Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2006.09.29
Always looking ahead - it was Apple who made USB and 802.11b
WiFi a hit - it looks like Apple is using a Broadcom chip in the
new Core 2 iMacs that supports to draft 802.11n specification. And
then there are rumors that Apple may adopt AMD CPUs at some point
in the future.
Japan's new Prime Minister is a Mac user, Laplink has new
software to help with Windows-to-Mac migration, and new mice
include a germ free mouse and two ergonomic ones.
PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, and other portable computing is
covered in The 'Book Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Reviews
Products
Software
News & Opinion
Apple Using Draft 802.11n Wireless in New
iMacs?
techdigest.tv reports:
"There are some interesting discussions around the Web at the
moment which suggest that Apple may already be adopting the draft
802.11n wireless specification in its latest line of Apple iMac computers.
"We've already reported the
coming 'iTV' from Apple next year, and speculated that it will
contain the 802.11n next generation wireless specification, but it
could be that the latest iMacs are setting the trend.
"Reports suggest that when the iMac is booted up into a
pre-release version of Vista, the wireless card is reported as
being a 'Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter' This is possibly the
same solution Dell and Acer were reported to be installing on their
notebooks back in July."
Link: New iMacs:
Is Apple Using Draft 802.11n Wireless Technology Already?
Apple Equips iMac with Next-gen Wi-Fi?
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Do Apple's latest iMacs ship
with an 802.11n Wi-Fi card? Photos of the Core 2 Duo-based
all-in-one consumer computer certainly imply as much, but users
will have to install and run Windows Vista to see it for
themselves."
Link: Apple
Equips iMac with Next-gen Wi-Fi?
Apple May Use AMD 'in the Future'
Electronic News's Colleen Taylor and Suzanne Deffree report:
"According to a statement from financial firm Lehman Brothers,
AMD's CEO Hector Ruiz made comments this week at a dinner in San
Francisco indicating that Apple may use AMD processors in its
products 'at some point in the future.'
"While Ruiz did not suggest that there were any talks currently
between the companies, the firm said that he noted Apple would
ultimately buy AMD chips."
Link: AMD May Align with
Apple
Apple to Follow Dell and Offer AMD?
The Register's Tony Smith says:
"Apple is the new Dell. Yes, now that the PC giant has finally,
after a decade of speculation, signed up to buy processors from AMD
and end its Intel-only policy, we can now expect ten further years
of similar rumours that Apple's about to adopt the Athlon too.
"Last week, AMD CEO Hector Ruiz indicated Apple 'wants choice'.
The comment was pounced upon by numerous observers that Apple's
going to introduce AMD-based Macs.
"'Why would they want to be held hostage like everyone else has
been?' Ruiz asked an audience at the Commonwealth Club in San
Francisco.
"Well, presumably for the same reasons Dell wanted to be so
bound for so long. But let's not forget Apple is - or, at any rate,
has been - an AMD customer: it's used AMD embedded processors in
some of its AirPort Wi-Fi base-station products for some time.
"A second item of 'evidence' was also presented last week:
Parallel's virtualisation software for Mac OS X now supports
AMD's Secure Virtual Machine (SVM) technology, aka 'Pacifica'."
Link:
Dell Apple to Ditch Intel for AMD?
New Japanese Prime Minister a Mac User
I thought outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was
refreshingly charming, wailing away on air guitar and doing a
karaoke impression of Elvis on the front lawn of Graceland last
summer, alongside a somewhat consternated George Bush.
Evidently Koizumi's successor and protege, Shinzo Abe, is a bit
of a cool dude too (at least for conservatives like me), and, as
AFP reports - a Mac-user to boot. - CM
AFP's Shaun Tandon reports:
"The 52-year-old, dubbed 'the prince' for his elite pedigree,
became Japan's youngest prime minister on Tuesday, fulfilling at an
early age the ambitions of his family which has advanced
conservative causes for generations....
"About the most non-conformist aspect of Abe is pictures showing
he prefers Macintosh to Windows computer systems...
"But Abe's calm, polite exterior belies a hawkish streak. In
July, he stunned neighboring countries by openly mulling a
theoretical pre-emptive attack on communist North Korea.
"He has also followed Koizumi's lead in appealing directly to
the public rather than to backroom powerbrokers who traditionally
call the shots in Japanese politics.
"One of his most passionate causes is revising the pacifist
constitution, which was imposed on a defeated Japan by the United
States in 1947, seven years before he was born into a leading
political family."
