As an iPhone user held hostage in AT&T’s network by the exclusivity agreement with Apple, the arrival of the AT&T 3G MicroCell felt like being rescued. Four weeks later, I now realize only Verizon can do that, but my updated assessment of the 3G MicroCell is still positive, mostly.

During the first three weeks of operation, the MicroCell was down form some period of time on nine separate days. Periods of outage lasted from 15 minutes to several hours, but were usually less than an hour. There was no discernible pattern, and for every instance but one the fix was: unplug, wait, plug back in.

The single outlier was a little more insidious. While my iPhone reported “five bars,” attempting to make a call would result in immediate failure. That episode required deactivating the MicroCell with AT&T, reinstalling it as if it were new equipment, and about three Zantac.

If this makes the MicroCell sound like a product not ready for sale to the general public, it’s not. Those paying $150 for a MicroCell in eligible cities are participating in a “public trial.” If one didn’t know they were a beta tester, the uncharacteristically helpful technical support gives it away.

Diagnosing my problem, it was suggested that updates to the firmware by AT&T may have been responsible. Of course, the MicroCell is supposed to reboot itself when the firmware is updated, but even a tech support placebo can make you feel better. It was also suggested that I try priority mode configuration, and that appears to actually have worked.

By switching the connection order of the MicroCell and wireless router, the MicroCell supposedly reserves sufficient bandwidth for voice and data at all times. Why it needs to carve out a 3G slice of bandwidth on a Wi-Fi network remains a mystery, but I’m not complaining. The outages stopped after changing the device setup. My initial fears concerning bandwidth throttling proved unrealized, or maybe a firmware update solved that, too. Either way, speed tests with and without the MicroCell connected have the same results.

While it appears that my hardware issues have been resolved, a longer look at call performance is not as positive as my initial assessment. To the MicroCell’s credit, it has yet to drop a call. Further, call quality to and from individuals remains generally very good, but, strangely, there are problems calling some businesses.

Maybe my MicroCell hates talking with people in India, but calls to and from toll-free numbers or businesses are often choppy. My observation is that phone numbers that aren’t point-to-point, one number to one number, are far more likely to break up. It may be anthropomorphic on my part, but it’s like the MicroCell hates being put on hold and transferred, but then who doesn’t?

Finally, I continue to be disappointed with the range of the device. AT&T says 5,000 square feet, but I say 50 squared, or about 50 feet in a straight line. That’s very close to being unacceptable for me, but being as Apple is still playing coy with Verizon, or vice versa, my options are limited. If yours are too, the AT&T 3G MicroCell remains a relatively pleasant cell on AT&T’s prison network.

Sometimes, owning a Mac isn’t just an option in computing…it’s a way of life. The Apple design philosophy with which we are so enamored — industrial design and elegant, beautiful minimalism — is part of every icon, every pulsing progress bar, every click of the serene Mighty Mouse. Even when the machine is asleep, white LED glowing with promise, we marvel at the stately, bushed metal lines. Truly, Apple has transformed computing into art.

So, the only thing missing, really, is a metal shelf screwed in the back. It’s obvious, when you think about it. Well, it was obvious to the talented boys and girls at TwelveSouth who decided if Johnny Ive wasn’t going to make it happen, they would. And they did a cracking job of it, too.

The BackPack is a simple idea, beautifully executed. It’s a discreet, sturdy metal shelf that fits onto the L-shaped stand on any modern Mac display. Designed to hold up to five pounds in weight, it can effortlessly accommodate almost any typical external hard drive. I don’t know about you, but one of the reasons I love Macs is because they do away with clutter. Gone are the zillions of cables and unidentifiable fiddly-things that accompany typical PC’s. The only cable I see on my desktop belongs to my iPhone dock; a welcome change to the so-called ‘wireless’ keyboard and mouse on my last PC, which required a hard-wired bluetooth transceiver and recharging cradle (great big ugly thing it was) sharing desk space with my monitor.

The point is that I enjoy a clean desktop and resent having to share that space with anything more than the Mac itself. Even when the thing sharing the space is really useful, or even crucial — like the external hard drive I use for Time Machine backups.

BackPack is the solution I never stopped to imagine was possible. But now that it’s there, I get the “Why didn’t I think of that?” feeling.

The care and attention TwelveSouth has lavished on this device is obvious from the moment you look at the packaging. Neat, clean and brimming-over with careful deliberation. From the “Thank you” note nestled beneath the shelf to the completely unnecesary and yet utterly-wonderful rubber mat (your HDD never knew such luxury!) the unboxing experience alone screams “Premium Product.”

I appreciate user experience. It’s why I love the Mac, and why I had such a love/hate relationship with MobileMe when that service lumbered, heaving and panting, into life. I love the BackPack because of the experience TwelveSouth has so diligently ensured I will have getting it set up. Let’s face it — it’s a metal plate you screw to your monitor. It lives out of sight and (in no time at all) out of mind. You might show-off Snow Leopard to a friend, but you’ll never say “Hey! Come on over, I really gotta show you my new metal plate I screwed to the back of my Mac!” Its creators know this, so they have made certain the few, precious minutes you do spend with it are a great experience.

OK. Perhaps I need to get out more. But if you want to keep your workspace clutter-free, and do so with style, you won’t find a more elegant and Mac-like way to do it than with the BackPack. Highly recommended.

For more information on the BackPack and other products from TwelveSouth, click here.

Does your iPhone crave power like a mad dictator? Even after trying some of Clayton’s excellent tips on power conservation, you might find that by dinner your iPhone gives out like a puppet government. The Mophie Juice Pack Air external power pack promises extended battery life in a compact combination of form and function. Is this new version too good to be true, or could this be one of those rare times that promises are delivered upon? Read on.

The Juice Pack Air is light. When protecting the iPhone it adds just over two and one half ounces to the weight of it and half an inch to the height, a bit over an eighth of an inch to the width and a quarter inch to the depth. The case is mono-color with a glossy finish and comes in black, white, and (Kansas State and Minnesota Vikings fans, rejoice) purple. Unlike Mophie’s standard Juice Pack, the Air version fully protects the iPhone.

As with most hard cases, there are cut-outs for the various buttons and the audio jack, although not for the dock connector. The speakers are blocked, but the Air uses a sound channel to deliver the sound to the front instead of the bottom. I actually heard better with my Air than without it! The standard Apple dock connector is replaced with micro USB, instead of the more popular mini USB connector, which passes the charge through to the iPhone and battery. When the Air is attached, the iPhone does not fit into most other docking or pass-through accessories. Fortunately the case is literally a snap to remove.

