All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
General Apple and Mac desktops is covered in The Mac News Review. iPod, iPhone, and Apple
TV news is covered in The iNews
Review.
News & Opinion
Tech Trends
Products
News & Opinion
At Last, a Mac Tablet Computer
ITWire's
Stuart Corner reports:
"It has been a year since the announcement, but the Modbook - a keyboard-less tablet
computer created by modifying a MacBook laptop - is finally shipping.
And contrary to initial speculation, it has the full blessing of
Apple.
"The Modbook, from California-based Axiotron , is the only Mac-based
tablet computer on the market. It has been created by combining the
core hardware and software of a standard MacBook laptop with a Wacom
digitised pen-sensitive LCD slate-style display and makes use of
Apple's built-in Inkwell handwriting recognition technology...."
Link: At Last - a Mac Tablet
Computer
Apple's New Laptops Confirmed
The Boy
Genius Report says:
"Leave it up to our music industry spies (Ok, well, Just Blaze
really) to set the record straight! Apple will 100% be announcing a new
laptop at Macworld. We've also heard the laptop will go on sale a week
after Macworld, too. What laptop is this? The much-rumored ultra
portable one? Well, we'd guess so, but do not have a firm confirmation
on the details of the new unit...."
Link:
Apple's New Laptops: Confirmed! - Report
Hip Hop Star Spills Beans on New Apple
Notebook
Register Hardware's
Scott Snowden reports:
"Rumours abound that hip hop star Just Blaze has told all about
Apple's much talked-about sub-notebook, after he was promised one for
performing at a recent Apple Christmas party. The mystery machine is
allegedly to be announced at Macworld in January....
"However, according to website boygeniusreport, Mr Blaze was one of
several music celebrities who performed live at the company-sponsored
music event for Apple's employees. In exchange for their work, each
artist was promised a free notebook that will be unveiled at the
Macworld expo in San Francisco."
Link:
Celeb Spills Beans on New Apple Notebook
Talk of 'Super-thin' Laptop Whets Apple
Aficionados' Appetite
The Times'
Rhys Blakely reports:
"Apple is set to unveil a new ultraportable laptop on January 15,
according to the army of online pundits dedicated to tracking the iPod
maker's every move....
"However, the expected launch at the San Francisco-based event of a
lightweight, super-thin laptop - a device seemingly pitched between the
iPhone and its current MacBook line of computers - is kindling the
greatest interest among Apple aficionados."
Link:
Talk of 'Super-thin' Laptop Whets Apple Aficionados' Appetite
Blu-ray Could Be Option on Next MacBook Pro
ZD Net blogger Robin Harris
says:
"Panasonic will announce the industry's first slim-line Blu-ray DVD
writer at CES on January 6. The 9.5 mm drive fits into the same space
used by current DVD burners.
"Panasonic supplies most of Apple's notebook DVD burners. Given the
availability of the new drive I expect to see Apple announce it for the
MacBook Pro family very soon - possibly at Macworld the following
week."
Link: Blu-ray Option on New MacBook
Pro
Fix 'Missing' Bluetooth on MacBook Pro
jkOnTheRun says:
"I can't just bash Vista and ignore Mac problems when they arise and
today for the first time one did on my MacBook Pro running Leopard. I
booted into Vista Ultimate using Boot Camp and played Call of Duty 4
for a while. I am totally impressed with how well Vista runs on the MBP
under both VMWare Fusion and natively with Boot Camp.
"After I finished playing COD4 I restarted the MacBook Pro and
booted into Leopard and was I surprised to find that not only was
Bluetooth not working but the system didn't realize there was a
Bluetooth module installed. I had a brief moment of panic thinking the
hardware module must have been fried but I went online and in just a
minute found a fix. I shut down the MacBook and when it was time to
start it up I held the Power Button down until I heard a loud beep from
the system. This signaled that a hard restart was coming up...."
Link: MacBook
Pro Loses Bluetooth - a Fix
US Bans Spare Lithium Batteries from Checked
Bags
Macworld's
James Niccolai reports:
"New rules [went into] effect on Jan. 1 that prohibit air passengers
in the U.S. from carrying spare lithium batteries in their checked
baggage.
