Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2005.12.23
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 & Opinion
Products
News & Opinion
PCWorld: Few Manufacturers Excel Across the
Board
PCWorld's Reliability and Service: The Best Companies to Buy
From report says:
"It was a relatively good year for PCs made by small,
independent shops: Even though such systems tended to have more
than the average number of failed components, readers felt they
received superior service from small companies on virtually all
measures, an improvement over last year's results. Readers were
satisfied with the reliability of Apple and Alienware computers,
but Apple's scores for failed components and failed core components
slipped into the average range, a drop from last year's high
ratings, while Alienware customers were more satisfied with the
reliability of their machines than they were last year. CyberPower,
a high-end gaming PC manufacturer, earns the dubious distinction of
having the worst reliability scores among desktops. Nearly 46
percent of CyberPower owners reported having at least one problem.
ABS fell behind other manufacturers in reliability of
components."
- Link: Desktop
PCs: Few PC Manufacturers Excel Across the Board
The Reasons Apple Is Better
The Inquirer's Charlie Demerjian says:
"Apple Really Is is the better way, but why? No, not for the
trendy industrial design, not for the OS, not for the CPU, but for
the money. It charges quite a bit, but it is not the 'reassuringly
expensive' factor either, the price/performance is nothing to brag
about. What makes Apple better is quite simply the fact that it
doesn't compete.
"If you look at the PC world, they have some amazing deals out
there. Even with the Windows tax, you can find sub $300 PCs that
are functional if not stupendous. They work, and for a young child,
or someone who just wants to surf, they will get the job done. They
will also be cheap as hell, have a power supply that may cook after
a few weeks, and dangerously sharp edges on the interior.
"The raw MIPS will be there though, as will the 'Windows
experience'. Once it boots, and before it dies a smoky death, it
will be just like any other Win box. Whoopee. This is what all PCs
out there have to contend with, $299, even if they cost $2999. The
same vicious cost cutting philosophy that brings you those price
points pervades the rest of the motherboards, hard drives and
components, Taiwanese ODMs will kill to save $.12/1000 on parts.
Can you say bad caps?....
"Apple . . . is different. It doesn't compete against
anything at all. The industrial design focus group is one
turtleneck wielding man, not a watered down group of suburban
housewives who fit into income category 12a, or teens in the
hip-hop demographic. Nope, Apple needs to please one person."
- Link: The
Reasons Why Apple Is Better
Apple Sets the Pace in Consumer
Electronics
AP's May Wong Says:
"Five years ago, Apple Computer Inc. was barely an afterthought
in the halls of electronics companies. Not anymore.
"With its best-selling iPods and landmark licensing deals with
music and television moguls propelling new ways of consuming
digital media, Apple now is the pacesetter....
"If anything, the company's momentum accelerated in 2005. It
gave us the iPod shuffle, the Mac mini, the nano, the video-playing
iPod, a new iMac with a remote control and TV shows for sale on its
iTunes online store.
"Steve Jobs, Apple's rainmaker, was even parodied in a 'Saturday
Night Live' sketch, evidence of how the Cupertino-based outfit is
ingrained in pop culture like no other tech company."
- Link: Apple
Sets Pace in Consumer Electronics
A Playful Use for the Mac mini
Hardmac's Lionel reports:
"The compact size of the Mac mini gives some people some very
amusing ideas (thanks Lorelei).
"At the following address,
http://home.digital.udk-berlin.de/~fredericeyl/moving_canvas/parasite_large.mov,
you can see how the Mac mini was used to brighten a subway
journey."
- Link: A
Playful Use for the Mac mini
Mac mini Could See Big Announcement at Macworld
Expo
Forbes' Maya Roney says:
"Apple fans: Don't spend all of your holiday money on a video
iPod - Wall Street analysts and Mac experts are predicting a
surprise announcement of a new Intel-based Mac at MacWorld this
January.
"Back in June, Apple Computer announced that it would have a Mac
running on Intel chips by June 2006, but the Street and the geeks
have a hunch that the company could make the transition much
sooner.
"'Our extensive checks in the supply chain are pointing to a
very possible early introduction of Intel-based Macs before the
June 2006 target date, with a possible Intel-based Mac Mini
introduced at MacWorld,' wrote UBS Analyst Ben Reitzes in a recent
research report that got tongues wagging all over Mac rumor Web
sites."
Reitzes isn't alone in his predictions....
- Link:
Mac mini Could See Big Announcement
Products
Dedicated
Display for Mac mini from BenQ
Hardmac's Lionel reports:
"Apple is not proposing a dedicated display that will fit with
the price and the design of the Mac mini.
