• Intro
• Quick Tip: iPhoto 4 = Welcome Speed
• Great Buys & Special Deals - Just for Readers!
• Music on the Mac 8/6 - Be a 'MasterWriter' & a Mic that's Right
• Closing
• The Fine Print

Intro:

Hello again from Other World Computing. Sorry it's been a bit longer than usual between our normal e-mailings, it's become a rather busy summer here. And I do dare say 'summer' - we've actually had a couple nice weekends with temps actually rising to the normal summer range. True 'summer' days that also happen to coincide with the weekend have been rare in deed and difficult to not make the best of with lots of little projects to do around the house. By no means has there been any slacking at OWC though either - there has been so much going on these past weeks and definitely not any sort of 'summer lull'. In many ways, just not a typical summer.

Anyway, starting off, our Airport Express units have arrived! After getting the Airport Express going and now all excited to try Airtunes via the digital optical out provided, I found I'd missed a minor detail. While I thought it had a Toslink Digital port, it actually has an analog/mini-optical port. This port allows either a 3.5mm analog mini-audio plug or a digital mini-optical to provide the audio out and you can get both cable types for $39 in the Monster Audio cable Kit from Apple. I don't think so. Next week we will have mini-optical to Toslink Digital cables in stock in 1/2/3 Meter lengths from $9.95 to $15.95. Already have a Toslink cable you want to use? We'll have mini-optical to Toslink adapters for under $4. And if you just want the good ole analog cable solution - we have those now, mini-jack to RCA L/R, in stock for $4.99! So next newsletter is when I'll be going into detail on the AirTunes experience - that's this weekend's 'after hours, sleepless night' project. :)

So what about the Airport Express for Wireless you ask - well it ROCKS! Plug it in, use the Apple auto config utility - and you're good to go wireless. Setting it up to extend the wireless range/coverage of an existing Airport network is equally painless - click - click - done. For the third time in as many newsletters I've just got to say that this is the another winner out of Cupertino. Great for home, this is also your new traveling wireless solution. So small, so simple, with the Airport Express you'll even have the freedom of wireless when you're on the road. Just plug the available broadband connection into it instead of your laptop - and look Ma, no strings - er cables. :) A little better than the 3-4 weeks quoted the last time I checked, 2-3 weeks is still a bit of time if your anxious to get going Express Wireless... So, check with your local Apple Store. We've been able to confirm regular weekly shipments keeping the product available to pickup at Apple Store retail locations even while there's the wait via the virtual one.

Normally, I'd just put this in the deals part of the newsletter. This week, well drop a few of the highlights in right up here. There's been a bunch of new price drops on existing product lines, some great new products/deals we've picked up, and well - some great values for up to the front. In no particular order, here are the highlights:

Processor Upgrades:
#1 Mercury Extreme G4/1.2-1.4GHz PowerMac G4 Upgrade(except Yikes) was $389, now $365 limited.
#2 Mercury Extreme G4/1.467-1.5GHz PowerMac G4 Upgrade(except Yikes) was $499, now $475
#3 -NEW- Mercury G4/450-500MHz G4 ZIF 1MB 2:1 PowerMac G3 & G4 'Yikes' Upgrade $135
And - for those interested - yet another glowing OWC Mercury Extreme G4 Upgrade Review!

FireWire and Storage:
#1 'Editor's Choice' Mercury Pro and Neptune CDRW, DVD-RW+CDRW External Solutions now from $89.95 and $159.95 vs. $99.95 and $179.95.
#2 'Top Rated' Mercury On-The-Go Portables now from $139.97, 40 Gigs from $149.97 & up to 80GB.
#3 'Top Rated' Mercury Elite FireWire 400/USB2 80GB-300GB from $139.99, FireWire 800/400 Pro 80GB-250GB from $169.99 & 160GB $199.99, FireWire 800/400+USB2 Combo 80GB to 300GB from $179.99.

iPod Goodies:
#1 It's under $20 and it really works - The Newer Technology 'Road Trip!' FM Transmitter for your Apple iPod(or other). Designed just for the Car, this product lets you listen to your iPod or any audio device with an audio mini-jack via your Car's radio steady and clear tuned at 107.7 FM. While we are well aware of products costing 2X or even 5X as much that work poorly or not at all in many areas, the 'RoadTrip' is Rock solid steady with better sound than competing products offer in the best of circumstances + without any retuning inconvenience. Costs less, works better, works period - REALLY! Don't let the low price fool - 'Road Trip!' is the real deal!
#2 You already know about our 30% higher capacity Apple 1st/2nd Generation iPod internal battery replacement kit for $29.95, now we have a new battery kit for 3rd Generation iPods too, for $25.99.

