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Tuesday, May 31st 2005
iScroll2 0.25e Released
The popular software by Daniel Becker to allow iBooks and pre-2005 PowerBooks to use the two-finger scrolling featured in the 2005 PowerBooks has been updated. Among the fixes in this version are a couple of bug fixes to avoid crashes.
iScroll2 allows many older PowerBooks and iBooks to have the same functionality as the latest PowerBooks. If you're uncertain if your iBook or PowerBook supports the software, the website has a script to check for compatibility.
Monday, May 30th 2005
PowerBook Second in Sales for Apple
AppleInsider has an interesting report, giving the PowerBook the nod for trailing only the iMac in sales for this financial quarter. While it's important to keep in mind that the other product lines have been relatively stagnant, this is still impressive for a premium product.
News and Notes
Also new over at AppleInsider is word that 10.4.2 is not too far away, even with 10.4.1 on the heels of 10.4. With few significant complaints of the latest release, it's unclear what will be coming in 10.4.2.
A helpful reader sent in this link with information on a class action lawsuit against Apple for PowerBook and iBook power adapter problems. On the site is information about the action, as well as a convenient list of which models are affected.
Thursday, May 26th 2005
Apple to Switch Battery Supplier?
The DigiTimes has an interesting piece with some speculation on the fallout from the PowerBook and iBook battery recall. The batteries being recalled are from South Korea's LG Chem, with Taiwan's DynaPack and Simplo Technology being the companies most likely to pick up the slack. From the current reports, it's unclear if this switch is due to dissastisfaction with the problem in LG Chem's product, or if they will simply be unable to produce enough new batteries while replacing the existing ones.
RadTech Announces Tekstyl Tekmod Case for 12" PowerBooks and iBooks
RadTech announced last month a unique carrying case suitable for the 15" and 17" PowerBooks, but nothing for the 12" PowerBook. With the release of the Tekstyl Tekmod Regular, though, they now have a case for 12"-15" laptops with standard screen ratios, including the 12" PowerBook and both iBook screen sizes. If you haven't taken a look at these cases, they're quite unique. Instead of removing your PowerBook or iBook from the case, you simply open up the case like a shell for your laptop, keeping it on during operation. The Tekstyl Tekmod case runs $75.
Wednesday, May 25th 2005
Newer Tech Release Replacement Batteries For All PowerBooks
NewerTechnology is now shipping replacement batteries for the 12", 15", and 17" PowerBooks. This expanded lineup means that high-capacity batteries are available for all currently-shipping PowerBooks. Prices range from $170 for the high-capacity 17" battery, which can yield a 21% improvement in capacity, to $130 for the 15" battery that offers 11% more capacity. We reviewed the 12" PowerBook replacement battery recently, and were quite pleased with its performance, so if you're looking for a new battery, these are definitely worth consideration.
Status Update on Trackpad Problems
We know some of you are trying to decide whether to take the plunge and buy a new PowerBook, or hold off until the kinks have been worked out. While we are not receiving nearly as much email on trackpad problems, we thought this email worth posting:
I just got my new 1.67 15 inch power book back from apple 2 days ago.
Although they installed a new top case....the problem still exists. I guess
I'll live with it
Tuesday, May 24th 2005
News and Notes
Charles Moore has his latest Road Warrior column up, discussing everything in the realm of laptop screens, with particular attention on the rumored widescreen iBooks. The forthcoming 19" Dell also gets some attention, as Charles considers what the future holds. There's a rumor that there will be a major iBook update today, and we'll keep our fingers crossed for wide screens.
Second, we came across this video (be careful, it's very large and quite long) of Steve Jobs demonstrating NeXTSTEP Release 3. While not PowerBook related, we found this incredibly interesting to juxtapose with Mac OS X 10.4. NeXT was so far ahead of its time, that only now is it getting the widespread appreciation it deserves (in the form of Mac OS X). If you can handle the poor quality and length, it's definitely worth taking a look at.
Monday, May 23rd 2005
PowerBook and iBook Battery Recall: The Full Story
We briefly covered Apple's recent battery recall last Friday, but given the scope of the recall, thought it merited a more detailed look.
