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The 'Book Review
MacBook nano Rumored, Laptop Sales Strong for Holidays, MacBook Software Update 1.1, and More
This Week's MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook News
Compiled by Charles Moore and edited by Dan Knight - 2007.12.21
General Apple and Mac desktop news is
covered in The Mac News Review. iPod,
iPhone, and Apple TV news is covered in The
iNews Review.
This is the last 'Book Review of the year - Low End Mac will be closed from Christmas through New Year's Day. We'll be back with more MacBook, PowerBook, and iBook news in two weeks. We wish you and yours a joyous Christmas and a blessed 2008.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Products
Bargain 'Books
News & Opinion
Impossibly Thin MacBook nano Rumored
Digital Daily's John Paczkowski says:
"In the run-up to January's Macworld Expo conference in San Francisco, analysts are sifting the entrails of their channel checks for portents of Apple devices to come. This morning UBS analyst Ben Reitzes and Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster published research notes suggesting Apple will use Macworld to debut a number of new Macs, among them the company's smallest laptop ever.
"'Although we were anticipating an 'ultraportable' device with an 8-inch to 11-inch screen, our checks indicate the screen will likely be 11 inches to 13 inches,' Munster wrote. 'That said, we continue to expect the 'ultraportable' MacBook to be Apple's thinnest and lightest ever. It will likely be priced between the $1,099 consumer-level MacBook and the $1,999 MacBook Pro.'"
Link: MacBook Nano: Impossibly Thin (Just Like Your Wallet After Visiting the Apple Store)
Laptops Sales Strong This Christmas
Computerworld's Sharon Gaudin reports:
"Strong laptop sales are making this a hot holiday shopping season for PC makers, according to a report from IDC.
"In its Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, IDC projects that worldwide PC shipments will increase by 16.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of this year, bolstered by the strong laptop sales. The growth projection is good news for manufacturers, who probably still vividly remember slogging through a slow second half of 2006. PC growth was merely 7.9 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2006....
"The laptop share of client PCs nearly hit 45 per cent in the third quarter and is expected to reach 50 per cent by the end of 2008, IDC added...."
Link: Laptops Sales Strong This Christmas
Apple Updates
MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1
This update addresses a
responsiveness issue on MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers.
Some MacBook and MacBook Pro systems may occasionally experience a
temporary suspension of keyboard input which can last a minute or
longer. The Mac OS X 10.5.1 update is required before installing the
MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1.
File Size: 979 KB
System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5.1
Link: MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1
Products
Sonnet Offers MacBook Pro Users ExpressCard/34 Memory Card Reader/Writer
PR: Sonnet Technologies
announces the introduction of its new 21-in-1 Multimedia Memory Card
Reader & Writer for ExpressCard slots. This product replaces
Sonnet's popular reader-only version at the same price. ExpressCard is
the expansion slot technology of choice in today's most popular
notebook computers.
Without cables, Sonnet's 21-in-1 Multimedia Memory Card Reader &
Writer ExpressCard/34 quickly moves files between memory cards and a
notebook computer. With the ability to also write data to memory cards,
users can copy image and music files to memory cards for use in digital
picture frames and MP3 players, respectively. 
Sonnet's memory card reader & writer sits flush
in a MacBook Pro or Windows notebook's ExpressCard slot, so it can be
carried inside the computer slot even when not in use. The Sonnet
product supports the most popular memory card formats used in digital
cameras, cell phones, and other electronic devices, including Memory
Stickô, MMC (Multimedia Card), SD (Secure Digital), XD-Picture
Cardô, and all their variations. The card works in ExpressCard/34
and ExpressCard/54 slots.
Multimedia Memory Card Reader & Writer ExpressCard/34 Compatibility
- MacBook Pro running Mac OS X Version 10.4 or later
- PC notebook computer with ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 slot, running Windows Vista or XP SP2
Multimedia Memory Card Reader & Writer ExpressCard/34 (part number MMRW-E34) became available December 17, 2007, with the suggested retail price of $29.95.
Link: Sonnet ExpressCard Memory Card Reader
Bargain 'Books
Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.
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. The same goes for the PowerBook G4/667 (VGA) and G4/667 (DVI), the titanium vs. aluminum 15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz, and 1.25 GHz to 1.5 GHz 15" PowerBooks.
PowerBook, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.
