News for Monday, 24 April 2006

The following is a report from Vincent (www.macbook-fr.com)

Hello,
I have just published an article about repairing a G3 iBook Dual USB video failure. The Apple Repair Extension Program is now finished, so the only solution for having such an iBook to work is the "DIY" solution. One of our forums' moderator -Pacis- has found a solution that solves this issue. It's not expensive, it's not hard to do, it simply works:
http://www.macbook-fr.com/ibook/bricolage/repair_g3_video_en_article797.html

The MacBook 17'' is finally here.
It is very similar to the MB Pro 15.2", but it features a Core Duo 2.16GHz, a 120GB HD and, as we mentioned previously, a FireWire800 port.

The MB Pro 17" cost 2899 Euros (all taxes included), only 200 Euro more that the similarly clocked 15.2" model.
As usual, if you wish to help or support us, please use the sponsored link: Apple Store

One of the Mac minis weakest points is its 2.5'' HD, with noticably slower performance than a 3.5''. It's still possible to partially compensate for this using a fast external HD, yet if output increases, so does latency.
The page http://www.artmac.info displays a daring yet efficient mod of a Mac mini Core duo.


Once the internal drive is dismantled, a SATA connector was put in the machine to plug an external SATA drive.
One can even imagine plugging a SATA port mutliplier (see today's other news) hence transforming the Mac mini into a very efficient server with as many as 5 drives.
Of course, doing such a modifications voids the warranty.

The Arizona Macintosh Users Group (AMUG) tested a very promising product made by Addonics.

It is a port multiplier, some kind of a HUB allowing to plug 5 Serial ATA drives on a single connector.
This product is sold $85 in the US as an electronic card that has to be installed in a case, which is quite easy.
This multiplier performances are quite good, even if you can't expect a miracle if you make a massive RAID, knowing that all date will transit through a single SATA channel anyway.
AMUG's tests confirm there's a problem with the latest PCI-Express G5s. The SATA transfers either via the integrated ports or an additional card are still way behind those of ancient PCI-X G5s. The output of those is barely 10% superior.
[update]: Adam Levine has posted some tests of a 8 Drive SATA II RAID0 system using a PMG5 PCIe equipped with a Sonnet e4P and aPort Multiplier: http://www.squeezeanickel.com/SATAII/

Logitech Japan announced Blu-Ray burners will soon be available for PCs and Macs. (Thx Jibouille)
The internal models will arrive by June, whereas the external USB 2 will follow in July.
According to their information, the software that will manage them on Mac will be Toast Titanium, for which an update could be expected soon.
The burners price wasn't communicated yet.

The MacBook 17'' is finally here.
It is very similar to the MB Pro 15.2", but it features a Core Duo 2.16GHz, a 120GB HD and, as we mentioned previously, a FireWire800 port.

The MB Pro 17" cost 2899 Euros (all taxes included), only 200 Euro more that the similarly clocked 15.2" model.
As usual, if you wish to help or support us, please use the sponsored link: Apple Store

After updating its models for customers-dedicated graphic cards, nVidia has renewed its Pro-oriented models, the Quadro FX.
The new high-end model is named Quadro FX 5500. It is still unknown if the GPU/RAM clock speeds are higher than with the previous model (FX4500), but it now sports 1GB of VRAM, and supports two 30" displays.
If the FX4500 is still available in the catalog, it is now as the mid-range model, between the flagship FX5500 and the new entry-level model FX3500 featuring "only" 256MB of VRAM.
Both card (FX3500 and 5500) are using 90nm-engraved GPU supposed to reduce heat release.

David wanted to get information from Gigadesigns about the schedule for G4 7448-based upgrade cards. Hereafter is part of the answer:

No plans for 7448 upgrades anytime soon. The price for the chips is just too high!

In addition, current Apple's contract with Freescale is only concerning CPU spare parts for replacing defect CPU or entire motherboards. So the production rate and volumes for those CPU will not be impacted by their use in computers, but rather reflect the status of the market for embedded CPU.
So the market of CPU upgrade cards still very active today, should decline quickly in a near future. G4 processors will probably not be sold at much lower price allowing their integrations into CPU upgrades, and using PPC970 aka G5 would require heavy R&D investments (compatibility, cooling, etc...)
In addition, MacIntels are powered by soldered CPUs (MB Pro), not designed to be exchanged, or using a socket, making CPU upgrade really simple. Let’s expect that Apple does not prevent CPU upgrade in MacIntels by using some firmware tricks as it happened in the past; it would not be a good marketing and communication action, and for sure will not help PC users to switch.

The Apple Store is currently closed. Will we finally get the expected new hardware models?
[update]: as expected the MBPro is there, the only surprise is its announcement on Monday, but the NAB might be the explanation for this "Monday-release". We will post a quick review of the 17" model soon. To be immediately noted is the availability of a FireWire 800 port for the MB Pro 17".