Style is great, but does it actually get the job done? Yes! Without the Juice Pack, my own year-old iPhone 3G battery depletes itself after about 12 hours of heavy use. During tests, I was able to get about 24 hours of use out of my iPhone before needing a recharge of the iPhone and Juice Pack.

A four-dot blue LED display on the Mophie gives an indication of approximately how much of the battery is left. Like a brave soldier, the Juice Pack sacrifices itself before the iPhone taps its own internal battery. The Juice Pack can also be turned off to allow the iPhone battery to drain first. The Air version of the Juice Pack holds much less of a charge than the original, but just like the Macbook Air, you have to sacrifice something to achieve a svelte figure.

But I’m afraid power doesn’t come cheap. The Mophie Juice Pack Air retails for $79.95, which is a bit more than buying a battery pack separately from a hard case, but it is a great value in that the two are combined together. If your iPhone battery isn’t lasting you long enough and you don’t need a fancy case, the Mophie Juice Pack Air is a great choice.

Like many of you, most recorded footage of my youth was on those archaic black plastic things called VHS tapes. As the rest of society moves into the digital age, I’m facing a battle of preserving my childhood memories on something a little more robust and modern than 800 feet of mylar tape. With many video capturing solutions on the market, I settled on a new product by Elgato, called Video Capture.

As new formats for recording video footage come to market, the quality of these mediums greatly improves. Since the VHS system is considered “analog” and is composed of interlaced video, converting to a digital solution requires some special equipment. These breakout boxes work by allowing you to connect your device via some type of connector (depending on the quality of the box) and to your Mac via USB or FireWire.

Since we’re using the breakout box as an intermediary and there are three devices in the chain, there is a potential for less than stellar quality due to any number of reasons: the breakout box in particular, the video tape you’re capturing from, or the VCR deck itself. Considering most of these devices are in the same price range, they are probably all comparable in quality. (Though as you will read on the Internet, everyone has a different opinion as to which one is the best.)

Elgato’s solution, retailing for $99, is a very simple dongle that attaches either via composite or S-video to your device and via USB to your Mac. The biggest concern many have about these types of devices is the flexibility they will have with capturing their video. Elgato includes their own video capture software with their device, though it is quite simple. For many, this is all you will need.

Getting Started

When you start the software, you are asked simple questions about how you have chosen to connect your media device and the aspect ratio of your footage. For folks converting from VHS like me, you’ll want to pick 4:3. The video will be captured at 640×480 resolution.

The biggest oddity about the way the software functions is that before recording, it asks the user to determine the overall length of the recorded project. There are several options to choose from, at varying intervals from 10 to 180 minutes, each giving you an estimate of the final output size. You can stop recording at any point before your pre-set time has elapsed. If you have footage recorded in “EP” or “LP” modes, your tapes could have more than 3 hours of footage on them, making it awkward for bulk captures.

Recording

Once you begin recording, it is pretty much hit or miss. When you hit stop recording, the application is done and saves your file. For some, this may not be a concern as they plan to further split up clips or edit their footage in something like iMovie. Others may find this problematic if they are looking for a bit more control. Some of these concerns can be assuaged as the application does allow users to trim the start and end points of their captured footage.

After you stop recording, you have options within the software to instantly play the file in QuickTime, add it to iTunes, edit with iMovie or upload directly to YouTube. The videos are output in either H.264 or MPEG-4.

Based on the footage I have captured thus far, I have been quite impressed with Elgato’s solution. Sometimes the quality may not be the best but again, in my case, this is VHS we’re talking about. How many times in your home movies are there other concerns to worry about, like somebody panning the camera too fast?

I’m rating Elgato’s solution four out of five stars. Its software is simple and easy to use, and they included all of the cables I would need to plug its device directly into my VCR. The only cons are the limited in-application editing options and the awkward “time restrictions.” The good news is that these could easily be corrected with a future software update.

For some, they may criticize the lack of higher definition inputs, such as component video or HDMI, but these types of capture devices exist and are much pricier. It really just depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Why go overboard for something simple? As a quick and simple way to preserve VHS tapes, this is a great solution and feels a bit stronger than some of the other slightly cheaper options.

If you’ve had an opportunity to use the Elgato video capture or one of the other competitor products, let me know in the comments below.

The Zefyr Pro from Moshi is one of the prettiest laptop coolers on the market. Designed for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 15 and 17-inch models, it’s one of the more expensive laptop coolers, too, at a staggering $80. I bought it because my previous cooler — an Akasa 15 inch Classic Cooler — was starting to look like a battered old griddle. Not to mention it wasn’t particularly portable, being a single large rectangle of thick corrugated metal. So, after a trip overseas last month where the temperatures were high and my MacBook suffered, I returned home convinced I should find a Mac-centric replacement.

The Zefyr Pro is aesthetically close to unibody MacBooks, with its minimalist industrial design and sleek brushed-aluminum body. It’s smaller than a typical laptop cooler, too; while most coolers consist of a base-plate with roughly the same footprint as the laptops they’re designed to accommodate, the Zefyr Pro is only 10 centimeters deep, but its aluminum fins provide acres of surface area to aide in heat dissipation (first by conduction, then by radiation).

The Zefyr Pro is squarely aimed at MacBook Air and Pro owners; in its ‘folded’ mode the device perfectly fits the MacBook Air, while extendable ‘wings’ slide out to easily accommodate the wider 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro’s.

My old Akasa had two large (and silent) USB powered fans, while the Zefyr Pro has only one, but that single fan is positioned in what is seemingly just the right spot on the underside of my MacBook Pro to get airflow where it’s most needed.

Moshi brags about a special “high-thermal conduction interface compound” on the Zefyr Pro that provides a heat-hungry contact between the Zefyr and the underside of the MacBook. It sounds impressive, until you realize this “high-thermal conduction interface compound” amounts to a slightly rubbery 8×5cm grey pad in the middle of the Zefyr. I don’t know if it’s as effective as Moshi claims, but if it is, I wonder why the entire contact surface of the Zefyr isn’t coated with that material? If it were, surely the Zefyr would do an even better job of conducting heat away from the MacBook?

The "High-thermal conduction interface compound" is that dull grey rectangle in the center

All I can tell you is that, by bringing my MacBook Pro’s operating temperature down an average of 8-12º, my Zefyr Pro manages about the same practical cooling my old Akasa did, but in a device a little under half the size. My Akasa cost me about $20 three years ago. The Zefyr cost me over $80. I’m not feeling very good about this.

