1.6 GHz 17" model $1299
17-inch wide screen LCD
1.6GHz PowerPC G5
512K L2 cache
533MHz frontside bus
256MB DDR400 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
64MB DDR video memory
80GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load Combo Drive

1.8 GHz 17" model
$1499
17-inch wide screen LCD
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
512K L2 cache
600MHz frontside bus
256MB DDR400 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
64MB DDR video memory
80GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive
1.8 GHz 20" model $1899
20-inch wide screen LCD
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
512K L2 cache
600MHz frontside bus
256MB DDR400 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
64MB DDR video memory
160GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive

The machines all have too little RAM in my opinion. They do not come with an Airport card or BlueTooth unless custom ordered and of course with extra cost. These being the only things I’m whining about, the machines are very nice. I can see the average computer user buying one and never looking back. The top of the line model with 20 inch LCD screen can be used by general users as well as graphics designers. The pros may need to add a few external hard drives, more RAM, wireless keyboard and mouse but not much more. I have already recommended several clients purchase one. No, I do not own stock in Apple, but I really like the design. One point here is that you always want to buy the Apple Care on all-in-one products. For the extra $169 it’s insurance you can’t afford to pass up. Screen replacement on these machines is most likely in the $800 range. Do remember Apple Care does not pay for software problems, only hardware problems, so loading on that old version of hacked software is not the best idea in the world with a new machine.

Many people have complained about not getting AppleWorks on machines like the PowerBook. Apple assumes you most likely want more advanced software on the high end machines. Do keep in mind that if you are moving from an iBook or iMac you can install your AppleWorks version from the old CD to the new computer. Be sure you visit the Apple web site and install the latest AppleWorks updater after installing the program.

If you’re thinking about upgrading to the latest version of System X (Panther) here is the correct way to go about it. First you need to run DiskFirstAid or DiskWarrior on the hard drive your current System is on. You should run those programs after starting up from Disk 1 of the installer CD or the DiskWarrior CD. After that, restart with your currently installed system (the one on your hard drive), you need to run Repair Permissions in your Disk Utility program (located in your applications folder then in the utilities folder) found under the FirstAid tab. After this, and providing you found no problems, install the 10.3.5 update, restart your computer and run repair permissions again.

Keep in mind that System 10.3.5 has some font problems because of the custom character map bug that was introduced with that update. Mac OS X 10.3.5 changes the way custom character maps are supported, rendering PostScript Type 1 ‘Expert’ fonts unusable. This only affects PostScript Type 1 ‘Expert’ fonts that use custom character maps (it does not affect smallcaps, old style figures, ornaments, etc.).

Also with the System 10.3.5 security update comes problems with Safari displaying certain websites correctly. A change in the version number of Safari resulted in some sites displaying the incorrect layout and images. This will be fixed as those sites correct their code. A later security update also sets the version number of Safari back.

If you have a problem with a program on your computer, please see if the Help menu can answer your question. Many times on Tuesday nights we show PMUG members how helpful that menu is for finding the answer to your questions. Another helpful tip is if you lose something on your computer please use Find File to look for it.

I’m seeing more complaints about the Keychain in System X. It seems that sometimes the password gets set and the user has no idea what it is. When this becomes the case for the average user, deleting that user’s keychain is the easy answer to the problem. However it means you will need to know your email passwords and user passwords to put them in when requested in order to get to some places on the web that require a password. The keychain program is located in your utilities folder, inside your applications folder, on your hard drive. You can learn all about deleting keychains by launching your keychain application then clicking on Help in the menu bar. Keep in mind that the Help menu may want to access the internet.

Janet has an iPod now thanks to the Mac Store. It was the drawing prize for those who went to see the Motion demo on the evening of August 27. Needless to say she’s a happy camper about winning it. She has the music iMac in her room, so filling the little devil up is no problem. Hooking it up and using it is a no brainer, it just works. In her car there is no problem using it with the tape deck adapter. You buy a $20 tape adapter and it hooks right up. However in my van, with its CD player, things are very different. We purchased an iTrip as it has had several good reviews by PMUG members. Yes, it did work if Janet held it out the window almost touching the antenna of the van. I can see it now—pouring rain with Janet soaked to the bone, iPod shorting out in the rain—not. So we took it back and are still looking for the perfect way to connect it to my sound system in the van. At this rate I may need to purchase a tape deck and have it installed so I can use the tape adapter. So before you go buying one of these be sure to check and see what the return policy is. You may find out that a 15% restocking fee is in your future if it does not work. Some of the information we learned later is that it depends on if you have a coating on your windows, where your antenna is located and how well shielded your antenna is.

For those of you with wireless keyboards and mice, it may be a good idea to keep your old wired models somewhere in case your machine needs to be checked out when it starts having problems. What people forget is that wireless devices rely on software that needs to be loaded to work.

       Previous Article  Home   Winds Index  Next Article