Except as noted, prices are in US dollars, bold links are to
outside sites, and regular links lead to 'Book profiles on Low End
Mac.
iBook 2001 Audio Patch 1.0 Fixes Audio Drop
Problem
This simple audio patch for the iBook 2001 (dual USB) is designed
to correct an audio problem with this new consumer portable. The
problem is this: iBook 2001 seems to turn off some audio component
after 30 seconds of silence and will cut off short audio samples (and
delay longer ones) when audio is played after a long silence. This free
patch from Intelligent
Devices will play a low data rate buffer of audio silence every
15 seconds to prevent the audio hardware from turning off. This seems
to resolve the problem.
From the Read Me:
- The iBook 2001 seems to turn off some audio component after 30
seconds of silence and will cut off short audio samples (and delay
longer ones) when audio is played after a long silence. This patch will
play a low data rate buffer of audio silence every 15 seconds to
prevent the audio hardware from turning off. This seems to resolve the
problem. The patch will use up some CPU cycles (and will probably
shorten battery life a little) in trade for the audio playback fix
until Apple releases an official patch.
Apple Canada Authorizes Apple Specialist Resellers
to Perform Some PowerBook and iBook Repairs
If you are a 'Book user living in Canada, you may not be obliged to
send your machine to Texas for warranty attention or repair any
longer.
Peter Gnemmi, President of Atlantis Kobetek Inc. in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, the largest Apple reseller in the four Canadian Atlantic
provinces, tells me that:
"As an Apple Specialist, Atlantis can now do all warranty work on G4
Titaniums (or is that 'Titania'?) and the new iBooks. This was a change
in Apple Canada policy that happened a couple of weeks ago. Even though
we would still have to wait for a replacement part to ship from Apple,
turnaround time should be better for the end user than waiting for a
shipping box to arrive, sending it off, getting it fixed, then waiting
for it to get back to Nova Scotia. Additionally, customer's data
doesn't leave the province. An iBook or Titanium hasn't come in for
warranty work since this announcement so we have yet to be able to test
parts availability."
"This is a program specific to Canada. Contrary to popular belief,
Apple Canada makes some good decisions, too," says Peter.
This doesn't mean that just any Apple reseller can work on your
'Book, however. Peter explains that it is only for resellers who
participate in the Apple Specialist Field Installable Parts Program,
and that restrictions are pretty stringent (e.g. minimum amount of
sales of Apple product, percentage of total sales of Apple product,
percentage of pro products vs. consumer products, etc.)
You can find Atlantis Kobetek Inc. at: 1496 Lower Water Street,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 1R9, Canada (902) 422-6556, Fax (902)
423-9339
Willow Design Adds iBook & Accessory Case
Willow Design has
added the iBook 'Extra Carry Case to its Apple line. The case snugly
fits the iBook with an extra separated compartment for the power supply
& cord plus accessories such as a CD-RW and Zip drive.
This brings the total number of Willow cases specifically designed
for Apple computers to fourteen, covering the range from lightweight
slipcases for the Titanium to heavily reinforced cases for the G4 Tower
and 15" flat panel display.
The iBook 'Extra measures only 13.5 x 15.5 x 3.7 inches with a
weight of only 2.9 lbs. but it offers great protection for the iBook
with high density foam on six sides, plastic reinforcements on three
sides and hardboard on the bottom of the case.
The case features Willow's new bicycle courier, molded rubber handle
reinforced which is quadruple riveted through high density polyethylene
for extra strength.
Shoulder carrying comfort is ensured by the thickly padded contoured
shoulder carry strap. Luggage feet riveted through the bottom hardboard
keep the case up and off the ground when you set it down.
Features:
- excellent protection for your iBook afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5") foam
reinforced by corrugated plastic on the back, high density polyethylene
reinforcement on the handle side and 4 mm (1/8") hardboard on the
bottom.
- clean, lightweight and flexible design.
- adjustable front - back divider to protect your iBook from
accessories inside the case.
- second smaller adjustable divider to allow more secure placement of
accessories.
- great comfort insured by an heavy duty Mountain Bike grip
reinforced by quadruple riveting to the case for extra protection.
- a wide, thick foam padded, contoured, shoulder strap.
- briefcase handle double rivet reinforced through the wrap handle to
insure the safety of your laptop.
- outer front organizer panel with pockets business cards, pens,
elasticized pocket for the Apple power supply plus room for the power
cord and an ethernet cable.
- outside flat, outer pocket for airline tickets, thin paperwork,
etc.
- flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines or
newspapers.
- a velcroed elastic strap to lock down Titanium G4 PowerBook and 1.2
cm ( 0.5") of paperwork for further protection.
- handy mesh pocket in the lid for safe and convenient storage of
cables or other thin items.
