OWC Tips & Deals 6/12/2008
Intro:
Hello again! Apple, Inc.'s WWDC 2008 is now well underway and the cats are out of the bag. A special note regarding it being called the 'Apple, Inc.' WWDC: as was the case at the Macworld SF 2007 keynote (the event where Jobs announced 'Apple Computer, Inc.' was now 'Apple, Inc.'), this year's WWDC Keynote basically is all to do with iPhone. The iPhone is great and all, but I was really hoping for more on the computer side of things too. So lets see just what we've got this WWDC.

Apple's WWDC 2008 Keynote Wrap up
One has to remember, this is a developer event. Having said that, the Keynote event evolved over the years to be something all of us look to with great expectation. In 2003 Jobs & IBM introduced the new PowerMac G5 platform. Apple OS 10.4 Tiger was first shown off at the 2004 event (with commercial release April/2005). WWDC 2005 gave us the unveiling of the new Intel platform shown running Tiger + developer systems with the Intel processor. The first consumer available Intel Macs were then introduced at the following Macworld SF Jan 2006. At WWDC 2006 - the new Mac Pro 'Towers of Power' were pre-introduced(began shipping that August) and we got first looks at the next OS 10.5 Leopard (commercially released Oct/07). WWDC 2007 talked about Mac video and gaming, detailed coverage of 10.5 Leopard (which was supposed to already be shipping, but is delayed at this point till October due to resources shifted to the iPhone), and a brief showing of the iPhone. Like Macworld, WWDC used to be pretty much all about Mac - we have to remember now that it is the 'Apple, Inc.' WWDC now.

A brief mention of Apple OS 10.6 'Snow Leopard'
Apple's next OS X version, 10.6, is officially unveiled with the code name 'Snow Leopard'. It was barely a mention at the start of Job's keynote, but Apple has a webpage up with a bit more information. Expected for release sometime in early 2009, it won't be so much about new user features as it will be about improving the performance of the OS in general. A lot of this will come from better handling and use of both multiple main processor cores as well as utilization of available GPU Cores (Graphics Processors on the Video Cards). There is much untapped processing capability to be utilized from today's high performance video cards that are mostly idle outside various specialty and game applications. Despite some rumors/concerns, all current evidence does indicate 10.6 will continue support of PowerPC based Macs as well as the Intels.

iPhone v2.0 Software update
First off - for all iPhone owners past and future, Apple will be pushing out the free iPhone 2.0 software update next month. The most significant features (IMHO) include support for new 3rd party applications that will be available for download purchase, improved e-mail attachment support (can open/view more types of attached files), and integration with your .Mac account - the service now being re-introduced as 'Mobile Me'. Enterprise users will applaud support now added for Microsoft Exchange Active Sync. While 'Mobile Me' is great for consumers and small business, the Exchange support opens the iPhone to now integrate with existing enterprise office mail/calendaring systems to be a real option for such environments. This Version 2.0 is no small step.

iPod Touch gets the update too
Nearly all the features that come to iPhone via the update are available to iPod Touch users as well. The iPod Touch is practically everything that the iPhone is, minus the mobile phone, and that's nothing new either. This update costs $9.95 for the iPod Touch. About that $9.95 fee.... Many complain believing Apple should make these free just like the updates for iPhone are. Well... calling the iPhone update ÔfreeÕ is rather a stretch once you consider the $59.99 minimum (now $69.99) iPhone users pay each month for service. In that light, the option $9.95 for the occasional major update isn't so bad.

Yep - the non-surprise - new 3G iPhones
It's the 2nd Generation iPhone with the '3G' being the higher speed network it now supports. For those of us within the United States, the sole operator remains AT&T. If or when AT&T has 3G network support where you are, these new '3G' iPhones offer data performance 2.4X as fast as with EDGE + are said to be 20% faster than other competing 3G band phones. Even if there isn't 3G support in your area, the new '3G iPhones' are backwards compatible with the same support as the 1st gen iPhone. Other new features include a built-in GPS, and a new 16GB model option. Most, if not all, of the other new feature are part of the v2.0 software update and thus not unique to the actual new iPhone model itself.

