Passive vs. Active Matrix, Batteries, G3 Upgrades, iCab, OS X, and More

NOTE: This Miscellaneous Ramblings column originally appeared on MacOpinion on July 2, 1999. It is republished here by permission of the author and MacOpinion.

Passive vs. Active Matrix Displays

Apple has updated its Tech Info Library (TIL) article on the topic of passive vs. active matrix LCD displays.

The article begins with a general discussion of LCD technology compared with the CRT monitors used with most desktop personal computers.

It goes on to describe the distinction between active matrix (or Thin-Film Transistor [TFT]) displays and passive matrix (or Film SuperTwist Nematic [FSTN]) displays. "One difference you may notice between passive and active matrix screens is that active matrix has a much wider viewing range than passive matrix," says the article

Passive matrix (FSTN) displays utilize a grid of electronic control wires. A pixel is located at the junction of each row and column control lines, and just one transistor is used to address each row and one to address each column of pixels. This makes the FSTN display relatively cheaper than TFT technology, but residual electrical current that travels down each control line can cause crosstalk at unselected pixels, which lowers the display's overall contrast.

Active matrix (TFT) displays use a dedicated transistor for each pixel. Because of the many transistors, pixels can be turned on and off rapidly and accurately, and there is no crosstalk phenomenon. Understandably, TFT screens are also a lot more expensive to produce than FSTN displays.

The article also includes a chart listing the type of display each PowerBook model is available with from the PowerBook 100 to the latest Lombard machines.

I was interested in a footnote about the PowerBook 5300c, which was available in two configurations: one with 512 KB of built-in VRAM, the other with 1 MB.

PowerBook Battery Information

Another Apple TIL article discusses the four different battery types Apple has used in PowerBooks, and provides an informative chart of their respective charge and shelf life characteristics.

Still on batteries, Todd Stauffer has posted a chapter from his Macworld Mac Upgrade and Repair Bible (IDG Books) on MacSpeedZone's The Resurrected Mac Page, entitled There Are A Myriad Of Ways To Make Your PowerBook Battery Last Longer - Tips For Extending Battery Life. Worth a look.

A G3 Upgrade Path For The PowerBook 3400c

While the PowerBook 3400 is not officially upgradable, being as it is virtually identical in form factor to the original G3 (3500?) PowerBook, there is a workaround.

Some time ago, Road Warrior reader Daryl Walsh brought it to my attention that DT&T Macintosh Services, Inc. of Fremont, California was offering a 3400 upgrade to original G3 status by swapping in an original G3 motherboard. Comparing the 3400 favorably to the officially upgradable 1400, Daryl noted the 1400's RAM limit of 48 MB (64 MB if you can live without video-out), while the 3400 can handle 144 MB, or 160 MB with upgrade. The 1400 is also not PCI based, so LinuxPPC won't run on it; neither does it support CardBus PC Cards. The 3400 also has a built-in modem and ethernet. In Daryl's opinion, "the 3400 is way better than the 1400."

DT&T Macintosh Services, Inc. has dropped the price of their 3400-G3 upgrade to $600. In exchange for your 3400 motherboard, they will install a motherboard from an original PowerBook G3 Telephone: (800) 622-7977.

However, compare the upgrade price with selling your 3400 and buying a real G3 PowerBook. The upgrade could make sense if you have an extensively tricked out 3400, but for a standard machine you will probably do better to sell and repurchase.

iCab 1.6a Beta Released

Another week, another iCab beta.

As I reported last week, I've found the German iCab Preview 1.5 browser to be pretty much as stable as a rock and have used it as my main browser since early May. I had high hopes that version 1.6, which was released last week, would add more speed and refinement to version 1.5's admirable stability. Alas not. iCab 1.6 turned out to be distressingly crash prone on my PowerBook 5300. I had a couple of nasty system freezes and lockups in my first day's use of 1.6. So did others.

I reverted to iCab 1.5, but my hopes for version 1.6 were rekindled when iCab posted version 1.6a last weekend. No joy. I had a monster crasheroo within my first 20 minutes of surfing with iCab 1.6a. There is also no mention in the "Changes in version 1.6a" document about a stability bug-fix.

For comparison, I tried iCab 1.6a on my PowerBook G3 233 running OS 8.6, and found it even worse than on the 5300.

I notified Oliver Joppich of iCab and received this reply:

This should not happen. I believe you are using an extension that is making the trouble. Please turn off all non-Apple extensions. iCab should be very stable. Please tell us which extension was responsible for the effect.

Well, I might be able to try that if I ever get a spare moment. However, what troubles me is that iCab 1.5 has almost never crashed since I started using it in early May. I have gone a couple of times for 10 days without restarting while using iCab 1.5 every day. Both iCab 1.6 and 1.6a crash frequently on the same machine (PB 5300), with exactly the same set of extensions and other applications running. The only variable is the new version of iCab. When I go back to iCab 1.5, the crashing problem goes away.

