Editorial Review

Faster and far more capable than any other Apple notebook to date, the freshly unveiled 17-inch PowerBook G4 may be the most sophisticated portable computer ever released. Featuring an enormous display, an unrivalled feature set and virtually no performance bottlenecks, the stunning yet undeniably pricey 17-inch PowerBook G4 is ready to satisfy even the most discriminating professional or personal user.

Don't let the clock speed fool you. The system's PowerPC G4 processor is a real step up from last year's 1 GHz G4 chip, running at 1.33 GHz and featuring 512 KB Level 2 cache for rapid retrieval of recently accessed data. Apple has added 512 MB of ultra-fast PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM memory (upgradeable to 2 full GB) and an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 64 MB dedicated video memory, thus ensuring smooth operation during high-demand tasks such as 3-D games, 3-D drawing and multitasking.

This high-speed architecture continues throughout the unit, where you'll find connectivity options such a standard FireWire interface, an ultra-fast Apple-designed FireWire 800 port, two 480 Mbps USB 2.0 ports, integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet, 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless, and built-in Bluetooth for the new breed of cordless digital peripherals. Storage facilities include a spacious ATA/100 80 GB hard disk and a versatile DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive through which you can burn audio CDs, backup critical and write DVD-R discs at 2X speed.

Features

• More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)
• Features redesigned and backlit navigation; includes dock, wired remote control, earbud headphones, carrying case, and AC adapter
• 40 GB model holds up to 10,000 songs; supports MP3, AAC, WAV, MP3 VBR, Audible (6), and AIFF formats
• Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
• Included docking station makes charging and synching easy

Reviews (155)

Mobile Jukebox and more
It's great having my entire cd collection (over 550) in one tiny place. Now I'm listening to music I own some of which I hadn't listened to in years.

I was really excited when I got my iPod. From the packaging, to the device itself, the design is outstanding. Very easy to use. Sound quality is very good. Can be used as a back up hard drive too. Software is a no brainer to use.

I also faced the problem of tracks skipping but all I had to do was delete affected tracks/albums and recopy and they were fine.

Was able to get lots of useful advice from other people's reviews, e.g. how to ensure long battery life (try not to let the battery run out completely) and how to copy music files back to your pc which quite a number of people are unaware can be done (change your folder options to show hidden files). I do it all the time.

So why not 5 stars? It's not perfect. Battery life could be better, and it does scratch rather easily. Oh, did I mention the earphones? Not too good I'm afraid, and very painful on the ears, when worn for a bit. Thank God I had some good Sony headphones. Also, the fact that it does not support the much smaller WMA files which take up much less space than mp3s. I've got about 7300 tracks on my iPod, and only about 4gb space left.

Still a cool device that never fails to turn heads.

Not for long distance runners!!!
Talk about frustration!! What I thought was a really great break through, turned out to be a total nightmare.After 25 minutes the Ipod would either completely stop working all together or just skip repeatedly then stop. I found out that it was designed to "catch up" after 25 minutes but it wouldnt even start again most of the time, just freeze up and be completely worthless.Returning it was a even bigger nightmare because no one was able to test it out and see that it would malfunction....I guess if you work for Apple stores you dont run. I had to pay a restocking fee to get rid of this nightmare. NEVER will I purchase another item from Apple.I love my Nomad Muvo that I bought, and couldnt be happier.

Features

• Organizer Pockets: 5 computer hardware, 3 Media, 3 view-mesh, i PDA, 1 zipped change pocket
• Removable, custom-fit PowerBook G4 17" sleeve
• Thick padded, adjustable contour strap
• Cushioned, non-slip handles
• Front panel gussets

Reviews (1)

Editorial Review

Created for USB-equipped Macintosh computers, Harman Kardon's three-piece SoundSticks speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for music, movies, and gaming sessions. The 40-watt self-powered system includes two 10-watt satellite speakers and a 6-inch 20-watt subwoofer. Designed for easy plug-and-play, the SoundSticks speaker system includes a power adapter to power the subwoofer and a plug that connects to the USB port of your Mac computer. A blue LED indicator lets you know that the subwoofer is properly powered. You can adjust the volume onscreen through your computer's Control Panel. A physical control knob for adjusting the bass is on the back of the subwoofer.

