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February 8th through 14th Archives

Tuesday, February 15th 2000 00:22 CST @307

Wrap-up

Well, this was certainly a different experience, with the action starting around 9 PM local time. Pismo isn't overwhelming, but it's a needed improvement. We've been saying for ages that Apple's got the PowerBook down to a science, and this is as refined as it's going to get with the current technology.

However, we'll soon begin the rumors for the next iteration of the Apple portable, currently codenamed 103. Just as 102 turned into Pismo, 103 will soon get a real codename, and we'll bring that to you as soon as possible. Just for those curious, 103 will probably show up at MacWorld New York, or somewhere around there, with a G4 processor and a new formfactor.

Looking for more news? Since Pismo isn't a real breakthrough, all the interesting and neat stuff we could find is below. We'll be back in the midday to post all the relevant Tech Info Library articles, where to buy with the best deals (A PBZone advertiser is going to begin a contest for Pismo purchasers tomorrow), and more pictures from MacWorld Tokyo.

Pismo stock is supposed to be really good, according to those in the know, they've been producing them for quite some time, with a good supply built up. We're glad that Apple waited until now to introduce Pismo, rather than face a shipping fiasco by announcing it at MacWorld SF.

We've already received four or five emails from readers who have purchased their Pismo. To help us out, we're asking everyone who buys a Pismo to write us an email telling us when and where they bought it, and what ship times they were quoted.

Lastly, in a bit of a journalistic test, take a look at yesterday's MWT preview article, and compare with the last few hours' announcements. We especially like the part in that article and our description from yesterday that mentions our "fear" of no changes in a casing design.

For additional reading and pics, visit the following articles, some Pismo related, some not:

• Mobile-Dog.com-some good pics of MWT.
• C|Net-obligatory News.com article on the new machines.
• MacCentral-their coverage.
• PB 2400 CardBus-not Pismo related, but was sent in today. This page details how MCE's cardbus activation for the PB 2400 works.
• X Appeal.org-A shame they have such good content in the flurry of information that is MWT, but X Appeal has posted screenshots of Developers Preview 3 of Mac OS X, which includes a lot of detail on how Aqua will play out, and other info like that.

Images from MWT-10:28 PM EST

Also, here is a grainy image taken an hour ago on the exhibition floor of the back of Pismo, with FireWire ports circles.

Pismo Shipping FAST-10:23 PM EST

Here are a few reader shipping reports, very optimistic shipping times:

a million thanks for getting the notification of the new powerbooks up on your website so rapidly. Hitting reload every few minutes for an hour pays off. I am one of the first proud owners of a the new Pismo. (the dude said i was his first call for the pismo).

any how, i was absolutely shocked to hear that it will only take 3 days to ship. the customer service dude kept raving about it. I was shocked given Apple's history of announcements and failure to follow up.

---

Looks like the Apple Store says three days if you take the stock 500 MHz config. If you customize -- even just adding an Airport card -- it jumps to eight days.

---

I ordered through the Apple Store online and was also quoted 3 days to ship. Shipping time was 3-5 days (in transit), so maybe that's where the other fellow came up with 8? 3 days to ship, 5 days delivery via UPS? Dunno.

Pismo Notes-10:21 PM EST

• Pismo RAM is 100 MHz rated, SO-DIMMs. Thus, Wallstreet and Lombard RAM, which was compatible with the iMac and iBook as well, will not work in Pismo. However, since many PCs use 100 MHz SO-DIMMs, prices should be about the same.
• Pismo, obviously since it uses Lombard's form factor, uses Lombard expansion bays.
• This is something neat: Pismo's DVD drive can read DVD-RAM disks. While DVD-RAM must be in a cartridge to write to them, they can be read as a normal DVD or CD. Apparently, it's easy to get DVD RAM discs out of their cartridges, with the exception of one brand, Panasonic.
• Apparently the Pismo uses the iBook's power adapter, since both machines have interchangable power requirements.
• Here's a quick note on Apple's PowerBook pages that's neat in our opinion: If you live in Europe, you can use your GSM mobile phone in conjunction with the PowerBookšs built-in infrared capability to serve as an external modem when youšre away from standard telephone lines (like when youšre waiting in an airport lounge or riding a train). With the PowerBook and a GSM mobile phone, you can check your email from virtually anywhere.
• Here is the PDF PowerBook data file.
• A reader reports the data sheet says there's a build to order option for a SCSI PC Card (essentially just letting you order it with the PB), but it's not mentioned on the Apple Store anywhere...
• It just says "Macintosh PowerBook" below the screen, instead of "Macintosh PowerBook G3" presumably because since G4s are out, G3 is somewhat dated.

