Solid State Drive vs. Hard Drive in MacBook Air, Mac Drivers for Atheros WiFi Cards, and More

All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

General Apple and Mac desktops is covered in The Mac News Review. iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV news is covered in The iNews Review.

News & Opinion

• Fitting Your Files on a MacBook Air
• Intel Makes MacBook Air Processor Available to All
• New MacBook Pros Imminent?
• New MacBook Pros on the Way?
• Use 4 GB of RAM in Older MacBook Pros?
• MacBook Pro Hard Drive Replacement Video
• Since the Economy Sucks, Why Not a $699 MacBook?
• MacBook Air Announced, I Buy MacBook Pro to Spite Apple, Eat My Words

Reviews

• iFixit Disassembles and Analyzes the MacBook Air
• TechRestore Posts MacBook Air Teardown Video
• Ars Technica Reviews MacBook Air with Solid State Drive
• MacBook Air Hard Drive vs. Solid State Drive
• MacBook Air Performance (February 2008)
• MacBook Air Runs Windows Medium-Fast

Apple Updates

• MacBook Air: Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and Wireless 802.11n Networks

Products

• MCE 8x SuperDrive Upgrade for MacBook, 15" MacBook Pro
• InvisibleShield for the MacBook Air

Software

• OrangeWare Wireless Driver for Atheros WiFi Cards

Bargain 'Books

News & Opinion

Fitting Your Files on a MacBook Air

Macworld's Joe Kissell says:

"Storage capacities of portable Macs have been steadily on the rise, even though they lag somewhat behind those of desktop models. These days, you can get an off-the-shelf MacBook with as much as 160GB of storage (with a build-to-order option that pushes capacity to 250GB).

"The MacBook Air is a departure from that trend of expanding storage. If you're due to receive the new laptop, which began shipping this week, you may feel like like someone forced to cram all the furniture from a five-bedroom house into a studio apartment...."

Link: Fitting Your Files on a MacBook Air

Intel Makes MacBook Air Processor Available to All

The Register's Tony Smith reports:

"The reduced-size 65nm Core 2 Duo designed by Intel and incorporated inside Apple's super-slim MacBook Air is available for other computer makers to buy, the chip company confirmed last week.

"No great surprise there - Intel's in the business of selling as many chips as possible, not operating as Apple's in-house silicon specialist - but the news hasn't stopped commentators speculating that a raft of Air-alternatives will be hitting the market in the very near future...."

Link: Intel Makes MacBook Air Processor Available to All

New MacBook Pros Imminent?

T3's Joe Minihane says:

"Leaked docs show Apple is prepping an all new update to their top end laptops.

"The Air only dropped onto our radar a couple of weeks back, but now it looks like Apple is readying another new laptop, this time an update of their top notch MacBook Pro."

Link: New MacBook Pros Imminent?

New MacBook Pros on the Way?

News.com's Tom Krazit says:

"With Apple's MacBook Air having reached store shelves, it might not be too much longer before the company updates the rest of its notebook lineup....

"It could be time for new MacBook Pros, according to several rumors circulating this week...."

Link: Rumor: New MacBook Pros on the Way?

Use 4 GB of RAM in Older MacBook Pros?

Mac OS X Hints contributor Anonymous says:

"I'm surprised this one hasn't come up earlier, actually. I recently purchased a 4GB Techworks upgrade kit for my previous-generation (2.33GHz) 17" MacBook Pro. From what I'd read, due to either limitations in the Intel logic board, or limitations in the EFI firmware, I'd only be able to access 3.3GB of it.

"Not so. Running 10.5.1 Leopard, after installing the RAM, I found I could address all 4GB of it. As seen in both System Profiler and Activity Monitor, I have the full 4GB available, running in dual-channel mode."

Editor's note: Many users who attempted to duplicate this discovered that while the MacBook Pro recognizes that 4 GB of RAM is installed, the computer remains limited to using 3.0 to 3.3 GB of RAM. dk

Link: 10.5: Use 4 GB of RAM in Older MacBook Pros?

