This Week's Apple and Desktop Mac News
PowerBook, iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review.
Digigraphica
The Fairly Complete Mac mini Switcher's
Hardware Guide
NEWS: AppleMatters Chris
Seibold says:
"It doesn't matter if you were wooed by the Mac Mini's cool
industrial design, the lack of commas on the Mini's price tag or if
you just got fed up with Windows based PCs you, like a plethora of
other folks, have decided to switch. Congratulations, I think
you'll be very happy.
"While the switching process can be as simple as hooking
everything up to your new Mac there can be a lot of complicating
factors to consider. Hence I've produced a handy guide for the
various flavors of switchers. Below you'll find recommended
products, their prices and places to find them. You can order
everything straight off the internet or you can walk into the brick
and mortar stores listed and ask for the item by number. No need to
confuse the guy getting paid eight bucks an hour at your local Best
Buy or CompUSA, just saunter in, request the item and leave with
the realization that everything will work flawlessly.
The "tepid" switcher:
- The tepid switcher just wants to get their toes wet. A quick
dip in the Aqua flavored waters of OS X if you will. You a tepid
switcher if you want to run your Mac Mini next to your XP box and
use the same peripherals.
The "can't hardly wait" switcher:
- If you're ready to jettison your old PC entirely without a
second thought but you want to still use the monitor, keyboard and
mouse you already have (which is a good idea because the Mac Mini
comes without any of those items) the process is much more
streamlined.
The "I threw my old set up out of the window I need new
everything" switcher:
- If you've jettisoned every scrap of computer related gadgetry
you own you're going to need quite a few things, fortunately we've
got you covered....
Switching to a Mac - Ain't Ever Going Back
NEWS: Coop's Corner's
Charles Cooper says:
"Twenty years after logging on for the first time, I'm logging
off - forever.
"No, I'm not retiring but I am finally through with that
soul-stomping repository of bad karma known as my PC. And after
chucking the machine down the dumpster, I won't ever look back
because, folks, I've switched to the Mac.
"Not too loud. Somebody might dig out one of my columns from
years gone by. Truth be told, I have on occasion dunned the Mac
faithful for being a tad irrational, if not overly exuberant, in
their glorification of Apple's technology. To be sure, as the Wall
Street Journal's Walt Mossberg so eloquently explains in his
Thursday column the Mac isn't for everybody.
"Speaking personally, I've had only good luck with the latest
Mac incarnation, the G5. No wonder the company's stock is soaring
to new highs. Hand it to Steve Jobs for making Apple relevant
again. Only a few years ago, few within the ranks of the digerati
would have made that bet."
Mac Mini Too Small - Dock It
NEWS: itbusiness.ca
reports:
"We reported last week how one enterprising Mac Mini owner had stuck it into a
standard ATX case to increase the storage capacity. Now Wordman's
'Asteroid' blog has mocked up a Mac Mini docking station so the
small, shiny brick can sit comfortably alongside the rest of the
kit in a home theater rack.
"The design shows a control-less, sleek, Apple-like, system into
which the Mac Mini can slide.
"Good idea we think, but comments on the blog have picked up on
potential cooling issues as well some connection problems with the
design as it stands.
"Still, we expect to see a commercial product along these lines
in the nearish future as there seems to be a growing demand for
products that actually increase the footprint of the Mini."
iDash: Mac mini for Your Car
NEWS:
gizmodo.com says:
"As much as we'd like to flatter ourselves by claiming to be the
first to notice the Mac mini's car stereo-sized form factor would
be a perfect fit, it was an idea that probably was obvious to
anyone who has installed a car stereo (or in our case, made
sandwiches while watching someone install it). And lots of people
are ready to stick one in their dash (or elsewhere), since its
relatively low power draw and small size would make a great car
computer. Classic Restorations have already installed a couple.
"But the missing element to turn the Mac mini into a proper car
PC is a proper front-end software, something I am excited to see
being taken up by the 'iDash'
project. They're just getting started, but are aiming for
an open-source, modular Applescript front-end that will allow
people to pop a Mac mini in their car, hook up a touchscreen, and
go. They've got a lot work to do - integrating external hardware,
developing software module standards, setting up Bluetooth cellular
voice and data connections, etc. - but it's got promise."
