Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2002.05.24
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
The New iBooks
The big news in the Mac portable orbit this week was Apple's
release on Monday of updated
iBooks with faster PowerPC G3 processors running at up to 700
MHz with twice the amount of on-chip level 2 cache as the previous
models, a more powerful ATI Mobility Radeon graphics processor with
more video RAM, and larger hard drives.
"The iBook is our best selling consumer and education notebook
ever," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior director of Hardware
Product Marketing. "Now iBooks are even better for creating,
organizing and sharing digital photos, movies and music on the
go."
On the other hand, many were disappointed that Apple didn't opt
for the available 800 MHz, 900 MHz, or 1 GHz versions of IBM's
Sahara 750FX G3 processor, and that the Radeon video card has
"only" 16 MB of video RAM, when the Quartz Extreme graphics
subsystem of OS X Jaguar, to be released in about three
months' time, is optimized for 32 MB of VRAMs.
Nevertheless, Apple says that the new iBook runs up to 35
percent faster than previous models in CPU performance tests, which
isn't exactly chopped liver, and the price points for the various
models were held. The new iBooks feature a new video-out port that
supports VGA output, as well as S-video and composite video with
optional adapter.
iBook features:
- a 12.1" (diagonal) or 14.1" (diagonal) active-matrix
1024-by-768 resolution display
- 128 MB or 256 MB SDRAM, with expansion up to 640 MB
- a new ATI Mobility Radeon graphics controller with 16 MB RAM
and AGP 2x
- 20 GB or 30 GB Ultra ATA hard drives and a new 40 GB
option
- a choice of DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive or CD-ROM drive
- a built-in 56K V.90 modem and 10/100Base-T ethernet
- USB and FireWire ports
- AirPort-ready with integrated antennas and card slot for
wireless Internet access*
- a built-in microphone and stereo speakers
- a collection of productivity and entertainment titles
- a small, lightweight power adapter
- free 30-day Internet access with earthling
- Mac OS X version 10.1.4 and Mac OS 9.2.2.
Available iBook configurations and prices:
- 600 MHz, 12.1", 128/20 GB/CD-ROM, $1,199
- 700 MHz, 12.1", 128/20 GB/Combo, $1,499
- 700 MHz, 14.1", 256/30 GB/CD-ROM, $1,649
- 700 MHz, 14.1", 256/30 GB/Combo, $1,799
IBM TravelStar 20 GB 2.5" Hard Drives,
$119.99
MacResQ is offering IBM TravelStar 20 GB, 2.5" 4200 RPM
Hard Drives for $119.99. The IBM Travelstar 40GN design combines
IBM giant magnetoresistive (GMR) head technology, Partial Response
Maximum Likelihood (PRML) digital channel, a head load/unload
feature, and Enhanced Adaptive Battery Life Extender (ABLE)
3.0.
- Product: 20 GB, 2.5" IBM Travelstar 40GN IDE PowerBook Hard
Drive
- Avg seek time 12.0 ms
- Platform: Mac
- Condition: New, Factory Sealed
- Warranty: Mfg's 3-yr warranty
- Return Policy: 15% Restock Fee
- Price: $119.99
Archos
Cesar 8x8x24x Ultra Portable CD-RW
Unique, circular, and slightly larger than a CD with a diameter
of only 5.3" or 135mm,
the Archos Cesar CDRW/MPM 
is the
smallest portable 8x8x24x CD-RW drive on the market today.
It is powered directly by any notebook or desktop computer,
either PC or Mac, depending on the system. There is no need to use
an AC adapter due to Archos' patented Micro Power Management
(MPM).
Compact and easily portable, this dynamic little CD-RW drive is
available with a choice of swappable interfaces including USB 2.0 -
FireWire & PC Card coming soon). It is hot swappable (no need
to reboot your computer) and simple to use with virtually any
computer: PC or Mac, notebook or desktop.
Mastering software for the Mac or PC is included with the Cesar
CDRW/MPM that allows you to write, update, and rewrite at speeds of
8x for CD-R and CD-RW. This is the perfect, easy-to-use, hand-size,
mobile solution for making CDs quickly when you're busy and on the
move.