Pismo Images-10:13 PM CST

Official Apple Press Releases-9:52 PM CST

All of Apple's press releases are on their own website below, or on the PR newswire here. The text of both places is the same.

• Apple Unveils New iBook, PowerBook and Power Mac G4 Lines
• Apple Updates iBook Line
• Apple Unveils New PowerBook: Fastest Portable Ever
• Apple Ups Performance of Power Mac G4 Line
• Mac OS X to Ship with Highest-Quality Japanese Fonts and Expanded Character Set

MWT: iBook Special Edition Announced

Like in our prediction article, the iBook got a needed improvement today. Though the BlueBerry and Tangerine models doubled their disk and memory (to 6 GB and 64 MB, respectively), the real news is an iBook SE model, costing $200 more than the standard units at $1799. It adds a graphite color and 66 MHz, picture below.

Pismo Apparently Keeps Same Form Factor

Like we warned yesterday, Apple is using the same Bronze form factor for Pismo, just adding speed, disk, RAM, AirPort and FireWire. Images of the machine on the Apple Store have not changed.

Pismo Specs

400 MHz-$2499

• 14.1-inch TFT screen
• 400MHz/1MB L2 cache
• 64MB SDRAM
• 6GB Ultra ATA
• DVD-ROM/DVD-Video
• 8MB video memory
• 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
• 56K internal modem

• 14.1-inch TFT screen
• 500MHz/1MB L2 cache
• 128MB SDRAM
• 12GB Ultra ATA
• DVD-ROM/DVD-Video
• 8MB video memory
• 10/100BASE-T
• 56K internal modemd

• 14.1-inch TFT screen
• 500MHz/1MB L2 cache
• 128MB SDRAM
• 18GB Ultra ATA
• DVD-ROM/DVD-Video
• 8MB video memory
• 10/100BASE-T
• 56K internal modem
• Extra Battery
• Extra AC Adapter

A few notes: Apple's new Pismo/Bronze (Ugh, we're going to hate naming this thing now, we're going to continue to call it "Pismo," not mentioning the bronze color that Apple has decided to keep) uses the iBook-style AC adapter. Also, the Apple Store is quoting 3 days for delivery on both models: YEAH!!!!

Finishing Prediction Prophecy, Apple Updates G4s

They updated the iBook with a SE model, they introduced Pismo, and the last prediction we had yesterday has also come true, for what it's worth. Apple has rejiggered the PowerMac G4 line, dropping the 350, adding the 500 MHz, and keeping the same prices ($1599, $2499, $3499) for the 400/450/500 MHz models. Nothing else but processor appears to have changed.

VST Announces Products for Pismo

This has just been sent in by a reader, hot off the newswire:

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2000--VST Technologies, Inc. today announced two new Zip(R) 250MB drive products based on the latest storage solutions from Iomega Corporation ( NYSE: IOM ). The company plans to demonstrate their new Zip products at MacWorld EXPO in Tokyo February 16th at VST booth # 418. The products may also be seen in Apple Computer's booth.

The products include the VST Zip250 PowerBook(R) Drive for the new PowerBook announced today by Apple(R) Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), and the ultra-portable VST FireWire(R) 250MB Drive based on the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) high-performance interface. Both new VST Zip drives read and write to genuine Iomega Zip(R) 100MB and 250MB disks. The FireWire Zip250 drive includes two integrated FireWire ports, and is FireWire Bus powered, so no external power supply is required.