This week with Apple refurb 'Books the $1,699. 2.2 GHz 15" MacBook Pros are back, the 2.4 GHz models have dropped by $100, and there are three 17" MacBook Pro and three MacBook models offered. cm
- refurb 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $899
- refurb 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,049
- refurb 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,249
- refurb 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,699
- refurb 15" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, $1,899
- refurb 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,099
- refurb 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,199
- refurb 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,399
- refurb hi-res 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,599
TechRestore is offering a $25 discount to 'Book Review readers off any PowerBook or iBook in stock. Just enter the code CWM during checkout when ordering online. The coupon code is valid from now through 2007.12.31.
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/SD, $549.99 less $25 = $524.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 512/80/SD, $879.99 less $25 = $854.99
- 15" 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/100/SD, $1,349.99 less $25 = $1,324.99
iBook Christmas Specials!
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $139.99
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/15/CD, $169.99
Free ground shipping
- new MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $1,049
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, warranty started, $1,199
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,229
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,439
- new 15" Core 2 MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz, 2 GB/200/SD, $2,969
- new 15" Core 2 MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz, 2 GB/200/SD, $3,079
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, warranty started, $1,399
- open box 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $1,439
- open box 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, $2,229
- open box 15" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/120/SD, warranty started, $2,199
- open box 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,599
- open box 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, warranty started, $2,649
- 12" iBook G3/700, 128/20/CD, AP, small crack, $249
- 12" iBook G4/1.0 GHz, 512/30/Combo, $475
- 12" iBook G4/1.0 GHz, 512/30/Combo, AirPort, $509
- Add AirPort Extreme for $39
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $199.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/40/CD, $219.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 256/10/CD-RW, $239.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 256/10/Combo, $299.95
- 12" iBook G3/600, 256/20/CD, $229.95
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/CD, $249.95
- Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 192/6/Zip, $249.95
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/40/Combo, $499.95
- 14" iBook G4/1 GHz, 512/40/Combo, $549.95
- 15" PowerBook G4/550, 256/20/Combo, $529.95
For more deals on current and discontinued models, see our MacBook deals, MacBook Pro deals, 12" PowerBook G4 deals,
15" PowerBook G4
deals, 17"
PowerBook G4 deals, titanium PowerBook G4
deals, iBook G4
deals, PowerBook G3
deals, and iBook G3
deals. 
Recent 'Book Reviews
- MacBooks Top Amazon Sales, EFI 1.7 Problems, Pros and Cons of Built-in Batteries, and More, 07.02. Also make a bootable SD Card, Leopard on a 9" Dell netbook, MacBook Pro and Air reviews, triple WiFi range, bargain 'Books from $179 to $2,300, and more.
- 'Slow' SATA in New MacBook Pros Fixed, MacBook Pro Display Issues, Macs Hold Their Value, and More, 06.26. Also Apple acknowledges some MacBooks lack 'ignore trackpad' option, business card USB flash drive fits wallet, gigabit Powerline, bargain 'Books from $179 to $2,150, and more.
- 'Missing' MacBook Pro Ports, FireWire Back but ExpressCard Gone, Say No to Glossy Displays, and More, 06.19. Also slower SATA in new 13" and 15" MacBook Pro, 5 things still missing from MacBook Pro, WD SiliconDrive III SSDs, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,199, and more.
- Fire Sale on End of Life 'Books, Pros of SD Card Support, 13" MacBook Pro an Editor's Choice, and More, 06.12. Also 13" MacBook Pro teardown, ExpressCard missing from new 15" MacBook Pro, Virgin Mobile intros 3G broadband service, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,199, and more.
- More in the .
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: Clamshell iBook G3/300 MHz, Sep. 1999 - innovative, rugged, heavy, clamshell laptop introduced AirPort and was a huge hit.
- Group of the Day: G-Books is for G3 PowerBooks and iBooks.
- July 4 in LEM history: 00: When Randy met Mac - 08: Wouldn't life be great with an iSlate? - Mac Pro overclocking, Windependence with Darwine, Blu-ray for Macs, and more
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- iPhone 3GS Overheating, Battery Life App, 240 GB Upgrade for 5G iPod, Total Baby App, and More, iNews Review, 07.02. Also low cost international calls, U-verse remote DVR control, Sync Blocker USB-to-Dock cable, Rocket Taxi improved, and more.