New pricing is now touted, really loudly hyped as 'half the price of the old iPhone'. With the new 8GB model priced at $199 (was $399 + new 16MB model now for $299), it is truly half the price... but... It's now got a plastic back vs. the metal of the 1st Gen model. The Docking Station is a separate accessory and expected to be $50. But the real kicker.... the minimum monthly rate plan is now $69.99/mo, up $10 vs. the $59.99 rate available for the non-3G iPhone. That, by the way, is an extra $240 in cost you'll be paying over those two required years. No easy way around this either... lots of people bought the 1st Gen iPhone, hacked them, and used them on other networks of their choice. I'd expect the same is possible with the 3G iPhone, but since it is only going to be available in retail stores and you will have to activate and sign the 2 year contract at time of purchase, it's a bit less than practical. Instead of the revenue-sharing agreement in place with the 1st gen iPhones, Apple will now get a payment from AT&T for each iPhone sold, and thus are making sure that they're getting that from you. It is unfortunate to not have an official choice of carriers, and now there's no grey area left to that either.

First Apple Computer, Inc becomes Apple, Inc... Now .Mac is becoming 'ME':
Mobile Me is now replacing the .Mac service. This is touted to let you have all your Apple devices keep you in sync with calendar, file sharing, and eMail services. Now supporting iPod Touch and iPhone in addition to the Mac computers, all your info can now stay in sync no matter what device you switch to/use in between. Still $99/year, they are doubling online storage from 10GB to 20GB, and will otherwise be identical to the .Mac service going to sunset. Current .Mac users will be automatically upgraded for no cost. While new users will all have @me.com addresses, those with a current .Mac account will get the same e-mail at .Me with the option of using either.

And yep - that's pretty much it. You can watch all 107 minutes of the Jobs WWDC 2008 Keynote for all the details and stage demos; or just watch this 60-second video clip summary by Mahalo Daily - it is a pretty slick edit of all the main points.

We're always hoping for more along Mac lines. Even something small like a long overdue update to the Mac mini. I think the iPhone will be the dominator for the next couple months, and yes - I am guilty of stating the obvious. The current Mac line up is just fine.. and it'll be back in the spotlight soon enough. I just wanted more Mac now. :)

New ATI Radeon Pro 3870 for Mac Pro close to release
We thought it would be rolling by now, but we have it on high authority that this new video card is extremely close to release. Expected to retail for well under $300 and maybe even around $200, this Radeon Pro 3870 for Mac Pro should be an excellent video card option for any Mac Pro. A good step above the ATI X1900, ATI HD 2600, and Nvidia 7300GT, the 3870 is reportedly 20-40% faster for Core applications (Motion, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Aperture, etc.) than the Nvidia 8800GT as well. Mac Gamers with a Mac Pro budget will probably want to stick with the 8800GT. For the gaming side, the 8800GT retains up to a 25% advantage in that arena. That being said, for the super hard core gamer you can install 2 x 3870 into your Mac Pro and via BootCamp run Windows Vista take advantage of 'Crossfire' that links the two cards for performance unmatched and unavailable via other Mac Video card options. And maybe that same linking support will come to the Mac side too. Once this card is released, we'll have far more details... and when it does, this link will work to find the new 3870 from us.

500GB Upgrade Kit for MacBook & MacBook Pro from $287.99
As noted in our recent newsletter, OWC now has stock on the new Samsung M6 500GB 9.5mm notebook drive - but is only allowed to sell as part of a solution. We have now been granted the allowance to offer them as part of a 'DIY' Kit for upgrading both MacBook and MacBook pro. Complete Samsung 9.5mm 500GB based solutions offering USB 2.0+eSATA, FireWire 400+eSATA, and FireWire 800/400+USB2 remain available from $309.99 as listed on our On-The-Go page. In addition, a 'Do It Yourself' bundle with Samsung 500GB 9.5mm + On-The-Go USB 2.0 Kit + Software is now available for $287.99. If you're looking for half a Terabyte inside your laptop - we've got your options. :)

