Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.06.10
This Week's Apple and Desktop Mac News
PowerBook, iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review. iPod
news is covered in The iNews Review.
News & Opinion
Tips
Reviews
Products and Services
News & Opinion
Apple to Put Intel Inside
The week's top Mac story is Apple's decision to switch from
PowerPC processors to Intel CPU beginning in June 2006. Apple
expects to complete the transition by June 2007.
We've already posted several articles about the transition at
Low End Mac:
- Awe and shock at the
WWDC: Apple going Intel, Dan Knight, Mac Musings
- Intel inside the Mac: Will
the gain be worth the pain?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous
Ramblings
- Why Macintel? Because
Apple can, Dan Knight, Mac Musings
- Does Apple + Intel make
any sense at all?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive
- Macintel: The good is the
enemy of the best, Dan Knight, Mac Musings
Classic Not Supported on Intel-Based Macs
Daring Fireball's John Gruber reports:
"I haven't seen this reported elsewhere, and there hasn't been
any official announcement from Apple, but page 67 of Apple's
Universal Binary Programming Guidelines PDF explicitly states that
Classic apps are not supported in the Rosetta emulator that runs
PowerPC apps on Intel-powered Macs (emphasis mine):
"Rosetta is designed to translate currently shipping
applications that run on a PowerPC with a G3 processor and that are
built for Mac OS X."
PCs Are Too Noisy
The Wall Street Journal's Charles Forelle reports:
"Quiet computing isn't just being practiced on the fringes. More
mainstream manufacturers are seeing value in quieter PCs. Some of
Lenovo Group Ltd.'s new IBM-brand desktops have a cooling system
engineered to reduce noise. Apple Computer Inc. markets its new Mac
mini as "whisper-quiet." Dell Inc. maintains several acoustics labs
with echo-free test chambers, in part to ensure that its machines
meet the various noise guidelines employed in Sweden and around
Europe.
"Designers say noise is becoming more of an issue as PCs rev up
and push their way into the living room to play digital music,
video and games. A computer's mechanical parts - including cooling
fans and spinning disk-drives - generally work harder as a PC
takes on more tasks. And noise barely noticed amid the buzz of the
workplace can be less welcome at home."
Tips
Use One Keyboard and Mouse to Switch Between
Mac, Windows PC on the Fly
lifehacker.com says:
"I have what I believe is my dream setup. My office desk has one
keyboard and mouse in the middle, and two monitors above. On the
left, I have OS X running from my PowerBook and on the right,
I have Windows XP running on my HP desktop. There's one mouse
pointer and I can move it back and forth across the monitors just
like I was on a single system. While I can't drag windows from one
monitor to the other, I can copy and paste text across and move
files easily with mapped desktop drives on both ends.
"Simply put, I get the best of both worlds. I can stick to Mail,
iCal, and iChat for productivity on the Mac side, while running
audio, video, and text editors on the PC side (I will always have a
PC around just for Homesite, which I'm using to write this very
article). I can run any app that comes out and catches some buzz
and I have the ultimate web browser testing environment. In a
matter of seconds, I can tell you if a new design will work in any
of six popular browsers across both platforms.
"With the advent of some open source tools and the Mac mini,
it's easier than ever to duplicate this setup if you've got two
monitors running on a PC."
Reviews
Intel Dual Xeon, AMD Opteron, and Dual G5
Compared
anandtech.com reports:
"It is a professional 64 bit Dream machine with supersonic
speed! It is beautiful. It is about the ultimate user friendliness.
It is about a lifestyle. It is a class apart. You guessed it - I am
parroting Apple's marketing.
"For some reason, the performance of Apple's gorgeous machines
has been wrapped in a shroud of mystery. Yes, you could find a
benchmark here and there, with one benchmark showing that the Power
Mac is just a mediocre PC while another shows it off as a
supercomputer, the unchallenged king of the personal computer
world.
"This article is written solely from the frustration that I
could not get a clear picture on what the G5 and Mac OS X are
capable of. So, be warned; this is not an all-round review. It is
definitely the worst buyer's guide that you can imagine. This
article cares about speed, performance, and nothing else! No
comments on how well designed the internals are, no elaborate
discussions about user friendliness, out-of-the-box experience and
other subjective subjects. But we think that you should have a
decent insight to where the G5/Mac OS X combination positions
itself when compared to the Intel & AMD world at the end of
this article."