The basics of the problem are that batteries in 12" iBook G4s, 12" PowerBook G4s, and 15" PowerBook G4s have been found, in some cases, to heat beyond an acceptable level due to an internal short. These batteries were shipped between October 2004 and May 2005, and as many as 225,000 of them are believed to be in use worldwide. One other thing to keep in mind is that even if the original PowerBook or iBook battery is unaffected, a second battery ordered separately from Apple could need replacement. From the email sent out to registered owners of the affected units:
The recalled batteries include those with model numbers A1061, A1078, and A1079 and serial numbers that begin with HQ441 through HQ507 and 3X446 through 3X510. To view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the battery, you must remove the battery from the computer. The battery serial number is printed in black or dark-grey lettering beneath a bar code.
Of course, when burns or fire is a possibility, it's important to take the problem seriously, both from Apple's standpoint and Apple's. Still, there is no reason to panic or think that your PowerBook is going to burn down your house. Six cases out of at least 225,000 is not something to be overly concerned about. Apple has made this a pain-free process, though, as they send you a new battery before you have to send yours in, so you will never be without a battery. Apple does recommend not using your PowerBook or iBook on battery power until the replacement battery arrives. Also worth noting is that the iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 Battery Exchange Program is being done via the internet only, so your local Apple store can't help you. As of this writing, the concluding date for the replacement program isn't known, but there's no reason not to begin the process right now.
If you have any questions or information to add, don't hesitate to email us at editor (at) pbzone.com.
Friday, May 20th 2005
PowerBook and iBook Battery Recall
Apple has sent out an email on a battery issue to those who registered their PowerBooks and iBooks. A battery exchange program is now in effect to help get possibly-defective batteries out of the hands of customers. Approximately 128,000 batteries are thought to be affected across the 12" iBook, 12" PowerBook, and 15" PowerBooks product lines. While there appears to be no reports of fires being caused byt he battery overheating, there is always the potential for this when overheating is involved. To determine if you qualify for a battery replacement, and to send your battery in for replacement, check Apple's iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 Battery Exchange Program website. We'll have more information on the recall on Monday, but thought it prudent to let everyone know what's afoot right away.
The $500 Portable Mac
While this isn't a project for everyone, Silas Bennett has posted a very interesting read about hacking a Mac mini to run on battery power. The article goes into great detail, with lots of photos to show the processof making it all work. The short of it is that it's not as "set it and forget it" as a PowerBook or iBook, but he manages to get nearly two hours of battery life out of it with limited power management features. If some of these things can be worked out, some company could do quite well selling modified Mac minis, we think.
News and Notes
Speaking of hacks, we saw this link over at O'Grady's PowerPage. This iBook modification leaves the insides of the case visible, and it looks surprisingly slick. The only thing missing is a transparent battery.
In more general news, Apple has posted an interesting article on several of the security enhancements made in Mac OS X 10.4.1. It looks like if you were worried about security holes in 10.4 that at least the gaping holes have been closed, and if you're still running 10.4, there's really no reason not to get the point update.
Thursday, May 19th 2005
Booq Reveals 2006 Boa Bags
Site-sponsor Booq today released images and information on the all-new 2006 version of their popular Boa laptop bags. These bags, which are to accommodate customer requests, feature more protection, more pockets, and overall more space. There are two sizes of the Boa, the Boa.XM for 14" and 15" iBooks and PowerBooks, and the Boa.XL solely for the 17" PowerBook. The bags retail for $140 and $150, depending on size, and for an additional $50 can include either the Vyper or PowerSleeve laptop case, as well as cases for your cell phone and PDA. For more information, check out the items here.
News and Notes
Envy News has a review of the Logitech V500 cordless notebook mouse. While a bit steep at $70, this is a pretty slick little mouse, and might be a nice stopgap if you're experiencing trackpad troubles.
As for another review, Charles W. Moore takes a look at the ebook Buying Used Macs. This is quite a comprehensive review, and well worth a look if you're interested in buying -- or even selling -- a used Mac.
