Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
TiCase, TiCase Plus, and an Upgrade, too
The ultimate in style, elegance, performance, and protection.
The
TiCase is ideal for the sophisticated traveler.
These cases may look sleek and satin-smooth, but they're also tough
and durable, with brushed aluminum shell, combination lock and an
interior which combines elegance with ease.
The sumptuous TiCase has been updated for the latest revision of
the PowerBook G4. The new interior design supports either the new
square power adapter or the original round model and also includes
space for Apple's iPod.
The good looks of the case got an appearance in the hands of
James Bond jumping from a balcony in The World Is Not
Enough.
TiCase includes 2 inches of closed cell Styrofoam provide the
necessary protection.
Matching cutouts cover the power supply, power cable and
accessories to protect the TiBook from accidental scratches. The
total combined weight of TiCase, Titanium PowerBook, power supply,
and power cable is less than 11.5 lbs.
Whether in a taxi, train or plane, your data is just a lid
away.
Lift off the lid, press gently on the rear corners of the TiBook
and your favorite laptop lifts into working position.
The "LiftoMatic" telescopic feet raise the rear of the TiBook so
that the natural decline of your knees is properly balanced and the
TiBook comes to a level rest in desk height.
As a side effect LiftoMatic makes room for ample air circulation
under the TiBook.
You can easily flip down the lid covering the ports.
TiCase sells for $399.
TiCase Plus
If TiCase is not enough, there is also the
TiCase Plus. The successful original TiCase model
was used as the basis for the new design.
Developers faced the following requests from various fractions
of the installed base:
- Usable space was to be increased without compromising the sleek
shape and the outstanding protectiveness.
- A shoulder strap was requested for added carrying comfort,
particularly when walking for longer distances.
- The design needs to be variable enough to offer the original
low-bulk solution, too.
- Existing TiCases must be upgradeable.
TiCase Plus was extended by a removable black side bag. The
sidebag offers three inside pockets, pen holders and an external
zippered pocket.
The inside pockets offer enough space 
to hold
an external drive and several CDs. The VST ultraportable CD-RW
FireWire drive fits very nicely into the largest of the inside
pockets.
The side bag is fastened on the TiCase body with four buttons
and is removed in a snap. This leaves you with light gear: the
original TiCase and a shoulder strap.
The side bag is also a useful standalone - just Velcro the
buttons to the sides and use it as a light briefcase whenever you
leave your TiBook at home.
The new shoulder strap is ergonomically formed, very wide and
soft and has a special anti-slip surface. As it is fastened to the
lid you will find that weight is evenly distributed even when the
side bag is loaded.
TiCase Plus sells for $ 539.
TiCase Plus Upgrade
Upgrading TiCase to TiCase Plus could not be easier
- no tools required. The upgrade consists of a new lid, the side
bag and the shoulder strap. A new separator for the inside of the
TiCase is included. This new thin and hard separator replaces the
original part which separates the TiBook from accessories inside
the case.
Putting a TiCase and the Upgrade together offers you a choice of
two cases: Use the more versatile TiCase Plus or revert to the
sleek and elegant TiCase as the situation requires.
TiCase Plus Upgrade (TiCase to TiCase Plus) sells for $ 297.
FireWire Depot Introduces ZiPang 2.5"
Enclosure
FireWire Depot
introduces the newest in its line of stylish, functional, and super
cool 2.5" enclosures: the
ZiPang.
The ZiPang 2.5 external 
IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and
USB 2.0 combo case is one of the newest products on the market. Its
body is chromium plated for a smooth finish and a slick look. It is
fastened by two silicon rubber belts.
ZiPang utilizes a unique fastening system that allows you to
clip a FireWire output cable around the body of the case to help
eliminate unsightly tangle of cables.
ZiPang is designed for especially mobile computer users. The
drives are able to transport large files, archive important data,
back up files from your laptop's hard disk, and share files. Now
you can carry your important data anytime and anywhere.
World's Smallest AC Adapter for PowerBook G4,
iBook 2001
The world's smallest PowerBook AC Adapter redesigned 
for the Titanium PowerBook G4 and iBook 2001 (white
iBook). This model comes with
MadsonLine's space-saving L-shape plug.
- Credit card size: 1.75" x 3.5" x 0.92"
- Weight: 5 oz (w/o AC cord)
- Heavy Duty 20 wire gauge DC cord.
- Input: 100-240V AC.
- 30" (76 cm) AC cord included
- Outputs: 24V at 45 Watts continuous.
Price: $86.95 at
Dev Depot.
