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OWC Tips & Deals 2/18/2008
Intro: Hello again from Woostock - and currently a Winter Wonderland! Although recent years left me wondering if my childhood memories were somehow exaggerated, the snow we've had and continue to have this season convinces me otherwise. We live in an region that is supposed to have four distinct seasons and winter has most certainly reasserted itself this year. Nothing wrong with a bit of snow and in years to come should make for good new memories with my kids. Ah, on to task... Macworld Expo Jan/2008 was a pretty good show and from that, before that, and following that - plenty to put some cover on. That's at least a good place to start. New from Apple - 2008 Will attempt to cover with quality and brevity and in quasi chronological order of release. New Mac Pro Models - Introduced January 8th Anticipated since Intel's new XEON processor release in November, Apple released brand new Mac Pro models with a standard config starting price of $2799 for a 'Quad 2.8GHz x 2' processor config (8-cores). You take $500 off to drop it to a single Quad-Core 2.8GHz or for an additional $800 jump to 8 x 3.0GHz cores, $800 on top of that moves you up to 8 x 3.2GHz Cores. This is really a nice bump from the prior line up, which had a min config of Quad 2.0GHz for $2200. The prior model's 8-Core 3.0GHz was also $3898 vs. $3599 for the 'Jan/2008' model. Only up to 3.2GHz? Processor clock speed is not the story here... The prior Mac Pro models used 2 x Intel 'Woodcrest' Dual-Core or 2 x Intel 'Clovertown' Quad-Core processors. The new Mac Pros all use the latest Intel 'Harpertown' Quad-Core processors. Compared to Woodcrest & Clovertown's 1333MHz Front Side Bus, Harpertown kicks it up by 20% to 1600MHz. With the Frontside Bus speed up and other architecture improvements, even a 2.8GHz 8-Core 2008 Mac Pro is 10-20% faster than the prior 2007 3.0GHz 8-Core model. Seeing how the 2.8GHz 8-Core is $1100 less than the old 3.0GHz 8-Core model was, definitely some real speed/value benefit with these latest Mac Pros. For the super power user, the top end 3.2GHz cranks in up to about 33% faster despite only the 6.7% difference in the actual processor clock speed... Get on the bus! Just as it was, the new Mac Pro's have 4 HD Bays. You can pay a large premium to have Apple add more drives at the factory or you can add them yourself after delivery. It's a very easy install and seeing how we offer 500GB & up from about $109 vs. Apple to get an extra 500GB drive at the factory (it's $100 just to kick up a 320GB factory drive to 500GB), shouldn't be a difficult decision. Something new with the 2008 Mac Pro is that SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) drives are also now officially supported. We are doing full testing prior to offering the sale of, and while they come at a pretty hefty premium - the up to 15,000RPM performance SAS models offer does further raise the performance bar. The new Mac Pros also take new, faster Memory. To compliment the 1600MHz bus, these new models take 800MHz FB-DIMMs. In addition to the higher memory speed, Apple officially supports up to 32GB of memory in these new models as well. You'll save up to 75% by purchasing the extra memory upgrades from us, btw... On that note - for maximum memory throughput, Apple does soemthing a little different when you purchase the min 2GB config. Instead of standard pair location - where only 2 modules are installed, one module is placed in each riser to provide maximum memory performance. As soon as you add more memory, you'll need to move that Apple module to be in the appropriate pair location. Also interesting... with a Quad x 1 system, you'll get about your max memory throughput once you have 2 or more pairs of any size installed. With a Quad x 2, throughput goes up with more memory and with 2GB x 2 or 4GB x 2 Pairs... 8.0GB via 2 pairs of 4GB actually yields more throughput than 4 x 2GB (1GB x 2) pairs installed. Having more memory available is always better than less, but definitely some optimal configs for memory throughput - at least on an 8-core quad x 2. For more information, we've got an installation 'cheat sheet', video, and soon (if not by time you read this) the memory config performance graphs all online here. The final area of comment this time around concerns the video card. You've got the choice of up to multiple ATI 2600XTs, a single Nvidia 8800GT, or the Nvid Quatro FX 5600. The ATI 2600XT is included in the price and is of lower performance than the 1900XT which was the top end card of the