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OWC Tips & Deals 05/20/2005
Intro: Hello for Woodstock! In case you were wondering - this is the first new newsletter since our 4/15 edition. We do really try to keep these churning out about every 10 days or so. I can only say that the last month has been insane and much to do with Apple's new Tiger OS, and in a good way. Tiger, btw, is simply 'grrreat'! Apple: Old news, Tiger did begin shipping on April 29th - and it's been huge! We pre-sold over 2000 copies of the new OS, more pre-orders than we have ever taken for any product prior to release. We'll be talking about the neat new features of Tiger in future issues to come. Not surprising, with the wide release of Tiger some issues did pop up and Apple has already released the 10.4.1 (just run Software Update like usual) updater that starts to address them. BTW, through 5/31/2005 - we will continue our $99 Apple OS X 'Tiger' 10.4 special. ***NEW Breaking News**** Xpostfacto 4.0 Beta 1, support for running OS X 'Tiger' 10.4.x on systems Apple does not support, is now available! Just like the v3.1 that gives reliable support for using Panther 10.3 and Jaguar 10.2 on systems, 10.4 'Tiger' is now an option! This is a beta release, your feedback will bring it to a full release. Thanks! Just in time for the new OS, Apple bumped up the PowerMac G5 and iMac G5 lines. iMac G5/1.6 was discontinued, the G5/1.8GHz model now starts from $1299, a new 2.0GHz speed is now offered from $1499. The PowerMac G5 still starts from $1499 for a 1.8GHz single, but the 2.0GHz Dual dropped $500 to $1999, a 2.3GHz Dual has been added at the old 2.0GHz dual $2499 price, and the top spot is occupied by a Dual 2.7GHz at the same $2999 price as the 2.5GHz dual model it replaced. In addition to getting more GHz for your dollar, base video gets an upgrade and all of these models now have 512MB factory stock vs. some that were 256MB stock before. 512MB is a step in the right direction, but you know you'll need a lot more to really get the real performance the machine is capable of. That said, remember you can get that memory for a fraction of what Apple charges right from OWC. :) ***BREAKING NEWS*** Apple Recalls Batteries for Powerbook G4 12/15" and iBook G4 12" Models! This recall affects 128,000 Apple batteries shipped from October 2004 to May of this year. This is separate from the prior recall of 28,000 PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" issued in mid-2004. NewerTech: While Apple deals with their 2nd battery recall in less than a year, NewerTech continues to expand its own iBook and PowerBook battery line. Available for all iBook G3 and G4s, ALL PowerBook G4 Models, and most Powerbook G3 Models - the NuPower line of replacement laptop batteries run longer and last longer than Apple and other available replacement batteries. Built in the USA with top quality cells from Japan and/or Canada - you can count on NuPower laptop Batteries by NewerTech to go the distance and then some. New RoadTrip!+ gives the same great sound, but adds iPod charger too! For $27.95, the RoadTrip!+ is an FM Transmitter and car/auto charger for any iPod with a dock connector (3G/4G/Photo/Mini). You get the same great, clean, clear FM Stereo signal through your car stereo + keeps your iPod charged and ready to go all in one. Both the RoadTrip!+ FM Trans + Charger and the $14.99 RoadTrip! FM Transmitter only (which works with any iPod or device with a headphone jack) have received iPodLounge 'Recommended Buy' ratings. Check them both out online at www.roadtripfm.com. Goodies for your Mac mini... Raise it up, hide it under, support a display, or show it off - Four new products from $24.95 to $39.95 cover the bases. Processor Upgrades: First off - All of the OWC, PowerLogix, and Sonnet upgrades sold by OWC - have been tested by OWC and confirmed as being 100% A-OK under Apple's latest 10.4.x Tiger OS. While Apple clearly states that such upgrades are not supported, just as they did with Panther 10.3, the upgrades do happen to work just fine and without any lost compatibility, etc. Understandably, Apple only supports use of Apple's own hardware - which is why OWC and the other upgrade companies take it from there. New PowerLogix 7447/1.2GHz DUAL Upgrades now availble for $519-529. Available for PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics/Sawtooth, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, Quicksilver, and Cube models, this upgrade is easy to install and will provides the performance only a Dual can offer. PowerLogix 7447 Dual 1.6GHz, 1.7GHz, and 1.8GHz models are also available. Also more affordable are the OWC Mercury Extreme G4 Upgrades for PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics/Sawtooth, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, and Quicksilver models. Starting from $195.00 for the 1.0GHz model, the top end and top rated Extreme G4/1.5GHz is now available for $395, a reduction of $34 from the prior $429 retail. Processor upgrades options have really expanded recently! OWC's exclusive Benchmark Reporting System helps you check these options out with up to 16 different realworld test results you can choose from. Compare upgrades vs. original stock systems vs. current systems too. New systems and upgrade results are being added weekly. OWC: If your looking to upgrade to a Fast Superdrive for burning DVDs and CDs with your Mac, OWC has got you covered. Not only do we have internal and external options for nearly every PowerMac, iMac, eMac, and PowerBook model - all of our current 'SuperDrives' also happen to have EMC/Dantz Retrospect Backup Certification. You can burn your movies, music, data and -backups- worry free. Working Class Dogs - Mac: This June it will have been one year sine you helped us name 'Mac', the puppy we sponsored from Working Class Dogs. Mac is getting all grown up and as it turns out, he'll be the first 'Working Class Dog' to graduate for assignment to help a child with autism learn and be encourage to be more independent. Kinda neat too, Mac was recently part of a local news story for what Working Class Dogs is training dogs like Mac to do. As a 'Mac', we've always known he'd be destined to make a difference. FYI - the news story got a couple points wrong which they later published a correction to: Mac is 1yr old, not 10mos. He's a yellow lab - not a golden retriever. Mac was the first and we're happy to announce a 'Mac II' as we've signed on to sponsor our second puppy. In our next newsletter we we'll post this new puppy's photo and start a new naming contest. Just like last year, we'll open by getting all the suggested names and then post the finalist selection so you can vote and help us determine what we'll come to know our new friend by. Mac II will be an accepted, if non-original suggestion. :) Of Interest and/or for Fun: Really no surprise who was first in line for Tiger! Women sees husband's stolen iPod on Ebay - helps solve major crime spree! Xserve G5 Clusters are popping up everywhere, one in our back yard now at Univeristy of Illinois-C/U! It's an ad for a new Sony VAIO - except that's not a Sony VAIO! :) Intro Closing: What's above just scratches the surface. Our newsletter next week (yes, another one will be delivered next week) will get the coverage a bit more rounded out. Still ahead in this edition, we've got a new Quick Tip for 'that old Mac', new and updated Reader Exclusive Specials, and the latest Music on the Mac by Roger Adler. Thanks for being a Tips n' Deals subscriber - and until next time, may the force be with you! Brief Messages from our 'sponsors': Quick Links One of kinds, returned goods, trade-ins, etc. need homes too - and usually find them pretty fast. First come, first served limited quantity deals, found here: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/bargains/. Internet Access from FasterMac.Net, ISP just for Apple/Macs! 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 www.FasterMac.net Time to buy a new Mac or does it make sense to upgrade the Mac you have? OWC's exclusive Benchmark Reporting System lets you look at up to 16 realworld test results pitting stock vs. upgrades vs. new Macs so you can make the choice right for you! Use Apple OS 9.2.2 & Apple OS X on Macs Apple doesn't support because OWC does with OS 9 Helper and Xpostfacto! **Tiger support in Beta now!** Quick Tip: Make that old Mac a Jukebox There does come a point when it's time to buy a new Mac. But that doesn't mean it's time to retire that old Mac! Instead, why not set it up for a dedicated service? In this first of a series, OWC's M. Chris Stevens walks you through the creation of a Mac Music Jukebox. 