"BenQ thinks that there is a potential market for a TFT display
'made for the Mac mini'. "
- Link: Mac mini: a
Dedicated Display by BenQ
DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drives Range from 64 MB
to 8 GB
PR: The DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive is the perfect,
portable storage solution for anyone on the GO! All of your
valuable digital photos, songs, and important documents are easily
stored and transferred from one PC to another. All DiskGO! flash
drives are password protected by SecureGuard and backed by a
lifetime warranty. Simply plug the DiskGO! flash drive into your
USB port, download your files and GO! Travel light with the most
reliable and stylish flash drive available today!
Product Versions /Availability/ Price
- 8 GB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive: $619.95
- 4 GB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive, Special Holiday Price:
$264.95*
- 2 GB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive, Special Holiday Price:
$119.95*
- 1 GB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive, Special Holiday Price:
$59.95*
- 512 MB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive, Special Holiday Price:
$34.95**
- 256 MB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive, Special Holiday Price:
$19.95**
- 128 MB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive, Special Holiday Price:
$9.95**
- 64 MB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive, Now: $17.95
- 4 Pack - 128 MB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive - Buy 3 Get 1 free!
- $59.95
- 6 Pack - 128 MB DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive, $89.95
- * Price after $30 mail-in rebate
- ** Price after $10 mail-in rebate
Need more than one flash drive? Try our 128 MB Flash Drive 6
Pack. Six DiskGO! USB Flash Drives for one low price!
DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive Product Details
Product Advantages:
- SIZE: As small as your favorite lip balm!
- 3" (L) x 1" (W) x .4" (H)
- 3.37" (L) x 1.05" (W) x .59" (H) (4 GB & 8 GB Flash
Drives)
- WEIGHT: Less than .5 oz
- SECURITY: Includes SecureGuard password protection software -
User Manual
- STYLE: Sleek and silver, curved design
- USE:
- Plug 'n GO! - no need to restart
- Hot-Swappable - allows for quick and easy insertion and
removal!
- SPEED: Hi-Speed USB 2.0
- POWER: USB powered - no external supply needed
- EXTRAS: Includes a durable keychain grommet, Easy Boot
software, built-in pen clip, 3ft extension cable, lanyard, and
removable cap
- COMPATABILITY: PC & Mac Compatible
- SUPPORT: Lifetime warranty & toll-free technical
support
Technical Specifications:
- Operating Systems: Windows 98SE (driver included), Windows ME,
Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac O/S 9.0+, & Linux 2.4+
- Capacities: 64 MB / 128 MB / 256 MB / 512 MB / 1 GB / 2 GB / 4
GB
- Interface: Universal Serial Bus(USB) Port 2.0, backwards
compatible to USB 1.1
- Data retention: 100,000 transfers
- LED Indicator: Flashes when transferring data
- Link: DiskGO! USB
2.0 Flash Drive
Sonnet Announces Top End 1.7 GHz Dual G4
Upgrade
PR: Sonnet Technologies announces the immediate
availability of its new top-of-the-line dual processor upgrade-the
Encore/ST G4 Duet 1.7 GHz-for most "Sawtooth" Power Mac G4 systems,
including AGP Graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio and
QuickSilver models. This product represents a new high point in
performance and value in Sonnet's most popular line of processor
upgrades; it is priced the same as the 1.3 GHz dual processor
upgrade it replaces.
This upgrade, based on the latest and fastest PowerPC G4
7447A processors (used in Apple's current PowerBook line) from
Freescale Semiconductor, features 512K of SRAM on-chip L2 cache and
is compatible with Mac OS® 9.2, and Mac OS X Version 10.3.5 and
higher. All Encore/ST G4 upgrades for Power Mac G4 tower computers
include a factory-attached heat sink and fit seamlessly into all
supported systems. Like all Sonnet processor upgrades, this new
Encore/ST G4 Duet model carries a three-year warranty and includes
free technical support.
The Encore/ST G4 Duet 1.7 GHz (Part No. SG4D-1700) is available
now with an MSRP of USD $599.95.
For more information on the Encore/ST G4 Duet 1.7 GHz model,
visit the Sonnet website.
Sonnet also offers a full line of single processor Encore/ST G4
upgrades running at speeds up to 1.8 GHz. For more information,
please visit the Sonnet website.
Compatibility
The Encore/ST G4 Duet 1.7 GHz (Part No. SG4D-1700) is compatible
with the following Power Mac G4 models:
*Some AGP Graphics systems will not support the Encore/ST G4
Duet. For complete details, see Troubleshooting
a Power Mac G4 System with Disabled Multiprocessing.
