Compact, Affordable AC Adapter, 800-900 MHz Pismo Upgrades, New Cases, and More

Compiled by Charles Moore and edited by Dan Knight - 2003.05.02

Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.

• MacResQ Mini AC Adapter for PowerBook G4 & White iBook
• PowerLogix 800 and 900 MHz Pismo PowerBook CPU Upgrades Shipping
• New Willow Backpacks for 17" PowerBook
• Belkin ParkWay II and Freeport II Laptop Backpacks Announced
• Waterfield Racer-X Case for PowerBooks
• New Sleeve for 17" PowerBook G4 from J.R. Hill & Company
• SpamBolt: Countdown to the End of Spam
• Bargain 'Books

MacResQ Mini AC Adapter for PowerBook G4 & White iBook

The MacResQ Mini AC Adapter's slim and light design makes it easy and convenient to carry around with your PowerBook G4 or iBook. The package includes a Velcro strap to safely bind the cord together. The exterior is specifically designed so that you can simply wrap the cord around the adaptor. Small enough to carry with you, and affordable enough to buy for multiple locations. One year warranty

Price: $69.99

PowerLogix 800 and 900 MHz Pismo PowerBook CPU Upgrades Shipping

PowerLogix has announced shipment of the first ever software-controlled, variable speed CPU upgrade. Available for the PowerBook G3 Pismo (a.k.a. FireWire or PowerBook G3 2000), the Blue Chip G3 Pismo can be adjusted on the fly (i.e., no reboot required) to a lower clock speed in order to extend battery life.

The Blue Chip G3 Pismo is available in 800 MHz and 900 MHz models. Tests show that up to 30 minutes of additional battery life can be obtained by lowering the clock speed, which can be very useful in certain situations, such as long plane flights. In many cases, such as word processing, sheer clock speed takes a back seat to battery life, and the Blue Chip G3 Pismo offers the best of both worlds. The clock speed is user adjustable down to 300 MHz. The Blue Chip G3 features the IBM 750FX PowerPC CPU with 512K of L2 cache running at the same speed as the processor.

Pricing:

• $299 for Blue Chip G3 800
• $349 for Blue Chip G3 900

New Willow Backpacks for 17" PowerBook

Willow Design has released two new backpacks specifically designed for the 17" PowerBook, filling out its line of five other 17" PB specific cases. The "short" Edgewater will comfortably fit those from 5' 3" to 5' 7, while the second larger Garibaldi fits those with longer backs, or those who want to carry more extras.

Both packs were designed from scratch for the new 17" PowerBook. They both feature extra padded internal dividers to isolate the PowerBook on all sides within the computer compartment and now incorporate a new corrugated plastic stiffener within the the pack body to provide even more stability.

The end result is even greater protection for the PowerBook. The packs' predecessor, the Titanium Jacques Pack, most dramatically displayed this protection for Chris Yip of Toronto, who ended up using his pack with his G4/800 sleeping in it as a crash pad. Chris was somersaulted from his bicycle over the hood of a car which had cut him off - landing on his pack and then bouncing upright without even hitting his head. Fortunately, and incredibly, both Chris and his Titanium were fine.

The new packs feature two main laptop and paperwork compartments with a host of organizer pockets scattered through the packs. Particularly handy is removable accessory pouch to maximize space utilization in the paperwork compartment.

The packs also now have special reflective strips for improved nighttime visibility and safety on the front, sides, and shoulder straps of the pack. Both conveniently convert to a shoulder bag or briefcase style cases in seconds for more formal occasions.

The Edgewater and Garibaldi both feature Willow's lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or craftsmanship, as do all Willow's other products.

Edgewater 17" PowerBook Backpack PK-11

Available Colors: Black Charcoal Navy

Pricing: $238 Cdn., $162 U.S.

Garibaldi 17" PowerBook Backpack - PK-12

Available Colors: Black Charcoal Navy

Pricing: $243 Cdn.,$165 U.S.

Belkin ParkWay II and Freeport II Laptop Backpacks Announced

Parkway II Backpack

The Parkway II Backpack by Belkin gives you a great way to carry your notebook, books, and supplies between classes. The lightweight Parkway II Backpack features a padded rear panel to cushion your shoulders and back, and a durable, soft mesh handle for easy lifting. The removable padded computer sleeve protects your larger-size laptop. There's plenty of room for pens, pencils, ID cards, paper files, CD or MP3 players, and floppy disks. The Parkway II features a clear front compartment that shows off your drawings, photos, or any paper you want to keep handy and protected.

Advantages

• Clear pocket for pictures, drawings, or papers
• Reflective straps for safe, high-visibility at night
• Soft-touch webbing zipper pulls
• Ergonomic shoulder straps and handle
• Padded-removable insert for larger laptops - up to 11.5" x 13.5" x 1.25"

Colors: Blue/Black/White

Parkway II backpack, $49.99

Freeport II Backpack

The Freeport II Backpack by Belkin packs all your electronic essentials and gives you maximum comfort as you travel. In addition to its lightweight design, the Freeport II features a padded external support panel to cushion your shoulders and back, and a soft, sturdy handle for easy lifting. The removable padded computer sleeve protects your larger-size laptop. There's also plenty of storage room for pens, pencils, ID cards, paper files, CD or MP3 players, and floppy disks. There are external pockets for your cell phone and PDA as well.

