Portable News
 PB Zone

 iMac News
 Daily iMac

 Forum
 MacDebate.com

 Gaming News
 Mac 3D Dot Com

 Mac OS X
 X Appeal

 
 Quotes

 
 

December 1st through 7th Archives

Friday , December 6th 2002 01:52 CST

Knowledge Base Articles

• "PowerBook G4 (1 GHz/867 MHz): Using the Software Install and Restore DVD" 86153
• "Mac OS X 10.2: Sleep Is Delayed When You Close a PowerBook or iBook" 107336.
• "SuperDrive: Important Information About Using With High-Speed Media" 86130

Newer Tech Reply

Larry O'Connor of Other World Computing replied to our email of about a week and a half ago asking about the status of their strategic partner Newer Technology. Here was his reply:

That is incorrect and has been responded to. The phone numbers and e-mail addresses listed on the NewerTech.com web pages have never been disconnected.

All-Mac Radio Station to Debut

We received this press release yesterday:

Weekly All-Mac Radio Show With Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus and Scott Sheppard to Debut This Saturday

San Francisco, CA. (December 5th, 2002) The Inside Mac Radio Show, a new weekly broadcast will make its debut on Saturday, December 7, 2002 at 11 a.m.- 1p.m. PST on CNET Radio - The Tech Station, San Francisco Bay Area - KNEW 910am, Nationwide - XM Satellite Radio, Channel 130 and Worldwide at http://www.cnetradio.com

The show is hosted by Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus and Scott Sheppard. Between them, they take an exhilarating look at what's new and exciting in the world of Macintosh each week. From the digital hub to the den of the Jaguar, LeVitus and Sheppard are on top of what's happening in the Mac world, and these guys aren't afraid to tell it like it is. A tasty serving of news, reviews, information & interviews, "Inside Mac" is all Mac all the time.

December 5, 2002: This week, Andy saves Christmas, discusses analog wireless and AppleScript Studio, and responds to some feedback. Plus, Deborah questions whether Seth's relationship with their nanny is strictly professional. This show is first run at 8pm Central, and available in archive following.

Episode Title: Andy Ihnatko Saves your Mac Christmas
Show Name: Andy Ihnakto's Weekly Write-Off

Show Date/Time: Thursday, December 5, 2002 @ 8pm Central
URL: http://www.macradio.com/thursday

Thursday , December 5th 2002 15:55 CST

More 1 GHz Apple Store PowerBook Shipping Reports

A few readers responded since yesterday's posting:

I ordered a PowerBook G4/1GHz with SuperDrive on the day it was released (11/06/02) and received shipping notification on 11/29/02, it was sent directly from Tiawan via FedEd. I received it yesterday, 12/03/02.

---

Ordered mine from Apple on Day 1.....got it last week after being held up wtih Fedex for just about 1 week....USPS would have been faster, but enjoying the machine.

---

Went down to my local reseller in NYC and bought one on Monday November 25. The Apple store in Soho and Digital Society have many in stock. [not really an Apple online store report, but we included it anyway-Ed.]

---

Hi, I wrote in the other day about how it's been a little over 3 weeks and I still haven't gotten my powerbook yet (and yet other online stores have them in stock). I decided to call the Apple Store number and see what the actual status is from one of the customer service reps. They told me that my order is "scheduled to ship on or before Dec. 11th." Now why couldn't they put this info on the web status site? Of course, as of right now, I go to the website and it still says "being assembled"

---

Here is my 2 cents worth about purchasing my PowerBook online.

I ordered my PowerBook on the 11th of November from the German Online Apple store. The confirmation mail I received from Apple said it would take 3-5 weeks for shipping after the order was approved. I paid for it by money transfer the day after I ordered it (Nov. 12). On the 15 Nov. my order status was changed from being reviewed to being assembled. Then on the 23 Nov. the status was changed to being packed for shipping and on the 24 Nov. it was shipped with an ETA of Nov. 28. On the 29 I received my new 1 GHz SuperDrive PowerBook. I am quite happy with the shipment times from the Apple Store. I was not expecting to receive the PowerBook until sometime in early December.

