The 'Book Page

The 'Book Review

Compiled by Charles Moore and edited by Dan Knight - August 10, 2001

Except as noted, prices are in U.S. dollars, bold links are to outside sites, and regular links lead to 'Book profiles on Low End Mac.

• iBook 2001 Audio Patch 1.0 Fixes Audio Drop Problem
• Apple Canada Authorizes Apple Specialist Resellers to Perform Some PowerBook and iBook Repairs
• Willow Design Adds iBook & Accessory Case
• Grip~it Strips
• TiBook Touch Up Kit
• Racer-X TiBook Case and SleeveCase
• Boblbee Hardshell Laptop Backpacks
• Reader Feedback on Sub-Laptops (Miscellaneous Ramblings)
• Bargain 'Books

iBook 2001 Audio Patch 1.0 Fixes Audio Drop Problem

This simple audio patch for the iBook 2001 (dual USB) is designed to correct an audio problem with this new consumer portable. The problem is this: iBook 2001 seems to turn off some audio component after 30 seconds of silence and will cut off short audio samples (and delay longer ones) when audio is played after a long silence. This free patch from Intelligent Devices will play a low data rate buffer of audio silence every 15 seconds to prevent the audio hardware from turning off. This seems to resolve the problem.

From the Read Me:

The iBook 2001 seems to turn off some audio component after 30 seconds of silence and will cut off short audio samples (and delay longer ones) when audio is played after a long silence. This patch will play a low data rate buffer of audio silence every 15 seconds to prevent the audio hardware from turning off. This seems to resolve the problem. The patch will use up some CPU cycles (and will probably shorten battery life a little) in trade for the audio playback fix until Apple releases an official patch.

Apple Canada Authorizes Apple Specialist Resellers to Perform Some PowerBook and iBook Repairs

If you are a 'Book user living in Canada, you may not be obliged to send your machine to Texas for warranty attention or repair any longer.

Peter Gnemmi, President of Atlantis Kobetek Inc. in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the largest Apple reseller in the four Canadian Atlantic provinces, tells me that:

"As an Apple Specialist, Atlantis can now do all warranty work on G4 Titaniums (or is that 'Titania'?) and the new iBooks. This was a change in Apple Canada policy that happened a couple of weeks ago. Even though we would still have to wait for a replacement part to ship from Apple, turnaround time should be better for the end user than waiting for a shipping box to arrive, sending it off, getting it fixed, then waiting for it to get back to Nova Scotia. Additionally, customer's data doesn't leave the province. An iBook or Titanium hasn't come in for warranty work since this announcement so we have yet to be able to test parts availability."

"This is a program specific to Canada. Contrary to popular belief, Apple Canada makes some good decisions, too," says Peter.

This doesn't mean that just any Apple reseller can work on your 'Book, however. Peter explains that it is only for resellers who participate in the Apple Specialist Field Installable Parts Program, and that restrictions are pretty stringent (e.g. minimum amount of sales of Apple product, percentage of total sales of Apple product, percentage of pro products vs. consumer products, etc.)

You can find Atlantis Kobetek Inc. at: 1496 Lower Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 1R9, Canada (902) 422-6556, Fax (902) 423-9339

Willow Design Adds iBook & Accessory Case

Willow Design has added the iBook 'Extra Carry Case to its Apple line. The case snugly fits the iBook with an extra separated compartment for the power supply & cord plus accessories such as a CD-RW and Zip drive.

This brings the total number of Willow cases specifically designed for Apple computers to fourteen, covering the range from lightweight slipcases for the Titanium to heavily reinforced cases for the G4 Tower and 15" flat panel display.

The iBook 'Extra measures only 13.5 x 15.5 x 3.7 inches with a weight of only 2.9 lbs. but it offers great protection for the iBook with high density foam on six sides, plastic reinforcements on three sides and hardboard on the bottom of the case.

The case features Willow's new bicycle courier, molded rubber handle reinforced which is quadruple riveted through high density polyethylene for extra strength.

Shoulder carrying comfort is ensured by the thickly padded contoured shoulder carry strap. Luggage feet riveted through the bottom hardboard keep the case up and off the ground when you set it down.

Features:

• excellent protection for your iBook afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5") foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on the back, high density polyethylene reinforcement on the handle side and 4 mm (1/8") hardboard on the bottom.
• clean, lightweight and flexible design.
• adjustable front - back divider to protect your iBook from accessories inside the case.
• second smaller adjustable divider to allow more secure placement of accessories.
• great comfort insured by an heavy duty Mountain Bike grip reinforced by quadruple riveting to the case for extra protection.
• a wide, thick foam padded, contoured, shoulder strap.
• briefcase handle double rivet reinforced through the wrap handle to insure the safety of your laptop.
• outer front organizer panel with pockets business cards, pens, elasticized pocket for the Apple power supply plus room for the power cord and an ethernet cable.
• outside flat, outer pocket for airline tickets, thin paperwork, etc.
• flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines or newspapers.
• a velcroed elastic strap to lock down Titanium G4 PowerBook and 1.2 cm ( 0.5") of paperwork for further protection.
• handy mesh pocket in the lid for safe and convenient storage of cables or other thin items.
• luggage feet riveted through the hardboard bottom of the case which actually keep it up and off the ground when you want to set the case down whilst entering and leaving your vehicle.
• lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or craftsmanship.

