| OWC Tips & Deals 4/24/2006
Intro: Hello again.....! It's been a bit longer since our last contact than I'd planned on, and for that I apologize. We were eagerly excited in anticipation of Apple's Feb 28th event... and well, that was a bit of a bummer. At least not as exciting as we would have hoped. But since then, there have been plenty of other exciting releases to make up for it. Further, I think that means we've got to be getting very close to seeing whatever else Apple's got up their sleeve for release. Anyway, I've got a few things exciting things to share, and so...it's time to get to it. Green Apple Without a doubt, we are all for Green policies and programs. And given what Apple does to promote the replacing of prior Macs and iPods, really appreciate their offer for that which is being replaced. Already you can turn in an old iPod and receive a 10% discount on a new one. Starting in June, Apple will start taking back that old Mac too! All the details aren't released just yet. But from what we understand, you'll either be able to drop off that old Mac at an Apple Store or receive packaging and a prepaid return label for shipping it in. As even 1G iPods still have useful life and value... if the battery is fuctioning (bad battery? that's easy to fix with a NewerTech NuPower replacement from OWC!), I'd suggest that the iPod program makes the most sense if the iPod has stopped working. I mean, anyway, it doesn't make sense to dispose of something that is still useful to someone. I have the same opinion when it comes to computers. Given what simple memory upgrades and even processor upgrades can do to make even a 6 year old computer practically like new today, they are far from disposable given what easy and economical upgrades offer in making 'the old' new again. The actual manufacturing process of a new Mac or iPod consumes energy and raw materials. That,itself, is not exactly environmentally friendly. While if an iPod or Mac is beyond repair and no longer function, it is best to dispose of it through an environmentally sound progam, extending the life of existing iPods and computers as to delay the need to replace - that's a step above disposing of them 'environmentally'in the first place. Even proper recycling (which is far better than improper disposal), still means energies consumed and some amount of waste that ends up somewhere. The Feb 28th Event: To say the least, we all had a lot of high expectations for this event based on the similar 'one more thing' press gatherings Steve Jobs did this past October. In my opinion, this one was kinda of a snore by comparison. He talked about the MacBook Pro and how everyone loved the iMac. But the new products were a little less revolutionary than expected, not to mention a bit more costly than expected. First we have the no surprise Mac mini w/Intel processors. Replacing the G4/1.25GHz and G4/1.42GHz models are a Mac mini 1.5GHz 'Intel Core Solo' at retail $599 and a Mac mini 1.66GHz 'Intel Core Duo' at $799. Both stock models include full BlueTooth and Airport Extreme wireless connectivity. That's a plus. However, the 'Solo' model has only a 60GB HD vs. the 'Duo' 80GB. And, you will need to pay $50 to upgrade the 'Solo' to have the same DVD burn capability that is standard for the 'Duo'. The 'Solo' refers to single core and the 'Duo' refers to the processor having dual cores. The 'Duo' version is the same processor type used in the Intel iMacs and MacBook Pro Models. Dual-Core processors give effectively the same performance as a computer equipped with two separate single core processors, so a 'Duo' is like having a Dual. So what else? The Intel Mac mini's Video - it's not something up to par for gaming, however, it is highly optimized for video playback and more than adequate for day-to-day web browsing or using iLife apps. Is this the rumored MultiMedia TV Mac?... I guess it sorta can be... Using Apple's $19 DVI to S-Video/Composite video adapter, you can connect your Mac mini (or other DVI equipped Mac) to a television. The new Mac mini comes loaded with Apple's Front Row video/music playback software and includes the same 6 button remote