Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2006.01.20
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
Software
News & Opinion
New iMac Features ATI Radeon Graphics
PR: As innovators in the user experience, Apple continues
to deliver the best to its customers with the new iMac featuring
powerful PCI Express based graphics by ATI Technologies Inc. Apple
is offering ATI's award-winning Radeon X1600 for the iMac,
introducing an impressive consumer platform with state of the art
discrete graphics. With incredible efficiency and power, the Radeon
X1600 enables users to get the most out of not only the extensive
feature set of the iMac, but to leverage all the capabilities of
the Mac OS X Tiger, including Core Image and ATI's Avivo
technology to deliver superior display quality.
"Apple has always understood the important synergy of
performance and image quality and continual innovation within their
product lines," said Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President, PC
Business Unit, ATI Technologies. "As ATI continues to innovate in
graphics, one thing remains the same - our dedication and wide
ranging support of the Apple market, which has again been rewarded
by Apple's selection of the Radeon X1600 in the iMac and decision
to include powerful high end graphics in a leading consumer
platform."
The iMac features the Radeon X1600, designed with up to 256 MB
of high speed memory, giving users incredible performance,
resulting in a compelling graphics experience to match the powerful
capabilities of the iMac. Designed to provide optimum performance
in games and to seamlessly drive photo editing, video and high end
content creation applications, the Radeon X1600 delivers superior
performance and image quality and delivers the utmost display
quality for color purity, scaling, dithering and DVD playback with
ATI's Avivo technology.
ATI is the leading supplier of desktop and mobile graphics
technology for the Apple platform, including retail boards and
onboard systems.
Products
D-Link PersonalAir $35 Bluetooth 1.1 Adapter
for USB
PR: D-Link introduces another performance breakthrough in
wireless connectivity - the D-Link PersonalAir series of Bluetooth
enabled networking products capable of data transfer among devices
such as PDAs, printers, cellular phones, computers, and other
emerging electronic devices.
The D-Link PersonalAir DBT-120 USB Bluetooth Adapter is a very
compact, low-profile solution based on the Bluetooth 1.1
specification, making it compatible with other Bluetooth enabled
devices. The DBT-120 was designed and engineered from the ground up
to be compact and portable, making it the perfect solution for
notebook computers, but also just as easy to use with a desktop
computer.
The DBT-120 features standard 128-bit encryption that provides
you with a higher level of security for your data and
communication.
The D-Link PersonalAir DBT-120 includes Bluetooth management and
connectivity software by WidComm, which enables you to configure
and access Bluetooth enabled devices quickly and easily. The
Bluetooth software enables your computer to discover and access
available Bluetooth services ranging from Internet access to
wireless synchronization with your PDA or cellular phone.
System requirements: Compatible with USB 1.1, the DBT-120
supports Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE and Macintosh OS X 10.2 and
installs quickly and easily to a desktop or notebook computer with
an available USB port.
Bluetooth USB Adapter sells for $34.99
- Link: D-Link
PersonalAir Bluetooth USB Adapter
Sonnet Introduces 1.7 GHz Encore/ST G4 Duet
Dual CPU Upgrade
PR: Can your Power Mac keep up with OS X and the latest
apps? Give it a double-shot speed boost when you install a Sonnet
Encore/ST G4 Duet dual processor card! The Duet combines the
strength of two fast G4 processors in an upgrade that easily
handles the demands of today's processor-intensive applications -
now you can use GarageBand™ and Final Cut Pro® with power
to spare!
Installing the Duet is straightforward and takes just minutes -
just run a simple firmware updater and swap processor cards. The
performance gains are impressive - your Mac will be capable of
performing more tasks at the same time, each faster than ever
before. And the quality is first rate - Sonnet backs its processor
cards with a 3-year, limited warranty and free technical support.
The Encore/ST G4 Duet accelerates your Power Mac ahead of the
pack.
Key Features
- Dual PowerPC G4 7447A CPUs running at 1.7 GHz
- 512 KB speedy L2 cache per processor running at processor
speed
- Supports Mac OS 9.2 and Mac OS X 10.3.5 and higher
- Delivers multiprocessing power for a fraction of the cost of a
new system
- Auto-configures to host system's logic
- No switches or control panels
Hardware and Software Compatibility
The Encore/ST G4 Duet is compatible with your existing hardware,
software, RAM, and peripherals. It is compatible with Mac OS 9.2
and supports OS X Version 10.3.5 and greater; OS 9.2 is required to
perform firmware updates.* Just install, reboot and run everything
faster than you ever thought possible. Note that not all software
or Mac OS operations utilize dual processors. These will run at
single processor speeds.