MacBook Pro Hard Drive Replacement Video

TUAW's Brett Terpstra reports:

"I had to replace the hard drive in my MacBook Pro a few months ago. If you've never done it, I can tell you that after over 20 screws, a little prying and pulling and then reassembling with your fingers crossed, there's probably a moment of stomach-turning worry when you hit the power button. But some people have a knack for making things look a little less gut wrenching.

"MacBook Pro owner Max Million replaced his hard drive in about 40 minutes. Working from the excellent instructions at ifixit, he put a 320 gig drive into his laptop. And while he was at it, he put together a time-lapse video of the process that's under 3 minutes long but still manages to convey the tenacity required for the undertaking. So, here's to the brave souls who have no regard for the phrase 'not user serviceable'. Video after the jump..."

Link: Found Footage: MacBook Pro HDD Replacement

Since the Economy Sucks, Why Not a $699 MacBook?

ZDNet blogger Russell Shaw says:

"News flash for Steve Jobs: not everyone- including lots of folks who would love a MacBook or MacBook Pro- has $2K to burn at this point. Some don't even have $1,500, or hell, even $1,000....

"If Apple was able to offer a stripped-down MacBook or MacBook Pro for, say, $699, I am betting that you would see a whole new group of customers who frankly could not resist buying one."

Editor's note: Sure, we'd all love a $700 MacBook, but one has to wonder what could be stripped from the $1,099 MacBook to reduce its retail price by $400. 1 GB of RAM is vital. A smaller than 80 GB hard drive would hardly impact price - $50 tops at retail. A slower Core 2 Duo, say 1.8 GHz, might trim $100-150 from retail. People already complain that the MacBook uses a Combo drive rather than a SuperDrive, so we wouldn't want to switch to a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. dk

Link: Hey, Steve Jobs, Since the Economy Sux, Why Not a $699 MacBook?

MacBook Air Announced, I Buy MacBook Pro to Spite Apple, Eat My Words

I Like Tech's Colin H. says:

"The internets have been abuzz with news of Apple's new ultra-thin, ultra-mobile laptop, the MacBook Air. I have been holding out to get a new computer until after MacWorld, where I was expecting Apple to refresh their aging MacBook Pro line. However, since Apple didn't make any updates to it, I went ahead and splurged on the cheaper 15" model....

"But now, sources are reporting that Apple is near refreshing the Pro line, which was not announced at MacWorld for the sole reason that all of Apple's resources were needed to get the Air out the door on time. So, although I love my MacBook Pro, I can't help but feel a bit of remorse for not waiting...."

Link: MacBook Air Announced, I Buy MacBook Pro to Spite Apple, Eat My Words

Reviews

iFixit Disassembles and Analyzes the MacBook Air

iFixit has disassembled the MacBook Air and posted lots of cool photos and notes on their website.

This first look also contains high resolution photos of the MacBook Air's internals, including Intel's custom low-footprint Core 2 Duo processor. This guide adds another installment to iFixit's revolutionary do-it-yourself laptop repair manuals, the Fixit Guide Series. Fixit Guides are available for Apple laptops, iPods, and the iPhone. All Guides are available free online.

And answering a question on a lot of prospective MacBook Air purchasers' minds, iFixIt discovered jands-on that although Apple claims the battery is not user-serviceable, battery installation is surprisingly easy, requiring only a Phillips screwdriver, albeit the necessity of removing and replacing 19 screws. iFixit anticipates that the demand for user-replacement of MacBook Air batteries will be significant. I agree. Happily, aside from the relatively low-aggravation tedium of dealing with all those screws, the battery replacement issue shouldn't be a deal-breaker, although it isn't something you would want to tackle on an airline flight.

iFixit also discovered that Apple's new trackpad technology uses the same controller chip used in the in the iPhone and iPod Touch. There is a Broadcom BCM5974 touch controller chip on the trackpad interconnect board. This may give Apple more options when adding touch functionality via software updates, just as they have done with the iPhone.

And here's the MacBook Air completely disassembled. Hope they were able to put it back together again (just kidding!)

