Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.08.26
PowerBook, iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered in The 'Book Review. News about Apple's
transition to Intel CPUs and other Intel developments is covered in
The Macintel Report. iPod news is
covered in The iNews Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Advice
Products and Services
News & Advice
iMac G5 Repair Extension Program for Video and
Power Issues
The iMac G5 Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues
applies to first generation iMac G5 computers that have video or
power-related issues as a result of a specific component failure.
If your iMac G5 is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below and
your computer's serial number is within the noted ranges, your
computer may be eligible for repair, free of charge. If Apple or an
Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) determines that your iMac
G5 computer is eligible as part of the program, the repair will be
covered by Apple for up to two years from the original date of
purchase even if your iMac G5 is out of warranty. This is a
worldwide Apple program.
These issues have been extensively documented on MacFixIt:
- iMac G5: White streaks appearing on bottom of display -
possibly related to power supply issues
- More on iMac G5 power supply burnout: Bad capacitors seem to be
at fault
- iMac G5 power supply burnout: New (Ambient Light Sensor) models
less affected
- iMac G5: Power Supply Burnout/Component failure due to
overheating
Affected systems will exhibit one of the following video- or
power-related symptoms:
- Scrambled or distorted video
- No video
- No power
Note: If your iMac G5 is not experiencing any of these symptoms,
you do not have to contact Apple or any Apple Authorized Service
Provider.
The program is available for certain iMac G5 models that were
sold between approximately September 2004 and June 2005 featuring
17- and 20-inch displays with 1.6 GHz and 1.8 GHz G5
processors.
The affected iMac G5 computers have serial numbers where the
first 5 digits fall into the ranges noted below.
Serial Number ranges:
- W8435xxxxxx - W8522xxxxxx
- QP435xxxxxx - QP522xxxxxx
- CK435xxxxxx - CK522xxxxxx
- YD435xxxxxx - YD522xxxxxx
The 11-digit serial number is located on a label under the foot
of the iMac G5. There is a bar code underneath the serial number.
To view the label, hold the sides of the iMac and gently lay the
computer face down on a soft, clean towel or cloth.
This program applies only to the systems noted above. Other
versions of the iMac G5 line are not part of this program.
An Apple technical support representative or an Apple Authorized
Service Provider (AASP) will need to physically examine your
computer to determine if the component failure identified for the
iMac G5 Repair Extension Program affects your computer and, if so,
arrange for the repair.
To participate in the program, bring your iMac G5 to the Mac
Genius Bar at your local Apple Retail store or Apple Authorized
Service Provider (AASP), or call your local Apple contact center.
The U.S. support number is 1-800-275-2273. If you are located
outside the U.S., please see Apple's international contact list for
your local Apple Technical Support phone number.
It is possible that your iMac G5 may exhibit video or power
issues that are unrelated to the component failure identified by
Apple as part of this program and are not covered under this
program. Apple or an AASP can help you troubleshoot these issues.
If your iMac G5 is not covered under warranty or an extended
service agreement, such as the AppleCare Protection Plan, repairs
for other issues will be made at your expense if you request that
they be made.
The program covers affected iMac G5 computers for up to two
years from the original date of purchase. Apple will continue to
evaluate the repair data and will provide further repair extensions
as needed.
Using a 3.5" Drive with the Mac mini's Internal
IDE Bus
Arizona Macintosh Users Group, Inc. (AMUG)'s Arthur Whalem
reports:
"The Apple Computer Mac mini is a cute little box with a fast
processor and a slow performing hard drive. I thought it would be
interesting to see how performance might be improved if I installed
a 3.5" 7200 RPM hard drive on the ATA100 IDE bus of a Mac mini 1.42
GHz. The Mac mini in these tests has 512 MB of memory installed and
I have removed the internal DVD and 2.5 inch hard drive in order to
attach an adapter that allows the Mac mini to accept one or two 3.5
inch IDE hard drive(s) instead.
