Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2006.01.13
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
News
Apple Unveils New iMac with Intel Core Duo
Processor
PR: Apple today unveiled the new iMac featuring Mac OS X
running on the new Intel Core Duo processor, delivering performance
that is up to twice that of its predecessor. The widely praised
iMac design now features dual-core processors, a built-in iSight
video camera for video conferencing out-of-the-box, and the
breakthrough media experience of Front Row with the Apple Remote
for a simple, intuitive and powerful way for consumers to enjoy
their content from across the room. Starting at just $1,299, every
new iMac comes with iLife '06, the next generation of Apple's
award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring
major new versions of iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand and
introducing iWeb, a new iLife application that makes it super-easy
to create amazing websites with photos, blogs and Podcasts and
publish them on .mac for viewing by anyone on the Internet with
just a single click. The new iMac is shipping today, and is the
first of a new generation of Macs featuring Intel processors that
Apple will roll out during 2006.
"The iMac has
already been praised as 'the gold standard of desktop PCs', so we
hope customers really love the new iMac, which is up to twice as
fast," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "With Mac OS X plus Intel's
latest dual-core processor under the hood, the new iMac delivers
performance that will knock our customers' socks off."
The new iMac features Apple's breakthrough Front Row media
experience and the Apple Remote, a simple way for customers to
enjoy the content they have on their iMac - including songs from
their iTunes music library, photo slideshows from iPhoto, videos
including TV shows, Podcasts, iMovies and DVDs, and popular movie
trailers streamed from apple.com - all from across the room.
Every new iMac comes with a built-in iSight video camera for
out-of-the-box video conferencing using Apple's award-winning iChat
AV software, or recording a video Podcast or iMovie using iLife
'06. The built-in iSight video camera takes advantage of the Intel
Core Duo processor to deliver up to four times the resolution over
the previous model. Each iMac also includes Photo Booth, Apple's
fun-to-use application that lets users take quick snapshots with
the built-in iSight video camera, add entertaining visual effects
and share their pictures with the touch of a button.
The new iMac comes standard with a SuperDrive for burning
professional-quality DVDs, 512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory
expandable to 2 GB, hard drive storage capacity up to 500 GB,
and ATI Radeon X1600 PCI Express-based graphics with 128 MB of
GDDR3 memory for outstanding graphics performance and realistic
game play. With the latest high-performance connectivity options,
the new iMac includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet
for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort Extreme for fast 54
Mbps wireless networking, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data
Rate), a total of five USB ports (three USB 2.0) and two FireWire
400 ports. The new iMac now includes mini-DVI video output to
connect up to a 23" Apple Cinema HD Display. With mini-DVI and the
new iMac's extended desktop mode feature, users can more than
double their available screen real estate.
The new iMac was designed to be the perfect computer for iLife
'06, the next generation of Apple's award-winning suite of digital
lifestyle applications featuring major new versions of iPhoto,
iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand, and introducing iWeb, a new iLife
application that makes it super-easy to create amazing websites
with photos, blogs and Podcasts and publish them on .mac for
viewing by anyone on the Internet with just a single click. All the
iLife '06 applications are Universal applications that run natively
on the new Intel-based iMacs for maximum performance.
Every new iMac comes with the latest release of the world's most
advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4.4 "Tiger"
including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV, Front Row, and Photo Booth,
running natively on Apple's first Intel-based desktop. Mac OS X
Tiger includes an innovative software translation technology called
Rosetta that lets customers run most Mac OS X PowerPC
applications seamlessly.
Pricing & Availability
The new iMac is shipping today and will be available through the
Apple Store, Apple's retail stores, and Apple Authorized
Resellers.
The new 17" 1.83 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of
$1,299 (US), includes:
- 17" widescreen LCD display
- 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor
- 512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2 GB
- 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support
- PCI Express-based ATI Radeon X1600 with 128 MB GDDR3
memory
- built-in iSight video camera
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth
2.0+EDR
- 160 GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm
- mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold
separately)
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple
Keyboard.