prior generation. it's not a bad card and supports up to two 30" 'Dual-DVI' displays. You can also have up to 4 of them installed allowing for up to 8 x 30" displays possible. For most people, 2 displays - if not 1 - is all that is needed. If that's you, well - I highly recommend spending the extra $200 for the GeForce 8800GT. More VRAM and much faster video processing doesn't just benefit gaming, it's huge in Photoshop and other realworld apps too since those video processors get directly used by the applications via the core video support. Don't have a powerhouse Mac Pro that's held back by video. The Quatro FX is a $2850 option with 1.5GB of VRAM and Stereo 3D display technology which I'd say is reserved for those with very specialized and/or high end applications where the extra video processor horsepower or need for 3D (have to wear special glasses for that too) display is an application requirement. More performance, more value in that performance, and same easy to upgrade chassis. That's the new 2008 Apple Mac Pro. Xserved up new for 2008, Jan 8th New Xserves also rolled out this year. Featuring the same new Harpertown processors as the Mac Pro - except only up to 3.0GHz Quad x 2 top end. The Xserve has always been a slight notch under the Mac Pro and this is related to space for cooling. Unlike the giant Mac Pro Tower, the Xserve is a 1U tall (1.75") Rackmounted system designed for serious enterprise performance with efficiency in space needed. The new Xserve models start from $2999 with a Quad 2.8GHz x 1 config, add another $500 for Quad 2.8GHz x 2, $800 on top of that for Quad 3.0GHz x 2. Memory for the Xserve is available up to 32GB... but you can easily add that after market from us and save yourself 70% plus on that portion. In terms of hard drives... you can get it loaded with up to three of them in either high-performance SAS or SATA II. Of important note... if you don't put a hard drive into the bay, Apple does NOT include the drive mounting hardware with the empty Xserve HD bays like they for the Mac Pro. It's pretty expensive upgrading with Apple HDs - so, if you want to take advantage of RAID capabilities - buy the smallest drive for each bay and then you can swap out with larger drives after the fact. Apple doesn't sell the bay hardware separately and those that do come up with them typically ask for a lions share. Like the Mac Pro, the new XServe has significant benefit from the new Harpertown 1600MHz FSB architecture. This is one nice server where the need for such is a match. MacBook Air - Introduced by Steve Jobs at Macworld Was know well before the show that there was 'something in the air'... Just would have never guessed it was a product called 'MacBook Air' and not to be confused with a computer 'error'. This super slim laptop had been long predicted - but the 13" screen (vs. a 12") was still a nice surprise. How slim is it? Well, closed it's thin enough to slide right into a manilla envelope - yep, mail call! And thus the commercial you've probably seen... although I get a kick out of this parody version with voiceover myself. Yes - the price of slim starts at $1799 for the base model running a Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz processor, equipped with 2.0GB of memory, 80GB 4200RPM 1.8" hard drive, and built in wireless. An additional $300 lets you move it up to 1.8GHz. If you're really seeking that cutting edge, another $999 lets you swap the 4200RPM drive with a 64GB Solid State Drive. There is no built in optical drive, but a special $99 external Macbook Air Superdrive is an option + or it can actually share another Macs optical drive wirelessly. Not the Mac for everyone... I'd not trade the performance and flexibility of my MacBook Pro for one by any means... but still ground breaking and a fit for at least one significany niche of roadwarrior users out there. My main issue with it would be the lack of an officially user replaceable battery, but since it's actually easy to take a part - once warranty is up - this isn't likely to be in an issue. Intel did the real legwork here for the hardware, so likely to be similar slims in the PC world... but only one slim, the MacBook Air, that runs our OS of choice. Apple introduces web movie rentals Now availale with the latest Apple iTunes is the ability to rent videos right via the Apple iTunes store. Just a click away are standard definition offerings for $3.99 and High-Definition versions for $4.99 - right on demand. Do note that the High-Def isn't the same High-Def quality of an actual Blu-Ray or HD-DVD playback, but still a nice step up from standard def quality. You certainly won't find my callig this service cheap - but hey, can't argue about the convenience. As Apple says... 