The single fan is reasonably quiet, though not as silent as the old Akasa (and that thing had two fans!). It’s a small point to make, but I wish there were a hardware switch for turning the fan on and off (which I could do on the old Akasa). Currently, the fan is powered-up the moment the Zefyr’s USB cable is plugged-in to my MacBook. Call me picky, but I don’t think a hardware switch on the USB dongle would be so hard to do, right? At $80, this is an expensive heat-sink. I’d expect a little more attention to detail.

Because the Zefyr Pro is so diminutive, it raises the MacBook slightly at the back. If you’re working on your lap you might not notice much of a difference, but on a desk those few degrees make a surprising difference — and for the better. Typing is genuinely more comfortable.

Slip Slidin’ Away

But here is where my final gripe lies. The Zefyr has very little friction between itself and the underside of the MacBook. Not even that 8×5cm “conduction interface compound” is rubbery enough to prevent slippage. As you type, the vibrations and downward pressure of your fingers on the keys encourage the MacBook to ‘slide’ across and down the Zefyr’s smooth surface toward you.

This is particularly noticeable if you are working on a desk or other smooth surface, though you might not experience it as much if the machine is resting in your lap. Over time, quite without realizing it, your MacBook eventually slides so far forward that the Zefyr is only partially covered by the MacBook, so presumably doing a far less efficient job of cooling it. I feel this could be easily solved if the top edges of the Zefyr’s ‘wings’ were rubber instead of hard, frictionless plastic. Again, it’s attention to detail I think Moshi should have made to justify that $80 price tag.

Overall though, this is a reasonably effective piece of kit I’d recommend to anyone who wants to keep their MacBook Air/Pro cool and remain stylish, without sacrificing portability. If you don’t think style and portability are worth the larger part of a hundred dollars, I’d find it hard to argue with you. It does what it’s supposed to do, but the Zefyr Pro simply isn’t worth its current price tag.

I’m a huge fan of Moshi’s Apple-centric line of products and accessories. In fact, my entire collection of Apple products has now been complimented by Moshi. For example, I use the iLynx USB/Firewire hub and Celesta keyboard with my iMac; my iPhone is protected by the iGlaze 3G; and recently, my Macbook Pro experienced a thorough makeover.

Over the years I have owned a variety of Apple laptops, and each one inevitably ends up with scratches on the screen, discoloration on the wrist area, disgusting keys, and other forms of wear and tear. I decided to not endure this experience with my new aluminum MacBook Pro. My goal is to maintain a pristine look for as long as possible, and I intend to achieve this goal by combining Moshi’s products into the ultimate protection solution.

Clearguard MB: $25

The Clearguard MB is a thin cover for your MacBook or MacBook Pro keyboard. Installation is simple: lay it across the keyboard. After a few minutes of typing, it’s barely noticeable. It’s virtually transparent so your backlit keys are still visible in dark rooms. I have been using it for a couple of months, and you can clearly see how my keyboard still looks like I just slid the computer out of the box. Cleaning the Clearguard is a simple process involving dish soap and water.

The best part about the Clearguard MB is I no longer see key indentations on the screen (a problem MacBooks and PowerBooks have experienced for a long time). Below is a picture of the Clearguard after a couple months. See the keys on the right side? I’m impressed.

Palmguard: $20-$28

The Palmguard is used to protect the area where your wrists sit on the computer. For me, that’s the part that receives the most damage over time. I’m always amazed at how powerful skin oil is. Again, installation is simple: Line up the Palmguard carefully in the corners and then firmly slide your hand across. If you aren’t satisfied, it’s easy to take the Palmguard off and try again without leaving any residue.

In the past, I used a competitor’s product to protect the wrist area. One thing missing was something to place onto the trackpad area. The Palmguard comes with a separate piece just for that. The accuracy and clickability (I just made up that word) of the trackpad are not affected.

Moshi sells a variety of Palmguard products to match the color and size of your Apple laptop. Below is a picture of the Palmguard after a couple months. Again, I’m impressed.

iVisor AG: $35-38

iVisor AG is the flagship laptop protection product by Moshi. Not only does it protect the screen from scratches, dust and fingerprints, but it also eliminates glare. Remember when we had a choice between matte and glossy screens for our MacBook Pros? Well, this is as close as you can get to owning an aluminum MBP with a matte finish without swapping the screen.

Installation is shockingly easy. You just line up the corners, press down, and firmly slide your hand across the screen. The air bubbles you see while applying a protective layer on your iPhone are not a problem. I was nervous about this, but fortunately Moshi delivered on its promise. There’s a hole at the top for your iSight, and a transparent part in the black border so the “Macbook Pro” text on the bottom is still visible.

Below is the iVisor after a few weeks. No reflection, no scratches.

Conclusion

A MacBook Pro is an investment. It deserves to remain in perfect condition. What I love about Moshi’s products is that they can be installed in minutes and they perform to my standards: no air bubbles, no scratches, and no damage.

I purposefully did not include outer cases because I dislike adding bulk to the laptop. Also, a simple and artistic way to protect the top from scratches is to add a Gelaskin.

Moshi products are available for purchase at Dr. Bott and nuCourse.

While many don’t see the Mac as the ideal game platform, it still holds its own against Windows PCs and console systems. Many hardcore gamers love to trick out their systems with beefier graphics cards, extra controllers and special, high-performance input devices, and Mac users are no exception.

Today, we’re looking at Logitech’s G13 advanced gameboard. Our verdict? It makes playing games a little bit cooler.

The Basics

Unboxing and setting up the device was a snap. Unfortunately, this is a wired device, so you will have to give up a USB port. Some might have preferred a wireless solution, but there’s likely too much data going back and forth between the device and the LCD to really be super responsive over Bluetooth, and it would likely be very draining on batteries. Not exactly something that gamers would want to switch out in the middle of World of Warcraft.

System Requirements

• 256MB RAM
• 20MB of available hard drive space (according to Logitech, but my install took 140MB)
• CD-ROM drive
• USB port
• GamePanel LCD requires software that supports Logitech’s GamePanel technology. See the list here.

This device is compatible with Windows (XP or Vista) and Mac OS X 10.4 or later (including Snow Leopard, which is the platform I tested it with).

What Makes It Cool

Unlike a gaming keyboard or gaming mouse that may have special features or extra buttons that can be reserved for gaming purposes, the gameboard is specific for gameplay and works in conjunction with your existing keyboard and mouse. For Mac users, that means you can keep your sleek and stylish Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse.

Also unique to this gameboard is customizable backlighting (which is entertaining in and of itself, and great for low light situations) and a unique LCD that can provide you with specific game information (health, stats, etc. if it’s a supported game).