The new 20" 2.0 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,699
(US), includes:
- 20" widescreen LCD display
- 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor
- 512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2 GB
- 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support
- PCI Express-based ATI Radeon X1600 with 128 MB GDDR3
memory
- built-in iSight video camera
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth
2.0+EDR
- 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm
- mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold
separately)
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple
Keyboard.
Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2 GB DDR2
SDRAM, 250 GB and 500 GB Serial ATA hard drives, up to 256 MB of
GDDR3 video memory on the 20" iMac, iWork '06 (preinstalled),
AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base Station, Apple Wireless
Keyboard, Apple Wireless Mouse, Apple USB Modem and the AppleCare
Protection Plan.
NewerTech Upgrades miniStack
PR: Topping off an award-filled 2005 in which the
NewerTech miniStack was named Accessory of the Year by 123Macmini,
an Editors' Choice by Mac Addict, and Top Product by Macworld,
Newer Technology Inc. (NewerTech) is kicking off 2006 with the
premier of a sleek upgraded design at the Macworld Conference &
Expo in San Francisco.
"At NewerTech our goal is to provide the best solutions for
today's technology users at the best prices possible. When we hear
actual users say they 'can't do without' our miniStack, that's an
amazing reward," says Larry O'Connor, president of NewerTech.
The NewerTech miniStack retails for less than $139.99 for an 80
Gigabyte (GB) version and is available in capacities up to 500 GB
at 7200 rpm. An economical 'add your own hard drive' kit is
available for $79.99.
The newly enhanced NewerTech miniStack™ v2 is engineered
to increase drive capacity 80- to 500 GB while adding multiple
FireWire and USB port options ergonomically divided between rear
and side configurations.
Although specifically designed to work in conjunction with the
Mac mini, the NewerTech miniStack™ works with any Apple or PC
computer with an available FireWire or USB port.
All NewerTech miniStack models feature data buffers of 2- or 8
Megabytes (MB), the latest Oxford 911+ chipset and integrated
2-Port FireWire and 3-Port USB 2.0/1.1 powered hubs.
Each NewerTech miniStack features a smart power switch so the
drive turns on and off with its corresponding mini or PC and
intelligent thermal monitoring which automatically engages and
varies fan speed according to the temperature. The advantageous
dimensions of the NewerTech miniStack are 6.5" x 6.5" x 1.5".
- Link: NewerTech
miniStack
Acer Announces 20" Ferrari F-20 LCD
Display
PR: The new 20" Acer Ferrari LCD display features elegant
and stylish design, use of exotic materials, and advanced
technologies such as Acer CrystalBrite.
The partnership between Acer and Ferrari dates back to
February 2003 when Acer became the Official Supplier of the team.
Since that time, Acer has been developing and selling Ferrari
notebooks with AMD processors. The Ferrari notebook designed by
Acer enjoyed such success that Acer has now announced the new
Ferrari F-20 LCD Monitor, designed and created for professionals
and enthusiasts.
The new 20" Ferrari LCD display stands out for its elegant and
stylish design, for the use of exclusive materials and for the
adoption of advanced technologies such as Acer CrystalBrite, which
guarantees greater luminosity and brighter images, thus supporting
sophisticated professional applications, games and digital
activities. Acer CrystalBrite guarantees the best possible visual
experience, by preventing the diffusion of surrounding light and
internal rays.
Acer CrystalBrite technology has three main principles:
- Intense color saturation
- Excellent Contrast
- Sharp images
In a normal working environment, such as an office, regular LCD
panels tend to scatter light, thus falsifying colors. Compared to
normal TFT LCDs, Acer CrystalBrite technology is able to read color
coordinates more accurately, thus minimizing distortion and
creating high-fidelity colors in all environments.
To meet the increasing demands for Digital Home solutions Acer
also integrated a sophisticated Media Module for all Ferrari LCD
Monitors featured with audio/video interfaces to connect any Media
Device plus a fully functional integrated TV Tuner including Remote
Control.
The Ferrari F-20 LCD monitor, designed by Acer, supports
resolutions of up to 1680 x 1050 pixels combined with excellent
color saturation and perfectly sharp images. Furthermore, the
Ferrari F-20 monitor is extremely versatile and highly performing,
with 8ms response rates, and 800:1 contrast ratios, providing
highly detailed images that are ideal for heavy-duty data
applications. The Ferrari LCD line of products guarantees
professional users the security of long-term performance, quality
design, and excellent ergonomics.
