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review.
News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Products and Services
Software
News & Opinion
Upgrading from a MacBook Pro to a MacBook
MacUser's Scott Silverman says:
"I type this post on what is officially the sixth Apple notebook
I have ever owned. Considering I switched to the Macintosh platform
in 2004, that's more than most, I would say. You must understand,
however, that six notebooks includes those replacement units given
to me by Apple. Thus, my general progression of laptop ownership
goes something like this:
"iBook G4 > MacBook Pro > MacBook
"Sure, you may think I'm crazy, but hear me out before you shoot
me down. The iBook G4 was my first
Apple notebook, and thus the one that holds the greatest place in
my heart. It was small, could handle a surprising amount of
processes (even the likes of Final Cut Pro), and had sleek looks
with a durable casing. After MW06, I couldn't wait to get my hands
on a shiny new Intel Mac, and so ended up buying a MacBook Pro with the funds made from the
sale of my iBook and Power Mac
G5.
"My MacBook Pro served me well. It was by far one of the most
powerful machines I'd ever owned, even giving the G5 a run for its
money . . . I loved the look of the aluminum casing and
the thin design, but ultimately decided to move on to
smaller-and-better things.
"Last week, after listing my my brand new MacBook Pro on
eBay
(Apple sent me a new replacement unit after my old MBP
malfunctioned), I walked home with a shiny white MacBook. Since the day when my new system
was up and running, I have never looked back; I absolutely love
this little machine."
Link:
The Long and Winding Road of Apple Notebooks
Seagate's Hardware-encrypted Notebook
Drives
The Register's Clay Rider reports:
"Seagate Technology has announced that it is now shipping its
Momentus 5400 FDE.2, an encrypting 2.5in hard drive for notebooks,
to ASI Computer Technologies. The Momentus 5400 FDE.2 (Full Disc
Encryption) hard drive offers up to 160 GB of capacity, Serial ATA
interface, and hardware-based AES encryption.
"The encrypting hard drive is also positioned as a means by
which organizations can easily repurpose or retire laptops without
compromising sensitive information and comply with data privacy
laws."
Link:
Seagate Ships Hardware-encrypted Notebook Drives
Apple Updates
MacBook and MacBook Pro Reduce CPU Speed When
Battery Is Removed While Operating from AC
A new Apple Knowledge Base article says:
"If the battery is removed from a MacBook or MacBook Pro, the
computer will automatically reduce the processor speed. This
prevents the computer from shutting down if it demands more power
than the A/C adaptor alone can provide.
"Important: It is strongly recommended that you do not use your
MacBook or MacBook Pro while the battery is removed. Accidentally
bumping the A/C adaptor could disconnect power and shutdown the
computer. Any information that was not saved on your computer would
be lost."
Link: MacBook and
MacBook Pro: Mac Reduces Processor Speed When Battery Is Removed
While Operating from an A/C Adaptor
Products and Services
Addonics Adapter Replaces Hard Drive with
Compact Flash
PR: This family of
unique CF-IDE hard drive adapters is designed to enable one or two
Compact Flash (CFI/II) media to be used as direct replacement for
the 2.5" IDE hard drive. As a result, any equipment, such as
Notebook computer, that uses a 2.5" IDE hard drive can be easily
converted to use the low power and shock resistant CF media. Once
installed, the CF appears as an ordinary hard drive to any OS and
can be configured as a boot device. The Dual CF-IDE Hard Drive
Adapter contains a second CF slot for the slave position of the IDE
channel, allowing increased storage capacity with the same low
power consumption and solid state benefits of the CF card.
Key Features
- Enable Compact Flash (CF) to be used like ordinary 2.5" IDE
hard drive
- Compatible with CFI/II
- Choice of single slot or dual slots CF adapter
- Drive access LED
- IDE interface
- Mini 44-pin IDE male connector (2.5" IDE hard drive
connector)
- Bootable
- Compatible* with DOS, Windows 3.1, NT4, 98SE, Me, 2000, XP,
Vista, Mac or Linux
* Media must be in the device during boot up. Media is not hot
swappable
- Supports DMA and Ultra DMA modes (only on flash media card with
such features).