Link:
Shinzo Abe, the Mild-Mannered Arch-Hawk
Intel Offers $1m for a Viiv-based Mac mini
Killer
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Intel will pay whoever designs what it reckons is the world's
coolest living room computer $1m. Apple's Mac mini might be a candidate, but
despite the appearance of VP Phil Schiller during CEO Paul
Otellini's Intel Developer Forum - a first for the Mac maker - the
contest is only open to Viiv-branded machines.
"They also have to be based on the Core 2 Duo processor."
Link: Intel
Offers $1m for a Viiv-based Mac mini Killer
Reviews
24" iMac 'a Great System'
"Apple's iMac grows up, and he's a big 'un. The 24-inch iMac is
a great system for professionals and media junkies alike."
Link: Review:
24-inch iMac
Mac mini Upgrade Disappoints
Personal Computer World's Cliff Joseph reports:
"We like the Mac mini. It's
reasonably priced, virtually silent when running, and its
ultra-compact design makes most SFF (small form factor) PCs look
like a tub of lard. And yet we can't help being a little
disappointed with this latest upgrade to the mini.
"When Apple chose to revamp the iMac range recently, it upgraded
them from the Core Duo to the Core 2 Duo processor without any
increase in price. In contrast, the Mac mini stays with the Core
Duo and merely gets a minor speed bump from 1.66 GHz to 1.83
GHz.
"To be fair, you are still getting a small performance
improvement at no extra cost, but we still can't help thinking that
Apple could have been just a little bit more adventurous."
This review looks at the 1.83 GHz top-end Mac mini. Here at Low
End Mac, we see the 1.66 GHz entry-level model as the great bargain
- dual core 1.66 GHz for the same price as the single core 1.5 GHz
model it replaced. Disappointing as the small increase is on the
top-end model, we're anything but disappointed with the value of
the new entry-level Mac mini. dk
Link:
Review: Apple Mac mini Desktop Computer
Products
Germ Free Wireless Laser Mouse Protects Against
Bacteria and Viruses
PR: IOGear's new Germ Free Wireless Laser Mouse is
intended especially for medical offices, libraries, and schools as
well as for mobile professionals, gamers, and desktop users. The
special coating protects users from germs and viruses by
neutralizing the harmful microbes on the mouse surface.
IOGear's Germ Free Laser Mouse is
coated with a Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Silver (Ag) nano-particle
compound. The coating uses two mechanisms to deactivate enzymes and
proteins to prevent a wide spectrum of bacteria, virus, fungi, and
algae from surviving on the surface of the mouse. The compound has
been tested and proven effective against the settlement of harmful
microbes on the insulated surface.
This new IOGear mouse uses VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface
Emitting Laser) as the light source, which provides 30x more
tracking power than mice using an optical sensor. VCSEL allows the
mouse to work on virtually any surface, even glass, and provides an
extremely high resolution of 1600dpi, substantially reducing the
amount of injury-producing hand and arm movement. IOGear's Germ
Free Wireless Laser Mouse is USB ready, Plug-n-Play, and Hot
Pluggable. It provides a 6 feet (2 meter) wireless range, and it is
also backed by IOGear's 3 Year Limited Warranty.
Features
- Advanced laser technology provides 30x more tracking power
- Works on almost any surface, including glass
- Nano-partical coating neutralizes 99% of all bacteria and
viruses on the mouse surface
- Safety approved. Heavy metail free, no skin irritation,
non-toxic
- Uses very little real estate on your workspace - needs only a
few inches for accurate movement
- Ergonomically contoured design for comfortable use
- On/Off switch for power saving
- Stylish carrying case included
- 6 feet (2 meter) wireless range
- Solid 3 Year Limited Warranty
Disclaimer: This device cannot be used as antibiotic or
anti-viral medication. Do not ingest the surface material of the
device under any circumstances. If you have symptoms of bacteria or
viral infection please consult with your physician and seek medical
attention immediately. This device does not eliminate the entire
universe of bacteria or viruses. It is not a replacement for
cleanliness and good personal hygiene. Please keep your hands and
work area clean for optimal protection.
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.2 or later (for Mac 9.x or earlier, works only as a
one button mouse)
- Windows 2000, XP
Package Content
- 1 Wireless Laser Mouse
- 1 Wireless Transmitter
- 1 Carrying Case
- 1 User Manual
- 1 Warranty/Registration Card
Specifications
- Operating Range: 6 feet
- Interface: USB
- Battery Type: AAA x 2
- Resolution: 1600 dpi
Dimensions
- Length: 3.74 in.
- Width: 1.97 in.
- Height: 1.18 in.