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 the latest highlights. ProSoft Drive Genius Special OWC Exclsuive! Normally retailing for $99, OWC is is now able to offer ProSoft's Drive Genius for the super special price of $65, $34 off! This utility lets you Maintain, Manage, and keep your drive Optimized for the best reliable operation. Also includes Shredder, which permanently deletes sensitive files to Department of Defense standards. If your upgrading to Tiger - order Drive Genius and Apple's new OS X 10.4 Tiger on the same order to save an extra $10 using coupon code 'GENIUS4' at checkout! Apple OS X Deals Apple's OS X 'Tiger' 10.4 Retail Box Version for $99 , or Get the full Apple Panther 10.3.x DVD Installation Set for just $49.00 Also - for those that like Techworks Memory and don't mind Rebates Get $15 back for each 1GB Techworks PC3200 DDR DIMM you purchase from OWC when you buy up to 8 Techworks 1GB Modules and Apple OS X Tiger from OWC between April 10th and May 31st, 2005! Separate orders are OK so long as the memory and the Tiger has shipped between those two dates. Internal Hard Drive Deals For PowerBooks & iBooks: 80GB 5400RPM 8MB Buffer Hitachi 5K800 Notebook HD $147.50 100GB 5400RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate Momentus Notebook HD $195.00 For PowerMac G3/G4, iMac G4, eMac G4:* 400GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Hitachi 7K400 3.5" ATA/6 HD $289.00 300GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate 7200.8 3.5" ATA/6 HD $199.00 250GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate 7200.8 3.5" ATA/6 HD $129.00 *Speedtools HiCap Software or PCI ATA Contoller needed for Pre-2002 models. For PowerMac G5, iMac G5: 400GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Hitachi 7K400 3.5" SATA/150 HD $292.50.00 300GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate 7200.8 3.5" SATA/150 $209.00 Memory Specials & Price Trend Report: 5/20/2005 update: After bottoming out, 512MB DDR modules have come up just a hair and otherwise been pretty much stable for the past month. At the same time, 1GB modules have actually slid about another 10%. With memory at or near record lows, it's a pretty easy choice to add more if you run apps that can use more. And under OS X, if you have 512MB or less - any extra memory makes for an immediately visible gain for even the most basic of uses. For iMac G5, PowerMac G4 Mirrored Drive Door, Mac mini, eMac G4 1.25GHz: 512MB PC3200/2700/2100 184 Pin DDR DIM Module now $48.00 For Mac Mini, eMac G4/1.25GHz, and eMac 1.0GHz 'Education Model': 1GB(1 x 1024MB) PC2700 DDR 184 Pin Module - $115.00 For all PowerMac G5 Models, iMac G5: 1GB Matched Pair (2x512MB) PC3200 DDR 184 Pin - $95.00 2GB Matched Pair (2x1GB) PC3200 DDR 184 Pin - 225.00 1GB PC3200 DDR Module for iMac G5 Only (PowerMac G5 requires Pairs!) $117.50 For All PowerBook G4 'Aluminum' 12/15/17"; iBook G4; iMac G4/1.0 & 1.25GHz: 512MB PC2700/2100 DDR SO-DIMM 200 Pin Module - $55.00 1GB PC2700/2100 DDR SO-DIMM 200 Pin Module - $135.00 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 - $30.00 512MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 168 Pin SDRam DIMM Module - $79.00 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. Cut the Cord, Wireless = Freedom We just got a great deal in on Logitech's awesome 'Click' RF Wireless 3 Button w/scroll wheel Optical Mouse. Reader Special Price - $23.00. This a great mouse and less than half of retail and it's plug and play on any Apple model with an available USB Port. Also available - Logitech USB Wireless Keyboard with Mouse(not optical..) combo for $24.99 SuperDrive Upgrades to Read & Write DVDs/CDs Fast Put a new SuperDrive in your Mac, or replace one you already have with something faster! Burn DVDs & CDs with Apple's iDVD, iPhoto, iTunes 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 - $69.99 Pioneer DVR-109D/BK 16X DVD SuperDrives with Dual Layer(8.5GB) - $69.95 For an even better deal, choose from one of the four 'Value Bundle' offers Get up to 8X Burn Speeds for Mac mini, PowerBook G4, iMac G5, Cube G4 from $149.95 Plug & Play External Superdrives with up to 16X DVD Burn Speeds with OWC FireWire & USB2 Solutions which include all cables, Media, burning software and Dantz Retrospect Backup 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, $289 for Readers And... another $30 Rebate from now till June makes the net just $259.00! 