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New Lower-Power CPU Upgrade Adds 20 Minutes of Extra Battery Life to PowerBooks
Apple PowerBook G3 Users Get More Performance At Up To 20 Degrees C Cooler
WICHITA, Kan. -- 10/14/02 -- Newer Technology has updated the popular NUpowr(tm) 500MHz G4 processor upgrade for Apple PowerBook G3 'Pismo' systems. The revised upgrade uses the latest low-power PowerPC G4 processor, which not only runs up to 20 degrees Celcius cooler but also
extends the usable battery time by an average of 20 minutes. Customers will also appreciate faster order fulfillment made possible by Newer's use of a new contract manufacturer.
The NUpowr G4 Pismo is a 500MHz PowerPC G4 processor upgrade for Pismo G3 500MHz and 400MHz PowerBooks. This $300 upgrade replaces the stock 400MHz or 500MHz PowerPC G3 processor with a new low-power PowerPC G4. The backside Level 2 cache and bus speeds remain the same as stock. It's the
AltiVec unit of the PowerPC G4 processor that has enabled the performance enhancements found in optimized applications, including Mac OS X.
The PowerBook upgrade is acomplished by sending the computer to Newer for
installation. A PowerPC G4 processor chip replaces the stock G3 CPU on the
processor daughterboard. Once reworked and reinstalled and tested, the
PowerBook is returned to the customer. Order turnaround is approximately
two weeks. Customers have the option to provide Newer with an email address
that will enable a series of progress emails throughout the upgrade
process. Emails are sent when the PowerBook is received, when upgraded and
tested, and a tracking number is provided when it shipped.
NUpowr G4 Pismo runs Mac OS 9.1 and later, including Mac OS X. A maximum of 1 gigabyte of memory is supported. NUpowr G4 Pismo comes with a 2-year warranty. NUpowr G4 Pismo is available from OWC.
"PowerPC G4 processors are getting better all the time and this is one
example of how PowerBook G3 owners can benefit. You get G4 AltiVec
performance running up to 20 degrees C cooler and using less battery power
- it's exactly what we all want. The only thing to change in a Pismo is the
speed and NUpowr G4 gets that done," explained Rick Estes, president, Newer
Systems Technology.
For more information contact Newer Systems Technology, 7777 E. Osie, Suite
304B, Wichita, Kansas 67207, email at info@newertech.com or visit the website at http://www.newertech.com.
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Update - I wrote Rick Estes (head of resurrected Newer Tech) about the CPU type and temperature questions and received the following reply. (Several emails combinded below verbatum.)
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Is the CPU used a 7410?
nope
You say up to 20C lower temp, lower than what CPU? (7400? 7410?)
lower than the 750 [PowerPC 750 = G3-Mike] and the 7410pc
Since motorola notes the G4s don't report accurate CPU temperatures, how did you conduct your temperature tests?
both we us[e?] standard app running and compare the measured temp with the mot reading.
Rick Estes
Pres, Newer Systems Technology Inc.
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I asked if the "750" above was a typo and he said no. I asked again for a better explanation of that last sentence on temperature testing methods.
If anyone gets one of these new models post a report in the database and include what CPU chip info is reported by PPCChecker.