Mac OS Requirements and Compatibility: The Encore/ST G4 Duet 1.7
GHz requires Mac OS 9.2 for software installation and firmware
updating. Mac OS X compatibility requires Mac OS X
Version 10.3.5 or later.
- Link: Sonnet
Encore/ST G4 Duet
Mac mini SleeveCase
PR: Protection for the Digital Life. The Mac mini
SleeveCase is light, compact and provides just the right amount of
protection. The durable ballistic nylon exterior protects against
scuffs and scrapes, and a soft lined 6mm neoprene interior gently
cushions your Mac Mini.
Want a compliment? Try the Mac mini SleeveCase with the Small
VertiGo. Inside is enough room to carry around the Mac mini
SleeveCase, power supply and other needed accessories.
Heading out with just your Mac mini? The Mac mini Sleevecase is
available with an optional 1.5" wide simple shoulder strap which
attaches with metal snap-hooks and d-rings.
Available in one size: 7.25" x 7.25" x 2.5"Mac Mini Case $39
- Link: Mac
mini SleeveCase
iDrops Cleaner/Polish for iPods, iMacs, eMacs,
Power Macs, and More
PR: PodShop, makers of specialized accessories for
portable audio electronics and computing devices, today announced
the immediate availability of their updated iDrops product - an
all-in-one cleaning, polishing, and scratch removing solution
specifically designed for use on the plastic/acrylic surfaces of
Apple's iPod (all models), iBook, eMac, and iMac (G3/G5), Mac mini,
and Power Mac (G3/G4).
iDrops is a two ounce bottle of "liquid health" for
plastic/acrylic surfaces that features a dropper top, allowing
easy, mess-free use for helping to repair and restore your
blemished, scuffed, or scratched product. iDrops can also be used
on the plastic/acrylic surfaces of CD/DVD media, cell phones, Game
Boy, PSP, and numerous other items.
iDrops - introduced in November 2004 - features improvements
throughout the entire product, including updated iDrops solution,
bottle, dropper, and label. Priced at $14.95, iDrops is available
from the company's website.
- Link: iDrops
SwiftData 200 Allows Three More Internal
Hard Drives in G5 Power Macs, Up to 2 TB of Storage
PR: SwiftData200 and SwiftData200R addresses Power Mac
G5's internal storage issue by allowing three (3) more internal
hard disk drives to be added to the computer. Now, a total of five
(5) internal drives running successfully within the G5 case has
been achieved by the Swiftdata200 without modifying, replacing, or
sacrificing the Power Mac G5's components.
With SwiftData200 and SwiftData200R, over 2 Terabytes of
internal storage is possible, which is enough hard drive space for
over 140 hours of Digital Video, and for audio professionals, this
translates to over 3000 hours of stereo PCM audio.
These drives can be used as RAID type 0 for blinding speed (more
then fast enough to capture 10 bit uncompressed video), as a RAID
type 1, 5, 10 ( RAID 5 & 10 available for G5 Dual and Quad
core) or individual drives where large storage space is required,
but the demand for speed is lessened.
The Swift Data200 and SwiftData200R are custom designed mass
storage solution made of aluminum. It ships with Trans
International's uniquely designed 15pin SATA power cable and SATA
II compliant data cables, installation instruction movie CD and
manual.
By striping 8 SATA II (RAID 0) drives [using the SwiftData200
internal drives and the miniG (4 bay) external SATA II storage
solution], a sustained data transfer rate of 8X (549 MB/s) can be
achieved.
Benefits
- Increase G5, G5 Dual/Quad Core internal data storage
- Economical
- Blinding speed
- Ease of use
- Space saver
- Enhances G5, G5 Dual/Quad Core capabilities
- Adds value to the G5, G5 Dual/Quad Core
Applications
- Professional Non-Linear Video Editing and Production: produce,
or archive video projects for uncompressed, broadcast-quality and
high-definition formats
- High Definition Production: easily meets demand for higher
throughput and capacity standards
- DVD authoring: : ample storage capability and performance
features allow full-length features and multimedia features to be
authored and written
- 2D/3D animation: reduces rendering and storage of even the most
sophisticated animation designs with its high-performance transfer
times and capacities
- Digital Illustration: Store thousands of finely-layered,
rendered illustrations using professional illustration tools
- Audio Production: Storage capacity and performance permits
studio-quality recording and playback rates
- Interactive Game Development: High-resolution graphics and
complex coding require huge amounts of data storage to satisfy game
authoring requirements
- Pre-Press: Handles storage requirements for large-format and
professional page composition, layout, production, and
scanning
- Digital Image/Music Libraries: saves huge digital and audio
libraries for archiving, display, and editing of entire digital and
music collections
- Small Studio/Home Studio: consumer-based workstations now
support HD content as well as Digital Video, requiring a smaller
form factor storage and affordable price offered by the
Swiftdata200 and SwiftData200R.