Obsession, the New Fragrance from
Apple
NEWS:
Computing Canada comments:
"Despite my line of work - if writing about technology can
actually be considered productive labour - I'm not a technophile.
Sure, the flashy gadgets occasionally distract me, but that's just
the short attention span talkin'. I've test-driven umpteen PDAs,
cellphones, laptops and peripherals, and only one or two have
really screamed 'BUY ME!'
"Thus, it's difficult to understand my positively visceral
reaction to Apple's two new gewgaws - the iPod Shuffle and the iMac
(sic) Mini. From the moment I laid eyes on their sexy jpegs, I have
had but one thought: I. Must. Have. Them.
"I am not of that breed of user who has that touching, if
somewhat odd, attachment to all things Mac. In fact, I'm in a bit
of a Mac snit at the moment, having just suffered an OS upgrade at
work - my new applications actually seem to perform slower than the
old versions; the applications that weren't updated are running
under an emulator, and have dropped some functionality and default
settings; anfd thekteyborasd is too sebsuitive for a clumsy typist
like me. But as I don't make much of an emotional investment in
technology, I'm sure I'll get used to it. As a friend of mine likes
to say, I'll be fine when the swelling goes down....
"Why, then, have I fallen so deeply, so passionately, for the
pixieish duo recently launched by Jobs & Co.?"
Square, Barely There Mac mini Opens
World to Windows Users
NEWS: The Chicago Tribune's
James Coates says:
"Even if the Mac mini were
as ugly as Bill Gates' kneecaps, it wouldn't really matter because
it is small enough to disappear behind a dictionary. But when I say
stripped down, this baby makes Gypsy Rose Lee look like a lady in a
snowmobile suit.
"If your gig is writing computer columns, then you pretty much
have to write about Apple's new US$499 Mac mini - the stripped-down
desktop Macintosh meant to compete with the ultralow prices at the
bottom of the Microsoft Windows-compatible food chain.
"First, please note that at 6-1/2 inches square and 2-1/2 inches
deep, you can get sandwiches at Subway bigger than this computer.
Note as well that the new addition to the Mac lineup is endowed
with Apple's famously clean lines and understated white-on-white
exterior....
"This half-foot-wide wonder makes it clear that Apple isn't
really targeting its traditional customers with the Mac mini. The
idea is to win over Windows users tempted to take a bite out of the
Apple because they already lust after their iPod digital music
players.
"Here's the genius behind it all: If I hand you a Mac mini while
you're sitting in front of your Windows-powered computer, you can
simply unplug your mouse, your keyboard and your monitor and plug
them into the Mac instead. Ditto with the PC's speakers."
Daystar Apple Authorized Service and Sales
Launched
PR: Daystar Technology, a longtime leading Macintosh
Technology Integrator, has expanded its Service and Sales
offerings. As an Apple Authorized Reseller since March of 2004,
Daystar now provides full in-warranty and out-of-warranty services
via its website.
Utilizing Apple Certified technicians and its wealth of
knowledge gained over the past 16 years, the company is able to
deliver top-quality, 24 hour service options on any Apple
system.
Why Daystar?
- The longest history of technology development and expertise
available in the Apple market.
- Level 3 technicians available on-site for all services
including component level BGA rework.
- Exceptional PowerBook service expertise, over 2,000 units
serviced to-date.
- Fast diagnostics and service, 24 hours in most cases.
- Customizable service and shipment options available via the
web.
- Top-rated customer service (see http://DaystarTechnology.com/Customer_Testiminals).
- Live Chat with technicians and online status updates.
- 99% of all services, stay fixed.
- Exclusive Daystar 90/720 warranty (see http://DaystarTechnology.com/Warranty).
- Full Service, Apple Authorized Reseller.
"We're excited to expand our availability of services," said
Gary Dailey, president of Daystar. "Being able to easily meet our
customers' needs for new system sales, services and of course
upgrades, means that Daystar is the true One-Stop-Shop!"
