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OWC Tips & Deals 6/21/2006
Intro: Hello again from OWC! A time control remote control like the one in the previews for the movie 'Click', that would really be pretty sweet - and useful. About three weeks ago I had 'our next' newsletter just about ready to roll, and then...Well, it's amazing how fast the time went by when time that day ran out. Such mistakes aren't to be repeated and this newsletter is delivered with ample amount of time set to see it go from its new start to finish. So, getting on with it - we've got all that new stuff to cover since last time around. New Apple 13" MacBook Ever since the MacBook Pro was first announced, an Intel-based replacement for the iBook has been anxiously awaited. Released and available in the middle of last month, the new 'MacBook' has certainly met and seemingly exceeded expectations. Starting from $1099 with Intel Duo 1.83GHz and $1299 with Intel Duo 2.0GHz, these Macbooks with their bright 13.3" LCD displays pack a lot of value for your dollar. In some ways, they are a better Mac than the higher-end MacBook Pros and for $900 less! There's little to complain about. Like the MacBook Pro, all new MacBooks come standard with built-in 512MB memory, 60GB SATA HD (SATA 80GB for Black model), iSight web cam, BlueTooth, Airport Extreme 802.11g, Front Row with remote control, digital/analog audio in & out, and a minimum of a CDRW burner + DVD-ROM combo optical drive. Unlike the MacBook Pro, the MacBook is available in a White color model that is similar to the original iBook white finish from $1099 or a top-end Black color version for $1499 that (aside from looking really slick) has a finish that gives it a more rugged feel. Pricing between the models is pretty tight. For $1099 you get a standard model White MacBook running 1.83GHz with CDRW+DVD combo drive. For $1299 the base model is a White MacBook running 2.0GHz and with a DVD/CD burning Superdrive optical drive. That $200 gets you the extra speed + the optical drive upgrade, otherwise the two models are the same. For $1499, you get the 'upgrade' to the matte black finish and Apple also bumps the hard drive from 60GB to 80GB. Doing the math on that last one - it's effectively a $150 'upgrade' to get that more rugged black model. But assuming the finish holds up better aesthetically - which it does look and feel like it will - it very well could be money well spent. More than just a different color for the plastic housing, I expect that the $150 extra for the black color will make a positive difference in the wear of the unit. Above we've talked about the base - now about upgrades. First Hard Drives... Paying Apple to upgrade from 60GB to an 80GB costs $50, next step 80GB to 100GB is another $100, and to step up from 100GB to 120GB adds another $100. That's an extra $250 if you plan on going from stock 60GB to 120GB, and $200 if you're starting with the 80GB. Those drive options also are all only 5400RPM. Good thing we're here... For LESS than $150, you can get a BRAND NEW 3 Year Warranty-backed 120GB 5400RPM SATA drive from us AND we even offer additional savings if you'd like to trade in your stock hard drive. Or keep the stock drive and you're still up to $100+ ahead plus you have an extra drive at your disposal. Something REALLY fantastic about the new MacBook is how EASY it is to replace the hard drive. Unlike its predecessor, the new MacBook hard drive bay is easily accessible via the battery bay (without having to reduce the machine to many pieces and parts). Plus for your convenience, you can check out our simple, installation video and see our 100GB 7200RPM and 120GB 5400RPM HDs for the MacBook online now. And then there is the Memory... All factory base models are equipped with 512MB via two installed 256MB modules. Apple has now noted that installing two modules of the same size (they don't have to be matched anymore, just 'matched size') enables the memory bus to maximize performance. That said - 512MB really isn't enough. Where Apple offers to charge you either $100 to upgrade to 1GB (512MB x 2) or $500 (yes $500!!!) to go to 2GB (1GB x 2) - OWC lets you remove and either trade-in the stock memory for cash back or keep your original 256MB modules when you buy a 1GB set from us for $99 or a 2GB set for $219.99 (way less than even half the cost Apple charges for going from 512 to 2GB). Thankfully, memory is once again an easy user-installable upgrade. And just like for the hard drive, we also have the installation video online to walk you through the simple steps. I should add that our videos are there to supplement the printed directions already provided by Apple. Plus, it's great to know that there is no warranty issue regarding the user-installation of these upgrades. In comparing the MacBook to the MacBook Pro - you've got up to 2.0GHz now with MacBook vs. 2.16GHz for the Pro. The most important and significant difference is Video.... While the MacBook has an Intel Video chipset with 64MB shared memory (it uses from your installed main memory), the Pro models have ATI's X1600 chipset with up to 256MB of their own dedicated VRAM. The real world impacts are most felt in relation to gaming, heavy graphics or video editing. For most users though, where serious gaming isn't part of the plan, the MacBook's video does the job A-OK. For video playback (even H.264 QuickTime HD) the MacBook is smooth and slick thanks to optimizations built in just for such playback support. In terms of external video support, the MacBook supports up to a 24" LCD and 1920x1200 resolution for a 2nd independent display in addition to the 13.3" displaying up to 1280x800. If you desire a new Apple laptop that can drive the likes of installation video onlineApple's 30" Cinema HD Display, then it would be a MacBook Pro you need. Other than the video chipset and, of course, the available screen sizes (MacBook 13.3" vs. MacBook Pro available 15.4" and 17"), the only other functional differences that come to mind would involve FireWire and the PCI-Express34 Expansion. You can get FireWire 800 with the 17" MacBook Pro, but the MacBook (as well as 15.4" MacBook Pro) has only FireWire 400. While all MacBook Pro models have an PCI-Express34 expansion slot (effectively a leap up from the PCMCIA Cardbus which PowerBook G4s had), there is no such slot on the MacBook - just as there wasn't on any iBook. So - if you're looking for a majorly portable notebook with real processor power, the MacBook fits the bill quite nicely. If the significant sales increase we experienced of both memory and SATA notebook drives that started with the MacBook release is any indication, these new notebooks are selling faster than any of Apple's previously introduced Intel models by a long shot. And from own hands-on experience, it's no wonder why. Just as with all the Intel Macs, the new MacBooks support Apple's BootCamp for having both Windows and Mac OS X installed at the same time. You also can use the virtualization application 'Parallels' which allows you to run Windows within a window right on your OS X desktop. For more information, click to view our April 24th newsletter covering these options. Also - as with all Intel Macs - you have no support for running any OS 9 Classic applications, Classic mode is done away with on Intel Macs. Also, non-Intel Native applications that were written for G3/G4 run via Rosetta emulation. As a result, despite the high performance and Dual-Core Intel processor - there are many applications, some which won't be updated until 2007, which run slower on Intel Macs vs. prior PowerPC models. In our February 18th newsletter, I went into significant detail regarding this topic and said newsletter also includes a link for checking Intel Native application status/availability as well. All-in-all, if your ready for a new laptop - I give the MacBook 13.3" modelsa thumbs up all the way. MacBook Pro price adjustments If I said it once, I've said it - well - countless times: When Apple introduced the 17" MacBook Pro model, as I noted in the May 6th newsletter, there was a bit of an issue with the pricing. Essentially the cost of a 15" MacBook Pro upgraded to the same speed and HD as the 17" model would cost you $100 more. Now - that was kind of insane given that the 15" model for $100 more still had no FireWire 800 or the faster 8X Dual Layer DVD drive like is standard on the 17". That just couldn't go for long. And it didn't. About the same time the MacBook was released, the MacBook Pro 15" model line got a slight realignment. The base 1.83GHz MacBook Pro 15.4" was bumped to 2.0GHz for the same $1999 base price. The 'top' 15.4" offering was bumped from 2.0GHz to 2.16GHz. It's still only the 17" that has the faster 8X SuperDrive w/Dual Layer and FireWire 800 interface... but at least for an equally equipped 15.4" 2.16GHz (short the FW800 and with only 4X Superdrive with no dual-layer) the cost is $200 less vs. $100 more than the 17". When you look at the numbers - all Apple did was bump the speed without changing the cost - and the $300 'savings' comes from not having to pay for that 2.0 to 2.16GHz upgrade as was the case before. However you look at it - if you need the features available in the MacBook Pro, this bump adjustment only makes it better. So - no complaints from this neck of the woods on that. Apple's computer and display recycling program I mentioned this a couple times previously and went into a more detailed discussion in our last newsletter, and now the program is official. And as I previously discussed, I hope people find better options than this program for the more recent systems in possession. Unlike