Thanks again to iFixIt for this tremendous service to the Mac portable community. besides supplying their excellent, free illustrated guides to disassembly of most Apple PowerBook, iBook and MacBook models iFixit also sells a full line of Apple laptop, iPod, and iPhone parts. For more information, visit iFixit.com or call 1-866-61-FIXIT.

Link: iFixit

TechRestore Posts MacBook Air Teardown Video

TechRestore's Shannon Jean says:

"Our MacBook Air arrived today and our lead technician, Chet, promptly reverse-engineered it. It's amazing how small the screws are in this thing - it's like a big iPod. A lot of folks are dissing the, seemingly small, 80GB drive, but it wasn't that long ago that stock PowerBooks shipped with 80GB drives. I think that the Air is a fantastic innovation and bound to be the slickest mobile computing option available (until the tablet Mac comes out). Below is my stop-motion video of the unboxing and take-apart. Enjoy!"

Link: MacBook Air Teardown Video

Ars Technica Reviews MacBook Air with Solid State Drive

Ars Technica Jacqui Cheng reports:

"The MacBook Air is nice, but as we discovered in our in-depth review, not everything is sunshine and roses - at least with the hard drive model. But there's a higher-end Air as well - 1.8GHz with a 64GB solid-state flash drive instead of your traditional ATA hard drive. We picked up an SSD Air so that we could try it out, run some benchmarks, and report back to you on how much (or little) of a difference that extra $1,300 makes."

Editor's note: not a whole lot, apparently.

Link: No Spin: Ars Reviews the MacBook Air with Solid State Drive

MacBook Air Hard Drive vs. Solid State Drive

Crunch Gear's Nicholas Deleon reports:

"The MacBook Air is finding its way into wanting hands and some early benchmarks have been tallied. There's two main differences between the two default MacBook Airs you can buy - a 1.6GHz vs. 1.8GHz processor and an 80GB hard drive vs. a 64GB solid state drive. The price difference may be $999; it's up to you whether or not the following differences are worth that to you.

"CPU performance in the 1.8GHz model is marginally better than the 1.6GHz. I doubt you expected 200MHz to matter much, anyway. But it's the hard drive vs. solid state comparison that people were most interested in...."

Link: Benchmarks: MacBook Air Hard Drive vs. Solid State

MacBook Air Performance (February 2008)

Primate Labs reports:

"One of the big concerns surrounding the MacBook Air is just how much will you give up if you switch from a MacBook (or MacBook Pro) to a MacBook Air. Some things, like the optical drive and FireWire ports, are obvious while others, like processor performance, are harder to measure.

"Of course, now that the MacBook Air is shipping we can take a look at their processor performance with Geekbench 2 and find out just how fast (or slow) the processor in the MacBook Air is...."

Link: MacBook Air Performance (February 2008)

MacBook Air Runs Windows Medium-Fast

PC World's Edward N. Albro reports:

"Know that Apple ad where the PC calls us to complain because we wrote that the fastest notebook running Windows was a Mac? Don't expect a sequel. Apple's new ultraportable isn't dog-slow running Windows, but it's not a greyhound either, even compared to other thin and light notebooks."

Link: MacBook Air Runs Windows Medium-Fast

Apple Updates

MacBook Air: Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and Wireless 802.11n Networks

A new Apple Knowledge Base article says:

"If using a third-party (non-Apple) 802.11n wireless router that has out-of-date router firmware with your MacBook Air, you may experience issues with Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X.

"Products affected

• MacBook Air
• Some third-party routers with out-of-date firmware

"Solution

"Make sure the firmware on your router is up-to-date. Contact the manufacturer of the router to obtain the latest firmware for that device."

Link: MacBook Air: Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and Wireless 802.11n Networks

Products

MCE 8x SuperDrive Upgrade for MacBook, 15" MacBook Pro

PR: Revitalize your MacBook or 15" MacBook Pro

You may install this upgrade yourself or, if you are not comfortable with working on your system, you may have the upgrade professionally installed into your computer by MCE Technologies or one of their worldwide Authorized Upgrade Centers.

