|
Top stories of 6/12/2001 |
|
|
|
|
| Compatibility Notes on Rune Co-Op Patch: |
I'm told that the Rune Co-Op Patch noted earlier today will not work until the Mac version of Rune is updated to v1.07. A reader sent comments from Mark Adams about this:
"
The Mac 1.07 patch is basically finished, but can't be released yet. There
are some issues with Gathering and Rune 1.07/HOV that have to be resolved
before 1.07 can be relesed on the Mac. Until then I believe Coop will not
work on the Mac, sorry." |
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
|
|
| Seagate's Budget Priced 40GB per Platter Hard Drives: |
PCworld has an article on Seagate's new 40GB per platter drives, but notes they're only shipping a 2 platter drive currently (80GB - est. street price of $234), even though a 4 platter (160GB) drive is possible. The reasons why no 160GB model was planned is because they think the market for a 160GB "budget" drive would be small (per Seagate's comments). The article also said that Maxtor is expected to announce a 40GB/platter drive soon, indicating their current 20GB/platter drive is only using one side of the platter.
Although it's certainly not a "budget" drive, I think Seagate is shipping a SCSI 180GB drive. It's listed at $1999 (SRP) on their SCSI drive products page. |
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
| Another 48GB Travelstar Drive Owner Notes Quiet Operation: |
|
Yesterday's news had a reader report from the Drive Database here that noted good performance and literally silent operation from the new 48GB Travelstar drive (w/fluid bearings/sound absorbing housing). Another 48GB Travelstar owner copied me on an email to Transintl regarding the drive:
"
Hello TransIntl,
I called, stopped by, and purchased the new 48GB IBM TravelStar this last
Saturday (6/9/01). Thank you for answering the call (I happened to be up
from San Diego). When I picked-up the drive I said I'd let you know how it
works and how quiet it is.
You can safely tell your potential customers that this is the damm quietest
drive I have EVER seen (and not heard). I have it in my PowerBook
G4--replacing the noisy stock 30GB drive. There is the usual mild clicks of
the head actuator, but that is difficult to avoid since the head must
accelerate back and forth so quickly. The spindle though is dead quiet. As
long as it lasts, and there is no reason to believe this drive to be any
less reliable than other IBM TravelStars, I would say this is the best 2-1/
2" drive on the market--period.
A bit pricey, but worth it to me this time around.
Regards,
Bill."
The 48GB drive sells for $549.
|
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
| Reader Comments on Apple DVD Player v2.7: |
A reader sent comments on the latest Apple DVD Player v2.7 noted in last night's news update:
"I finished downloading version 2.7 about an hour ago and put the player
through the paces. Since there haven't been any mention of changes in this
version since previous versions, I thought I'd let you know the changes I've
noticed so far (from the 2.4 version, the last generally released version I
believe.)
Specs:
G4 AGP 400Mhz Sawtooth
Radeon AGP
OS 9.0.4
256 MB RAM
The requirements on the Apple page listed 9.1 as the minimun OS needed, but
it runs fine on 9.0.4.
One of the first things I noticed was an improvement in the stability of the
DVD software playing certain DVDs. The Matrix introductory sequence was
absent of screen artifacts that I noticed with 2.4. 2.7 was able to run my
Starcraft cinimatic DVD that would crash 2.4 at the main menu and chapter
changes (although it still freezes when accessing certain trailers on the
disc.) Some DVDs showed no improvement (the X-Files: FTF DVD still freezes
after a certain point.)
The audio-sync issue with VM is still present sad to say. I was hoping with
the time put into polishing the software it would've been fixed.
Running the Matrix, I didn't notice any improvements to the visual quality
or make note of any new menu features.
Ryan"
I welcome other comments on the update.
|
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
| Rune Co-Op Patch Available for Mac: |
[Update: I'm told that this Co-Op Patch will not work until the Mac version of Rune is updated to v1.07. (See the later news post above for details.)]
Fileplanet lists a patch for Co-Op play for the Mac version of Rune. (The downside is you have to register with GameSpy to download files at Fileplanet now.)
|
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
|
|
| Reader Request: USB Audio on Wallstreet? |
"
i bought a macally cardbus to usb adapter for my wallstreet 266 with the
intention of using one of the new usb audio interfaces (m-audio's
audiosport quatro) with emagic's logic audio platinum. the audiosport
isn't shipping yet so i got griffin technology's imic to tool around
with. no luck. i did preliminary testing with the sound control panel in
os 9.1 and couldn't get the sound manager to register a signal using the
"expansion bay" option. for my test, i used an old realistic pzm mic. i
also plugged the mic directly into the built in jack on the back of my
powerbook and it worked fine there under "external mic."
so now i'm feeling a little dim because i just read in griffin's faq that
apple doesn't "officially" support usb audio on macs that didn't ship
with usb!
i'm aware of usb bandwidth issues and other limitations but wonder if
there isn't some kind of workaround for my situation? apple doesn't
officially support alot of things and someone usually figures a way to
make it work.
any help is greatly appreciated.
thanks, james p.
p.s. i know about the vxpocket but can't afford to commit 600 bucks to an
interface that won't be compatible with non powerbooks."
