Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.03.24
PowerBook, iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review. iPod
news is covered in The iNews Review.
FastMac Announces 550 MHz G4 Upgrade for
Slot-Loading iMacs
PR:
FastMac announces availability of a G4
processor upgrade for the Apple Slot-Loading iMac G3
computer. For $199.95, the FastMac upgrade replaces the original G3
CPU with a G4 CPU operating at 550 MHz and doubles the backside
cache from 512 KB to 1 MB, resulting in a 3-4 times boost in
speed & performance.
"This upgrade gives your Slot-Loading iMac the speed it needs to
run the latest applications and OS" said Michael Lowdermilk,
Business Development Manager for FastMac Performance Upgrades. "Not
only is it affordable, but with our advance exchange program, there
is zero downtime."
The FastMac upgrade takes full advantage of the G4 AltiVec
Velocity Engine, allowing the machine to now run programs it could
not run before, including GarageBand, iChat AV with iSight, and
others. The upgrade is 100% compatible with OS 9 and X, and is
warranted for one year.
FastMac's G4 CPU upgrade for Slot-Loading G3 iMacs requires the
original main logic board and is priced at $199.95. It is
compatible with the following Slot-Loading G3 iMacs:
- iMac G3 350, 400, and 450 MHz (all models)
- iMac G3 500 (all models except Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian
systems)
Add AirPort Extreme to Your Mac
mini
NEWS: MacsOnly's Bill Fox
reports:
"Our base Mac mini came without AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth wireless capability. Only base Mac mini's were available
from the Apple Stores at the time of their release and the stores
did not have the kits necessary to install AirPort or Bluetooth.
But since we already had an extra AirPort Extreme card, we figured
that we could just install it for wireless networking. Wrong! When
we cracked open the Mac mini's case we found that it was not a
simple matter to just plug in the card like in other Macs. The
mezanine board that the card plugs into was missing along with an
AirPort antenna. So we have been using our Mac mini wired to our
network....
"For those who wish to add AirPort wireless networking
themselves to their base Mac mini, it is not difficult. "
Epson Ditches Mac Support on Low-end
Printers
NEWS:
Epson's Stylus C66 FAQ says:
"Q: Why isn't the Epson Stylus C66 compatible with Macintosh
computers?
"A: Epson America works closely with Apple to deliver digital
imaging products that meet their customer's needs. Based on
feedback from Apple and its customers, Epson determined that Mac
users were not interested in lower-end printers such as the $69
Epson Stylus C66.
"Many other Epson printers are Mac compatible, however, for a
general-purpose inexpensive Mac-compatible printer Epson recommends
the Epson Stylus C86 which retails for $99. The Stylus C86 is
compatible with Macintosh System 8.6 to 9.x and OS X 10.1 .3 to
10.3.x."
Mac mini Could Boost Apple's 2006 Earnings
5-8%
NEWS:
Forbes reports:
"Banc of America reiterated a 'buy' rating and $48.50 target
price on Apple Computer, saying the Mac Mini computer could
experience the same level of success as the iPod in non-Apple
channels."
iPod to Boost Apple's Desktop Share
NEWS: CNET News.com's
Peter Judge reports:
"Apple Computer can look forward to gaining market share on the
desktop as iPod users ditch their PCs in favor of Macs, according
to a new survey.
"Analyst firm Morgan Stanley forecast Friday that the Mac, which
currently makes up 3 three percent of all desktops, could win its
way to 5 percent of desktop sales this year. This was based on a
survey of 400 iPod users, 19 percent of whom expect to convert from
PC to Macintosh. This conversion factor is double that previously
expected by analysts.
"Statistics released by other analysts suggest the iPod may
already be having a healthy effect on Apple's desktop
business...."
OWC SuperDrives Let You Read and Write CDs at
up to 40x, DVDs at up to 16x
PR: Other World Computing satisfies the Mac-user's need
for speed with its full line of Apple-compatible internal and
external burning solutions.
OWC offers internal
'SuperDrive' DVD and CD burners for the PowerMac G3, G4,
and G5; eMac G4; iMac G4 and G5; Mac mini; G4 Cube; and PowerBook
G4. Internal drives start as low as $75 and feature up to 16x DVD
(4.7 GB per disc) burn speeds, up to 6x DVD Dual Layer (8.5 GB per
disc) burn speeds and up to 40x CD burn speeds.
Both bare drives and complete solutions featuring software and
media are available. Instructions, including free Apple Quicktime
movie installation guides, are available at OWC's tech center for
most systems.
External solutions also are available starting from $129.99 for
virtually any Mac or PC that operates on FireWire or USB2
ports.
Compatible with popular software from Apple and third parties,
OWC's solutions are a great way to either add CD and/or DVD burning
capabilities to a system currently without them, or to upgrade for
faster operation from an existing drive
"Just like us, our customers are busy folks and today's fast
burners certainly can save a lot of time otherwise spent waiting
around," said Larry O'Connor, president of OWC. "Be it on the road
with your PowerBook, or in the office with your tower, it's nice to
burn what you need quickly and without hassle."
