OWC Tips & Deals 03/07/2005

Intro:
Greetings from all of us at Other World Computing! Can't believe it's already March. Letting February pass by with only one newsletter sent was not part of the plan. Needless to say, the OWC Team and I have been anything but idle these past several weeks.

OWC FireWire:
Score one with our OWC Mercury Elite Pro 800 FireWire 800/400 400GB Solution which was awarded 4.5 stars and, besting solutions from the likes of Lacie, was named Editor's Choice in the April '05 Macworld Magazine.

Scores again with our OWC Mercury On-The-Go 60GB FireWire Solution receiving a 4 Mice rating in the same issue of Macworld. Although no other drive they compared received a higher rating, for reasons unbeknownst to us - we did not nab another Editor's Choice in this review. That said, we did blow away the competition in every read/write speed test comparison in this review. :)

New iPod Battery from NewerTech:
A whole new generation of iPods can now benefit from extended run times from the new Newertech Nupower 4th Generation iPod Battery for $25.99. Providing 20% more capacity vs. the Apple battery, the tunes can play on longer than ever. Also available is our NuPower battery for iPod 3rd Gen models at $25.99 featuring 30% higher capacity, NuPower batteries for for iPod 1st/2nd Gen models from $29.95 with up to 70% additional capacity. Coming soon - our high capacity battery for the original iPod Minis. All NewerTech iPod batteries available here.

New SuperDrive DVD & CD Solutions now being offered:
Whether you have a PowerMac G3, G4, or G5; an eMac G4, an iMac G4 or G5, a Mac mini, a G4 Cube, or a PowerBook G4 Model - we've got a Superdrive for you! Internal options now start from $75 and feature up to 16X DVD burn speeds, up to 6X DVD Dual Layer(8.5GB DVD) burn speeds, and up to 40X CD burn speeds. So - be that you are looking to add Burn Capabilities to your Mac or just want to be to burn faster - we've got your Upgrade + we even give you a rebate of up to $75 if you have something to trade in too.

Does it make more sense to have an External FireWire/USB2 Superdrive Solution? Starting from $129.99, you can add one of our OWC Mercury Pro DVD/CD Superdrive burners to virtually any Mac(or PC) that has available an available FireWire or USB2 port. The latest Pro Model with up to 16X DVD and 6X DVD Dual Layer(8.5GB media) Burn Speeds is now available for $159.99. All Mercury Pro DVD/CD Solutions include Dantz Retrospect Backup, NTI Dragonburn, all cables + 30 pieces of media. And, btw, they work with Apple's iLife 2005/iDVD 5 applications too! :)

Apple
First off - a correction to our last newsletter. The Superdrive is not standard on the base $1499 PowerBook G4 12" or $1999 PowerBook G4 15" models. In the case of the 12", you step up to the $1699 'base' version that does include the Superdrive as well as a larger 80GB(vs. 60GB) HD. On the 15" base model, it is a $150 custom upgrade option. Needless to say, this little changes the value provided in this latest Powerbook lineup.

New iPod minis - Forget the old $250 4GB mini, now we've got the new 4GB mini for $199 and even get 50% more with the new 6GB model at $249! It's not just about price and the storage capacity, the battery runtimes are now up to 18 Hours!

New iPod Photos - replace the $499 40GB and $599 60GB with a new 30GB 'Slim' Version at just $349 and the new 60GB is $150 less at $449! Both the 30GB and 60GB feature a new upgraded battery Apple touts as providing up to 15 hours of run time. Expected to ship soon is a $29 Camera Kit which allows the direct download of images from your digital camera too. I know what you were thinking.... all that's left is to add an actual camera to it. And it wouldn't be the first digital camera for Apple either... remember QuickTake? :)

More Apple to go around, twice as many shares anyway with the now completed 2 for 1 share Apple Stock split. A couple years ago, who'd have thunk it - not only Apple @ over $40/share - but over $40 a share AFTER splitting again. And with the way iPod sales continue to grow(up 525% to over 4.5 million units in the Quarter most recently ending December 25th, 2004) + new Computer Unit sales growth (+26% vs. same quarter in 2003) - Apple's stock is likely to soar even higher. Remember, those numbers are from the period before the new iPod shuffle and Mac minis were released...

