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OWC Tips & Deals 6/29/2007
Intro: Greetings and salutations from Woodstock. Summer is for real and wow, July 4th and FireWorks days a way. In the colder Midwest months, well, certainly look forward to these days. There's fun in every season, but Summer for sure. I am glad that Independence Day falls on the actual July 4th - though in years like this when it falls on a Wednesday, makes it more interesting. Whatever be your plans for the holiday and week at large, I and the team will be here with our normal schedule closed only on July 4th in recognition of Independence Day itself. With consideration to the holiday ahead, will get this newsletter moving! New 15.4" and 17" MacBook Pros We'd been waiting for some new Mac updates and last newsletter it was good to be talking on the MacBook 13.3" updates. The update cycle continues now through with Apple giving us newMacBook 15.4" and 17" models to review. Whereas the Macbook received little more than a speedbump, larger standard HD, and more standard memory - more to it than that these MacBook Pros. As before, the 'lowend' MacBook Pro 15.4" remains with a base price of $1999, the next step up is a little faster 15.4" for $2499, and then at $2799 you move up to the 17" Model. What's new going to break out below: New Features for ALL MacBook Pro models Old vs. New: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.16GHz, 2.33GHz 15.4", 2.33GHz 17"....Now.....2.2GHz, 2.4GHz, and 2.4GHz 667MHz Front Side Bus..................Now.....800MHz Front Side Bus ATI x1600 Video Chipset................Now.....nVidia 8600m GT Video Max of 3.0GB Memory....................Now.....Support up to 4.0GB So - for starters, got a little bit of a process speed bump. These are still Core 2 Processors, but of significance is the faster 800MHz Front Side Bus these now are mated up with. Put together, you now have better data handling which means the processor cores spend more time crunching jobs than waiting for job data to flow in and out. More speed through and through. The video is also brand new and more than just numbers, this new nVidia 8600m chipset looks to really be significant step up from the prior ATI x1600. Testing by Bare-Feats shows gains of up to around 33% when using game frame rate testing. Sure they are just games, but - the same kind of processes that benefit for those higher frame rates also benefit the kind of rendering and general video processing today's applications like Photoshop feed through the video chipset. Yet another significant step ahead. Now to one of my favorites, the memory.... Recently we have been engaged in a multitude of real-world benchmarks focused on different memory configs. To say the least, I was very amazed at the huge benefit of going just from 2.0GB to 3.0GB with any of the Mac Core 2 Duo models. I'd go as far to say you've got more to gain upgrading an existing C2D Mac to 3.0GB vs. buying one of these new C2D models if it meant having only 2.0GB to run. Regardless, 3.0GB makes a difference and 4.0GB extends those benefits - although not quite as much as that first 3.0GB step. We highly recommend going to 3.0GB or 4.0GB and with Apple charging $750 at the factory just to go from 2.0GB to 4.0GB.... Makes our current $115..00 for a 2.0GB Module and $220 for 4.0GB set a heck of a deal, so we can certainly save you a few dollars there. And as an aside, DDR2 memory prices have really turned upwards and as our current stock declines and new stock arrives, well, prices will be up a little. Don't be surprised if what's above changes, but it'll still be super competitive and for sure a bargain compared to prices of just 2 or 3 months ago too. One other detail of note is the use of LED Backlit displays now standard for the 15.4" models. The use of this technology benefits the environment where this is a mercury free technology vs. the existing fluorescent backlighting technology it replaces. It also performs better in terms of using less power for better battery life as well as better levels of dimming available. A real win-win. Apple is the first to deploy this technology to a laptop display of this size and we understand Apple plans to extend use to the 17" MacBook Pro model when such becomes possible. So that's the general scoop - So will now take a look at some of the specific differences as they apply to each of the three model pricing points. For $1999 you now get the 15.4" at 2.2GHz (was 2.16GHz), 2.0GB of memory (was 1.0GB), the same 120GB Hard drive, now an 8X DVD SuperDrive Dual-Layer (was 6X before), and 1440x900 resolution. If you're looking for the point of best value, this is it. Now, at $2499, it's $500 to move up to 2.4GHz. For that $500, it's about a 9% difference in processor clock speed, you get a 160GB hard drive vs. the 120GB standard on the 2.2GHz model, and VRAM is bumped to 