As it is marketed as a gameboard, it’s intended to be used in games instead of your keyboard, and as such is setup for left-hand usage (assuming your right hand is using a mouse or other type of controller).

Something Borrowed, Something Learned

Avid gamers may remark that this is not the first type of gameboard on the market (though the first from Logitech). In fact, this gameboard is similar to other gaming pads such as the Nostromo SpeedPad. Taking the best of the Nostromo and refining it with extra features like the LCD and customizable backlighting, the G13 represents an improvement over the SpeedPad, and a more intuitive and contoured design for longer game-playing. Similar to the SpeedPad, the G13 features an analog stick controller that rests perfectly under your left thumb. This is more comfortable than the SpeedPad’s “DPad” controller, in my opinion.

The Bells & Whistles

The 160×43 pixel LCD really adds a degree of sophistication to the gameboard. Similar to the one built into Logitech’s G15 keyboard, it provides users with important stats like health, ammo, and other game-specific information. I was a bit confused as to why a user would be paying attention to the gameboard for this information instead of viewing it directly on their screen, but perhaps there’s additional value to this that I’m missing. The LCD also supports providing system information (CPU and memory usage) and other add-ons, like a built-in clock. As mentioned earlier, users can completely customize the color of the LCD and backlighting to any color they desire and program the keys to run commands, macros or keystrokes.

The device also supports storing gaming profiles directly on the device. The beauty of loading the profiles onto the device itself is that if you take the gameboard to another computer, all of your functions still work just as you’ve programmed them.

In Use

Setup of the device was quite simple. After plugging it in, I downloaded the latest software from Logitech’s web site (force of habit) and was instantly tricking out the gameboard in a chic turquoise backlight color. Since many hardcore gamers love using their keyboards during games, they may find it a bit of an adjustment to switch to the G13. The device itself is quite compact and very rigid and comfortable to the touch. The stick controller works well for movement in games, however other actions, like jumping or crouching, will require you to use one of the programmable keys to achieve this functionality, and it can be a bit awkward in usage.

Also, old habits die hard, and while you can add functionality to the gamepad, it’s sometimes difficult to adjust to the natural location of keys on your traditional keyboard. In several games, I would instinctively aim for the tab or escape key as if I was still using my keyboard. As such, there is a lot of functionality to the device, but users will need to take time to find the settings that work best for their needs.

For More Than Just Gamers

What really intrigued me about this device is that it can be configured for more than just casual gaming. Since the keys can be programmed for a variety of tasks, professionals in other markets may find use for it, repurposing it for quick shortcuts for a variety of other uses or applications. While this device is targeted primarily at gamers, the ability to use it outside of games gives me reason to keep this device on my desk even if I’m not battling Greece in Civilization IV.

Retailing at $79.99, some may find this peripheral to be a bit expensive; but come on, that’s less than a MobileMe membership and probably a lot more fun. My final thoughts are that it’s not absolutely necessary for gamers to have this device, but if you’re heavy on your keyboard when you’re switching weapons or pulling up inventory, or any of a bunch of other gaming scenarios, you might find comfort with the G13.

It’s only slightly cheaper than the G15, Logitech’s gaming keyboard. Depending on your needs, that might be a better solution for you. But if your old keyboard is just not cutting it for your gaming needs, look into supplementing it with the G13. Logitech’s G13 is available through most electronic outlets or via Logitech’s online store. If you’ve used the G13, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

Like some of you, I’m quite the “Apple purist.” I’m not a fan of fancy cases that junk up my Macs. I don’t like skins for my iPods and those plastic snap cases for my laptop. We all know that Apple designs beautiful products, so we might as well show them off! Balancing protection and beauty, the stylish and functional cases from Waterfield Designs are some of the highest-quality cases I have ever used.

Originally starting with one case design in the late 90s, Waterfield now boasts a collection of more than 50 uniquely designed cases for portables, iPhones, iPods and even some unique items, such as the iPod Hi-Fi. Though Waterfield Designs does not sell its products in retail stores, it has still managed to garner quite a following from Apple users around the world.

The personal attention and customer service from the company is second to none. In the past five years, I have owned around eight Waterfield bags (for various equipment). Out of all of them, I only had an issue with one particular sleevecase. Being that it was a few years old, the velcro was no longer as “clingy” as it once was. One simple email to the company resulted in a wonderful email that said, “Hey, no worries! Just send it on in with a note that says ‘Please fix my case in a hurry! I’m going to miss it!’” I mailed my case in, Waterfield replaced what needed to be replaced and priority mailed it back to me. Now how’s that for customer service? Not only that, but every time I buy a product from them, inside is a handwritten “Thank you” note from Gary, the founder.

Smart Case for iPod touch & iPod classic

The big secret to Waterfield Designs is that its success is completely customer-driven. With not selling products in retail stores, I am constantly amazed when I see more and more people with these unique cases and every owner is literally beaming about their purchase.

Much like Apple, Waterfield sweats the small things. For example, the inside of most of Waterfield’s bags are gold, simply because that makes it easier to see the contents! Latches to access the cases, including the signature aluminum aircraft buckle, are designed for one-hand access.

Many of you have probably already realized that buying a case for a laptop can be a pricey endeavor. With the customization options available on most cases from Waterfield, you’re not buying things you’re not going to use (like excess shoulder straps). Beyond accessories, even certain elements of some cases are customizable. For example, I keep my MacBook Pro in a standard sleevecase when I travel most places. Unlike traditional sleevecases like you would find with Incase, Waterfield gives customers the option to have their case open vertically instead of horizontally. Simple as it may seem, this means I can charge my MacBook Pro while it stays inside.

Travel Cases for iPod Speakers

Waterfield Designs also shines in its product selection, with cases for more unique items as well, such as the Apple Keyboard, Mac mini, SLR cameras, the Amazon Kindle and more. The best part is, all of these cases are custom designed to fit these products, so it’s not like you’re buying a stylish bag and just hoping your PSP may fit inside it.

Before you march off to the Apple Store for another case, give Waterfield Designs a look. It is definitely worth the time. If any of you are current Waterfield customers, please leave comments and let me know which bag or bags you’ve purchased and your thoughts on them. The advertising Waterfield Designs gets comes directly from its customers so don’t just take my word for it; let’s hear what everyone else has to say.

Laptop stands are widely heralded as a great solution for a more ergonomic workstation and better positioning of your computer. They come in all manner of shapes and sizes, from the downright awful to very slick and stylish.

I recently took the plunge and purchased the Rain Design mStand. This particular stand is designed specifically for aluminum MacBook laptops, matching the anodized metal finish wonderfully. Like the latest Apple notebooks, mStand is made from one solid piece of aluminum.