If you would like MCE to install the upgrade for you, we offer the following options:

• With the Supreme SuperDrive Upgrade Service ($99), MCE will overnight you a shipping package and overnight return shipping label that you may use to send your computer to the MCE Service Center for upgrade. Once MCE has performed the upgrade(s), usually within 2-3 business days, MCE will ship the computer back to you according to the shipping option selected at the time the order was placed.
• With the Standard SuperDrive Upgrade Service ($49), once you order the MCE upgrade online here, you make arrangements to ship your computer to the MCE Service Center at the address shown below using packaging that you supply. It's suggested that you use the computer's original packaging, or comparably protective packaging. Once MCE has performed the upgrade(s), usually within 2-3 business days, MCE will ship the computer back to you according to the shipping option selected at the time the order was placed using the same packaging in which MCE received the computer.
• The Supreme SuperDrive Upgrade Service is available only to customers with a Ship To address located in the continental 48 United Sates.

If it is more convenient, you may also purchase this upgrade from an MCE Authorized Upgrade Center which will also generally charge a service fee, but may allow you to be without your computer for a shorter time since they can usually perform the upgrade for you while you wait. Call them for details.

Features:

• Write up to 8.5GB onto a single dual-layer DVD media
• All-in-one DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW and CD-R/RW recorder designed to offer the widest possible playback compatibility.
• Record to DVD media at up to 8x speed and to CD media at up to 24x speed.
• Convenient slot-loading mechanism
• 2MB cache buffer
• Buffer underrun protection
• Bootable
• Compatible with iDVD, iTunes, iPhoto, Finder Burning, DVD Studio Pro, and Apple DVD Player

Specifications:

• Type: Internal
• Data Buffer: 2 MB
• Loading Method: Slot load
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 128 X 9.5 X 129mm
• Weight: 185g
• Warranty: 1 year
• Write Support:
  • DVD-R 4.7GB, DVD-RW 4.7GB, DVD+R 4.7GB, DVD+RW 4.7GB, DVD-R DL 8.5GB, DVD+R DL 8.5GB
  • CD-R 700MB (Type 80), CD-R 650MB (Type 74), Multi-Speed CD-RW, High Speed CD-RW, Ultra-Speed CD-RW
• Read Support:
  • DVD-ROM, DVD-Video
  • DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, DVD-RAM
  • CD-ROM (Mode 1 & 2), CD-ROM XA,
  • CD-DA, Video CD, Photo-CD, CD EXTRA
  • CD-Text, CD-R, CD-RW
• Media Write (max) Read (max)
  • DVD-RAM N/A 3x
  • DVD-R (Single Layer/Dual Layer) 8x (SL) / 4x (DL) 8x (SL) / 6x (DL)
  • DVD-RW 4x 6x
  • DVD+R (Single Layer/Double Layer) 8x (SL) / 4x (DL) 8x (SL) / 6x (DL)
  • DVD+RW 4x 6x
  • DVD-ROM N/A 8x
  • CD-R 24x 24x
  • CD-RW 10x 24x
  • CD-ROM N/A 24x
• Minimum System Requirements:
  • MacBook or MacBook Pro 15-inch; Mac OS 10.4 or later
• Package Contents:
• Internal SuperDrive
• (1) Blank DVD-R Disc
• Illustrated Installation Guide

Important Note: This drive is only for use with a MacBook or MacBook Pro 15-inch, and is not compatible with the MacBook Pro 17-inch.

For a limited time, get Mac OS X (10.5) Leopard for $99 when you buy it at the same time as this MCE SuperDrive upgrade and save $30 off of the $129 regular price.

Price: $199

Link: MCE Internal 8x SuperDrive Upgrade

InvisibleShield for the MacBook Air

PR: The InvisibleShield is the premier name in laptop scratch protection. Made from a urethane film originally used to protect the leading edges of military helicopter blades, the InvisibleShield is clear, durable, and virtually scratch-proof. The InvisibleShield is precision cut to fit your Apple MacBook Air, giving it perfectly transparent, lasting protection that other laptop skins can't match.

