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Due to a link error - you may be arriving at this prior newsletter instead of the 7/2/2005 edition. Sorry for the extra click - but, clicking here will take you to our July 2nd Edition. OWC Tips & Deals 06/18/2005
Intro: Greetings from the Other World Computing team! I know it's been a week since the big Apple/Jobs WWDC bomb - but figured a little time to digest wouldn't be a bad thing. What seemed first to be just the resurfacing of an often repeated rumor is rumor no more. Apple & Intel = MacTel For over a decade rumors of Apple switching to Intel have grabbed headlines at various points. Behind this have been rumors for about the same length of time that Apple has maintained versions of the Mac OS compatible for operation on Intel processors. The latter has been the case really without any doubt. In the early 90s, there was actually a period before the PowerPC when the 680x0 Motorola Processors Apple depended were behind the curve of the performance from Intel based systems. Apple's PowerPC was born as a joint cooperation of Motorola, IBM, and Apple to turn the table - which, in terms of performance, they did. However, there can be little doubt that if not for this PowerPC alliance just over a decade ago, we'd already have been long using Intel or maybe AMD based Macs. So why now? While the G4/G5 are still the respective performance leaders for Laptop/Desktop today, Steve Jobs does not believe that to be the case for the future. Comparing Intel's roadmap to what FreeScale's(Motorola) and IBM's, Jobs believes would leave Apple at a significant disadvantage - not unlike what Apple had to contend with back in the '90s. This is especially the case with laptops... Which now account for over 50% of new computer (market wide) sales today. The G5 isn't ready for laptop use and Apple doesn't seem have faith in Freescale's ability to deliver fast enough G4s either. And speaking of the G5, lest we forget that Jobs had previously bragged that the G5 would be at 3.0GHz by the summer of _2004_ - and today, summer 2005, the top side has only reached 2.7GHz. Gotta know that Jobs can not be at all happy with IBM in that respect, regardless that a 2.7GHz G5 still stomps today's P4 Xeons. This is no joke. At the WWDC, Jobs not only had Intel's CEO on stage - but also had OS X 'Tiger' 10.4.1 running on an Intel Box and used for his presentation. Like a decade ago when we went from the 680x0 to the PowerPC, with the Apple's 'Rosetta' technology, there will be support for running PowerPC specific apps on the Intel processors. Apple is also providing the tools so applications can be developed to run native on both the PowerPC and Intel instruction sets, again - similar to developer transition tools to the PowerPC as well as from OS 9 to OS X. Developers can also order a $999 Intel based development platform. Give Apple some credit, they kept this huge secret quiet until just days before the announcement - very impressive given what's involved in having things to this point of readiness. Don't break a sweat yet... It's going to be middle 2006 when the first Intel based Macs are expected to start rolling off the line + it's expected initially to be only the portable models and lower end desktops. I personally think the upcoming change does, however, still make upgrading a system you already have all the more attractive though. This change over will make it easy for developers who already have Windows Apps to bring them to Mac (never mind running Windows on these new machines too for apps not ported) - but, like the last processor change - it's likely that such apps will run better on the Intel processors than the PowerPCs, regardless of the Apple cross development tools. To say the least - very interesting days are ahead and one heck of a gamble has Apple undertaken. A lot to digest and a lot more info to peruse too.... You can watch the WWDC presentation and see the OS X on Intel firsthand courtesy of Apple. eWeek has an interesting article of Apple's move being a 'Triple-Threat' to the competition. Also good for lots of additional related Intel/Apple story links for more info. And, some rather out there - but who knows - speculation by 'tech writer' Robert Cringely. Apple Recalls MORE Batteries Several weeks ago we made note of a new recall of Apple batteries for the PowerBook G4 12" and 15" models - they have now expanded that recall to also include batteries for iBook G4 12" models too. Instructions for getting affected batteries replaced, as well as which specific batteries are affected are found on Apple's Battery Recall page. NewerTech Have to take the opportunity to mention NewerTech's batteries for the iBooks and PowerBooks. The NewerTech NuPower line of Apple laptop batteries offer the highest capacities and longest runtimes of any replacement/spare battery you can buy. Designed, Engineered, and Built right here in the USA - top quality results are achieved to also allow our NuPower batteries to last longer too. Less time plugged in for more Freedom on-the-go! And chalk up yet another glowing review for NewerTech's RoadTrip!+ FM Transmitter+Charger for Apple iPods! I've been raving about these RoadTrips since day one and reviews like this confirm this product really isn't too good to be true. Other products of the like cost more and work poorly. The RoadTrip! and RoadTrip!