While not the most cost-effective solution (mStand costs $50), it certainly goes a long way towards offering an ergonomic and stylish accessory for any MacBook or MacBook Pro. This review will take a look at the design, stability, ergonomic design and limitations of the stand.

Design

Right from removing it from the box, the mStand looked comfortably at home in my Apple setup. The aim was to elevate my MacBook Pro to the same level of a Cinema Display and transform it into a more usable second monitor.

The design almost identically mimics the stand present on Apple’s Cinema Display and iMac computers — even down to the inclusion of a circular cable hole at the rear.

According to the documentation, the aluminum finish also assists with cooling your laptop through acting as a heat sink. While a solid metal block might not seem the best candidate for a heat sink, I found that it certainly did not cause any problems. My MacBook Pro remained cool and quiet.

Stability

Obviously if you’re going to entrust a small piece of metal to raise your precious MacBook 6 inches above a desk, stability is a major consideration. The mStand shines in this department due to a remarkably well-designed construction. It supports all MacBook and MacBook Pro models, along with any other laptop up to a 15″ widescreen.

Pressing, knocking and shaking the stand didn’t once instill a sense of fear for my laptop’s safety. If you’re using the stand on your lap (which works well), it’s perfectly capable of supporting even the most vigorous typing activity.

Pads cushion both the underside and front of your laptop where it comes into contact with the stand to ensure there’s no chance of scratching.

Ergonomics

The stand’s accompanying leaflet makes it clear that “all ergonomic guidelines recommend placing the screen at eye level, and keeping your back, forearms and wrists straight.” Coupling the mStand with an external keyboard and mouse is a far better solution than using a laptop directly on your desk:

mStand Ergonomics

I can’t see myself lugging all this gear to Starbucks for an afternoon, but it can work extremely well in an office environment.

As mentioned below, at times I felt that the stand may be elevating the screen a little too high. It could be that I’ll just need a few weeks to adjust to looking in a slightly different direction.

Limitations

The main limitation with this product is the non-adjustable height. While this is a common problem with many laptop stands, it could really make the mStand a perfect solution. I found that the stand elevated my MacBook Pro a little too high — almost to the top of my Cinema Display. I do, however, appreciate that this is likely the perfect position from an ergonomic perspective.

The only other niggle (and I’m really splitting hairs) is that the cable hole in the rear cannot accommodate the width of an external monitor connection. It’s a slight inconvenience for keeping cables organized, but certainly not a deal-breaker.

Conclusion

So far, I’ve been remarkably impressed with the mStand. It seems perfectly able to match Apple in terms of design, ergonomics and build quality — no easy task.

Is it worth the asking price of $50? The answer depends very much on whether you require a design that’s able to match the aluminum look and feel of an existing Mac setup. If appearance isn’t a major concern, the Logitech Alto Express may be a better (and more budget-friendly) alternative.

Whichever stand you go for, it’s definitely a move I would recommend for a more comfortable workspace.

With the help of a friend who already successfully completed the process, I managed to install OS X on my new Dell Mini 9. This was my first and, hopefully, my last Dell purchase. Sorry, Apple. I became too curious. Everyone appeared to love their hackintosh netbooks, so I decided to go for it.

For me, the Dell was the obvious choice for this project for a few reasons:

1. Boing Boing has a chart that indicates which pieces of hardware work on netbooks with OS X installed.
2. Gizmodo provides a thorough tutorial on how to set it all up.
3. I heard there was an active and helpful forum.

Here are my specs:

• Inspirion 910 Intel Atom Processor N270, 1.6Ghz, 533 Mhz 512k L2 Cache
• Obsidian black color with gloss finish
• 2GB DDR2 533 Mhz, 1 DIMM (purchased from Crucial.com)
• 8.9-inch wide-screen WSVGA TL
• Intel graphics media accelerator (GMA) 950
• 32GB solid-state drive (my first SSD!)
• Wireless 802.11g mini card
• Integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 77WH 6-cell battery
• Bluetooth 2.1 module via USB I/F

The 77WH 6-cell battery was purchased through eBay. It provides both amazing battery life, and it elevates the back of the Mini which gives the keyboard a comfortable slant. I only need to charge it every couple of days.

Installing OS X took a couple hours, but that was mostly spent watching the screen. As soon as it was complete (Apple software updates, too), I installed Google Gears and offline access for Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Reader, and Docs). Fortunately, there were no surprises with software downloads or installations. Airport works, and downloads are fast. When I turn off Airport, the Safari 4 beta has no issues switching to offline mode. When I turn it back on, changes sync back to Google. Success!

My goal was to build a browser-focused netbook that would primarily be disconnected from the Internet. The occasional synchronization would allow me to catch up on emails and write more posts for TheAppleBlog.

Now, for the verdict.

Don’t buy a Dell Mini 9 even if you want to use Windows or Ubuntu. Although surprisingly useful and fun to show off (techie people will most likely be impressed when they see a real dock on a Dell), the keyboard is an absolute deal-breaker — OK, not just a deal-breaker, a nightmare. I constantly make typos. Using quotation marks, something I occasionally do while writing, is a challenging task considering the quotation key’s random placement near the space bar. Perhaps with more practice I will learn to be efficient with such a minuscule keyboard, but so far, it doesn’t appear that way.

This was a fun experiment (and an extremely expensive blog post). I feel like it bumped me up a notch or two in terms of Apple user cred. However, if you have the desire to go through with this, just keep in mind that it’s a toy and not a serious business tool.

My recommendation: Check out the HP Mini series since the keyboards are only 7 percent smaller than a full-size. Personally, I’d like to save up for a Macbook Air to experience the ultra-light, ultra-thin Apple. In fact, someone nearby has one on the train, and I’m jealous.

Much has been said about the new iPod shuffle. Its size has been praised, lack of buttons grumbled about, and — as with most new Apple products — has caused a little controversy. I wanted to try the product out for myself as I’ve been needing a small MP3 player for exercise. My iPhone is a little too cumbersome to carry while running.

I’ll be taking a look at the packaging, unboxing the iPod shuffle, and offering my thoughts on the hardware and software bundled with the gadget.

Unboxing

Apple seems to be continuing down the road of shrinking packaging material, and the box for the iPod shuffle is really small. It comes presented with the shuffle center stage, containing a simple manual, 3.5mm audio to USB adaptor, and the headphones.

Initial Impressions

The first thing to note, as you’d expect, is that the iPod shuffle is absolutely tiny. I’m fascinated to see where the constant shrinking of the shuffle will ultimately lead to, and I don’t think it’ll be long before you’ll struggle to find it in your pocket. The build quality is also remarkable, with the aluminum construction feeling bulletproof.