Mac Mini sales - exceeding expectations, by a long shot! When it was introduced, it was estimated that just over three hundred thousand Mac minis would ship in Apple's '05 fiscal year (which ends September 25th!). In the wake of overwhelmingly strong demand for this product, that estimate has been nearly tripled to 900,000 units now!

It's quite a wave Apple is riding, and I hope it continues! I only wish Apple would support and give more incentive for other Apple Computer outlets. Instead, as Apple's success has grown, the number of Apple Authorized Dealers continues to dwindle. Did you know that an Apple Authorized dealer has a smaller margin than the 10% discount a student or student's parent can get on the purchase of a Mac or iPod via purchase directly from Apple? That is what finally pushed our own local Apple Reseller out of business and as a result. As a result, while we can visit a dozen Windows/PC retailers/service providers within a few minutes - our shortest drive to get service for one of our Macs is over 45 minutes going both directions. With fewer sellers/service providers in general of Apple Computers, the different Mac publications have also become a lot thinner - yes, that's not just because of the Internet. See, magazines operate on a pretty standard ratio of editorial content to paid advertising pages. Fewer Apple Resellers = Less Advertising = less Apple/Mac Editorial coverage. Like you(I hope), we are strong supporters of Apple and just want to see what's best in the long term. IMHO, letting there be more outlets to purchase Apple Computers and giving such resellers more incentive to be selling can only help Apple grow from it's current 3% Computer OS market share position. And as they compete for your business, that also means more advertising that supports the editorial coverage we like to see/read too.

Memory Prices Plummet:
The cost of DDR memory has dropped by over 25% in just the past two weeks. For the last few days of last week, it appears things did finally level off. No reason to expect prices to do a rebound either, but remember - I don't have a crystal ball. Bottom line is that memory makes a big difference, and if you need more of it, this is definitely a great time to be buying.

Processor Upgrades:
Going to have plenty to share in the next newsletter!

Fun and/or of Interest:
Maybe this will be the G6, or not...

As relevant today as it was a year ago, a nice article that note the serious risks of using an insecure OS (aka Windows) + a nice Pro-Mac OS X FBI mention.

I can see the infomercials already... The Processor Hot Plate - the parallel cooking power of seven Windows PC processors can be yours today! Ideas like this are important given all the Windows boxes being retired. :)

Intro Closing:
Just not enough days in February! Doesn't mean a lot didn't get done. We'll have much to share with you as March proceeds and I'll make sure we do so with newsletters on a more frequent basis too. We've got installation videos to share with the Quick Tip this week, new updates to your Exclusive Specials, and two Music on the Mac articles by Roger too. As always, hope we've provided something for everyone! Thanks for reading.

Brief Messages from our 'sponsors':

Quick Links
A better Apple/Macintosh ISP at a better price - FasterMac.Net
From $8 a month, get nationwide dial up or DSL just for Mac Users - that includes 24/7 1-800 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 do we do with Trade Ins, Open Box, discontinued items, etc?
That's what our 'Bargains' page is for! First Come, First Served.

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: OWC's How to Videos

Be it a new battery for your iPod, memory for the Mac mini, or a G4 Processor for your PowerMac - these all upgrades we offer and promote as user installable. Not only that, most of these upgrades I talk about as being reasonable easy to do yourself too.

If you or someone you know has never done any thing you might consider technical, well, even a well written manual may not bring the comfort level to do it. What manual, for example, lets you listen to the cracking noise you should expect while opening up a Mac mini? While it's just the clips releasing over the plastic holds and nothing is physically 'cracking' - hearing that sound would stop a lot of people's Mac mini upgrade aspirations in their tracks.