Acer and Ferrari share an ability to develop coherent strategies
and to consolidate their successes worldwide. These two companies
have demonstrated their affinity, not only in their close
collaboration - sealed with the partnership agreement - but also in
their desire to place their logos side by side on high-tech product
lines aimed at professionals and demanding IT enthusiasts, on the
constant look out for complete, reliable and exclusive
solutions.
Features of the Acer Ferrari F-20 include:
- 1680 x 1050 native resolution
- Acer CrystalBrite Technology
- 300 cd/m2 typical brightness
- 800:1 Contrast Ratio
- 16.7 million display colors
- VGA, DVI-D and AV (S video and composite) Video Inputs
- 8 Millisecond response times (gray to gray)
- 5W x 2 speakers
- 176° (H) x 176° (V) Viewing Angles
The Acer Ferrari F-20 will available through Acer authorized
resellers throughout North America starting in April at
approximately $599.
Product under license of Ferrari Spa. Ferrari, the PRANCING
HORSE device, all associated logos distinctive designs are
trademarks of Ferrari Spa.
Editor's note: This would be an über-cool display to use
with a Mac mini.
- Link: Acer
Seagate Preps Iomega, iVDR Killer
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Watch out, Iomega - Seagate has you in its sights. The hard
drive giant used the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to
sound out the industry on a scheme to create a new removable hard
disk drive standard....
"Seagate's system, shown this week in prototype form and
codenamed 'Tornado', packs in a regular HDD, linked to the outside
world through a standard External Serial ATA port, the company told
The Register. The drive is hot-swappable, and connects through the
ESATA connector to a cradle which, in turn, connects to a PC's USB
2.0 port."
- Link: Seagate
Preps Iomega, iVDR Killer
Pro Series 800 FireWire Upgraded Mercury
On-the-go Pocket-sized Portable Drives
PR: Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the
introduction of a new, significantly enhanced 800 FireWire-equipped
version of the award-winning Mercury On-The-Go line of
ultra-portable, high-capacity 2.5" drives for storage on the go.
The new drive will be on display at the 2006 Macworld Conference
and Expo in San Francisco beginning January 10, 2006.
Armed with 160 gigabyte (GB) of storage capacity and running at
5400- or 7200 revolutions per minute (RPM), the new On-The-Go pro
series 800/400+USB 2.0 makes OWC the first company shipping a
portable FireWire/USB 2.0 drive of this capacity.
The new 2006 On-The-Go pro series 800/USB 2.0 doubles the
potential performance power of the previous incarnation of the
On-The-Go line, which was already recognized as the highest
performing drive ever available in such a small, ultra-portable
size by leading technology authorities including Mac Addict,
Macworld and Maximum PC.
"Adding FireWire 800 capability to the unparalleled performance,
quality and value of the On-The-Go line of portable storage
solutions is an absolutely amazing breakthrough," said CEO Larry
O'Connor. "Other World Computing is dedicated to making the newest
technology available to the world. There is no other product
available that performs at this level."
The new 800 FireWire version of the Mercury On-the-Go includes
two FireWire 800- and one USB 2.0/1.1 ports, All Mercury On-The-Go
drives measure 3.5" x 5.5" x 1-inch, weigh less than 12 ounces and
ship with carrying case, FireWire cable, USB Cable, EMC/Dantz
Retrospect and Intech Speed Tools. They also are covered by a
one-year warranty and officially supported by Dantz Retrospect with
the EMC/Dantz Retrospect Backup Certification
Mercury On-The-Go portable storage solutions are priced as low
as $129.99, and offered with capacities from 40- to 160 GB and
speeds up to 7200 RPM on the 100 GB models and 5400 for 160 GB
models to handle even the most intense audio and video projects
'On-The-Go'.
On-The-Go plug-and-play drives are compatible with all Apple OS
Versions 8.5 through 9.2.x; Apple OS X 10.0.3 and higher (including
OS X 'Tiger' 10.4.x); Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP; any OS
or electronic device with FireWire and/or USB data ports, including
digital video and still cameras.