'From the silver screen to any screen'... watch these rentals on your computer, iPod, iPhone, or AppleTV. Got 30 days to to play, and can watch it as many times as you want within 24 hours of first start. Does beat rental return fees... but I can't so well judge this compared to the Netflix or Blockbuster by mail services. AppleTV v2.0 introduced at Macworld The AppleTV 'v2.0' annnounced/shown off at Macworld and is now available. If you already own an Apple TV, this is a free software update. If you're considering purchasing an AppleTV - with v2.0 it's a pretty appealing product and now starts at $229 with a 40GB HD or for $299 can purchase with a 160GB. The big thing about the v2.0 update is independence. Independence from needing a computer to draw content from. With the new v2.0 version, you can now directly access and stream in content right from the Apple iTunes store, photos from Flicker & .Mac, and even YouTube videos - right over the internet. This is, of course, in addition to the full accessibility to your iPhoto and iTunes content you've got on your own Macs. With its new standalone capability + the video rentals put just a click away in the iTunes store, this AppleTV has become a very tempting product. If only they went to a more open format support such like the Ziova Players we offer... then it'd be impossible to resist. Actually, it's still hard to resist in terms of just having both of them. :) iPhone gets location triangulation at Macworld, new 16GB model Feb 5th No new iPhones at Macworld, but Jobs did show off the v1.1.3 software update - a free update to the iPhone released at Macworld which enables you to see where you are on a Map. Using software that triangulates location based on cell tower strengths, not only can you use your iPhone to get directions - but can figure out where your starting from should that bit of information of doubt. The Apple iPhone currently starts at $399 for the 8GB model and now a new 16GB model is available at $499. iPod Touch now available in new 32GB model The Apple iPod Touch still starts at $299 for 8GB, $399 for 16GB, and now you can 'touch' up to 32GB of your iTunes collection with the latest model costing $499. New Apple Time Capsule - Airport Wireless Hub w/network backup HD If you're looking for a one device does it wireless hub w/back up hard drive... that's the Apple Time Capsule. The standard Airport 802.11n BaseStation lets you connect a USB 2 drive to which you can now do pretty much the same things with under 10.5.2. We'll cover different network backup options (including sharing right on a Mac) in a future newsletter. All said, if you need something simple and self contained + that gives you a wireless router too - this is a very nice product. Some other new stuff Microsoft introduced Office 2008 at Macworld. No huge surprise, was pre-announced months ago.. but glad it's out. In addition to finally brining Intel Mac native support, it also brings parity to the Windows version as well as new Mac specific features. I personally had no problems with the Office 2004 version, but the Intel Native support of 2008 does make not only make it faster on Intel Macs - but also not as much a memory hog since it no longer uses the Apple Rosetta PPC to Intel compatibility to run. NewerTech introduced it's full line of Mac Supported MAXPower 802.11n Wireless Adapters and Router. These products are compatible with Apple OS X 10.3.9 and later with full Mac support and documentation. Very cost effective from $59.99 and about as easy as it gets in terms of upgrading individual Macs to 802.11n or your full wireless network. Apple has included 802.11n support since about the end of 2006.... All of these 802.11n Newer products are fully backwards compatible for 802.11b and 802.11g operation. Why go to 802.11n? The higher performance is super nice, up to 5x that of 802.11g... which is nice, except that even 802.11g is way faster than what most people have for outside Internet connections and that keeps the main benefit of performance for local connectivity between systems on the site. The huge benefit of 802.11n for any user is going to be range. When you have an 802.11n capable router + a computer with it, range is about 4x that of 802.11g and that's huge. The performance rocks and the Range is the selling point, imho, for the new MAXPower 802.11n wireless products. OWC upped the Mercury On-The-Go capacity to 320GB, fits in your pocket FireWire 