+ give you a great value from $14.99 and they actually work really great. Check 'em out. :) Working Class Dogs - Mac: It's been a year since you helped us name 'Mac' from our first sponsorship Working Class Dogs. For those not familiar, Working Class Dogs trains special dogs for people with special needs. Recent research has shown a very positive response placing trained companions like 'Mac' with autistic children and this type of program is now the focus of Working Class Dogs. Working Class Dogs now has a puppy for us to name for our second sponsorship year. Like before - we're asking you to help us come up names that we can put to a final vote. From now until June 30th, we will be accepting name suggestions. From July 1st through the 15th, voting will be open on the ten names that is narrowed down to - with the selection finalized by July 21st. Please visit the WCD naming page to make your suggestions and vote after June 30th. Thanks! In addition to our annual sponsorship, OWC has also donated the web design and hosting of the new Working Class Dogs website, by which you can learn more about this great charity. Of Interest and/or for Fun: Need someone to build a Rebel Mac to smoke this PC TIE-fighter out of the water. Would have been cool to have one of those as a kid! <> Intro Closing: Just when things seem to be returning to some sense of normalcy, Steve turns it all upside down. And knowing a year ahead of time... Should be fun. :) Hope you enjoy the 2nd part of the Mac Jukebox Quick Tip, check out some updated Reader Exclusive Specials, and the latest Music on the Mac by Roger Adler. Have a great Father's Day Weekend, and as always - thanks for reading! 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 Juke Box, Part 2 In our May 20th edition, OWC's Chris Stevens discussed blowing the dust off that retired Mac for use as an iTunes Juke Box. The fun really starts with part 2 where you will learn the tricks to get the most from your newly re-tasked Mac. :) One day it's collecting dust - the next, it's another cool appliance at your disposal. 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. Internal Hard Drive Deals For PowerBooks & iBooks: 80GB 5400RPM 8MB Buffer Hitachi 5K800 Notebook HD $139.99 100GB 5400RPM 8MB Buffer Toshiba 2.5" w/16MB Buffer $195.00 For PowerMac G3/G4, iMac G4, eMac G4:* 400GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Hitachi 7K400 3.5" ATA/6 HD $279.00 300GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate 7200.8 3.5" ATA/6 HD $189.00 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 $279.00 300GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer Seagate 7200.8 3.5" SATA/150 $195.00 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 **NEW** 500GB 7200RPM OWC Mercury Elite-Aluminum Dual Drive FW800 RAID - $399.00 OWC Mercury Elite Oxford911+ 3.5" FireWire 400 Enclosure Kit - $65.00 ADS Pyro FireWire 400 Enclosure Kit Retail Box w/Speedtools, Cables $39.00 ADS Pyro FireWire 800 Enclosure Kit Retail Box w/Speedtools, Cables $75.00 Memory Specials & Price Trend Report: 6/18/2005 update: We've seen some up ticks and some down ticks. DDR memory is essentially still down at it's lowest levels ever. No reason to expect a big jump anytime soon, but - while very small, the trend is slightly up - so at least don't expect this stuff to suddenly get cheaper than it already is. And standard recommendation - buy memory if you need it, it's the best investment you can make to speed up a system that has 512MB or less... But - if you don't need it, no reason to just buy either. 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 G4/1.25-1.4GHz, and eMac 1.0GHz 'Education Model': 1GB(1 x 1024MB) PC2700 DDR 184 Pin Module - $99.00 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 - 209.00 1GB PC3200 DDR Module for iMac G5 Only (PowerMac G5 requires Pairs!) $109.99 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 - $50.00 1GB PC2700/2100 DDR SO-DIMM 200 Pin Module - $129.00 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 - $29.00 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. 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 ProSoft Drive Genius Special ProSoft Drive Genius is the superior utility that Optimizes, Diagnoses, Scans, Clones, Rebuilds, Partitions your storage device & more! **Just reviewed in MacAddict July/2005 Issue 'AWESOME 5 out of 5'** Normal Retail - $99. OWC Exclusive, get Drive Genius for just $65.00! 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! Cut the Cord, Wireless = Freedom Great deal in on Logitech's awesome 'Click' RF Wireless 3 Button w/scroll wheel Optical Mouse. Reader Special Price - $23.00. Compatible with any Mac or PC with an available USB Port - Plug & Play. 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 - $59.99 Pioneer DVR-109D/BK 16X DVD SuperDrives with Dual Layer(8.5GB) - $67.99 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, $287 for Readers And... another $30 Rebate from now till June 30th makes the net just $257.00! 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 - $119.00 Import Audio/Video & Playback through with plug & play FireWire device - ADS Pyro A/V FireWire Device for most any A/V Source - $149.00 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 PF55 @ 900MHz, $139.00 Check out PowerLogix Upgrades up to 1.8GHz DUAL too! 1.2GHz Dual Value from $459.00 **Other World Computing is now fully backing and supporting the full PowerLogix product line, you can count on OWC to see the this superior product line give the superior support it deserves** 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 6/18 - Affordable Speakers & that 'Trigger Finger' Greetings from www.macsales.com/music This week we are taking a close-up view of Edirol's MA10D speakers. These speakers are powered (10 watts per channel) and have many convenient features. They have found a home in many project video editing suites because they have front panel volume and tone controls and headphone jack. They are no rival to high end systems such as M-Audio BX8 speakers but they do sound surprisingly good and they sell for only $ 128 pair. The fact that they have only 10 watts per channel means that