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September 24th through 31st Archives

Tuesday, September 30th 2003 09:35 EDT

Just When You Thought You'd Seen It All: Daystar Introduces G4 Pismo Upgrade

Last week's PowerBooks are tempting to some users still hanging on with Pismo PowerBooks, but Daystar Technology of clone-making fame has stepped in to let you hang onto the last of the black PowerBooks for just a little while longer. Much to our suprise, they're manufacturing a G4 processor upgrade for Pismo PowerBooks. Here's the relevant details:

Combining technologies from Daystar and XLR8, the new upgrade not only provides the industry's fastest G4 performance available for the last generation of the black PowerBooks, but also features a low-power design that extends battery life and runs cooler than competitive offerings.

The MAChSpeed G4 Pismo is factory installed and tested by Daystar in a unique 24 hour turnaround program. Daystar adds additional speed to the installation process with its exclusive "Week-ender" installation program, providing 12 hour turnaround. The Week-ender program allows users to achieve near-zero downtime by sending their PowerBook in on Thursday evening, then receiving the upgraded system on Monday.

"We've worked hard to create an upgrade/program that provides a competitive reason for people to upgrade, rather than 'buy new'," said Gary Dailey, president of Daystar. "With a PowerBook G5 rumored for next year, the MAChSpeed G4 Pismo, allows a user to get Mac OS X G4 performance today, then wait for Apple's next generation, once it is proven."

Monday, September 29th 2003 16:08 EDT

WaterField Sleeves Shipping

A reader wrote to let us know that he's already received his WaterField Designs 15" SleeveCase for the new aluminum PowerBook:

Just wanted you to know that I ordered the new size 11 sleeve for my brand new 15" AlBook, and already received it! Fits like a glove and is everything I hoped it would be. Two days shipping via USPS for only $8.

Just wanted to spread the good word about Gary and the crew at Waterfield.

New PC Card Video Option for PowerBooks

We received this press release late last week:

New 32MB PC Card Connects External Monitor to PowerBook Computers VGA, DVI and ADC Monitor Support

Harmonic Inversion Technology announces that the new VTBook PC Card video card for Apple PowerBooks is shipping. VTBook works with any Type II PC Card slot equipped PowerBook running MacOS 9 or MacOS X and a VGA, DVI or ADC monitor (with a DVI to ADC adapter). VTBook is a product of VillageTronic of Germany and imported by Harmonic Inversion Technology. The suggested retail price is $249.

Additional display space is ideal for those PowerBook users who need an easily transportable notebook, but also need to use a full-size monitor when sitting at a desk. Road warriors, programmers, creatives and many more PowerBook users will find the additional display space provided by a second monitor invaluable in order to maximize productivity. VTBook supplies more than simple video mirroring - it is a complete second monitor. Windows can be dragged from the PowerBook display to the external monitor, seamlessly.

PowerBook users can get as high as 1920 X 1200 resolution with VTBook's 32MB of 266MHz DDR memory. VTBook supports resolutions from 512 x 349 through 1920 x 1200 at Millions of colors. Screen Doubler technology provides a virtual desktop that is double the size of the display itself - autoscrolling when the edge of the screen is reached. VTBook is hot swappable under OS 9, supports Deep Sleep and Hibernation. VTBook ships with a DVI connector as well as a VGA adapter. Mac OS X is supported with Quartz 2D acceleration.

"The VTBook is exactly what many PowerBook users have wanted for years. Now it's very easy to attach an external monitor, drive it in Millions of colors and get a whole bunch of extra desktop working space," said Randy Case, Harmonic Inversion Technology.

There are few competitive products. The Margi Display-To-Go PC Card (SRP $224) supports Thousands of Colors at 1600 x 1200 resolution with 4MB of video memory. A less-capable 2MB card is also available that produces Millions of Colors at a max resolution of 800 x 600. Mac OS X is not supported. There are three refresh rates 60, 75 and 85Hz. This card requires a different dongle to attach to various types of monitors.

A Windows version of VTBook is planned for shipment to retailers in November 2003. It will support Windows XP, 2000 Me and 98SE as well as 3D Direct X and OpenGL technologies.

VTBook and the other products of Harmonic Inversion Technology can be found at retailers such as Small Dog Electronics, Red Dye #3, TechnoWarehouse LLC and MacMall. A complete list of outlets are on the Harmonic Inversion Technology web site: www.harmonicinversion.com. Contact them at info@harmonicinversion.com or by telephone at 316-721-4573.