Specifications
- Interface: mini 44-pin IDE male (2.5" IDE hard drive
connector)
- Supported media: Type I/II CF
- Number of CF slots: choice of single slot or dual slots
- Maximum Read / Write Speed: Depends on the media
- OS Support: DOS, Windows 3.1, NT, 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, Vista,
Mac OS 8.6 or higher, Linux
Dimensions:
- CF Hard Drive Adapter (W x D x H) - 56 x 6 x 59 mm with CF card
attached
- Dual CF-IDE Adapter (W x D x H) - 56 x 10 x 60 mm with CF card
attached
Specifications:
- Weight: ~ 1 oz.
- Power: +5V from PC power supply
- Built-in onboard regulator to provided regulated 3.3V
output
Price:
- CF Hard Drive Adapter for Notebook with mini 44-pin IDE male
connector, $24.99
- Dual CF-IDE Adapter for Notebook, $29.99
Editor's note: The next hot thing in notebook computers is using
flash memory instead of a hard drive. This adapter lets you use a
Compact Flash (CF) card (or two) to replace the hard drive in an
existing laptop computer. CF cards are available in capacities as
large as 16 GB, although those are very expensive. 8 GB CF
cards are currently available
from $78 shipped.
Although small by today's hard drive standards, this could be a
great way to update an older PowerBook such as a 150, 190, 190cs, 1400,
2300, 2400, 3400,
5300, G3
"Kanga", G3 "WallStreet", or
clamshell iBook. This will make
the computer lighter, increase battery life, and may result in
faster startup and file access.
This could be a much faster alternative to using CF cards in
PCMCIA or PC Card adapters. If you go this route, be sure to buy
high speed flash cards. dk
Link:
Addonics CF Hard Drive to Compact Flash Adapter
FastMac Announces 1st Blu-ray Drive Upgrade for
Laptops
PR: FastMac has announced the first & only
Blu-ray optical drive upgrade for Apple's PowerBook, iBook &
MacBook Pro computers. The new slimline, slot loading drive uses
one of the fastest & most compatible Blu-ray mechanisms to
provide up to 50 GB of storage on 1 disk, without sacrificing
compatibility with standard DVD & CD recordable media.
FastMac's Blu-ray optical drive upgrade is scheduled to ship within
10 days and is available for pre-order from FastMac for a special
introductory price of $799.95. Each drive carries a 1 year warranty
and a 30 day money back guarantee .
FastMac's new Blu-ray slot loading drive gives photographers,
videographers & musicians the ability to save anything,
anywhere- in the field, on location, in the studio, at work or at
home. System administrators and database administrators can archive
and retrieve large amounts of data on 1 convenient disk. And
consumers can now watch today's latest HD content in true high
definition with surround sound anytime & anywhere they happen
to be. Blu-ray is the next generation of storage technology &
entertainment and it's available today, only from FastMac
"This new optical drive gives me the freedom to save anything,
anywhere I happen to be with my new MacBook Pro," said Edward
Savio, President of FastMac Performance Upgrades, Inc. "With this
much storage capability, I was able to sort and backup my work on a
per project basis."
About Blu-ray
Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disk (BD), is the name of a next
generation optical disk format developed by a consortium of
electronics and computer manufacturers including Apple, Dell, HP,
JVC, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony
& TDK. The format was designed to enable the recording and
playback of High Definition (HD) content and to allow storage of
large amounts (up to 200 GB) of data. While current optical drive
technologies rely on a red laser to read and write data, the new
format uses a blue-violet laser (hence the name, Blu-ray). The
blue-violet laser has a 38% shorter wavelength (405nm) than a red
laser (650nm), allowing the drive's optical pickup unit to focus
more precisely than ever before. Data can then be packed more
densely on standard sized disks. Despite using a new type of laser,
Blu-ray drives are compatible with standard DVD and CD media
through the use of a combined red, blue & violet optical reader
and writer.
In addition to broad support from the electronics, music,
computer & video game industry, 7 out of 8 of the major
Hollywood film studios support Blu-ray media and 5 out of those 7
(Disney, Fox, Lionsgate, MGM & Sony) have decided to release
their movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. With its forward
and backward integration with new and old media, Blu-ray is
destined to become the successor to today's DVD format.