control as the iMacs have. I have to say - that's about the full story on new Mac hardware. The Mac mini was it for new hardware. I will say that if it suits your needs, the new Intel-based Mac mini really aren't half bad. You'll need to increase your harddrive capacity and memory, but that's easy enough to do. Add a NewerTech miniStack of up to 500GB with built in hub so you have space to actually store a decent video library and have a full array of ports for easy connectivity. Add more memory (from us for a lot less than Apple) to get the most from those Intel processors. With the memory upgrade and the NewerTech miniStack playing sidekick, the Intel Mac minis can probably to enough for what people might mostly want. Wow, I can't believe took that much space to talk about the Mac mini Intel! Unfortunately, to me - that was the highlight of Feb 28th's event. Next Steve got into iPod stuff. The first new product is a fancy, expensive, $99 iPod Leather case by Apple. Alrighty then....NEXT! The next product in the Apple unveil was the iPod Hi-Fi speaker system for $349. I have seen it and heard it. It does sound ok, but I don't believe Steve's comments about replacing his stereo system with it. It looks ok, if you leave the grill off (which is how they picture it..) - but I don't like it with the grill on. If you are looking for a good Stereo+Subwoofer w/ipod Dock and remote control solution and are willing to spend those dollars, the mStation Tower 2.1 (which our EMMY-nominated Music Guru Roger Adler reviewed favorably) looks better and sounds better and at a more affordable price tag: $299. Get more, pay less? That's a win-win. You can read the transcript of the Apple February 28th event on Engadget. There wasn't any 'one more thing' to finale at the end. Hype is a good thing, but I thought this event had way too much buzz for so little substance delivered. Boot Windows on Mac Barely a couple weeks after an end user project found a way to hack booting Windows XP on an Intel Mac, Apple puts out their Bootcamp beta for free. Nice timing. It's not Virtual PC - but once installed, it does give you the option to independently boot an Intel based Mac into either OS X or Windows XP. Putting it simply, when you boot into Windows XP - that Intel Mac is now basically like any other PC running Windows. Insanely enough, on the MacBook Pro and iMac Intel, not only is the video performance under XP better than what many current PCs offer - but it also benches better than it does when booted into Mac OS X. Clearly the MacBook Pro and iMac Intels have excellent video hardware. As for that video performance being better via XP vs. under OS X, it's not enough to lose sleep over and that's likely because Windows has long been Intel optimized and OS X isn't yet fully Intel native. Either way - BootCamp makes those Intel Macs a best of all worlds and certainly removes a 'need to run windows' obstacle that might have blocked some Mac adoption. Be it for a business or a school - you can now get one machine that covers it all. So what happened to running Windows in a window? That's where a company called Parallels comes in. They have the first 'Virtualization Solution' for the Intel-based Macs and... It Rocks! We haven't done a ton of testing in-house yet, but from the testing so far I can tell you that the performance is awesome and we saw no lag at all running some of the PC apps we still utilize in-house. Right now, we use Citrix to control sessions from a Citrix server for said apps. Over the next few years, assuming we aren't able to phase out the PC apps entirely, we should be able to phase out the far slower and expensive to maintain Citrix solution. If you've been waiting for the Intel Mac version of 'Virtual PC' - check out Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta - Windows in a window running at Warp Speed! It's 'not your PPC's' Virtual PC at all, it's something far better. Do note that with either solution, you will need to own a copy of Microsoft Windows. Workstation 2.1 isn't too picky, but in the case of Apple BootCamp, it has to be Windows XP. Also - although viruses, spyware, etc - aren't a