"Adam Eberbach produces adapters for $23 that allowed me to
convert the Mac mini 2.5" IDE port into a 3.5" IDE port that an IDE
cable can attach to. The Mac mini cannot supply power to my 3.5"
drives so I will use an external enclosure or an extra power
supply. These adapters are sold 'as is' and Adam Eberbach, myself
and AMUG cannot be responsible for any consequences arising from
the sale or use of these adapters. Understand that while the
adapter worked for me any modification you make to your own Mac
mini as a result of reading this article is your sole
responsibility not mine. Neither I nor AMUG get any compensation
from the sale of these adapters. I want to make sure you understand
that making these alterations can easily result in damage to your
Mac mini if not done properly. In that event, I would not expect
Apple to honor your warranty either. Now that you know that you are
totally on your own if you should try to duplicate this setup and
that there are risks, lets dig into the results."
Terra Soft Partners Yellow Dog Linux with
PPC-based Mercury Computers
CNET News.com's Ina Fried reports:
"When Apple Computer announced in June that it planned to move
to Intel chips, one of the companies left in the lurch was Terra
Soft Solutions.
"The small Colorado company had carved out a nice niche
specializing in selling Linux for Macs and other machines that use
IBM's PowerPC chips. In the days following Apple's bombshell, Terra
Soft quickly announced plans to seek out alternative hardware on
which its Yellow Dog Linux could run.
"This week, Terra Soft is announcing it has filled some of the
void created by Apple's move. Under a new deal, Terra Soft will
resell PowerPC-based servers from Mercury Computer Systems.
Mercury's XR9 systems use the same G5 chip as Apple's Xserve, but
at 2.4 GHz, the chips are slightly faster than those used in
Apple's top-of-the-line servers."
Products and Services
Iomega MiniMax for Mac mini
123macmini.com reports:
"Iomega International S.A has launched the Iomega MiniMax
Desktop Hard Drive, a Hi-Speed Dual connectivity (USB 2.0 and
FireWire) external device designed to compliment the form factor of
the Mac mini and boost its storage capacity by up to 250 GB.
"Despite its Mac mini styling the new HDD has been designed with
flexibility in mind. It is not only a perfect companion to the Mac
mini but with three USB and three FireWire ports can function as a
complete Mac hub. The unique design of the drive means that it is
equally at home stacked with the Mac mini or functioning
independently as a stylish desktop HDD for Mac or PC users."
Radeon 9600 Pro Supports Apple 30" Display on
Mac and Windows
[PR] As the world leader in discrete graphics for both
the Mac and PC platforms, ATI Technologies Inc. , is introducing
the Radeon 9600 Pro PC and Mac Edition, the first graphics card to
support both platforms. While maintaining all the key software
features for Mac OS X and Windows XP that users of ATI products for
the Mac and PC have come to rely on, the Radeon 9600 Pro PC and Mac
Edition offers dual-link capabilities to support ultra
high-resolution flat panel monitors like the Apple 30-inch Cinema
Display. The AGP based Radeon 9600 Pro PC and Mac Edition is
available for $199 MSRP.
This new card features one of ATI's most popular graphics
processors for AGP systems - the Radeon 9600 Pro - and includes 256
MB of dedicated high-speed memory, has 128-bit memory interface and
advanced DirectX 9.0 shader support with floating point precision.
Users will experience tremendous graphics performance, plus the
ability to drive ultra high-resolution monitors up to 2560x1600
resolution or better thanks to the card's dual-link DVI display
support.
"By providing one card as a solution for two distinct platforms,
ATI is making purchasing decisions easy for the computer user.
There is no confusion as to whether the card will work in a Mac or
a PC, because the Radeon 9600 Pro PC and Mac Edition will provide
incredible performance and image quality in both," said Rich Heye,
Vice President, Desktop Discrete Graphics, ATI. "As ultra-high
resolution monitors have become increasingly popular for mainstream
users, the dual-link functionality has become an important feature
of graphics cards and ATI is unmatched in the consumer space at
this price."
The dual platform Radeon 9600 Pro PC and Mac Edition is AGP 2.0
compliant, compatible with both AGP 4X and 8X systems, including
Apple's Power Mac G4 series, Power Mac G5 and tens of millions of
PC's sold over the last few years. The card can be booted in either
platform and software drivers are included for both. ATI Displays,
the fully optimized Mac OS X OpenGL driver, features advanced
capabilities such as Versavision, enabling screen rotation from
Landscape to Portrait mode. For PC users, the Radeon 9600 PC and
Mac Edition will feature ATI's award-winning Catalyst Control
Center, where users can personally tweak settings to fit their
needs.