Daystar Technology is a Macintosh Technology Integrator. The
company specializes in developing custom solutions, and integrating
leading performance technologies for consumers, enterprises and
graphics professionals. Daystar operates as an Apple Authorized
Reseller and Service center, and maintains a staff of Apple
Certified Technicians. Daystar is also the designer and
manufacturer of XLR8 brand products. With its history as the
creator of the original Mac upgrade, the company continues to
deliver the best of the best for the Apple based computing
platform.
Daystar currently distributes XLR8 brand products and select,
qualified performance and expansion products via its web store at
http://4daystar.com, via
eBay
and select resellers. Daystar offers a wide
array of Apple performance products. It also sells and services
Apple products via its storefront in Buford, Georgia.
Samsung Introduces 16x DVD Rewritable Drive
with 5x Dual Speed Recording
PR: Samsung
Electronics Ltd., the worldwide digital consumer
electronics and information technology leader, builds on the
tremendous success of its award-winning 16x DVD rewritable disc
drive technology with the introduction of the faster, more powerful
Writemaster TS-H552U. Designed for the consumer market, the
TS-H552U offers an amazing 5X dual layer speed recording - one of
the fastest in the industry today. The TS-H552U is currently
shipping nationwide with an estimated street price of $75.
The 5x dual layer speed recording of the TS-H552U is twice as
fast as Samsung's first 16x dual layer DVD RW drive. This
dramatically improved speed helps to significantly cut down on
timing issues, such as backup recording. For example, a file that
would have taken 30 minutes to back up, now just takes 15 minutes,
which is particularly helpful for users who conduct vast amounts of
video or data backup. The 5X dual layer speed also allows users to
input large amounts of data, such as video, photos or information
from a database, onto a DVD at a much faster rate compared to
Samsung's first drive. The TS-H552U also offers further advanced
stability in dual layer operation than in prior drives.
Supporting all the popular DVD recordable/rewritable formats,
the TS-H552U provides computer users with greater storage power and
even more flexibility to enjoy favorite movies and music, and
archive data without regard to format variations.
"With DVD storage now the standard media format, Samsung is
capitalizing upon the success of its current line of drives and is
looking for ways to offer consumers even greater drive speed,
quality and features," comments Albert Kim, National Sales Manager,
Storage Systems for Samsung SSI. "The new TS-H552U provides users
with one of the fastest dual layer drives on the market today,
allowing them to burn or convert video clips, create custom CD-R
discs in just minutes and save vast amounts of data faster than
ever. The TS-H552U further empowers computer users and multimedia
enthusiasts by offering cutting-edge technologies at an
ultra-affordable price point."
The TS-H552U offers double layer data storage up to 8.5 GB in
one disc, which is two times more than single layer DVD and 12
times more than a CD disc. Samsung's latest drive also features its
Silent Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) technology and an Automatic
Ball Balancing System (ABS) to reduce noise when recording or
reading at high speeds and ensure outstanding functionality.
Many high-end technologies are featured in the TS-H552U to
ensure quick and reliable performance of the drive. These
technologies include Speed Adjustment Technology (SAT), which
automatically optimizes the speed according to the disc quality;
Tilt Actuator Compensation (TAC), which gives the disc a tilt with
the objective lens for the most reliable writing condition; and
Double Optimum Power Control (OPC), which strengthens the writing
performance by controlling the laser power in the inner and outer
sides of the disc. The drive also includes a power save function
and technology to prevent Buffer Under Run Error.
The TS-H552U is capable of recording DVD+R media at 16X, DVD-R
at 16X, DVD+/-RW at 4X and double layer DVD+R.
Digigraphica
Concord Introduces EasyShot Popular Priced
Digital Cameras
PR: Concord
Camera Corp., a leader in award-winning, high-quality,
affordably priced image capture products, announced the unveiling
of the new EasyShot line at the Photo Marketing Association Trade
Show PMA on February 20th 2005.