New Samsung 'Eco-Green' 1.0TB - Saves Energy + lower 1TB cost
Win-Wins are always cool. In this case, we're pleased to introduce the new Samsung Eco-Green 1.0TB Drives and our solutions that use them. Compared to a normal 7200RPM 1TB drive, the Samsung Eco-Green model uses about half as much power. While using much less power, it is performance tuned and amazingly comparable in its performance vs. competing 7200RPM models. As well as saving power, it is also very cost competitive now starting from $169.99 for drive only, and from $249.99 utilized within select OWC and NewerTech external solutions. Cost effective, energy saving, cool running - still A/V performance rated storage - pretty darn cool!


Highlights: Kensington DC to AC Car/Auto Inverter with USB Power $19.50, Still deals on Clearance Page, 4GB for $92.50 for now.
Access your Reader Exclusive Special's Page for all your specials.

Plug those Home 120V AC devices in via your Car/Auto
We have a great deal on 'new' refurbished Kensington Auto/Car DC to AC inverters. This product plugs into your vehicle's 12V 'lighter' port and provides a standard AC outlet so you can use laptop chargers, and other devices with up to 200 Watts peak consumption vs. buying separate accessories. As there are no Apple or reasonable 3rd party options for a MacBook or MacBook Pro car charger accessory, here's the solution so you can use your Apple 120V charger when on the road. As an added bonus - this product also has a USB Power port so you can direct connect an additional item such as an iPod, iPhone, or other device that can charge via USB.
Kensington 200 Watt Portable Power, 1yr Kensington Warranty - $19.50

Still goodies to be found on our Clearance/Garage Sale Page
That said, the selection gets smaller with each buying customer. Compared to when we gave you the first dibs notice in the June 6th Newsletter, that selection has fallen by about 50%. But still lots of clearance products of fresh posting yet to get that deal on.

Get up to $30 back per hard drive, $120 per external - Rebate Savings
Hitachi is a great partner for OWC and even without any rebates we are able to be very competitive with their drives as well as on OWC solutions built with their drives inside. Making the values even better are super easy to claim mail-in Rebates. Exclusive for OWC customers, these rebates are sponsored by Hitachi and what a pleasure they are!

You can check out all the rebate eligible products with this link. 2.5" and 3.5", Internal and External. A wide selection while these OWC Exclusive rebates remain valid.

For 3.5" and Desktop/Tower - 500GB drives from $82.99 after $10, 750GB from $119.99 after $20, and 1.0TB from $199.99 after $30 rebate.

For 2.5" and notebook/laptop - 7200RPM drives 100GB to 200GB from $67.99 after $20, 160GB 5400RPM from $62.99 after $10, 250GB 5400RPM from $77.99 after $20, and 320GB 5400RPM from $102.99 after $30 rebate.

Get up to $30 back on OWC & NewerTech single drive, $60 on Dual Drive, and $120 on 4 Drive Rack Solutions.

Priced right to begin with, even better with the rebates. The 500GB rebate offer expires on July 2nd; all other Hitachi rebates currently offered end on June 22nd, 2008.

The writing is on the wall, but for now still offering 4GB for $92.50
The memory device manufacturers at large are not a happy lot. The memory chips, which they make and we use to make our great memory with, have suffered a market for many months now which has had manufacturers selling these chips for below real costs. With some recent shutdowns (bankruptcies) and production cuts, things are starting to move the other way. It couldn't go on forever like this and sooner or later things had to balance out.

As a golden rule, don't buy just because it's a good deal - buy when you have benefit or need. Even at twice the price, memory is a great deal for the added performance it brings. If you're Mac can take 4GB or more and you haven't at least brought it to that 4GB - there's a ton to gain. Got an older Mac that can go to 1GB or 2GB but is sitting with only 512MB? That Mac will feel like a whole new machine once you bump it up!

More memory = fewer, shorter 'spinning beach ball' moments. Memory makes more difference than you might expect too. More memory can even make your current Mac faster than what a brand new Mac with a faster processor offers stock! See our benchmarks for Memory configuration + model performance comparisons.