The protection provided by the InvisibleShield is unique, not only in the way it keeps your laptop from getting unsightly scratches, but also how it doesn't add any bulk or obscure the sleek aesthetic design of your Apple MacBook Air.

If your InvisibleShield ever becomes scratched or otherwise damaged while protecting your device, don't worry, all invisibleSHIELDs are backed by a lifetime guarantee. Simply send it back to us and we'll send a replacement, for free, for life!

If you're still not convinced of the durability of the InvisibleShield, watch this video demo and see for yourself that this is not your typical MacBook Air laptop skin.

Features

• Scratch Proof
• Lifetime Guarantee
• No added bulk
• Improves grip
• Invisible protection

Three Options

• Full Body coverage: Top, bottom, wrist rest, track pad and mouse button(s) - $54.95
• Standard coverage: Top, wrist rest, track pad and mouse button(s) - $39.95
• Wrist Rest coverage: Wrist Rest only - $24.95

Link: InvisibleShield for the MacBook Air

Software

OrangeWare Wireless Driver for Atheros WiFi Cards

PR: For several years now, Apple users have chafed at the issue that most wireless cards (CardBus and PCI) don't work with Apple's computers. Why is that? It's because the Apple client driver only works with the Broadcom chipset. Recently, OrangeWare developed a Mac OS X Wireless Driver for the 3Com wireless line of cards which use the Atheros chip and licensed the driver to 3Com. As a result, the Atheros based 3Com cards are now compatible with Macintosh. This Macintosh compatibility is offered by 3Com at no charge to its users.

OrangeWare's Wireless Driver for Mac broadens the driver availability to all users of Atheros based wireless cards. They include D-Link, Netgear, Aztec, Elecom, Fujitsu, IBM, Linksys, NEC, Samsung and Sony, and many more. All their current wireless offerings listed below can use the new OrangeWare Driver. This means that the Mac user can now link up with Mac and PC access points by using a variety of now-compatible wireless add-on cards. These solutions coupled with the OrangeWare driver are faster than the AirPort Extreme cards, and can cost half as much.

Another unique benefit of this driver is for the Mac users who need to connect to PC based "802.11a" wireless access points. OrangeWare's driver is the only solution available to Mac Users - nothing else works.

The Wireless Driver for Mac is available to users as a free trial download. If users are satisfied, they can purchase a permanent license by selecting 'purchase' after the 10 minute trial has expired or by going to the wireless configuration panel and clicking on 'register'. The driver is $15.