The ultimate line of family-friendly digital cameras, EasyShot
was designed to offer unsurpassed ease of use, advanced features at
popular prices, and an exciting new look and feel that family
memory keepers and first-time digital camera users will prefer.
Select EasyShot digital cameras are packed with family-friendly
features, such as:
- One-Touch Image Enhancement: Offered on select EasyShot digital
cameras, Concord's exclusive one-touch ImageEnhance feature
provides hassle-free in-camera image correction that instantly
improves poor color and lighting situations to achieve the best
possible photo.
- Extra Large LCD Screens: EasyShot digital cameras feature extra
large 2.4" and 2.5" LCD's, enabling easy photo viewing for the
whole family.
- Direct Print Capability: Select EasyShot cameras will offer the
capability of printing directly from the camera, making it easy for
users to print and share photos.
- Ruggedized non-slip Rubber Base: Currently offered on the 510z,
the rubberized base keeps the camera from sliding on smooth
surfaces, and makes it easier to hold while taking pictures by
providing a more secure surface for fingers to grip.
The EasyShot Line Includes:
EasyShot 510z
Slim and Stylish 5 Megapixel: The EasyShot 510z is a slim and
stylish 5 Megapixel CCD digital camera and the first to feature
Concord's advanced ImageEnhance" button feature for instant image
correction directly on the camera. It offers 12X zoom (3X
optical/4X digital), features a large 2.5" LTPS LCD, and comes with
rechargeable lithium batteries. The EasyShot 510z takes MPEG-4
movies with sound up to 30 frames per second and has 16 MB of
internal memory. The camera's all metal housing is ergonomical with
an exciting new look and feel for ease-of-use and is accented with
a ruggedized nonskid rubber base. The camera will be available in
two stylish colors: Gun Metal Gray with silver accents and Aqua
blue with silver accents, is priced at $229 and is expected to be
available in October 2005.
EasyShot 500z
Popular Priced 5 Megapixel: The EasyShot 500z is a 5 Megapixel
CCD, 12x zoom (3X optical/4X digital) digital camera, with a unique
voice recording feature, that enables the recording of voice memos
on still images. The EasyShot 500z comes with a 2" LCD and takes
MPEG-4 movies with sound up to 30 frames per second. Users can also
choose from 6 preset scene capture modes: portrait, landscape,
sports, night, backlit and macro. The EasyShot 500z is available in
stylish Gun Metal Gray with silver accents and will have direct
print capability. The EasyShot 500z is priced at $179.99 and is
expected to be available in April 2005.
EasyShot 820z
Scheduled for introduction at the beginning of the fourth
quarter of 2005, the EasyShot 820z will be the first 8 Megapixel
digital camera under $250. The EasyShot 820z features a super-sharp
8 Megapixel CCD sensor, 12X zoom (3X optical/4X digital) and large
2.4-inch color LCD. The camera utilizes SD memory cards, but for
times when no card is available, it also has 16 MB of internal
memory. The EasyShot 820z takes MPEG-4 movies with sound for up to
30 frames per second and will be available in Gun Metal Gray with
metallic silver accents at a price of $249.99.
Rollei Is Back with First SLR Auto Focus Camera
in 6x6 Format
PR: Rollei,
manufacturer of the classic twin-lens 6x6 Rolleiflex, which has
been a workhorse and a work of art for 85 years to professionals
and enthusiasts, is back in the US - and in a big way. Rollei will
introduce five new cameras for professional photographers and
digital camera enthusiasts, at the PMA 2005 Annual Convention and
Trade Show.
Of particular interest to professional photographers will be the
new Rolleiflex 6008 AF with a db20p PhaseOne digital back and 16
megapixels. It is the world's first single lens reflex camera in a
6x6 format to offer rapid and precise auto-focusing with its
dedicated AF lenses.
In addition to unveiling its new cameras, Rollei will announce a
restructuring of its US subsidiary, Rollei USA LLC. It will be
headed by Bernd Franke.
The 6008 AF is targeted to studio and on-location professionals
- from portrait, fashion and landscape photographers, to
photojournalists and corporate/government photographers involved in
"workflow" photography. It is compatible with the extensive line of
Rollei-6000 lenses.