- *This upgrade requires the installation of a supplied firmware
update; you must boot your computer in Mac OS 9.2 (installed on a
local hard drive) in order to run the firmware updater
application.
Important Note: Certain Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) computers
have a specific compatibility issue with dual processing. For more
details, download and read the notice on Sonnet's for details.
Simple Installation
Installation is straightforward. The Duet auto-configures to its
host system without the need for switches or jumpers - just update
your G4 tower's firmware with the supplied installer software, swap
processor cards and you're ready to go. No jumpers, no switches,
and no chaos in your workspace - it doesn't get much simpler.
Mac Compatible Models
- **Requires Mac OS 9.2 in order to update your computer's
firmware if it is NOT version 4.2.8.
- ÝSome AGP Graphics systems will not support Dual
Processing. Please download and read this important notice for
complete details.
The Encore/ST G4 Duet is compatible with Mac OS X and takes full
advantage of multiprocessor-optimized software.
OS 9 and AltiVec
The Encore/ST G4 Duet takes advantage of the features of Mac OS
9.2, including AltiVec-enhanced applications and applications that
exploit multiprocessing.
Applications
Run all your favorite processor intensive applications faster
and more efficiently.
Featuring dual 1.7 GHz G4 processors, the Encore/ST G4 Duet
processor upgrade card is among the most formidable computing
upgrades ever seen.
- Link: Sonnet
Encore/ST G4 Duet
MacWireless Expands Antenna and Booster
Line
PR: MacWireless.com announces the release of a new
antenna line, offering range extension solutions for Apple AirPort
base stations, PowerMacs, iMacs, PowerBooks, and iBooks. The whip
antenna is designed to help your laptop or desktop computer reach a
far away access point, and can help to overcome obstacles such as
the metal frame on Titanium and Aluminum PowerBooks. MacWireless
whip antennas will even work on an iBook with an AirPort or AirPort
Extreme Card, a model with a design that has made it notoriously
difficult to boost.
The new MacWireless omnidirectional antennas are great for boats
and RVs, featuring a rugged, weatherproof exterior and a sleek
design. The antennas can be used with an AirPort base station and
Power over Ethernet to create a powerful, flexible solution for
schools, homes, and offices. Add a MacWireless booster to yield
signals up to fifteen times more powerful than an AirPort card or
base station!
Featured in the lineup is a new ceiling antenna, which enables a
wireless base station to effective broadcast downward through
multiple floors, making it ideal for cafes, study rooms, and
multilevel office buildings. The ceiling antenna is simple to
setup, with several options for installation. These antennas are a
useful and unobtrusive addition to any wireless network.
In addition to offering full support for Apple AirPort products,
the new MacWireless antennas can also be used with most other
wireless base stations and cards.
- Link: MacWireless
Maxtor to Ship Media Server for Mac
ExtremeTech reports:
"Maxtor Corp. said late Tuesday that it will begin shipping a
media server in February for the Apple Macintosh market.
"Maxtor announced its Maxtor Shared Storage Plus solution at
Macworld, where Apple also announced its first Intel-based desktops
and notebooks. The Maxtor media server will serve files as well as
function as a print server, and will be available in February in a
$299.95 200-Gbyte configuration, a $399.95 300-GB option, or a
$499.95 500-GB skew."
- Link: Maxtor
to Ship Media Server for Mac
G-Tech Announces FireWire 800 PCI-Express
Adapter Compatible with Latest Power Mac G5s
PR: G-Technology Inc. (G-Tech) has announced a
high-performance FireWire 800 host bus adapter that works with the
latest Power Mac G5 systems that feature PCI-Express expansion
slots. This adapter enables users to connect G-Tech G-RAID and
G-DRIVE storage solutions to any new Power Mac G5 while freeing up
the onboard FireWire ports for use with other peripherals including
tape decks and video editing equipment such as AJA's Io.
The new G-Tech FireWire 800 PCI-Express adapter features:
- (2) External FireWire 800 ports
- (1) External FireWire 400 port
- Single-lane (x1) PCI-Express transfer rates up to 2.5 Gbps
- Supports DV, HDV, DVCPRO HD and 8-bit uncompressed video
editing
- Driverless, plug and play operation under Mac OS X
- 1-year warranty
Pricing and Availability
The G-Tech FireWire 800 PCI-Express adapter is available now for
$129 (US MSRP). Visit G-Tech to buy online or to find a reseller
near you.