- Link: Mercury On-the-go
Drives
Miglia Announces Western Digital Partnership
with DualDisk
PR: Miglia Technology, a leading manufacturer of video,
audio and storage products for Mac and Windows, today announced its
partnership with Western Digital and the launch of Miglia DualDisk
with WD's disk drives.
Eric Ferraz, Director of Product Management at Miglia said
"Miglia have decided to use exclusively Western Digital drives as
they provide the most robust and reliable solution for end users.
Our faith in WD's solutions based on low heat and high MTTF means
that we are able to offer a 5 year RTB warranty preconfigured
DualDisk's, a unique offering in this market."
Klaas deVos, Vice President EMEA with WD said: "Miglia is an
ideal partner for us as they constantly deliver world-class
solutions to an ever demanding market place. Our Caviar Raid
Edition drives are a perfect match for the Miglia DualDisk, they
are cool, quiet and highly reliable, the stated MTTF (Mean Time To
Failure) of 1.2 million hours is unrivaled in the industry.
Following last year's successful launch of the Miglia DualDisk,
Miglia is pleased to announce that the DualDisk has been given a
makeover and redeveloped using Western Digital technology for more
demanding use in today's work and home environment. Still
integrating two hard drives in a unique horizontal format, the
ultra-slim aluminum enclosure combines vast amounts of storage
space with incredible data transfer rates peaking at 88 MB/sec.
Thanks to its advanced DCS™ cooling system, the hard drives
run at low temperatures at all times, thereby lengthening their
life span and securing your data.
Available in capacities of 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB and as an
empty case, the Miglia DualDisk provides excellent secure expansion
for both PC and Mac platforms. In addition DualDisk is now
available using the ultimate quality WD Caviar 'Raid Edition'
drives, these have 16 MB of cache per device and an MTBF of 5 times
a conventional Disc Drive. Designed and built to last, DualDisk is
made from robust, shock resistant aluminum, giving the best
possible protection for your valuable data.
Key Features of the WD Caviar RE drives
- Interface: IDE
- Spin speed: 7200 RPM
- Cache: 8 MB
- MTTF: 1.2 million hours
- Avg. read seek: 8.8 ms
- Warranty: 5 years
Compatibility:
- Mac:
- Mac with FireWire connectivity
- Mac OS 9.1+ (400 Mbps speeds only)
- Mac OS X 10.2.5 or higher
- PC:
- PC with FireWire Connectivity
- Windows XP
Miglia DualDisk is available now from Miglia's distribution
partners, refurb or online store, for a recommended retail price of
(ex VAT):
- 320 GB: £209, €299, $399
- 500 GB: £322, €467, $549
- 640 GB: £340, €502, $585
All units carry a full 5 year RTB warranty. A list of
distributors and resellers is available on Miglia's website.
- Link: Miglia
RadTech Releases Gaggle of New Products at
Macworld
PR: RadTech, makers of mobile computing and iPod
accessories and more, have announced immediate availability of
several new products and solutions.
RadMouse HID Driver Software for all RadTech Bluetooth
Mice
Take full control of your RadTech Bluetooth mouse with RadMouse
- RadTech's Bluetooth HID Driver & System Preference. Assign
mouse buttons and scroll wheel to single or multiple keystrokes or
actions; adjust cursor tracking and scrolling speed, acceleration
curves and more. All custom settings can be applied on a global, or
application-by-application basis. RadMouse only affects RadTech
Bluetooth mice, and can be used alongside other HID driver
software.
RadMouse is a free download for RadTech mouse owners from any
RadTech mouse product page, or direct via http://www.radtech.us/Software/RadMouse-10b3.dmg
Impact Ruggedized Hard Drive Enclosures Available with 64-bit
Hardware Data Encryption
Ruggedized 2.5" and 3.5" data storage enclosures combine
multilayer hardware protection with blistering data transfer
speeds. Available with ultra-secure, platform independent 64-bit
hardware encryption using patented Enova X-Wall™ technology,
encrypting and decrypting data in real time, with no data transfer
speed degradation. All models include USB 1.1 & 2.0
connectivity, plus a choice of FireWire 400 and/or FireWire
800.