"We are pleased by VST's initiative in helping to open new doors and expand the market for the popular Zip drive," said Mark Lucas, executive vice president, product management and global marketing, Iomega Corporation. "The Zip 250MB drive will be a great compliment to Apple's new PowerBook, and the FireWire version of the Zip 250 drive will provide an innovative storage solution that will meet the growing need for FireWire connectivity."

FireWire Standard

FireWire is integrated into every Power Macintosh G4, iMac DV and new PowerBook(R) introduced today at MacWorld Tokyo. FireWire, a technology invented by Apple, is a high-speed serial interface and was adopted by the IEEE as a standard (IEEE 1394) in 1995. FireWire is revolutionizing desktop and portable digital video by allowing broadcast-quality video authoring at low consumer price points. It's fast, supporting transfer speeds to 400Mbps. It's scalable, supporting up to 63 devices. It's hot-pluggable, so users may unplug/re-plug devices on the fly without the need to shutdown, or restart their computers. VST offers portable and desktop hard drives, Zip Drives in 100MB and 250MB capacities, PC Cards for mobile users and RAID arrays all in FireWire solutions.

In addition to cross-platform compatibility with Microsoft Windows 98 SE and Windows 2000, the FireWire standard is being chosen for an ever-increasing array of consumer and internet multimedia devices like set-top boxes, digital VCRs, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, CD-R, CD-RW, DAT and dozens of digital camcorders and professional still image cameras -- all equipped with FireWire built-in.

Pricing and Availability

Product: Model: Pricing: Availability:

VST FireWire Zip250 Drive FWZIP250 $349.95 NOW

VST FireWire Zip100 Drive FWZIP100 $279.95 NOW

MacWorld Tokyo Predictions

How soon things change. We've finalized our predictions for Pismo, new iBooks, new G4s, and other smaller details for tonight's (US time) keynote kicking off MacWorld Expo Tokyo. Read our feature article for the skinny on Pismo!

Site Notes

For those that don't care about Pismo, we apologize: the next week or so will be dedicated to the new machine, provided the thing does finally show up at MWT. We're going to have some picture galleries from MacWorld Tokyo up later this week, Pismo introduction or not. Lastly, the article above is a preliminary post, there will be more updates later in the day, followed by the best coverage possible given the situation with time zones and no webcast with the MacWorld Tokyo keynote.

Monday, February 14th 2000 00:22 CST @307

Pismo Enters Stage Right

In less than 48 hours, Apple's long-awaited sucessor to the 'Bronze' PowerBooks will be here. Pismo, to be introduced tomorrow night (U.S. time) at MacWorld Tokyo in a keynote presentation given by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Pismo has been a tricky product to call, with many predicting its introduction over a month ago at MacWorld San Francisco. However, with 400 MHz units showing up as "End of Life" in many national reseller computer systems, an introduction at MWT seems certain for MWT.

Scheduled for 8 PM Eastern Time, the keynote speech will also encompass other products, according to sources, not the least of which is a much-needed upgrade for the iBook line, details on iBook Zone later.

Unfortunately, at this time it seems there will be no web or satellite broadcast of the speech, leaving the Apple faithful in the States to manage with Apple PR photography and press releases. Don't despair, though, The PowerBook Zone has a reporter in the field in Tokyo and hopes to bring you several product galleries in the coming week.

Well, what's Pismo going to be? Please, please, please don't get your hopes up. Sources have described Pismo to us as "Lombard with AirPort and FireWire added, don't expect surprises." Sure, there'll be a little refinement of the casing, but don't expect miracles. The possibility of no change at all in the casing is always present as well.

We don't have to guess about the specifications though: Sources have put the introduction of the machine at three different price points, all built around 400 MHz/500 MHz configurations. Drives up to 12 GB will be offered, standard RAM from 64 to 128 MB, and all the usual fixings: USB, FireWire, AirPort, and one PC Card.

Lastly, prices are the most guarded of all Apple secrets, but an educated guess would put the prices at or below the current Lombard prices, with the very high end model costing $3200 or so with the low end coming in at $2200 or thereabouts.

We'll have updates as soon as possible as more information comes in tomorrow. Hopefully we'll have some of the fastest coverage possible from the show floor as well. Thanks for reading!