Weight
- Unit Pack Wt. 0.6lb
- Unit Wt. Mouse: 0.18lb; Receiver: 0.04lb
Link: Germ
Free Wireless Laser Mouse
Relax Your Wrist with Evoluent
VerticalMouse
PR: The Evoluent VerticalMouse 2 has a
patented new shape that supports your hand in a relaxed handshake
position and eliminates arm twisting. Once you experience the
superior comfort, you will never go back to ordinary mice.
Eliminates Arm Twisting
The patented shape supports your hand in a relaxed handshake
position that eliminates forearm twisting. You will quickly become
accustomed to the improved comfort. An ordinary horizontal mouse
requires your forearm to twist away from its natural position.
No
Retraining
The grip is the same as an ordinary mouse, just turned sideways,
and the buttons are operated by the same fingers. There is
virtually no retraining necessary. The mouse does not move sideways
when clicking with normal force. Pointer control is as accurate as
any other good mouse.
Fast Response
1200 dpi true optical resolution sensor reduces hand movements.
Great for games. (Other mice have 800 dpi)
Easy Clicking
The button force is light for easy clicking, but still firm
enough to avoid accidental actuation.
Programmable
5 buttons - 4 are programmable with 59 selectable functions each
with Windows driver, plus special features such as:
- Vertical scroll - press a button and drag the mouse to scroll
with greater precision and control than the scroll wheel.
- Auto click - automatically perform a double click by pausing
the pointer.
- Click lock - press and hold a button momentarily to simulate
continued pressing without holding down the button.
Improvements over original model:
- Improved styling for matching the coolness of top brand
mice.
- Matte black body for matching popular black computer systems,
and gloss purple accent for standing out from the crowd of silver
mice.
- Completely new internal mechanical design for improved parts
fit and operation.
- Completely new electrical design for improved compatibility
with different computer systems.
- Lighter, easier to click buttons and longer button travel with
more tactile feedback.
- Higher quality, softer and more flexible cable for improved
appearance and movement.
- Optical scroller instead of mechanical encoder scroller for
improved reliability and quiet operation.
- Soft-touch coating on black body instead of silicon pads for
improved feel.
- Fast 1200 dpi optical sensor instead of 400 dpi for reducing
hand motion.
- 3 buttons instead of 2 in Unix and 5 in Linux with default
support.
- Improved grip shape for even better comfort.
- Additional functions in the driver, such as vertical scroll
(press a button to automatically grab the scroll bar), auto click
(pause the pointer to double click automatically), etc.
Compatibility
Mac:
- 2 buttons in OS X, 1 button in OS 9. Separate driver available
for $20 at usboverdrive.com enables all buttons.
PC
- 5 buttons - 4 are programmable with included Windows
driver.
- Windows® XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98SE.
- USB, PS/2.
- USB port.
Unix
- 3 buttons without additional driver.
- USB port.
Linux
- 5 buttons in XFree 4.0.1 or higher without additional
driver.
- USB port.
Specifications
- Resolution: 1200 dpi true optical resolution
- Length: 4.6"/11.7 cm
- Width: 3"/7.6 cm
- Height: 3"/7.6 cm
- Cable: 2 m
Available in
Right hand
- purple black $75
- silver black $75
- silver chrome $75
Left hand
- purple black $105
- black black $105
Link: Evoluent
VerticalMouse
New Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice from
Ergo-Items.com
PR: Ergo-Items.com is announcing their new selection of
ergonomic products for the fall season. These products include
ergonomic keyboards, arm supports, mice, trackballs and more. Those
who work in the office or at home can take advantage of working
ergonomically correct while greatly reducing muscle tension and
illnesses such as Carpal Tunnel Disorder.
Before many of these products were designed, computer users had
to invent their own ways to comfort themselves while using the
computer, this caused fatigue and muscle pains. But today there is
finally a solution and it is called prevention.
www.Ergo-Items.com's featured item is the
Comfort Keyboard. This keyboard is unlike the conventional
keyboard. This keyboard is designed with adjustable sections that
separate into a number of comfortable positions to the most
comfortable position. This product also helps to reduce
fatigue.
Each section of this keyboard actually tilts and rotates to
almost any position possible. Each person that uses this product
can type in their own comfortable hand and wrist position.
Each section is compatible to each user's shoulder width. This
keyboard has three sections the height is: 2.3 inches x 18.25
inches x 5.25 inches. The base plate is: 125 inches x 22 inches x D
4.5 inches.
The next hot item available is the new Zero
Tension Mouse. After using this product the user will discover that
all of the muscles of the hand, arm and shoulder will feel great
comfort. The Zero Tension Mouse was invented by Dr P Michael Leahy
who is known as the expert in the area of overuse injuries. Using
this product will ultimately reduce repetitive strain injuries.
