OWC Tips & Deals 2/18/2006

Intro:
Hello again from Woodstock! Amazing how fast the last month+ following Macworld has passed. You'd think that with Macworld all taken care of, be able to churn something out quick. Just when I've gotten close - something new or significantly changed has come about. To say the least, a lot has transpired since the show - keeping things exciting as ever in the land of Apple.

Doing a whole lot more...
With the new iMac desktops and MacBook Pro laptops - Intel processors are now officially power Apple computers. I'd suspect you've probably seen Apple's 'intel set free' commercial in one of the many prime time spots and it's pretty good. This spot ties nicely to Apple's Macworld slogan and current website proclamation "What's an Intel chip doing in a Mac? A whole lot more than it's ever done in a PC". Rumor has it that Apple did the last second drop on that one, essentially forcing Intel's Marketing to give approval with the request coming just 10 minutes prior to the actual Intel Mac unveilings - which included dropping cover from banners at the ready with that slogan. :) As always Jobs gave an entertaining and informative keynote you can watch with quicktime.

Forget PC.. do the Intel Macs do more than PPC Macs?
Going into this, need to keep in mind - these new Intel Duo based Macs are effectively Dual-Processor machines. When we compare the prior iMac G5 to this new 'iMac Duo' or the PowerBook G4 to the MacBook Pro- it's a One against Two scenario. Further - Intel processors don't use the same instruction set as the PPC processors. While there are more and more Universal Binary converted apps everyday which have native code for both the Intel and PPC based Macs, those that have not been converted must utilize Apple 'Rosetta' runtime translation compiler and not every PPC application works even with Rosetta. One more thing - there is NO Apple OS 9 Classic support, the Intel Macs can NOT run Classic OS 9 at all. A couple things to be aware of.

The new iMacs w/Intel have been shipping since their announcement at the show. We of course brought in units to test and certify and as a result can save you well over 50% on the top quality PC5300 Memory these new systems take. And yes, Apple upped the memory spec requirement a full notch to PC5300 from the PC4200 the now discontinued iMac G5/1.9 & 2.1GHz models utilized. Also, while those iMac G5s had only one DDR2 DIMM slot, the new iMac Intels bring us back up to 2 slots for DDR2 SO-DIMM. The big thing to note here is don't expect to be able to take memory from any prior Mac and use it in an Intel Mac. That's a no go.

Getting back on track and the memory comments might fit more now... Jobs proclaimed that the new Intel based iMacs to be TWICE as fast while being at the same price as the iMac G5s they replace(available from $1299 for 1.83GHz Duo & 17" display, $1699 2.0GHz 20"). That's quite a statement and plenty of customers took advantage of what return options they had to do an exchange. Talk about a kick in the shorts - here, not even three months after those new iMac G5 models start shipping, brand new ones for the same cost come out touted as twice as fast. But are they really?

The short answer, in our testing, is not really. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em - and in addition to going to Intel processors Jobs also did what he's criticized PC companies in the past about, used benchmarking software vs. realworld testing to come up with that twice as fast statement. Despite it being a Dual-Core Intel vs. a Single G5, we found that apps(including Apple's own) with Native Intel support ran about 10-20% faster compared to the same running on a G5. Apps without Native Intel support, however, at best run about the same and at worst some run half as fast or even slower + as mentioned, some won't run at all.

iMac Intel Tests:
iMac G5 vs. Intel vs. Other G4/G5 Macs stock & Upgraded at Macsales.com
Ars Technica compares iMac G5 & PowerMac G5 vs. Intel iMac

Twelve years ago when Apple went from the 680X0 to the PPC601, native PPC Apps provided a huge performance jump and non-native 680x0 apps all (to my memory) ran A-OK and at least as fast as they had on the native processor. A lot of that can be thanks to the about doubling of processor speed that those first PPCs brought. Not quite seeing that going G5 to Intel... and a Dual Core G5 is still faster native vs. native. But, hey - this is far more involved of a conversion and it's in its infancy, the best (no point complaining as Apple has started the move) should be yet to come.