- Link: Impact Drives
RetractCable
A selection of retractable connection cables and earbuds for
iPod - USB, FireWire and analog varieties.
- Link: RadTech
AMCC Enters Macintosh Storage Market
PR: Applied Micro Circuits Corporation today announced
its entrance into the Macintosh storage market with RAID technology
for Apple Computer's high-end PowerMac G5 Quad workstation. AMCC
brings the Macintosh market many years of experience in developing
high performance RAID controller systems for the Linux and Windows
environments. Its new Sidecar external RAID solution leverages the
company's award-winning 3ware StorSwitch(TM) architecture, which
integrates custom-designed firmware, hardware and management
software optimized for high bandwidth applications and solves the
problem of how to provide terabytes of highly reliable storage
expansion to individual G5 workstations.
At this week's Macworld conference, AMCC will provide a sneak
peek at the technology, due for release in the second quarter of
2006.
"Our 3ware Sidecar external RAID solution addresses a critical
need for high-performance, high-capacity, easy to use data storage
for Macintosh workstation users," said Michael Joyce, director of
storage marketing at AMCC. "We've responded to enduser requests to
provide the protection of RAID with the flexibility and expansion
capabilities of SATA II storage. With two terabytes of storage
expansion, Sidecar delivers dramatic enhancements in speed and
scalability."
"The Macintosh storage market has been largely ignored by the
major storage players," said Greg Schulz, founder and storage
consultant at StorageIO based in Stillwater, Minnesota. "AMCC's
entry into the Macintosh storage market will be welcomed by Mac
users who require enterprise like functionality with greater
storage performance and capacity for applications such as digital
video capture, post-production and graphics."
Visitors to booth 511 at Macworld Expo can see AMCC's RAID
technology in action in side-by-side performance demonstrations.
Students of San Francisco State's College of Fine Arts will also
demonstrate the technology's overall performance and ease-of-use by
editing video in real-time.
"It's about time the Mac market has access to this level of
storage performance, capacity and protection," said Alan Giorgi,
operating systems analyst and systems administrator for San
Francisco State University's College of Creative Arts. "We produce
a lot of award-winning video and audio. Our work requires RAID
controllers that can support a sustained high throughput, reliable
uptime and considerable storage capacity. AMCC has produced a
solution that delivers."
Independent music producer Stephen Burich will demonstrate
Sidecar's capabilities for real-time audio editing. "I've had the
opportunity to evaluate AMCC's technology, and I'm impressed with
how it enables editing and production performance that was
previously unattainable by other solutions," said Burich.
- Link: AMCC
25U Noise Reduction Enclosure Rack
Announced
PR: GizMac Accessories LLC announces the 25U XRackPro
Noise Reduction Enclosure at the Macworld Exposition. Building on
their success with the 12U XRackPro Noise Reduction Enclosure
cabinet for Apple Xserve and Xserve RAID systems, GizMac
Accessories debuts their new 25U XRackPro. The new 25U XRackPro,
along with the current 12U model, are on display in booth #2211 at
the Macworld Expo. Visitors to the GizMac booth will be able to
view both models, as well as their accessories, throughout the
week.
"Our XRackPro reduces noise up to 75% when multiple pieces of
equipment are mounted inside," says Tim Cave, founder of GizMac,
"The new 25U rack mount enclosure cabinet will have features and
accessories similar to the current 12U model while providing more
than twice the rack mount capacity." With the additional height the
25U XRackPro provides, there is room for numerous pieces of rack
mount equipment inside. Apple Workgroup Cluster users will be able
to install up to 25 Xserve servers inside the enclosure
cabinet.
Post production, graphics and other G5 workstation users can use
up to two G5 towers plus a couple Xserve RAID systems inside the
25U XRackPro. For other users, various combinations of computers,
storage and other equipment such as switches, battery backups, etc.
can be placed inside. Further details on the new 25U XRackPro
rackmount noise reduction enclosure cabinet can be found on the
GizMac Accessories website.
- Link: GizMac
Desktop Mac
Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers every two
weeks:
For deals on laptops, see our 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.