---

Just to say that although the UK Apple Store was quoting 3 to 5 weeks, my Ti-book 1Ghz S-drive arrived on Monday 2nd December, only 7 working days from when I placed the order.

MW-Tokyo Cancelled

By now most of you have seen the news on the general news sites: Apple has pulled out of Macworld Tokyo, bringing the major other exhibitors along with the company. There's really no word from Apple or IDG, the show's organizer, specifically why the trade show was cancelled. Whether this is driven by demand (we seem to remember good attendance at MWTs of the last couple of years), high costs of exhibiting in Tokyo, or simply further fallout from the rift that's developed between Apple and IDG remains to be seen .

IP Over FireWire

Apple's released a preview release of Internet Protocol over FireWire, which allows you to do anything you could with AirPort or Ethernet over a FireWire cable. Over at Accelerate Your Mac!, they've already got a reader report of a user who has successfully done file sharing just using a FireWire cable. Neat.

Wednesday , December 4th 2002 09:36 CST

GHz PowerBook Shipping Replies

We received several replies to our request for reader experiences with ordering GHz PowerBooks from the Apple Store:

I ordered a 1Ghz SuperDrive PowerBook online through the Apple Store a few hours after it was released, and I still have not gotten it.

---

I saw your item today on ordering Powerbooks direct from Apple's online store. I ordered my 1 GHz Powerbook with Superdrive from Apple on the day of the announcement, 11/6. I figured that Apple would stock its own online store first. Yeah, right! When I heard about others receiving their machines from resellers, I thought that mine would be on the way from Apple. No such luck! On 11/22, I started looking around, and found one at a reseller, ordered, and had my new machine the next day. I cancelled my Apple Store order. At least I saved the amount I would've had to pay in tax! And at least Apple still got my money, however indirectly.

---

I too ordered my 1Ghz Superdrive Powerbook from Apple Store online a little over three weeks ago and still have not gotten it yet. I almost wish I had ordered from one of the online shops instead considering it seems that people are getting them rather quickly through that route.

---

I was so excited the first day that Apple announced there new Ti Books. I sold my first generation Ti Book 400mhz which I had upgraded to 768MB ram and a 30GB 5400rpm Hard Drive and a matching Firewire burner for $1,600 to a colleague that I work with. I called Apple's 800# and ordered the 1ghz DVD burner model and was approved for the no interest offer for 6 months, GREAT!( I also e-mailed you guys to let you know that I did order it)

After receiving my order number I thought I was all set, just 3-4 weeks before I received it. 2 days latter a I received an e-mail saying that my order was cancelled because of a problem with the bank that Apple uses. After freaking out thinking that I am at the bottom of the ordering list I called the bank and all they wanted was proof of my residency( can you believe that Apple cancelled my order because of that?). No problem, I faxed them all the proof they wanted, then I called Apple back and I reordered my Ti Book (no change in the order status). 2 weeks later, I called Apple because it said on the website order confirmation that it was still going to take 2-3 weeks before I would receive my laptop! Meanwhile I went into an Apple store here in Cambridge, MA and they told me that they had already received a shipment of several 1ghz DVD burner models and where expecting another shipment that following weekend!!!!! I mean I was really @#!% upset! Here I am waiting for my laptop(almost 3 weeks) meanwhile other stores are receiving them, Apple's walk-in store, and COMP USA in Braintree, MA. So I worked out a deal with the COMP USA store that if I ordered my TI Book through them, they would give me a 512MB chip for $40 if I bought it at their store. I picked up my Ti-book last Wednesday at COMP USA and then went home and called Apple.

I told them that I wanted to cancel my order and the c ustomer service person just said casually and unphased, "oh did you find it in another store?" After I gave him a piece of my mind for not disclosing that it would have been quicker to buy anywhere else than there store, I got off the phone. Not only did i pick it up 2 weeks before Apple was "going" to ship me the laptop I also received a free Epson printer, free speakers and a free 256mb ram module for my Apple tower after rebates AND I got 18months no interest!!!!! Apple Shame on You!