That said - the native code for Intel as well as OS X will likely just get better and better with time. As it stands now, many of the available Universal Binary apps are WAY more than twice the size of the PPC only app versions. A nifty utility(among others) from Greg Weston called TrimTheFat lets you strip either the PPC or the Intel portion from Universal Binary apps to save HD space. It also lets you see just how bloated the Intel part of such apps can be. Given the bloat in current native compilations, that certainly suggests real potential for optimization that ought to increase the Intel advantage. Still waiting to see if Apple lets people do a Dual-Boot support for letting Windows startup on an Intel Mac... or better a Dual-Boot with Windows and OS X booted with keyboard command to flip... but no doubt if not that way, for any Windows Apps you need - the Intel Native Virtual PC (or other) App should absolutely smoke since it's no longer having to do the PPC to Intel emulation on top of the OS call support. The future will be interesting and I expect PowerMac G5s for at least year's end if not the next.

Forget PC.. Intel MacBook Pros...
Covered a lot of bases talking above mainly about the iMac w/Intel and didn't want the PowerBook vs. MacBook Pro blurb to get lost.

Although just now starting to ship this week (Jobs did say February ship when he announced at Macworld) - these new MacBook Pros should really be awesome. Initially the MacBook Pro was listed for pre-order running 1.67GHz from $1999 (same price as current PowerBook G4 15" 1.67) and $2499 for the top speed 1.83GHz. With Job's claiming these units were FOUR Times faster than any current PowerBook G4, well - anyone one who recently purchased a PowerBook might have been a little bothered. That bother likely grew a little as Apple did a speed bump to the new MacBook Pro before it even shipped. All smiles for those who ordered a 1.67GHz and instead get a 1.83GHz or ordered 1.83GHz and got the bump to 2.0GHz Intel Duo MacBook Pros. Oh - and, for an extra $300 you can even option up from 2.0GHz to 2.1GHz.

This is HUGE stuff - the MacBook Pro base configs offer the same processor power as their iMac desktop counterparts. As a result, these new MacBook Pros leave the old PowerBook G4s in the dust. The G4/7447 processor was never a match for the G5, but the Intel Duo certainly is - and it is a huge leap for Apple's portable performance. Even the non-native PPC applications should typically run faster on MacBook Pro and those Universal Binary apps with the native support - that difference vs. the PowerBooks will be night and day.

Select test to compare iMac Intel vs. PowerBook G4 - results should be comparable to comparing the actual MacBook Pros.

Of course we'll confirm all this when our own test units arrive (just confirmed shipped today too :). But other nice points about the MacBook Pro line include it being the FIRST laptop with an integrated video camera, even slimmer than the PowerBook G4, and it utilizes the new SATA 2.5" drives for the best internal HD performance possible. And, a great solution to a common problem - the magnetic attached power - when you trip on the MacBook Pro's power cable it just pulls off versus either busting the connector or pulling the whole laptop off the table - nice! One step backwards though is the Optical Drive... A slimmer laptop also meant a slimmer optical drive... and the best 7mm size optical drive available to Apple's requirement is half the speed of the 8X SuperDrive standard with the Powerbook G4 line and lacks DVD Dual Layer (8.5GB per disc) burn support. Minor details future forward will be remedied. Anyway, while the current PowerBook G4 line does remain available - unless your needs are specific to it, it's MacBook Pro all the way - and I'm sure soon it will be all MacBook Pro with 12/15/17 in the relatively near future as well.

Other Apple happenings at Macworld
Apple updates iLife '05 to iLife '06
Apple iWork '06 released with significant updates to Keynote and Pages
Apple releases $49 FM Tuner iPod Accessory

Mac OS X Worm(virus) threat
And the threat is low. If you've heard about it yet from any of the major news outlets - you might think otherwise. Let them have their day though, I a ZDNet Blog take on it, this first OS X 'Worm in the Wild'. The bottom line is - the only people who get infected are those that are using iChat - Ignore the warning about it being an application they are downloading - and then further provided ADMIN level access authentication that this worm needs in order to install itself. To those that open the door to it, it then further propagates itself via iChat addresses accessed on the infected users system. The worm 'advertises' the file to contain screen shots of Apple's next OS X version.... Coming from someone I chatted with before, I'd say yes to checking that out - but alert would go up when the Application Warning came (screen shots are not an application), and ok, maybe an iChat glitch so I take it - It shouldn't get farther than that as something is very wrong for screen shots to be asking to have admin access to my OS X. On a 1 to 5 threat rating, this worm has been rated the least threatening as a 1 since you have to ignore all warnings to even get infected. As the blog notes - even with an antivirus program watching, if you ignore the warning it gives..... And OS X warns you without any third party app. That said - a Windows user can get a Virus/Worm on their PC without ANY WARNING, without even knowing it's happened, and just by viewing the wrong e-mail or browsing to the wrong site. I'd not be too concerned. :)