SuperDrive Deals: #1 Internal Superdrive for Power Mac G3/G4/G5s & eMac - Pioneer DVR-107 8X DVD-+R/RW + 16X CD-R/RW are in stock from $99.99. Value Bundles with Media and Software are available from $103.95, featuring Apple iLife with iDVD from $109.99.

#2 Internal Superdrives for PowerBook G4 are now available from $179.95 down from $239.95 just 6 weeks ago!
#3 - and a reader bonus - Order any 'Superdrive' internal/external/bundle/solution we offer and use coupon code '10DVDTIP' at checkout to receive 10 bonus pieces DVD-R Media w/Jewel Cases! A Tips n' Deals Exclusive.

And, it goes without saying, these drives we offer are good to go with all the popular authoring software including Apple iDVD, Discburner, iTunes, iPhoto, Roxio Toast, NTI Dragonburn, Dantz Retrospect, etc. Remember the fun of burning your first Music CDs? Rediscover the fun again, this time making Video DVDs. :)

Audio & Video Capture Instant Deal:
So you're ready to burn those DVDs - but need a way to get that A/V captured...The ADS Instant DVD couldn't be easier for importing those old VHS tapes, capturing live TV/Video, Camcorder, etc! This complete A/V In Realtime capture/display and A/V Playback out solution is compatible with any Apple computer that has built in USB. And it doesn't just capture video, it also saves a serious time consuming step by real-time, on the fly encoding straight to MPEG or MPEG2 - somthing that saves you serious hard drive space as well during the process as well. We've been selling this product for about a year and it's a great solution even priced to upwards of $189 - it's now an even better deal, just for Tips n' Deals readers, for the steal of $119! :)

**** That's a taste and it's just the tip of the iceberg. You gotta know we're always working hard to bring you the best. And on that note - a lot of hard work can finally be shared via our new and improved Online Tech Center. Not only have we made finding the information you may be seeking about hundred times easier to find - but it's been signifcantly expanded to offer a greater selection of technical resources and even OWC Acceleration/Memory/Optical drive installation videos too! Our 'new' Tech Center has been a long time coming and I am most excited for the resources we can now make readily available through it.

Although it didn't specically talk about the 'Nigerian Free Money' type scams, the Quick Tip we did last time on scam e-mails in general resulted in reader e-mails with links to entertaining articles with the scammers being conned. In this example, the scammer even paid their would be victum - in this other, well, it's some pretty silly dialogue that's a fun read upon itself. For someone who thinks he's found a sucker to con, it just doesn't getter better when that scammer falls for the con themself - short of criminal prosecution.

Switching back to a more serious track, lets think good thoughts for our famed leader, Steve Jobs, during the month. This past weekend Mr. Jobs advised sent a company wide e-mail advising that he had just completed successful surgery for the removal of a cancerous tumor from his pancreas. Having been diagnosed early, he advised that the cancer was cured with that surgery. Quite thankfully without chemo or radiation therapies needed. He'll be taking a break this month to recuperate to return to normal duties in September, just in time to introduce those new iMac G5s.

I think that's enough for this week, this 'intro' having run on long enough. Need to save some material for next week's. :) But there's still more to come as always and starting with a Quick Tip looking at iPhoto v4.x vs v2.x, a couple new Music on the Mac articles saved up, and Reader Specials with even more goodie deals. As always thanks for being a Tips n' Deals Subscriber!

Some Quick Links
Pay Less, Get More, Surf Faster with FasterMac.NET
Nationwide 56K Dial up from $8/month, DSL from under $30 + 24/7 Toll Free Support, 10 Megs Webhosting, anti-Virus filtering, fully customizable Ant-Spam tools, and more - just for Macs.

Get the most from your Pioneer Superdrive! Increase read and write speeds, install current firmware, and more! OWC's Jamie tells you how!

Always bargains to be found on the OWC Clearance Page. The latest in one of a kinds, and open box just added today, August 6th!

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!

Something the Government got right, the FTC's Do Not Call List puts a stop to annoying telemarketing calls!

It wasn't too long ago I talked about web publishing with iPhoto 2. At that time, I mentioned doing a follow up comparing to iPhoto 4. Although I haven't had the chance to upgrade yet - OWC's Jamie Dresser has been using iPhoto 4 and now just back from vacation with a slug of great photos to share, well - the perfect opportunity on his take.

For me, iPhoto 2 worked great at first - but got slower and slower as I loaded it with more and more photos. Even despite the beach ball effect, I can't say that I didn't like iPhoto 2 and in truth there was nothing else I've really used to compare it to. Well - I can tell you right now, I'm upgrading to iPhoto 4. All the features and more of iPhoto 2, more speed than iPhoto 2 ever had. Just checking it out a little - well - it's like going from a single engine prop plane to an intercontinental jet. If for no other reason, the incredible performance the apparently very well writtin iPhoto 4 offers makes it worth the price of iLife 2004 - even if you're not going to use all the other apps iLife is more known and talked about for. I think you'll enjoy reading Jamie's take and quick tips on using iPhoto 4 and especially the great photos he's put up to share as well!