256MB vs. the 128MB on the 2.2GHz. Again, I think the 2.2GHz is where the value is. Next, at $2799, you're looking sat the same base config as the $2499 15.4" - but with the larger 17" display. What's super cool on the new 17" though is the new $100 option for 1920x1200 wide-screen display. If you're putting the dollars to go to 17", you'll likely be kicking yourself if you don't take that option. The 1680 x 1050 standard 17" res is already really nice - but that upgrade to 1920 gives you the desktop space of a 23" Cinema Display right there on the go. So there ya go. The MacBook Pros - better than ever for the same money as before. Going Greener and going for the green Goals of a better tomorrow in terms environmentally sustainable and conservative resource use can be approached from a huge number of directions. For OWC's part, a huge investment is being made for the long term with a LEED Gold design and operational pursuit that is unfortunately to be quite an exception vs. the norm I feel it should be. In the next newsletter, I look forward to sharing photos and more on the progress of our new HQ. Anyhow... we made a pretty major decision here, but there's so much more all of us can do just looking individually. It's the basic stuff like working not to waste, turning off the water when it's really not needed on, participating in available recycling programs, etc. Little things that add up huge when more and more people partake. Recently, we came across something I've found hugely useful for helping with home power consumption. Before I get to that... want to mention the 'Kill-a-Watt' first... This product is really useful for tracking down devices and plain learn what devices can get the meter spinning. By itself, this item is pretty nifty for just the direct knowledge it offers of how that power bill adds up. This new device though, well - it's huge step beyond and a compliment to the Kill-a-Watt at the same time. We are very pleased to now be offering the Blue Line Innovations PowerCost Monitor. This very cool device includes a wireless reader that installs in about 2 minutes and a display unit which receives. The reader attaches directly to your Power Meter and does not interfere with your utility company (and in fact utility companies are promoting these things too) and is of universal design working with both the spinning platter type meters as well as the array of newer types that are read optically. You get to program it with your utility rate info and from there it shows your cost of power per hour with a a cumulative running total maintained. In addition to displaying cost data, it has a meter icon that speeds up or slows down based on consumption rate + a little bar indicator showing where the current consumption rate is vs. established mins and max usage observed. For getting a grip on your utility usage + having the info as to not be shocked with the power bill arrives, this is really, really rocking. I personally installed mine this past weekend and it does work. We always try to make sure lights are turned off, etc - but having that little display is a heck of a reminder. When your meter is out of sight and out of mind, except when the bill comes, it's well just that. This keeps lets you see your whole home consumption front and center in real-time. The $120 spent will easily be recouped through future power conservation - something good for the planet and, well, one's wallet too. :) Apple delivers the iPhone With months of hype behind it, you can now get your own revolutionary iPhone at an Apple Store or AT&T store near you. All that I've seen and read makes that look to be one rocking new product and sometime soon I look forward to playing with one myself. It's a little disappointing that it's an AT&T only deal - but given the lines that started forming days ago to get this product, is clearly something not impeding its demand. Pretty hard core to put days into being the first in line to get this gadget and not a knock against the iPhone... but, ok, whatever. :) Of course, then there's the guy yesterday who apparently could wait no longer... Four lucky tech writers did get their own iPhone's early... and talk about bold, during a live TV interview with one of lucky recipient writers, an assailant attempted to swipe it. It's a phone - a really, really, really cool phone that plays iTunes, Videos, browsers the web, does e-mail, has touch screen keyboarding(and that's an understatement), and more... but come on, right? :) You can check out Apple's iPhone tour online or cruise to your local Apple or AT&T store for the hands on. I'll have more from my own hands on here sometime soon. NewerTech miniStack v3 SATA Quad-Interface Solution First off, we are now pleased to have added the NewerTech miniStack v3 to our FireWire/USB2 line up. Whereas the award winning miniStack V2 offers FireWire 400 and USB2 