- Apple Tops in Satisfaction Again, Slim Profits on Mac mini, Ultimate Photo Setup, and More, Mac News Review, 07.02. Also tips for cloning hard drives and moving files from old Macs, Clickfree Transformer turns USB drive into a backup drive, maximum Mac Pro RAM, and more.
- Refurb MacBook Pro Deal, Fastest Mac Browser, 256 MB Modules for WallStreet, and More, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 07.01. Also more Safari 4 feedback, praise for Camino, MacBook cracks, looking for Craigslist software for Macs, and more.
- Amazon.com v. Interstate Sales Tax: Everyone Loses, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 07.01. Amazon.com is standing up to states that are trying to have it collect sales tax on interstate commerce, which most see as a violation of federal law.
- Introduction to Autofs in Mac OS X, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 07.01. "Autofs is often used in enterprise environments to set up network-based home directories and other network mounts for users at login."
- Optimized Software Builds Bring Out the Best in Your Mac, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 06.30. Applications compiled for your Mac's CPU can load more quickly and run faster than ones compiled for universal use.
- Checking Out Safari 4 on an Old PowerBook, Charles W. Moore, 'Book Value, 06.30. Safari 4 is the fastest it's ever been, but it's not without some frustrating drawbacks.
- Intel's Promise Fulfilled: More Processing Power per Processor Cycle, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 06.30. Apple promised improved CPU efficiencies when it announced the move to Intel in 2005. Three years of MacBooks show the progress.
- Is Steve Jobs' Health Essential to Apple's Future?, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 06.30. Steve Jobs' health is an important thing, but Apple has demonstrated that it can be profitable without him.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best Mac Pro Deals, 07.02. Used 3 GHz 4-core, $2,000; 3.2 8-core, $2,900; refurb 2.8 8-core, $2,399; new 2.66 4-core, $2,290 a/r; 2.26 8-core, $3,070 a/r; 2.66, $4,499; more.
- Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' Deals, 07.02. Full version DVD, $140; 5 user family pack, $370; 10-user Server, $299.
- Best 17" PowerBook G4 Deals, 07.02. Used 17" 1 GHz PowerBook, $689; 1.67 GHz, $749; hi-res, $1,029.
- Best Xserve Deals, 07.02. Used 2 GHz single G5, $800; dual, $1,000; refurb 2.8 GHz 4-core Xeon, $2,100; new 2.26 4-core Nehalem, $2,888; 8-core, $3,449; 2.66, $4,799; 2.93, $5,999.
- Best iPod touch Deals, 07.01. Refurb 2G/8 GB, $179; 16 GB, $259; iG/32 GB, $279; new 2G/8 GB, $215; 1G 16 GB, $210; 2G, $275; 2G/32 GB, $369. Prices include shipping.
- Best 13" MacBook & MacBook Pro Deals, 07.01. Used 1.83 GHz, $595; 2.0, $629; new 2.0, $889; 2.13, $925 after rebate; refurb 2.0 Unibody, $949; 2.4, $1,099; new 2.26 MBP, $1,119 a/r; more.
- Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, 07.01. Used 867 MHz Combo, $400; 1.33 GHz, $448; 1.5 GHz, $599; 1 GHz SuperDrive, $509; 1.33 GHz, $599; 1.5 GHz SD, $679.
- Best Apple TV Deals, 07.01. Refurb 40 GB Apple TV, $199; new, $220; refurb 160 GB, $279; new, $320. Prices include ground shipping.
- Best G4 iBook Deals, 06.29. Used 12" 800 MHz Combo, $290; 1 GHz CD, $299; Combo, $370; 1.33 GHz, $428; 14" 1 GHz Combo, $399; 1.2, $465; 1.42 GHz, $500.
- Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 Deals, 06.29. Mac OS X 10.0, $30; 10.1, $20; 10.2, $60; 10.3, $50; 10.3 Server, unlimited users, $130.
- Best Power Mac G3 and PCI Video Card Deals, 06.29. Used beige 300 MHz, $25; G4/366, $39; blue & white 350, $80; 400, $90; 450, $105; PCI video cards from $15; shipping additional.
- Best Time Capsule and AirPort Deals, 06.29. Close-out 500 GB Time Capsule, $199; 1 TB, $350; AirPort Extreme Base Station, $130; refurb AirPort Express, $85.
- More deals in our archive.
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