'Son of Pismo' 14" iBook, iBookEndz Docking Station, PowerPod Auto Adapter, and More

Compiled by Charles Moore and edited by Dan Knight - January 11, 2002

Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.

• The 14" "Son of Pismo" iBook
• iBookEndz Docking Station
• Willow Design Introduces New TiBook and iBook Slipcases at Expo
• Griffin Technology Introduces PowerPod Auto Adapter at Macworld
• Other World Computing Introduces Laptop Screen Protector at Macworld
• Bargain 'Books

The 14" "Son of Pismo" iBook

The big 'Book news this week is, of course, the 14" screen iBook introduced at Macworld Expo, and which I was not expecting.

Actually, I've been surprised by the muted reaction to the "big brother" iBook, which, as I contend in my The Road Warrior column on MacOpinion this week, is essentially the up to now legendary and chimerical "Son of Pismo" G3 PowerBook by any other name, which to my mind is pretty significant. The new iMac, which I like very much, is naturally the most spectacular news, but the 14.1" iBook isn't exactly small beer.

It also represents a substantial enhancement in iBook value, giving you a 14" screen, a faster Combo drive, and a 55 Wh battery in place of the smaller iBook's 45 Wh unit - all for the same price as the previous high-end 12.1" screen iBook. There is value enhancement in the two 12.1" iBooks as well.

Whether it is the iBook I would choose, were I in the market, is another matter. The 14.1" machine is actually wider than my Pismo PowerBook and the same thickness, so the only dimension where it is a "subnotebook" is in depth, which is a bit less than the Pismo. I'm partial to the compact footprint of the 12.1" iBook, while my 50+ year old eyes would appreciate the larger 14.1" screen (resolutions are the same with either), so it would be a conundrum, although a nice sort of one to have.

Looks like the iBook is the last of the Mohicans as far as G3 Macs are concerned. Now that the iMac has gone G4, can a G4 iBook be far off?

The new iBook family basic specs:

The 14" iBook, weighing 5.9 pounds, has a suggested retail price of $1,799, and includes:

• 14.1" (diagonal) active-matrix TFT display
• 256 MB SDRAM
• 20 GB Ultra ATA hard drive
• 6 hour battery life
• DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive

The 600 MHz iBook, weighing 4.9 pounds, has a suggested retail price of $1,499, and includes:

• 12.1" (diagonal) active-matrix TFT display
• 128 MB SDRAM
• 20 GB Ultra ATA hard drive
• 5 hour battery life
• DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive

The 500 MHz iBook, weighing 4.9 pounds, has a suggested retail price of $1,199, and includes:

• 12.1" (diagonal) active-matrix TFT display
• 128 MB SDRAM
• 15 GB Ultra ATA hard drive
• 5 hour battery life
• CD-ROM drive

iBookEndz Docking Station

Photo Control Corporation has released the iBookEndz docking station for the new iBook from Apple.

Now the same convenience that is available for PowerBooks will be available for the iBook. No more looking for that elusive cable that fell behind your desk. Just connect everything to the dock and leave it connected. When you come in, just plug the iBookEndz into the side of your iBook and everything is connected at once. iBookEndz replicates all seven connectors for modem, ethernet, FireWire, USB, RGB (standard VGA), and AV. The iBookEndz also has ports so you can hook your iBook directly to a TV that has RCA inputs, eliminating the need for the customary adapter.

iBookEndz sells for $144.95 (black) or US$159.95 (white).

Willow Design Introduces New TiBook and iBook Slipcases at Expo

Willow Design rolled out four new slipcases for the Titanium PowerBook and the iBook at Macworld Expo. The slipcases are compact, lightweight, and protective, and they give more flexibility for carrying additional items when needed in an inexpensive 'Book-tote.

All the new slipcases feature thick half-inch foam padding, stiffening plastic panels to protect the notebook all around, with extra high density polyethylene on the top and bottom. The slipcases have a zippered front organizer and a convenient back magazine pocket, plus a large zippered mesh accessory pocket built into the protective front flap cover. Carrying comfort is assured by a padded wrap handle plus a contoured, a special non-slip, padded shoulder carry strap.

The reaction to the slipcases so far has been great. On receiving his iBook Whumph! Too slipcase, Will Allen of Washington, commented "The Whumph! is very nicely made and fits the iBook snugly. A lot of thought has been put into it . . . very sleek and light. It should last forever!" If they don't, though, they are covered by Willow's lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or craftsmanship, as are all Willow's other cases for Apple products.

The second generation slipcases mark the start of an exciting new year for Willow, whose president, Nigel Peck, comments, "it was Willow customer feedback that helped us create such an exciting new line. We've been able to incorporate the protection and quality of the older models with a stylish new exterior and a lot more flexibility for how much you're able to carry. It was a lot of work to develop them but very much worth it!"