problem for the Mac OS, they remain a real problem for Windows. Just because you're running Windows on a Mac hardware doesn't insulate the Windows OS from such viruses. Given that most Windows viruses come from web browsing and from e-mail attachments when executed under Windows, if you keep the e-mail and web stuff to the Mac side you should be pretty much without worry. New from NewerTech First off - we've upped the run times of many of the PowerBook G3 and G4 battery options. As battery technology evolves, so do the capacities of the batteries we offer. You benefit with options that let that laptop go dramatically longer and longer between charges. This is really great when you need to get away from 'four walls' - or have no choice but to travel. NewerTech batteries are more than just about maximum capacity, they are also designed and built right to ensure maximum useful life too. Where a lot of batteries fall short and 'die young', NewerTech batteries keep powering right along. Our batteries are built and designed right here in the USA, and yes - that does make a difference. Check out the full line of PowerBook and iBook Batteries - now with up to 56% more run time capacity vs. Apple stock! OWC Product Highlights Plug, Play, Create DVDs & CDs with the latest Apple iLife applications, Roxio Toast, Dragonburn. Backup with Retrospect, & more! We have Internal SuperDrives that burn: DVDs at up to 16X, Dual-Layer 8.5GB DVDs at up to 8X, and CDs at up to 40X - now from $49.99. Bundles w/Software and Media from $54.99. We also have fantastic External solutions that let you do it all too - but without opening that Mac up - now you can plug & play from just $89.99. Check out the the current SuperDrive upgrade options and set your creativity free today. :) Now that you're doing all that creative stuff on your Mac. Storing ever more photos, videos, movies, etc.... It's a good thing that it's more economical and as easy as ever to add additional FireWire and/or USB storage to that Mac. Plug and Play high-performance, high-capacity solutions that give you the creative space you need and are easy for taking between different computers too. To the point - prices have come down significantly on our highly regarded OWC Mercury Elite, OWC On-The-Go, OWC Neptune, and NewerTech miniStack solutions that offer exactly that level of storage you need and more. With 250GBs less than $150, 320GBs under $180, even 500GB sleek plug and play under $400 - space for your creativity is pretty darn reasonable. And for sure - don't forget the value of having a good backup of it all too! And how about watching your work via your television? The MediaGate MG-35 is the perfect solution! Watch your videos, movies, or even your photo library - from your Mac. Heck, you can even convert your DVD library to digital for easy access and incredible portability too! Currently the MG-35 allows storage and playback via a standard ATA HD (which you need to add) and also offers Network capability. OWC has made sure that our Mac OS X customers can have full use of that Network capability too. Straight up, you can always direct connect the unit to your Mac to upload/download data to it. But, with our included software - if you have an EtherNet network in the house and can connect up where your TV is - the MG-35 can be a fixture there. Via the network support, not only can you update to and from the device remotely - but you can even STREAM/Playback your movies and other entertainmnet media via the Network right off your Mac's connected drives. Your Mac is already MultiMedia ready and the MG-35 is the easy way to get from Ready, Set to - Go.!We offer the MG-35 with no Hard Drive at $199, or special - Pre-Assembled with a 250GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache HD, for just $249.99! For Fun I'm sure context makes the difference, but Wired's assembly of Steve Jobs quotes from over the years, that made for a good 30th anniversary read. :) Seeing how Apple really didn't do anything with their 30th anniversary, this video montage isn't half bad.. if more just about showing the last decade of commercial clips. Still, nicely done. A