Whether a person is working on their computer as a hobby, to study
or for work, the Zero Tension Mouse will allow you to work
comfortably with less strain.
The features of this groundbreaking product are the digital
optical tracking, the scroll wheel button, the left and the right
mouse buttons. The Zero Tension Mouse is compatible with the USB
enabled computers. This product comes in large and medium. The
height is 4.5 inches x 3.4 x 5.6. Compatible with Mac OS computers
and Windows 98 Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Online shoppers can now purchase a armrest that will reduce
cramping, muscle strain and fatigue while using the computer. The
CRAB-X provides support for a computer user's shoulder, forearm and
the wrist. This product can help prevent painful conditions such as
carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and repetitive strain injury
(RSI).
The features and benefits of the CRAB-X is that that it can be
used on both laptops and desktops. Once purchased, this product is
easily assembled and will attach to desks from 15 mm up to
35mm.
CRAB-X is manufactured from a thermoplastic material known as
ABS which has high impact strength and it has abrasion resistant
attributes. This product is durable and long lasting.
Link: Ergo-Items.com
Cherry Introduces Low-Cost Keyboard and
Mouse for Office Applications
PR: Cherry Electrical
Products has introduced two new data entry products for the
commercial market. The J82-16001 K-1 Business Keyboard offers
comfortable key action in a compact, durable package. The M-5400
Optical Wheel Mouse features an optical sensor for precise movement
and an easy scrolling Power Wheel.
The J82-16001 K-1 Business Keyboard features an enhanced,
104-position U.S. key layout in a compact form factor, combining
space efficiency with uncompromised alphanumeric data entry. It is
offered in black and light grey and comes standard with either a
USB or PS/2 interface. Tested to 10 million operations, the
keyswitches provide comfortable, tactile key actuations and proven
Cherry quality and performance.
The M-5400 Optical Wheel Mouse is PC- and Mac-compatible and
comes standard with a USB and PS/2 interface. It offers precise
performance with 800 dpi resolution and Cherry's easy scrolling
Power Wheel. The elegantly designed mouse is perfectly suited for
right- and left-handed users. Offered in black and light grey, the
M-5400 is a perfect companion to the J82-16001 K-1 Business
Keyboard.
Link:
Power WheelMouse Optical M-5000
Software
Laplink PCmover Migration Software Lets
Users Make the Switch from PCs to Macs
PR: Now that Apple's Mac computers can run a Windows XP
operating system with the help of Apple's Boot Camp utility and
third-party software solutions such as Parallels
Desktop for Mac,
using migration software to move from an old PC to a new Mac just
became a whole lot easier. Laplink's PCmover - previously available
only for PC-to-PC migrations - can now perform complete PC-to-Mac
migrations, including the transfer of Windows software applications
not handled by other migration tools.
Before PCmover became an option, users abandoning PCs in favor
of a Mac faced a major migration challenge. As Apple's own website
states: „Quite frankly, the hardest part of setting up a new
Mac is figuring out how to get your stuff off of your PC.‰
New Mac owners tried a do-it-yourself approach using external hard
drives, paid for an Apple technician to perform the migration for
them, or bought Detto's Move2Mac to do the job before realizing
that the product can only transfer files and settings - not
software applications.
PCmover moves files, settings and software programs from an old
PC to a new Intel-based Mac, making quick and easy work of the
migration.
Mehboob Ajwani, owner of Accurate Technologies, a Toronto-based,
Apple-Authorized Sales and Service centre, found PCmover while
searching for software that could help make the PC-to-Mac
transition easy for his customers. He performed two successful
migrations of PCmover from an HP Omnibook to a MacBook running
first Bootcamp and then Parallels software. "In both cases PCmover
worked flawlessly," Ajwani said.
The new PC-to-Mac ability of PCmover coincides with the launch
of Apple's latest national advertising campaign promoting its
Windows functionality, which is expected to spur more users to make
the PC-to-Mac switch. Apple describes its ability to run PC
software at:
http://www.apple.com/getamac/windows.html
Laplink's PCmover allows users to perform their migration using
several options: genuine Laplink USB Cables, any local network
(including wireless) or removable media (CD-R, DVD-R or external
hard drives).
Laplink's PCmover is available online and on the shelves at all
major retailers. Prices start at $39.95 for the download
version.
Link: Laplink PCmover
Desktop Mac
Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers every two
weeks:
For more deals on current, recently discontinued, and older
notebooks, see our MacBook deals,
15" MacBook Pro deals,
17" MacBook Pro deals, 12" PowerBook G4 deals, 15" & 17" PowerBook G4 deals, titanium PowerBook G4 deals, iBook G4 deals, PowerBook G3 deals, and iBook G3 deals.