And there is a 2nd OS X viral threat.. this one is just a proof of concept as reported by Macworld. No known virus of this type is 'in the wild' and probably never will be. It still requires the user choose to accept a file and only applies to those operating with BlueTooth wireless. If I was using a Bluetooth keyboard, phone, whatever - and suddenly an unknown device was offering me a file to accept - I'd be a bit concerned since even files coming via the internet from a cell phone wouldn't show up in this way. Further - as long as you've kept up to date with Apple's OS X security updates (regardless of which OS X version you're running with BlueTooth enabled) - this 'epidemic' is over before it even began.

I believe about a year or so ago, there had been another proof of concept virus created for OS X - but like the current two in the spotlight, it too required the user to essentially ignore an OS X warning to take hold. And like the proof of concept above, the door was closed on that one too. Windows users can smile all they want - wow, a Mac worm out in the world - but they're doing so while more than likely multiple worms and viruses are at work on their PC at that moment while you're Mac remains virus free and doing all that it does best. :)

New Goodies from NewerTech
The NewerTech miniStack v2 FW/USB Solution w/Integrated Hub, new for 2006, is now shipping. Named 'Top Product' by Macworld in Dec/2005, Product of the Year(2005) by Macmini123, and MacAddict's Nov/2005 Editor's Choice - the NewerTech miniStack 'V1' was already a great product. The V2 is the same great product - but with a FireWire and USB2 hub port moved from the back of the unit to the side. A simple update, but one that really makes a difference in terms of convenience for those items you don't leave plugged in all the time. Like the original, the NewerTech miniStack 'v2' comes in solutions up to 500GB and is also available in an 'add your own hd' kit from $79.95. Also available, while supplies last - is the miniStack 'v1' add your own HD kit for $65.

NewerTech NuPower Batteries have set the standard for over two years when it comes to both battery longevity and runtime between charges. Now NewerTech sets the bar even higher to the benefit of PowerBook G4 15" Aluminum users with the new 55.5 Watt Hour offering. Using the latest battery technology, this brand new capacity gives PowerBook 15" Aluminum users more runtime than ever before. All NewerTech iBook and Powerbook batteries are built in the USA for the long haul and not only run longer between charges, but significantly outlast other batteries as well. This benefits users for productivity, economically as well as the environment too. A real win-win-win.

As NewerTech makes products that bring longer useful life to products - when a need was observed to keep said products looking their best, NewerTech stepped up to the plate there as well. One of NewerTech's iPod batteries gets your Apple iPod more runtime between charges, even more than double compared to the original, and now that iPod can be restored to like new appearance with NewerTech's Clean & Polish Kit. Having tested several so called iPod polish kits and finding them relatively useless, NewerTech created a real solution that comes complete with two levels of polish, a proper cleaner, and a polish cloth that gets the job done nicely. This kit also works great to restore Apple iBooks as well as other plastic surfaces. At $17.99 the multiple iPods, iBooks, etc this kit can restore make it quite a bargain IMHO.

Clearance Bargain Goodies
With our year end inventory completed, the 2005 holidays(and year) completed, Macworld done with - have just done a huge update to clearance listings and lots there to choose from. Also, will be adding additional odds and ends throughout the next week. While we do normally update this section, the update that was just done + what will be done over the next week includes a lot more than typical. So - if looking for deal, might just find it on the clearance page.

OWC Live Web Chat
OVer the past year and thanks to you, OWC has done a lot of growing. To continue the high level of support OWC is built upon, we've been significantly adding to our customer support staff and further expanded their hours. And now, we are pleased to make available Live Support accessible right from our site as you browse. Typically available from about 6AM till 11PM CST M-F and limited weekend hours, you're just a click a way from chatting with a rep that can provide customer service or tech supporting for regarding product already received or ordered or something you have questions about prior to ordering. Just one more thing we've added to further enhance the 'OWC Experience'. During hours Live Support is available, a 'Live Support' click here image appears in our site's navigation header right below the 'G3/G4 Upgrades' tab. So - next time you need some help, don't hesitate to click. :)

For Fun
More than just for fun this week - this may very well be pretty close to the 6th generation iPod. Goes right along with Apple's recent Tablet interface patent application. Or maybe a real Apple Tablet Mac is soon to be.