Specifications
FastMac's slimline Blu-ray slot loading optical drive supports
reading, writing and rewriting to single and dual layer Blu-ray
media at 1x speeds. The drive is also compatible with standard DVD
and CD media and can write to DVD-R and DVD+R media at 8x speed in
single layer and 2x speed in dual/ double layer mode. It can
rewrite to DVD-R and DVD+R media at 4x speeds. The drive also
supports DVD-RAM reading and writing at up to 5x speeds and
standard CD-R and CD-RW burning at 8x speeds.
Compatibility
FastMac's slimline Blu-ray slot loading optical drive upgrade
requires Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher and is compatible with the
following Apple computers:
- iBook G4
- iMac G5
- iMac Intel
- MacBook Pro (17-inch)
- Mac mini
- PowerBook G3 Pismo
- PowerBook G4 Titanium (667 MHz or higher)
- PowerBook G4 Aluminum
Blu-ray burning requires third-party software such as Roxio's
Toast 8 Titanium, which enables Blu-ray disk support in the Mac OS
Finder. Native support for Blu-ray burning within iLife &
iTunes is expected in the future via Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, but
cannot be guaranteed at this time.;
Starting at $799.
Link: FastMac Blu-ray
Upgrade
Fastest 160 GB Portable Drive - Mercury
On-the-Go 7200 RPM
PR: Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the
highest capacity, fastest portable storage drive solution on the
market - the OWC 160 GB Mercury On-the-Go portable hard drive.
Equipped with FireWire 800/400 and USB 2.0 interfaces, the OWC
Mercury On-the-Go 160 GB 7200 RPM is a palm-sized, bus powered,
high performance storage solution offering a full 60% greater
capacity than the next available 7200 RPM capacity in the market of
only 100 GB.
Priced at $279.99, the powerful OWC Mercury On-the-Go 160 GB
7200 RPM model is geared towards the demanding "On-the-Go"
professional, who requires dependable, high-performance storage.
The "fits in your shirt pocket" portable drive is compatible with
virtually all computers with an available FireWire or USB port,
including all Macs and PCs. It also works with all FireWire or USB
gadgets, including digital cameras and camcorders, for an instant
On-the-Go portable storage solution to quickly and safely store all
your digital photos and video when traveling.
Take your computer on the road!
Back-up your desktop computer and bring it with you everywhere
you go with the Mercury On-the-Go portable drive. For added
convenience when backing up, the portable drive also includes the
full retail versions of the latest award-winning Prosoft DataRescue
III for OS X (just released last week) and NovaStor NovaBackup
for Windows.
"OWC has been a leader in portable storage solutions for over
half a decade," said Larry O'Connor, CEO, OWC. "We understand the
need for reliable, high-performance, high-capacity portable
solutions, with our Mercury On-the-Go series filling that need
quite nicely. Whether it's taking work between the office and home,
or needing that extra capacity when you're traveling 30,000 feet
up, these solutions truly let you get it done On-the-Go."
The OWC 160 GB Mercury On-the-Go Portable Drive is immediately
available and shipping at $279.99 through OWC and other retailers.
It has two FireWire 800/400 and one USB 2.0/1.1 ports and ships
with carrying case, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800 cables, USB
cable, Prosoft DataRescue III for OS X and NovaStor NovaBackup
for Windows. It is covered by a one-year warranty and is compatible
with Apple OS Versions 8.5 through 9.2.x; Apple OS X 10.0.3
and higher (including OS X 10.4.x); and Microsoft Windows
98SE, ME, 2000, XP.
Link: OWC
Mercury™ On-The-Go Bus Powered Portable Solutions
Seagate 160 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive Upgrade for
MacBooks
PR: MacService offers a Seagate 160 GB 7200 RPM hard
drive upgrade for MacBook and MacBook Pro. $375
Link: MacService
Rain Design's mStand Laptop Stand
PR: Rain Design Inc., creator of designer
accessories for Apple products, announced today the release of
mStand, the newest addition to its line of innovative laptop
stands. mStand raises laptops for better ergonomics with a design
that flirts with Apple's desktop computers.
Designed for the Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro, suitable for all
laptops, mStand helps you work comfortably and safely every day by
raising your laptop to the same ergonomic height as the external
display. mStand is made of a single solid piece of aluminum with
matching MacBook Pro's sandblasted and silver anodized finish.
mStand transforms your laptop into a stable and stylish
workstation.