---

Yeah, I feel your pain. I ordered online on the 9th and my PowerBook is still "being assembled". Two other associates that bought direct from apple have had theirs ship, but those purchases were institutional. Mine was an individual purchase. That's the only thing I can think of to explain the discrepancy.

---

It's not just Rich. I ordered a 1 GHz PowerBook with 1GB RAM on November 13, along with an HP 3820 printer (free after rebate). The printer arrived immediately, and the PowerBook has still not shipped. Starting to wonder what's the dilly yo.

---

Just wanted to let you know, in response to your query--the new PowerBook (1 GHZ, 1GB RAM, SuperDrive, etc.) that I ordered directly from Apple arrived this morning (after shipping directly from Taiwan on Friday). I ordered it the morning it was announced (probably around 10:00 AM Mountain), and was becoming somewhat perturbed at the reports of shipping from third party retailers, but it's finally here. Fortunately, this time it didn't spend an interminable amount of time stuck in Anchorage like the last one I ordered (one of the original TiBooks--way back in Jan. 2001).

Hopefully many others will be having similar luck in the next few days!

Please keep us updated on shipping status of these machines. Drop us a line with any shipping details or notices of further delay from Apple.

Ultra Cheap 2.5" 40 GB Travelstar

Thanks to dealmac, we noticed Dell's online accessories store is selling the IBM Travelstar 40 GN forty gigabyte 2.5" hard drive for a record-low $107 with free shipping. It'd probably go real well with a PBZone enclosure.

Tuesday , December 3rd 2002 03:24 CST

Interesting Reading

There were several more insightful and/or interesting articles published yesterday than on your average Monday. Here's a selection:

• Infoworld-A piece that touches on Apple as a "bright spot" in a tough economy.
• Wired-This article by Mac-beat reporter Leander Kahney examines the cult of Macintosh and how the brand's loyal fans have kept it afloat "through thick and thin."
• eWeek-On the fourth page of this drawn-out interview with chip maker AMD's CEO, the interviewer asks about any possible involvement between Apple and the company. The answer gives nothing away, but is interesting nonetheless.

Slow Shipping Direct From Apple?

Not too long ago, Apple favored orders at its own Apple Store over that of retail partners such as MacMall or brick and mortar stores like CompUSA. Reader Richard's email today suggests that may not be the case, at least when we're talking about 1 GHz PowerBook G4s:

Here I'm reading of people getting their 1 GHz PB G4s shipped from retailers and I'm wondering what is taking Apple so long to ship to customers who ordered them online from them. I ordered my SuperDrive equipped machine almost a month ago, and I'm still waiting. What gives?

Deals

We didn't realize that Apple had dropped the price for iPod laser engraving from $50 to $20 for the holidays. The price drop is good at least until December 31st. Also, Walmart has a 3.2 megapixel Kodak digital camera for $154, which is the cheapest 3+ MP camera we've seen. Shipping's free too.

Detailed Wallstreet Pictorial Take-Apart Guide

It's probably out of warranty and maybe you've replaced it with a newer PowerBook, so why not play with your trusty Wallstreet PowerBook? If you'd like to poke around its innards, a Mac fan out there has put together a .Mac photo gallery that shows every step of the process here.

One Week Left on MWSF Early Bird Discount

We received the following email from IDG, the organizers of the upcoming Macworld San Francisco trade show:

We want to keep you in the loop on the latest developments and updates for Macworld Conference & Expo/SF 2003. Please read below about presentation announcements, approaching discount deadlines and new show attractions.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT -- ONE WEEK LEFT Register online with Priority Code: E-T5F by December 9th to take advantage of early bird pricing and save money on the conference package of your choice, or get an exhibit hall pass for only $15!

To register, click here.

WHERE & WHEN:
The Moscone Center
San Francisco, CA
January 6 - 10, 2003
Expo: January 7 - 10, 2003

Hear Steve in the morning and Woz in the afternoon on opening day of the exhibit floor!