retro 90's moment from the days of PowerComputing and the Mac clones. Definitely good for a laugh.. and a 2nd laugh when you consider the irony of the Intel Macs being yet another 'PC' (a much better one of course) that can run Windows. :) This was our first notice of Windows boots on a Mac. Not exactly so fun - even Third Graders need to beware of Apple Legal. Join the OWC endorsed/support MacResource Folding Team. Compete with other folders to show what your Mac(s) can contribute! This distributed resource protein folding project should help researches cure various diseases any day! Intro Closing: The proof is always in the pudding. There is the argument of less being more, but the time is really now for this newsletter to start popping a bit more. We've got a lot of neat news, new products yet to share and I know Apple has got to be on the verge of releasing their next wave. Regardless- we've got lots more to share and will be doing so more often. Thanks for being a Tips n' Deals subscriber - and, as always: the best to you and yours! Check out our latest Quick Tip, New Reader Exclusive Specials, and Roger's Music on the Mac which follow these 'special messages from our sponsor': Quick Links A better Apple/Macintosh ISP at a better price - FasterMac.Net From $5 a month, get nationwide dial up or DSL just for Mac Users - that includes Toll-Free Tech support, anti-virus blocking, powerfully effective and fully customizable anti-spam tools, web space, 5 e-mail accounts, and more. You get more and pay less with FasterMac.Net. Just what does OWC do with trade-ins, open box items, discontinued goods, etc.? We put 'em up on our Clearance Deals Page. There are lots of bargains listed from the holidays/year end and some just now added too. Upgrade the Mac you have or get a new one? OWC's exclusive Benchmark Reporting System helps you answer your own question. Compare various stock Macs vs. New Macs vs. Upgrades - you pick the Macs to compare and from up to 15 different tests we've completed. Use Apple OS 9.2.2 & Apple OS X on Macs Apple doesn't support because OWC does with OS 9 Helper and Xpostfacto! Quick Tip: One Drive to Boot all With a will there's usually a way - and that could be a darn good thing for those of you that will have both PPC(s) and an Intel Mac(s) in your charge. Officially, Apple only supports that a drive can be configured to boot up to one system type or the other. If you need to maintain multiple machines and want to use a single drive for home backup of the two types, or just need flexibility with booting a drive on whatever Mac that's available, etc. - well, Apple's way would mean carrying around two drives. How about instead, check out the how-to by OWC's M. Christopher Stevens. This latest quick tip article will show you just 'how-to' set up a single storage device so that it can be good to go regardless without regard to the Mac being Intel or PPC powered. Why Apple didn't build this in, who knows? But what's more important is that just because Apple didn't do it for us, well, that doesn't mean it can't be done. :) See past Quick Tip topics online in the Quick Tip Archive Great Buys and Featured Exclusive Specials for OWC E-Mail Subscribers: Find all the deals reserved just for Readers on your Tips n' Deals Exclusive Specials Page. What follows next is just a sampling of this week's highlights. Apple Airport Cards Back in Stock Apple Airport Cards for PowerBook G4 Titanium, iBook G3s, PowerMac G4 Desktops, and more - We've got in stock for the first time in over 7 months. ** $135.00 ** Non-Apple Wireless options for PowerBooks, PowerMacs & wireless routers, extenders, etc - also available from OWC. SuperDrives from under $50 let you make DVDs & CDs fast Upgrade your PowerMac G3-G4-G5; eMac G4; iMac G4 to the latest Pioneer SuperDrive with up to 16X DVD Burn Speeds, 8X Dual Layer burn for 8.5GB per DL Disc; and up to 40X CDR/CDRW Burn Speeds. Pioneer 'SuperDrive' from $49.99 or from $54.99 in one of four Value Bundles including Media & additional Software. Use Apple's iDVD, iPhoto, iTunes, DVD Studio Pro; Roxio Toast, Etc. For PowerBook G4 15" Ti, 12/15/17" Aluminum Models: MercuryPB 8X DVD w/Dual Layer SuperDrive Kit now from $129.99 Includes Dantz Retrospect, NTI Dragonburn, 10 Pieces DVD Media For all iMac G5 17" and 20" Models: MercuryG5i 8X DVD w/Dual Layer SuperDrive Kit now from $129.99 Includes Dantz Retrospect, NTI Dragonburn, 10 Pieces DVD Media Or - Go External and burn CDs and DVDs with virtually any Mac (or PC) from $89.99! USB2, Firewire/USB2 Models include all Cables & Media + compatible with iTunes, iPhoto, and iDVD5, Roxio Toast, etc! Internal Hard Drive Deals: 250GB HD for $95.00 For PowerMac G3/G4, iMac G4, eMac G4, external FW/USB enclosures: 250GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Hitachi T7K250 3.5" ATA/6 HD $95.00 500GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 3.5" ATA/6 HD $299.00 320GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Western Digital Caviar 3.5" ATA/6 HD $120.00 See the full line of 3.5" IDE/ATA 'PATA' HD Options 40GB to 500GB Pre-2002 G3/G4 Models will only utilize 128GB without use of Speedtools High-Cap Software - $15 w/HD For PowerBooks & iBooks: Hitachi 7200RPM 7K100 NoteBook Drives up to 100GB from $132.99 New Seagate 160GB 5400RPM NoteBook Drive $289.00 See the full line of 2.5" iBook/PowerBook HD options. For all PowerMac G5s, iMac G5s: 500GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate 7200.9 3.5" SATA HD $319.00 320GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Western Digital Caviar 3.5" SATA HD $125 250GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate 7200.8 3.5" SATA HD $97.50 See the full line of SATA HDs, Controllers, Internal/External Kits FireWire/USB: NewerTech miniStack $58.50; Elite 300GB FW800 $225.00 NewerTech miniStack 'V1' FireWire/USB2 Storage Solution w/Integrated FireWire & USB2 Hubs - MacWorld Top Product Dec/05, MacAddict Editor's Choice Nov/05 0GB 'Add Your Own Drive' NewerTech miniStack Kit 'V1', while they last, are a Reader Special: $58.50 OWC 320GB Mercury Elite-AL FW800 7200RPM 8MB Solution - $225.00 New '2006 miniStack V2' - identical to 2005 v1, except with a USB and FW port on the side - now available from $79.95 OWC Mercury Elite Oxford911+ 3.5" FireWire 400 Enclosure Kit - $59.00 OWC 250GB Mercury Elite-AL FW400+USB2 7200RPM 8MB Solution $179.99 OWC 400GB Mercury Elite-AL FW800/400/USB2 7200RPM 8MB - $315.00 OWC 500GB Mercury Elite-AL Pro 800 Dual Drive FW800 RAID - $325.00 Century USB 2.0/1.1 Kits for 2.5"/3.5"/5.25" Hard Drives $15.99-$19.99 See the additional options & capacities online. SIIG Serial ATA PCI Card lets you add up to 4 SATA HDs for $49.00! Compatible with any PowerMac G3 B&W; any PowerMac G4 Tower; any PCI or PCI-X slot equipped PowerMac G5 (all PowerMac G5 Models prior to the October-2004 'DDR2' 'Dual-Core'), the SIIG 4-Channel SATA PCI Controller lets you add up to 4 internal SATA HDs; up to 500GB per drive! Normally $79.95; $49.00 SPECIAL! Put up to an additional 3 SATA Hard Drives Inside of your PowerMac G5 with Sonnet's 'G5 Jive'. All Cables, mounting parts included - $95.00 Apple PowerMac G5/2.0GHz DUAL Processor Towers from $1499 w/Tiger Apple PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0GHz with 512MB/160GB/16X DVR-110 SuperDrive/Radeon 9600 Video with Apple OS 10.3.5 w/iLife 2003 on DVD, Apple 10.4 Tiger Update Set, Apple Manual, Apple Mouse - covered by 1 Year OWC Supported Warranty - $1499.00 Or above preloaded & tested with 2.5GB (2x1GB Added) - $1649.00 Nice Price for Dual PowerPC G5 Performance Power! 1GB of Memory $85 & More 4/24/2006 Memory Report: Watch out for rising prices. Memory has been pretty inexpensive and prices very stable up until recently. Improving demand is now being reported and is expected to push prices back up a bit. Already we are seeing prices of DDR product rise. As always, OWC offers you the best quality product that we bust tail to bring to you for the most competitive prices. All OWC Memory is further backed with a Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty. Memory for New 2006 Apple iMac Intel 1.83/2.0GHz; MacBook Pro 1.83/2.0/2.16GHz: Each if the above Intel Processor models feature two 200 Pin Slots which accept PC5300 DDR2 667MHz memory modules. Each slot is independent, match pairing is not utilized. 