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OWC Tips & Deals 6/26/2004
Intro: But that's what the AC is for, and Apple's new Dual G5/2.5GHz PowerMac incorporates a slick liquid cooling system that keeps the processors cool with all that power being revved up. Also, in typical Apple fashion, this new 2.5GHz Dual top end model is offered for $2999, the same price the 2.0GHz Dual used to cost. G5 Dual 2.0GHz and the Dual 1.8Ghz base models are available retail for $2499 and $1999 respectably, $500 less than before for those respective performance levels and the G5/1.6GHz Single is now discontinued. Do take notice that the 'new' 1.8GHz Dual has just 4 memory slots (like the 1.6GHz did) while the 'old' Dual G5/1.8GHz allowed up to 8GB of memory with its 8 memory slots, the 'new' Dual 1.8GHz is limited to a max of 4GB using 1GB modules, 2GB using 512s. Both the Dual 2.0GHz and Dual 2.5GHz feature 8 memory slots. All in all, it's a nice speed improvement to the line both in top end performance and value. And speaking of more speed, we're about to bring even higher speed options to our FasterMac.net service. Already it's the deal for up to 56K dial-up - I mean where else can you get a Mac dedicated nationwide unlimited service for only $8 a month? And it's full service too, with 24 hour, 7 days a week toll free tech support, anti-virus and customizable anti-spam tools, webspace, e-mails, and more. And then step up to TurboMac and now you getting web browsing performance that's up to 6.5 times faster than normal dialup. What are you paying $15, $20, even $26 a month for? That's just the dial-up end... Next week, we'll be taking on Mac DSL Nationwide too. :) Just in case any of you missed it, our Jamie Dresser did a fantastic article for getting the most from your SuperDrive. This was our June 8th Quick Tip and with it you can burn slower media faster, get the latest firmware installed, and read media faster too. And now with the Pioneer Superdrive 8X DVD-R/24X CDRWs available for $99.99, it's easier than ever to get going and start cranking out those discs. Jamie's article helps you save more money and time too, for just about any Pioneer mechanism you may have - learn how to burn faster on the less expensive media. First we asked you for name ideas and then we asked you to vote on the name for our 'Working Class Dog'. Now, the results are official and 'our' puppy has a name and that name is Mac! Mac is going to grow up to be a great help to someone who needs him and as he grows we'll all be able to share in Mac's progress. Thanks to everyone who helped pick the name. Updates and new photos of Mac will be forthcoming. Still getting adjusting to some recent changes, but we'll pick it up going forward. Still ahead, have this week's Quick Tip looking at Apple iPhoto, an interesting Garageband Music on the Mac G4 & G5 performance article, and of course, a fresh update of Reader Specials for ya. And there ya have it. Thanks for being a Tips 'n Deals Subscriber!
Some Quick Links
See what a Processor Upgrade can do for your Mac and compare new Macs too. Our Benchmark Reporting System lets you compare stock Apple systems versus those systems with different upgrades and against new Mac models too! It's easy and informative to compare with OWC's exclusive BRS!
Use Apple OS 9.2.2 & Apple OS X 10.3.x on Macs Apple doesn't support - OWC Supports you with OS 9 Helper and Xpostfacto!
Quick Tip: iPhoto for the World to See Apple's iPhoto is a dream come true for the digital shutterbug. It just doesn't get much easier to import, organize, share, and view digital photo's than what Apple has provided with iPhoto. First you take the pictures with your digital camera. Or, granted, you can also import image/picture files you may already have from scans, etc. But I'm going to take it from the Digital Camera perspective... Once you've got those pictures taken, you need only connect your camera(many have USB 1.1/2.0 interfaces built right in) to your Mac or plug in the camera's memory media into a reader that is connected to your Mac. Once you've done this and OS X mounts the data source, if it isn't open already, iPhoto will automatically launch. it will then see the new image files and the option to import from that source will automatically be presented. Click the import button and the pictures start loading on in. At this point, it also conveniently offers the check box option to delete the originals from the source so that after the import is complete, you're camera storage is wiped clean and ready for your next round of shots - no extra time needed to reformat/etc. Now you've got photo's in iPhoto. That simple! On the left column, you create new 'album' folders where you can put together groupings. The easiest way to explain is to compare to iTunes... just like you make Playlists with iTunes, you make and populate your iPhoto Albums. And from any point, you can multi-select and click the e-mail icon to automatically generate an e-mail with the photo's selected to send. And sharing with the world is easy too! Under the file menu, you just select 'Export'. Then select the album of photos you want to export. If you have a .Mac account, Apple has integrated the posting of the photos to your webspace there with the iPhoto 3 and later. Using iPhoto 2 and later, iPhoto will generate the web pages and photo files that you can upload and use with any ISP, like FasterMac.net, that gives you webspace along with your service. With just a couple clicks in iPhoto 2, a drag and drop with the FTP application Transmit, it was less than 5 minutes to have these photos exported and posted to the web online for the world to see. One of the least used features included with most ISP accounts is that webspace. You'd think it might be harder to use too, but it isn't. With a program like Transmit, you just login with the user name and password assigned by your ISP and then it's just drag and drop to post the files you want online. You've seen those neat photo albums others have put online - you can do it too! If you purchased a new Apple Computer in 2003 or bought Apple iLife '03, you've got this fantastic tool in the form of iPhoto 2. I currently use iPhoto 2, although will now be looking at iPhoto 4 since Apple notes that it is significantly faster than prior versions. I have noticed as my library of pictures has grown (now nearly to two thousand photos and over 4 gigs) iPhoto 2 has slowed a little. If you purchased a new Apple this year or bought iLife '04, you have iPhoto 4 right now and in either case - what are you waiting for? Shoot, Import, View, and Share.