I hope you enjoy our ever growing selection of OWC Instructional Videos. They are all in QuickTime format and available for free online viewing - exclusively from, well, OWC. :)

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.

Memory Specials & Price Trend Report:
3/07/2005 update: What a difference a month makes, really just the past two weeks! While PC100/133 has fallen a little bit, prices for DDR has absolutely plummeted. Things did seem to stabilize at the end of last week - but that doesn't mean prices can't go lower. And while I doubt it's going to happen soon, prices can always go up too. No matter what, memory makes the difference and of DDR 1GB modules are at record lows, 512MBs are at their lowest in nearly two years.
For iMac G5, PowerMac G4 Mirrored Drive Door, Mac mini, eMac G4 1.25GHz:
512MB PC3200/2700/2100 184 Pin DDR DIM Module now $63.50

For Mac Mini & eMac G4/1.25GHz, eMac 1.0GHz 'Education Model':
1GB(1 x 1024MB) PC2700 DDR 184 Pin Module - $167.50 For all PowerMac G5 Models, iMac G5:
1GB Matched Pair (2x512MB) PC3200 DDR 184 Pin - $127.50
2GB Matched Pair (2x1GB) PC3200 DDR 184 Pin - 345.00

For PowerBook G4 'Aluminum' 15"/17" Models, iBook G4, iMac G4 1.0GHz+:
512MB PC2700/2100 DDR SO-DIMM 200 Pin Module - $78.95
1GB PC2700/2100 DDR SO-DIMM 200 Pin Module - $209.00 *also for all 12" AL PowerBook*

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 - $35.50
512MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 168 Pin SDRam DIMM Module - $81.00

For PowerMac G3 'Beige', G3 Blue & White, G4 'Yikes' PCI Models:
256MB PC100 CL2/PC66 168 Pin SDRam DIMM Module - $25.00

Visit our Mac Memory Section to browse the full selection of memory we offer and/or use our online memory guide to get the right memory for the Mac(s) you have.

Get a Faster Superdrive for Reading/Writing DVDs & CDs
Use all your favorite Apple iApps and third party viewing and authoring software. Special value bundles with software and media also available.
Internal for For G3/G4/G5 PowerMac, eMac G4, iMac G4 Models:
Apple Genuine DVR-106 4X DVD Superdrives - $75.00
Pioneer DVR-A07XLA 8X DVD Superdrives - $79.00
Pioneer DVR-109D/BK 16X DVD SuperDrives with Dual Layer(8.5GB) - $89.99
Special Value Bundles with Software & Media available from links above too!

Get up to 8X Burn Speeds for Mac mini, PowerBook G4, iMac G5, Cube G4 from $159.95

Plug and Play FireWire/USB2 External for up to 16X DVD Burn Speeds too - From $129.99!

El Gato Eye200 TV/DVR Deal
Watch TV, Digitally Record, Edit, and playback at will - all on your Mac with this great FireWire Solution! Normally $309.00, $275 just for readers

Watch TV, Digitally Record, Edit, and Playback with an internal PCI Card. Compatible with PowerMac G4 and G5, Miglia Alchemy TV DVR, with remote control - $135.00

Import Audio/Video & Playback through with plug & play FireWire device - ADS Pyro A/V FireWire Device for most any A/V Source - $149.00

FireWire Hot Deals
60GB 4200RPM OWC Mercury On-The-Go, Reader Special $150.00

80GB 7200RPM OWC Neptune FireWire 400 Solution, Special $109.00

200GB 7200RPM OWC Mercury Elite 800 Pro 800/400 Solution, Special $225.00

OWC Mercury Elite Oxford911+ 3.5" FireWire 400 Enclosure Kit - $65.00

Upgrade to the latest Apple Cat - OS X Panther 10.3.x for just $49.00!
Get the full Apple Panther 10.3.x DVD Installation Set for just $49.00

Save $10 when you purchase this Panther DVD Set and any model OWC Mercury Extreme G4. Checkout online or give your rep coupon code 'EXTREME103'

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, $289.00
Extreme @ 1.4GHz, $379.00
Extreme @ 1.5GHz, $439.00

PowerLogix PowerForce55 G4 Upgrade for all PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics/Sawtooth & Gigabit Ethernet Models. Reliable, low cost speed bump with 2 Year PowerLogix/OWC Warranty + 30 Day Money Back!
PF55 @ 1.0GHz, $189.00

Video Card Deals
The best prices ever are now available for ATI 9000/9200/9600/9800/x800 MacEdition Video Cards. The full line is now in stock and starting from $99.00.

