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Friday, March 31st 2006
Apple Offers Refurbished MacBook Pros
For those of you looking for a MacBook Pro in like-new condition, but without the hefty price tag, Apple has made available refurbished MacBook Pros on the Apple Store. The 1.83GHz model is available for $1700, a $300 savings; the 2.0GHz model is available for $2200, also a $300 savings. Both models ship in 3-5 days, making it a good way to get a MacBook Pro for well below the regular price.
Booq Vyper M Review
MacNN has a review of Booq's Vyper M PowerBook sleeve. The M sleeve fits the 15-inch PowerBook, but other sizes are available for the MacBook Pro and the 12-inch and 17-inch PowerBooks. The bag receives compliments for its quality construction and light weight, though the reviewer notes the lining of the sleeve (as with many of the scratch-free bag and sleeve linings) can collect dust.
Wednesday, March 29th 2006
TechRestore Announces Overnight Hi-Res LCD Replacement Program
Site-sponsor TechRestore sent us this info on their new screen-replacement program:
Concord, CA - March 23, 2005 - TechRestore, Inc announced today that they have begun offering an overnight flat-rate LCD screen replacement service for High Resolution PowerBook laptop computers.The new service provides a fast and hassle-free method for High Resolution PowerBook owners that experience a screen failure due to mechanical issues or accidental damage. The Hi-Res LCD screen repair program has a 24-hour turnaround time and flat-rate pricing that includes overnight pickup at the customers location, installation of a new replacement LCD screen, return overnight shipping and a 1-year warranty.
"The High Resolution PowerBooks use specialized LCD panels with display resolutions of up to 1680x1050" said Shannon Jean, Founder and President of TechRestore. "We have new replacement High Resolution screens in stock and with thousands of LCD replacements performed on PowerBooks to date, we are thrilled to offer the Hi-Res screen service to PowerBook owners."
The TechRestore flat-rate Hi-Res LCD repair service is a complete, door-to-door overnight service for customers in the continental U.S. Once a repair is scheduled, a RestoreBox is sent via overnight courier to the customers home, office or school where their system is picked up and brought back overnight to TechRestore. Within 24-hours of receipt, the Hi-Res LCD screen replacement is completed and the PowerBook is sent back to the customer's location via overnight courier. Customers outside the U.S. can use our Self-Restore service to schedule a screen repair.
The flat-rate High Resolution LCD replacement service is just $649 for 15" Hi-Res PowerBooks and $799 for Hi-Res 17" PowerBooks. Both prices include overnight pickup of the customers PowerBook, installation of a brand new Hi-Res LCD screen within 24-hours and return overnight delivery. The screen repairs are performed in an anti-static and dust-free environment by a TechRestore Certified Technician.
For more information on the program, check out TechRestore's website.
Monday, March 27th 2006
Booq Folee XM Review
MacNN has a new review of Booq's Folee XM PowerBook bag. The $190 bag receives positive marks for its high-quality construction, extensive storage options, and carrying comfort. On the downside, the price is high and the bag is currently backordered.
Wednesday, March 22nd 2006
Apple Secures iBook Contract for Maine Schools
Large contracts to provide computers to schools have been used as a benchmark for Apple's success in recent years, as education had been a position of strength for so many years before Apple's decline period (or, as we like to call them, the beleaguered years). Things have been looking up again the last few years, with the iBook taking the education world by storm for student laptop programs. Another large contract has now been inked, with Apple set to provide 36000 iBooks to Maine middle school students and teachers for a four-year period. For more information on this deal, head on over to MacNN.
Now, to get an idea of what 36000 iBooks looks like, take a look at these photos of 3000 iBooks at another school. Then multiply that by 12. That's a lot of iBooks.
MacBook Pro Does Windows Better than PCs?
The website Gearlog has done some benchmarking with Windows XP running on the new Intel Macs, and the results are surprising. While the install process is certainly not as seamless as most users would like, and some basic features of the MacBook Pro won't work with Windows XP (such as the internal speakers), the MacBook Pro actually bested PCs designed to run Windows XP in the PhotoShop benchmarking. If you're doing graphics work, then, the fast Windows laptop is... a Mac.
Monday, March 20th 2006
MacBook Pro Wait Time on the Decline
While some MacBook Pro buyers have been waiting for weeks to receive their new laptops, AppleInsider is reporting that supply and demand should be balanced in early April. Wait times are currently listed at 7-10 days at Apple's online store, with even shorter waits at some other online retailers. The delays have been attributed to a shortage of the parts shared by the MacBook Pro and iMac.
Wednesday, March 15th 2006
Apple Releases PowerBook Battery Update
Apple has made available Battery Update 1.1 for 15-inch Aluminum PowerBooks:
This battery firmware update is required for PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD) computers. This firmware update is required to keep your battery life up to specification, may recover battery life in some batteries that have developed short run times, and in some cases can recover batteries that are not recognized by the system.