Features

• Wireless Bluetooth technology with ranges up to 30 feet
• Premium metallic and chrome accents add sophisticated style, while ergonomic engineering delivers the ultimate in comfort and support
• IntelliEye optical technology
• Accelerated scrolling reacts to how quickly you roll the wheel, saving you time and effort
• 3-year warranty

Reviews (47)

Great product
Win XP Pro running on a ThinkPad T43 with built in Bluetooth.

My first recommendation is not to load the Microsoft software if you already have a Bluetooth device on your computer. It's easy to pair/bond in the normal manner. The MS software unloaded some of my ThinkPad pointer device features that I need.

The mouse has an excellent feel - solid in the hand without being too big to move with slight wrist adjustments. Save your money and don't bother with the higher level model tilt wheel mouse - how often do you scroll sideways?

The scroll feel has changed since the earlier MS mice which had a smooth scroll feel. The later MS mice have a notched feel similar to Logitech. I find both actions equally comfortable with minimal time to get used to the feel.

There are two buttons on the "thumb-side" of the mouse which are can be used in your browser to move pages back and forward but old clicking habits are hard to break.

The major difference between the Microsoft mouse and its only real competitor - Logitech - is that MS does not have a charger and uses standard AA batteries. The Logitech uses a charger, which triples as a cradle and receiver (for computers without built in Bluetooth). This makes the Microsoft mouse unbeatable for travelling light. However, contrary to my initial thoughts, it not heavy on batteries. The mouse hibernates after not being used for some time. I would, however, take the batteries out if travelling, where movement may wake it up and use batter life (I could be wrong on this point). Leaving the batteries in overnight and when not in use appears to be OK - three weeks' vigorous use and my batteries are still well charged.

After not using the mouse for about 30 seconds, there is an annoying delay (+-1.5 seconds) between moving the mouse and it activating the cursor. Apparently this is a standard Bluetooth annoyance. It can be frustrating after, eg typing, the mouse needs to wake up again. The delay is about 1.5 seconds.

The Microsoft Bluetooth mouse has a decent range - +-10m and, being a radio signal, can transmit when not in line of site. Very useful.

Overall, you can't beat the Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth. It's feel, accuracy and "hand-posture" are good. The lack of a charger is more than made-up for by the portability benefits of standard AA batteries. If you haven't gone wireless, do it now.

Wow, This realy doesn't work
I'm a big fan of optical mice but the Bluetooth is just not ready. It works... then it doesn't. I'm tired of reinstalling it on my XP Professional system (You'd think that cause they both say Microsoft they work together???).

Features

• Plug and play: ready to go, anytime and anywhere
• Power adapter ensures full power to any peripheral
• USB 2.0 connectivity for up to 40 times faster transfers than USB 1.1
• Expands one port into four ports to support up to four USB devices
• Perfect for travel: compact, slim, lightweight

Reviews (7)

The perfect USB hub!
I looked around on Amazon for the ideal usb hub. I considered buying the really cheap linksys hub, but I'm sure glad I read the reviews! You can't plug in any devices that actually require power from the usb port because the linksys hub doesn't come with its own power supply.

BUT, there are some usb hubs that ONLY work when their power supply is plugged in. I wanted the freedom to use a power supply IF I WANTED TO. The Kensington hub provided every feature I desired in an exceptionally packaged item. This hub is beautiful and oh-so-slim.

I don't even think that the power supply is quite as "monstrous" as people have made it out to be...it's more than tolerable.

Currently, I'm using all four ports on the hub for my HP all-in-one, my external hard drive, palm pilot cradle, and wireless mouse. It works flawlessly with my windows xp pro operating system.

I have no complaints and I'm sure you won't either! Look no further for the perfect hub (unless you want more ports).

a Must have for notebook users
This tiny 4-port USB 2.0 hub is a must-have for any notebook user.

The casing is a silver-metallic color which goes along nicely with my silver laptop. It is *extremely* thin, just a little thicker than the actual USB port itself. There is a ~2in cable to plug into an existing USB port on your computer (laptop or otherwise). The cable tucks away neatly into the hub's casing when not in use thereby saving more space. The package comes with an additional cable (~2ft) in case you need just a little more reach.