Technical Specifications
- Drive Type: CD-RW drive 8x8x24x (Write/Rewrite/Read)
- SuperLink Buffer under-run protection.
- Internal Buffer: 2 MB
- Data Transfer Rate: Up to 480 Mbps with USB 2.0 max.
- Read/Write Speed
- USB 2 and FireWire: 8x write and rewrite, 24x read
- PC Card: 8x write and rewrite, 12x read (PCMCIA PC Card)
- USB 1.1: 4x write and rewrite, 6x read
- Swappable Interfaces: USB 2.0 (PC), PC card (PC), FireWire (PC
or Mac), or USB 1.1 (PC & Mac) cable.
- Media Supported: CD-Audio, CD-EXTRA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM-XA, CD-I,
Video CD, Photo CD, and CD Text.
- Power: Archos patented Micro Power Management. No need for an
AC Adapter - powered by computer. Includes Lithium Ion rechargeable
batteries for greater autonomy.
- Dimensions: Average diameter 135 mm (5.3''), thickness 22 mm
(0.9'')
- Weight: 400g (14.5 oz.)
- System Requirements:
- USB interface: Win 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP; Mac OS 8.6 &
9.x.
- FireWire (IEEE1394) interface: Win 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP; Mac OS
9.x.
FireWire Depot Manufacturers' Clearance
Sale
FireWire Depot has
announced a manufacturers clearance sale on a select group of 2.5",
3.5" and 5.25" enclosures.
Included are:
- The
ME-910 2.5" enclosure which will accept either 9.5
or 12.5 mm drives. Available with either FireWire ($75.00), USB 1.1
($40.00) or USB 2 ($55.00) interface.
- The
TT-320 5.25" enclosure with removable front panel.
Available with either FireWire ($99.99) or USB 2 ($89.99)
interface.
- The
TT-35U 3.5" USB ($89.99) enclosure.
PowerBook Zone Accessories Sale
The PowerBook
Zone is moving office over the next week and suspending sales
of their PowerBook accessories for a bit. They have a few 3.5"
FireWire enclosures, 2.5" FireWire enclosures, and iAdaptor2 $65
adapters for any G4 PowerBook or Dual USB iBook. To clear these
out, they are offering free UPS ground shipping, effectively
cutting $5 off the price of all the items. They also have one more
"black" MadsonLine adapter.
Reductions of up to $160 on WiebeTech MicroGB
Pocket Drive Pricing
WiebeTech has
announced reductions in pricing on MicroGB. MicroGB is a high
performance FireWire/USB 1/USB 2 pocket drive featuring a
distinctive, rugged, solid aluminum case. Revised pricing has been
reduced by as much as $160 and is as follows:
- 0 GB, MGB-0 $159.95 unchanged, ships from stock
- 20 GB, MGB-20 was $259.95; now $217.95, ships from stock
- 30 GB, MGB-30 was $339.95; now $299.95, ships from stock
- 40 GB, MGB-40 was $399.95; now $329.95, ships from stock
- 48 GB, MGB-48 was $599.95; now $439.95, ships from stock
(Basic product includes: enclosure; USB 2 cable, and FireWire
cable. A 12V adapter is optional and is required only for USB
use.)
In the US and Canada, MicroGB may be purchased from dealers.
MicroGB is also available directly from WiebeTech.
FireWire HotSwap Storage System
When you run out of space,
theDVvideo.com FireWire HotSwap Enclosure allows you to to
simply swap in another standard IDE hard drive in a matter of
seconds. The HotSwap enclosure connects to your computer using
FireWire.
With the HotSwap system you don't have to sacrifice performance
for convenience. Use one drive to carry a video project. When the
drive fills up, simply buy another tray (for $29) and swap in
another drive for another project. Incorporating the second
generation Oxford 911 chipset, these enclosures don't slack when it
comes to performance. The HotSwap enclosure achieves a blazing fast
35 MB/s transfer rate in real world tests, because it uses some of
the same technology found in the DVvideo.com Premium Hard Drive
Enclosure. Never before has this much speed been combined with this
much convenience at a price that is affordable.