Thursday, February 10th 2000 00:22 CST @307

Apple Recalls All Dealer AirPort Stock to Replace Software

In what we think is an unprecedented move, Apple has instructed all of its retail partners to return all AirPort hardware (basestations and cards) to the company so that it can update the software package to new version 1.1, reports MacNN.

Previously, Apple has relied on customers updating software via the Internet, but we think since AirPort 1.1 was such an improvement to the ease of installation and general stability of the AirPort system, the company deemed it necessary to take this step.

We do not know what effect this will have on stock of AirPort hardware across the nation at resellers, but we'd imagine Apple would wait until stock fresh from the factory loaded with 1.1 arrives before allowing resellers to send 1.0 versions back for the update.

UpgradeStuff.com Begins Taking Pre-Orders for PB 1400 Upgrades

First, a disclaimer: UpgradeStuff.com is a PBZone sponsor. With that out of the way, Dave Manning, head honcho over at UpgradeStuff.com sent an email to his 1600-strong list of people interested in PowerBook 1400 upgrades yesterday. Here's the important part of that email:

We're finally ready to start taking pre-orders on the Sonnet Crescendo 1400 G3 upgrade! We've ironed out most of the bugs in the new system, and have set up a specific page for the PowerBook 1400. (http://www.upgradestuff.com/1400.ws4d) There, you'll see that the new G3 upgrade is much, much faster than the original 117MHz and 133MHz 1400s. And battery life won't be taking a hit with the new processor, either.

I will be going to Macworld Expo Tokyo next week, partly to see the Sonnet launch of this product. (If you're going to be there, let me know!) I'm very excited about working with a production unit as soon as possible, but Sonnet has been very forthcoming with performance benefits, etc., that I expect a smooth launch and a great, great product.

From there, you can go all over our site. It's still a little rough around the edges, but it should be able to hold up to the strain! 

Here's how the pre-order process works:

1) We won't be charging anyone's credit cards before we have product to ship, period.

2) All orders will be shipped complete unless you indicate otherwise. If you need other products now, be sure to indicate in the "Special Instructions" area that you want us to ship partial orders. For example, if you want a battery and an upgrade, but want the battery now, you have to let us know.

3) International customers - yes, we can ship product to you. You're responsible for any import duty or taxes. You must pick an International shipping option, however.

Finally, we'd prefer it if you'd make the pre-order online if at all possible - with 1600 people getting this email, if you all call, we won't be able to handle it! If you have questions, please send me email, and I'll answer them as completely as I can.

Site Notes

We'll be having our Japanese bureau cover next week's MacWorld Expo in Tokyo, hopefully getting some neat pictures for us to post. We're leaning more and more toward the show in Tokyo being Pismo's release date as more information comes in. Stay tuned.

We also received an overwhelming amount of feedback regarding yesterday's cell phone suggestion post. We'll have a full report tomorrow on that...

Tuesday, February 8th 2000 15:39 CST @943

Newer in Financial Trouble?

NewerTech, who is rumored to introduce PowerBook G3 Series (Wallstreet and Lombard) upgrades this week or next, is in dire financial trouble, according to this report on MacNN.

It seems like Newer has plans to pull out of these troubles, but given their past performance shipping products, the one company rumored to produce PowerBook upgrades may melt away into insignificance before these upgrades see the light of day.

Apple Fixing 13.3" Issues Out-of-Warranty

We all know the 13.3" LCD used in the first generations of Wallstreet was "flaky" due to the positioning of the ribbon cable. Sometimes, when a problem with an Apple product is so obvious that it extends to all models, Apple will continue to fix the problem out of warranty. Such is the case with the 13.3" LCD, according to this reader:

Just a quick note to let you know that Apple is still accepting out-of-warranty repairs for the defective display cable in the 13.3" Wallstreet series. I sent mine in today.

Cellular Modem Compatibility for Mac Help Needed

Reader Tom asks:

I am looking for an answer to my problem other then having to buy a PC laptop :o( I own a G3 400 and will be going on a sailing trip this summer, I can not find anything for the Mac to hook me up to Cellular Modems Avail abilities ??? Please help keep me in the Mac world....