they are not super loud and they can be pushed into slight distortion at full volume. At moderate volume they sound very good indeed and they are attractive, with a hi tech blue and silver front with wood sides! They have another feature that is unusual at this price point. They have both analog rca inputs and also optical/coaxial digital inputs. The digital inputs allow you to connect devices such as computers, MP3 players, MiniDisc players, DAT Machines, and CD players with digital outputs. This keeps the signal "in the digital domain" and it's a very nice extra feature. The spec sheet says they are 2-way bass reflex enclosures. For the average consumer, this means each cabinet has 2 speakers, a woofer for bass and tweeter for mid and treble. Bass reflex means the cabinet has been designed to incorporate 2 round "ports", clearly visible in the picture, that increase bass response to some degree. This affordable pair of speakers are right at home next to a computer and are certainly a cost effective upgrade. They fill a room or dorm room with moderate volume and the digital inputs are a nice feature for some folks! I like them more than I suspected I would because they have a smooth uncolored sound for the money. ------ And now something a bit different... M-Audio has a new controller out called the Trigger Finger. There is a very interesting video that shows it in use at the link below. A video is worth a thousand words as they say and the video will get you up to speed instantly on how cool and expressive this tool is. We could waste a lot of time debating whether programming drums is better or worse than a real live drummer (trust me), but I choose to look at it this way. Recording a real live drummer is wonderful, but it does have its own set of challenges. Today's music often is put together with new tools that can be very exciting to listen too when done well. That is where Trigger Finger comes in. MANY people program their drum parts with midi keyboard controllers. This works ok but a different type of physical interface such as on the Trigger Finger puts the pad for each sound under your finger tips and the pads are velocity AND pressure sensitive. In layperson's terms, it simply means that it senses how hard you play and if you hold down a pad and vary the pressure, it senses that too as a way to be expressive with the sound over time. This is a very cool way to get the "Human Element" and feel back into your music. Real drummers tend to play different parts for each section of a song and also do lots of little variations with the beat and drum fills. It is truly an art to be able to program a drum track and have it sound like a drummer and this tool makes it considerably easier to get great results. It can also be used to control playback of video clips or one shot sound effects in a live setting. At just under $200, it's a wise choice if you want to build a home studio capable of professional results...check out the video and you will be surprised at the type of results this thing is capable of! A word to the wise regarding upgrade to Tiger. If you have a Pro Tools system, it is not yet compatible with Tiger and it is crucial that you wait until it is approved. This will follow shortly I am told, but in the mean time, please monitor the Digidesign site for news on this topic. Check it out - you can now subscribe to my new 'PodCast' "Rock Your Computer". 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: Without change, life would be boring. This change from PPC to Intel definitely spices things up. Then again, waiting is the hardest part. I thought is was nuts releasing the G5 over two months before it was going to be ready to ship. Jobs out did himself here... Now he's let the cat out of the bag a year ahead of time. Won't surprise me if we systems sooner than that - but still. My family is about to start a new chapter as well. God willing, our first son will be born any day now with an 'official guesstimated' date of July 3rd. For us, this trumps everything else going on and is exciting beyond words. Learning a new balance too. This really isn't a new chapter, it's a brand new book. Although I'm finishing this newsletter up at the office, future writings will likely be done in the 'home office'. For all the advances in technology, I think the best are those that give more time for those important in your life. Whether it means being able to get your work done faster, or be there at home when you're needed, that's just some of the technology that makes a difference. Thanks for subscribing and have a Happy Father's Day Weekend. :) We Support our Troops The 'fine print': Contact Information+ ++++++++++++++++++++ Sales: sales@macsales.com or 800-275-4576, International 815-338-8685 Customer Service: custserv@macsales.com or 800-275-4576 / 815-338-8685 Tech Support: Online Tech Center or 815-338-8685 Please feel free to e-mail any comments or suggestions to:suggestions@macsales.com You may ALWAYS reply to our OWC Tips and Deals e-mail at owc@macsales.com with any questions or comments as well - PLEASE change the subject to reflect your e-mail question/comment to ensure a speedy reply! Other World Computing div. of New Concepts Development Corp. 1004 Courtaulds Drive Woodstock, IL 60098 815-338-8685 This is an free subscribed E-Mail Newsletter that can be joined via or website. This e-mail is only received if you have joined our list. Notification is e-mailed to your address when you join as well as if you choose to cancel, which you may do at anytime, no hard feelings. :) To change, remove, or add an e-mail address for our newsletter, you can visit our online subscriber page anytime. If you'd just like to unsubscribe, that can also quickly be done 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 |