External drives are plug and play. Internal solutions are user
installable with the help of OWC's instructions, but OWC does offer
installation services for those who may feel uncomfortable doing it
themselves. Also, OWC offers up to a $90 rebate/trade for the
optional return of an existing drive.
Power Mac G4 and G5 Get Max Wireless Signal
Boost from QuickerTek Plug and Play 27dBm Transceiver
PR: QuickerTek has announced the third in a series of
super high output transceivers for Macintosh Airport wireless
networking users. This new $160 27dBm
Transceiver is designed to simply plug into the Apple Power
Macintosh G5 and G4 desktop computers.
This 27dBm G4 and G5 Transceiver is compatible with all Apple
Airport Base Stations and maximizes the wireless power available
under Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. This Transceiver adds 500Mw
of power to the Airport capability of the array of G4 and G5
desktops and operates on all 2.4 GHz, Wi-Fi systems. The
transceiver supports both 802.11g and 802.11b wireless networks.
Apple Airport wireless products have RF output of only 30mW, while
this new transceiver outputs a whopping 500mW.
"We have the best customers! They give us constant feedback and
product suggestions and requests," said Rick Estes, president,
QuickerTek. "Why would anyone buy an external antenna for G4 or G5
desktop when they can get a 27 dBm QuickerTek transceiver with 500
miiliwatts of power. And get a complete package with a desktop
mount, transceiver and antenna?"
The Transceiver does not require any installation software.
"The 27dBm G4 and G5 Transceiver is available right now for only
$160. Jack Putnam of TechnoWarehouse said, "The growing popularity
of Apple Airport wireless technology has created a huge demand for
higher performance products and TechnoWarehouse has them. We're
excited to offer our customers a solution that kicks wireless
performance up a notch."
QuickerTek is a recognized leading innovator of antennas and RF
products for Apple desktop and portable computers. QuickerTek
products can be purchased at Mac dealers such as Small Dog
Electronics, TechnoWarehouse, PowerBook Medic, and many others.
New Eclipse Keyboard Allows Users to Read Keys
in the Dark
PR: Saitek Industries Ltd has announced that it will
begin shipping the Eclipse
keyboard - an innovative computer keyboard designed to be
used in total darkness. Originally shown under non-disclosure as a
technology demonstration during the International CES 2005 show,
Saitek's Eclipse keyboard has entered production and will begin
shipping to the consumer channel in April. Available at Circuit
City, Best Buy and other channel partners, the Eclipse keyboard
will sell for approximately $59.
Inspired by the backlit Gamer's
Keyboard introduced in Q3 2004, the Eclipse features a host of
technology enhancements and redesigns that allow for keyboarding,
not just in low-light conditions, but now in total darkness.
Whereas the Gamer's Keyboard featured cool blue backlighting to aid
gamers playing under low-light situations, the new Eclipse features
TruVu keys that actually allow the ultra-blue hue to glow through
each laser-etched key - making it now possible to read keys in the
dark.
The Eclipse is perfect for projector presentations where lights
have been extinguished to favor the screen, programmers (who favor
working in the dark), office environments where workers commonly
extinguish the harsh overhead fluorescent lighting in favor of a
more soothing, darker environment and restaurant hostess areas,
where reservation taking has moved into the computer age. The
Eclipse's value is clear to see in any low-light situation where
accurate keyboard use is demanded.
The key to this technology lies in the filtered and laser-etched
keys that allow just the right amount of light to pass through the
etched lettering - too much and it becomes a blur, not enough and
it's inconsequential - the Eclipse finds the perfect balance for
true view ability. In addition, this keyboard will include two
levels of illumination to meet a variety of settings and lighting
needs.
Officially supported by Windows 98, SE, ME, 2000 and XP, this is
a USB keyboard, so it should work with Macs as well, but likely not
all features will be supported.
1394b FireWire Cable Port Isolator
PR: The 1394b
FireWire Isolator cable helps to protect your computer's
FireWire ports. You can continue to hot-swap FireWire devices using
self powered FireWire devices (this FireWire cable does not pass
bus power). And the FireWire isolator cable will even help you weed
out those bad FireWire cables you have (a poorly made FireWire
cable that does not adhere to the spec will fail using the FireWire
isolator cable)
This isolator cable fixes problems in long chains of many self
powered FireWire devices. These isolators prevent noise from the
interconnected power lines from causing problems in long chains or
where major differences (+10% on 1 supply and -10% on another is
worse case) exist between connected devices.
The FireWire isolator cable has been designed to prevent charges
from bad FireWire cables and faulty FireWire devices from going
back up line and damaging the FireWireport on the motherboard (such
as the reported PowerBook problem many users have encountered)
For bus powered FireWire devices, we strongly recommend using
the Isolator cable and then either the power supply that comes with
your bus powered FireWire device or a powered FireWire hub/repeater
- the FireWire isolator cable does not pass bus power
This is a 9 pin male to 9 pin female FireWire cable, approx 9"
long, so you can attach this cable to the FireWire port on your
computer, and then attach another FireWire cable to the Isolator to
go to your FireWire hub or FireWire device(s).
Price: $32.
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.