800/400/USB2/eSATA model options. Starting from $79.99, the OWC Mercury On-The-Go offers bus powered solutions now up to 320GB in models offering FireWire 800/400+USB2, FireWire 400+USB 2.0, FireWire 400, USB 2.0, and USB 2.0+eSATA interface equipped. All supported interfaces, with the exception of eSATA, allow for bus powered operation with no external power source required. Compact size, shock protection system, up to 16MB buffer, and inclusion of all cables, carrying case, and Prosoft Backup/Intech HD Speedtools software bundles make this a first class solution for portable storage needs. The new 320GB models are available from $219.99. Stuff we didn't see Where in Cupertino is Blu-Ray video support? The hardware has been able to support it for awhile now. Windows has been able to do it for about a year and you can do it on most Macs via Bootcamp running Windows with BD playback software. Maybe it's closer with Toshiba reportedly preparing to end the competing HD-DVD format.... But I hope it's sooner than later. We've had significant demand on our line of Blu-Ray disc burners.... and everyone wants to see them playing video on the Mac too. Plus... with our Blu-Ray options now starting from $199 for Blu-Ray Read/DVD+CD SuperDrive - it's such a shame to not see that video playback capability used. Here's hoping it's not too far off. Macbook Docking Displays we're kind of a long shot for Macworld, but patents submitted do support these in the future. One day it might be nice to just slide your MacBook into the display fully docked up... but as I said before, I kinda prefer the dual-display setup you get with the current plug in. The pipe dream is still a pipe dream. One day there might just be the user expandable Mac for the rest of us. Something like the Mac mini - but with some 3.5" drive bays and one or two PCI-Express slots... The Mac line up is great and all, just know there is a market and real demand for something a little more than the mini... but that's a lot less than the Mac Pro. OWC Makes Top 12 list of Green IT Providers There's talking green and being green. This week we begin our move to our new green headquarters. Will be sharing a lot more about this in our next newsletter, but in summary - it's an investment we make today with return that really is priceless for tomorrow. From start to finish this facility is designed for extreme energy efficiency, water conservation, and protection of the land site as well. For years we've been actively involved in recycling and we actually get to take that even further at our new home. There is a lot of debate in both directions concerning humanity's impact/contribution to global warming trends.... Completely outside that debate - It is my opinion and a philosophy of Other World Computing to use available resources as efficiently as possible and minimize the waste we generate. Global warming or not, using our water and energy resources in an efficient manner have benefits that clearly carry forward. Ranked #9 on ComputerWorld's list, we are quite proud to be ranked in the company of IBM, Sun, Verizon, and others for our Green practices. Featured Deals: Storage Specials, New Clearance, Laptop Stand, & More We are very pleased to have various on-going Hitachi rebates to offer. These make are already competitive prices even better for the Hitachi drives and OWC solutions built with Hitachi. Currently offered: Get $20 back on up to 5 (per household) internal Hitachi 750GB Hard Drives 750GB Deskstar 7K1000 7200RPM SATA I/II 32MB Cache 3yr Warranty $159.99* 750GB UltraStar A7K1000 7200RPM SATA I/II 32MB Cache 5yr Warranty $192.99* *Price after $20 Rebate - available through 2/27/2008 Get $20 back on up to 5 (per household) Select OWC/NewerTech 750GB Models: 750GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FW800/400/USB2/eSATA Solution - $279.99* 750GB NT MiniStack v3 FW800/400/USB2/eSATA + FW/USB2 Hub Solution - $287.99* *Price after $20 Rebate - available through 2/27/2008 Get $40 back on up to 2 (per household) NewerTech Guardian MAXimus Mirror: 750GB NT Guardian MAXimus FW800/400+USB2 Redundant RAID-1 Mirror - $529.99** **Price after $20 Rebate - available through 2/27/2008 Get $40 back on up to 2 (per household) on Elite-AL Performance RAID: 1.5TB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FW800/400+USB2 Performance RAID - $479.99** **Price after $20 Rebate - available through 2/27/2008 Also, still available through 2/19/2008 - rebates of $30, $60, and $120 on OWC & NewerTech solutions featuring Hitachi 1.0TB Drive mechanisms. Check out these while the last + all the