I have only used the hub without the included AC adapter, as when i use my laptop i'm normally in a location without access to outlets. It does get warm, but not excessivly (in my opinion). I haven't used any items that could be considered power hungry, such as scanners or external drives. I have used things such as USB flash drives, my PDA, mice, MP3 player without a hitch. My Windows XP system beeps when I plug in the hub, but otherwise is unnoticed.

Any laptop user places a premium on items they can carry around that add functionality but dont cost much in terms of size or weight. This hub falls squarely in that description and should be included in every laptop bag.

Editorial Review

Stylish, versatile, and extremely functional, the Griffin PowerMate universal controller may look like a mere volume knob, but don't be fooled--it can also jog through video footage while editing, scroll through long text documents, and zoom in and out of Photoshop images. And those are just a few of its potentially hundreds of functions. How can a simple two-direction knob do all this? By letting users configure the functions themselves via their computers' system preferences. In other words, the PowerMate's functions are defined almost entirely by the user's imagination and creativity.

The PowerMate works by sending keyboard shortcuts, called key commands, to your computer. For example, users can set the PowerMate to open a new Microsoft Word document by inputting [command + D], or highlight text by inputting [command + shift + left arrow]. Each setting corresponds to one of the PowerMate's six main movements: rotate left, rotate right, click, long click, rotate left with click, and rotate right with click. The default configuration controls your computer's volume, along with specific audio applications such as iTunes. However, the PowerMate also comes with several preset configurations for such programs as iPhoto, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Acrobat Reader, and allows the user to change the settings or add new ones (for virtually any application) based on their needs.

Design and Setup
With its heavy-duty, black housing that sits atop a pulsing blue light, the PowerMate just looks cool. Many owners have compared it to the volume knobs on high-end stereo receivers, and the description is apt. It's also cleverly engineered, as the blue light responds to your commands, brightening when the volume increases, for example, and dimming when you turn it down. Its main cord is only 22 inches long, but it comes with a 40-inch extension so you can position it either next to your mouse or on the opposite side for two-handed control.

The PowerMate, which connects to your computer's USB port, includes an installer CD, with separate folders for Mac OS 9; OS X; Windows 98, 98 SE, and Me; and Windows 2000 and XP, along with an Acrobat user's manual. Griffin has been making Apple accessories since 1992, so it shouldn't come as any surprise that the PowerMate is a little Mac friendlier. Mac users merely need to run a basic installation and restart their computers and the PowerMate is ready to go. Windows users, on the other hand, will also have to configure their PCs to recognize the USB device and then update their drivers, among other hurdles. It shouldn't take terribly long, but it's not exactly plug-and-play either.

Features and Performance
Simply put, we dig this device. For applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, it's mostly just a fun add-on, as it doesn't do much that a mouse doesn't do just as well (though Mac users will doubtless appreciate the scrolling function). However, the potential of the device increases exponentially when applied to editing software. In GarageBand, for instance, you can set the PowerMate to play, pause, rewind, record, and skip measures--a far more convenient method than clicking the buttons or keys. You can also use the PowerMate as a jog/shuttle dial when editing your home movies. You can even adjust the speed of the action--a slow speed will leisurely advance the frames, while a quick speed will fly right through them. We tinkered with the PowerMate in iPhoto as well, setting it to zoom in and out of images (as suggested in the manual) and rotate them left and right.

It takes a while to adjust to the PowerMate, as your first instinct is to use it like a mouse. But you'll soon realize that shifting the knob across your desk doesn't accomplish much, so you'll be forced to develop a better feel. Many music and video editors will likely opt for two-handed control, managing the PowerMate in the left hand and the mouse in the right. Users should also test a variety of key commands in each application, as it's not immediately clear which functions are merely fun and which are genuinely convenient. But the more you play with the PowerMate, the more you realize its potential.

