News for Thursday, 22 September 2005

The RAM test organized by Macbidouille and SwissBit at the AppleExpo has been a big success. With around 20 computers tested, we have added around 10 different models to our list of already tested DDR-SODIMM-based Apple notebooks (from the iBook G4 800MHz to the PB G4 1.67GHz).

Our visitors have been able to evaluate the performance gain associated with the addition of a 1024MB SwissBit DDR-SODIMM RAM module in their own machine, with their favorite applications; especially noticeable when running MacOSX Tiger.
The results and the analysis of this test should be published as an article in mid-October, providing the list of tested models as well as the reference of the RAM modules.
[update] To test your RAM module : rember

As we reported it previously here, and as shown in this roadmap below, Intel will propose for its future mobile processor Yonah an ultra-low voltage version, running at 1.2GHz while consuming 5W.

This has been made possible by the transition to 65nm engraving process and by modifying transistor design in order to reduce as much as possible the three major sources of transistor leakage : sub-threshold leakage, junction leakage and gate oxide leakage. As a result electronic devices using such processor will feature performance and significant power savings.
Apple could propose ultra portable notebooks with an impressive battery lifespan.

Dell has launched what they expect will become an iPod killer; its name, DJ Ditty...

So, its design is nothing but standard, and Dell is targeting the iPod shuffle market, by proposing for 99US$, a MP3 player featuring 512MB of RAM, a small display and an FM radio.
To our point of view, this player has no chance...except if Dell is distributing it for free or as a bundle with its computers...

Taho! has let us know that his website Le Mac existe, which tracks appearances of Macs on TV and in the cinema is once more up with 300 video extracts available for download.
The free magazine "20 minutes", distributed in the Paris underground, has dedicated several pages to the Apple Expo. The article is immediately followed by a full page advert by Darty [a French electronics supplier - amongst other things - WombatNews] for the iPod nano on sale in its stores.
SFR [a French mobile telephony company - WombatNews] seems to be quite happy to step on Bouygues' [another French mobile telephony company - WombatNews] toes by selling Motorola's RokR. It is on sale at 69 euros, with a 24 month contract.
A book, "iPod Backstage", written by Marc Geoffroy and Gilles Dounès is now on sale.

It deals more with the iPod phenomenon and Apple than it does with the iPod itself.
For further details, see:
http://wwww.ipodbackstage.com
[Note that it seems to only be published in French at the moment - WombatNews]

Following some alarm from some of our readers about the overheating of the Minipartner after extensive use, we contacted Macway to find out what could be done to allay their concerns. So as to demonstrate their complete confidence in their product, Macway has decided to extend its product warranty from one to two years. We have asked them to confirm that this extension will apply to all units already sold.

Our thanks to all who sent us this tit-bit.
In the midst of a dearth of news about new Macs, Wanadoo has rocked the boat with this news on its website.

Wanadoo seems to be claiming that Apple are to release a G6 Power Mac. A scoop, or taking the michael for the Apple Expo? Hard to tell. [Although this translator has his views ... and "typo" features most strongly in them .. !! - WombatNews]

As Nicolas puts it so well :

For once, it's not all about Windows!

Orange has added a 3G connection card optimised for OSX to its range. This PCMCIA card is actually sold with a CD which includes a Mac driver, and Orange is even offering Mac technical support! The PC version also seems to be compatible with both Windows and Mac.
If you are using SFR [a French mobile telephony provider - WombatNews], we would remind you that they also produce a 3G card which offically supports Macs, although you do need the driver from vodafone.de. Be wary, though, because it only supports the 3G/GPRS card, not the card which also supports WiFi.

01net has published a fairly detailed article about Mac OSX X86. They've also included tests on a machine provided by Apple, as well as an explanation of how to install OSX X86 on a commercially available PC.

Following our note on the Power Mac G5 1.8 Ghz, one of our readers, Dan, has sent us an update.
He should know what he's talking about, as his company has ordered 122 of these blasted machines! According to Dan, Apple should be delivering a definitive solution to this thorny problem at the end of this month or, at the latest, the beginning of October. We don't have any further information about how Apple are going to solve this problem, but it is likely to be through a firmware update.