The new Titanium Two Slipcase offers a lightweight, compact, yet flexible solution for carrying your Titanium, power supply and cord, and some accessories. The stylish design offers excellent protection for your TiBook whether you want to carry the slipcase on its own, in a pack or tucked into a briefcase.

Titanium Two Slipcase Features:

• excellent protection for your Titanium afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5") soft "gushy" foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on the top and sides.
• a clean, very lightweight and compact size.
• great carrying comfort insured by a removable foam padded wrap handle.
• contoured, padded shoulder strap with a special sticky bottom to keep it on your shoulder.
• nylon web handle, quadruple reinforced with rivets, to insure the safety of your laptop.
• convenient rubber luggage feet riveted through a high density polyethylene bottom piece to keep the Whumph! off the ground if you're leaning it against your leg or chair in the office, on the train or in the ballroom.
• outer front organizer panel with pockets for business cards, pens, elasticized pocket for the Apple power supply plus room for the power cord and an ethernet cable.
• flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines or newspapers.
• lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or craftsmanship.

The new Titanium 'Slide 2 Slipcase offers a lightweight, compact, yet flexible solution for carrying your Titanium, power supply and cord and some accessories. The stylish design offers excellent protection for your TiBook whether you want to carry the slipcase on its own, in a pack or tucked into a briefcase.

Titanium 'Slide 2 Slipcase Features:

• excellent protection for your Titanium afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5") soft "gushy" foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on the top and sides.
• a clean, very lightweight and compact size.
• great carrying comfort insured by a removable foam padded wrap handle.
• contoured, padded shoulder strap with a special sticky bottom to keep it on your shoulder.
• nylon web handle, quadruple reinforced with rivets, to insure the safety of your laptop.
• convenient rubber luggage feet riveted through a high density polyethylene bottom piece to keep the Whumph! off the ground if you're leaning it against your leg or chair in the office, on the train or in the ballroom.
• outer front organizer panel with pockets for business cards, pens, elasticized pocket for the Apple power supply plus room for the power cord and an ethernet cable.
• flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines or newspapers.
• lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or craftsmanship.

The new iBook 'Away To Slipcase offers a lightweight, compact, yet flexible solution for carrying your iBook, power supply and cord and some accessories. The stylish design offers excellent protection for your iBook whether you want to carry the slipcase on its own, in a pack or tucked into a briefcase.

iBook 'Away To Slipcase Features:

• excellent protection for your iBook afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5") soft "gushy" foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on the top and sides.
• a clean, very lightweight and compact size.
• great carrying comfort insured by a removable foam padded wrap handle.
• contoured, padded shoulder strap with a special sticky bottom to keep it on your shoulder.
• nylon web handle, quadruple reinforced with rivets, to insure the safety of your notebook.
• convenient rubber luggage feet riveted through a high density polyethylene bottom piece to keep the 'Away To slipcase off the ground if you're leaning it against your leg or chair in the office, on the train or in the ballroom.
• outer front organizer panel with pockets for business cards, pens, elasticized pocket for the Apple power supply plus room for the power cord and an ethernet cable.
• flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines or newspapers.
• lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or craftsmanship.

The new iBook Whumph Two! Slipcase offers a lightweight, compact yet flexible solution for carrying your iBook, power supply and cord and some accessories. The stylish design offers excellent protection for your iBook whether you want to carry the slipcase on its own, in a pack or tucked into a briefcase.

"Whumph!"? What is "Whumph!"? It's the satisfying sound of being able to jam your slipcase into your pack with just millimeters to spare, knowing the iBook is still protected. It the soft, gentle sound of the iBook lightly and smoothly sliding into place in your Whumph! slipcase, nestled and nurtured by the silent, yet protective exterior of your understated, yet, fiercely dependable and trustworthy laptop companion. Whumph! Two even more than one.

iBook Whumph! Slipcase Features:

• excellent protection for your iBook afforded by 1.2 cm (0.5") soft "gushy" foam reinforced by corrugated plastic on the top and bottom plus all sides.
• a clean, very lightweight and compact size.
• convenient end access for those who wanting to stuff the slipcase into and remove the iBook from top loading backpacks.
• great carrying comfort insured by a removable foam padded wrap handle with extra strength ensured by web handle being riveted through high density polyethylene backing .
• contoured, padded shoulder strap with a special sticky bottom to keep it on your shoulder.
• nylon web handle, quadruple reinforced with rivets, to insure the safety of your laptop.
• convenient rubber luggage feet riveted through a high density polyethylene bottom piece to keep the Whumph! off the ground if you're leaning it against your leg or chair in the office, on the train or in the ballroom.
• outer front organizer panel with pockets for business cards, pens, elasticized pocket for the Apple power supply plus room for the power cord and an ethernet cable.
• flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines or newspapers.
• flat external rear pocket especially handy for maps, magazines or newspapers.
• lifetime guarantee against defects in materials or craftsmanship.