512MB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz from $54.99; 1.0GB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz from $114.99 For new 'Oct/20005' PowerMac G5 Dual & Quad 'Dual-Core' Models: Eight Slots, Matched Pairs Required, DDR2 533MHZ PC4200 up to 16GB Max 1GB DDR2 Pair (512MBx2) - $ 87.00 2GB DDR2 Pair (1GB x 2) - $182.00 4GB DDR2 Pair (2GB x 2) - $417.99 Memory for iMac G5 1.9GHz, 2.1GHz with built in iSight Camera: 512MB Built in + One Slot PC4200 DDR 533MHz 240 Pin allows up to 2.5GB: 1GB DDR2 Upgrade Module - $ 91.00 2GB DDR2 Upgrade Module - $205.00 Standard DDR for all other PowerMac G5 and iMac G5 models: 1GB Matched Pair (2x512MB) PC3200 DDR 184 Pin - $95.00 2GB Matched Pair (2x1GB) PC3200 DDR 184 Pin - 169.00 1GB PC3200 DDR Module for iMac G5 Only (PowerMac G5 requires Pairs!) $85.00 For Mac Mini, eMac G4/1.25-1.4GHz, and eMac 1.0GHz 'Education Model': 512MB PC3200/2700/2100 184 Pin DDR DIM Module now $46.00 1GB(1 x 1024MB) PC2700 DDR 184 Pin Module - $85.00 For all PowerBook 12" Models; all 'Pre Oct 19th, 2005' PowerBook G4 15" & 17" Models; All iBook G4 Models; And all iMac G4 models: 512MB PC2700/2100 DDR SO-DIMM 200 Pin Module - $45.00 1GB Samsung Factory Original - Same one Apple Installs $143.00 1GB OWC PC2700 DDR SO-DIMM for 'Pre 10/19/2005' 15" & 17"; all 12" PB AL Models that are 1.5GHz or Faster, iBook G4 Models 1.2GHz & Faster *only* $109.00 For PowerMac G4 Sawtooth/AGP Graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, QuickSilver; eMac G4; iMac G3 350-700MHz Models: 256MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 168 Pin SDRam DIMM Module - $25.00 512MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 168 Pin SDRam DIMM Module - $69.00 Visit our Mac Memory Section to browse the full selection of memory we offer and/or use our online memory guide to get the right memory for your Mac(s). Deals on iPod Goodies 1800mAh NuPower Battery for 1st/2nd Gen iPods normal $14.99, now $9.99 46% more run time capacity vs. Apple stock battery. Jam again, Jam longer! See NewerTech Batteries for iPod 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, Photo & Mini + Online Videos. NewerTech Universal FireWire/USB Dock Adapter - $9.99 For all iPods with Dock Connector - Connect iPod to system with USB/USB2 or FireWire Cable. NewerTech DockSpot iPod White LED Light - $2.99 Nifty compact light that powers off any iPod with Dock Connector NewerTech Clean & Polish Kit for Apple iPods, iBooks, etc - $15.00 Not just some crummy cleaner or diluted polish in a bottle - this is a professional grade kit with two polish types and special cleaner that really restores. Following iPod deals require the coupon code "XTDEAL' via web or phone order. Limit one discount, one coupon per order and while supplies last: 'Shieldz' for iPod mini, 6 colors to choose from, normally $9.95 - just $6.96 w/coupon 'SportWrap' for iPod mini, 4 Colors to Choose from, normally $19.99 - just $13.99 w/coupon 'Silicon Sleeve' for iPod mini - 1 pack white normally $14.99, $10.49 w/coupon - 3 packs of Orange, Yellow, Green; Pink, Green, Blue - normally $19.99, $13.99 w/coupon 'SportWrap' for iPod 1/2/3/4G Models, 1 Color to Choose from, Normally $19.99 - just $13.99 w/coupon 'Silicon Sleeve' for select 4th Gen iPod models: 1 pack white normally $14.99, $10.49 w/coupon - 3 packs of Orange, Yellow, Green; Pink, Green, Blue - normally $19.99, $13.99 w/coupon See the wide selection of iPod items in our online iPod Section. Add BlueTooth for $19.99; Wireless mice from $12.99 Add BlueTooth to any Mac with USB 2.0 Built in or that has a USB 2.0 Add on Card! Synch/Connect with BlueTooth Phones, BT Headsets, and other great Bluetooth enabled accessories for $19.99 Get onto those 802.11b/802.11g Wireless Networks and HotSpots for $69.00 Sonnet Aria Extreme NoteBook PCMCIA card plugs and play high-speed wireless. I have been using the mouse happily since August. And have heard great feedback on the Mouse and Keyboard wireless combo to. Logitech Wireless Freedom for an unbeatable price. Logitech Freedom RF Wireless Keyboard + Mouse Combo is just $23.95 Processor Upgrades Mercury G4 Extreme for all PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics/Sawtooth, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, and Quicksilver models. 