This indicates to me (a nonprogrammer) that there must be something new in the 1.6/1.6a code that is instigating the crashes.

While I run with a pared down set of extensions (my Mac OS 8.1 system heap is only 9.3 MB), I need the ones I'm using in order to do my work, and iCab 1.5 seems to coexist happily with them.

Chris Long (I misnamed him "Chris Wood" when quoting him last week), who has been running iCab 1.5 on his PB 3400/180 is having similar experiences with 1.6a.

Since iCab 1.5 is as stable as a brick on the 5300, and because the problem appears to affect other Macs as well, I have to conclude that there is a new bug in versions 1.6 and 1.6a. Of course, that's what these public beta previews are intended to ferret out. iCab is a great little browser, and I encourage Road Warrior readers to help the developers out by trying the beta versions and reporting bugs and suggestions. However, don't throw your copy of iCab 1.5 away yet!

Aside from the crashing, iCab 1.6a is still a nice little Web Browser - small, RAM-parsimonious, and fast. I especially like iCab's Download Manager, which I rate as better than MS IE's

iCab versions 1.5 will work until mid-August, and 1.6a till the end of September. However, I hope version 1.7 comes along soon with a fix for the stability glitch.

For questions concerning iCab, bug reports and suggestions: support@icab.de

For general questions concerning the concept, marketing etc.: info@icab.de

You can download a free evaluation copy of iCab preview 1.5 at: http://www.icab.de/download.html

MacOS X Client on a WallStreet

MacInTouch has an interesting article on installing a beta build of Mac OS X Client on a WallStreet G3 PowerBook. Note that the article ends with "Good luck!"

Apple Releases ROM Update for Lombards

This week, Apple released a ROM update that applies especially to Lombard, in hope of solving some problematical issues like erratic USB support for input devices.

Mac OS ROM Update Version 1.0 (MacOS ROM 1.6 - why do they do this?) can be downloaded as either MacBinary (2089 K) or BinHex (2841 K).

Lombard owners should to check their currently installed version of Mac OS ROM before downloading this update, since Mac OS ROM 1.6 may already be installed. OS 8.6 is required with this update.

The statement on Apple's webpage reads:

"Based on customer and developer feedback, Apple has made improvements to its software for the iMac, blue & white Power Macintosh G3 and bronze keyboard PowerBook G3 Series customers. The Mac OS ROM Update 1.0 replaces the Mac OS ROM version 1.4 with version 1.6, which includes the following fixes:

• Fixed an intermittent issue where after startup the keyboard/mouse does not respond when a mouse is attached to the top (or left) USB port and a keyboard attached to the bottom (or right) USB port.
• A possible crash on the PowerBook G3 when removing an attached USB keyboard at the same time as putting the unit to sleep.
• Hot swapping a media bay device into a bronze keyboard PowerBook G3 would not always recognize the device.
• Using the Target Disk Mode feature on the bronze keyboard PowerBook G3, a user can only use the SCSI ID setting of 2.

Further noted:

When connecting a keyboard and mouse via USB, Apple recommends connecting the mouse to the keyboard, and the keyboard to the computer.

Lombard Screen Contacts Keyboard

Another Lombard issue has been raised on several websites this week. Apparently if you squeeze your Lombard tightly while carrying it, the key caps contact the screen and leave marks. There have been reports of this phenomenon with some WallStreets as well.

Another iMate Driver Update to Support PowerBook Sleep

Griffin Technology, Inc. has posted version 1.4b1 of their iMate Driver software today. Version 1.4b1 supports PowerBook sleep mode for the new PowerBook G3 (Lombard) models. Sleep support is provided for all custom drivers as well as ADB dongles.

Version 1.4b1 Highlights:

• Version 1.3 is now compatible with the Don Johnston Discover Switch and KENX. Additionally it now works with the Praxis CompassProfile dongle on the new Lombard PowerBook G3s. It may also fix other devices with the PowerBooks including possible problems with AppleVision and StudioVision displays. ADB reinits are now supported with version 1.3.
• Version 1.4 allows ADB devices with custom drivers and ADB dongles to continue to work after putting the new PowerBook "Lombard" in sleep mode and waking it back up. This version also allows for true ADB reinitializations (ADB reinits).

iMate driver Version 1.4b1 can be downloaded free.

A FireWire PC Card from Orange Micro

Orange Micro recently announced their new HotLink FireWire PC Card, a two 6-pin port IEEE 1394 compliant PC Card for the PowerBook G3 Series (both WallStreet and Lombard models).