In addition to metered manual, the Rolleiflex 6008 AF offers
three precise metering methods (center-weighted average, evaluative
and spot), and comfortable exposure control with aperture-priority,
shutter-priority and programmed AE. It also has comfortable flash
photography with preflash metering, plus the option of selective
exposure compensation to cope with difficult situations.
The new camera becomes Rollei's top-of-the-line model but
retains full compatibility with Rollei's 6000 system, which means
it's compatible with the more than 20 current 6000 system
lenses.
The Rolleiflex 6008 AF weighs 1500 grams and is 143 x 139 x 124
mm without lens. It will begin shipping later this month and be
available through specialty retailers. A unique Direct Source
Marketing program, which essentially cuts out the middle person in
distribution, will help keep the cost down. While pricing hasn't
been finalized, it is expected to be in the US$16,000 range.
In addition to the 6008 AF, the company will unveil the Rollei
dr5, an ultra-flat, "go anywhere" digital camera with 5 megapixels.
In addition to fitting in a shirt pocket without a bulge, the
camera features instant readiness and minimal shutter lag, which
makes it an ideal candid camera.
Another new product is the powerful 5.1-megapixel Rollei dr5100.
Discriminating amateurs and professional users will be impressed by
its features: 5.1 megapixels, 3x D-VarioApogon zoom lens, voice and
video recording plus a host of manual controls. It weighs only 205
g. Its stylish aluminum body and an ergonomically shaped rubber
grip on the right-hand side make the new digital camera very easy
to handle. A fast f2/5-4.3 wide-angle zoom lens with a very short
focal length at the lower end offers ideal sweeping panoramas and
group pictures even in a confined space.
Rolleiflex will also show a 4-megapixel superzoom camera, the
Rollei dk4010 with 10x zoom lens and a 6x digital zoom that covers
focal lengths from 5.7 to 57 mm, equivalent to 37-370 mm in 35mm
photography. With f/2.8-3.1, it offers high speed for the wide
zooming range. A high-speed autofocus system guarantees
consistently sharp pictures. Another feature is unlimited
continuous shooting.
The company will also show the compact Rollei Prego dp5200
digital camera with 5.2 megapixels, a 3x zoom lens and a 4x digital
zoom shooting. It features a large and easy-to-read 2.5-inch TFT
color display and an extra flat, stylish lightweight metal
body.
The MSRP for the Rollei dr5100 and dp5200 is expected to be
US$400. The Rollei dk4010 will have a MSRP of US$500. Pricing has
not been set on the Rollei dr5.
Concord Announces "Impulse Buy" Line of 3 &
4 Megapixel Digicams for under $100
PR: Concord
Camera Corp. has announced a new line of digital cameras
positioned as "Impulse Buys" at the Photo Marketing Association
Trade Show (PMA). Designed to be the ideal camera for first time
digital camera users as an excellent gift, Concord's 3047 and 4042
take great pictures and are priced to sell at $79 and $99
respectively.
3 Megapixel Concord 3047 Super Slim Body
Priced at $79.99, the 3 Megapixel Concord 3047 offers consumers
style and value - with features usually available in much more
expensive cameras, including an all-metal housing, white balance
and exposure settings, 4x digital zoom, AVI movie, burst mode, 1.5"
color TFT LCD, and built-in 16 MB of memory. With dimensions of
.94" (width) x 2.3" (height) x 3.5" (length), the super slim
Concord 3047 is ideal for on-the-go consumers. For added
convenience, the Concord 3047 functions as a PC camera as well. The
Concord 3047 is similar to the Concord 3043 (previously announced
at Photokina 2004), but with a larger 1.8" LCD and more color
choices and is available in Metallic Silver.