• 12X speed increase over AirPort
• One half the cost

List of known compatible wireless networking cards*

Atheros XR Extended Range Compatible**

Manufacturer Model Form Factor Technology

• 3Com 3CRDAG675 PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Airlink 101 AWLH4030 PCI 802.11b/g
• Alfa AWPC006G CardBus 802.11g
• Alfa AWPCI6G PCI 802.11g
• AT&T 67000G CardBus 802.11g
• Aztech WL830PC Cardbus 802.11b/g
• Belkin F6D3010 Cardbus 802.11a/g
• Belkin F6D3000 PCI 802.11a/g
• Buffalo WLI-CB-AG54L Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Cisco Systems Cisco Aironet Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Cisco Systems Cisco Aironet PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Contec FLEXLAN FX-DS540-PCD Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Contec FLEXLAN FX-DS540-PCC2 Cardbus 802.11a
• Corega CG-WLCB54AG Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Corega CG-WLPCI54AG PCI 802.11a/b/g
• D-Link AirPro DWL-AB650 Cardbus 802.11a/b
• D-Link Air Xpert DWL-AG650 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• D-Link AirPlus DWL-G650 Cardbus 802.11b/g
• D-Link AirPremier DWL-AG660 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• D-Link AirPro DWL-A650 Cardbus 802.11a
• D-Link AirPlus DWL-G520 PCI 802.11b/g
• D-Link AirPremier DWL-AG530 PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Elecom LD-WL54G/CB Cardbus 802.11b/g
• Elecom LD-WL54AG/CB Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Elecom LD-WL54/CB Cardbus 802.11a
• Elecom LD-WL5411A/B PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Enterasys Networks RBTBG-AW Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Enterasys Networks RBTBFAX Cardbus 802.11a
• EUSSO GL2454-01 CardBus 802.11b/g
• EUSSO GL2454-VP PCI 802.11b/g
• Fujitsu FMV-JW481 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Fujitsu FMV-JW481 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Fujitsu CONECT2AIR E5454 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Fujitsu Connect2Air WLAN E5454/CB Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• IBM 31P9101 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Icom WAVEMASTER SL-5200 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• I-O Data WN-AG/CB2 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• I-O Data WN-A54/CB Cardbus 802.11a
• I-O Data WN-AB/CB Cardbus 802.11a/b
• I-O Data WN-AG/CB Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• I-O Data WN-AG/PCI PCI 802.11a/b/g
• JAHT JWN-5108PCI PCI 802.11a/b/g
• JAHT JWN-5108P CardBus 802.11b/g
• KCORP ICT Limited KLG-520: 108G+ Cardbus 802.11b/g
• KCORP ICT Limited KLG-530: 108G+ PCI 802.11b/g
• LANCOM Systems AirLancer MC-54ab 802.11a/b
• LANCOM Systems AirLancer MC-54ag 802.11a/g
• LANCOM Systems AirLancer MC-54g 802.11g
• LANCOM Systems AirLancer PCI-54ag PCI 802.11a/g
• Linksys WPC55AG Cardbus 802.11a/g
• Linksys WPC51AB Cardbus 802.11a/b
• Linksys WMP55AG PCI 802.11a/g
• Logitec Corp. LWN-A54ACB Cardbus 802.11a/b
• NEC Aterm PA-WL/54AC Cardbus 802.11a
• NEC Aterm PA-WL/54AG Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Netgear WG511U Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Netgear WG511T Cardbus 802.11b/g**
• Netgear WAG511 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Netgear WPN511 Cardbus 802.11b/g**
• Netgear WAB501 Cardbus 802.11a/b
• Netgear WPN311 PCI 802.11b/g
• Netgear WAG311 PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Netgear WG311T PCI 802.11b/g
• Nortel Networks WLAN Mobile Adapter 2201 Cardbus 802.11a/b
• Nortel Networks WLAN Mobile Adapter 2202 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• OMRON LT54CWAG Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• PCD Global U10H014.00 Cardbus 802.11b/g
• Planex Communications Inc. GW-NS54AG Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Planex Communications Inc. GW-NS540a Cardbus 802.11a
• Planex Communications Inc. GW-NS54SG Cardbus 802.11b/g
• Procomp PW-8810AS Cardbus 802.11a/g
• Procomp PW-8610AS Cardbus 802.11b/g
• Proxim 8481JP Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Proxim 8470WD Cardbus 802.11b/g
• Proxim Orinoco 802.11a/b/g Cardbus 802.11a/b
• Proxim 8660JP Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Proxim 8660WD Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Proxim 8471WD Cardbus 802.11b/g
• Proxim 11a/b/g Gold Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Proxim 8480JP Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Proxim 8481WD Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Proxim 8482WD PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Proxim 8482JP PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Samsung SWL-5200N Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Senao SL-5054CB Aries Cardbus 802.11a
• Senao SL-5054CB Pisces Cardbus 802.11a/b
• SMC SMC2536W-AG Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• SMC SMC2336W-AG Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• SMC SMC2735W Cardbus 802.11a
• SMC SMC2512W-AG PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Sony PCWA-C700 VAIO Cardbus 802.11a/b
• Sony PCWA-C800S Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• Sony PCWA-C300S VAIO Cardbus 802.11b/g
• TDK WN-GCB03 Cardbus 802.11b/g
• TDK WN-DCB03 Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• TP-LINK TL-WN610G Cardbus 802.11b/g**
• TP-LINK TL-WN650G PCI 802.11b/g**
• TP-LINK TL-WN550G PCI 802.11b/g
• TRENDware International, Inc. TEW-501PC Cardbus 802.11a/b/g
• TRENDware International, Inc. TEW-441PC Cardbus 802.11b/g**
• TRENDware International, Inc. TEW-443PI PCI 802.11b/g**
• TRENDware International, Inc. TEW-503PI PCI 802.11a/b/g
• Unex Technology Corp. MR054ag Cardbus 802.11a/b/g

*There also may be other cards on the market which are compatible with our driver.