- Link: G-Technology
Sonnet Announces Tempo SATA E4P
PR: Sonnet Technologies has announced a new line of
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) Serial ATA host
adapters. The Tempo SATA E4P with four external ports and the Tempo
SATA E4i with four internal ports are compatible with the newest
PCI Express Power Mac G5s - each offer unmatched scalability in
both capacity and performance to meet a wide range of application
environments like uncompressed high-definition video editing and
digital imaging.
Sonnet was the first company to introduce eSATA ports on Serial
ATA host adapters, and has been an industry leader in the space
ever since. Sonnet is also introducing the Fusion 500P, a new
five-bay disk drive enclosure with a built-in port multiplier. A
Tempo SATA E4P can support up to four Fusion 500P disk enclosures
to create amazingly fast storage solutions and very large storage
repositories.
The new internal Tempo SATA E4i provides a portal for adding
additional high-performance SATA storage inside a Power Mac G5 with
PCIe slots. Sonnet has also updated the popular G5 Jive internal
drive mounting system to be compatible with both PCI-X and PCIe
Power Mac G5s.
"With Sonnet's port multiplier aware Tempo SATA E4P, adding
high-performance storage has never been easier," states Steve
Garceau, Sonnet product manager. "One cable connects each Fusion
500P offering simplicity and pay-as-you-grow affordability."
Both the Tempo SATA E4P and Tempo SATA E4i cards feature a
performance bandwidth of 3 Gb per second per port, allowing for
optimum drive speed and data flow potential. The Tempo SATA E4P
retails for $299.95 and the Tempo SATA E4i retails for $199.95.
Both are available in early February.
- Link: Sonnet
Tempo SATA E4P
MaxConnect Internal Hard Drive Mounting
Solution for G5 Power Macs
PR: MaxUpgrades offers MaxConnect PCI Bay internal
storage expansion assembly for G5 Power Macs. MaxConnect PCI Bay
enable two additional hard disk drives to be mounted in the PCI Bay
of G5 Power Macs. MaxConnect PCI Bay assembly is made of
Aluminum.
MaxConnect PCI Bay assembly when used with MaxConnect CPU Bay
mounting assembly for three SATA disk drives , a total of seven
disk drives can be installed inside Power Macintosh G5, this will
enable the user to set up RAID 5 inside Power Macintosh G5 with
five SATA Hard Disk Drive along with a separate boot drive.
The result below gives a comparison of data transfer rates of,
five 500 GB Hitachi SATA disk drive striped RAID 5. Test is run on
Power Macintosh G5 2.0 GHz Dual with eight internal ports HighPoint
2220 SATA PCI-X Card (8 Independent Data Channels) installed in
PCI-X slot 3 of the Power Macintosh G5 2.0 GHz Dual Processor
SZ-MCPCIXBAY1AL1 MaxConnect PCI Bay Disk Drive Mounting Assembly
for PCI-X G5
- One Hard Disk Drive Mounting Assembly [Aluminum]
- 15-Pin SATA Power Cable for supplying power to the two
additional hard disk drives in the PCI Bay
- Two SATA II or eSATA Low profile Data Cables
- Fan for Hard Disk Drives Cooling
- Mounting Screws
- Hex Keys
SZ-MCPCIXBAY2AL2 MaxConnect PCI Bay Disk Drive Mounting Assembly
for PCI-X G5
- Two Hard Disk Drive Mounting Assembly [Aluminum]
- 15-Pin SATA Power Cable for supplying power to the two
additional hard disk drives in the PCI Bay
- Two SATA II or eSATA Low profile Data Cables
- Fan for Hard Disk Drives Cooling
- Mounting Screws
- Hex Keys
SZ-MCPCIEBAY1AL1 MaxConnect PCI Bay Disk Drive Mounting Assembly
for PCI-Express G5
- One Hard Disk Drive Mounting Assembly [Aluminum]
- 15-Pin SATA Power Cable for supplying power to the two
additional hard disk drives in the PCI Bay
- Two SATA II or eSATA Low profile Data Cables
- Fan for Hard Disk Drives Cooling
- Mounting Screws
- Hex Keys
- Ship Date (01-21-06)
SZ-MCPCIEBAY2AL2 MaxConnect PCI Bay Disk Drive Mounting Assembly
for PCI Express G5
- Two Hard Disk Drive Mounting Assembly [Aluminum]
- 15-Pin SATA Power Cable for supplying power to the two
additional hard disk drives in the PCI Bay
- Two SATA II or eSATA Low profile Data Cables
- Fan for Hard Disk Drives Cooling
- Mounting Screws
- Hex Keys
- Ship Date (01-21-06)
- Link:
MaxConnect PCI Bay Internal Hard Drive Mounting Solution for G5
Power Macs
Software
Martian SlingShot Synchronization Software
PR: Got two Macs? Keep folders in sync between them
easily
You have more than one Mac. Remembering to copy data between
them is a pain in the *bleep*. File sharing is too hard to set up,
and it doesn't keep your data up to date automatically.