storage interfaces + the built in Hubs for more devices, the new V3 goes to the next step with a custom Oxford 924 chipset to add FireWire 800 as well as eSATA interfaces as well. Another significant difference is the use of SATA Hard Drives in the V3 with the V2 utilizing PATA. Both products offer great form and function and now you have a choice in the functions and interface options best suited for your own needs. The miniStack v2 has continued available for up to 750GB and 0GB kits from $79.00. And now the new miniStack v3 - which will begin shipping in about two weeks - is offered for up to 1.0TB with 0GB kits starting from $119.99. Check 'em out. :) For Fun and of interest We're darn proud of our NewerTech G4/7448 line up and found it really cool that a customer took new to a new extreme. Standard offered in models up to 2.0GHz single and 1.8GHz Dual - it would be in France that a water cooling solution was employed to crank our Dual 1.8GHz to even zippier yet Dual 2.0GHz Speed. We were very patient waiting for the 7448 processor, but darn does it perform and really performed with that extra Mac mod. I can't read French, but the pictures show it all. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates - together, at the same time, in a joint interview? This wasn't a rumor if you had only caught wind of this, it really happened this past May! It's quite a good watch for entertainment and just straight informational/historical value. It's easy to forget or just not know how close these guys started too. Fun stuff. :) Intro Closing: The weekend is nearly upon us and perhaps you've got a nice long one in the plans. So - we'll wrap 'er up until the next time. As always, lots of great things on the horizon.. and now that the iPhone is out - we're looking to Leopard for the next big release this fall. And even between now and then, certainly expect to see new iMacs and we'll have some discussion on the fate of the Mac mini too. Have a great weekend and a safe 4th of July - thanks for reading and always the very best to you and yours! Still in this newsletter we have Quick Tip: Tiger Memory for Low Memory Macs, this week's Reader Specials Highlights, and Roger's Music on the Mac following some '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. New goodies recently added! 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: Quick Tip: Nifty FireFox Weather Plug-In While memory prices remain very near all time lows, there may be one reason or another for why you've got a Mac that's tight on the memory. Maybe it's maxed out already or just waiting to get a new Mac. Whatever the reason, if you're using Tiger - you can probably eek out a bit more performance by nipping some of it's widget memory usage. OWC's Duane Crago, who's been dolling out Mac help here for about 7 years now, has put together this latest 'Tiger's Snack' Quick tip article. If low memory is hurting your Tiger performance, and my tip to add more isn't to be, at no cost you may just eek out some noticeable benefit. Enjoy! Check out our Quick Tips Archive, Hardware/Software Review articles, and more - all in the OWC Product Reviews and Editorial center. Great Buys and Featured Exclusive Specials for OWC E-Mail Subscribers: A much larger selection of regularly updated Tips n' Deals reader discounted specials can be found on the Tips n' Deals Specials Page, which is updated just for - well - readers like you! Highlights: New Clearance Deals Here's first notification that a wide variety of all sorts of open box, one of a kind, refurb, used demo and other blow out deals are just now to be found on our clearance 'garage sale' page. Got FireWire drives, Enclosure Kits, Hard Drives, Memory, Accessories, etc - and if you're looking for a deal, get there while the selection is fresh and wide. Visit the OWC Garage Sale Page online 1GB from $48, 2GB Modules $107.50 - for the moment... Memory update 6/29/2007: Well, looks like memory finally bottomed out and is on the rebound. If what we've seen these last few days holds true - we'll be having higher prices for memory in days soon to come. But you know what, even at twice the price this stuff is still a deal compared to the start of the year or even 3 months. I should be clear that this is so far concentrated on the DDR2 memory, which fell the most, used in the recent Mac models. Memory makes the difference and remains a true deal for the huge performance benefits it brings. And hey, the Top Quality Memory with Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty lets you bring in the best stuff at a competitive price to boot. OWC Memory is meets or exceeds Apple Qualified Specifications and is guaranteed for a lifetime of reliable, trouble-free operation and our Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty stands behind it. Upgrade MacBook, MacBook Pro Models (Core 2 Duo & Core Duo) For all speed/models of MacBook and MacBook Pro All models have 2 slots - upgrade one at a time or with a set. 1.0GB PC5300 DDR2 now $48.00; Upgrade with a 2.0GB Set $95.00 Add a 2.0GB Module to any Core 2 Duo Model for $107.50 or 3.0GB Memory Set (2.0GB + 1.0GB Modules) for $152.50! See other up to 4.0GB Memory and Hard Drive Upgrades options online. Add up to 16.0GBs to Apple Mac Pro Quad Xeon Max the Apple Mac Pro Quad Xeon with up to 16GBs of Top Quality Memory Apple Qualified with Apple Approved Heat Spreader for Optimal Reliability Mac Pro has 8 Slots, Memory must be installed in Matched Pairs. 