As with the previous generation, the entire device is fashioned into a large clip. You can easily attach it anywhere, and it’s sturdy enough that I wouldn’t be concerned about it falling off when running. The top of the shuffle sports a small switch which toggles between shuffling tracks or playing music sequentially.

The headphones are (unfortunately) exactly what you’d expect. They’re standard iPod headphones, albeit with a new and sleek in-line track/volume controller. They have the same ‘rubbery’ feel as recent iPod model earphones, and offer the same reasonable level of comfort and sound. Don’t expect to be blown away, though Apple should be working on an adaptor to allow you to use your own earphones in the near future.

iTunes Connectivity

Connecting to iTunes is as simple as ever, and includes a few options which haven’t been present before. Upon connecting, you’re asked to register your iPod (with a nice new graphic to show the new shuffle in the lineup):

Registering the iPod Shuffle

When setting up, you’re asked if you’d like to enable VoiceOver. This works by generating spoken audio for the names of your tracks on your Mac (or Windows machine), before transferring them to your iPod along with the music. Because of this, you’re asked if you’re happy to install the VoiceOver desktop software.

Installing VoiceOver

This integrates silently into iTunes, and you don’t really notice anything is occurring. A short downloading status message appears, and then syncing music is handled as normal. You’ll be pleased to know that disk mode is supported as before, allowing you to transfer other files on the iPod. If you’d like, you can also set a volume limit and automatically reduce the quality of audio when syncing to fit more on the device.

iTunes Settings

Track Navigation & VoiceOver

There has been a decent amount of debate over how usable the headphone remote would actually be for skipping between tracks. I’d say it’s probably the least user-friendly interface that Apple has created for the iPod to date, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still function very well.

The annoying aspect of VoiceOver is that it isn’t the quickest method of navigating your iPod’s content. There’s quite a bit of waiting involved, and it’s tricky to skip through what is being read out. Not a problem if you have two or three playlists, but increasingly annoying as you add more. While the new computer voice in Leopard was noted as a decent improvement, I still think that artificial computer vocals have some way to come before they’re anything like the real thing. ‘Alex’ is perfectly coherent, but it’s a little odd to have your track information spoken to you by a digital voice.

Commendations, Complaints and Caution

On the whole, the size reduction and multiple playlist support do make the iPod shuffle a decent improvement. It’s brilliant if you’re exercising, and the controls do allow for simple track control without fumbling with the iPod itself. I’d really appreciate a way to use my own headphones with the shuffle, and look forward to some form of adaptor being released.

It is possible to trick the iPod, by setting the track and volume playing with the default phones and switching across to your own. Far from ideal, and doesn’t allow any subsequent control of the player. If you’d like to buy a better pair of supported in-ear phones, you can do so from Apple.

However, the general fact is that most shuffle owners don’t want to carefully select specific tracks to play; there’s been no way to do this in the past (even lacking multiple playlist support), so in many senses the new version is a step forward. I’ll certainly be happy with being able to use the new navigation method and appreciate the ability to flick through playlists.

Ultimately, the new iPod shuffle is a decent looking flash drive, backed up with a seasoned and fantastic piece of software — iTunes. The player has a few areas in which improvement is needed, but represents a solid advancement of Apple’s iPod device.

I was recently introduced to the Drobo box. If you’re not familiar with it, simply put, it’s the ultimate home backup server.

For $400, you get a BeyondRAID array that can support up to 4 simultaneous drives, and caps at 16TB. Even cooler is the ability to swap out your drives with a single push of a button. Drobo will backup your files across each drive, so if one fails, your files are still safely stored on the others.

Backing Up

Drobo makes it apparent how easily it integrates with Time Machine right from the start. You can set the limit to how much Time Machine will backup on your Drobo drives, and with FireWire 800, or via your network, it’s hassle free backup just like Time Capsule.

iTunes Streaming

To add a little envy to the product, DroboApps features an iTunes Media extension that allows you to share your iTunes library across your network. Keep in mind it costs extra for the FireWire and Network support as it’s a separate attachment. So not only will it back up your data, but now it can stream your iTunes content to your Apple TV or computers across your network.

The Competition

Drobo may offer redundancy and media sharing,  but let’s look at some other viable options. Correct me if I’m wrong, but if you were to hook up a secondary drive to your Apple Time Capsule as a NAS drive, wouldn’t it be the same thing? One drive for back up, and one for sharing media across your network?

I question Drobo, only because from the people I know who have experienced it, and based on Drobo’s Amazon customer reviews, the device doesn’t seem 100 percent reliable. However their customer service record looks to make up for it.

Also considering other alternatives, such as HP’s Media Smart Server, I’m left wondering which is the most effective, but ultimately cost effective device for my home. I guess it really comes down to what matters most to you. If you’ve had experience with any or all of these devices, please share in the comments.

Unlike most hard protective cases that typically consist of separate front and back parts, the Power Support Air Jacket for iPhone 3G is a single plastic case for only the back of an iPhone 3G.

Available in either black or clear, the black version is notable for its rubberized finish. Two screen protection films — “Crystal” (glossy) and “Anti Glare” (matte) — are provided with the Air Jacket.

With a thickness of only 0.7 mm, the Air Jacket appeals to iPhone 3G owners who seek some protection for their phones without the bulk. To that end, the Air Jacket is a sexy piece of accessory designed to show off the iPhone. Once attached, the Air Jacket is almost indiscernible unless one looks hard enough, and its rubberized finish adds a lot more grip to the otherwise slippery plastic back of the iPhone.

But, in the one week I had the Air Jacket on my iPhone, I quickly discovered a couple of major design flaws about the product.

Five days in, I detached it from my iPhone and saw, to my displeasure, that the Air Jacket had left numerous scratches along the sides of the chrome bezel. The scratches were located at the left and right sides of the chrome bezel where one’s fingers would be while holding the phone. It would seem that handling the phone has shifted the Air Jacket enough for its inner edges to scratch the bezel. And they were not light nicks; the scratches were deep and numerous enough that only a thorough buffing with Brasso could remove.

Also, the rubberized finish proved to be quite susceptible to be scratched off, and is simply a coating over what is really a clear Air Jacket. After only five days, the rubberized finish had chipped off at all four corners of the Air Jacket.

For a $34.95 product, the build quality of the Air Jacket is simply disappointing, which is unusual considering how Power Support can, and do, produce innovative and excellent products; its Anti Glare Film, with its silky smooth texture, is the best screen protector I have ever used on any device. Having used PDAs for a decade, and having tried just about every brand of screen protectors, this is high praise from me.