Willow iBook Whumph! Two Slipcase
The new
iBook Whumph! Two Slipcase offers a lightweight, compact,
yet flexible solution for carrying your iBook, power supply and
cord and some accessories. The stylish design 
offers excellent protection for your
iBook whether you want to carry the slipcase on its own, in a pack
or tucked into a briefcase.
"Whumph!" is the satisfying sound of being able to jam your
slipcase into your pack with just millimeters to spare, knowing the
iBook is still protected.
iBook Whumph! Two Features:
- excellent protection for your iBook afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5")
soft "gushy" foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on the top and
bottom plus all sides.
- a clean, very lightweight and compact size.
- convenient end access for those who wanting to stuff the
slipcase into and remove the iBook from top loading backpacks.
- nylon web handle, quadruple reinforced with rivets, to insure
the safety of your laptop.
- great carrying comfort insured by a removable foam padded wrap
handle.
- contoured, padded shoulder strap with a special sticky bottom
to keep it on your shoulder.
- convenient rubber luggage feet riveted through a high density
polyethylene bottom piece to keep the Whumph! off the ground.
- outer front organizer panel with pockets for business cards,
pens, elasticized pocket for the Apple power supply plus room for
the power cord and an ethernet cable.
- flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines
or newspapers.
- lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or
craftsmanship.
Price: $98 Cdn/$66 U.S.
Actiontec Announces First Wireless-Ready
Router Able to Upgrade USB Modems for Home Networking
Actiontec
Electronics has announced the Actiontec
Dual Mode Wireless-Ready Cable/DSL Router, the first
networking solution for a home or small office that permits users
to share Internet access through a USB modem. The product works
with the Actiontec USB Home DSL Modem - which holds a 20% market
share in the US - as well as with ethernet Cable and DSL modems
from any manufacturer (hence the "Dual Mode" of the name).
The new router can be used to network two desktop or laptop
computers over a wired connection and a third through the unit's
USB LAN port. Up to 32 additional computers can be networked
wirelessly with the addition of an 802.11b-compliant PC Card.
Networked computers can share files, printers and other
peripherals, and multiplayer games as well as a single Internet
connection, with wired surfing speeds of up to 100 Mbps and
wireless access of up to 11 Mbps.
The router's ability to upgrade a USB modem for networking is an
industry first, achieved by special engineering that has conquered
technical problems such as loading drivers on a USB device.
Previously, networking with a USB modem was not possible, forcing
users to purchase a non-USB device if they wished to connect
computers for shared Internet access.
Also new with this router is a first-of-its-kind installation
system that dramatically simplifies the networking process.
Actiontec's breakthrough installation system includes an automated
setup wizard, color-coded ports and cables, and onscreen pictorial
guides that offer a goof-proof means of establishing shared DSL or
Cable Internet access even for the least technical user.
The networking wizard, called Connection 1-2-3™, adds new
computers to the network with virtually no user intervention,
automatically verifying the network settings and TCP/IP readiness
of each new computer and correcting problems if necessary.
Other features of the Actiontec Dual Mode Wireless-Ready
Cable/DSL Router include:
- Two WAN ports to permit Internet connection sharing
- a USB WAN port for use with the Actiontec USB Home DSL Modem,
and an Ethernet WAN port for use with an Ethernet Cable or DSL
modem from any vendor.
- Three LAN ports: a USB LAN port, an Ethernet LAN port, and
wireless.
- Actiontec's exclusive dual PC Card slot configuration, with one
"wireless-ready" slot for an 802.11b-compliant card to activate
wireless networking and a second slot for future cards permitting
applications such as wireless printer sharing and Internet-based
voice phone calls via VoIP.
- A built-in firewall for network security.
- Advanced 64- and 128-bit wireless security encryption.
- Advanced Web site and Web service blocking to prevent access to
undesirable content, plus power filters that can audit and report
detailed log files of Web browsing activities.
The Actiontec Dual Mode Wireless-Ready Cable/DSL Router carries
an MSRP of $99.99 and will be available in July from mass market
retailers and from the Actiontec online store. Each package will
include a router, an AC power adapter, an Ethernet cable, a USB
cable, Quick Start Guides and the Actiontec Installation Buddy, and
Connection 1-2-3. The product is compatible with Windows 98 or
higher for a PC and System 7.1 or higher for a Macintosh.
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.
- iBook 500, 128 /15 GB/CD-ROM,
factory refurb with one year warranty, includes Ogio Jack Pack
Messenger Bag in graphite, $879
- iBook 600, 128/15 GB/DVD,
refurbished, $1,099
Note: Website is not iCab friendly.
- iBook 600, 128/15
GB/DVD/12.1", Apple refurbished, $1,089
- iBook 600, 128/20
GB/Combo/12.1", Apple refurbished, $1,199.99