Tuesday, May 17th 2005
MCE Announces SuperDrive Upgrade for iBook G4
For those of you looking to add a SuperDrive to your iBook G4, or who already have one, but want dual-layer support for added capacity, MCE has announced a SuperDrive upgrade for you. Starting at $199, this drive can burn DVDs at up to 8x, with 2.4x speed for dual-layer media. This drive is shipping immediately, and if you buy now, you can get Tiger thrown in for only $80, making for a pretty nice combination.
Mac OS X 10.4.1 Released
In case you missed it, the first update to Tiger was released by Apple today. As of this writing, it hasn't hit Software Update yet, but it should be there shortly.
This update is a must-have for Tiger users, as it fixes numerous bugs with networking, including DHCP over wireless networks. Other major components to the 10.4.1 update are new drivers for ATI and NVIDIA graphics cards and new versions of Mail, Preview, and other applications.
Monday, May 16th 2005
PowerBook Trackpad Defects: Problems Still Unsolved?
We solicited reader updates on their trackpad woes a few weeks ago, in response to comments that the problem was a thing of the past. Now, this was more than four weeks ago that Apple's CFO made these comments, meaning that new units should be unaffected, and it should be possible to correct the problem units already in the hands of customers. With these messages in mind, we wanted to find out how things were looking for people just buying PowerBooks, and those who have been actively attempting to have their trackpads fixed.
Figuring out Apple's success rate with repairing existing PowerBooks was more of a challenge than expected. As we wrote in many email responses to readers, everyone appears to be waiting for someone else to make the first move and play the guinea pig. We will say, though, that from the reports of people who had recently sent in their PowerBooks for trackpad-related problems, the situation looks pretty grim. There weren't enough reports to draw any strong conclusions, but it looks like in at least some instances, the repairs are not successful. Our advice would be to wait, if you've learned to tolerate the trackpad, then try sending it in whenever it is the least detrimental to your productivity to be without your 'Book for a couple days. Apple is unlikely to comment any further on the situation, though, so it's unclear if/when we'll know it's safe to send in your PowerBook.
As for new PowerBooks, we're receiving far fewer complaints about their trackpads. There have been occasional reports of problems, but most of these can be chalked up to old stock from a reseller. While there might be a couple units rolling out of the factories with trackpad problems, it shouldn't be a significant concern if you're looking to make a purchase now.
SuperDrive Issues with Dual Discs and DVD Burn Speeds
Several weeks ago we passed along some information a reader shared with us about problems many PowerBook owners were having with dual discs, as well as DVD burning rates, with their PowerBook SuperDrives. That same reader has now given us some followup information, which helps explain the situation better, as people seemed to either have no problems with their SuperDrives, or significant problems:
So it seems like the DualDiscs do work on certain SuperDrives--the UJ-845E drive seems to be functioning okay (http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=254745), but the UJ-835E (my drive) doesn't like those discs. On a side note, Apple Discussions has been buzzing with news that the UJ-835E has a pretty crappy DVD burning rate. I haven't tried this at home yet, but I'm about to as soon as I get home tonight. Apparently, these drives don't burn at the advertised 8X speed, but burn at something far more pedestrian (http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?230@554.GeEVaC13TBP.6@.68a7ba65!skip=168). I have no idea how to go about getting my 835E replaced with an 845, but if you guys could put a note up and make some noise, I'd appreciate it.
This situation is obviously quite frustrating for those of you with the UJ-835E drive, and as the letter states, it's unclear how to get it replaced with the UJ-845E. If you have anything to contribute on this topic, we can be reached at editor (at) pbzone.com
Friday, May 13th 2005
Orbino Ships Luxury PowerBook Case
When we received this press release from Orbino, we knew that a lot of you would enjoy taking a look at their case. The Linea Slimcase is designed by the same people who handle the interiors for Ferrari and Maserati, and the luxury is obvious. If nothing else, very fun to look look at, if you love lapotp bags as much as us:
Orbino, makers of the world's finest luxury computer cases announced today that it has launched its newest line of products for the Apple Powerbook -- the Linea Slimcase.Heralded as by the renowned Gadgeteer website (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com) as the "Rolex" of carrying cases and by PalmGuru.com as "one of the most visually intriguing cases available", the new Orbino line is being launched in 5 different luxury colors: black, burgundy, caramel tan, burnished brown, and red.