Although the past weeks severe snow and the super severe cold that has just hit this area might raise doubt - multiple reports of various GroundHogs, including from 'Woodstock Willie', NOT seeing their Shadow and thus supporting an early spring to come. Woodstock (OWC's hometown) has celebrated GroundHog Day since the movie starring Bill Murrie and Andie MacDowell was filmed here in 1992. FWIW, our old location was just a block away from the Historic Woodstock Square when & where the majority of the filming was done. :)

Apple is now counting down to 1 Billion Songs downloaded from the iTunes Store. With prizes every 100,000th song download purchase and a super grand prize package that you can share if you're the one buying the billionith. In the main Apple home page, they have a counter counting up for this countdown... 1 billion will hit in just the next couple/few days. Going to be like McDonalds one day, 100 zillion served. I remember when they used to put the number of billion on the sign, course after so many they lost count or got lazy about updating since now they just say billions and billions served.

Intro Closing:
Despite the time elapsed since the last newsletter, this one was just a tad bit rushed. Honestly, every time this 'next' newsletter was half completed - one piece of news or another broke requiring a rewrite. And then product prices change, new stuff happens, that snowball gets faster are larger as it rolls down the hill of time to infinity. I'm sure this release would have benefited from an edit job, but I'm hoping it's an ok read in the present form all the same. More still ahead and as always, my sincere gratitude for reading and best to you and yours always.

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. Lots of bargains listed from the holidays/year end just now 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: Great App helps Great Cause + Competitive Fun

In the last newsletter - brought up the whole Folding@Home project and gave some links on where to get started. The e-mails generated from that segment led to the creation of a how to web guide that makes getting started easy.

The folding project at Stanford is using distributed computing to understand the structures of various proteins to the purpose of potentially curing disease and/or discovering new treatments for various ailments. Many of the systems at OWC are now on our 'MacResource Team' #48057 and we hope you'll join it too. At the end of the day, putting those extra processor to cycles for a good cause is still the main point - so we hope you'll join the folding be on 48057 or any team or even without any team selected at all.

When I reference extra processor cycles, talking about those that are available but unneeded - throughout most of the time we use our Macs (or PCs), there is well more processor capability available than utilized. Folding@Home merely uses these extra cycles that would otherwise be given up without purpose. It makes no impact on your day to day use - although it is recommended that it be disabled to prevent possible impact to major processing tasks like Video Conversion or during games that are graphically intense.

Bottom line is you use your computer everyday and for most of us, this is an easy way to contribute to the greater good and without a whole lot of effort at that. The nice online web step by step also explains how to install and use the Folding application 'Increase'. The standard folding app, for whatever reason, doesn't tend to do the best it can for the Mac platform and increase helps overcome that. It allows larger work units (which typically process more efficiently) and also lets you processor multiple work units at the same time to get full utilization of processors in both Dual and Quad processor G4, G5, and Intel based Macs.

So - if you'd like to effectively donate those unused processor cycles you're not missing anyway, this is a great web posted step by step that helps make it easy. Thanks for helping out!

And the team name... what's that about? MacResource is a developing Mac Resource so to speak. We currently host and sponsor the MacResource Forums which are there for generally fun and friendly chatter, Mac tech, and deals discussion. It is a community driven place who's members(any one can join and contribute) make it what it is and what it will. There's no cost and feel free to visit/join anytime! Note - while we sponsor the place, this is the land of the free and opinions, advice, etc is independent of OWC with the exception of the occasional post under the 'OWC Larry' handle. :)

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 PowerMac G5/2.0GHz DUAL Processor Towers - $1499
PowerMac G5 Dual Processor 2.0GHz with 8 Memory Slots with 512MB Memory, 160GB SATA HD, 16X DVD SuperDrive, Radeon 9600 Video, Apple OS X 10.3.5 and iLife 2003 on DVD with Apple Mouse and manuals - $1499.00
1 Year OWC Warranty Applies.