4 Megapixel Concord 4042 with Easy Power-Up
Priced at $99, the compact Concord 4042 4 Megapixel digital
camera features a unique "quick click" sliding power-up button
strategically located on the front of the camera that enables users
to quickly turn the camera on, so that they never miss a great
photo opportunity. The Concord 4042 combines a 4x digital zoom and
a 1.5" color LCD with preset exposure and shutter settings for
mistake-free photo lighting. The camera's voice recording feature
enables users to record voice memos on still images while shooting
so they always remember who is in every shot. The Concord 4042 also
takes MPEG movies with sound up to 15 frames per second that can
easily be emailed to family and friends, comes with 16 MB of
internal memory, and is expected to be available in March 2005.
SmartDisk Launches FotoChute Image Storage
Device
PR: SmartDisk
Corporation has introduced FotoChute, a USB On-The-Go photo
storage device.
"Pocket-sized FotoChute offers a fast, convenient and easy way
to directly transfer digital photos from your camera," states
Charles Klinker, Vice President of Marketing for SmartDisk. "Simply
plug FotoChute into the USB port of your camera and, with one
touch, copy and safely store your photos." FotoChute holds over
20,000 photos (at 800 KB file size) on the internal 20 GB hard
drive and can be connected directly to a PC to offload images to
share with family and friends.
FotoChute will be available in March for $249.99 retail price
through distributors, retail stores, and at the company's
website.
Stylish, All-Weather Olympus Stylus Verve S
Packs More Options in an Ultra-Compact Design
PR: With the announcement of the new 5.0-megapixel
Stylus Verve S, Olympus adds more choices to its lineup
of sleek, ultra-compact digital cameras in the Stylus Verve series.
The new Stylus Verve S packs 5 million pixels of image resolution
into its compact, durable, all-weather designer body, along with
new features such as a calendar, album function and a histogram for
enhanced usability.
The Stylus Verve S combines a
5.0-megapixel CCD image sensor with Olympus' exclusive image
processor, TruePic TURBO, which significantly enhances image
quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid
startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO uses pixel
"micro-smoothing" to deliver clearer, more color-accurate photos,
even at lower resolutions. The result is high quality prints that
can be cropped and printed to 11 x 14 inches and larger. And with a
fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter
release time, you're always ready to take great pictures. The
bright, clear 1.8-inch HyperCrystal LCD delivers a high contrast
image and 160-degree angle of view.
The Stylus line of digital cameras is renowned for all-weather
durability. The body of the Stylus Verve S is constructed of
durable, lightweight metal with rubber gaskets throughout the
interior to ensure that rain, sleet, snow or sand won't get in the
way of great photos. Designed for active digital photographers
always on the go, the Stylus Verve S also features optimized
battery technology that enables users to get more shots between
battery charges.
Modeled after the shape of a falling water droplet, the Stylus
Verve S maintains the unique body design of its predecessor, the
Stylus Verve. With its smooth contoured lines and ultra-compact
size of just 3.7 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches and weight of only 4.1 ounces,
the Stylus Verve S fits snugly in a hip pocket or in the palm of
the hand.
Designed to perform during a variety of occasions, the Stylus
Verve S includes 16 shooting modes that can be accessed through the
camera's menu to provide fully automatic exposure adjustments for
shooting Night Scenes, Landscapes, Fireworks, Cuisine and more. And
the inclusion of advanced shooting functions, such as a direct
histogram and white balance presets, makes it easy to capture
images with perfect exposure every time. With its QuickTime(R)
Movie Mode, the Stylus Verve S can record movies of any length,
limited only by the size of the memory card in the camera.
The Stylus Verve S will be available in April 2005. It includes
a 16 MB xD Picture Card, Wrist Strap, Camera WIN/Mac USB Cable,
Audio/Video cable, Li-30B Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery and Charger,
Quick Start Guide, Basic Instruction Manual, Warranty Card, CD-ROM
with OLYMPUS Master Software, and Camera Advanced Manual.
Stylus Verve S Estimated Street Price: $349.99
Olympus Announces D-630 Zoom: Ultra-Slim
Digital Camera Goes Everywhere
PR: Olympus announces the
D-630 Zoom ultra-slim 5.0-megapixel digital camera,
featuring an elegant new design for compact portability. The
minimalist beauty of this thin, brushed metal camera is much more
than skin deep, with loads of features specifically designed for
simplicity. Every action is accessed directly from the camera's
menu, which is easy to view in the large 2.0-inch LCD. A built-in
help guide provides new users with all the information they need.