I really wanted to like the Air Jacket. But it is absurd that an accessory designed to protect your device ends up marring it cosmetically after merely a week of use. Power Support should have lined the inner surface of the Air Jacket with some kind of soft material. The shortcomings of this product reflects poor product design and, more glaringly, inadequate product testing. Surely this would have been caught during the testing cycle (if one was even done). Power Support should consider going back to the drawing board; the idea behind this product is great, but is marred in execution.

Until it does so, steer clear of the Air Jacket and get just the Crystal Film or Anti Glare Film Set instead, available separately for $14.95.

Each set contains two pieces, so you can share a set with a loved one or friend. If you constantly find yourself wiping fingerprints off the screen of your iPhone, I strongly recommend the Anti Glare Film; its matte finish masks smears and fingerprints better than its glossy counterpart.

Mouse technology has advanced a lot over the past two decades. The Apple Lisa-derived mouse with its DE-9 connector and thumb screws that attached it securely to my first Mac, a 1988 Mac Plus, was a pretty crude piece of engineering, with an analog ball of course, and a noisy, long-travel, somewhat stiff single button. Everything that came after that was an improvement.

However, most engineering effort with computer mice has been directed toward I/O interface (ADB, USB) and tracking sensor (optical, laser) advances and more recently wireless technologies (RF, Bluetooth), as well as improved ergonomics. Multi-button mice with scroll wheels became the standard configuration (although not with Apple mice) in the mid-’90s, popularized by Microsoft’s IntelliMouse Explorer, but with a few exceptions like the minuscule trackball on Apple’s 2005 Mighty Mouse, scrolling hardware technology didn’t change much between 1996 and 2006 when Logitech unveiled its MicroGear Precision Scroll Wheel.

Steam-Age Technology Revisited

The MicroGear wheel represented refinement more than revolution, with the wheel itself fashioned of relatively heavy metal instead of lightweight plastic. While enhanced durability would be a side-benefit, mouse scroll wheels have not been prone to failure from wear, and the engineering rationale behind what is essentially a heavy flywheel — steam-age technology revisited — is that when in freewheel mode physical inertia keeps it spinning and able to whip through long documents with minimum effort. If you prefer standard scroll wheel click detents, they can be toggled on and off by pressing down on the scroll wheel.

All of that works just fine with Apple’s standard OS X mouse drivers, but if you install Logitech’s Control Center driver software, the MicroGear mouse will also support lateral scrolling by pressing the wheel to one side or the other, and a raft of programming options. The Logitech MicroGear Precision Scroll Wheel is used in a wide range of Logitech mice, such as the Logitech V550 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse and it represents the high water mark on mouse scroll wheel technology so far in my experience.

Wheel-Less Scrolling

However, while the MicroGear scroll wheel, as noted, is arguably the most perfected implementation of generic analog scroll wheel technology, there’s something new and different in mouse scrolling available this fall, namely the new wheel-less Touch Scroll four-way optical scrolling technology Targus has introduced with its new line of “for Mac” computer mice. To actuate Touch Scroll and its Quick Scroll function, you move your fingertip laterally or longitudinally on the optical sensor that takes a place of a conventional scroll wheel at the center top of the mouse.

Scrolling speed is determined by how quickly and far you move your finger. I’ve tested two different Quick Scroll Targus mice, Bluetooth Laser and RF, and find that it works very well, although I found scrolling in small increments for precision tasks wasn’t quite as easy to modulate as it is with a good scroll wheel like the MicroGear (although better than some conventional scroll wheels I’ve used), but I think that could be partly a matter of getting used to this mode of scrolling. It’s actually quite intuitive, and lateral (sideways) scrolling requires no proprietary driver software, although Targus does offer the latter for a variety of programmable button functions with these mice.

Touch Scroll is available with the $49.99 Targus For Mac Wireless Mouse and $69.99 Bluetooth Laser Mouse.

Do you have small office/home office (SoHo)? Is managing your peripherals (printers, scanners, fax machines) a hassle? Well, if you are looking for a new all-in-one (AIO) printer that consolidates these peripherals into one for your SoHo, thankfully, there are many choices available for you today. Compared to the marketplace just a few years ago, you can now purchase an AIO for a relatively modest price and get some significant functionality.

Before you make the jump into consolidation of those separate devices with a new AIO printer, you might want to define some simple criteria. What is your budget? What are your needs? Do you know? Well, hopefully this article will set you down the right path. For one, let’s start with a modest budget of $300-400. Next, let’s define some functional criteria.

Recommended Features

• Excellent print quality (documents are readable) even with prints from draft mode
• Network capable (Ethernet), so it can support printing and scanning from the device to a computer and vice-versa
• Automatically copy, print and scan on both sides of the paper (duplexer)
• Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for multiple page copies/scans
• Separate trays for printing paper vs. photos/envelopes
• Stores at least 150 sheets of paper
• Fax support with memory and auto-redial/fax
• 8.5×14 paper support for printing and scanning
• Color screen for easier readability of device functions
• Excellent customer/technical support
• Great software support for drivers and provided applications
• Six-ink system for more flexibility
• Low total cost of ownership (TCO)

Optional (Bonus) Features

• Wireless network capable
• Printing directly to CDs/DVDs
• Memory card access/support (over the network)
• Photo printing: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10 or larger
• Quiet or moderate noise production

Performance

Printer speed is always subjective, as most manufacturers provide the best specs based upon the lowest quality settings. For example, you will see that at an AIO prints 32 pages per minute in black and white. This seems impressive, yes? Well, this speed example is in draft mode, not full quality.

Until there are metrics that define the entire spectrum of how each unit performs when printing in draft vs. best and color vs. black & white, it just doesn’t make sense to use speed as a realistic criteria.

What are the choices?

Using the above requirements, it probably makes sense to visit your local office supply/big box store and try some of the printers in person. I took the liberty of doing this for you and here are some of the choices available in the specified price range (please note, the prices mentioned are current retail at publishing):

• Canon Pixma MX850 – $199, 5-ink, comes close to meeting the criteria except in build quality as the ADF seems flimsy
• Epson Artisan 800 – $299, New model on the market, ADF does not support duplex copy/scan, print duplexer is a separate purchase, comes with a 2-year warranty
• HP Photosmart C7280 – $269.99 (usually $299.99, although HP has instant rebates now), ADF does not support duplex copy/scan, all other above required features met
• Lexmark X9575 Professional – $249.99, New model to the market, 4-ink, duplex copying and printing (not clear about duplex scanning – although it can duplex copy), comes with 5-year warranty
• Brother MFC-6490CW – $299.99, New model to the market, 4-ink, no duplex support

If you want to stretch your budget by a little:

• Canon Pixma MX7600 – $399, excellent build quality, all criteria met
• HP OfficeJet Pro L7880 – $349.99 (usually $499.99, although HP has instant rebates now), very large dimensions, all recommended criteria met

Getting to one printer from seven

With seven (including the two that stretch the budget) different printer models to choose from, here are some considerations to minimize that choice to one or two.