Apple's iPod trade-in program, there is no discount or credit given when you give Apple your old computer/display for disposal. Rather - energy is expended to accommodate your drive to FedEx, the delivery to Apple's handling site, and for proper disposal of said parts. And, then there's the added consideration of the landfill space occupied from the disposal. I am not knocking this program at all - proper disposal that prevents release of toxins is far better than no program. However, a far better option, if possible, is for a system not to be disposed of. Rather, the ideal option is to make the system useful for some other function or some other person. One reader (thanks Matt P) e-mailed about a San Francisco area not-for-profit that not only finds homes for old systems, but will even repair them as part of the process too. Hopefully, paths that ultimately lead to a hole in the ground are only looked at as a last resort. Kudos to Apple for seeing to the proper disposal of old systems. More kudos to any user who can keep a system in-use and out of the disposal process altogether. There is a lot of 'Green' intention out of Cupertino - but corporately, the push has been more and more towards disposibility (more green in Apple's corporate coffers) when it comes to computers and especially to iPods. Apple's idea of an upgrade path is a new Mac or iPod. If you remember when the Mac mini first came out - until mass user feedback forced a revision, Apple had initially stated that if you opened your Mac mini and upgraded the memory your warranty would be voided. Backing that up further, the Mac mini (still today) was by design made to be a REAL PAIN to open. That machine originally came with 256MBs of memory and then later 512MB... and it is NIGHT and DAY faster with 1GB (or 2GB in the case of the Mac mini Intel). That said - Apple's original expectation was that people were not going to be upgrading the memory; Apple assumed people would just buy a new machine when the performance from the factory-configed unit was no longer adequate. To be fair... It would seem Apple is going in the other direction now. The MacBook, at least, was designed very intelligently so that an enduser can easily replace the existing hard drive as well as upgrade memory. The hard drive upgradeability is a significant change compared to the extremely complex, professionals-recommended, job it is to swap a hard drive in any iBook G3/G4 or Powerbook G4 Aluminum model. Also - Apple has been making their product boxes much smaller. It's not necessarily easy to tell in this MacBook box picture, but they are SUPER SLIM. The new MacBook Pro boxes are of similar design and retain the same protective packaging effect with a new material that does the job using about half the cubic volume. Even the new Apple OS X boxes are about 1/3rd the size they were prior until about 3 months ago. No doubt there are major economic benefits to the smaller box size in shipping costs and materials, but that doesn't discount the positive impact for our environment as well. Good trends with real impact. For Fun Not only is OWC's Jamie Dresser a huge resource when it comes to Apples, he also takes some pretty darn good photos. Recently Jamie and his family went to the Quad Cities Air Show and using his Canon EOS 20D 8.2MP SLR + Sigma 18-200mm Lens ('camera tech talk') he took some really great shots of aircraft flying in the show. Great photos where you really can see how close that formation flying is! Buy Movies via iTunes store? According to this CNN Story, both Apple and Microsoft are in talks to provide movies by paid download. Reportedly, a point of negotiation with Apple concerns offering all movies for a $9.99 each flat fee vs. studios which are pushing to have different prices up to $19.99 based on the offering. Personally, even at $9.99 I am not all that excited - unless it was Hi-Def quality vs. the less than TV broadcast quality that you get from the iTunes TV Show downloads... and even then.... Sure they'll look good playing on a tiny iPod screen - but I'll rent before paying $10 or more for something I can't playback nice on a regular television. And, of course, if it is Hi-Def - well - it takes a few minutes via average broadband to download even 480P HD movie trailers with only 30-90 seconds of actual run. I love the 'tunes and I have bought a couple of missed TV episodes in the past year, but I'm not so sure about this whole movie download business - but, we'll see. If you're looking for some no cost downloads, a MacResource Forum contributor posted links to several currently available... And - if you don't mind commercials, ABC is now putting show episodes - including popular Prime Time series - online to watch via stream. Not quite the same since you watch it in a relatively small video pane on their web