Low End Mac Editorial Archive

May 2004

Track your stolen Mac, BlueChip G3/1 GHz canceled, identify your 5400 RPM drive, and more, Charles Moore, The 'Book Review, 05.28. A color-changing mousepad, high performance FireWire drives, a new laptop stand, TimeLeft battery tracker, bargain 'Books from $600 to $1,929, and lots more.
They can take your personal information, but they can't take you, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.28. "...while people can steal your credit card numbers and social security numbers over the Internet, they can't steal your personality."
Why the VCR is doomed, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.28. Just as the iPod has replaced the Walkman and is replacing the Discman, digital video recorders will displace VCRs - and Apple could become the iPod of the DVR market.
Use a Windows keyboard on your Mac with uControl, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.26. Just plugging a Windows keyboard into your USB port can drive you crazy without a remapping utility to put the option and command keys where you expect them.
PearPC's slow Mac emulation - What's the point?, Stephen Van Esch, Mac Scope, 05.26. "For all those Windows folks who are gussying up Windows to look like OS X and getting excited over PearPC, please just buy a Mac."
NewerTech TiBook battery provides four hours of use, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.24. "In the real world, I can get at least 4 hours of active use, and with the Energy Saver settings activated, a freshly charged battery usually shows over 5 hours of power."
Two cool optical mice from Contour, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.24. One is designed to fit your hand nearly perfectly, while the other is intended as a perfect complement to your 'Book.
iBook G4 hot in Japan, 12" iBook or PowerBook, fuel cells, Soyuz laptop bag, and more, Charles W Moore, The 'Book Review, 05.21. ADC adapter for 12" PowerBook, iTunes Anywhere, upgradable laptop video possibilities, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,599, and more.
Less frequent major OS X uprades: Good or bad for Mac users?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.21. Less frequent upgrades should mean a more stable OS and reduced long-term expense for Mac users.
eMacs, 12" 'Books, and the Mac legacy, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.19. "...in terms of value and that 'just right' all-in-one integration that Apple began to perfect with the original Macintosh, it's hard not to find the eMac and 12" 'Books excellent values."
There's more for Mac users in superstore aisles than many realize, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 05.19. Although the staff might not know it, most superstores have plenty of printer, mice, keyboard, drives, and other items compatible with Macs.
Pismo CPU upgrades, Mac OS versions, and printers; WallStreet troubles with OS X, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.17. Several Pismo issues, solving WallStreet problems, deals at Apple retail stores, and PowerBooks as DVD players.
A wrinkle in life: Difference and divorce, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.14. Thinking different sounds fine, but being different can lead to a lot of disappointments in life.
iBook G4 graphics update, new 'Books in June?, sulphur batteries, Apple tech support beats Dell, and more, Charles W Moore, The 'Book Review, 05.14. Online PowerBook FixIt guides, ThermographX, tiny USB flash drives, new Sony portables, and bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,599.
Another year, another OS X update - How about a price break?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.14. Apple should reward loyalty and give discounts based on how many times we've paid to upgrade OS X in the past.
Broadband Internet access: Picking the right speed, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.12. With four different connection speeds to choose from, how do you figure out which will best meet your needs and budget?
Windows stability: Nothing really changes, Stephen Van Esch, Mac Scope, 05.12. How come a brand new Dell with a brand new copy of Windows has so many more problems than a two-year-old PowerBook?
SightFlex adjustable iSight stand, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.12. Can't get your iSight in the right location using Apple's mounting hardware? SightFlex could be just the ticket.
Tigger (Mac OS X 10.4) announced, Disney lawyers on alert, Jeff Adkins, The Lite Side, 05.12. First predicted by The Lite Side two years ago, Apple has promised to name the next version of OS X Tigger.
iBook repair program expanded, $190 Combo drive for DVD TiBooks, Lombard G4/433 upgrade, and more, Charles Moore, The 'Book Review, 05.10. New PB G4 video performance, using a PowerBook to watch DVDs on TV, BookEndz for 15-inch AlBook, Glide hinge maintenance kits, bargain G4 'Books from $925 to $2,599, and lots more.
A better portable solution: Bluetooth instead of wires, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.10. Bluetooth has the potential to replace many wired connections, reduce cable clutter, and make portable computing more user friendly.
The iMac legacy: A focus on essentials, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.06. By sticking to what users really needed and avoiding a shopping list of things people would like, Apple created one of the most popular computers in history.
The X-keys Desktop programmable input device, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 05.06. Looking for a programmable input device that's easy to configure and use? The X-keys Desktop may be for you.
One size does not fit all: Mac solutions for the entry level, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.05. "Apple's greatest potential isn't to switch people from Windows but to get Windows users to add a Mac next time they buy a new computer."
The distinctive smell of a new Mac, Jeff Adkins, The Lite Side, 05.04. "It is a little bit of plastic bag with a hint of lindenberry followed by a rush of Styrofoam."
2 GB RAM in an eMac, iBook repair issue, Pismo and WallStreet questions, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.03. Also password protection, file security, and OS X; using a StyleWriter under OS X, and a corrupt software download.
How to beat iTunes copy restricions legally, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.03. Want to avoid the ten copies per playlist or five authorized computer limits of iTunes 4.5? Avoid the iTunes Music Store.