Listen to your iPod on the Road from $9.99
NewerTech RoadTrip! FM Transmitter really works - and works GREAT. Doesn't cost a lot, but it delivers clean, dynamic audio that smokes products costing 3-5 times as much! Instead of lowering the price, we might have been better to increase it - as a lot of you have a hard time believing something so cheap really works. Well, it really works! RoadTrip! FM 87.9MHZ and 107.7MHz in stock for $14.99

While they last - Discontinued RoadTrip! FM 87.7MHz is $9.99

You can still save when you purchase any RoadTrip FM! and one of our NewerTech Batteries using coupon code 'HighRoad' too. Save $5 with purchase of 3G 850mAh or 1G/2G 1800mAh, $10 with 1G/2G 2100mAh.

Power Up your iPod, PowerBook, or iBook with NuPower!
NewerTech internal battery for 1st and 2nd Generation Apple iPods:
1800mAh version, 46% more capacity - $29.95; 2100mAh for over 70% more $39.95
NewerTech internal battery for 3rd Generation Apple iPods:
850mAh version with over 30% More capacity vs. Apple's - $25.99

From $119.99, check out the longest lasting NuPower Batteries by Newertech four your PowerBook or iBook too! As much as 50% more capacity vs. others.

You'll find more great deals, updated regularly on your Tips 'n Deals Reader Specials Page, check it out!
Music on the Mac 3/07 - iGuitar Rocks! & 'To USB or Not to USB'

Greetings from www.macsales.com/music

Is a guitar a "computer peripheral?". The answer is now a resounding YES!

There was a time in the not too distant past that the answer would have been no. We are pleased to tell you that we are now carrying the fine guitars from Brian Moore Guitars. Their "iGuitar" is indeed a very powerful and flexible tool when used with your Mac and a program such as GarageBand from Apple.

Yes, their guitars are beautiful and cool, but they also sport some very high technology. The iGuitar has a built-in midi (musical instrument digital interface) system which makes it capable of "playing" the virtual instruments that one would typically associate with a keyboard. If you have guitar playing skills, you can use them to play piano, synth, percussion and drum sounds and much more in GarageBand or any application that has virtual instruments such as the popular REASON application.

In the past, one would have had to use a keyboard controller to achieve this. Yes, midi guitars have been around for at least 20 years by various manufacturers. They all had one thing in common....none of them worked very well. It IS difficult to come up with a system that senses the note being played on a guitar and translate that into midi information because the guitar is a very sensitive instrument. The notes can be played in a variety of ways such as picked hard or soft, slid into, hammered on, bent, etc. All of this has made it a challenge to get a midi guitar to work well.

I am pleased to tell you that I have played and owned several midi guitars over the last 20 years and the iGuitar finally got it right. It plays well and I used it extensively all over my recently released CD as both a conventional guitar and as a midi controller. ALL of the "keyboard" parts on the CD were actually played from my iGuitar as well as the bass guitar sounds. We are carrying 3 different models in a variety of colors and finishes, I urge you to visit the site for my CD and give it a listen. ALL of the guitar and all of the "keyboard" sounds were played by my iGuitar! When you get to the site, click on the name of a song and you will then be able to listen to a sample of the song. You can also leave me a message there and I would love to hear from all of you. I hope you hear something you like on the CD!

I am sure all of you guitar players out there will be interested in this breakthrough technology. Finally-the era of "the guitar as computer peripheral" is upon us and it's fun!