Advantages

• Features 2 removable PDA, phone, or MP3 player cases
• Keeps your MP3 headphones handy, in specially designed side pocket
• Stores eyeglasses, wallet, passport, and more in quick-access pocket
• Protects your notebook with added, removable insert section, measuring 11.0" x 14.0" x 2.0"
• Also available in Red, Blue and Orange

Colors: Gray/Black

Freeport II Backpack, $69.99

Upgrades / Add-Ons

• Belkin K100 Notebook Security Lock, $34.95
• Universal AC Travel Adapter, $24.99
• TraveLite Retractable USB Lamp, $24.99

Waterfield Racer-X Case for PowerBooks

When you just need your PowerBook and a few accessories, throw the Racer-X on your shoulder and head out. This tough compact case with a plush interior and a mountain bike grip protects your laptop from life's hard knocks.

Available in three sizes to custom fit your Apple PowerBook - (12" Racer-X shipping May 10)

• 12" Racer-X dimensions = 12" x 10" x 4.5"
• 15" Racer-X dimensions = 14.5" x 11" x 4"
• 17" Racer-X dimensions = 16.5" x 11.6" x 4.5"

Includes suspension shoulder strap. $129-139

New Sleeve for 17" PowerBook G4 from J.R. Hill & Company

This new sleeve for the 17" PowerBook was designed to be a simple yet stylish leather case for Apples new 17" PowerBook G4. Made of durable full grain leather with 1/8" padding in front, back, and sides, your PowerBook will be well protected.

The PowerBook sleeve is made for people who don't want a full sized notebook computer bag. It can either be carried by itself or can be placed into a briefcase or backpack and your PowerBook will be protected. The Sleeve also features a zipper on all three sides, leather piping, and handles.

The Sleeve is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Shipping May 12, 2003

Price: $84

SpamBolt: Countdown to the End of Spam

Vicomsoft has announced that the countdown to the end of spam has begun. With the release of SpamBolt, a brand new and inventive server-based anti-spam solution at the end of May 2003, spammers can see that the end in sight with SpamBolt promising to bolt the door on Spam forever.

For many years Vicomsoft has been developing innovative and original software that combats a great number of the problems that businesses and institutions face from Internet threats and security issues. During this time, an annoying side effect of electronic communication has reared its ugly head and is plaguing organizations in the global marketplace. This scourge of the Internet age is everywhere; unceasing and relentless. It carries with it harmful viruses that can infect networks in the blink of an eye, while also spreading unsavory and distasteful content around homes, businesses and schools, without a thought for who might see these horrors of the inbox.

These unsolicited emails are also blocking up precious company bandwidth and bombarding domains with unwanted junk mail that costs literally millions of man-hours each and every year to clear. The worst aspect of all though, is that spam is on the increase. Organizations around the globe are just now beginning to realize that the problem is out of control, and spam is very quickly becoming the biggest threat that the Internet has ever seen.

Vicomsoft has also been a victim of unsolicited mail on a grand scale; a fact that prompted their renowned and experienced development team into action to create the most effective and safest anti-spam software solution ever launched.

The name of this ingenious server-based anti-spam solution is SpamBolt. Once installed on a network, SpamBolt will instantly begin to protect mail servers from spam attacks, while providing the system administrator with a powerful set of mail rules that ensure spam is blocked forever-- and important and genuine emails are led safely to their final destination. At last, companies and institutions everywhere can bolt the door on spam and start to communicate effectively again with like-minded users around the Web.

SpamBolt locks away junk mail, keeping your inbox and your bandwidth free, while protecting users from the seedy, offensive, and downright disgusting elements that lurk within unsolicited emails.

The countdown to the end of Spam has begun. A 30-day evaluation version of SpamBolt will be available at the end of May 2003 to download from http://www.vicomsoft.com for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, 2000, or XP.

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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).

Baucom Computers

• PowerBook G4 /400, 256/10/DVD, $1,135
• PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 256/12/DVD, $969
• PowerBook Lombard G3/400, 192/6/DVD, $839
• PowerBook Lombard G3/333, 192/4/CD-ROM, $515
• PowerBook 3400/200, 48/2/CD-ROM, $239

MacResQ

• PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/Combo, $1,479.99
• 12" PowerBook G4/867, 256/40/Combo, $1,649.99

MacSolutions

• 12" iBook 600, 128/20/CD-ROM, OS X, free ground shipping, free 256 MB w/ $39 install fee, $799
• 12" iBook 700, 128/20/Combo, OS X, free ground shipping, free 256 MB w/ $39 install fee, $999

Small Dog Electronics

• refurb PowerBook G4/800, 512/40/Combo, AirPort, InCase large leather laptop sleeve, $2,119
• new PowerBook G4/667 (DVI), 256/30/Combo, $1,849
• refurb 12" iBook 700, 640/20/CD-ROM, AirPort Base Station, AirPort card, $1,165
• refurb 12" iBook 700, 128/20/CD-ROM, $879

Wegener Media

• PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 128/10/DVD, $919.99
  • Add a 30 GB hard drive, $89.99 installed
  • Add 1 GB of RAM, $139.99
  • Add 512 MB of RAM, $69.99

Power Max

• PowerBook Pismo G3/400, 192/6/DVD, $984
• PowerBook Lombard G3/400, 320/20/DVD, $999
• PowerBook Pismo G3/500, 384/12/DVD, $1,167

For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see our Week's Best PowerBook G4 Deals and Week's Best iBook Deals.