A solution from your Martian friends
Enter Martian SlingShot. Just use SlingShot to Publish your
folders from one Mac, and then use SlingShot on your other Mac to
Subscribe to them. Tell SlingShot how often to check for updates,
and you're all set . . . SlingShot will silently work in
the background keeping all your bits in line.
Keep 'em in sync. Easily.
We've worked hard to make SlingShot incredibly easy to use (just
like you expect from good Mac software). You can Publish a folder
in just three clicks, and Subscribe to a folder in just two.
SlingShot will do the rest, keeping your Subscriptions up-to-date
in the background.
Publisher makes folders available with Martian SlingShot
Subscribed folders are automatically kept up to date
SlingShot also allows the Publisher to choose to Accept Updates
from Subscribers. This makes it really easy to keep your data up to
date on all your Macs, no matter where you happen to edit it.
The easiest way to keep good live backups
Before SlingShot existed here on Mars, Martians were always
losing their data when their machines crashed (or when those darned
Venusians came over for a party and got a little rowdy).
SlingShot makes it trivial to set up an old machine in the
closet as a live backup server. Just have your backup box Subscribe
to folders from your other machines; it will then periodically copy
down your data, keeping it nice and safe. So you can invite the
Venusians over again without worry (well, at least without worrying
about your files. Keep them away from your cats).
We understand that Earthlings are always worried about data
security. Martian SlingShot protects your data in two ways:
256-bit AES encryption on the network.
Any file data written to the network is encrypted. So snoopers
can't copy your bits while they're flying around.
Password protection for your Published folders.
SlingShot lets you easily add a password when you Publish a
folder. Subscribers can't connect without knowing the password.
From the main SlingShot window, you can monitor your Published
and Subscribed folders. With one click, you can Publish and
Subscribe to new Folders too. SlingShot also displays new blog
entries from Martian so you can keep track of updates and news
easily. Publishing a folder is as simple as selecting it (or typing
its path) and giving it a name. You can also optionally require a
password from Subscribers, as well as set whether or not to accept
updates from Subscribers. SlingShot lists all the available
Published Folders for you to make it easy to Subscribe to a new
one. All you have to do is tell SlingShot where on your machine you
want the synchronized data to be written, and adjust how frequently
it should check with the Publisher for updates.
Back home on Mars, Macs have more than 90% market share among
higher-order life forms, and small indie software craftspeople dot
the landscape. The last time my buddy Weebix and I came through
your neck of the Solar System (you know, to make some crop circles)
we decided we'd stick around and help out the Mac users of your
planet. Martian SlingShot is the result. Plus we discovered we
really like your barbecue.
SlingShot requires Mac OS 10.4.
Price: $29.99
One license is all you need in order to use SlingShot on all the
Macs you personally own. If your friends want to use SlingShot too,
they need to buy their own licenses.
- Link: Martian
SlingShot Synchronization Software
Pooch Cluster Software Makes Cluster and Grid
Computing Easier
PR: Dauger Research, Inc., releases version 1.6 of Pooch
(Parallel OperatiOn and Control Heuristic application) and Pooch
Pro clustering software today. Leveraging new technologies
introduced with "Tiger", Apple's newest Mac OS X, the Pooch family
introduces new enhancements, including "playlist"-like node lists
and network tools, enriching the user experience of
supercomputer-compatible cluster computing. Long recognized as a
leader in cluster solution providers, Dauger Research delivers an
unmatched combination of powerful tools to manage and maintain
cluster resources, maximizing the power of clusters for its
users.