- Research Data: Capture and analyze real-time data streams for a
variety of scientific and engineering applications - including
seismic, environmental, chemical, biological, and medical
applications
- File Backup: Conventional data backup pales in comparison with
the storage capacities capable with Swiftdata200 and SwiftData200R
as a RAID type1
Min requirements:
- G5, G5 Dual/Quad Core Power Macintosh
- One (1) open PCI, PCIX or PCI Express slot.
- Link: Swift Data
200 Allows Three More Internal Hard Disk Drives in G5 Power
Macs
GVS90004U Power G5 w/SAN RAID +
Rackmount
PR: GVS-Grande Vitesse Systems, Inc.'s PowerPC G5 4XCPU
with 4-14 internal drive bays all in a 4U RACK. With a processor
speed of Quad-core 2.5GHz PowerPC G5 motherboard, in less than
8.0", the GVS90004U PPC is the only product of its kind available
in the market today.
The GVS9000 PowerPC comes with Quad 2.5GHz PowerPC G5 processors
running at speeds of up to 76.6 GBps, 1,000KB of dedicated L2 cache
memory per processor, three full-length PCI-e and one 16X PCI-e
slots, and 8 GB of DDR ECC SDRAM which can be upgraded to 32 GB .
Plus 6x500 GB SATAII drives, up to 1500RPM, configured as an
internal SAN RAID holding about 3,000 GB of shared disk space.
Three hot-plug on the front with secure door, and one 4x500 GB
SATAII drive with 4 GB Fiber Channel internal controller and an
upgrade option of up to 14 total internal, dual Gigabit Ethernet up
to 2, 4, 8, 14xSATAII drive interface, 4 GB Fiber Channel drive
interfaces (optional), up to 8xDVI and VGA display interface, dual
gigabit standards-based network services in OS X, or Linux
operating systems.
The GVS9000 4XCPU 2.5GHz Power G5 models take efficient data
access one step further, exceeding data access over 5.4Gbit/sec
ideal for most applications such as Aerospace, Animation ,
Audio/Video 2K & HD editing, Biotechnology, Communications,
Defense, Education, Manufacturing, Medical Imaging, Mobile
equipment, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, Stereo Video imaging, TV
Station, Visualization, as well as SAN meta-data controller and
Server, ideal video and audio uncompressed 4.4.4 recording. It's
ideal for the road, containing everything you need in a portable,
rugged design 19" rack mount or a tower unit with less than 19"
depth.
The 4XCPU 2.5GHz PowerPC models include RAM support of 16 GB up
to 4TB, internal storage up to 9TB with optional 15,000 RPM
hot-swap drives running at speeds of 720 MB/sec making it ideal for
High Performance Computing (HPC) in scientific and technical
environments, as well as for VTR, 3D Design, Film Colorist,
Animation and Visualization applications. The unique feature of the
GVS90004XCPU is the internal 4Gbit Fiber Storage that allows you to
instantaneously share your content and have your project available
to everyone on the SAN Fiber network, at speeds that are usually
only available on very high end fiber RAID products, but are a
standard part of the GVS 4XCPU product. The benefit of having the
internal 4Gbit Fiber is that you can configure your GVS9000 as an
Xsan meta data controller and run GVSAN and Xsan in conjunction to
deliver HFS+ volume as well as XSAN volume at the same time. Add
AJA, Blackmagic or any number of PCI-e capture cards and you have
yourself a complete VTR.
Includes:
- Quad-core 2.5GHz PowerPC® G5 Processors
- 4 PCI-e 16x, 4x, 8x, 4x slots
- 14x internal up to 500 GB SATAII, 4 GB Fibre or U320 removable
drive bay.
- Dual 2 GB Fibre PCI-e card option
- 14x500 GB SATA 7200RPM removable drives
- 4 GB Fiber channel drive interfaces
- PCMCI Micro, MS, SD, MS DUO, MMC, and SM removable drives
- 2x SATA drive interface on front
- Hardware RAID 0, 1, 3, 5, 6 0+1
- 14 removable drive bays
- 12 hot-swap drive bays option
- Quadro FX 4500 512 MB SDRAM
- Single or dual power supplies
- Up to 16 GB 8 DIMM sockets
- 56Kbps Modem Internal
- DVD/RW-CD/RW drive
- Front LCD display states
- DFirewire 800, 4xFirewire 400(2xon Front) 4xUSB2 (2xon
front)
- System software OSX or Linux
- 1 year limited warranty software
- Link: GVS90004U Power G5
w/SAN RAID + Rackmount
Desktop Mac
Deals
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