See past Quick Tip topics online in the Quick Tip Archive

Upgrade to a new 'Superdrive' to burn CDs and DVDs
The new Pioneer DVR-107 'SuperDrive' is compatible with any PowerMac G3 or G4 and will burn DVDs at up to 8X and CDs at up to 24X. Use Apple iDVD, Discburner, iTunes, Roxio Toast, Etc.
Get just the Pioneer DVR-107 'Superdrive' by itself for $99.00 or
that + 10 DVD-Rs & 25 CD-Rs with Jewel cases, Apple iLife '03, and Dantz Retrospect Backup Super Bundle for $119.00 or the same with Apple iLife 2004 $149.00.

-See all the options we offer internal and external for CD/DVD drives, including internal CDRW/DVDRW drive for G4 PowerBooks and Cubes, More Special Superdrive Bundles too - in our dedicated online section-.

The Fastest in FireWire Reader Specials
Our OWC Mercury Elite 800 Pro drives offer the fastest FireWire 800 Performance EVER. Using the fastest hard drives, featuring 8MB data buffers, and our custom tuned bridge solution - these Elites deliver for the most demanding power user! All Elite Drives include Dantz Retrospect Backup, Intech Speed Tools, FireWire 800 and FireWire 400 cables, 2 Year OWC Warranty.
200GB Elite 800 Pro 7200RPM Solution $239.00 250GB Elite 800 Pro 7200RPM Solution $295.00

2-Port FireWire 400 Card for any PowerMac with a PCI Slot - $9.95

2-Port FireWire 800 + 1-Port FireWire 400 PowerMac PCI Card - $47.50

Browse our full line of FireWire 400/800/USB, hubs, cables, etc online. Solutions by EzQuest, Lacie, OWC, SmartDisk, and others in stock and available.

Upgrading the Mac you have can be Better than buying a New Mac!
Featured Processor Upgrade for AGP Graphics/Sawtooth, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, and QuickSilver PowerMac G4 Models:
OWC Mercury Extreme G4/1.0-1.2GHz, 2MB L3 Cache is $315.00

For G3 Beige, G3 Blue & White, G4 'Yikes' PCI PowerMac Models:
OWC Mercury G4/450-500MHz 1MB L2 - $135.00; G4/500-600MHz 1MB L2 Cache $209.00

Visit our Acceleration Section for our full upgrade offering for Macs new and old. G3s and G4s, Single and Dual Processor, for PowerBooks and PowerMacs - available by Gigadesigns, NewerTech, OWC, PowerLogix, and Sonnet. G3 upgrades start from $99; G4s from $137.95.

More storage, that's Quieter and Faster too
For PowerBook & iBook G3-G4 models
40.0GB Toshiba MK4025GAS 2.5" with 8MB Data Buffer, now $92.50
80.0GB Hitachi 80GN 4200RPM 2.5" with 8MB Data Buffer, now $179.00

For PowerMac G3/G4, Cubes, eMac, iMac Desktop & Tower models
160GB Hitachi Deskstar 7K250 7200RPM 3.5" with 2MB Buffer $ 99.00
80GB Western Digital Caviar 7200RPM 3.5" with 8MB Buffer $78.00

See our full line as well as high-speed ATA/133 and SATA PCI Controllers online.

Memory Specials & Price Trend Report:
8/6/2004 Memory 'Watch': Things have been pretty quiet out there these last couple summer weeks. Nothing has really gone up and some stuff has come down a few dollars since the last update. Usually prices do creep up as August progresses and the new 'season' begins, but at least for the moment, you can take your time on memory. That said, the more time you go without the memory you need - the more time you suffer a Mac that could night and day be faster with that simple plug in module.

Memory Deal Highlights:
256MB SDRam for all PowerMac G3 Models and PowerMac G4 'Yikes PCI $37.99

PowerMac G5 1GB Upgrade Set, 2x512MB Matched PC3200 DDR400 now $185.00

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 $93.50

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 $275.00
Save when you go up to 2GB in your two slot model, or max with slot model!

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!
El Gato's new 'EyeHome' lets you control your Mac to play Movies, Music, even Access the Internet via your home entertainment system. You Mac has the content, Eyehome puts it all where you want it. On special for $239, check it out. :)

That's just a small sample of the many deals you'll find on your Tips 'n Deals Reader Specials Page, check it out!