The Orbino is handmade by master craftsmen in Italy and features a variety of high-performance features including:
- Patented push-through button system: access buttons by pressing on embossed icons in the leather;
- Work in case design: you never have to take your laptop out of the case. Just open the case and begin working.
- Precious metal fixtures: give your laptop the look of fine Italian machinery. Spring loaded clips allow you to open and close the case with ease and to attach shoulder harness.
- Tight, form-fitting contours: respects the elengant lines of the Powerbook family of laptops;
- Stunning luxury calfskins handcrafted in Central Italy.
The Orbino cases can be purchased Orbino's online store at:
Prices start at US$420 and product can be shipped throughout the world.
Thursday, May 12th 2005
19" Laptops Coming?
The Register is reporting on a tidbit from DigiTimes that Dell is planning on releasing a 19" laptop next year. While DigiTimes is not always the most reliable source, whether from Dell or elsewhere, a 19" laptop seems sure to be coming to the mainstream. For most people, even Apple's existing 17" model is perceived as too cumbersome for daily moves, but as with cars, hard drives, and burritos, bigger is often seen as better by the consumer.
Other reports have emphasized the greater focus on widescreen LCDs by lapotp makers, which would support previous rumors that the iBook line would be moving to widescreen. As for the PowerBook line, a 19" model would surprise us, though it's not out of the question. Simply increasing the resolution of the current LCD sizes seems to us to be a much more effective way of gaining screen real estate without sacrificing portability or cost.
$100 Rebate on Most Macs for Students
Just a quick note for our readers who are currently attending college, Apple has begun its Spring Promo 2005. If you're about to purchase a PowerBook or iBook (barring the 12" with CD drive model), you're entitled to a rebate of $100. Considering the discounted prices that accompanied the January 2005 PowerBook update, an additional $100 off makes them quite a value.
News and Notes
First up, the prolific Charles W. Moore has a new column asking when the iBook and Mac mini will be able to support Core Image in Tiger. This is a question of some concern to many Mac users, and well worth a look for those affected.
Second up, while we've been discussing Apple's place in education recently, the University of Maine will be requiring education students to get Apple iBooks. While this is just one school, creating a generation of teachers who are most comfortable with Macs is sure to be a great boon for Apple's sales pitches to school districts in the future.
Wednesday, May 11th 2005
Tablet Mac on the Way?
AppleInsider is reporting on an interesting tidbit out of Apple. Apparently, Apple has just been granted a patent on a tablet Mac. There are no real details about the device, unless noting that it will be electronic is a surprise, but The Mac Observer has some of the illustrations from the patent filing.
PowerBook Wishlist
Over at O'Grady's PowerPage is a nice little article on Jason's hopes for features in the next PowerBook update. Of note is that one feature on the list is built-in cellular technology for internet access. Sony today announced that a new Vaio model would have integrated cellular technology, possibly showing a trend in this direction for the top manufacturers.
Happy Birthday, Wallstreet
The Wallstreet has always been one of our favorite PowerBooks, as it has proved to be one of the most reliable and refined of PowerBooks. To honor this icon of the Apple portable world, Charles W. Moore has created a little homage to the venerable machine.
Tuesday, May 10th 2005
PowerBooks Unable to View High Definition Video?
There has been quite a discussion going on in Mac forums around the web the last few days, with the release of Tiger and QuickTime 7 stirring up a lot of opinions. As many people have tried viewing movie trailers in Apple's much-touted H.264 codec found in QuickTime 7, disappointment has cropped up, leading to general questioning of the PowerBook line's features. With that in mind, we thought we'd offer a brief summary of the situation, and our own experiences here.