1GB of Memory $87 & More
2/17/2006 - As an overall trend, memory prices continue to move upward. That said, OWC's volume buying power has enabled us to secure some contracted deliveries that keep the price on the Top Quality product we've always offered behind that cost curve. Prices have been heading up, we're just able to hold that back a little. Still, these prices are still way inexpensive vs. the historicals and the right memory and having the memory you need really makes the difference. All OWC Memory meets and/or exceeds Apple specifications and is covered by 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) - $187.00
4GB DDR2 Pair (2GB x 2) - $495.00

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 - $ 93.50
2GB DDR2 Upgrade Module - $247.50

Standard DDR for all other PowerMac G5 and iMac G5 models:
1GB Matched Pair (2x512MB) PC3200 DDR 184 Pin - $95.50
2GB Matched Pair (2x1GB) PC3200 DDR 184 Pin - 180.00
1GB PC3200 DDR Module for iMac G5 Only (PowerMac G5 requires Pairs!) $92.00

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 $48.00
1GB(1 x 1024MB) PC2700 DDR 184 Pin Module - $91.00

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 - $48.00
1GB Samsung Factory Original - Same one Apple Installs $135.00
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* $115.00

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 - $71.50

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 the Mac(s) you have.

Make DVDs for Movies, Pictures, & More; Burn CDs too
Save an Extra $3 off any of the below listed SuperDrives/SuperDrive Bundles using coupon code 'OWCDVDBLAST'. Regular prices listed below - one coupon discount per order. $3 off coupon valid through 3/31/2006.

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 DVR-110D 'SuperDrive' now $52.99 or from $57.99 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 from $134.99
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 $134.99
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!

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

Internal Hard Drive Deals
For PowerBooks & iBooks:
Hitachi 7200RPM 7K100 NoteBook Drives up to 100GB from $139.99
New Seagate 160GB 5400RPM NoteBook Drive $350.00
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 $349.00
320GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Western Digital Caviar 3.5" SATA HD $149.00
250GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate 7200.8 3.5" SATA HD $115.00
See the full line of SATA HDs, Controllers, Internal/External Kits

For PowerMac G3/G4, iMac G4, eMac G4:
500GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 3.5" ATA/6 HD $329.00
320GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Western Digital Caviar 3.5" ATA/6 HD $139.99
250GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 3.5" ATA/6 HD $112.50
160GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Hitachi T7K250 7200.8 3.5" ATA/6 HD $84.00

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

FireWire and USB Storage Deals - NewerTech miniStack Special, $65.00
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 - now listed for $69, but - Reader Special: $65.00

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 $195.00
OWC 300GB Mercury Elite-AL FW800 7200RPM 8MB Solution - $239.00
OWC 400GB Mercury Elite-AL FW800/400/USB2 7200RPM 8MB - $349.00
OWC 500GB Mercury Elite-AL Pro 800 Dual Drive FW800 RAID - $339.00
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.

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 @ 1.0GHz, $189.00
Extreme @ 1.2GHz, $235.00
Extreme @ 1.5GHz, $335.00

Import/Export Audio-Video via FireWire - great for converting VHS, etc.
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

Video Card Deals
Get equipped with the latest ATI Video Cards for additional displays as well as Quartz Extreme and Tiger Core Acceleration from $75 here - really!

Logitech RF Wireless Mouse, Mouse + KB Special
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 RF Wireless 2 Button USB Mouse w/Scroll Wheel, only $12.99!
Logitech Freedom RF Wireless Keyboard + Mouse Combo is just $23.95

FM Transmitters for iPod, etc - That Work!
Forget about complicated products that often don't even sound good, the NewerTech RoadTrip! Models are simple plug and play solutions with CLEAN, CLEAR, Great sounding dynamic Stereo sound at a great price too!

Original NewerTech RoadTrip! 87.9MHz or 107.7MHZ version - $14.99
Listen to Apple iPod, PowerBook, iBook-anything with a headphone jack.

NEW NewerTech RoadTrip!+ FM Transmitter and iPod Charger - $25.99
For all iPods with a Dock Connector - 3G, 4G, Photo & mini

Get any 'iPodLounge Recommended Buy' RoadTrip! model along with one of NewerTech's iPod High-Capacity Replacement Batteries and save up to $10 with coupon code 'HIGHROAD'. Be sure to use it at check out to save $10 with the 2200mAh or 2100mAh 1st/2nd Gen battery or save $5 with any other NewerTech iPod battery.

