Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2002.02.01
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
MacResQ Offers New PowerBook Repair
Service
MacResQ has announced the launch of a unique new repair
service for Macintosh PowerBook computers. The service, known as
PowerBookResQ, will provide PowerBook users throughout the
United States with a new source for service parts and labor.
MacResQ has repaired and refurbished over 10,000 PowerBooks for
resale and for their customers over the years.
PowerBookResQ addresses the difficulty that most users face when
they encounter a technical problem with their PowerBook. Users of
older PowerBooks face a tough challenge trying to find a local
source for older parts and service. If a local repair center is
available, costs are usually high and turnaround time is
unacceptable for users who rely on their PowerBooks on a daily
basis. Users of newer, but out-of-warranty, PowerBooks often have
no choice but to send their systems back to the manufacturer for an
expensive repair due to parts limitations and service policies.
"PowerBookResQ is the only service of its kind for
out-of-warranty PowerBooks," said Shannon Jean, President of
MacResQ. "From the minute the customer visits our web site or calls
866-Mac-Repair, our team of technicians and logistics personnel are
focused on getting the repaired PowerBook back to the end
user."
The PowerBookResQ program solves these problems by offering
fast, safe, and reasonably priced repairs for PowerBook owners.
Customers start by visiting PowerBookResQ.com or calling the
toll-free number, 1-866-Mac-Repair. After just a few questions,
MacResQ dispatches a custom-designed "PowerBox", built to insure
safe transit for all PowerBooks, via overnight courier to the
customer. Upon receipt of the empty PowerBox, the customer simply
slides their PowerBook into the container and attaches a preprinted
shipping label. A quick, toll-free phone call brings a courier to
the customer's location for overnight shipping back to MacResQ. A
MacResQ technician conducts a thorough diagnosis and contacts the
customer with a detailed repair estimate. The repair is usually
completed within one business day and the PowerBook is returned to
its owner via overnight service.
The cost of the PowerBookResQ program is just $99.00. This
includes the 3-way overnight shipping, the initial diagnostic
service, and the PowerBox, which the customer may keep for future
use.
"We designed the PowerBookResQ program based on feedback from
our customers," said Jean. "Our Technicians have repaired and
refurbished more than 10,000 PowerBooks in the past decade and we
are very excited about bringing this service to customers
throughout the country."
For computer resellers and repair centers, PowerBookResQ offers
discounted rates on products and services. Computer dealers can
send overflow service work or seamlessly outsource their entire
PowerBook repair operation.
T7Hub Silver USB Hub for Power Users from Dr.
Bott
Dr. Bott's new
T7Hub Silver will typically be used when the
built-in USB ports are hopelessly outnumbered by 
the many USB peripherals you own. If you routinely use
four or more USB devices, T7Hub will undoubtedly be at the
epicenter of your USB activities.
T7Hub extends a native USB port to accommodate up to 7 USB
devices or further USB hubs. The necessary USB A-B cable for
creating the uplink is included in the package.
Anybody with a number of power-hungry USB devices will
appreciate the T7Hub's ability to drive 7 such devices (with 0.5 A
each, the maximum current permitted for an individual USB device).
This is because T7Hub, unlike other products on the market, comes
with a 3.5 A power supply. Aside offering enough power for the most
demanding applications it is also one of the smallest power
supplies in its category.
Power users will also appreciate the reliability T7Hub offers.
T7Hub transforms fickle performance from a bus-powered port on a
keyboard into reliable duty cycles that last as long as your work
requires.
Features
- 7-Port USB-Hub
- Silver, matches G4, Cube, and TiBook
- Compact external power supply
- Serves up to 7 USB devices with high power requirements (7 x
0,5 A)
- Indicates bus and self-powered modes (use with/without power
supply)
- Automatic shutdown when overloaded
- Works equally well for Macs and PCs
- T7Hub can be installed without turning your computer off.
- T7Hub is compatible with all USB devices.
- T7Hub is platform-independent, Mac OS (both 9 and X flavors),
Win98/ME, Win2k/XP and Linux are all supported.
- T7Hub's built-in overcurrent protection will power down
individual ports with defective devices drawing too much current,
leaving other ports fully operational.
- T7Hub is a piece of art: it fits the G4 Quicksilver, PowerBook
G4 Titanium and G4 Cube very nicely and also looks good beside most
other computers, too!
Technical Features:
- Compatible with USB 1.1 specs
- Plug-and-Play compatible
- Bus error recognition and correction
- 12 and 1.5 Mbps transfer rate available on all 3
connectors.
- Operation is possible with and without power supply. LEDs
signal bus-powered or self-powered modes.
- Deactivation of individual ports
- Overcurrent protection with limits between 500 mA (min.) / 750
mA (typ.) / 1250 mA (max.), overcurrent shutdown is indicated by
LEDs
- Automatic shutdown in case of overload or overheating.