Design
Made of a single sturdy piece of aluminum, mStand transforms
laptops into stunning desktop counterparts of the Apple iMac and
Apple Cinema Display with its elegant curves and silver-anodized
finish. The single piece design solidly holds a laptop while the
aluminum panel acts as a heat sink to keep the laptop cool. A cable
hole in the back of the stand routes wires to reduce clutter.
Ergonomics
Long-term use of a laptop as the main computing device can
strain the body as the user hunches down to see the screen and
type. mStand raises the screen 5.9 inches (150 mm) to meet the
user's eye level, thus promoting better posture, while its tilt
design brings the screen closer for easier viewing. With an
external keyboard and mouse, mStand creates an ideal ergonomic
desktop setup for laptop users.
Compatibility
Rain Design's mStand accommodates all Apple laptops and other
laptops with depths less than 10.4 inches (265 mm).
Available at mstand.html and computer retailers for a suggested
retail price of $49.90.
Link: mStand
Customize Your 'Book or iPod with
Artist-designed Removable Skins
PR: GelaSkins
features:
Easy on... Easy Off...
- Adhesive technology by 3M prevents bubbles and allows easy
application and clean removal.
Stay Sharp
- Every GelaSkin for the iPod includes a screen protector to
defend the display from scratches and to help hide old
scratches.
No Scratches
- GelaSkins protect your precious portable devices with a durable
anti-scratch, anti-UV coating.
Portable Art Prints
- Choose from our extensive gallery of artist-designed skins to
turn your iPod or Laptop into a portable canvas.
Buy 3, Get 1 Free
- Choose Any 3 GelaSkins from the site and you can pick a 4th for
free.
No Bulk
- GelaSkins are ultra-low profile for flawless compatibility
width laptop cases and iPod accessories.
iPod GelaSkins $14.95
- 4th Gen. iPod
- iPod mini
- iPod nano (1st Gen.)
- iPod with Video
- iPod nano (2nd Gen.)
Laptop GelaSkins - $32.95
- 12" PowerBook & iBook
- 13" MacBook
- 14" iBook
- 15" MacBook Pro & PowerBook
- 17" MacBook Pro & PowerBook
Link: GelaSkins
zCover TypeOn Keyboard Skin for MacBook
PR: zCover Inc.,
manufacturer of fashionable silicone protective cases, has
announced the release of their zCover TypeOn keyboard Skin for
Apple MacBook.
Constructed from the zCover's
high-quality silicone, zCover TypeOn keyboard protectors mold
perfectly to your MacBook keyboard and keep the keyboard clean and
smudge free. Being extraordinary durable and a perfect fit, they
protect your MacBook keyboard without restricting normal typing and
maintaining a clear view of the keyboard. zCover TypeOn keyboard
protectors are removed just as easily and can be washed for easy
cleaning.
- zCover silicone skin are crafted from nontoxic, durable
high-grade silicone rubber. It is safe.
- Ultra thin (0.6mm) skin touch feeling, durable,
- Made of 100% high grade silicone,
- Multicolor and glow-in-dark fashionable design,
- Full shock-absorbing, tear-resistant protection,
- Molded to specifically fit every point,
- removable easy on and off for cleaning,
- Stays in place and does not shift around,
- Washable - you can wash zCover silicone TypeOn skin by hand.
Make sure it's dried out before put it on your keyboard. Dry it in
room temperature. Please avoid direct fire and direct bright
sunshine.
zCover TypeOn Keyboard Skin for
Apple MacBook comes in a variety of colors: ice clear, ice blue,
ice green , ice pink, ice purple and ice yellow.
zCover TypeOn Keyboard Skin for Apple MacBook retails for
$24.95.
Link:
TypeOn Keyboard Skin for Apple MacBook
Waterfield Sling Laptop Bag Melds Style
and Practicality
PR: San Francisco Design says: "Waterfield bags are
designed and made in San Francisco, where the rent is high, labor
expensive, and competition is intense. We wouldn't go anywhere
else." Those willing to pay just a bit more will be rewarded by the
Waterfield combination of thoughtful design, tasteful styling, fine
workmanship, and top-grade materials, and by spending a bit of time
on the Waterfield website you can choose the perfect bag for your
needs and tastes from among the extensive range of models and sizes
offered.
You can read my reviews of the Waterfield Cargo, Cozmo, and
Racer X products here:
Waterfield has just released a brand new computer bag, the
Sling, and it may be their most classy effort yet in a very strong
field.