30 Day Money Back + 3 Year OWC Warranty Extreme @ 933MHz, $159.00 Extreme @ 1.2GHz, $209.00 Extreme @ 1.5GHz, $319.00 Watch TV on your Mac, Import/Export, Multimedia ADS Pyro A/V Link lets you import as well as play back via FireWire to and from any composite of S-Video source. Great way to import to and from VHS Tapes, Camcorders, even live TV. ADS Pyro A/V FireWire Link - $119.00 Miglia AlchemyTV DVR PCI - Tune, Watch, Schedule/Record Television with this PCI Card for PowerMac G4 and PowerMac G5s! Special Reader price of $119.00 AL Tech MediaGate MG-35 is a stand alone Multimedia Player that lets you stream video, music, movies, photos and more - from your Mac and to your TV via home network. Utilizing a hard drive installed in the unit, you can directly store such multimedia content on the MG-35 for completely standalone use. The missing home entertainment multimedia link - from $199.00! Video Card Deals Get equipped with the latest ATI Video Cards for additional displays as well as Quartz Extreme and Tiger Core Acceleration from $65 here - really! PowerBook & iBook Batteries that run longer, last longer! NewerTech iBook and PowerBook batteries are the longest lasting, longest running standard type batteries you can buy! Built in the USA using only the very best cells from Japan and Canada, these batteries are built to last. NewerTech NuPower batteries, with up to 56% more capacity vs. Apple's original stock, are available for iBook G3 & G4, PowerBook G3s WallStreet/Lombard/FireWire models, and all PowerBook G4 Models. You'll find more great deals, updated regularly on your Tips 'n Deals Reader Specials Page, check it out! Music on the Mac 4/24 - A Widget Jams, iPod Speakers Rock Greetings from www.macsales.com/music Widget news!! What's a widget you say? If you haven't experienced Widgets on your desktop yet then you are missing something fun and useful. In OS 10.4 'Tiger' Apple gave us Dashboard, a collection of "widgets" which are handy little helper apps and entertainments that are instantly accessible when you click on the Dashboard Icon in your dock. There are thousands of widgets available that do many things. For instance, you can have a widget that is a clock that tells you what time it is in Sydney, Australia if thats what you need to know or a widget that translates a phrase from English to French or Japanese, whatever you like. There are fun little widgets that show the beach in Malibu, Ca 24 hrs a day-live as it is happening. Perhaps you need something more practical like a calculator-there's a widget for that too. I mention all of this because we at OWC have created our own widget. It's called the "Daily Guitar Jam" widget and features a new piece of music by yours truly EVERY day. It's meant to be entertaining and if you flip the widget over by clicking the small letter "i" you will see a link that takes you to the widget's special website. There you can see pics of me playing at the House of Blues-Chicago, info on fabulous OWC and NewerTech products, and pictures of our audio studio/showroom called studioA. You can even purchase my CD if you so desire. This Widget is listed on and available for download on Apple's site(in the music section of course) as well as our own and I hope you'll check it out. My CD, created entirely with GarageBand software, is available at www.thegaragealbum.com where you can also download the GarageBand tracks for each song and find out about the fantastic OWC Mercury Extreme processor upgrade, OWC Elite Firewire drive, and OWC RAM used while creating the album. Visit studioA recording studio and Other World Computing new audio showroom by appointment - email: rogerad@macsales.com For all your audio/music needs, macsales.com/music online. Subscribe to the "Rock Your Computer" PodCast. Browse and read other 'Music on the Mac' articles by Roger posted online. See how Roger created The Garage Album CD at The Garage Album website. Interact with Roger and other Apple