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 02/17 - MacWorld Expo update

Greetings from www.macsales.com/music

MacWorld Expo update...

The show was great this year, as always. Lots of cool stuff for our Macs and iPods and more. I spent the show demoing JamLab and the Black Box from M-Audio. My role at the OWC booth is to show music technology tools and answer questions for those just starting out and those challenged by something new. We see many familiar faces and make a lot of new friends too. We really feel like we can be of value to our customers as we meet them face to face and help them understand the possibilities that the technology brings. It may be a little tough on the feet but the energy and excitement make it all go by so fast.

The JamLab, an audio interface for guitar players, was definitely a hit! It is a simple USB device with a high impedance guitar input. It is easy and straightforward to use and at only $59, it's a great value. It also comes with a selection of virtual effects pedals that are fun to rock out with and it is certainly an elegant way to get your guitar into GarageBand, Logic and the rest.

I also did a presentation each day on our Hands On Technology stage that featured the M-Audio Black Box. This incredible audio interface (mic & instrument), and guitar amp and effects modeler is loaded with awesome rock guitar sounds and some very unusual effects called "beat sync" effects. These effects stay in sync with the beat of the song and sound impressive. Just as the show got underway, we also received the new foot controller for the Black Box. This is essential if you want to use this box as a live performance tool. It typically sells for around $50 and it has two footswitches and a programmable expression pedal built-in. It is easy to use the pedal as a wah wah in one preset and to control other things such as distortion or delay volume, etc, in other presets. It's cool and as usual with M-Audio, reasonably priced too!

Other highlights included our own Jamie Dresser doing an iPod battery replacement blindfolded to the delight of the crowds of onlookers. Yes- we had fun and we thank all of you who stopped by to say hello..see you next year!

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 4 time EMMY nominated composer/producer/performer. You may have heard his music in his role as Music Director for the A&E TV Series "The BEST of COMIC RELIEF" starring Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg. He also appeared in and played on the soundtrack for the hit movie "GROUNDHOG DAY" starring Bill Murray and Andi MacDowell. He is the Music Director for the popular TV Series "WILD CHICAGO" now in it's 15th season on WTTW in Chicago. In 2001, he traveled to Antwerp, Belgium to produce and perform in the annual meeting for Philips Electronics. He recently composed and performed two TV commercials for WRANGLER JEANS, currently airing on ESPN.
Closing:
Didn't want to close without saying that Macworld was blast, as usual this year. Year after year it continues to be really great seeing so many familiar faces return and new friends made. Honestly - it's a heavy duty week for all of us and I have to admit a weight is lifted being able to discuss it in past tense. It's after the event that we get to catch our breath and take real note of everything that makes that event what it is.

This was also the first year since I met my wife that she wasn't with me there too. She held down the fort and took care our son back home. Must say, really missed them and that made it all the more difficult to be away. Being now nearly 8 months into 'fatherhood', certainly things I really begin to notice and appreciate.

Anyway - with all that is now in the balance, it is amazing how fast the time goes. Have to agree with all that say it, really important to work on slowing things down. That's an interesting concept, time being constant and all, but certainly not by perception. Just got to remember to appreciate and enjoy the moments given... and hopefully make use of technology to get the work that pays the bills done faster vs. letting it take more time away. It sure does seem that a lot of new technology tends to do more to isolate or take us away from real world interaction vs. provide for more time to engage in it... then that could be an issue of definition of what qualifies as the real world.

Needless to say, my commitment to you and Other World Computing remains and part of that is going to get these newsletters back on a regular schedule. Unless the 'AppleVerse' suddenly becomes a lot less interesting and active, the more time between updates - the more stuff to update on... and worst part is when one update trumps another and thus requiring a nearly complete piece to be reduced to a return to square one. Balance is the name of the game and things are a bit more settled down with the New Year now well under way and Macworld SF 2006 a point of reflection.

Thanks for being a subscriber and again, always the best! ...And have a great President's Day on Monday too. If you've got the day off, have a great extended weekend. If it's a regular working day, well, I and the OWC team will be working along with ya. :)

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