FastMac Reduces Price on G4 Upgrades by
25%
[PR] FastMac has announced it has lowered prices on its
top-rated G4 AGP processor upgrades by as much as 25%. Upgrades
from 1.1 GHz to 1.5 GHz now start at just $229.95, providing the
best pricing for upgrades that exceed 1 GHz. The new, reduced
pricing makes upgrading to Mac OS X and using its advanced features
such as multiway video conferencing even more affordable.
"Tests have shown that our Motorola 7455-based G4 upgrades are
just as fast, if not faster, than higher I am working on a "who's
who" for Ace of Clubs Euchre. Page will include Yahoo ID, Yahoo
Messenger ID (if different), real name, and common nicknames. Let
me know if/how you would like to be listed. offerings from other
companies," said Michael Lowdermilk, Business Development Manager
for FastMac Performance Upgrades, Inc. "Not only can you save money
with our products, you don't sacrifice in performance."
"The Megahertz myth applies to CPU upgrades too," said Edward
Savio, President of FastMac Performance Upgrades, Inc. "The
inclusion of Level 3 cache in our CPU design speeds up certain
graphic-intensive actions within Photoshop, and in games such as
Quake & Halo, even when compared to CPU's that use higher clock
frequencies but forego inclusion of Level 3 cache."
The updated pricing, effective immediately, is:
- G4 1.1 GHz $229.95 (exclusively available from website) G4 1.2
GHz $249.95
- G4 1.4 GHz $289.95 (G4 1.467 GHz upgrade available for $10
more)
- G4 1.5 GHz $349.95
Each G4 AGP processor upgrade from FastMac carries a 3 year
warranty and includes 256 Kb of 1:1 L2 cache on chip and 2 Mb of
high speed L3 cache, along with an integrated heat sink that stays
cool-to-the-touch even under extreme operating conditions.
FastMac's G4 AGP upgrades are designed to work inside Apple
PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics (Sawtooth), Gigabit Ethernet, Digital
Audio and Quicksilver models. They are compatible with Mac OS 9 and
Mac OS X, including Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.
DVI/USB 2.0 KVM Switch from Gefen
[PR] The new Gefen 2x1 DVI KVM Switcher easily connects
two cross-platform computers to one keyboard, video display and
mouse (KVM) workstation.
It is especially useful for users of Mac mini
low-cost computers when combined with another PC or Macintosh
computer at the same workstation. This digital KVM solution also
allows users to share peripherals between their laptops and desktop
computers.
Stereo audio, high speed USB 2.0 and DVI video in resolutions up
to 1920x1200 are output for each computer.
Users can select whatever type of USB compatible keyboard and
mouse they want for either PC or Macintosh peripherals. All DVI
equipped computers and displays can be connected to the 2x1 DVI KVM
Switcher.
The 2x1 DVI KVM Switcher, measuring just seven inches wide, two
and a half tall and four deep, provides a switch button on the
front of the unit that gives access to computer data in just
seconds.
One five-volt power supply drives the system and an optional RMT
remote can access computers from a distance if needed.
Additional information on the Gefen 2x1 DVI KVM Switcher (MSRP
$199) is available online.
Difusi Introduces First in Series of Mac mini
Accessories
[PR] Difusi Corporation, known for its Apple Macintosh
accessories, is introducing the new miniCase, a high-end, top-grain
leather and Jacquard-nylon carrying case. The case has been
designed exclusively for Apple Computer's new Mac mini and 12"
PowerBook platforms.
"Difusi, has
held a long tradition of introducing high-quality and functional
devices and accessories for the Mac platform," said Mike Wright,
Difusi CEO, founder and director of product development. "This next
phase of Difusi products takes our experience of bringing
exceptional quality into the Mac market and truly integrates some
amazing technologies to help differentiate our offerings from all
of the other vendors in an increasingly crowded market
segment."
The new miniCase comes with several very important features that
will set this product line apart from its competitors.
Built-in protection, value added functionality, high quality
-luxurious design.