"The new rules, announced Friday by the U.S. Department of
Transport, are designed to reduce the risk of fires in aircraft.
Lithium batteries have been identified as a possible cause of several
aircraft fires.
"Passengers will still be able to carry lithium batteries in checked
bags if they are installed in a device like a laptop or digital camera.
But loose batteries will need to be put in a plastic bag and carried on
the plane as hand luggage, the DOT said....
"The rules are also described at the SafeTravel.dot.gov Web site."
Link: US Bans
Spare Lithium Batteries from Checked Bags
Tech Trends
10-Year-Old Apple eMate Holds Its Own Against XO
Laptop
rikomatic.com's Rik says:
"My XO laptop arrived in the mail today! From my first couple of
hours experimenting, I can tell that it's an impressive little machine.
I look forward to playing with it for the next weeks, which I will be
sure and blog about.
"One of the first things I did was put the XO side-by-side with
my old Apple eMate
subnotebook. Despite the ten year age difference, they are surprisingly
comparable machines....
"Okay, it hardly seems fair to compare a computer developed more
than ten years ago with a sub-notebook just released by the One Laptop
Per Child folks. But since they both were designed as child-friendly,
educational devices, it seemed like a logical comparison. Plus, they
are both green....
"The eMate compares quite favorably to the cutting edge XO laptop,
which is surprising giving how old the device is. Just another reminder
of what an amazing tech company Apple has always been."
Editor's note: Also see Tommy Thomas' My Great New Writing Machine: An Old Newton
eMate 300 for another user's perspective on Apple's first
subnotebook. dk
Link: XO Laptop
versus Apple eMate
Laptop Project Enlivens Peruvian Hamlet
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Does OLPC Work for Mobile Workers?
Computerworld's James Turner says:
"Laptops used by children in the remote villages of developing
nations must be cheap, compact, easy to repair, rugged and
power-stingy. Business users stuck on a flight, say, from New York to
Paris, would likely want the same thing.
"So here's the question: Is the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO
computer a good tool for business users?"
Link:
One Laptop Per Employee? - Does OLPC Work for Mobile Workers?
Notebooks to Sport 4 GB RAM in Early
2008?
Electronista says:
"Several notebook makers will make 4 GB of RAM standard on
their systems at the start of the new year, say companies in Taiwan
producing the memory in question....
"However, most Windows PCs continue to run 32-bit versions of
Windows, reducing the amount of memory visible to the OS compared to a
64-bit platform. The MacBook line is currently the only mainstream
platform that is known to recognize the full amount without special
modifications."
Link:
Notebooks to Sport 4 GB RAM in Early 2008?
18" LCDs in Works, Coming to Acer First
Electronista
reports:
"LCD maker Chunghwa Picture Tubes today revealed that a new panel is
in the works that could affect the designs of both desktop and notebook
displays. Measuring 18.4 inches, the display will sit between 17- and
19-inch LCDs in cost but will adopt a wider, HDTV-like 1366 x 768
resolution versus the taller pictures of its smaller and larger models.
The screen will be designed for distance viewing and will boast a
relatively high 1,000:1 contrast ratio and 5ms pixel response time,
Chunghwa claims.
"The larger display can be used for desktops but will be used for
desktop replacement notebooks - including a future Acer system, the LCD
producer says..."
Editor's note: Apple's 17" MacBook Pro boasts a much higher
resolution 1920 x 1200 display, and even the entry-level 13" MacBook
beats this new display at 1280 x 800. Don't expect to see Apple put
such a low resolution display in a notebook computer. dk
Link: 18-inch
LCDs in Works, Coming to Acer First
Products
Highly Anticipated, Award-Winning Modbook
Tablet Mac Now Shipping
PR: Axiotron, Inc. has announced that its flagship product,
the Modbook, the first fully
functional Apple-authorized tablet Mac solution, is now shipping to
consumers.
The only Mac-based
tablet computer on the market, Axiotron's Modbook seamlessly integrates
a state-of-the-art Wacom digitized pen-sensitive LCD slate-style
display with Apple MacBook's legendary ease of use and design
sensibility, giving artists and design-oriented professionals enhanced
onscreen writing and drawing functionality when they need it most.