Features:

• Fully compatible with Atheros based CardBus and PCI cards (see compatibility list below)
• Wireless 802.11a/b/g/Super G/Turbo Super G/Turbo A
• Supports 64, 128, and 152 bit WEP security
• Multiple profile support
• Adjustable transmit power levels
• Adjustable power save mode
• Software radio disable
• Able to filter preferred wireless mode
• 114 selectable countries

Technical Specifications:

• Atheros series chip compatible
• Macintosh OS X 10.2 - 10.4
• Hardware requirements: Desktop PCI slot or PowerBook with CardBus slot
• Short and long 802.11b preamble
• ADHOC support for 802.11a/b/g
• For Turbo Super G performance only, an Atheros based router is required

Link: OrangeWare Wireless Driver for Mac

Bargain 'Books

Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.

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 (VGA) and G4/667 (DVI), the titanium vs. aluminum 15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz, and 1.25 GHz to 1.5 GHz 15" PowerBooks.

PowerBook, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.

Refurb Santa Rosa 15" MacBook Pros are available again late in the week, in my estimation a better value than the older 2.33 MHz Core 2 Duo models that are offered for $200 more. The higher-spec. 15-incher has never seemed to me to be much of a deal, although if you want one, there are some 2.6 GHz 15" units also available this week. Also, $100 price drops on a couple of the 17" models and MacBooks. cm

• refurb 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $899
• refurb 2.0 GHz Santa Rosa MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $949
• refurb 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/SD, $1,049
• refurb 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,249
• refurb 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,099
• refurb 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,299
• refurb 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,699
• refurb 15" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,899
• refurb 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,099
• refurb 15" 2.6 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,299
• refurb 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,299
• refurb hi-res 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,499

• 15" PowerBook G4/400, 256/20/DVD, $499.99
• 17" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SD, $999.99

G3 iBooks - 15" MacBook Pro - 17" MacBook Pro

• 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/128mb RAM /CD, $169.99
• 12" iBook G3/600, 128/15/128mb RAM/CD, $249.99
• 12" iBook G3/700, 128/20/128RAM/Combo, $329.99
• 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/256mb RAM/Combo, $399.99
• 15" 1.83 GHz MacBook Pro, 512/80/SD, $1,179.99
• 15" 2 GHz MacBook Pro, 512/80/SD, $1,239.99
• 15" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, 1 GB/100/SD, $1,399.99
• 17" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,499.99
• 17" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,529.99
• 17" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, 1 GB/200/SD, $1,619.99

• 12" iBook G4/800, 640/30/Combo, $399
• 12" iBook G4/800, 640/30/Combo, APX, $439
• 1.83 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, mint condition, w/CDs & remote in Apple box, $879
• 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 G/160/SD, mint condition, w/CDs & remote, $1,259

• MacBook 2.0 GHz Core 2, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $988
• open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, warranty started $1,199
• open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,379
• MacBook 2.16 GHz Core 2, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,439
• open box 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, $1,899
• open box 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, $2,439
• 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, $2,969
• open box 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,599

• 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $199.95
• 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, $179.95
• 12" iBook G3/600, 128/20/CD, $219.95
• 12" iBook G3/700, 256/20/CD, $229.95
• 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $269.95
• 12" iBook G4/800, 640/40/Combo, $479.95
• 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 768/40/Combo, $529.95
• 14" iBook G3/800, 256/30/Combo, $349.95
• 14" iBook G3/900, 256/40/Combo, $369.95

• 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 256/40/Combo, OS X 10.4, $589.99

For more deals on current or recently discontinued models, see our MacBook deals, MacBook Air deals, MacBook Pro deals, 12" PowerBook G4 deals, 15" PowerBook G4 deals, 17" PowerBook G4 deals, titanium PowerBook G4 deals, iBook G4 deals, PowerBook G3 deals, and iBook G3 deals.