-----

"To USB or not to USB" that is the question! Pardon my artistic license, but I just want to share some info on USB versus FireWire audio interfaces with you this week.

At shows such as MacWorld, my live appearances at Apple stores, questions via email and our Forum, I get so many questions about this topic. As I have pontificated before, the main difference, besides price, is how you intend to record your music. Generally, USB audio interfaces only can record 1 or 2 tracks at once. An example of this type of device is the M-Audio Fast Track, Griffin iMic or even the M-Audio Ozone Keyboard/audio interface. This is just fine if you are recording 1 or 2 tracks at a time into an application such as GarageBand or Logic Express. If you want to record MORE than 2 tracks at one time, you have to "graduate" to a FireWire interface such as the M-Audio FireWire Solo, M-Audio Ozonic Keyboard/audio interface or even the Digidesign 002 Rack!

One of the main things to consider is whether you have an "environment" suitable for recording several performances at once. Perhaps you are thinking that you would like to record your band live using a FW interface. Ask yourself: Do I have enough microphones, do I have a room where the instruments will sound good, does my set-up allow for enough separation between the sounds coming from each instrument??? Most people do not have all of those bases covered in a home studio set-up.

If you do have a suitable space and enough mics, I feel it would be well worth investing in a high end FW audio interface. If not, then a USB interface might be just the ticket. You also need to consider what type of mic you will be recording with. For example, M-Audio's NOVA condenser mic is a fantastic mic for around $100 but it requires phantom power (as do many fine mics). You cannot use it with their Fast Track interface because it does not supply phantom power. You would have to move up to their Mobile Pre for that capability. Another solution to consider is the "all-in-one". The M-Audio Ozone is a Midi keyboard controller and USB audio interface with mic/instrument input. The FireWire version of the concept is the M-Audio Ozonic keyboard/audio interface with mic /instrument input. It is capable of recording four tracks at once because it is FireWire.

As you can see, there are a lot of possibilities to consider. One nice development is the fact that the cost difference has gotten less dramatic over time. An M-Audio Fast Track USB interface sells for around $100 and the M-Audio FireWire Solo is only about $200. I urge you to consider your needs and then visit our site to view all of our "right priced" offerings!

--

Please mark your calendars for Wed. March 9 at 7 PM and Monday April 4. I will be doing more in my series of monthly presentations at the Apple North Michigan Avenue store in Chicago on GarageBand, the iGuitar, my CD made with GarageBand called "the garage album" and more. The John Lennon Tour Bus will be there on April 4th! The CD is available at www.thegaragealbum.com where you can also download the GarageBand tracks for each song and find out about the fantastic OWC Mercury Extreme Firewire drive, OWC Processor upgrade and OWC RAM used when creating the album.

Roger Adler
Music Product Specialist

We encourage you to visit our Mac Music/Audio Forum for all your musical needs and to share your questions and info with all!

Check out a Sample from Roger's upcoming GarageBand produced music album!

Also, visit our website to view all of Roger's other OWC Music on the Mac articles online!

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:
It's not just that February was a short month, it was a busy month too. We are in the midst of getting PowerLogix back on track (that's starting to go very well, by the way), working on new iPod products, have other new goodies in the works, new benchmark series, and internal 'upgrades' to enhance the level of service we are able to provide. Had our company wide bouts with the flu too. And three weeks ago, I found out we're having a son! :)

My wife and I are very excited and working hard to make sure everything is ready. Much to our joy and delight, the doctor said all systems go - status green-green-green. God willing, my Wife will give birth to our first child in just four short months from now. A brand new chapter, really a brand new book.

Exciting stuff for us - but I'm not going anywhere. Have to work even harder now and start putting away for his education. At the rate college tuition keeps rising, we'll be looking at a 2nd mortgage if we don't. :)

As always, the best to you and yours - and thanks for being a subscriber!

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 with 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 2000-2005, Other World Computing - Since 1988