"After introducing the product earlier in the year, we have
experienced a tremendous amount of positive response to the Modbook as
its exclusive modular design and superior functionality provide the
best tablet solution on the market for artists and designers," said
Andreas Haas, President of Axiotron. "The Modbook's recent designation
as an Apple-authorized product has allowed us to better meet the needs
of our extremely patient customers and we are proud to be able to ship
a product that resets the bar for Mac users everywhere."
Named Best of Show at Macworld 2007, Axiotron's Modbook melds Apple
MacBook's speed, power, superior strength and elegance with Wacom's
leading digitizer technology to provide an unparalleled 512 levels of
pressure sensitivity for a fast, accurate and intuitive user
experience. Offering twice the pen sensitivity and control of any
tablet PC on the market, the Modbook gives artists and design oriented
professionals the increased freedom, flexibility and precision control
to create and edit digital art using a variety of specially designed
pen tips that are included with each Modbook.
A perfect blend of style and
functionality, each Modbook comes preinstalled with Mac OS X Leopard,
the award winning OS X's built-in Inkwell handwriting recognition, a
2.0 GHz or 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a built-in iSight camera
and an integrated 24x DVD Combo drive or 8x DVD SuperDrive. Also, every
Modbook features a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS).
In addition to all of the features of the powerful Apple MacBook
base system, the Axiotron Modbook's largest-in-class wide angle 13.3"
widescreen display offers wider viewing angles and a higher contrast
ratio, resulting in darker blacks and more vivid, saturated colors
while maintaining the same resolution and aspect ratio of the original
MacBook display.
Providing superior structural strength for almost every situation,
both the Modbook's top shell and the interior display frame are built
from top grade, aircraft quality magnesium alloy. A triple layer of
metal plating - nickel over copper and topped with chrome - results in
an extremely scratch resistant and aesthetically pleasing surface, and
is available in standard satin or optional mirror finish.
Axiotron will showcase the Modbook at the upcoming Macworld Expo
2008 (Booth # S-408) with a host of hands-on mini-seminars conducted by
renowned comic book artist Kody Chamberlain, Emmy award-winning
animator Shannon Tindle, award-winning photographer Caesar Lima,
acclaimed architectural designer Matthew Brewster and Cal State
Fullerton design professor Bryan Cantley. Additionally, the Modbook's
broad range of application functionality will be highlighted at
Axiotron's in-booth vendor stations featuring representatives from
Microsoft, Adobe, Corel, Autodesk, Circus Ponies™ Software, Edge
Health Solutions, GPSNavX™ and Vision Objects.
The Modbook has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $2,290
and is available in the United States and Canada exclusively through
Axiotron Authorized Resellers (AAR).
Link: Axiotron
Modbook
Keynamics In-flight Internet Laptop
Stand
PR: JetBlue now offers passengers the
first in-flight internet / email service over US territory.
Keynamics LLC, the company that invented the Aviator Laptop Stand,
anticipated this historic launch when it introduced its patented stand
in April of 2006 . The Aviator is the first and only laptop stand
designed specifically for use on airplane tray tables, as well as
desktops.
Airline passengers will need
comfort and safety when they access the in-flight internet service. The
Aviator is sturdy and extremely stable to handle turbulence and bumping
from other passengers. From an ergonomic perspective, the Aviator
angles and extends the laptop keyboard 2.5 inches past the front edge
of the tray, providing a comfortable wrist position. In addition, the
stand raises the screen 3 inches off the tray table, achieving the
proper eye level for reduced neck bending and back strain.
The Aviator Laptop Stand provides room to
work comfortably, even when the passenger in front has reclined their
seat.
The stand eliminates the "hunch" and allows the passenger to rest
their back against the seat for spinal support, achieving neutral
postures as OSHA recommends.
Passengers can also use the
Aviator, upon reaching their destination, as a portable desktop / table
stand for use at the Hotel, Coffee shop or Office.