If anyone has any suggestions/tips for James let me know.
|
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
| Reader with Pioneer SCSI DVD ROM Driver Asks for Beta Testers: |
|
A reader sent a note he's looking for beta testers for a driver for Pioneer DVD ROM SCSI Drives:
"
Hi Mike,
After long searches, I think I have the right (and new) way to patch the
Apple
driver to get FULL support for Pioneer SCSI DVD-ROM drives. At this time,
I have a DVD-303S and it works now as a "Apple" DVD drive : DVD, CD, CDi,
VCD, CD-R, CD-RW and multisessions CDs are fully recognized...
I am looking for people with other SCSI Pioneer DVD models (304 and 305) to
try with them an adapted patche, so if you could be kind enough to relay
my message on your site I will be pleased...
Best regards.
Jean-Luc"
Jean-Luc said to use this email address to contact him.
|
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
| $54.95 XLR8 USB Video Capture includes QT 5 Pro Key: |
|
Site sponsor OWC sent a note they've cut the price on the XLR8 Interview 2.0 USB Video capture device and said the bundle includes a Quicktime 5 Pro key.
"
Hi Mike,
We've knocked off $5 for the XLR8YourMac readers exclusively on the XLR8
Interview video capture device. Normally on our site, it's $59.95, but now
for the readers it's $54.95.
Please note this includes a QuickTime 5.0 (yes, 5.0!) key also - a $29.95
value in itself!
It's listed on the XLR8YourMac specials page, of course.
Thanks!
Jamie
Other World Computing"
I assume the key would also work with QT 4. (It may be a QT 4/5 Pro key.)
|
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
| CPU Upgrades Owner Ratings Database Updated: |
| The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated with 6 new reports today (total to date: 5,792). [Entries after midnight last night are added the following day.]
- Other World Computing G3/450 ZIF in Beige G3 DT (rated 9)
- Other World Computing G3/500 ZIF in B&W G3 (rated 10)
- Powerlogix G3/350 in PowerCenter 132 (rated 9)
- XLR8 G4 (MAChCarrier) G4/450 in 8600/200 (rated 10)
- B&W G3/350 OC report
- Beige G3/233 OC report
You can find these full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)
|
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
| CDRW/CD/DVD/Hard Drive Compatibility Database Updates: |
The Drive Compatibility searchable database had 8 new entries added this morning. The database has reports on Combo DVD-CDRW, CDROMs, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, CDRW, Hard Drives and Removables (tape drive, ORB, ZIP, MO drives, etc.) in all interface types (IDE, IDE RAID cards, Firewire, SCSI, adapters). Current total 3,983 reports. [BTW - the drive database is not a place to post questions, it's for reports on drives you've used. For guides to drive installs, see the IDE, SCI or Firewire articles linked above and/or the FAQ. If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.]
You can find full owner reports by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches).
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database.
|
|
| Return to Accelerate Your Mac! | Top |
|
|
|
|
OWC XLR8 SPECIALS!
(site sponsor)
= UPGRADES by Mac =
Upgrades for YOUR Mac!
= HARD DRIVES =
Up to 4 TB HDs!
Hitachi, WD, Seagate, Samsung HDs
= 2.5in HDs & SSDs =
Notebook Hard Drives and DIY drive/case kit bundles.
SSDs from under $60!
= MEMORY =
Lifetime warranty RAM Upgrades for Mac Pros, MacBooks/MacBook Pros/iMacs/Mac Minis! Also ram for G5, G4 and G3 Macs from under $20!
= OPTICAL DRIVES =
Internal and External Superdrives/Blu-Ray drives.
= VIDEO/LCDs/TV =
Graphics cards, TV tuners, Video Capture, adapters and more.
= SOFTWARE =
Apps, Utilities, OS, VM, Games and more.
= WIRELESS =
WiFi and Bluetooth Devices/Adapters/More
XLR8YourMac T-Shirts
FasterMac.net
ISP/Hosting
Help Fight Hunger
|