page, but not half bad if you need to pick up that missed show. What today's technology enables is pretty neat in general. Intro Closing: How fitting that I get to take advantage of Summer solstice - the longest day of the year - to get this next newsletter completed. :) Bummer that just means that I missed more opportunity to enjoy the extra time in the sun and didn't actually have more time in this day. Still - I definitely enjoy the writing process of getting the newletter done. And, I admitt this newsletter was a bit overdue in coming out. In the interest of the real passing of time, I did save a lot for the next newsletter which you can expect somewhat soon. As always, thanks for reading and.... Hope you'll checkout/enjoy 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. **In just the last couple days, a wide variety of new additions have just been posted - now is a great chance to have a first look before someone else gets that goodie you'd rather put your name on** 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 select from up to 15 different tests we've completed. Use Apple OS 9.2.2 & Apple OS X on Macs that Apple doesn't support because OWC does with OS 9 Helper and Xpostfacto! Quick Tip: Play Windows Media via Quicktime While there is substantial support for Apple's Quicktime standard, that doesn't mean 100%. There is a lot of content out there, as well as various sites - that only offer .WMV (windows media video) format or the Windows Media Video Streaming when it comes to their video content. Installing Microsoft Windows Media Player for Mac is one option... but far more seamless and convenient is the excellent 'Flip4Mac' component set. Although it doesn't appear to support Intel Macs yet, the current v2.02 version is well optimized for PPC Macs. Flip4Mac is a quick to download, easy auto-install application - and it seamlessly allows the Quicktime player and Quicktime player plug-ins, such as those that let you watch those Apple movie trailers via web browser, to playback Windows Media format video. You also can upgrade from the standard player to their Pro version which further allows importing, editing, and exporting of WMV as well. Whether you upgrade to Pro or just stick with the no cost player - it's totally slick being able to watch that WMV content without needing the MicroSoft application to do so. I've been only been using Flip4Mac for a few weeks now and wish I'd learned about it sooner. 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. Just posted new Clearance / Garage Sale Deals Find deals of open-box, discontinued, used items and more on the regularly updated OWC 'Garage Sale/Clearance' Page. In truth, while some regular updates are done - it's about once or twice a month that a major 'cleaning of the cupboards' is done - and such has just happened over the last several days resulting in a significant number of additions to offer a great selection - first come, first served, including: Hard drives up to 400GB from $47.50, 300GB for under $100. OWC and FirmTeck SATA enclosures from $19.00 SATA & ATA Mac PCI Controller cards from $35.00 NewerTech miniStack FireWire/USB2 Enclosures with Hub from $48.00 FireWire+USB2 Combo enclosures from $25.00 Single G4/1.4GHz for $169, Dual 1.5GHz at $379 And a whole lot more! Goodies from Griffin like iTrips from $9.99 Our good friends at Griffin have made it possible for OWC to offer some great deals on several popular Griffin products including: Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter for 3G & 4G iPods - $9.99 Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter for iPod mini - $12.99 Griffin iTalk Voice & Audio Recorder for 3G, 4G, Photo iPods - $22.99 Check out these Griffin deals and more online. Desktop/Tower Hard Drives - 250GB for $92.50; 500GB $265.00 250GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 w/8MB Cache & 5 year Warranty IDE/ATA Version - $89.00 or SATA I/II Version - $95.00 320GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 w/16MB Cache & 5 year Warranty IDE/ATA Version - $115.00 or SATA I/II Version - $119.00 160GB Hitachi DeskStar T7K250 7200RPM 8MB Cache w/3 Year Warranty IDE/ATA Version - $65.00 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 w/16MB Cache & 5 year Warranty IDE/ATA Version - $255.00 or SATA I/II Version - $259.00 IDE/ATA Drives are for PowerMac G3 & G4; iMac G4; eMac G4 Models. Some of those models may require either an ATA PCI Card or InTech HD Speedtools with Hi-Cap driver for utilization of over 128GB. Also, SATA PCI Cards are available to allow the use of SATA HDs in any PowerMac model. -- Get HD Speedtools w/Hi-Cap for $15 SATA PCI HD Controllers from $39.99 or ATA PCI HD Controllers from $69.99 All PowerMac G5s, iMac G5s, and the new iMac Intel models can use any of the above SATA drives. Apple iMacs all support