Compact for travel and weighing only 9 ounces, the Aviator stores
flat in the side pocket of a
Editor's note: You can read my full review, The 'Book
Mystique Review - Aviator Laptop Stand for Air Warriors, on
PBCentral. cwm
Link: Keynamics
Quicky Redesigned, Now More Rugged
PR: QuickerTek announces a more rugged case for the
ever-popular Quicky Mac wireless booster. The Quicky's 500 milliwatt RF
transceiver boosts wireless signals from virtually any wireless
network. Customer feedback told us that if there was any improvement to
be made, it was to make the product more roadworthy. Since the majority
of our customers are mobile wireless users, it makes perfect sense to
harden the case to withstand use on-the-go.
QuickerTek announces a more rugged case for the ever-popular Quicky
Mac wireless booster. Customer feedback told us that if there was any
improvement to be made, it was to make the product more roadworthy.
Since the majority of our customers are mobile wireless users, it makes
perfect sense to harden the case to withstand use on-the-go.
The Quicky case is now tougher, using the latest manufacturing
methods to construct a case that will deliver years of active mobile
use. Wireless performance is not hindered in any way and customers need
not sacrifice anything.
Quicky users get up to ten times the wireless range of a stock iBook
or MacBook. More wireless networks are accessible so that using the
internet further away from an AirPort Base Station or other wireless
access point at a coffee shop or office. And instead of moving away
from the wireless network and losing signal strength and speed, Quicky
delivers full speed at longer distances.
The Quicky's 500 milliwatt RF transceiver boosts wireless signals
from virtually any wireless network. Mac portables offer between 25 and
30 milliwatts of RF power, but when you plug the Quicky into the USB
port, you instantly get 10 times the range and at full wireless speed.
And there are no extra steps for the user, it just plugs in and works
automatically (after initial software installation). Quicky is fully
compatible with all Apple AirPort Base Stations on a Mac running Mac OS
X 10.3.9 or later, including Leopard (10.5x).
Like most QuickerTek products, the Quicky is backed with a one-year
warranty on parts and labor. Additional product information is found at
the QuickerTek website.
Link: Quicky
Bargain 'Books
Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and
refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for
AppleCare.
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233 MHz,
the cacheless MainStreet version and the
later Series II with
a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from the
vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included links within
this paragraph to the two models. The same goes for the PowerBook G4/667 (VGA) and
G4/667 (DVI), the
titanium vs. aluminum 15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz, and 1.25 GHz to 1.5
GHz 15" PowerBooks.
PowerBook, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.
This week with Apple refurb. 'Books the $1,699.00 2.2 GHz 15"
MacBook Pros are back, and there are three 17" MacBook Pro and two
MacBook models offered respectively. cm
- refurb 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $899
- refurb 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,049
- refurb 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,699
- refurb 15" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,899
- refurb 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,099
- refurb 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,199
- refurb 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,399
- refurb hi-res 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD,
$2,599
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/SD, $529.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, $799.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SD, $879.99
- 17" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SD, $999.99
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SD, $1,119.99
- 15" Titanium PowerBook G4/867 MHz, 256/30/Combo, $579.99
- 15" Titanium G4 PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $699.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $699.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.25 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $709.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $724.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/Combo, $799.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/80/Combo, $899.99
- 15" hi-res PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/80/SD, $949.99
- new 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $1,049
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, warranty
started, $1,199
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,229
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, warranty
started, $1,399
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,439
- open box 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,899
- open box 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, $2,229
- open box 15" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, warranty
started, $2,199
- open box 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,599
- open box 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, warranty
started, $2,649
- open box 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160./SD, $2,599
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $199.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 256/10/Combo, $299.95
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, $219.95
- 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/CD, $239.95
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $249.95
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/40/Combo, $499.95
- 14" iBook G4/800, 512/40/Combo, $529.95
- 15" PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/Combo, $529.95
For more deals on current and discontinued models, see our MacBook deals, MacBook Pro deals, 12" PowerBook G4 deals,
15" PowerBook G4
deals, 17"
PowerBook G4 deals, titanium PowerBook G4
deals, iBook G4
deals, PowerBook G3
deals, and iBook G3
deals.