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 - $125.00 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 250GB 7200RPM OWC Mercury Elite 800 Pro 800/400 Solution, Special $239.00 OWC Mercury Elite Oxford911+ 3.5" FireWire 400 Enclosure Kit - $65.00 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, $285.00 Extreme @ 1.4GHz, $339.00 Extreme @ 1.5GHz, $389.00 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, $179.00 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. 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 - $27.95 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 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. Apple just did a recall of 128,000 of their own batteries, which are built overseas - maybe even more reason to consider NewerTech! NewerTech NuPower batteries, with up to 50% 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 5/19 - More Mics Greetings from www.macsales.com/music We recently added 2 new microphones to our music department. They are the Edirol DR-10 and DR-20 mics. These are designed for "live" use. They are dynamic mics with a Hyper-Cardioid pattern. What that means is that they are designed to pick up sound from one direction only in a fairly narrow pattern. This is very important because in a live music situation, the sound of the other instruments could easily be picked up by many of the mics onstage unless they have a narrow pickup pattern. These mics drastically "reject" sound coming from behind and beside the mic. They only pickup what is directly in front of them. They are also designed to be mounted on a stand or hand held and they have a low handling noise. In other words, the sound of your hand moving and holding the mic will not be heard. These 2 mics have similar frequency response listed at 60 to 15,000 Hz making them ideal for vocal or instrument and amplifier micing. They would be less appropriate for micing a bass amp or kick drum because they do not reproduce the lower range of those instruments! These 2 mics are very economically priced well under $100. The DR-20 has a slightly different and more robust design which is why it is slightly more expensive. Anyone looking for a mic for live use should consider these mics and the DR-20 also sounds good micing a loud guitar amp in a studio setting! Check out our Mac Music/Audio Forum for all your musical needs and to share your questions and info with all! Also, visit our website to view all of Roger's other OWC Music on the Mac articles online! And... Check out Roger's Commercial CD Album 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. 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: Thanks for reading our latest edition Tips n' Deals! Beyond the deals parts, it's a lot of fun sharing news, tips, ideas, and just Mac related info and it's a team effort too. Be it a Quick Tip derived from what our Techs did with an older iMac, the benchmarks Jamie and the tech team are completing and adding each day, Roger's Music on the Mac articles, the growing library of OWC installation videos being completed, product reviews, etc - we try to publish and share as much information as we can put out there. More than just selling Mac stuff, as a company of Mac Users it's our goal to help others get the most from their Macs too. This OWC Team also happens to have a lot of Star Wars fans, and this Sunday we'll be observing that 'galaxy far, far away' together. :) Although personally I favor Star Trek, I most definitely am a Star Wars fan and look forward to this 'final' prequel installment with high hopes. I also see a parallel to the SW series in Apple's own history.... Episodes I,II,III about cover Apple's first 20 years.... Then, Episode IV - 'A New Hope' takes us to Apple 1997 with the return of Steve Jobs - coincidentally 20 years after that Star Wars movie was first released too. And now, come to 2005 - could it be like 'Return of the Jedi' with Apple re-taking the spotlight and starting it's campaign to bring people away from the 'dark side'? Maybe stretching things, just good fun. :) Now back to the grind. Already starting on the next newsletter, it will be delivered next week. Till then, the best always to you and yours - thanks for subscribing and have a fantastic weekend! We Support our Troops 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 |