one internal drive. PowerMac G5 models support up to two SATA drives using the Factory Bays, and you can add up to 3 additional drives inside the PowerMac G5 using Sonnet's G5 Jive + an additional SATA Controller card to support the additional drives. -- G5 Jive 3 HD Bracket/Cable Set $89 and SATA PCI Cards for G5s from $39.99 PowerBook / iBook / MacBook Notebook HDs - 100GB $119.00; 120GB $145.00 SATA Internals For MacBook Pro & MacBook models: 120GB WD Scorpio 5400RPM w/8MB Buffer & 3yr Warranty - $145.00 100GB Seagate Momentus 7200.1 w/8MB Buffer and 5yr Warranty - $209.99 *All PowerBook and iBook models require the use of a standard IDE/ATA notebook hard drive. Pre-2003 models are limited to 128GB or require Intech's HD Speedtools with Hi-Cap Driver to utilize over 128GB. ATA Internals For PowerBooks & iBooks: 80GB Toshiba MK8032GAX 5400RPM w/8MB Buffer & 3yr Warranty $94.99 100GB Hitachi Travelstar 5K100 5400RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty $117.50 120GB Toshiba MK1234GAX Notebook HD w/8MB Buffer & 3yr Warranty $157.00 160GB Seagate Momentus 5400.3 5400RPM w/8MB & 5 Year Warranty $259.00 High-Performance 7200RPM 2.5" Drives 60GB to 100GB now from $117.99 HD Speedtools w/Hi-Cap for $15 Mac Memory Upgrade Kits from $84.50 per 1GB 6/21/2006 Memory Report: Despite a lot of price increase talk, so far - for the last several weeks - memory pricing has remained pretty stable. And as always, we're glad to bring you top quality product - backed with our LifeTime Advance Replacement Warranty - at prices typically a third or half that which Apple charges! Memory Makes the Difference, More Memory = Faster Mac. :) Memory for all Intel Processor equipped Apple MacBooks, MacBook Pros, iMacs, & Mac minis These systems all feature two PC5300 DDR2 667MHz memory expansion slots. Modules do not need to be matched pairs, but installing the same size module in each slot (1GB + 1GB for example) provides maximum memory performane according to Apple. OWC Special: 2GB Upgrade Set for MacBook/MacBook Pro (1GBx2) $219.00 See all memory and hard drive options for MacBook/MacBook Pro 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 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) - $169.00 4GB DDR2 Pair (2GB x 2) - $399.00 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 - $ 85.00 2GB DDR2 Upgrade Module - $199.99 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 - $95.00 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 - $47.50 1GB Samsung Factory Original - Same one Apple Installs $137.50 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* $110.00 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 - $24.99 512MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 168 Pin SDRam DIMM Module - $67.50 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). Apple Airport Cards are Back in Stock Apple Airport Cards are now in stock for PowerBook G4 Titanium, iBook G3s, PowerMac G4 Desktops, etc. with original Airport support. Until a couple weeks ago, it had been about seven months since we last had these. If you've been waiting or need one, here ya have it for - ** $125.00 ** Other Wireless options for PowerBooks, PowerMacs & wireless routers, extenders, etc - also available from OWC. Get Apple OS X 10.4.x Tiger for $89, with iLife 2005 $129.00 This special is a bundle of the Apple 10.4.x Tiger Update Set and Apple 10.3.x Panther DVD Installer OEM Set. If you already have 10.3.x Panther - you need only use the Tiger portion of this bundle to upgrade to Apple's latest and best OS X yet. Panther + Tiger Bundle - $89.00 Apple OS X 10.4/10.3/iLife 2005 Bundle Set - $129.00 Apple OS X 10.4.6 Retail Box Version $119; 5-User Family Pack $199 and more options including: Apple OS X 10.3.9 Panther Server for $149.00 Panther 10.3.x Single User on DVD for $47.99 Apple OS X 10.2.x for $17.99. Fast 16X DVD/40X SuperDrive Burners w/Dual-Layer from $44.99 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 $44.99 or from $49.95 in one of six 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 $119.99 Includes EMC/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 $119.99 Includes EMC/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! FireWire/USB: 500GB FW800 Raid $299; Elite Kits from $49 320GB Mercury Elite-AL FW800 7200RPM 8MB Solution - $205.00 OWC Mercury Elite Oxford911+ 3.5" FireWire 400 Enclosure Kit - $49.00 OWC 250GB Mercury Elite-AL FW400+USB2 7200RPM 8MB Solution $169.99 OWC 500GB Mercury Elite-AL Pro 800 Dual Drive FW800 RAID - $299.00 See the additional options & capacities online. 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 @ 1.2GHz, $209.00 Extreme @ 1.5GHz, $279.00 Watch TV on your Mac, Import/Export, Multimedia 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 standalone 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 $129.00! 