OWC Tips & Deals 11/23/2004

Intro:

A Happy Thanksgiving to you from your friends at Other World Computing! We hope everyone has a great 'Turkey Day' with friends and family. We especially give our thanks to the Men and Women in the armed services that won't be able to do the same. Everyday we have so much to appreciate, especially remembering that in this day most of us take basic necessities like food as a given. In that respect, we are most fortunate and in generosity can help others less so. Best wishes for a Happy and SAFE Thanksgiving Day to All. A Safe day of driving and 'madness' out to all those all who will partake in the annual 'Friday After' shopping day as well!

As promised, we have done the iMac G5 Memory tests. I have to admit, I am a bit surprised. For our testing, we utilized an iMac G5/1.8GHz configed with 256MB, 1.25GB non-matched and 1GB and 2GB matched sets(1GB matched results being added 11/24). With all the hoopla about the G5's super speed memory bus, I did expect a little different. Such as more of a performance benefit from using the matched memory, which enables the memory interleaving feature. While a benefit is definitely there, you'll really have to decide if it's enough. Something that applies to every Mac running OS X, not just the iMac G5 in this test, is the illustration of how having more memory benefits the performance. Comparing stock 256MB to a 1GB+ upgraded iMac shows more than a doubling of performance in some tests. So check out the results and decide for yourself. The iMac G5 is also now included in our Benchmark Reporting System with which you can compare it to the other stock G4s/G5s/Upgraded G4s. In no way does our testing at all diminish that Apple's got a huge winner and awesome value in their iMac G5. And if you get one (or any new Apple) remember us for the memory, it will save you big dollars vs. what Apple charges and we'll appreciate it too.

Roger, our friend and OWC Mac Music Guru, is getting close to completing his first commercial album. This album is being 100% produced using a PowerMac G4 with an OWC Mercury G4 Extreme Processor Upgrade, Maxed with OWC Memory, and recording to an OWC Mercury Elite FireWire 800 hard drive. What's the real kicker - it's also exclusively produced using Apple's Garageband! Whether for fun or for serious production, Garageband is one incredible tool. Check out this partial track preview and, hey, maybe post a comment to Roger on our OWC Music Forum. I've gotten to hear this song in full, as well as all the others near to final release, and I'm just blown away. Roger is not just our Mac Music Guru, he's a very talented artist as well - and who knows also what Garageband can do.

Our OWC Mercury G4 line got an update last week. We've got three brand new models with lower prices and a new design for even easier installation too! The three new OWC Mercury Extreme G4 models, which can be used to upgrade any PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics/Sawtooth, Digital Audio/Quicksilver system model are: 933MHz - 1GHz is $225.00, 1.0-1.2GHz now $295.00, and 1.3-1.4GHz is $379.00. Our top rated 1.4GHz-1.5GHz is also available for $475.00. All of our models feature a high-speed 2MB Cache, Factory Attached Heaksink w/Fan, and of course our 3 Year Warranty + 30 Days to try. Faster, better, more economical and no complaints. This is just an interim tweak - Macworld SF 05 is just a few weeks away (yikes!) and I promise that even 'faster' is what we'll be showing off there. BTW - When you purchase any of those OWC Mercury G4 Extreme's and an ATI Video card for PowerMac G4, use coupon 'RADG4' at checkout online or by phone to save an extra $20.

And speaking of video... We've been conducting some pretty intense testing of new/old/apple stock video cards to help you decide if and which video card might be a good upgrade. Our 10/27 Tips n' Deals provides an intro and the links for the PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics/Sawtooth & Gigabit Ethernet Models. The following 11/12 newsletter covers the options for the G4 Digital Audio and Quicksilver - as well as providing a peak at some results for the ATI Radeon 9600, a killer deal, in the PowerMac G5 and select G4s. Next time - we will add the complete results for video cards tested in the PowerMac G4 'Mirrored Drive Door' and PowerMac G5 models. Because we test with multiple different processor speeds, these tests do take a bit of time - but time well spent.

That was my attempt to be brief. With so much more to cover, all the more for next time. This week we've got a great iPod Music transfer Quick Tip, a new Music on the Mac article by none other than Roger Adler, and, of course, updated Reader Specials too. I hope you and your family have a safe and above all Happy Thanksgiving - Thanks for being a Tips n' Deals Reader!

Some 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 does OWC do with trade-ins, open box items, discontinued goods, etc.? We put 'em up on our Clearance Deals Page, new items just added Tonight!