Products and Services
Daystar Updates MAChSpeed Control for Tiger,
Adds New Features
PR: Daystar Technology, an Apple Authorized Reseller and
Mac Technology Integrator, announced the upgraded release of its
XLR8 MAChSpeed Control, CPU performance software.
The new version of MAChSpeed Control incorporates a wide array
of tools for CPU/Cache configuration, profiling, testing and
compatibility. The update (version 3.4) also includes compatibility
with all Apple operating systems from Mac OS 9 though Mac
OS X 10.4 (Tiger).
Exclusive new benefits include:
- Works in any Apple OS from 9 though 10.4 Tiger!
- Cranks "tested" backside cache speeds on iMac,
PowerMac G3, G4 systems and CPU upgrade cards up to 10%
faster than factory defaults.
- Boosts CPU speed on iBook G3s and fast G3 CPU Upgrades, up to
20% faster.
- Isolates CPU and Cache problems on all Apple single CPU systems
with its built in burn-in tester and "retest on restart"
feature.
- Systems operate 100% compatible when Mac OS X is installed
on "OS X Unsupported Devices".
- Faster G4 speeds for applications in Mac OS 9 with its
exclusive AltiVec implementation.
- Better application compatibility for upgraded Power Mac G4
systems through automatic updating of the Kernel and
Apple System Profiler.
"This is not just another piece of 'Cache Switching' software",
said Gary Dailey, president of Daystar. "MSC's ability to actually
think, by profiling components and protecting users from getting
themselves into non-boot situations, coupled with its exclusive
features, makes it the 'Swiss-army Knife' of Mac CPU utilities - a
valuable tool in any system."
MAChSpeed Control is available via download or USPS, direct from
Daystar's website.
It is sold in versions for Mac OS 9, Mac OS X and combo
packages.
Download Version Version Price
- MAChSpeed Control - OS X 3.4 $ 16.95
- MAChSpeed Control - OS 9 2.8 $ 9.95
- MAChSpeed Control - OS X/OS 9 3.4/ 2.8 $ 19.95
- Include Postage Paid CD - $ 24.95
Existing Daystar customers within the last 12 months will be
upgraded free of charge. Detailed information on MAChSpeed
Control's features and use is available in the online product
sheet.
Kensington SlimType Keyboard for Mac
PR: A stylish Apple
computer deserves an equally stylish keyboard. The Kensington
SlimType Keyboard for Apple Computers takes its inspiration from
Apple's distinctive sleek lines and contemporary design. That
low-profile form is then packed with performance and convenience
functions. Low-travel, scissor-switch technology delivers a crisp,
responsive touch for faster typing. And multimedia hot keys provide
intuitive, one-button control of audio and video playback.
Features and Benefits
- Sleek contemporary profile complements clean Apple styling
- Scissor-switch technology delivers crisp, responsive touch
typing
- Laptop-style keys for faster typing with a lighter action
- Intuitive hot keys for one-touch multimedia control
- Convenient hot keys launch sleep and calculator modes
- Easy USB connection
System Requirements: Desktop computer, USB port
Slim Type Keyboard for Mac is backed by the Kensington 5-year
warranty and free technical support.
Plantronics Multipurpose Stereo Headset for
Macs, iPod
PR: Plantronics have announced availability of the .Audio
85, a foldable, multipurpose stereo headset that provides high
quality listening for Apple iPod and Apple computers, including
iMac, Power Mac, PowerBook, iBook and Mac mini. The .Audio 85 also
provides excellent voice transmit for Apple's popular iChat and
GarageBand, as well as online gaming, speech recognition and Voice
over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication applications.
"With the .Audio 85, Apple users can experience unparalleled
sound and comfort with the latest computer multimedia
applications," said Dean Hovey, vice president and general manager
of mobile and entertainment markets for Plantronics. "In addition,
the .Audio 85's sleek and compact design ensures users are always
in style in the home or on the go."