First, a quick look at Apple's System Recommendations page for the HD Gallery shows that the current PowerBooks come nowhere near meeting the minimum for high definition video. While the RAM and video card look to be adequate, the minimum CPU is listed as a 1.8 GHz G5 for less-demanding 720p playback. As for 1080p, if you want to watch it at a decent framerate on a Mac, you'll either need a PowerMac G5 or to install a video card in an Xserve, because a dual 2.0 GHz G5 with 128 MB graphics card is necessary.
What does this mean for PowerBook users? While this is supposed to be "The Year of HD," that's really just a misnomer. Apple wants to be on the cutting edge of video technology, and doing so requires building hype and starting at the top of the product pyramid. There will be no problems finding just about any video in a format perfectly manageable for PowerBooks, as the percentage of computer users who can view HD video at a reasonable framerate is quite small. Of course, if you asked someone in the know at Apple a couple years ago if they expected today's PowerBooks to still be stuck at 1.67 GHz with a G4, they might be somewhat surprised, but it's not as if the PowerBook is alone in feeling a little long in the tooth. Apple knows that only a couple of its current offerings have nearly the muscle to view this kind of content, and will not foist something on its customers that makes its products look bad.
With a 720p movie trailer on a stock 1.5 GHz 12" PowerBook, framerates were around 14 FPS, which is pretty bad, and with a 1080p trailer, the FPS was often around 2. Still, there is no need to panic. Just as with televisions, HD is integrating slowly into the consumer world, and the PowerBook is still just as capable of performing just about every other task you throw at it. HD is one of those periodic things in the computer world that just makes all the existing hardware feel inadequate, and while that's frustrating in the moment, it also means that better hardware is soon to come.
Monday, May 9th 2005
NuPower 12" PowerBook Replacement Battery Reviewed, Review Page Updated
First off, as promised we have the review up for Newer Technology's replacement battery for 12" AlBooks. For those looking for a battery with higher capacity, this looks like a nice offering from Other World Computing and Newer Tech.
When I heard that Newer Technology had created a replacement battery for the 12" PowerBook, to be sold through Other World Computing, I was excited at the possibility of longer battery life. While iBook and PowerBook battery life is definitely above average, there's always room for improvement, and being able to go longer between charges for only a few dollars more than Apple's battery sounded tempting.
Secondly, we've updated the features page to reflect our most recent reviews, including several bag and sleeve reviews, so definitely take a look there if you haven't stopped by recently.
Friday, May 6th 2005
iScroll2 Updated
iScroll2 .24 has been released, primarily to fix a problem whereby the software would not be active after a restart. If you're unfamiliar with iScroll2, here's a brief summary taken from its website:
iScroll2 is a modified trackpad driver that adds two-finger scrolling capabilities to supported pre-2005 PowerBooks and iBooks on OS X 10.3. Supported models include aluminum PowerBooks introduced from 2003 to 2004 as well as all G4 iBooks.
For more information, or to download iScroll2, check outs its website.
Recent Trackpad Repairs and Replacements
We know we've asked before, but we're trying to confirm one way or the other if the trackpad problem in the 2005 PowerBooks is under control. For those of you who've sent in your PowerBooks in the last couple weeks, if you can report one way or the other whether your trackpad is better now, it'd be of great interest to us and your fellow readers. All emails can be directed to editor (at) pbzone.com.
News and Notes
Over at O'Grady's PowerPage, Mark Standen has a fun piece going through some PowerBook history. Particularly interesting is the first Mac portable on the list, which was new even to us...
Finally, we hope everyone has a good Mother's Day weekend, and we'll hopefully have a review of a third party PowerBook battery on Monday.
Thursday, May 5th 2005
Trackpad Issues Resolved; Battery Problems in 12" PowerBooks?
AppleInsider has posted a story discussing iPod sales, but there is also mention that the PowerBook line is doing well. With the trackpad problems reportedly resolved, Apple has apparently been able to satisfy the significant demand. We were puzzled by the reference to battery problems in 12" PowerBooks that have since been resolved. No complaints or questions related to the batteries in the Janury 2005 PowerBooks, 12" or otherwise, have reached us. If you have any information on this, please drop us a a line at editor (at) pbzone.com.
