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OWC Tips & Deals 12/20/2006
Intro: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Other World Computing. Just five days till Christmas, twelve days to 2007, and 20 days to the start of Macworld Expo. The time just keeps ticking by and I hope they're good times for all. It certainly keeps things here moving at a brisk pace... part of me looks forward to the day after Macworld - when things normalize a tad bit - and can look back with fond memories of the holidays and events yet ahead. Just a quick holiday shipping note - orders placed today (Wednesday) by 6PM can still be ordered by UPS or FedEx 2nd Day for Friday. Order by 6PM Thursday by FedEx or UPS Overnight and still good for Friday. On Friday - for the truly last minute, rush, must-have... Saturday Overnight by UPS will be available until 4:30PM CST Friday for phone orders only (800-275-4576). The best to you and yours this Happy Holiday Season. :) Macworld Expo Pass Update - Still available, our Gift, from OWC The gift that never stops giving... ok - works if you are planning on going to Macworld and didn't get your pass by December 11th. The Free Pass for Macworld offer has been extended, but at this time the pass can not be mailed to you ahead of time. Still - registering now and picking up your pass at the expo does beat doing the same and having to pay for it. If you still need a pass for Macworld - please get online here to register. :) New from NewerTech, the TrafficJamz FM Transmitter/iPod Charger Better late than never, this is the follow up to the popular, successful, and excellent sounding NewerTech RoadTrip product. Like the RoadTrip, the TrafficJamz product provides excellent sounding, clean FM transmission from dock connector equipped iPods (3rd gen, 4th gen, 5th gen/video, nano, mini) while also charging/powering the iPod as well. What sets the new model apart is it's user selectable full 88.1 to 107.9 FM supported frequency range (with three programmable presets) and the availability of the TrafficJamz in either a White or a Black version to best match your iPod and/or vehicle interior. Like the RoadTrip - this product has a 30 Day Money Back. And like the RoadTrip, we know few will ever come back since this thing sounds great, works great, and couldn't be easier to use. The RoadTrip was NewerTech's answer when the market had nothing reasonable of the like that sounded good - the TrafficJamz is an even better followup. The regular retail is $34.95, but special reader price is now $27.50. Check out the NewerTech TrafficJamz in Black. Check out the NewerTech TrafficJamz in White. MacBook Memory Upgrading: Pair vs. non-Pairing - 2nd Look In our last newsletter I went into considerable detail concerning memory configuarations as they apply Apple MacBook and other Core Duo Intel Macs with the GMA950 video chipset. As you may be aware, Apple recommends memory be upgraded in matched size pairs for these machines whereas Intel Core Duo/Core 2 Duo equipped Macs with higher end video display support Apple notes ok with same size pairs or individual modules. For the last newsletter, our testing was concluded utilizing one of the current Core 2 Duo Macbooks. Since then, we have done the same testing with an original MacBook Core Duo model. The current Core 2 Duo is a 64 bit processor, Core Duo was 32 bit. Bottom line is that the results were pretty much in the same line and our recommendation that adding more memory vs. trying to keep memory paired is overall the best. If you have a MacBook, an iMac Intel Entry Level, or Mac mini Intel, feel comfortable upgrading as your budget allows. If you have only 512MB total installed now, even just replacing one of the two 256MB stock modules with a 512MB to have 768MBs will make that machine feel like it's brand new again! Another important note... unlike prior systems that needed matched pairs of modules for the interleaving/higher bit addressing - the Intel Mac Core 2 Duo / Core Duo models only require two of the same size module be installed for the 128MBit addressing to operate. As long as they are the correct PC5300 DDR2 667MHz Apple spec (as we of course provide), you can always 'pair up' at any time - but start by adding/replacing just one at a time. We hope the information is useful. The test results cover 512MB, 768MB, 1GB, 1.25GB, 1.5GB, and 2.0GB memory configs and include eight different performance tests. The results now include both the Core 2 Duo an the Core Duo MacBook. Check them out, and with recap explanation, online here. The Apple iPhone? Since the iPhone was released on Monday... and without an Apple logo on it - Apple must have some other name planned. All the rumors of an 'Apple iPhone' would seem to support a real product coming out. Just now can pretty well be sure will carry a different name. Speculation of Apple's product includes software solution that will be licensed to different cell providers to an Apple Cell Phone product branded Apple through and through where Apple leasess cell network time, but direct bills. Either way - the Apple iPhone is supposed to be hugely revolutionary compared to iTunes compatible RAZR and SLVR phones that have prior been available with Cingular cell service. Everyone believes Apple's got something imminent for release and it will likely be at Macworld that Jobs will dazzle with whatever this product will be called. Anyway - it is Cisco's Linksys division that has released a iPhone branded product line as apparently Cisco has long had ownership of the iPhone trademark. Very different from what's still expected from Apple, the Linksys iPhone product line utilizes the Voice over IP protocol (VOIP) to allow people to use their internet connection 'to call' people. Other than the integration of traditional phone line use along with the internet VOIP, the VOIP portion seems kind of similar to what you get with Apple's iChat and other chat software of the like... except it's a stand along solution for it. For Fun and of interest I and many of us at Other World Computing have been long time fans of David Pogue. Recently he did a column in the New York Times on the Windows Vista. The column has been followed by an online video segment which debunks the notion that Microsoft is simply copying Apple's OS X. This is under 'for fun...' for a reason. Click here to check it out. :) Intro Closing: And that will be all for now. Got some big changes to the presentation of our newsletter coming in 2007 and hope all will enjoy. Going to be a few issues from now - but none the less. Thank you for reading and, again and always, the very best to you and yours! That's the intro - this is still ahead: Quick Tip: Keep you lap cool, updated Reader Specials, and Roger's Music on the Mac follow right after these 'messages from our sponsor': Quick Links A better Apple/Macintosh ISP at a better price - FasterMac.Net Super competitive rates, Toll Free Tech Support, and a brand new level of Anti-Virus and Anti-Spam protection coming on line - you'll be amazed at how much you get for less at FasterMac.Net. Even just for e-mail, FasterMac.Net makes the hassle of Spam effectively no hassle at all. Just what does OWC do with trade-ins, open box items, discontinued goods, etc.? We put 'em up on our Clearance Deals Page. 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: Slimming down - your Hard Drive - for the New Year Although hard disk space is pretty cheap these days, still worth the while to keep space utilization good. Even the biggest drives can be filled up super quick with all the digital media, etc. Further, the restrictions for HD size inside a laptop put that space at an even greater premium. That's where this handy article by OWC's Chris comes in handy. He's put things spot on concerning a couple of useful OS X applications that can make recapturing HD space a breeze. For help with what can be a fun New Year's resolution - click here for this article that helps point you on the way. :) Quick note - last week's article on MacBook/MB Pro fan control to keep your lap cool was written by OWC's Brian. I had incorrectly noted it to be by Jamie. See past Quick Tip topics online in the Quick Tip Archive Great Buys and Featured Exclusive Specials for OWC E-Mail Subscribers: The latest and greatest OWC Tips n' Deals Specials are viewable and regularly updated on your Reader's Exclusive Specials Page. Features currently include: 500GB HDs from $159.00 320GB ATA HD for $99.00 120GB Notebook Hard Drives for $99.00 TrafficJamz iPod FM Transmitters/Car Chargers for $27.50 NewerTech Universal USB2 to Hard Drive Adater for $20.00 FireWire 250GB External Drives from $119 Apple SuperDrive 16X DVD with Dual Layer/40X CD Burners for $29 Apple Airport Cards from $74.50 A Wide Variety of discounted Memory Deals G4 Processor Upgrades, including 1.2GHz for just $175 And a whole lot more! Future newsletters have a revamped section for display of these specials. Also, we send out a Hot Deals Blast newsletter which is just for special deals notification too. Some recent Hot Deals Blasts are now also viewable online by clicking here. Again, these deals and more - reserved just for Readers - found on your regularly updated Tips n' Deals Exclusive Specials Page. Music on the Mac - Holiday Gift Guide Greetings from the macsales.com music dept! Our music department is expecting several new products as we move into 2007. From Steinberg, we will be carrying Cubase, a very popular and incredibly full featured and mature software recording environment. http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Search.cfm?Criteria=native+instruments&source=td1220music&x=0&y=0&Manufacturer= From Native Instruments, we will be offering their fantastic Guitar Rig 2 software/ hardware package. Best in class modeling of amps and effects and a hardware footcontroller so you can use it LIVE! NI also has a new audio interface that has built- in virtual instruments and effects too. It's called Kontrol 1 and it is unique, feature packed and portable...for you musicians on the go. Another new product coming soon to our online store is the IKey Plus. This handy box records audio to your iPod memory. It has phono inputs with phono preamps...DJs-check this out. It also has a mic input with phantom power available. It records to uncompressed wav or, more importantly, MP3 format.... a feature many have been asking for. High quality hardware, gold plated connectors and convenient features make this upgrade to the original IKeys product a winner! As always, we will continue expanding and updating our Mac Music/Audio category with the exciting quality products that bring you the value and features just right for budding musicians and podcasters. :) Get our entertaining new Widget called Daily Guitar Jam. For all your audio/music needs, macsales.com/music online. 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: In the interest of time - as it's already close to where my opening will become out dated - going to wrap this up quick. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. We'll be touching base one more time before the New Year and appreciate that ongoing opportunity to do so. Thanks and have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. 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 2000-2006, Other World Computing - Since 1988 |