Music/Audio users in our online music and audio forums. About our Music Guru: Roger Adler is a four-time Emmy nominated composer, producer, and performer. He is an endorser and clinician for the iGuitar by Brian Moore Guitars and his work is recognizable in over 1000 television commercials. Adler performed at the Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. as recently as 2005 and his recordings include appearances on the Groundhog Day feature film soundtrack and The Garage Album. He is widely recognized for his role as Music director for the A&E television series "The Best of Comic Relief" starring Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg and for 16 years as Music Director for the popular series "Wild Chicago." Adler is the owner of two recording studios serving the professional entertainment industry, i^3 audio at North Pier in Chicago and studioA at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake, IL. In addition to facilitating the Daily Guitar Jam Widget, Adler produces the popular Podcast Show "Rock Your Computer" which broadcasts to an international audience via Apple's iTunes Music Store. Closing: As always, it's amazing how fast time all flies by. Have the fun is making sure that time is appreciated while it's there passing too. We do our daily grind with some goal in mind, but harder to appreciate the day itself sometimes. My little guy definitely brings me joy on each and every day. He's nearly ten months old now and I have to say, every day is more amazing in how he keeps coming along. From sitting up for the first time to becoming a speed crawler, now regularly standing up - and looks soon the be walking. Every day is an amazing gift. And where I used to spend more time looking to future points I tried to plan, I must say having the little guy has changed the life of my wife and I beyond what either of us imagined. And for sure it's all good as we do hope to be blessed with more of the carpet crawlers too. :) Without question, I hope we'll be able to do our part and maybe more to leave the world a better place than when we found it. There's a lot of crazy stuff going on out there to say the least. And things we don't even know about and likely wouldn't imagine too. I do hope we work to eliminate our dependence on oil. It's the thing that conflicts are born of, the thing that funds conflicts as well. Rising oil and gas prices don't do our pocketbooks any good either - but then, choosing to conserve can take that back. It's been said that if we just reduced our fuel consumption by 3%, then both oil and gas prices would plummet. That's a win-win enviromentally and financially - if the lower prices don't cause a reverse of just what's been accomplished. Ethanol looks to be quite a realistic option too.. renewable and 'locally grown', it burns cleaner than gas + keeps our dollars here, creating jobs here too. Right now there's been a switch from the water supply polluting MTBF(now banned) to using a 10% ethanol mix for this summer's driving season and that's having the contra-intuitive effect of causing fuel supply issues. Ethanol is effectively also a solvent - and to carry it in those fuel tankers requires that they have to be cleaned first. Gas has a lot of impurities that build up inside tanks - not a problem so much for carrying gas, but with the ethanol added, that build up can contaminate an entire load. This is minor stuff though - and does little to dampen my belief in the potential of E85 and coming practical applications even for Hydrogen. At the end of the day - whatever the solution, it will need to be practical and something our government and industry gets it's act together on to make happen. In the mean time - and for future time too - there is no better option than conserving what energy where we can and when we can. Anyway.... Thanks for being a subscriber and again, the best always to you and yours. p.s. Yes - this was sent AM on the 23rd so you'd have it for Monday the 24th. :) 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 < br> 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! 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