Computer Connections

Computer Connections 12.03

BY LLOYD PREZANT

12.2003
Issue No.13

Apple's dual pricing
Apple now has a new dual processor PowerMac G5 computer. The single processor 1.8 GHz is now a dual 1.8 GHz processor model. However, to confuse us all, Apple has price reductions on all G5 computers in a banner at the top of the Web site. Yet, if you click to purchase a computer, the old prices show up. We hope that they straighten this out. Here's the current line-up and the new pricing:
G5 1.6 GHz - single 1.6 GHz processor, 80 GB hard drive, 256 MB 333 MHz 128-bit DDR SDRAM RAM (4 slots - 4 GB maximum), 800 MHz front side bus, SuperDrive (reads and writes CD-R(W) and DVD-R), 3 PCI slots and displays video with a Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 Ultra video card.
G5 1.8 GHz - dual 1.8 GHz processor, 160 GB Serial ATA 7200 RPM hard disk, 512 MB 400 MHz 128-bit DDR SDRAM RAM (8 slots - 8 GB maximum), dual 900 MHz independent front side busses, SuperDrive, three 64-bit PCI-X slots (one at 133 MHz and two at 100 MHz) and has the GeForce FX 5200 Ultra video card.
G5 2 GHz - dual 2 GHz processors, 160 GB Serial ATA 7200 RPM hard disk, 512 MB 400 MHZ 128-bit DDR SDRAM RAM (8 slots - 8 GB maximum), dual 1 GHz independent front side busses, SuperDrive, three 64-bit PCI-X slots (one at 133 MHz and two at 100 MHz), and has the ATI Radeon 9600 PRO video card (64 MB DDR SDRAM).
Now for the pricing: G5 2 GHz - $ 2,699 (down from $2,999), G5 1.8 GHz - $2,299 (down from $2,499) and the G5 1.6 GHz - $1,599 (down from $1,799). Remember - the Apple Website has two listed prices within it, so look for the lower price before you buy. Don't wait - this is a sale, and may be a limited time offer. Good luck! www.apple.com

TechTool Pro 4 "X'ed"
Micromat Inc. announces the release of TechTool Pro 4. This program is a diagnostic and repair utility to be used with Mac OS X. Rebuilt from the ground up using Mac OS X's Cocoa applications framework, and sporting a new interface, it's completely compatible with both Jaguar (OS 10.2) and Panther (OS 10.3). TechTool Pro lets Mac users: recover data from their hard drives, test system hardware, check Internet connections, check modem and network connectivity and checks some third party peripherals. Also featured is: SMART ("Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting") Technology that helps to alert hard drive users of an impending drive failure. TechTool Pro 4 can be set up to e-mail you if a problem arises! Costs $99.99. Less if you upgrade - $49.95 www.micromat.com

Print Shop returns
Software MacKiev has brought back an old favorite of the 1980's Mac set - The Print Shop. Originally published by Broderbund software, MacKiev has updated this program for OS X. Called "The Print Shop Mac OS X Edition 1.0," it is compatible right up to the latest OS release 10.3 (Panther). Here is a complete desktop publishing system that includes over 12,700 images that you can incorporate into just some of the projects Print Shop does: signs, banners, posters, greeting cards, pamphlets, business cards, stationery, envelopes, calendars and CD labels. OOPS! I forgot to tell you that there are 129 custom fonts included. Also new is the scrapbook feature that lets users store the most frequently used: text, photos and graphical effects. An effects palette organizes all the effects one can apply to their creations. Transparency is supported as well as Vector-based graphics that scale smoothly when they are enlarged. Avery label templates are supported now and in the future (new templates can be downloaded from their Website). So, here's an application that does so much for the home user and integrates with Apple's: iPhoto, iCal, iTunes, iDVD and Apple's address book. Make mail-merge print projects, custom calendars from iCal data and DVD labels from iDVD. Wow! You need to have: a Mac G3 350 NHz or faster, OS 10.1.5 or 10.2.3 or later (up to OS 10.3), 192 MB RAM, 150 MB hard disk space and an 800 x 600 pixel display. It can be bought at the Apple store, other software stores or on-line from Software MacKiev's Web site at: www.mackiev.com. Oh, I forgot to tell you about the ultimate sales tool for this product - the price: $49.95. So, don't walk but run to buy this!

Sonnet's "g" whiz
Sonnet Technologies presents the Aria extreme PCI. It is an 802.11g (Wi-Fi) wireless networking card for Mac models that can run using OS 10.2.6 or later and AirPort driver 3.1. The 802.11g standard is what Apple calls "Airport Extreme." Data transfer speeds can approach 54 Mb per sec. That's almost 5 times faster than the 802.11b standard that is now in most systems. 802.11g is backward compatible with 802.11b peripherals. Priced at $99.95; available now! www.sonnettech.com.

2GB RAM iMac?
Trans Intl. has 1 GB memory upgrades for the latest Apple iMac computers. Now, users of these Macs can have up to 2 GB of memory inside. These newer iMacs have two memory slots. One is the User slot, and the other is the Factory slot. Apple says that you can have two 512MB chips for a total of 1 GB of memory. However, by replacing the Factory slot chip with a 1 GB chip and putting a 1 GB chip in the User slot, 2 GB total RAM can be achieved. This DDR333 memory chip works on the following Mac models: 15" 1 GHz Combo Drive-equipped iMac, 17" 1.25 GHz SuperDrive-equipped iMac and the brand new 20" 1.25 GHz SuperDrive iMac. A bit pricey for the User slot chip upgrade - $569, but take heart - the Factory slot chip upgrade is only $219! www.transintl.com.

Quick Takes
Apple has released security updates for Jaguar and Panther OS. The Jaguar update includes: groff, Mail w/CRAM-MD5 authentication, gm4, Open SSL, Personal File Sharing, QuickTime for Java and zlib "gzprintf()" function. Forget about understanding the gibberish; most people don't understand it either! Download it at : http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120277. The Panther update is a little less intimidating in its language: OpenSSLzlib and "gzprintf()" function. Download it at: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120278. Do it now!
Adobe Systems Inc. updates their professional PDF development tool, Adobe Acrobat, to v. 6.0.1. This adds support for OS 10.3 and improves: PDF creation, multimedia and Acrobat commenting. There are separate updates for Adobe Acrobat Standard and Adobe Acrobat Professional as well. Confused? Don't be. Most of us use Adobe Reader - the application used to read PDF files only - that remains at v. 6.0. www.adobe.com.
Digidesign has offered Pro Tools v 6.2.2, which updates their pro audio editing software to OS 10.3 (Panther). Be cautious, however. Adobe states that certain limitations were created in this update as well as Pro Tools LE's update. These will be addressed in a "Phase III release" later this year or earlier in 2004. Available to all registered user of Pro Tools 6.0 or later, a CD is available at Pro Tools dealers or directly from Digidesign. You can also download from their Website: www.digidesign.com.

Lloyd Prezant is a NYC computer consultant who
buys and sells recent
used Mac computers and
their peripherals. Call him
at (718) 548-1623.

Past Connections
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July2003
June 2003
May 2003