Combo Upgrade for Pismo and Lombard, PowerBook Repairs, Mini USB Drives, and More

Charles Moore - 2002.11.22

Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.

• Inexpensive Combo Drive Upgrade for Pismo, Lombard
• Powerbookmedic.com Offers PowerBook Parts, Installations, Repairs
• Magma CardBus Expansion Systems for PowerBooks Now Supported in Mac OS X (Jaguar)
• Iomega Mini USB Drives
• Plextor Introduces Ultra Portable 24/10/24 CD-RW Drive with USB 2.0 Interface
• WiebeTech Reduces MicroGB Pocket Drive Pricing by up to $50
• Bargain 'Books

Inexpensive Combo Drive Upgrade for Pismo, Lombard

Want a combo drive in your Pismo or Lombard for under $80? Check out this illustrated tutorial on installing a Sony CD-RW CRX700E.

The Sony CRX700E (8x4x32) is available from Upgrade Solution for $74 + shipping.

Powerbookmedic.com Offers PowerBook Parts, Installations, Repairs

Powerbookmedic offers parts, installations, repairs, for G3 and G4 Apple laptops and iBooks, as well as older models.

Powerbookmedic services all of the following PowerBook computer models: G4 Titanium, G3 Pismo, G3 Lombard, G3 WallStreet, iBook (white), iBook Clamshell (pre-2001), and older models.

Powerbookmedic.com has been servicing PowerBooks and selling PowerBook parts since 1998. They have primarily offered their parts on eBay, where they have over 1100 feedback. (Perform a seller search for wallachee.) Their stated primary goal is 99% customer satisfaction, and they guarantee all of their parts and repairs to be fully functional when you receive them.

Powerbookmedic.com offers affordable installation on parts including hard drives and RAM. Any part purchased from Powerbookmedic.com can be installed for a flat $25 fee + return shipping cost. Additional installations will be performed at no additional cost if the items are purchased and installed at the same time. Say, for example, you would like to purchase and have 3 items installed. The installation fee would be a flat $25 + $15 return UPS shipping. If you order parts that do not need installation then those parts can be shipped before or after the installations are done on your unit.

Repair service is a flat $65 for labor + part cost. Return shipping is free.

Magma CardBus Expansion Systems for PowerBooks Now Supported in Mac OS X (Jaguar)

Mobility Electronics, developer of the Magma Series of PCI Expansion Systems, has announced that Mac OS X Version 10.2.2 (Jaguar) provides support for Magma CardBus-to-PCI Expansion Systems.

The Apple PowerBook customer base has been eagerly awaiting this announcement, which provides confidence that Magma is committed to the Mac industry. Users can now upgrade their PowerBook computers to the increasingly popular Mac OS X without losing compatibility with the Magma CardBus Expansion line of products.

Many of Mobility's Development Partners, like Digidesign and Pinnacle Systems, are also working towards Mac OS X solutions. When the time arrives that other developers begin shipping products supported under Mac OS X, Mobility will be at the forefront with a compatible solution for the portable Macintosh market.

"We are thrilled about the release of Mac OS 10.2.2. We have been working closely with both Apple Computer and Digidesign to bring about this result," said Victoria Baker, Manager of Solution Partner Programs at Mobility's San Diego Operations, makers of the Magma line of PCI Expansion Systems. "This has been one of our top priorities, and we are delighted to be able to make this announcement for our users today."

Users of Magma CardBus-to-PCI Expansion Systems may now select from a broad array of Operating Systems: for PC Laptop computers Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP; and for Apple PowerBook Computers Mac OS 9.x and now Mac OS X.

Users seeking to upgrade their PowerBooks to Mac OS X Version 10.2.2 should visit the Apple website for complete update instructions.

Customers who have been delaying the purchase of a Magma CardBus Expansion System until Mac OS X support was available, may now purchase a CardBus expansion system directly from the Magma Sales Staff at Mobility Electronics.

Iomega Mini USB Drives

Weighing less than an ounce and as small as a car key, the new Iomega Mini USB 64 MB and 128 MB drives make transporting and sharing data easier than ever. Now you can take your presentations, graphics, photos, music, and videos anywhere you go.

The Iomega Mini USB drive is a portable, easy-to-use and secure solution for transporting and sharing your data. It plugs it into any computer's USB port and is Active Disk Powered to allow applications to conveniently launch and run directly from the drive.

You can choose from 64 MB and 128 MB capacity Iomega Mini USB drives to quickly and easily transport your important data. Each drive offers Mini Lock software to password protect the data you select. 256 MB capacity coming soon.

Prices: $69.95/99.95

Plextor Introduces Ultra Portable 24/10/24 CD-RW Drive with USB 2.0 Interface

Plextor Corporation, has announced the availability of the PlexWriter™ 24/10/24U CD-RW drive. The PlexWriter 24/10/24U is lightweight and compact - almost pocketsize - and connects via Hi-Speed USB to laptop and desktop computers (PC or Mac). The high-performance drive features 24x CD-Write, 10x CD-Rewrite, and 24x-max CD read, making it one of the fastest portable CD-RW drives on the market today.