Set up is easy: plug the enclosure into your computer, pop in
almost any IDE hard drive into the tray, slide the tray into the
enclosure, and turn the key. A neon indicator ensures that the
drive is installed properly. That's it. These enclosures
autoconfigure the drive, so there is no need to mess around with
the jumper settings. It doesn't get any easier than this.
Quick Features
- Swap hard drives in and out effortlessly.
- Auto configuring firmware allows you to install any hard drive
effortlessly
- Easy Plug and Play Use With both Mac and PC
- The first to support OS X 10.1
- Our special firmware provides increased computability with more
drive mechanisms, including the WD100, and the Maxtor160
- 2nd generation Oxford 911 FireWire Chips allow fast 35 Mb/s
transfer rates
- 30 day Money Back Guarantee
- Extra heavy duty power supply built in
- Dual 6 pin powered IEEE1394/FireWire/iLink ports in rear
- Sturdy metal case shelled in ABS plastic
- Triple Fan system keeps the drive extra cool
- Internal Teflon IDE/ATA cabling
- Platform: Mac OS 9, Mac OS X 10.1, Win 98SE, Win 2000, Win XP,
Win 2000 Server
- Requirements: OHCI compliant IEEE 1394 bus card, IDE/ATA Hard
disk drive
- Warranty: One year parts and labor.
- DV video Hard Drive Enclosure: $225
STM Laptop Bags
STM is an
Australian company devoted to designing laptop luggage that is
comfortable, highly protective 
and
streetwise. They claim to have broken traditional boundaries by
providing an alternative form of transport for laptops - addressing
the need for three key components: comfort, protection of the
laptop, and disguise against theft.
STM's range of laptop luggage incorporates all these
characteristics missing from standard laptop bags. Their bags fit
both the TiBook and the iBook.
Features:
- laptop friendly: using the best quality materials and
accessories, as well as high density padding for physical
protection
- STM luggage is designed to protect the wearer by providing
comfort, style and functionality
- STM bags are multipurpose: as well as protecting the laptop,
they can be used to carry vinyl, most game consoles and other
technical equipment
STM products are luggage for the global digerati. If you live,
work or play in this generation, that includes you.
The Parachute series combines cutting edge design with comfort
and versatility. Parachute bags are equally comfortable in the
business world, the lecture hall and in the streets.
All bags in the Parachute range are made from 420D dobby nylon
with PU coating (for strength and water resistance), YKK zippers,
and Duraflex buckles and clips.
STM warrants to the original purchaser that our products are
free from defect in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of
the product.
You can buy STM bags from retailers in Australia, New Zealand,
Singapore, the USA, and Europe.
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.
Some low end and really low-end 'Books this week.
- PowerBook G3/233 w/cache,
128/2 GB/CD/56K), 14.1", $488
- PowerBook 1400c/133,
40/1 GB/CD/floppy/11.3", $248
- PowerBook 1400c/133,
40/1 GB/CD)/11.3", $228
- PowerBook 1400c/133,
40/1 GB/floppy/11.3", $203
- PowerBook 5300c/100, 24/750
MB/floppy, $135
- PowerBook 540c, 12/320 MB/9.5"
active matrix/floppy/bad battery, $94
The Power Max iBook iXtravaganza continues on a selection of
factory refurbished by Apple models. 256 MB of RAM free with
selected models.
On any order of ten or more units, you get one more of the same
or lesser value free.
- iBook 500, 64/10 GB/CD,
$939
- iBook 500, 128/15 GB/CD,
$999
- iBook 500, 128/10 GB/DVD,
$1,099
- iBook 600, 128/15 GB/DVD,
$1,169
- iBook 600, 128/20 GB/Combo
Drive, $1,349
- iBook 500, 128/15 GB/CDROM
refurbished, $949
- iBook 600, 128/15gb/DVD
refurbished, $1,099
- PowerBook G4/667, 512/30
GB/DVD/AirPort, refurbished, $2,199
- PowerBook G4/667, 256/30
GB/DVD/AirPort, includes a Ogio Jack Pack Messenger Bag (Graphite),
refurbished, $2,199
- iBook 300, 64/3.2 GB/CD,
Blueberry, Apple Refurbished, $799.97
- iBook 500, 128/10
GB/CD-RW/12.1", Apple Refurbished, $999.99