- luggage feet riveted through the hardboard bottom of the case which
actually keep it up and off the ground when you want to set the case
down whilst entering and leaving your vehicle.
- lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or
craftsmanship.
Available Colours: Black; Charcoal; Navy; Teal; Purple; Royal;
Mauve
As with all Willow cases, the iBook 'Extra is covered by Willow's
100% satisfaction guarantee and lifetime guarantee against defects in
materials and craftsmanship. Price: $125.00 Cdn./$ 84.00 U.S.
Grip~it Strips
Grip~it Strips are a
set of Hi-Tek slip resistant textured strips with self adhesive backing
that attach to the top and bottom of your Laptop Computer to give you a
ten times better grip.
They provide protection from that unexpected slip out of your hands
or off your lap onto the floor which could cost you hundreds in repair
costs and the loss of use of your portable.
Insurance studies show that over 2,000 laptops per day were damaged
from handling accidents last year, and the average repair cost was over
$1,100 per unit.
For $8.95, Grip~it Strips provides protection against dropping the
most expensive item you probably carry around, your laptop.
Grip~it Strips can easily be cut to adapt to any surface geometries
or openings. They are removable and will not mar your machine.
Reportedly, Grip~it Strips are also a foil against the paint wearing
off the palm rests of the Titanium PowerBook .
TiBook Touch Up Kit
And if you didn't get the Grip~it Strips soon enough, hotch of
hotch.org plans on on
shipping TiBook touch up kits toward the end of August. Send an email
to hotch@hotch.org and he will contact you with information on billing
and also get your shipping information at that time. Thanks!
The kits will cost $7.50 for one color, or $12.00 for both colors.
They will include enough paint to cover 15-20 major scratches, two
applicators per color, and a small piece of 2500-grit sandpaper. I will
ship the kits via priority mail-- this will cost $4 in the US, $12 to
Europe, Mexico, and Canada, $18 to the rest of the world. There will be
a $5 handling charge.
Racer-X TiBook Case and SleeveCase
When you just need your G4 TiBook and a few accessories, throw the
Racer-X on your shoulder and head out. This tough, compact case from
Waterfield
Design has a plush interior and a Mountain.Bike Grip protects
your Titanium from life's hard knocks.
Designed for the Apple Titanium Laptop: 13.5" x 9.5" x 1.1",
includes shoulder pad.
The sleek, minimalist SleeveCase keeps your laptop out of harms way
without taking up much valuable space. A plush layer of high grade
neoprene wrapped in a Ballistic shell surrounds and protects your
computer. The ultra smooth neoprene skin makes sliding your laptop in
and out a snap. And there's even enough room on the sides so you can
leave your PC cards in.
Available in Black Ballistic nylon with Lead Indium trim (as in
photo) or in all Black Leather for $45 extra.
D-rings, shoulder strap & pad (+$25)
- Small: 9" x 11 " x 1" (22.9 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm)
- Medium: 9.5" x 11.75" x 2" (24.1 x 29.8 x 5 cm)
- Large: 10.5" x 12.5" x 2" (26.8 x 31.7 x 5 cm)
- G4 Mercury: 13.5" x 9.5" x 1.1" (34.3 x 24 x 2.8 cm)
- iBook: 11.2" x 9.1"x 1.35" (28.5 x 23 x 3.4 cm)
- Extra Large: 11.5" x 13.25" x 2" (29 x 33.7 x 5 cm)
Boblbee Hardshell Laptop Backpacks
Boblbee is
"urban" backpack that features a monocoque hardshell, unique bellows
flex that allows expandability and accessibility, and a comfortable
lumbar support system. It also has a built in computer slot with
accessory pockets.
There are a plethora of Boblbee models, but three that may
particularly interest readers of this column are:
- Spitfire: monocoque hardshell, impact protection, lumbar
support system, bucketseat harness, external cargo system, seatbag,
waist belt, mobile phone pocket
- Wallstreet: monocoque hardshell, cargo straps, internal
cargo system, lid straps, sweat bag, mobile phone pocket
And for iBook users:
- Polar White: monocoque hardshell, cargo straps, internal
cargo system, lid straps, sweat bag, mobile phone pocket
Bargain 'Books
This Week's Best PowerBook Deals
- Used PowerBook
G3/292 WallStreet, 96 MB RAM, 2 GB HD, CD, 14.1", $1,026
- Used PowerBook G/3333
(Lombard), 64 MB/4 GB/CD/56K/14.1", $1,249
- Used PowerBook
G3/300 (WallStreet), 64 MB/8 GB/CD/56K/14.1", $1,298
- Used PowerBook G3/400
(Lombard), 64 MB/6 GB/DVD/56K/14.1", $1,435