The .Audio 85 is designed for a broad spectrum of Apple users,
from gamers to professionals. It is ideal for VoIP applications to
place and receive audio or video calls anywhere in the world. Music
and movie aficionados will enjoy the ability to add voice tracks to
GarageBand or voice-over to iMovie projects. Any audio or video
enthusiast, as well as entry level computer users, that want high
quality listening and voice experiences will benefit from the
quality and simplicity of the .Audio 85.
The .Audio 85 features advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
technology for superior noise canceling in the microphone,"
improving speech recognition accuracy and providing excellent voice
transmission ," and brilliant full-range stereo sound. The
QuickAdjust microphone boom ensures correct placement for speech
applications and the inline volume and mute control enables
effortless control. The .Audio 85 headset offers an adjustable
headband, and soft swivel-mounted ear cushions, so users can work
or play in comfort. Featuring USB plug and play compatibility,
users can get started in a snap.
The .Audio 85 comes with a leatherette carrying pouch for
storing and travel. The .Audio 85 has a suggested retail price of
$79.99 and is available at Apple's US online and Retail Store as
well as other retail outlets where Apple products are sold.
iLugger Announces Soft Case for iMac G5
Owners
PR: LTA Projects, the original maker of iMac G5 portable
cases, has released a new and improved version of their iLugger G5
iMac case. New standard colors include Solid Black, Solid Gray,
Blue/Black 2 Toner, and Orange/Black 2 Toner, and include the
following new features:
- Padded backpack straps that hide away when not in use
- New sturdy non-slip shoulder strap pad
- Padded handstrap with Velcro closure
- Extra 'Grab' handle on the front side
- Rigid plastic screen protector inside of extra soft padded
facing
- Pen and other miscellaneous pockets on the front of the bag
(hidden for aesthetics)
- Business card / ID pocket on the top
- Sturdier construction & materials
- Roomier inner pockets to carry a Mini, and up to 20" Cinema
Screen
The iLugger
sturdy soft case was designed for iMac G5 users to carry a 17" or
20" from home to office, or take along to the next presentation.
This high quality, heavy-duty carryon size bag works for both iMac
models, and provides thick padded protection all the way around.
The bag is compact enough so that even a 20" G5 iMac can be carried
on an airplane.
LTA Projects / iLugger sells direct to the public through their
website and also through a growing number of resellers. Dealer and
distributor inquiries are welcome. For order inquiries and other
information, please call 1-877-897-5158 or email
LTAprojects[ATfrontiernet.net.
LTA Projects is a computer case maker and manned blimp
manufacturer based in Cookeville, Tennessee. Steve Garner, LTA
Projects owner and longtime Mac user, designed the iLugger sturdy
soft case to carry and protect his G5 when transporting for blimp
designing duties between his home and the hangar. "I wanted G5
processing power that I could take from home to office, to on site
presentations. The new iMac G5 filled the bill in every way
. . . except I could not find a case for it anywhere.
Fortunately, our balloon manufacturing expertise translates well
into making carrying bags."
Miglia Technology Releases AlchemyTV DVR 2.4
and EvolutionTV 2.4
PR: Miglia Technology, a leading manufacturer of video,
audio and storage products for Mac and Windows, has today announced
the latest free software upgrade for Alchemy TV DVR and
EvolutionTV.
This latest release of the AlchemyTV DVR and EvolutionTV
software allows your Mac to start up at a predetermined time,
perform a TV recording and shut down again post recording. This is
a major step towards turning your Mac into a VCR/DVR replacement
for all your favorite shows no matter the hour.
Eric Ferraz, Product Marketing Director, Miglia Technology,
commented: "Since AlchemyTV DVR and EvolutionTV were launched, we
have continually invested in developing the feature set of our TV
software. This feature is a huge step towards turning your Mac into
a complete DVR replacement."
EvolutionTV is available now from Miglia's distribution
partners, refurb or online store, for a recommended retail price of
Euro 209, $279 and £149 (all prices are ex VAT).
All units carry a full 2 year RTB warranty.
A list of distributors and resellers is available on Miglia's
website.
The AlchemyTV DVR is available now, from Miglia's distribution
partners, refurb or online store, for a street retail price of
£85, Euro139, $159 ex VAT.
To download the free upgrade, go to <http://www.miglia.com/Support/alchemytvdvr.html>
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.