512MB x 2, 1GB x 2, and 2GB x 2 Module Sets now starting from about $82.44 Per GIG! Upgrade iMac Intel, Mac mini Intel Models (ALL) Both Systems have 2 Slots, May be upgraded one module at a time or pairs. 1.0GB PC5300 DDR2 now $48.00; Upgrade with a 2.0GB Set $95.00 Add a 2.0GB Module to any Core 2 Duo Model for $107.50 or 3.0GB Memory Set (2.0GB + 1.0GB Modules) for $152.50! See other up to 3.0GB Memory and Hard Drive Upgrades online. Upgrade your PowerMac G5 and iMac G5 with PC3200 iMac G5 1.6GHz, 1.8GHz, and 2.0GHz; all PowerMac G5 Models with PCI-X Slots (all PowerMac G5s prior to the PCI-Express 'October 2005' models) PowerMac requires Matched Pairs, iMac allows one at a time. 2.0GB Matched Pair PC3200 DDR 184 Pin DIMMs - $129.00 1.0GB PC3200 DDR 184 Pin DIMM Module - $65.00 512MB PC3200 DDR 184 Pin DIMM Module - $32.00 Click for All Memory Options. More Memory for iMac G5/1.9GHz & 2.1GHz Models, PowerMac G5 'Oct 2005' PC4200 Memory for Late 2005 Model iMacs; PowerMac G5 PCI-Express PowerMac requires Matched Pairs, iMac allows one at a time. 1.0GB PC4200 DDR2 240 Pin DIMM Module - $45.00 2.0GB PC4200 DDR2 Matched Pair 1GB x 2 Matched Set - $87.50 Click for All Memory Options including 2.0GB modules/4GB kits from $109.50 per 2GB!. Upgrade PowerBook G4 Aluminum 12"/15"/17"; iBook G4 12" & 14" PC2700 for all iBook G4 Models, All 'Pre-Oct 2005' PowerBook G4 Aluminums PowerBook has two slots, iBook only 1 slot - no advantage to matched pairs. 512MB PC2700 DDR SO-DIMM 200 Pin - $33.50 1.0GB PC2700 DDR SO-DIMM 200 Pin - $95.00 Click for All Memory Options. Upgrade PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, Quicksilver models Three or Four total slots, up to 512MB per Slot - Each slot independent with no advantage to matched sets. 256MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 SDRAM DIMM 168 Pin - $25.00 512MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 SDRAM DIMM 168 Pin - $59.00 Click for All Memory Options. OWC stocks top quality, fully tested - Apple Spec Memory for nearly every Mac made If you don't see your model listed and/or are not sure what your system needs, use our 'MyOWC' compatibility guide will list out just options are correct for your Mac. Desktop/Tower/External HDs - 500GB SATA $99.00; FireWire 500GB $199 & More 500GB Maxtor MaxLine Pro Enterprise Class 7200RPM SATA II now $99.00 This is one of the fastest, most reliable drives you can get. Not just a standard fare drive, this model is Enterprise 'Nearline' rated for mission critical data storage needs and backed by a 5 year Seagate/Maxtor Factory Warranty. Get that SAME drive bundled with ProSoft DataBackup III for $119.99 That's an extra $21 to include the $59.95 Retail Value Backup Application. 300GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro 7200RPM FW800/400,USB2,eSATA Solution - $167.50 Includes all cables, Intech HD Speedtools, DataBackup, 2yr+ Warranty & More 500GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro 7200RPM Firewire 400 + USB2 Solution - $199.00 Includes all cables, Intech HD Speedtools, DataBackup, 2yr+ Warranty & More 500GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro 7200RPM FW800/400,USB2,eSATA Solution - $225.00 Includes all cables, Intech HD Speedtools, DataBackup, 2yr+ Warranty & More 800GB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FireWire 7200RPM 800/400 RAID - $315.00 Includes all cables, Intech HD Speedtools, DataBackup, 2yr+ Warranty & More 1.0TB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FireWire 7200RPM 800/400+USB2 RAID - $349.99 Includes all cables, Intech HD Speedtools, DataBackup, 2yr+ Warranty & More Big Storage for your Apple Laptop - 120GB $74; 160GB $95 MacBook and MacBook Pro 2.5" SATA Internal Hard Drive Upgrades: 100.0GB Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 7200RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty $109.99 120.0GB Western Digital Scorpio 5400RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty $73.75 160.0GB Western Digital Scorpio 5400RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty **$95.00 ** 250.0GB Western Digital Scorpio 5400RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty $232.50 PowerBook & iBook G3/G4 Internal IDE/ATA 2.5" Hard Drive Upgrades: 80.0GB Hitachi Travelstar 5K160 