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: Mac to iPod Easy, iPod Music to Mac

This tip is written by Chris, long time OWC employee, and even longer time Mac User. This isn't his first tip contribution and no doubt will not be his last! As Chris will talk about, it's very easy to get music onto your iPod... but what happens if disaster strikes - and you want use the iPod as your music 'backup recovery' source? Well, Chris will talk about the utility he recommends so you can move Music from your iPod, completing the other half as Apple only makes it easy to put the music there.

Please enjoy this week's Quick Tip by Chris!

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.

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 @ 1.0GHz, $225.00
Extreme @ 1.2GHz, $295.00
Extreme @ 1.4GHz, $379.00
Extreme @ 1.5GHz $475.00

Video Card Deals
Faster, for less than money than the Radeon 9000 - Fast enough for Apple's new Motion software (never mind great for games and general), we have a great deal on these Apple OEM ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Mac AGP cards we've made available for PowerMac G4 Digital Audio, G4 Quicksilver, and G5 Models.
ATI Radeon 9600 MacEdition 64MB DDR AGP 8X Enabled for any PowerMac G5 $99.00
Same, modified for G4 Digital Audio, QuickSilver, and MDD models $119.00

As a fast 2D/3D primary display card for a Mac without an AGP slot and/or to add more display capabilities to any PowerMac, Radeon 9200 PCI MacEdition is the Ticket! The first Mac PCI Video card tested to beat any AGP Card! In stock, $129.00

OS X, a Better OS for a Better Price at OWC
Apple OS X 10.2.x 'Jaguar' $27.50
Apple OS X 10.2.x 'Jaguar' with Apple iLife '2003' Bundle $29.00
Apple OS X 10.3.x 'Panther' $59.00
Apple OS X 10.3.x 'Panther' with Apple iLife '2004' Bundle $89.00
10.3.x Special - When you buy 10.3.x for $59, use Coupon Code '103LIFE' at checkout and you'll get the iLife '2003' included at no cost!

Logitech RF Wireless Mouse, Mouse + KB Special
I have been using the mouse happily since August. And have heard great feedback on the Mouse and Keyboard wireless combo to. Logitech Wireless Freedom for an unbeatable price:

Logitech RF Wireless 2 Button USB Mouse w/Scroll Wheel, only $12.99!
Logitech Freedom RF Wireless Keyboard + Mouse Combo is just $23.95

FireWire 250GB Deal Time
Our 250GB 8MB Cache models have been the rave lately and volume on that size is helping us make some fantastic deals for our FireWire 250GB Models. All OWC Neptune and Mercury FireWire drives include Dantz Retrospect Backup, Intech Speedtools, all connecting cables, preformatted and pretested for Macs, PC compatible as well. Elites Feature a 2yr Warranty, 1yr Warranty for Neptune.

OWC Neptune 250GB 7200RPM FW400 Solution $195.00
OWC Mercury Elite 7200RPM FW400/USB2 Combo $225.00
OWC Mercury Elite 7200RPM FW800/400 Solution $245.00
OWC Mercury Elite 7200RPM FW800/400+USB2 Combo $265.00
This pricing is up to 10% off our current!

Visit www.macsales.com/FireWire to see our full line + Lacie/Ezquest too!

Listen good, listen longer with longest lasting iPod Battery + FM
NewerTech internal battery for 1st and 2nd Generation Apple iPods:
1600mAh version, 30% 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

Get the iPod going on the road with the NewerTech 'RoadTrip!' FM Transmitter:
The cost is only $19.99, but this product really works, and works well. Some of you have been frustrated by products that either don't sound good, are complicated to use, or both. The RoadTrip! is plug and play simple & it really sounds great! Just doing our part to get you a better product that comes with a better price as well. And - when you buy the RoadTrip! and one of our 2100mAh batteries on the same order - get and extra $10 with coupon code 'HIGHROAD'.

Genuine Apple Superdrives from $60.00
Apple Rom/Apple Logo Pioneer DVR-106 'SuperDrives' Unused/Pulls Just $60.00
Brand New Apple Genuine, no logo DVR-106 'SuperDrives' & bundles from $75.99
External FireWire DVD & CD Plug & Play Solutions from $119.99 too!

Memory Specials & Price Trend Report:
11/23/2004 update: Things be good if your needing memory. Unlike prior years, we've not seen this years 'holiday season' memory cost pressures yet. In fact, for the last week or so, prices have even come down some! While timing is everything when it comes to the best price on memory, the longer your Mac is kept short on memory, the longer things take to do with it and the longer you're shorted from what that Mac could really do.