Simply stated, people are getting tired of cheap and bland
carrying cases. Difusi, when developing the ideas that would end-up
in its miniCase design, kept this in mind when choosing the
materials, features and form factor for this design. The miniCase
was developed to provide extra levels of impact protection by
incorporating a hi-tech gel form that has been proven to provide
protection from mishaps such as accidentally dropping the case with
the computer inside. Call it "Functional Luxury."
Features
The miniCase is jam-packed with features, it comes with over
padded top-grain glove leather on all handles and carrying straps,
main body of the carrying case, rugged zippers with padded leather
pulls, as well as Jacquard nylon as a secondary material that has
been chosen because of its durability and great looks. The case has
six main compartments for carrying your mini or PowerBook, cables,
accessories, documents, CDs, DVD movies, digital cameras and much
more.
The cases were designed with Apple's look and feel in mind, from
Black leather and Jacquard nylon exterior with reflective
light-grey nylon interior, an internal lighting array with 12-Volt,
eight (8) super bright white LED's in a custom, removable fixture,
finished with a clear anodized aluminum housing to provide lighting
for items in the case, items that may have fallen on the floor or
items that need a lot of illumination.
Interior Illumination (Bright)
When is a light, not just a light? When difusi, breaks all
convention to offer one of the most hi-tech lighting solutions in
the industry. We call our core lighting technology "Bright", Wright
says. Bright goes beyond standard light design to incorporate power
maximizing circuit design and material selection of components that
last indefinitely. Convention tells us that lights should be
designed with the body comprising of a power source, with a
grouping of lights usually hanging at either end.
"We threw all convention out the window and embarked on
designing a new 'Illuminating Fixture' from end-to-end," said
Wright. "We accomplished this by asking ourselves, how do we
maximize the light output, minimize the power consumption, what
materials are going to provide the most stability, and most
importantly, make it sleek and easy to use."
Every product that you will see from difusi over this next year
will be incorporating features that take full advantage of the
promise of technological possibilities to introduce features that
you would expect to an integral part of any high-end product
design.
Lifetime Warranty
The miniCase by Difusi comes with a limited Lifetime Warranty.
We believe in the quality of our products, Wright say's, and back
our belief with a limited Lifetime Warranty. He goes on to state,
Difusi wants our customers to be satisfied with our products
through and through, so we have built our products to last from the
day they are purchased onward.
Pricing and Availability
The miniCase will be available through select retailers, online
distributors and from the http://www.difusi.tv online store this
fall. All parties pre-ordering the miniCase will get a 40% discount
off the suggested retail price. Visit http://www.difusi.tv for details.
(Product Specification) Case mini
Model Number DIFUSICM-02
MSRP $129.00
Dimensions:
- 260mm (10.5" inches) width
- 320mm (13.5" inches) height
- 130mm ( 5" inches)Depth
Weight / Volume - 3.9 lbs / Approximately 700 cubic inches
Material - Soft Black Napa Leather and Black Jacquard Nylon with
Silver Nylon Interior.
Computer Compartment Description
- Perfect fit for the Apple PowerBook 12"
- Perfect fit for the Apple Mac mini
- Extreme Protection: Reinforced Frame
- Shock Absorbing internal Gel
- Form
- File Storage Pocket
- Zippered Mesh Pocket for Cables, Etc.
Organizer Compartment Description
- Large Front Drop Pocket for Accessories and Personal/Business
items
- 2 Zippered Pockets
- Cell Phone and la bled iPod™ Pockets
- Business and Credit Card Pockets
- Files (letter-Size Holder)
- Key and Pen Holders
Storage/File Compartment Description
- 3 Section Expandable File
- 2 Accessory Pockets
- 1 Large Zippered Pocket
- Large General Storage
- Extra Zippered Stash Pocket on Back
Additional Features
- Ergonomic Padded Carry Handle
- Extra Soft Shoulder Pad
- Luggage Strap
- Aluminum Lighting array featuring Eight (8) Ultra-White SMD LED
displays to illuminate the interior of the Case mini. Runs on a
single 21/23, 12-Volt Battery(Included) with click on/off
control.
Warranty
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Desktop Mac
Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers every two
weeks:
For deals on laptops, see our Week's
Best PowerBook G4 Deals, Week's
Best iBook G4 Deals, and Week's
Best iBook G3 Deals. For deals on iPods, see our Best iPod Deals.