The PlexWriter 24/10/24U drive measures just 5.55" by 0.87" by 6.73" and weighs less than one pound. Now business "road warriors" and consumers on the move can use a high-quality Plextor drive to record custom CDs or backup files from any USB-enabled computer located anywhere. With plug-and-play simplicity and the convenience of hot-plug/unplug capabilities, this portable CD-RW drive makes transferring and storing data much faster and easier from any location.

The PlexWriter 24/10/24U drive features the Hi-Speed Universal Serial Bus interface, making installation faster and easier than ever before. It is Plug & Play compatible with Windows 98SE/ME/XP, as well as Mac OS 8.6 (USB 1.1) and Mac OS X (USB 2.0, although no Macs currently have USB 2.0 built in). Users can typically begin recording custom CDs within minutes of opening the box.

The 3-in-1 PlexWriter 24/10/24U drive reads, writes, and rewrites compact discs at a wide variety of speeds. The drive features a 2 MB data buffer and Digital Audio Extraction rates to a maximum of 24x. Burst data transfer rates are 480 Mb/sec (USB 2.0) or 12 Mb/sec (USB 1.1). The drive supports a wide variety of CD writing modes, including Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Session-at-Once, Multisession, and variable/fixed packet writing.

The portable PlexWriter 24/10/24U features Buffer Under-Run Proof technology. Using a slow source drive or attempting to perform multiple tasks while recording a CD can lead to buffer underrun errors that render the disc unusable. Buffer Under-Run Proof technology prevents buffer underrun errors, so end-users can multitask by sending email or surfing the Web while recording a high-quality CD.

Plextor's bundled software package offers ease-of-use and extensive functionality. The portable PlexWriter 24/10/24U ships with the Easy CD Creator/DirectCD 5 Platinum software package from Roxio, Inc. The world's number one selling CD-recording software, Easy CD Creator goes way beyond the limited CD burning software that comes bundled with most DVD and CD recorders.

The new PlexWriter 24/10/24U drive with Hi-Speed USB interface is scheduled for immediate shipment to distributors and resellers with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $199 USD. All retail packages include unlimited toll-free technical support and one-year full warranty.

WiebeTech Reduces MicroGB Pocket Drive Pricing by up to $50

WiebeTech announces a $50 price reduction on the 60 GB version of MicroGB. Other configurations are also reduced in price:

• 0 GB, $119.95
• 20 GB, 4200 RPM, $179.95
• 30 GB, 4200 RPM, $239.95
• 40 GB, 4200 RPM, $269.95
• 20 GB, 5400 RPM, $219.95
• 40 GB, 5400 RPM, $299.95
• 60 GB, 5400 RPM, $479.95
• 60 GB, 4200 RPM, $369.95

Basic product includes: Aluminum enclosure, USB2 cable, and FireWire cable. An AC adapter is optional and required only for USB usage.

"MicroGB continues to represent the best performance and value for pocket drive purchasers," said James Wiebe, CEO of WiebeTech. "The price drop now puts 60 GB portable storage in reach of the consumer. Our products are also bundled with MacDrive 5™ software, which allows Mac formatted drives to be read on any PC."

In the U.S. and Canada, dealers may purchase MicroGB from WiebeTech's distributor, http://www.drbott.com, or from dealers. All configurations are in stock and available directly from http://www.wiebetech.com. Canadian resellers may purchase products from EMJ (http://www.emj.ca)

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Bargain 'Books

There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233 MHz, the cacheless MainStreet version and the later Series II with a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from the vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included links within this paragraph to the two models. The same goes for the PowerBook G4/667 (Gigabit Ethernet/2001) and G4/667 (DVI).

FlyMilesMicro

• PowerBook G4/667, 256/30 GB/Combo, factory refurbished, $1,749
• PowerBook G4/800, 512/40 GB/Combo, AirPort, factory refurbished, $2,049

AppleCare for PowerBook G3 or G4 Apple Refurbished Laptops - $279.50

Small Dog Electronics

• iBook 600 12", 384/20 GB/CD-ROM, Ogio case, factory refurbished, $869
• PowerBook G4/667, 256/30 GB/Combo, AirPort card installed, Ogio Prodigy BackPack, $2,049

PowerMax

• iBook 600 12", 128/20 GB/CD-ROM, factory refurbished, $849
• iBook 700 12", 128/20 GB/Combo, factory refurbished, $1,088
• iBook 700 14", 256/30 GB/Combo, factory refurbished, $1,388

Get a free Epson C42UX Printer with any new, refurbished, or used Mac from PowerMax after dual rebate, plus get a free Case Logic nylon carrying case with any of these iBooks.

ExperCom

• iBook 600 12", 128 MB/20G/CD-ROM, factory refurbished, $799
• iBook 700 12", 128/20 GB/Combo, factory refurbished, $989
• iBook 500,128/10 GB/Combo, factory refurbished, $999
• iBook 700 14.1", 256/30 GB/Combo, factory refurbished, $1,499
• PowerBook G4/667, 256/30 GB/Combo, factory refurbished, $1,749
• PowerBook G4/800, 512/40 GB/Combo, AirPort, factory refurbished, $2,095

PowerBook Guy

• PowerBook 2400c/180, 80/1.3 GB/floppy, $549.95
• PowerBook 3400c/180, 32/1.3 GB/CD-ROM/floppy, $299.95