256MB SDRam for all PowerMac G3 Models and PowerMac G4 'Yikes PCI $26.00

256MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 SDRam for PowerMac G4s AGP Models 350-1GHz & Cube $31.50
Or, top things off with 512MB Modules at $82.50

1GB PC3200 DDR Upgrade Kit (2x512MB) for all PowerMac G5 & iMac G5 Models $172.50
Really hungry for memory? 2GB PC3200 Kits (2x1GB Module) special $409.00
For that 1GB set, that's over $50 less than Apple charges just to change from 256MB to 1GB. And for the 2GB Set, the same 256MB to 2GB from Apple is over $700 more. Get your Mac from Apple and your memory from OWC. Oh, and you'll also have that extra Apple 256MB to spare too. :)

1GB Module for PowerBook G4 AL 12/15/17"; iMac G4/1.0GHz+, iBook G4s $235.00
Get a 1GB from OWC vs. what Apple charges to add just 512MB!

Mac 128MB 5V 168 Pin 60NS Dimms for 7300-9600 Models & Clones, $15.75

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.

You'll find more great deals, updated regularly on your Tips 'n Deals Reader Specials Page, check it out!
Music on the Mac 11/23 - Going FireWire Solo

Greetings from www.macsales.com/music

This week we have finally gotten the new FireWire audio interface from M-Audio called the FireWire Solo. This is an audio interface with an XLR mic input, instrument input and stereo line inputs. The mic input has 48 volt phantom power available, something required by some pro quality condenser mics. M-Audio recently came out with a great, low priced USB interface called the Fast Track as mentioned here a few weeks ago. It would be accurate to say that the FireWire Solo is its big brother. The phantom power is a significant difference between the 2 products as the Fast Track doesn't have phantom power available. If you want great audio specs such as signal to noise ratio of -102db, THD (Total Harmonic Distortion ) of 0.0061% (very low distortion) and frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz ( excellent ), the FireWire Solo is a fabulous solution for just under $200.

The Solo has a few other nice features such as the ability to be rack mounted, something that makes it a natural in a traveling "road rig" recording setup. Most pros and semi pros rack mount their equipment for ease of carrying and the fact that it can all be wired together and then be ready to go with just one cable to the computer. Another nice feature is the switch on the front panel which selects the front or rear inputs, once again making it easy to have everything hooked up ahead of time and flexible in its usage. There is also the convenience of dual FW ports so you can chain additional devices such as drives or CD Burners. The headphones and analog outputs each have their own level controls too!

M-Audio continues to offer fantastic products that assist in EVERY area of audio recording on your Mac. We are pleased to bring you their fine products and everything else you need to get your imagination onto a CD. Check out the fine products from M-Audio and many others at www.macsales.com/music

Don't miss the article on GarageBand by Roger Adler in the Sept/Oct issue of Mac Design Magazine! It's now available online too.

And, in case you skipped, check out a Sample from Roger's upcoming GarageBand produced music album!

We encourage you to visit 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!

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:
I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving! The conclusion of another year has entered what always feels like the most rapid stage. The holidays, the shopping for the holidays, the travel - all of it just makes this following few weeks to seem to just blink by. Almost have to wonder how that came to be. The holidays are certainly filled with joy, but when did they also become, well, so stressful too? It's a world of progress, but maybe too much progress sometime - or maybe too much commercialization of the progress. Plenty of reasons, just have to remember what the holiday season is all about.

If my attempt to be brief hadn't failed, this would have been in the intro, but works A-Ok in our closing too. As you might recall, a few months ago you helped us pick a name for our 'Working Class Dog'. The name voted in was 'Mac' and through Working Class Dogs, Mac is being trained so he can one day be helpful companion for someone who is visually impaired. Mac and another 'trainee' came by and visited last week. Now six months old, he's definitely growing up! Jamie took some quick on the spot photos in our lobby that also included Perry, our German Shepherd and Chopper, our latest addition - a border/shetland mix puppy that my wife found via Petfinder.com and proceeded to adopt from a not exactly nearby shelter. Mac, Perry, and Chopper all say Hi and tell you not to mind those Dell boxes in some of the photos - those have LCDs from a deal OWC couldn't pass up.

With that, I thinks it time to conclude. Plenty for the next newsletter yet to come too. Thanks for reading and have yourself a great holiday!

We Support our Troops
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