Buyer's Guide to Aluminum PowerBooks
Charles W. Moore has done it again, posting a very thorough guide to every model and revision of the aluminum PowerBook G4s. If you're trying to decide which model to go after on the used market, or just enjoy strolling down memory lane, it's well worth a visit.
News and Notes
Speaking of memory lane, Dan Knight has a look at the Wallstreet on Low End Mac, analyzing whether it's obsolete or not. With the release of Tiger, questions of usefulness are particularly relevant.
Finally, The Unofficial Apple Weblog has a post on how to rotate your PowerBook's screen with Tiger, which is fun for novelty, if nothing else.
Wednesday, May 4th 2005
News and Notes
For those still holding off on upgrading to Tiger, Charles Moore has posted a useful guide for preparing your iBook or PowerBook for the Tiger installation. Even if you don't read this piece, just remember, always backup before a major software or hardware change. Heck, even without any major changes, it's still a very good idea to backup your computer regularly.
Second, we have a review of the January 2005 PowerBooks from About This Particular Macintosh. While it's been several months since their release, it's interesting to read a review that can look at the update with some more perspective, taking into account the weaknesses that have cropped up in the latest revision.
Tuesday, May 3rd 2005
AirPort Antenna Upgrades Available for New PowerBooks
QuickerTek has announced an external antenna for the new 1.5 and 1.67GHz PowerBooks. Designed to attach to the LCD half of the PowerBook, the antenna increases AirPort Extreme signal strength. For $100, this is an interesting option to shore up one of the weaker points fo the metal PowerBooks.
Limited Edition iDecay PowerBook on Display
We saw this over at O'Grady's PowerPage, and thought some of you would get a kick out of this, or at least sympathize with his situation. Simon Collison gives quite a humorous tour of the new "features" his PowerBook has developed over the last several years.
Dual Discs Not Compatible with PowerBook SuperDrives?
We've received a warning from a trusted reader that there are potentially problems when attempting to listen to dual discs in their PowerBook's SuperDrive. There aren't currently very many dual disc albums out there, so it's unclear if this is a problem for every slot-load optical drive found in Apple machines, or if it is limited to certain models of optical drive. The symptoms appear to be that the discs will typically not mount, and when they do, the audio quality is much worse than it should be.
If you have any information on this situation, email us at editor (at) pbzone.com and we'll pass it along.
Monday, May 2nd 2005
MaxUpgrades Shipping iProtect Micro Screen Savers
Back in the day, we received a lot of email on the Lombard's screen being marked up by the keyboard while the PowerBook was closed, and this is still a problem some people encounter with their new PowerBooks. For those looking to keep their screen in pristine condition, MaxUpgrades has begun shipping its iProtect Micro Screen Saver. Ranging in price from $9-$12 for the various sizes, this looks like a pretty slick product, as in addition to the protective qualities, it also serves as a cleaning cloth for the keyboard, trackpad, palm rest area, and the LCD itself.
Apple Wins, Loses School Contracts
We've been discussing Apple's potential in the education sector recently, and whenever there are thousands of iBook sales on the line, it's significant news for Apple portable devotees. The bad news is that after a four-year contract providing Henrico County middle and high schools with laptops for every student, Apple has been replaced by Dell in the high schools. The middle schools will still be supplied by Apple until next June, but it appears unlikely that the district will use different platforms at the middle and high school levels. Dell's new contract is worth $17.9 million over the next four years, and includes 15,800 laptops.
In more encouraging news, Cobb County has approved a deal with Apple to provide iBooks for teachers and students from grades 6-12. The best part is that the Cobb County deal is potentially much larger for Apple, as the teachers alone account for 7100 laptops, and there is the potential for 63,000 students to receive iBooks, if the pilot programs appear successful.
News and Notes
With the new month comes an update our our archives with any news from April that you might have missed.
For those awaiting updated iBooks, the generally-reliable AppleInsider is saying it looks like updates are unlikely, but that there is the possibility of a price drop.
Finally, over at PowerBook Central there is a review of the Shaun Jackson Laptrap Laptop Sleeve.
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