Saturday, May 19th 2001 12:18 CDT A reader sent in this quick report from the public opening of the Apple Store in McLean VA:

I'm sitting in the new Apple store in mclean, va, typing this on my visor. Apple actually has internet access via airport to all their display models and also to the public, but I didn't bring my Ti and don't want to configure mail on a display model with my personal account. The store is great, but the t-shirts go to the first 1000 buying customers, not visitors. The genius bar is well staffed and the employees are well versed and most are experienced it seems.

Friday, May 18th 2001 10:27 CDT

iBook Vs. NEC Versa TXi Part Two

Our followup question-answering article about the comparisons between the new iBook and the NEC Versa TXi can be found here. It's quite interested, so give it a look-see.

More News to Come...

Thursday, May 17th 2001 15:54 CDT

"Shocking" PowerBook G4 Responses

As we expected, there were quite a few responses to the post yesterday. We're including all of the responses verbatim to let you make your own judgement as to whether there's an issue. It can clearly be seen that there is *something* going on, but the question is: are these simply side effects of having a metal shell on the PowerBook? Or is there a larger issue surrounding these "shocks" or "vibrations" as some describe it. Here's the emails:

This little post from France to confirm that my Titanium is vibrating when my AC adapter is plugged-in ! Itıs not really disturbing but ... I donıt have a peacemaker [sic] !!!

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I have this issue on three PB G4s--two of mine and a customer's in Sydney Australia..

I took them all to Apple Service for warranty reapir on this issue and the note came back from Apple Service in Australia, that this is a known issue with all Apple PowerBook G4's at the moment... and that Apple is currently investigating a warranty fix/modification to eradicate this problem..

I asked how long for this fix to come about... they told me that it will certainly be sometime this year.. and within warranty of course..

I suggest that all PB G4 owners test their G4's for the same issue and report back too... I personally think it sucks...

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Yes. I get that mild "electric" vibration whenever my TiBook is plugged in.

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I've noticed at work often getting shocks when touching the book after returning to my desk, quite a large shock... tried the test but couldn't feel any static, but i may not be doing it right

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This guy is either smoking some really good stuff or he has a defective 'book. None of the Ti's in my office exhibit this behavior. I don't think one should make such harsh accusations or give such dire warnings without concrete information.

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I have a 400 MHz TiBook that discharges a small amount of electricity through the case when plugged in to the power adapter. I noticed this the most on my spring break road trip in a car for 18 hours with the PowerBook plugged in to a power inverter. Every time I leaned my arm against the window electricity ran through my body and discharged on the metal strip around the car window. Also, last week I leaned over the top of my PowerBook to plug in my usb keyboard and mouse. As I leaned over my lip touched the top of the screen and a noticeable amount electricity was discharged into my face. When I contacted Apple about this they said it was a know issue and the it was not enough voltage to be harmful. The shock doesn't really hurt, it is just annoying more than anything.

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Regarding the electric shocks on the TiPBs, This is no new revelation. I actually thought at first it was just me, but many members of the Titanium Mailing List (at TheMacintoshguy.com, search the list archive for "Zapping the TiBook") have witnessed the same. I noticed it more at home, but I don't think I've experienced it at work at all. I think it could be that my outlet at home is not grounded. Or I'm not grounded. Then again, that's nothing new. At least I haven't touched my tongue to it yet. *zzzt*

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My G4 does not exhibit the Œshocking sensationı but I did feel it on a demo model at Comp USA when the units first came out.

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I've got the same shock problem. It's very slight, but definately noticeable. I think it may only be there when the battery is actually charging. Doesn't seem so bad when the battery is fully charged.

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Have made the same observations. In fact, my first Ti was replaced by macwarhouse because of a screen defect (one dead pixel, and the screen went dead when moving it or adjusting the angle) and the second displays the same "vibrations". But serously, can it be shocks??

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I must be missing it. I have not received any shocks of static from my TiBook. I have been using it for 3 months now. I tried Angus' test and I feel nothing. Maybe it's just me.

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The only thing similar I've noticed is a propensity to get a bit of static shock from the metal, which doesn't seem at all unusual to me. Perhaps this is what people are confusing for a charged surface?

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Well, I don't know about the shocking part, but I have noticed that when the TiBook is on my desk, I get a noticeable hum on my telephone line (landline - not cellular). If I'm on the phone and I touch the TiBook, the hum gets loud enough to block conversation. Do you think this is the same issue?

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my 400 Ti also gives me an irritation on my left wrist which i was convinced was due to a small current. I thought it was the rubber stopper / screen rest but my right wrist is fine. It also kind of 'resonates' if you move your fingers along it, but only occasionally. I also electrocuted my lips as i peered over the screen to look behind the 'book.

Site Notes

We'll have part two of our new iBook Vs. NEC Versa TXi tomorrow. There were several responses to the original article, so the author, our reviews editor Paul Cesarini, has written a followup.

For the person who was interested in our PowerBook for sale named Fred...responses to your email bounced, so please send another from a working address.

Wednesday, May 16th 2001 09:15 CDT

iBook Vs. NEC Versa TXi

NEC's new Versa TXi weighs a full pound less than the new iBook, so why is the iBook still superior? To find out, read our feature article on the subject.

MadsonLine Begins Shipping Titanium-hued PowerBook AC Adapter MadsonLine has reworked their popular MicroAdapter to more closely match the Titanium PowerBook G4's color. Seen below, the adapter costs the same price ($88) and is available now from their website.

The adapter should also match the iBook fairly well, as the entire center section of the new consumer portable is silver. (One reader said "think of it as a silver sandwich with white bread" if that helps you visualize).

The company is clearing a lot of backorders that have built up since the G4 line of accessories was first announced. An adapter ordered today would ship in June.

More on Margi/DVI/Mac OS X/PBG4

Reader Tim sent this discouraging news:

With regards to your suggestion of the Margi Display-to-go Card (14.05.01), this does not work under OS X either, not just TiBook. Margi says this is a fault of Apples programming and they cannot get it to work themselves (both problems, that is). They also say that Apple is very reluctant to fix this, so you may never see this happening. Better to wait until June for the new displays, check their connectivity options or wait for the overdue update to the sgi 1600SW display.

Shocking G4s?

Reader Angus sent this in:

I've been fixing the TiBook's for a while now and well I kind of noticed this weird feeling that the surface appeared to have. It confused me somewhat at first and then several customers complained that they were receiving electric shocks from the unit and I sat up and took notice a little more. It seems that when you have your AC adapter plugged in it appears to electrify the whole casing. It obviously isn't harmful yet but who knows what the further use or long term exposure could produce. You can test this by running your fingers across the palm rest, the bit with the track pad and keyboard for the new Mac users, without the AC plugged in, then with one hand continue running your fingers and hand across the palm rest and plug the AC in. Notice the vibrating like feeling your now getting from your TiBook? I wouldn't recommend anyone with weak hearts or even normal people to use the TiBook while the AC is plugged in. This could be very dangerous and it is present on every TiBook.

Buy our Pismo!

That's right, you too could own the Pismo we've had for about 14 months. It's out of warranty but has no problems whatsoever. Here are the specs:

• 400 MHz G3
• 384 MB RAM/6 GB hard disk
• 6X DVD-ROM Drive
• Two USB/Two FireWire
• AirPort-ready and one PC Card slot
• S-Video/VGA-out
• 56K modem
• Comes with MadsonLine MicroAdapter instead of the larger "yoyo" style adapter.
• Comes with a external FireWire enclosure.
• Also includes a "bondi" blue colored 'iBookBag', shown here for $69.95 at Dr. Bott.