current Hitachi Rebate options. New Clearance Items Just Posted If looking for some extra parts, cases, etc - at a bargain - our clearance/garage sale listing is definitely a place to start. This is first notification of this latest update and gives you first review of about 200 different product offerings Open Box, Discontinued, Damaged, Refurb, etc - that are limited to stock on hand with sales via WEB ONLY and first come, first sold. Popular listings include: Apple 1GB MacBook/MacBook Pro/Intel iMac/Intel Mac mini 1GB Mem for $20 Apple 1GB Kits for Apple Mac Pro Xeon Towers at $59.50 ATI Video Cards from $89.99 NewerTech miniStack V2s from $49.75 And that is just scratching the surface. Check it out sooner than later... by Wednesday, the rest of the net will be making their picks from this list. More Storage buy Deals External FireWire: Plug and Play OWC & NewerTech External 7200RPM Solutions provide reliable high performance, high capacity storage you can count on. Great for Audio/Video, Music, Applications, Photos, you name it + Back Up too - these solutions feature the latest Oxford chipsets and include all connecting cables, Prosoft DataBackup, Intech HD Speedtools & More. 750GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FW400/USB2 7200RPM 32MB - $249.99 500GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FW800/400/USB2/eSATA 16MB - $205.00 500GB NewerTech miniStack FW400+USB2 & Powered Bubs Solution - $189.75 Internal SATA 3.5" Hard Drives: SATA Internal HD for Mac Pro, PowerMac G5 & G4*, iMac G5, iMac Intel PowerMac G4 owners can use SATA drives by adding PCI SATA HD Controller 1.0TB Western Digital 'Green Power' 16MB Cache 3yr Warranty $255.00 750GB WD Caviar SE16 7200RPM 3yr Warranty - $169.00 750GB Samsung F1 7200RPM 32MB Cache 3yr Warranty - $155.00 500GB WD Caviar SE16 7200RPM 3yr Warranty - $107.00 See all SATA 3.5" HD options by clicking here. Internal IDEA/ATA 3.5" (PATA) Hard Drives PATA for PowerMac G4*, iMac G4*, and eMac Models *Note: Starting in Late 2002, the built-in IDE/ATA controller built-in to Apple systems can support drives of over 128GB. Models produced prior to this change can use over 128GB drives, but would be limited to only actually having use of the first 128GB recognized. All Macs produced in 2003 and later are able to use the over 128GB drives. Also - ALL MACS with a FireWire port can use any size FireWire drive as FireWire is not subject to this 128GB limit regardless of when your Mac was made.* 160GB Hitachi DeskStar 7200RPM 8MB Cache 3yr Warranty - $56.95 500GB WD Caviar SE16 7200RPM 16MB Cache 3yr Warranty - $109.00 750GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 16MB Cache 5yr Warranty - $224.99 See all PATA 3.5" HD options by clicking here. 2.5" SATA Hard Drives for MacBook & MacBook Pro Models 320GB Western Digital Scorpio 5400RPM 8MB 3yr Warranty - *$187.50* 250GB Hitachi 5K250 5400RPM 8MB 3yr Warranty - *$130.00* 200GB Hitachi TravelStar 7K100 7200RPM 16MB 3yr - $187.50 160GB Hitachi TravelStar 5K160 5400RPM 8MB 3yr Warranty $97.50 See all SATA 2.5" HD options by clicking here. 2.5" IDE/ATA (PATA) Hard Drives NoteBook 2.5" PATA (IDE/ATA) for all iBook & PowerBook G3/G4 Models* *Most models that shipped prior to October 2002 are limited to 128GB of Recognized HD Capacity on internal bus. This limitation is not present when connecting additional storage via FireWire or USB* 120.0GB 5400RPM Hitachi 5K250 ATA 8MB Cache HD w/3yr Warranty $79.00 160.0GB 5400RPM WD Scorpio ATA 8MB Cache HD w/3yr Warranty $93.75 250.0GB 5400RPM WD Scorpio ATA 8MB Cache HD w/3yr Warranty $144.75 See all PATA 2.5" HD options by clicking here. VidPro Laptop 'Workstation' Stand + Hub for $34.99, Other Goodies The VidPro SN-925 Workstation Laptop Stand is not just a great stand for your laptop, it also gives you a 6-Port USB 2.0 powered hub + Media Card Reader, Special Buy at $34.99! Kensington DC to AC Inverter Powers 120v via Car - $29.00 (Like New refurd) PERFECT for MacBook power adapter, other AC devices you want to power on the road. CaseLogic Neoprene Sleeve for up to 12.1" iBook/PowerBook - $9.99 Kensington PocketLink Retractable Ethernet, USB2, RJ11 3 cables in 1 $5.00 Targus Retractable USB powered LED Clip-On Light - $9.99 Protect your Mac and other Accessories with an AC Surge Protectors from $7.95 Hot Deals Blast Newsletter & mode Reader Specials See all of our regularly updated deals, just for readers, on the Tips n' Deals Reader Specials page. Join our Hot Deals Blast Newsletter to get a list of our latest new specials. This free newsletter comes out about 4-6 times per months - with the latest updated specials and time sensitive offers too. If you want to make sure you're aware of our latest deals, this is the OWC list to join. For fun and of interest If you've not had the chance to see it, or wasn't sure where to find it... Well, here is a link to the Macworld 2008 Keynote. See all there was to see from Apple at this year's Macworld SF. Macworld SF 2008 only concluded a month ago and already we're working on the 2009 show. Never mind the whole CES vs. Macworld stuff - it was so incredibly nice having the time after the holidays before the 2008 show. It was the only time in the last decade the show started as late in January as it did.. and guess that will remain the exception. Macworld 2009 returns to its 'regular' schedule of commencing the first full week of January and that has the next Macworld SF Expo running January 5th to the 9th of 2009. Bill Gates gave his last CES keynote this year... IMHO - well, I thought Apple used have more humor like this. Don't have to like their OS, but definitely can laugh with him on this one. OWC Quick Tip - Keep your File Locations Handy It's the simple, quick things that can make all the difference. You might already know this one. Personally, I just figured this out recently - kinda embarrassing since it's been around since Apple OS 10.3 'Panther' came out. If you're like I was - and not aware of the time saving use of the side bar as file/folder access short cut - this Quick Tip, nicely put together by OWC's Chris Stevens, is for you! Put those popular folders, files, locations, etc - right there a click away vs. drilling every time you go to open, save, etc. Check out more Quick Tips Archive, Hardware/Software Review articles, and more - all in the OWC Product Reviews and Editorial center. Closing: It's a shame can't have a temporarily increase to the number of hours in a given day... but in just a three short weeks, with our new HQ move all complete, will get those hours back anyway. This green building project had its start nearly three years ago and going to be great to finally be done and moved into the 'completed product'. It's taken a lot of everyone's time to bring this about right and now, finally getting into our new HQ - well, gonna start getting a chunk of that time back. ...Which is really good. I really enjoy things at OWC and want more time to get things, well - like this newsletter, done with more regularity. At the same time, I do what I do for my family too. My son is going to be three this summer and my daughter is just a month away from her 1st birthday and already almost walking. Got a third one in progress now too. Here's a couple photos of the 'first two'. :) Always more to come and looking forward to writing the next newsletter sitting from our OWC's new home. Till then, and as always - thanks for reading and the best always to you and yours! We Support our Troops The 'fine print': Contact Information+ ++++++++++++++++++++ Sales: sales@macsales.com or 800-275-4576, International 815-338-8685 Customer Service: custserv@macsales.com or 800-275-4576 / 815-338-8685 Tech Support: Online Tech Center or 815-338-8685 Please feel free to e-mail any comments or suggestions to:suggestions@macsales.com You may ALWAYS reply to our OWC Tips and Deals e-mail at owc@macsales.com with any questions or comments as well - PLEASE change the subject to reflect your e-mail question/comment to ensure a speedy reply! Other World Computing div. of New Concepts Development Corp. 1004 Courtaulds Drive Woodstock, IL 60098 815-338-8685 This is an free subscribed E-Mail Newsletter that can be joined via or website. This e-mail is only received if you have joined our list. Notification is e-mailed to your address when you join as well as if you choose to cancel, which you may do at anytime, no hard feelings. :) To change, remove, or add an e-mail address for our newsletter, you can visit our online subscriber page anytime. If you'd just like to unsubscribe, that can also quickly be done by clicking the link at the end of this e-mail. Prices & availability subject to change without notice. New specials go up and old specials updated everyday. We Apologize for typographical errors. This e-mail may be freely distributed in its original form, complete and without any modification, alteration, insertion, or anything else that would make this different from the original intent. If you would like to 'reprint' just a portion you may make a request by e-mail to: larry@macsales.com. All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000-2007, Other World Computing - Since 1988 |