Check out Apple's page on the update to find out if you need to apply this update.
Better to Wait on MacBook Pro?
Fortune Magazine has a different take on the new MacBook Pro, suggesting that it could be best to wait before taking the Intel plunge. The reviewer's reasoning is that until native software is released, the real benefits of the MacBook Pro aren't apparent. Still, if you need a new laptop now, there's no doubt the Intel-native applications are on the way.
Monday, March 13th 2006
iBook Expected at Apple Spring Event
AppleInsider is reporting the news many of us have been waiting for. With Apple's 30th anniversary coming up on April 1, 2006, Apple is rumored to be planning a special event surrounding the special date where the new iBooks will be announced. Because the anniversary falls on a Saturday, though, it's expected that the actual event will take place on a weekday prior to or following the anniversary..
FastMac Announces New Driverless SuperDrive Upgrades
FastMac sent us this news:
Salinas, CA - March 10, 2006 - FastMac today announced the availability of new slim line 8X Dual Layer SuperDrives while supplies last. The drives do not require any patching or updating for compatibility. They are 100% plug and play compatible with all versions of OS X and natively support burning directly through the Finder as well as through Apple's iLife Suite (iTunes and iDVD). Drives start at $149.95 and come with a 1-year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee.Drives are available for iMac G5s, G3 PowerBooks (Pismo and Lombard), G4 PowerBooks (Titanium and Aluminum), G4 iBooks, Mac minis, and PowerMac G4 Cubes. All optical drive purchases also include a free copy of Mac OS 10.3 'Panther' (a $50 value).
Drive Pricing
PowerBook G3 (Pismo and Lombard) $149.95
PowerMac G4 Cube $199.95
G4 PowerBook Aluminum $149.95
G4 PowerBook Titanium (That include a DVD-ROM/CD-ROM Read Only Drive) $199.95
G4 PowerBook Titanium (That include a Combo or SuperDrive) $149.95
G4 iBook $149.95
iMac G5 $149.95
Mac mini $149.95
Wednesday, March 8th 2006
Apple Notebooks to Receive NAND Memory?
Among a string of announcements from Intel, the chipmaker has declared that NAND flash memory will be a part of its future mobile offerings. Confirming some old rumors, Apple has also been named as the first customer of Intel's NAND chips, with a purchase of $500 million worth of the memory for use in the iPod. Beyond MP3 players, though, NAND chips can be put to use in notebooks, such as for making startup times a virtual non-issue, and with Apple's early adoption of the technology, it seems highly likely that it's only a matter of time before we see NAND memory in Apple's laptop offerings.
Apple Struggles to Meet MacBook Pro Demand
In news that will surprise no one, Forbes is reporting on Apple's trouble with meeting demand for MacBook Pros. Supply of MBPs at bricks and mortar retailers, including Apple's own stores, is extremely limited, with 70% of the businesses surveyed reporting waiting lists. Unfortunately, it could be some time before Apple is able to satisfy the pent up demand, as they simply can't build them fast enough at this point.
Marware C.E.O. Milao Reviewed
MacNN has a new review of Marware's C.E.O. Milano case for iBooks and PowerBooks. The leather bag ranges in price from $140-$160, depending ons ize, and is designed for the professional who travels with few accessories.
Monday, March 6th 2006
New Notebook Mounts Announced
Hubbell Automation has released a series of kits to wall mount Apple notebooks, with kits for all current Apple notebooks, including MacBook Pros, PowerBooks, and iBooks. Prices range from $80 to $125, with the more expensive models including some slick-looking backlighting. For more information, check out the Hubbell Automation website.
Friday, March 3rd 2006
Ars Reviews the MacBook Pro
Tech powerhouse Ars Technica has posted their MacBook Pro review. If you read just one MBP review, this might be the one, as author Jacqui Cheng very thoroughly discusses the finer points of the machine, as well as extensive benchmarking with a Dell Inspiron running both Windows and Mac OS X for comparison. The reviewer finds no serious problems, as can sometimes be the case with revision A products, and for those worried about it, battery life averaged over three hours with the processor at full speed. Make sure to look at those benchmarks, too, as the results might surprise you.
Wednesday, March 1st 2006
Newer Offers Replacement PowerBook Batteries
Newer Technology has refreshed their battery offerings with replacement batteries for the Pismo and Lombard G3 PowerBooks. The new batteries are not straight replacements, though, but part of Newer's line of high-capacity laptop batteries (which we have reviewed here). The high-capacity batteries offer up to 56% better life and come in at $170 for the 81 watt-hour model and $160 for the 78 watt-hour model. For more information, check out Newer's website.
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