Available Colours: Black; Charcoal; Navy; Teal; Purple; Royal; Mauve

As with all Willow cases, the iBook 'Extra is covered by Willow's 100% satisfaction guarantee and lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and craftsmanship. Price: $125.00 Cdn./$ 84.00 U.S.

Grip~it Strips

Grip~it Strips are a set of Hi-Tek slip resistant textured strips with self adhesive backing that attach to the top and bottom of your Laptop Computer to give you a ten times better grip.

They provide protection from that unexpected slip out of your hands or off your lap onto the floor which could cost you hundreds in repair costs and the loss of use of your portable.

Insurance studies show that over 2,000 laptops per day were damaged from handling accidents last year, and the average repair cost was over $1,100 per unit.

For $8.95, Grip~it Strips provides protection against dropping the most expensive item you probably carry around, your laptop.

Grip~it Strips can easily be cut to adapt to any surface geometries or openings. They are removable and will not mar your machine. Reportedly, Grip~it Strips are also a foil against the paint wearing off the palm rests of the Titanium PowerBook .

TiBook Touch Up Kit

And if you didn't get the Grip~it Strips soon enough, hotch of hotch.org plans on on shipping TiBook touch up kits toward the end of August. Send an email to hotch@hotch.org and he will contact you with information on billing and also get your shipping information at that time. Thanks!

The kits will cost $7.50 for one color, or $12.00 for both colors. They will include enough paint to cover 15-20 major scratches, two applicators per color, and a small piece of 2500-grit sandpaper. I will ship the kits via priority mail-- this will cost $4 in the US, $12 to Europe, Mexico, and Canada, $18 to the rest of the world. There will be a $5 handling charge.

Racer-X TiBook Case and SleeveCase

When you just need your G4 TiBook and a few accessories, throw the Racer-X on your shoulder and head out. This tough, compact case from Waterfield Design has a plush interior and a Mountain.Bike Grip protects your Titanium from life's hard knocks.

Designed for the Apple Titanium Laptop: 13.5" x 9.5" x 1.1", includes shoulder pad.

The sleek, minimalist SleeveCase keeps your laptop out of harms way without taking up much valuable space. A plush layer of high grade neoprene wrapped in a Ballistic shell surrounds and protects your computer. The ultra smooth neoprene skin makes sliding your laptop in and out a snap. And there's even enough room on the sides so you can leave your PC cards in.

Available in Black Ballistic nylon with Lead Indium trim (as in photo) or in all Black Leather for $45 extra.

D-rings, shoulder strap & pad (+$25)

• Small: 9" x 11 " x 1" (22.9 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm)
• Medium: 9.5" x 11.75" x 2" (24.1 x 29.8 x 5 cm)
• Large: 10.5" x 12.5" x 2" (26.8 x 31.7 x 5 cm)
• G4 Mercury: 13.5" x 9.5" x 1.1" (34.3 x 24 x 2.8 cm)
• iBook: 11.2" x 9.1"x 1.35" (28.5 x 23 x 3.4 cm)
• Extra Large: 11.5" x 13.25" x 2" (29 x 33.7 x 5 cm)

Boblbee Hardshell Laptop Backpacks

Boblbee is "urban" backpack that features a monocoque hardshell, unique bellows flex that allows expandability and accessibility, and a comfortable lumbar support system. It also has a built in computer slot with accessory pockets.

There are a plethora of Boblbee models, but three that may particularly interest readers of this column are:

• Spitfire: monocoque hardshell, impact protection, lumbar support system, bucketseat harness, external cargo system, seatbag, waist belt, mobile phone pocket
• Wallstreet: monocoque hardshell, cargo straps, internal cargo system, lid straps, sweat bag, mobile phone pocket

And for iBook users:

• Polar White: monocoque hardshell, cargo straps, internal cargo system, lid straps, sweat bag, mobile phone pocket

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Bargain 'Books

This Week's Best PowerBook Deals

Small Dog Electronics

• PowerBook G4/400, 128/10 GB/DVD, refurbished (due Aug 15), $2,199

Overstock.com

• PowerBook G3/500 (Pismo), 96 MB RAM/20 GB HD/DVD-ROM/14.1" TFT, reconditioned, $1,995

MacWorks/MacResQ

• PowerBook 1400cs/133, 32/1.3 GB/floppy, $399.99

The PowerBook Guy

• PowerBook 5300cs, 24/500 MB/floppy, $319.95

PowerMax

• Used PowerBook G3/292 WallStreet, 96 MB RAM, 2 GB HD, CD, 14.1", $1,026
• Used PowerBook G/3333 (Lombard), 64 MB/4 GB/CD/56K/14.1", $1,249
• Used PowerBook G3/300 (WallStreet), 64 MB/8 GB/CD/56K/14.1", $1,298
• Used PowerBook G3/400 (Lombard), 64 MB/6 GB/DVD/56K/14.1", $1,435