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. Deals on iPod Goodies 1800mAh NuPower Battery for 1st/2nd Gen iPods normally $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. 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 this mouse happily since August. And, I have heard great feedback on the Mouse and Keyboard wireless combo too. Logitech Wireless Freedom for an unbeatable price. Logitech Freedom RF Wireless Keyboard + Mouse Combo is just $23.95 You'll find more great deals, updated regularly on your Tips 'n Deals Reader Specials Page, check it out! Music on the Mac 6/21 - Tools that make a Pro Greetings from www.macsales.com/music The topic this time out is Pro Tools. This leading digital recording software environment has become even more affordable in the last few months. As you may know, Avid is the parent company of both Digidesign and M-Audio. An outgrowth of that alliance brought us Pro Tools M-Powered about a year ago. This allowed Pro Tools LE software to run on select, high end M-Audio hardware. This was a breakthrough for consumers. Now , Pro Tools LE will run on virtually all M-Audio audio interfaces including very inexpensive units such as the Transit and Fast Track. This makes getting into the world of Pro Tools recording even less expensive than ever. Not to be outdone, Digidesign came out with MBox 2. This update of the highly successful MBox hardware added midi and a new look to the package. There are still 2 high quality mic preamps with phantom power available, 2 instrument inputs and 2 line inputs. One cute but practical improvement is the addition of 2 included faceplates. One has a convenient carrying handle built in and the other has a flat profile that is rubberized. This second face plate allows the unit to sit flat and stable on a work surface. The package includes the usual array of reverb, EQ and effect plug-ins to get you started. The world of Pro Tools extends to every corner of the globe and can extend to your backpack or bedroom studio now more easily than ever. Technology just keeps shrinking our world and expanding the number of tools we can afford and use - that's a good thing in my book! I am currently producing tracks at our studio/showroom for singer David Radford from this season's American Idol for an upcoming CD - stay tuned for more! Get our entertaining new Widget called Daily Guitar Jam. Visit studioA recording studio and Other World Computing's 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: With each passing day, it seems like each day passes faster. Certainly some days I find myself wondering how fast what's past became so. In just five days, my first (and so far only) child - Larry (not a jr...) - will be 1 Year old. Looking at these pictures I shared a year ago: Just born and a few days to about a month, it's absolutely amazing what a year does. Today he stands, nearly walks, does a lot of the baby talk babble, is unbelievable fast at speed-crabbing on his hands and feet. Every day is the best thing that ever happened. This link to current 'not as little Larry' pictures is, at this time of publication, just a page holder link, but - if you are interested in seeing how the year has been for him, by Thursday night (if not sooner) - the link will go to photos that chronicle that year. Anyway - it's great being a parent and although it has been quite an adjustment, it is worth it in every possible way. Like most parents, my wife and I want the best for our child (and hopefully children). And providing that requires a genuine concern for the future of the world we'll be effectively leaving for them. In truth - as I've done my homework on various things - I am surprised at the shortsightedness of our US society when it comes to conservation and the environment in general. With little added expense (less than 2% of a structure's cost) and decidedly low tech solutions, significantly more energy efficient homes and building could be built if only builders took the time to build things 'right'. Proper insulation and 'heat retention walls', etc - cost very little on the front end and save significantly in long term energy savings for both heating and cooling. Further, taking advantage of today's technology and innovations, for a modest upfront investment - we'd see a full return on investment in just a few years with a lifetime of net gain savings to follow. I'm not talking about solar panels per say - which still aren't efficient enough for most applications. Rather, I'm refering to solar water heaters, solar heat exchangers, and the like which provide environmental benefits as well long-term economically benefits as well. There is no doubt that a significant amount of energy is consumed in the US just by us driving our cars. And while we complain about paying $3 a gallon for gas (I