- "Soft Start" - slow activation to circumvent too high currents
when activating capacitive loads.
- 7 USB Type A Ports for USB-devices, active devices indicated
via LED.
T7Hub Silver sells for $59.
MCE Battery Charger for iBook Coming This
Month
The
MCE Battery Charger for the 12" dual-USB iBook provides a
convenient means to simultaneously charge two Apple iBook Li-Ion
batteries quickly and easily. Two and a half hours is all it takes
to have two fully charged batteries ready for use at any time.
Helpful indicators provide instant user feedback on the
completion of the charge process as well as on the detection of a
battery error. Built-in smart circuitry ensures that each battery
is completely and safely recharged every time, providing users with
the maximum usage time between recharging and also establishing
reliable long-term battery life.
Since the MCE Battery Charger for the dual-USB iBook has a
lightweight and compact design, it's easy to take along in a
carrying case to provide quick battery charging wherever you
go.
The sleek design of the MCE Battery Charger superbly matches the
attractive styling of the dual-USB iBook, making it a perfect
companion for the computer you've come to value immensely.
Available mid-February 2002.
Dr. Bott iPod Connection Kit II with Tape
Adapter
Dr. Bott's
iPod Connection Kit II with Cassette Adapter
includes everything you might need to bring your music anywhere you
might want it. iPod Connection Kit provides most every option for
connecting to iPod's 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack to automobile
stereo systems, home stereo systems, mic input of computers and
other devices, boom boxes, and tape players.
Dr. Bott's iPod Connection Kit II includes:
- Auto Charger for iPod
- Cassette Tape Adapter
- Mini Stereo Extension Cable (male/female)
- Mini Stereo to RCA Cable
- Mini Stereo Connection Cable (male/male)
- iPod Carry Pouch
Dr. Bott's iPod Connection Kit II w/ Tape Adapter sells for
$47.95
BIAS PowerBook Bundles
BIAS delivers
bundles for your PowerBook with the Digigram VX Pocket PCMCIA card.
Put studio power together with laptop flexibility for field and
live performance recordings.
The VX Pocket PCMCIA card gives you two 24-bit analog
converters, S/PDIF stereo in/out SMPTE in, and supports sample
rates from 8 to 48 kHz.
With these software bundles, you'll have a completely mobile
audio workstation!
BIAS offers a full spectrum of PowerBook solutions, listed
below:
- Peak LE PowerBook Edition: Includes Digigram VXpocket, Peak LE,
and Roxio Toast Lite
- Deck LE PowerBook Edition: Includes Digigram VXpocket, and Deck
LE
- Peak VST PowerBook Edition: Includes Digigram VXpocket, Peak
VST , and Roxio Toast Lite
- Deck PowerBook Edition: Includes Digigram VXpocket, Peak LE,
Deck, and Roxio Toast Lite
- BIAS Studio LE PowerBook Edition: Includes Digigram VXpocket,
Peak LE, Deck LE, and Roxio Toast Lite
- BIAS Studio PowerBook Edition: Includes Digigram VXpocket, Peak
VST, Deck, and Roxio Toast Lite
BIAS PowerBook Bundle Features
- The VXpocket is full duplex, offering simultaneous and
independent record and playback capabilities.
- Sampling rates supported are 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32,
44.1, and 48 KHz.
- PCM encoding/decoding rates are 8, 16, or 24 bits.
- The VXpocket can run applications that comply with Microsoft's
WAVE protocol.
- Digigram's Sound Manager driver for Mac OS makes the
flexibility and features of these cards available to Apple
Macintosh PowerBook users. An ASIO driver is also available.
BIAS PowerBook bundles come in a number of configurations.
Please consult the system requirements for the particular software
package you are interested in.
New Special Pricing On BIAS PowerBook bundles - Save hundreds of
dollars on BIAS Software bundled with the Digigram VX Pocket PCMCIA
Audio Card - As low as $599.
iParrot Noise Canceling PlainTalk Microphone
Headset for $9.95
Macsense has teamed up with voice recognition leader, VXI, to
provide a headset at a great price. It's available for $9.95
from Micro Center.
Users can connect the iParrot ST to a home computer to perform
various multimedia applications, 
such
as online chatting, Internet gaming, or listening to music CDs.
With ViaVoice or iListen dictation software, you can draft email
messages or compose large documents without touching the keyboard.
This headset also offers stereo sound with speakers covering both
ears, and separate volume controls for each ear. This makes the
iParrot ST an ideal solution for dealing with noisy
environments.
Product Features
- Additional Cable Required: No
- Built-in Volume Control: Yes
- Built-in Mute: Yes
Mic: Apple special 3.5 mm plug which is fully compatible with
the PlainTalk audio port used on recent Macintosh models
Speaker: 3.5 mm stereo plug wired with right on ring, left on
tip and ground on sleeve
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.
These prices seem too good to be true, and maybe they are.
Apparently there's not much stock. Good luck!