5400RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty $59.00 100.0GB Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 7200RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty $114.99 120.0GB Western Digital Scorpio 5400RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty **$73.50 ** 160.0GB Western Digital Scorpio 5400RPM 8MB with 3yr Warranty $94.97 Use and/or transfer data from the 'old' drive externally: SATA 2.5" Portable HD Enclosure Kits for MacBook/MacBook Pro Hard Drives OWC Mercury On-The-Go FireWire 800(+400)/USB2 SATA 2.5" Enclosure Kit $80.00 OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB 2.0 SATA 2.5" Enclosure Kit - $34.99 For IDE/ATA 2.5" from PowerBook or iBook: OWC Mercury On-The-Go FireWire 400 IDE/ATA 2.5" Enclosure Kit - $55.00 OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB 2.0 IDE/ATA 2.5" Enclosure Kit - $27.50 Transfer/Access Data from Drives easily with Universal Adapter NewerTech 2.5/3.5/5.25" IDE/ATA/ATAPI/SATA I&II to USB 2.0 Adapter $19.99 The Swiss Army Knife of Data Accessibility, all cables included. Awarding Winning Prosoft Utility Specials - DataRescue II $55 If ever you've got an issue with data on one of your hard drives, the award winning DataRescue II is an application you want in your arsenal and ready to deploy. Be it data corruption or accidentally deleted files, DataRescue has saved the day for many. Prosoft DataRescue II normal retail $99, Super Reader Special - $55.00 Also check out Prosoft Drive Genius - this is the same utility Apple uses for the system maintenance they charge you for at the Genius Bar which you can buy and thus be doing that maintenance yourself. :) Normal $99, $67.50 for you. Again, deals like these and more - reserved just for Readers - found on your regularly updated Tips n' Deals Exclusive Specials Page. Music on the Mac: Music Notation for every situation! Greetings from the macsales.com Music Department! Students, educators, composers, and arrangers all need music notation software to get their music on paper. Finale is the king of the hill in this area and is a very full featured and mature application. You can do it all with Finale...from a quick arrangement for a combo to a jazz band chart to a full symphonic score. I prefer to focus today though on the "lite" version of Finale. It's called Print Music. It has many of the features of its more expensive brother, but it is often just the right fit if you are writing for smaller ensembles. Let's take a look under the hood! *Create a score for a wide variety of instruments: Brass, Piano, Strings, Guitar, Bass and Drums - check! *Extract parts for each instrument in the score - check! *Export an audio file of the score using a basic soundset - check! *Add lyrics to create a "lead sheet" easily - check! *Enter music easily using a midi keyboard - check! *Professional looking output that is easy for musicians to read - check! *Detailed editing capabilities - check! At around $ 70, this application is a great value. I will admit that it has so many features that it has a bit of a learning curve. A non musician who does not read music cannot really get results with this tool. You have to have a basic grasp of music and an idea of how the score should look to appreciate this application. You can write out a score by hand , but very few people have the ability to do that so it is easily readable. There is also no way to hear a hand written score until you hand it to musicians to play. Sometimes that is just too late! Print Music gives you the ability to hear all of the parts as written, playing together, which is invaluable. You might hear a mistake that you did not see in the notation for instance. The click of one button and you have all of the original parts for each instrument. Another thing that often happens is that you have a great arrangement for a song but now need it in a different key for another singer. Just tell PrintMusic what key you want and it transposes the arrangement to that new key. A big time saver....and we all need that! As someone who has done it both ways for years, I can confirm that this is the only way to go. Don't forget about our Audio/Music Forum. We want to be your resource for answers to your questions...and let you share your experience with others too. Please find the "right stuff" at great prices here. Get our entertaining Widget called Daily Guitar Jam. 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. 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: There's always a full plate here and the importance balance with family at home too. Will be back next month with more in the next newsletter edition, but it's time to bring this one to a close. Thanks for reading and being an OWC Tips n' Deals subscriber! Have a great weekend and fantastic 4th of July - and a safe one too. 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 |