know I do), which is still cheap vs. the cost per gallon in most other countries, that's just a small portion of our real per capita energy consumption. Every bit makes a difference and certainly the higher cost of fuel does encourage one to make each gallon go further... which if everyone did, the impact on demand would result in a real drop in what we pay - and then the trick is stick with it regardless if gas is ever 'cheap' again. In the future, hopefully fossil fuels will be what their name implies, something past and no longer. Getting back to the point I want to make - our society has really become one of mass consumption disposable products. Back in the day (don't make 'em like they used to...), it seemed like more products were built for the long haul. Computers were far more expensive, that's for sure. But they were built to last and be upgradeable too. Although I think the new Intel Macs in some ways reverse recent trends to some degree, every year we've seen new and less expensive models - but less easily upgraded (fewer memory slots, soldered process, soldered video, etc). The iPod - Apple offers you a 10% discount on a new iPod if you let them trash your old iPod...(at least they do environmentally dispose of it) To sum it all up - corporations, like Apple, have found there is more to the bottom line when they can keep the same customers buying up to the latest and greatest more often vs. selling more upgradeable solutions that don't need replacing as often. If it isn't broke, don't fix it - but the intense marketing results in a feel for the need to replace existing and buy the latest and the greatest, even when what we've got might not even be getting fully utilzed. In a whole different category - look at the mass promotion of all the single-use/limited-use convenience products. Buy a camera and then buy more film as you need to? Not today. Today we're sold the all-in-one disposable cameras with 24 or 36 exposures.... heck - there are even disposable one use digital cameras now too. I mean jeeze - disposable 'tupperware' - the money's made getting us to consume and dispose of - vs. investing once in something that lasts. And guess what - the distribution and manufacture of all that extra 'disposable stuff' uses a ton of energy in the process, never mind landfill space for the actual disposal. I think my 'favorite consumer fraud' would have to be bottled water. Here's a case where significant marketing has successfully convinced a considerable percentage of our population that water put in a bottle and sold at a premium is somehow better, healther, and safer than water you can get from the tap. And even the worst tasting, worst looking city or well water can be 'made pure' like the filtered water that get put in those fancy bottles - but for pennies a gallon vs. a couple dollars for a quart (yes - often bottled water is just city tap water that has been filtered). Of course, lest I forget the 'premium' bottled water from Fiji or the Swiss Alps or some special forrest spring.... come on! It is water.. and sure, some water has slightly different 'local' flavorings from whatever minerals are in the aquafier - but I must say that it's an amazing testament to marketing that we could become so picky or even elitest in regards to such. Having said that, the real crime with bottled water is the significant environmental cost. The waste that ends up in landfills. The energy costs that go into the plastic bottles and packaging. The energy consumed transporting water from local or international sources vs. using water which comes right out of the tap. I'll be honest - unfiltered Woodstock water has a chlorine taste and I won't drink it unless no other options are present. But - our refrigerator has one of those little carbon water filter deals. For the $25 every 9-12 months to replace that filter, the resulting water - imho - is better than bottled. No matter what - it's certainly equal to quality bottled water options which, again, often is just filted tap water in an expensive bottle to begin with. I'll leave you with this 2003 article. It goes into detail on the real 'purity' of bottle water and exposes examples of bottled water marketing gone hyper and the enviromental costs of the 'bottled water phenomenom'. Closing the article is a statement that resonates my opinions exactly, I couldn't have said it better: ""We certainly need to think twice before handing off the public water trust to private companies that put it in attractive bottles at a high price." Well, enough of that for now. This newsletter is about Mac stuff and that is one thing I can promise there will be lots more discussion of to come. Thanks for being a subscriber and for reading. Have a great weekend - and always the best to you and yours! 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