The HotLink FireWire PC Card is designed to provide FireWire support to Mac PowerBooks and PC portables with a PC CardBus slot. The HotLink card features two 6 pin unpowered IEEE-1394 ports for all types of FireWire peripherals, including hard disks, DV still cameras, DV camcorders, and FireWire printers. The HotLink FireWire PC Card will ship early in the 4th quarter of 1999, and will list for $229.

Road Warrior Mailbag

My "Faint Scent of Citrus" column last week generated some reader comment.

From Vaughan Williams:

Charles all your questions can be answered in two or three lines.

1: Apple have their head firmly up their rectum.

2: Apple do not and never have cared or supported the people whom support them.

3: Apple always have and looks like they always will just make boxes that they like and never listen to what they customer want, NEVER.

All this boils down to is Apple still think they are the best thing since sliced bread. The sad truth is they are so far behind the 8 ball that it may have been better for them and their supports for Apple to have sold out long ago and let some real computer savvy people run the company.

How many times do we have to keep hearing about Steve Jobs saving Apple from the brink of disaster... Look around people. Your beloved Steve is setting the company up to be sold/merged. He does not care about Apple supports at all.

And about their great new OS X Server and OS X [whatever it's to be called]. It is a great idea in general, but hey! Apple, namely Steve Jobs, has made it only available to people who buy NEW G3 boxes (hell, Linux will run on a 386, for god's sake), so it not that it needs the hardware horse power to run. Its because Steve want to rip you off just that little (lots) bit more.

And when I buy a Apple notebook, I expect it to run all the Mac OSes, including OS X Server. Well there's another thing that almost made me lose my mind. MacOS X Server - with NO NATIVE SUPPORT for Windows PCs with it's bundled AppleShare.

Unless you know how to config SAMBA, Mac OS X Server is pointless as a mainstream server solution.

Gee I seem to have gone on just a bit.

You know the sad thing is. Is that I like the Mac and I like the new OS X (in theory) but I just can not stand Apple as a company and their god attitude towards the rest of the industry and their supports.

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From Bob Semenak:

I believe that people may be reading too much into Mark Foster's separation from Apple. I have absolutely no inside information so the following is just speculation. However, it seems to me reasonable.

I suspect the idea of merging desktop and portable hardware engineering was probably in the works from the time Apple announced its decision to pursue a Common Unified Architecture. I think it is important to acknowledge that the ultimate consolidation of hardware engineering was a given when Apple announced this hardware design strategy (whether or no one thinks this is a good idea). Considering the recently announced products from Gateway and Packard-Bell, it is reasonable that we will see more of this within the industry as "portable" technologies are employed across a wider array of products. The newly-announced hardware group structure of hardware engineering, ASIC development and industrial design (hopefully augmented by a small independent, cross-disciplinary QA team) is quite rational. The question then became who would emerge to lead the engineering group.

Obviously, any delays or product shortcomings in the PowerBooks became strikes against Foster running a larger team responsible for all Apple hardware engineering and most likely led to Miranker's appointment. Any differences in style with Jon Rubinstein or perceptions that he was less than a team player more than likely prevented him from consideration for other management opportunities within Apple.

I suspect that we will witness a few more missteps as Apple struggles through the convergence of two operating systems (OS 8.x and OS X) and two hardware designs (desktop and portable) into a new whole which will be both more consistent and easier to maintain than what we currently enjoy. I am concerned, however, that every change in design of both hardware and interface seems to be met with such great resistance by the Mac faithful. Many of the paradigms and design decisions made in the days of 9 inch monitors and file systems limited to floppy drives need rethinking in light of today's (and tomorrow's) needs for managing networked, high-capacity, large-screen computers. I hope this is a problem of inertia.

As Apple moves forward, it is important that it not abandon the things which truly distinguish the Macintosh: careful consideration of user interface design (both hardware and software) and consistency. Users however must not demand strict adherence to what we are now familiar with - forsaking the convenience of an air-conditioned automobile for a horse-and-buggy. Apple must be held to high standards by users, but users must be willing to adapt in a changing environment.

Think Darwin. Think Evolution. Think Different.

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From Con Rodi:

I'm not a regular reader, so I don't know all the context, but your recent commentary which was launched in the direction of "Just maybe there are a few product startup problems" seems to have landed in the realm of "Let me list all my gripes about anything that bothers me with Apple." I think, perhaps, those of us devoted to using Apple's products have to embrace the fact that there is really only one company in this industry. That's of necessity (i.e., recent demise of licensed clone producers) and desire (i.e., a truly integrated user experience from stem (hardware) to stern (software)). Since there's only one company, and a rather small product line at that, there will ALWAYS be design limitations in the products and there will be NO WAY to please everyone. I'm just not impressed with those in the Macintosh pundit circles who equate corporately made product design choices with product failure issues. I recommend you take the high road and separate your "I personally would rather they did it this way" comments from your "This is a problem with the product (as designed) and needs to be fixed" alerts.