Max your MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac mini that's equipped with a Core 2 Duo processor to 4.0GB Kit - now for $92.50

Up to 32GB for Apple Mac Pro Xeon based systems from $36.25 per Gig.

Upgrade PowerMac G5 PCI-X Models up to 8.0GB, iMac G5 1.6GHz/1.8GHz/2.0GHZ Models to 2.0GB - $79.50 for 2 x 1.0GB Module Matched Pairs

Find all the reader special memory offers on your Reader Specials Page. Find all our memory upgrade options on our main Mac memory guidepage.

ElGato EyeTV 250 Plus Refurb now $109.99, Hybrid $67.99
We are pleased to have been able to not only restock our supply of ElGato Refurb specials, but also offer improved pricing as well.
ElGato EyeTV 250 Plus Analog/Digital HD Tuner/Recorder/Encoder now $109.99
ElGato EyeTV Hybird Analog/Digital HD Tuner/Recorder now $67.99

Also available, Miglia's TV Micro Express is a plug and Play via USB 2.0 and lets you tune Analog TV or Cable right to your Mac. A great way to capture A/V from VCRs, and other devices too. Included software converts recorded video to iTunes so you can even playback on your iPod or iPhone too! Requires OS X 10.4 or later, an available USB 2.0 Port, and a Mac with a G4, G5, or Intel processor 1.25GHz or faster. Brand new with 2 year warranty. Reader deal at $35

Find these deals and more, exclusively your Tips n' Deals Reader Specials Page.

OWC Quick Tip - Backup/Upgrade Apple TV HD

Sure you can remote manage your Apple TV content from a Mac on your network, but even so - wouldn't it be nice to have a larger hard drive inside? And even if that really isn't a concern - the possibility of the drive failing if you're outside of warranty ought to be.

Here's a two for one. Upgrade your current AppleTV hard drive to one that's larger and then put the old drive somewhere safe as the means to restore another drive should a drive failure occur. There is some software you'll need to buy + the new hard drive + adapter or enclosure for existing drive. The software has value beyond just this function and the cost is still reasonable when considering the benefit compared to the $100 difference Apple charges just to upgrade from 40GB to 160GB when buying new today. Other than the capacity of the hard drive inside, all AppleTVs are essentially equal. Now yours can be 'equal plus some'.

OWC's Jamie Dresser has put a very detailed step by step together for this. Online now - enjoy!

For those of you who would rather leave this kind of thing to the pros, OWC is now offering 250GB upgrade service for AppleTV for $179.99 including pickup and return. The new 250GB drive is installed and made all ready for ya, and your old drive is returned with the AppleTV.

Check out more Quick Tips Archive, Hardware/Software Review articles, and more - all in the OWC Product Reviews and Editorial center.


For fun and of interest

How about that... we use numbers to identify OS version sequences and in a rather fun sort of way, now Apple has versioned its codename from 'Leopard' to 'Snow Leopard'. So how about that snow leopard being Apple's next leading cat? One blogger, who's questioned Apple's choice of naming, has posted some research about 'our new mascot'. Apparently the snow leopard is actually more closely related to the cheetah (OS 10.1 was aka Cheetah..), these animals have may have a 'fierce' snarl - but do not roar are very timid, and are known for hiding behind their tails (ok.. that's to keep the cold out of their face). hmmm. :)

Closing:
That will do it for this time around. I think Apple news will be mostly iPhone focused until after that July 11th launch, but you never know. All said, I find Apple's iPhone to be a great product. A fantastic smart phone that is a huge boon for Apple's business. Like the the iPod, the iPhone also can only help Apple sell more Macs as well. Just that I like seeing more focus on the Mac side of things. As it is, Leopard was released 5-7 months late due and is arguably not all it could be by now - because of resources that have been diverted to iPhone software development. It is all about balance I suppose. Clearly Apple/Jobs is on a course believed best for Apple's future. Given Apple's ongoing success, one can hardly argue. :)

Have a Happy Friday, a Great Weekend & Beyond... Thanks for reading our Tips n' Deals Newsletter!

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