And automatic scene modes ensure fabulous results in even the most
difficult-to-capture lighting situations.
The metal body has clean, sharp lines
that will appeal to the discerning eye - and hand - of the purist.
Smaller than a deck of cards, at a mere one-inch thick (3.1" W x
2.4" H x 1.0" D) and weighing just 4.4 ounces, the D-630 Zoom slips
discreetly in a shirt or jacket pocket without so much as a bulge.
This is a camera that you'll soon be taking with you
everywhere.
The D-630 Zoom is designed to enable users of all skill levels
to enjoy the fun and convenience of digital photography - from
shooting pictures to sharing them with friends - without the
learning curve. The large 2.0-inch LCD makes it easy to review
images and make menu selections. A built-in help guide can be
accessed from the menu with images and brief descriptions of each
function and shooting mode to help users determine the settings
that best suit their shooting situation and purpose. The inclusion
of 10 automatic scene modes makes it easy to capture great images
in a variety of lighting situations, such as portrait, night scene,
or sports. A QuickTime Movie mode with sound enables users to
create and share short movies.
The D-630 Zoom employs a 5.0-megapixel CCD that enables users to
capture images of such high quality that they can be cropped and
printed to 11 x 14 inches and larger. Olympus' high-quality lenses
are designed specifically for digital cameras to deliver
edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity. The D-630 Zoom combines a 3x
optical zoom lens (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm photography f2.8 -
f4.8) with a 4x digital zoom to deliver a total 12x zoom so
virtually no photo opportunity is out of reach. And with the macro
mode it's possible to capture amazingly small details, as tiny as
the date on the back of a penny, from as close as 4 inches.
The D-630 Zoom will be available in April 2005. It includes:
Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery and Charger (Li-40B and Li-40C), USB
Cable (WIN/MAC), Audio/Video Cable, Wrist Strap, Quick Start Guide,
Quick Reference Guide, Basic Instruction Manual, CD-ROM with
OLYMPUS Master Software and Advanced Instruction Manual, Warranty
Card.
D-630 Zoom Estimated Street Price: $299.99
Concord Wins DIMA Shootout for Best
Digital Camera under $100
PR: Concord
Camera Corp. has announced at the Photo Marketing
Association Trade Show & Exposition (PMA) that the Concord
3346z 3 Megapixel point & shoot digital camera has won the
coveted DIMA Shootout for "Best Digital Camera under $100."
In its 9th year, the DIMA Digital Camera Shoot-out is judged by
a panel of experts prior to PMA. These experts vote on digital
camera entries, reviewing the overall quality and accuracy of color
of the digital prints as compared to the samples of fabrics that
were worn by studio models during shooting. The DIMA Shootout was
designed in such a way as to replicate the environment and
applications in which digital cameras are typically used. Within
that environment, DIMA attempts to push the cameras to their
natural limits.
"We are extremely pleased to be honored by DIMA," said Jeff
Mandell, VP of Worldwide Marketing. "It means a lot to all of our
dedicated employees around the world to win an industry award like
this. Going forward, we will continue to strive to deliver great,
easy-to-use products at popular prices."
Priced at $99.99, the Concord 3346z features a 3.1 Megapixel
CMOS sensor, 3X optical/4x digital zoom (for total 12x zoom),
6 MB internal memory, SD card slot for unlimited photo-taking
possibilities. The seven preset scene modes make quality picture
taking easy no matter the situation, and the AF assist lamp will
lock in the focus even in the darkest conditions. With additional
cool features, such as continuous shooting and AVI video mode, the
consumer has everything needed to get started in digital
photography - all at a remarkably low price of $99.
Desktop Mac Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers every two
weeks:
For deals on laptops, see our Best PowerBook G4 Deals,
Best iBook G4 Deals,
and Best iBook G3
Deals. For deals on iPods, see our Best iPod Deals.