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From Jess Doherty:

Here's another PowerBook 1400 love letter. We grew together, my little PB 1400 and I. As I gained more experience and knowledge, she kept up by increasing her RAM, upgrading her PC Card modem and slipping in a blazingly fast G3 processor. We worked hard and played hard, traveled together and spent quiet times at home. We were quite a pair until I put my hands on a WallStreet/300/DVD. I was seduced by the larger, clearer screen and the sleek curves (OK, so I'm a little superficial). And the DVD made me wild with desire. Rationale was replaced by desire. Yes, I jilted my 1400 for a trophy PowerBook. I think about her often (except when I'm watching a DVD, at which time I have no regrets).

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And this woeful tale from Duncan Dixon:

I live in Shizuoka, Japan and read your column on the 5300 and would like to relate my own experiences with a PB 5300cs. It ran fine for a year and a half and then the HDD stopped working followed quickly by the FDD. After I replaced these, the screen bezel cracked and had to be replaced in March this year. When I got it back from Apple Japan, I noticed that periodically vertical lines appeared in the bottom half of the screen. It happened only occasionally and I couldn't reproduce it so I waited. Finally, it came to the point where the lines were always visible and took it back to my local dealer (who has been very helpful). I just heard through my dealer that Apple Japan wants to charge me the equivalent of 650 dollars to replace the screen. Why should I have to pay to replace something that worked fine until Apple repaired it? Are they financing their extended warranty by creating repairs that aren't covered under warranty?

To add to my frustration, both of the local Apple resellers I checked with said there would be at least a one month wait before a new G3 PowerBook would be available. Another worry is that even if I get it repaired, there's a cap locks key that keeps going on and off whenever it pleases.

I used to be a loyal Apple customer, but my loyalty is wearing very thin.

Sincerely,
Duncan Dixon

Obviously not one of the better 5300s :-(.

I understand and empathize with Duncan's frustration.

I assume he has brought it to Apple Japan's attention that the screen glitch showed up after they worked on it. If not, contacting their customer service department and asking to talk with a supervisor might help.

I very much doubt that the damage to Duncan's screen was deliberate. It was likely accidentally damaged when the technician installed the new bezel. The bad key is a separate issue, and unfortunately not covered by the extended warranty.

Duncan's cheapest way out, if Apple won't play ball, might be to buy a used 5300 and retire his old one as a parts machine. I would not recommend spending $650 for a new screen, when you can buy a whole good, used 5300 for that price or less. Computers are just big Legos - an assembly of parts. If you could find a junker machine with a good screen and keyboard that could be swapped into yours, that might be the way to go.

MacResQ had a special on PowerBook 5300 C, CS and CE LCD Screens for $99 each with no exchange required, but the sale price expired June 30. MacResQ's normal price for these screens is about $250 - much less than the $650 (albeit probably installed) price quoted to Duncan by Apple.

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At this writing, regular Road Warrior correspondent Albert Juwono in Indonesia is still waiting to receive the Newer G3 upgrade card for his PowerBook 1400/117 that he ordered from OWC.

Albert writes:

OWC has been giving me a big headache regarding my NU Power 1400 order. I placed my order on June 14. First their customer service XXX, informed me that the processor will be available in Thursday 06/18. Then for unknown reason I hadn't been able to contact any of OWC's customer service. They had just stop replying my email. On next Tuesday, XXX replied that he hadn't been able to contact their shipping department, and would contact me later that day. I've waited and waited. I sent few emails to XXX and got no reply for another 3 days.

Then I tried to contact another customer service person listed in OWC's web. She replied to me that the item was still in back order (Friday, June 25). I was really disappointed at that time and decided to cancel the order (I was going to order from another online store). The next day, she replied and told me that she would cancel the order.

Today I received my Citibank Visa billing. To my surprise OWC had authorized my CC in Jun 18 then charged it on Jun 23. XXX had told me that OWC would not charge CC until the order ship out. I immediately sent another mail to XXXXXXXX to get an idea what's going on, did she really canceled my order. She replied that she will give my email to XXX.

I'm confused right now. My previous experience ordering from Other World Computing has been pure joy. I submit my order, a customer service verified my order, the next day I received my online FedEx Tracking number and that's it. I hope everything will turn out OK. Have you ever heard anything bad on OWC? I thought they have great reputation. Well, I just want to let you know why I haven't sent my NU Power 1400 review. Have you ever had bad experience making online orders?

Best Regards,
Albert

I wouldn't be too worried yet, Albert. This sounds like a typical mail order snafu, and I expect that you will get your card soon, although charging your credit card before the item ships is not ethical business practice.