The Sling is all-in-one bag that can carry just about
everything. With a roomy interior and multiple zippered pockets,
travelers can stow last-minute purchases and use as a carryon.
Commuters can throw in their work gear, lunch & the
daily paper.
Exercise fiends can fit all their gym gear for daily workouts.
Parents can stash bottles, diapers, and toys (and, it's machine
washable!).
As with all Waterfield products, this bag is as beautifully
finished inside as it is outside.
Optional: Matching Gear Pouch. Color-coordinated gear bags are
available to organize other personal items.
As
with the Waterfield Cargo and Cozmo, the Sling comes in three sizes
in three sizes:
- Large Sling $139 / 17" x 14" x 10 " / 1.9 lb.
- Medium Sling $129 / 15" x 11" x 8 " / 1.4 lb.
- Small Sling $99 / 12 " x 8 " x 5 " / 1 lb.
The Sling is available in five colors: 
Link: Sling
Software
Battery Health Monitor 1.2
PR: Battery Health Monitor is a free utility for
PowerBook and iBook owners that monitors virtual all battery health
parameters and displays them in an easy-to-read format.
Original capacity is an indication of the battery's storage when
it was new. Current capacity indicates how much that original
capacity has changed with use. Current charge shows the battery's
current charge state while Charge Cycles indicates how many
complete charge/discharge cycles the battery has experienced. The
percentage value indicates approximately what portion of the number
of total recharge cycles the battery supports have been used.
The annunciators at the top of the window indicate the state of
the computer's power manager circuit and the battery or batteries
installed.
New in version 1.2:
- Reduced processor loading for PowerPC G3 and G4 Macs.
- Corrected a problem with the "Battery Life Remaining"
graph.
System requirements:
- PowerBook G3 or later, or iBook
- requires Mac OS X (10.1 or later).
System Support: PPC/Intel
Free
Link: Battery Health
Monitor
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.
- refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/80/SD, $1,349
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/100/SD, $1,599
- refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz HR, 512/120/SD, $1,699
- 12" iBook G3/500, 10/128/CD, $199.99
- 12" iBook G3/600, 15/128/CD, $249.99
- 12" iBook G3/700, 20/128/Combo, $329.99
- 12" iBook
G3/800, 30/256/CD, $299.99
- 12" iBook G3/800, 30/256/Combo, $399.99
- 12" iBook G3/900, 40/256/Combo, $489.99
- 14" iBook G3/600, 20/256/Combo, 359.99
- 14" iBook G3/800, 30/256/Combo, $469.99
- 14" iBook G3/900, 40/256/Combo, $499.99
- 12" iBook G3/900, 640/60/Combo, AP, $549
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 256/30/CD, APX, scratches, $479
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/40/Combo, BT, $649
- 15" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 512/80/SD, APX, $849
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/80/SD, APX, BT, $1,099
- Apple refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, APX,
$999
- Apple refurb 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, APX,
$1,049
- Apple refurb 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/120/SD, APX, BT,
$1,288
- 12" iBook G3/500, 192/10/CD, $284.95
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, case, $324.95
- 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/CD, $379.95
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $329
- 14" iBook G3/900, 256/40/Combo, $409
- Add AirPort for $75
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, $399.99 less $25 = $374.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, BT, $999.99 less $25 =
$974.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/80/SD, BT, $1,199.99 less $25 =
$1,174.99
- 15" 2 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 512/80/SD, $1,499.99
- 12" clamshell iBook G3/300, blueberry, 64/3/CD, $169.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $199.95
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, $249.95
- 14" PowerBook Pismo G3/400, 256/20/DVD, $379.95
- 15" PowerBook G4/667, 256/20/DVD, $529.95
- 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 512/30/Combo, APX, $579.95
- 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/40/Combo, APX, BT, $629.95
- Apple Emate 300 PDA, Touch Screen in great working shape,
$69.99
- 12" iBook G3/300, 128/3/CD, OS X 10.2 installed, tested battery
and power cord, $259.99
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, OS X 10.2, working battery and
power cord, $299.99
Computer Geeks
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/30/CD, APX, $449
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, OS X, $209
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/30/CD, OS X, $279
- 12" iBook G3/600, 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.