KEYNOTE*
Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple
Tuesday January 7, 2003
9:00 am

Just Announced! SPECIAL PANEL PRESENTATION: The Move to Mac OS X
(open to all registered attendees)
Steve Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple
Bob LeVitus, Author
Robin Williams, Author
Neil Ticktin, Publisher of MacTech
Hosted by Dave Mark, Editor-in-Chief, MacTech
Tuesday January 7, 2003
2:00 pm

FEATURE PRESENTATION*: The Power of X
Philip Schiller, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, Apple
Wednesday, January 8, 2003
9:30 am

First Ever! THE MACBRAINIAC CHALLENGE
(open to all registered attendees)
Entertaining presentation of OS X, Mac and other geek trivia!
Thursday January 9, 2003
12:30 pm

Sunday, December 1st 2002 16:14 CST

1 GHz PowerBook G4s Available Now

Several resellers now have the 1 GHz PowerBook G4 in stock ready to ship today.

• MacConnection offers the machine for $2794 with a Combo Drive with a full gig of RAM (512 MB extra)
• ClubMac has the Super Drive model for $2899.
• MacMall has the Super Drive model for $2905 with several bundles.
• MacWarehouse has a bundle with the machine for $2905.

While we've detailed the available prices today, continuing coverage of the best prices on PowerBooks can be found at PowerBook Central.

Thoughts on "Crossover" PB/Windows Sightings

Reader Lloyd sends in this thoughts on Macs in disguise:

Just in relation to the comment of a Powerbook sighting, with the screen on Windows.

I've seen this a lot in the opposite way, meaning that the laptop (or desktop) is a PC, but then the screen shot is of Mac OS.

I think this is because those who are doing the graphical work are using Macs, but the "props" they use on the set are whatever is lying around - usually PCs.

New PowerBook Thoughts

Reader Bill comments on his new PowerBook:

Just got my SuperDrive TiBook Thursday [11/20] from MacConnection. I ordered it on November 9 and it took only 11 days to arrive. It replaces my PBG3 Pismo 500 which I'm giving my wife who is finally kicking the WinTel habit -- she has a Gateway PC that has given her nothing but grief in the three years she's had it. The new TiBook is wickedly fast and whisper quiet even when the fan kicks in. Wish I could say that about my trusty Pismo which sounds more like a vacuum cleaner in comparison when the fan is on.

I haven't burned anything yet on the SuperDrive since I've been spending most of my time running tests and transferring apps and docs from the Pismo. I did, however, perform some Gaussian Blur and Unsharp Mask tests on some large photo files using Photoshop 7. It made the changes almost instantaneously; I didn't even see the progress bar! Doing the same file on my Pismo took nearly six seconds. Quite an improvement and a testament to the AltiVec technology on the G4.

It looks like a very sturdy machine. No dead pixels and the paint job seems tougher than the older ones I saw at the Apple Store in nearby Schaumburg (I hail from Chicago).

Day After Thanksgiving at SoHo Store

Someone's posted a photo gallery of the events on the Friday after Thanksgiving at the SoHo Apple Store in New York City. Looks to have been a success judging by the crowds. Also, the store in Oakbrook, IL opened a day early to take advantage of the Friday crowds. A photo album of that opening can be found here. Great pictures in the second gallery link.

Weekend Deals

Given the shopping extravaganza of the Weekend-after-American-Thanksgiving, there are a few deals to be had on the 'Net:

• TransIntl (A PBZ sponsor) has the best price on half-gig PC133 SO-DIMMS at $69. These are compatible with G4 PowerBooks and iBooks greater than 300 MHz.
• MegaMacs has the Kensington AstroPack laptop bag for $29.99.

Booq Offers Another Carrying Choice

Just like sponsor Spire and Waterfield Design, there's another small outfit making high-quality bags for your PowerBook.

Booq came to our attention via a reader's email. They offer one basic option for a bag--their "BooqPaq2"--but have a bunch of inserts and accessories to best fit your laptop. You can check out all of their products here.