On the whole, the PowerMate is a blast, especially if you spend a lot of time laboring in multimedia applications. That doesn't mean it's a great fit for everyone--people who work exclusively in Word or Excel might find it overhyped. But you'd be hard pressed to find a desktop peripheral with more promise for audio and video professionals. --Rivers Janssen

Pros

• Assignable knob controls virtually any function on your computer
• Ideal for audio/video editing applications, music jukeboxes, games, and more
• Easy to program; works with any application that uses key commands
• Cool black housing with glowing blue base

Cons

• PC setup is a bit cumbersome
• Takes time to realize full potential

Editorial Review

Features

• Prevents Overheating: Prevents Your Notebook From Overheating; The More Air Under The Notebook, The Greater The Heat Dissipation, and The Cooler Your Notebook Runs
• Protect Your Furniture: Protects Furniture From Heat Damage; Protects Notebooks From Liquids Spilled On Work Surface
• Ideal for Presentations: Pivots Your Notebook 360 Degrees So Others Can See The Screen
• Increase airflow, improving the cooling efficiency of your notebook

Reviews (54)

Ugly but functional, however, consider this alternative ...
... from APC (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00022KJFC/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_3/103-8464419-5683020).It's a few dollars cheaper, and just LOOKS a lot better than the cheesy looking Targus Podium CoolPad.So if you cut and paste the above link, you can read my review there.

Podium CoolPad: Elevate your laptop computer
Note that Amazon has mixed together the customer reviews for several very different Targus products, including the Podium CoolPad (which I'm reviewing here), which elevates your laptop; the Notebook Chill Mat (previously called the Tornado Notebook Chill Pad), which cools your laptop with fans powered through a USB port; and the Notebook Portable Lapdesk.

My laptop (a 12-inch iBook) is great for toting to coffee shops but wasn't ideal for extended use at home because I ended up hunched over to see the low screen. The Podium CoolPad solves this problem by elevating the back edge of the computer on stacks of Lego-like blocks--from one to five blocks in each stack. Using five blocks raises the screen more than 3 inches. Of course, the keyboard also ends up higher and at an angle--about a 30-degree angle if you use five blocks. I don't know if this angle would be comfortable for everyone for typing, but it works fine for me. The front and back edges of the computer rest on little rubbery disks. Somewhat to my surprise, this friction is enough to keep the computer securely in place. Even if you nudge the computer pretty hard, it won't slide on the stand; you have to actually pick up the computer to reposition it. You can slide the whole stand across the table, but it takes a good push.

The Podium CoolPad also allows better air circulation under the computer, which is supposed to help keep it from overheating (if that's a problem for you; I haven't had that problem). And it allows you to easily rotate the computer, but it will only rotate if you really intend to rotate it. (This is not a feature that I've found any use for, but I suppose some people might find it handy.)

The Podium CoolPad for Mac is apparently "for Mac" simply because it's white, to match iBooks. There's no reason you can't use it for another kind of computer.

I had tried another solution to my ergonomic problem, but the Podium CoolPad works much better for me. I had bought a separate keyboard to plug in to my iBook so that I could put the iBook on a stack of books or whatever (raising the screen but making the built-in keyboard unusable). But with that arrangement, I had to choose between having the screen farther away than I'd like or having the keyboard closer than I'd like. I almost bought the aesthetically pleasing iCurve Laptop Stand (ASIN B00007L6IA), but it appears that it would've created the same problem for me as a stack of books. With the Podium CoolPad, I can have both the screen and the keyboard positioned comfortably (and I don't need a separate keyboard).

The Podium CoolPad is a good investment if you spend a lot of time on your laptop.

Features

• No screws, brackets or glue for installation of this computer lock - no changes to your computer
• Kensington Edge:Steel computer security cable with Kevlar brand fiber for powerful protection that´s 40% stronger
• Small, keyless combination lock means there are no keys to carry or lose
• One piece design for ease of use - no little pieces to lose or misplace with this computer lock
• Patented T-bar lock provides most secure connection to security slot

Reviews (7)

Not secure...please read
Like other reviews, it took me a while to figure it out. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the lock off. I even tried every possible combination! Tech support informed me I had a defective lock, which I understand will happen with any product. Sometimes a bad egg gets put in the basket. Kensington offered to pay for my locksmith charges AND send me a new lock. That was great except this:

I had to get my laptop to the locksmith. I was wondering how I was going to cut the cord. Scissors? Nah, too flimsy. Wire cutters? Maybe, but I'm sure I'll have to saw through it.

It took one snip to cut the cable. Think of this item as a theft deterrent at best. Not secure at all.

just to clarify...
Just to clarify the idea behind the kensington lock is not merely to solidly secure the laptop or other valuable electronic item in place. The principle is a theft deterant and if someone tried to remove the lock with force they destroy the laptop as the lock is directly attached to the motherboard, making the laptop useless to the thief...or anyone else for that matter.