Available colours: black, charcoal, navy, teal, purple, eroyal, mauve

Pricing (all four models): $98 Cdn./$65 U.S.

Griffin Technology Introduces PowerPod Auto Adapter at Macworld

The PowerPod auto adapter allows you to take your iPod on the road and listen to great music without ever having to charge its batteries. The PowerPod not only keeps your iPod running but also charges your iPod's batteries so you'll never go anywhere without a fully charged iPod.

Features:

• attractively designed and durable
• status LED
• fused and filtered to protect your iPod
• includes a detachable 4 foot cable
• fits into any 12V accessory outlet or car lighter jack
• designed specifically for the iPod
• MSRP of $19.50
• two year warranty

Other World Computing Introduces Laptop Screen Protector at Macworld

At Macworld, Other World Computing officially launched a line of Laptop Screen Protectors (LSPs) designed to prevent damage to laptop monitors while the laptops are closed.

Made from top-grain cowhide, LSPs are made to fit across a laptop's keyboard to prevent the keyboard and buttons on the base of the laptop from coming in contact with, and leaving skin oils or permanent marks and indentations on, the laptop screen or LCD (liquid crystal display).     

"Apple PowerBooks and other laptops, including some Windows-based machines, have had serious problems with the keyboards or buttons on the base of the laptop coming in contact with the laptop screens," said Larry O'Connor, president and chief executive officer of Other World Computing.     

"The results are marks - sometimes permanent - on the LCD screen. We have been troubled with this problem for years, and recently developed a simple, yet effective solution. OWC's Laptop Screen Protectors fit nicely between the keyboard and the screen, providing a soft, protective barrier that eliminates unwanted contact when the laptop is closed."     

The company has initially produced three sizes of the LSP, including 4" x 11", which was custom made for the Macintosh iBook Dual USB; 5" x 11.5", which fits over most standard laptop keyboards; and 8.5" x 12.75", which was designed to fit over the entire keyboard and palm-rest area of the Apple PowerBook G4 Titanium.

"As laptops continue to get thinner and lighter, we are confident a product like the Laptop Screen Protector will prove to be a 'must have' accessory for laptop owners," O'Connor said.     

The LSPs from OWC do not require any after-purchase treatment and are designed not to shed or leave lint in-between the keys. Pricing for the LSPs begins at $14.95.

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.

MacResQ

• PowerBook G3/400 Pismo, 128/6 GB/DVD/56k/FireWire, $1,199.99
• iBook SE Graphite G3/366, 64/6 GB/24x/56k, $899.99
• PowerBook G3/233 WallStreet, 96/2 GB/20x/56k/14.1"/cache, $699.99

MacSelect

• PowerBook G3/266 WallStreet, 64/4 GB/20x/Zip/56k/ethernet/14.1", refurbished, 90-day warranty, $749
• PowerBook G3/300 WallStreet, 128 MB/8 GB/DVD/100 MB ZIP/56k/14.1", refurbished, $999

PowerMax

PowerMax claims to have the largest selection of PowerBooks and iBooks in the country, and they're celebrating it with sale prices on the over 100 preowned G3 PowerBooks and iBooks in stock at prices starting at under $600.

• PowerBook G3/233 WallStreet, 32/2 GB/CD/13.3", $599 (first WallStreet I've seen under $600)
• PowerBook 1400c w/G3/333 upgrade, 32/1 GB/CD/floppy w/added Newer Tech 16-bit video card, $669
• PowerBook G3/233 WallStreet, 32/2 GB/CD/14.1", $699
• PowerBook G3/300 WallStreet, 32/4 GB/CD/56k/13.3", $729
• PowerBook G3/333 Lombard, 64/4 GB/CD/56k/14.1", $969
• PowerBook G3/400 Lombard, 64 /4 GB/CD/56k/14.1", $1,138
• PowerBook G4/400, 384 /10 GB/DVD-ROM/56k, $1,599
• PowerBook G4/400, 128 /10 GB/DVD-ROM/56k, factory refurbished, $1,629
• iBook SE 366, 64 /6 GB/CD/ethernet/56k, factory refurbished, $888
• iBook 500 MHz, 64 /10 GB HD/CD, factory refurbished, $949

Expercom.com

• PowerBook G4/500, 256/20 GB/DVD/56k/15.2", factory refurbished, 1 year warranty, $1,849
• PowerBook G4/400, 128/10 GB/DVD/56k/15.2", new, 1 year warranty, $1,689
• PowerBook G4/400, 128/10 GB/DVD/56k/15.2", factory refurbished, 1 year warranty, $1,669
• iBook 500 MHz, 128/10 GB/CD-RW, factory refurbished, 1 year Warranty, $1,199
• iBook Key Lime 366, 192/10 GB/FireWire/CD, used, 90 day warranty, $849
• iBook Blueberry 300, 32/3 GB/CD /Used /90 day warranty,$799