Major new features include:
- Utilization of new technologies in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger:
- Automator - Incorporate Pooch actions into workflows
- Dashboard - View cluster status and activity in an aesthetic
environment
- Spotlight - Locate data in Pooch jobs via the system
- Xgrid - Pooch makes Xgrid nodes accessible to users
- Adaptations to other adjustments specific to "Tiger"
- Major updates to the Network Scan window. including support for
user-defined node lists in their own movable Network pane, a
multipurpose action popup menu, an address box, an all-new Network
view mode, and even a Search mechanism
- Extended AppleScript fidelity, exposing additional node,
network, and job data
- Support for a new web-based interface
- Support for distributed/grid-style jobs, specifying arbitrary
argument ranges for identical executables
- Revised queuing system with a centralized queue for all users
on the system
- Other feature enhancements, bug fixes, and adaptations to
changes in OS X
"While carrying the Macintosh philosophy to
supercomputer-compatible cluster computing, we accomplish many
'first's to adopt the latest in desktop technology, such as
Bonjour, AppleScript, and drag-and-drop, to make clusters as
easy-to-use as possible for users. Leading 'ad hoc' clustering, we
continue that spirit with the new Pooch and Pooch Pro.", said Dr.
Dean Dauger, President of Dauger Research, Inc. "The Pooch family
provides the easiest and most reliable path to parallel computing;
we've just made it even better."
The Pooch family leads the way making grid and cluster computing
easy-to-use and reliable. A new web interface to Pooch increases
the ways users can utilize clustering, making it even easier for
users on other platforms to utilize a Mac cluster. As enhancements
to its network scan tool, the new Pooch introduces user-defined
node lists, much like iTunes' "playlists", in its new Network pane,
allowing the user to switch between subnets of the Internet as well
as define arbitrary groups of computing nodes for the user's
convenience and benefit. Users can access multiple networks of
nodes in the new Network view and evaluate queued, running, and
terminated jobs through Pooch's native interface or via
AppleScript. Pooch's Job window features a new Grid job type,
making distributed launching of many single-processor executables
as easy as point and click. Independent executables not designed
for parallel computing can therefore utilize a cluster through
Pooch's GUI.
Pooch leverages four major Tiger technologies: Pooch includes a
new Automator action that enables workflows to initiate cluster
activity. A new Dashboard widget, shipping with Pooch, reports the
status of and the past, present, and future job activity on the
cluster in an aesthetically pleasing environment. Spotlight can
search Pooch's job data with a new plug-in. Finally, Pooch makes
Xgrid nodes accessible to users through Pooch's award-winning
interface.
These features build on the Pooch family's recognized lead over
other cluster solutions. Pooch and Pooch Pro can have
multiprocessor Macs behave like multiple "virtual nodes". They can
can utilize logged-out machines for parallel computing with
preexisting resources. Pooch supports all execution environments
available on current Apple hardware and supports five distinct
implementations of the Message-Passing Interface (MPI). Pooch Pro
provides the only easy-to-use GUI-based resource management
mechanism, securely encrypting user data about CPU time, job
limits, and even rollover minutes, another feature unique to Pooch
Pro in the cluster world.
Dauger Research, Inc., introduced eight tutorials, three
recently, on the Pooch website, extensively describing how to
develop parallel applications and algorithms. Users can access
tutorials outlining the different types of parallel computing,
detailed MPI information, and descriptions, with example code in
FORTRAN and C, of the basics of writing parallel code. Website
visitors can download GUI and command-line installers containing a
trial Pooch, sample parallel applications and source code, a Pooch
Software Development Kit, and full documentation. Dauger Research
makes it easier than ever to write, develop, and run your parallel
code today.
Version 1.6 of Pooch and Pooch Pro are shipping. This version
leverages new features of OS X "Tiger", introduces new support
for distributed/grid-style computing, user-defined node lists a la
iTunes "playlists". All this with a renovated Network Scan window
and extended AppleScript support.
Pooch and Pooch Pro v1.6 are available today. Updates are
shipping to Pooch users whose subscriptions are active.
Pooch v1.6 is available for $175 for the first compute node then
$125 for each node thereafter. Pooch Pro v1.6 is available for $200
for the first compute node then $150 for each node thereafter. See
the web site for special academic pricing. Users may order Pooch
and other software using the forms on our web site or online
through the Dauger Research Store.
System requirements: Pooch requires networked PowerPC
Macintoshes and/or Xserves running Mac OS 9 with CarbonLib 1.2
or later, Mac OS X 10.2 or later, and/or Mac OS X Server
10.2 or later with 4 MB of available RAM and 2 MB of disk
space. Pooch Pro requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later, and/or Mac
OS X Server 10.2 or later.
- Link: Pooch Cluster
Software
Desktop Mac Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers every two
weeks:
For deals on laptops, see our Best MacBook Pro deals, Best Aluminum PowerBook G4 Deals, Best Titanium PowerBook G4 Deals,
Best iBook G4 Deals, and Best White iBook G3 Deals. For
deals on iPods, see our Best iPod
Deals.