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.
Featured Deals and then some..
Upgrade to a new 'Superdrive' to burn CDs and DVDs
The Fastest in FireWire Reader Specials
2-Port FireWire 400 Card for any PowerMac with a PCI Slot - $9.95
Upgrading the Mac you have can be Better than buying a New Mac!
More storage, that's Quieter and Faster too
Memory Specials & Price Trend Report:
Memory Deal Highlights: 512MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 168 Pin SDRam Module for G4 Cube, eMacs, iMac G3/350-700MHz models, PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics(aka Sawtooth)/Gigabit Ethernet/Digital Audio/QuickSilver now $98.00 Mac 128MB 5V 168 Pin 60NS Dimms for 7300-9600 Models & Clones, $16.99
1GB Module for PowerBook G4 AL 12/15/17"; iMac G4/1.0GHz+, iBook G4s $299.00 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.
Total Digital Media Control - Video, Music, Etc!
That's just a small sample of the many deals you'll find on your Tips 'n Deals Reader Specials Page, check it out! Music on the Mac 6/26 - G4 vs. G5 vs. G4 for Garageband Greetings from www.macsales.com/music The news is in. I spent a day testing GarageBand on a G5 1.8 single processor machine and an accelerated G4. So much has been said already about how GarageBand needs processor speed and a fast drive. I am here to report that it was a dramatic difference. I have been using GarageBand on a Titanium Powerbook 550, an iMac 700 MHZ and a G4 tower accelerated to 800MHZ. All 3 machines worked ok but the number of tracks available was often 8 or less. The G5 never even broke a sweat and the "play head" in GarageBand never changed to red, even after piling up 18 tracks with effects. This was a welcome improvement. The next obvious question was how an faster G4 would work with GarageBand. I installed an OWC Mercury Extreme G4/1.467-1.5GHz processor upgrade and took GarageBand for a spin. The results were dramatic and my track count was nearly identicle to what I could achieve with the G5. I had 17 tracks going with lots of effects on each track and on the master track. Keep in mind that the Beatles created the Sgt. Pepper album with only 4 tracks! The "play head" WAS finally turning red at that point which indicated that I was about at the maximum number of tracks. This was such an improvement over my 550MHz Powerbook that I hated to return the processor to our tech department. For most users, a processor upgrade is a very viable and affordable solution. If the conventional wisdom that new applications will push hardware sales is true, then a lot of people will want a G5. It is also very true that a G4 processor upgrade is much less of an investment and yields very similar performance with GarageBand. GarageBand is a revolutionary breakthrough in that it gives you all the tools you need to create music.....just add imagination ( and a faster Mac ). I reflected back on how many thousands I spent 10 years ago on a new Mac and can't help shake my head in disbelief about how much more power for less money you get in today's world. Technology keeps sprinting forward and the price tag keeps getting lower too. Aah...it's great to be alive in the new millenium! Now all I have to do is have a garage sale ( or maybe I should call it my Garage Band sale ) and scrape together a few more dollars and I will have my processor upgrade. Life is good. Don't forget that it is wise and recommended that you use a separate, fast FireWire Drive such as our Mercury or Neptune series for your audio files. You will also probably need a midi keyboard controller such as the M-Audio Oxygen 8 and good speakers such as the M-Audio BX-5s to get the most from GarageBand. As always, we encourage you to visit our Mac Music/Audio Forum to share your questions and comments!
Also, visit our website to view Roger's previous music articles online!
Closing: Did the talk and then did the walk, a new day with new horizons has dawned. Doing the ceremony and honeymoon in Hawaii was nice, although the time difference is still nagging us a bit. Hawaii is 5 hours behind Chicago time and even a week after being back, still haven't quite put all those hours back in line. Thanks for all the well wishes, they were truly appreciated... And if you check the photo link in this week's Quick Tip, well, some of the photos taken, including of the wedding, have been posted and shared.
Anyway, you ain't seen nothin yet - we got lots more to come in the weeks to follow. Thanks again and the best always to you and yours!
The 'fine print': ++++++++++++++++++++ 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. :) Click cancel/unsubscribe to generate an e-mail message to remove the e-mail address the message is sent from. If you'd like to change the address where you receive our newsletter, please visit our online subscriber page which can be used to unsubscribe and subscribe e-mail addresses. NOTE - When you subscribe an address, prior to being added you will need to reply to a confirmation e-mail our system generates confirming your desire to on our list. 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 2000-2004, Other World Computing - Since 1988 |