Let’s take the Brother MFC-6490CW, Canon Pixma MX850 and Lexmark X9575 Professional off the list because they are not traditional six-ink printers. The Lexmark has the option to go six-ink, although there is additional cost.

Printer count: 4

Let’s remove the HP Photosmart C7280 because it neither supports duplex copy or scan. Anecdotally, I really like the form-factor and build quality of the Photosmart. It is a very nice printer with a pretty comprehensive feature set. If duplex is not important, then this model is an excellent choice.

Printer count: 3

The HP OfficeJet Pro L7880 was removed because of its sheer size (it has the largest dimensions at 20.91″ x 19.09″ x 17.48″) and the fact that it is outside the budget of $300. However, with an extended budget, this is a very nice printer as it meets every requirement, including printing 8×10 photos.

Printer count: 2

Recommendations

$300 range – Epson Artisan 800 (full review) as it meets most of the recommended and most optional requirements. It’s only missing feature is the ability to duplex copy and scan.

$400 range – Canon Pixma MX7600 (full review) does meet every recommended and most optional requirements as well. The added bonus is that it, like the HP OfficeJet Pri L7880, has the ability to duplex copy and scan.

Additional Resources

I recommend that you read as many professional and blogger reviews of the products to see if anyone has found any particular issues with the printer you want. Other than some hardware failures, most of the AIOs were reviewed well, so I don’t think you can make a bad choice here. Good luck in your decision making process and toward improving and consolidating your SoHo environment.

At the $300 price point, the Epson Artisan 800 is a very nice all-in-one (AIO) printer. For most small office/home office users (SoHo’s), it could easily meet their needs. It is very small (18.4″ x 23.0″ x 7.8″) compared to most of the printers in this price range and offers both wireless as well as wired networking.

Next, it has an amazing 7″ touch screen for easy operation of the AIO. This is probably the most impressive feature of the printer and definitely adds to the sexiness factor. Another bonus is that the printer comes with an extra black cartridge. This was a pleasant surprise during the out-of-box-experience.

The Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) holds up to 30 pages, although it does not support duplex copying or scanning. If you are not copying or scanning two-sided documents, then this should not be an issue for you. For most folks, that will probably be the case.

In order to utilize two-sided printing, you must purchase the duplexer accessory, which is an additional $30. Further, this duplexer is not available at any online or retail establishments, it is only at the online Epson store. It seems odd that Epson requires you to purchase a peripheral for a peripheral.

The Artisan 800 build quality is good. The overall unit feels solid, although the ADF and print trays all feel a little flimsy. One of the special features of the Artisan 800 is that it can print directly to printable CD/DVDs. The printer even comes with a specialized tray for this feature.

In order to print documents, the primary print tray must always be extended. Why is this item noteworthy? As a network printer, it could easily live in an unreachable place. Users of the printer might not know if the print tray is extended and thus any printing they perform could cause a paper jam (if the tray is not extended).

Faxing with the Epson is relatively straightforward. Insert your document into the ADF, utilize the touch screen to specify the destination and send it. The Artisan 800 can store up to 60 speed dials and has a 180 page memory for previously receive faxes, making it easy to reprint them.

One annoying problem with the Artisan 800 is that you can only network scan via the Mac, and not via the printer itself. Essentially, network scans are a two step process:

1. Go to the printer and add documents you want to scan to the ADF.
2. Go to the computer and run the software for scanning.

This seems counter-intuitive. If you want to scan something and send it to your Mac, you should be able to do it from the printer. Note, this functionality does work if you connect the Artisan 800 directly to your Mac via USB.

The Artisan 800 print quality for standard text documents is good. I noticed some slight bleeding with smaller font sizes (6-8pt), although point sizes above were laser quality. I did not print photos, although the demos I have seen look quite good.

One other item that merits attention is that the Artisan 800 is not a quiet printer. It makes quite a thunk when it warms up. Something else to consider in your purchase decision.

The Epson software is relatively solid and makes setting up the printer easy, even over the network. Epson includes software for OCR scanning as well printing to CDs. This is a nice touch.

Finally, I ran into some print setting issues once I installed the duplexer, which were thankfully resolved once I contacted customer support. Speaking of support, Epson’s support is good in that they generally reply within 24-36 hours with respectable answers.

The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of this printer includes the following:

Capital costs

• Epson Artisan 800: $299 (MSRP)
• Duplexer Accessory: $30 (Optional)

Annuities

• Replacement Inks: $102.54 (6 x $17.09 high-capacity) or $69.29 (5 x 10.44 low capacity + 1 high capacity black)

The high capacity inks can print approximately 855 pages before replacement, while the standard capacity can print about 500 pages. If you print a ream a month, expect that you will be spending about $70 (average) with low capacity inks. If you use high-capacity inks, you will spend about $51 every month (average). Granted, this is just printing/copying regular paper. Your mileage may vary if you print photos and other types of content. For more information, Epson has documentation about their Ink Cartridge Yields.

Please note that as with most Epson printers, if you run out of any color ink cartridge, you cannot opt to print in black & white. You must replace that empty cartridge and then you can print in black & white (or color again if you so choose). Further, it appears you can only currently purchase the ink cartridges from either Epson directly or Amazon.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a new All-in-one printer, then you should consider this new contender from Epson. The Artisan 800 is a very solid device with a rich feature set. Lastly, the unit does have some small nits, and please be mindful of the build quality.

At the $400 price point, the Canon Pixma MX7600 is a beautiful all-in-one (AIO) printer. For most small office/home office users (SoHo’s), it could easily meet their needs. It is moderate in size (21.0″ x 19.7″ x 10.1″) and includes wired networking.

Full disclosure: I have owned two other Canon printers (a MultiPASS MP390 and a Pixma MP970) and they both have been exceptional in terms of print quality as well as being made like tanks.

One of the novel features of this device is the way in which it puts the ink to the paper. Initially, the Pixma 7600 lays down a layer of clear ink and then begins to add the respective colors. Honestly, this seemed like a marketing gimmick, until I viewed the print quality.

To be clear, the Pixma MX7600 print quality for documents is fantastic. Color pops on the page and even small point sizes (6-8pt) are readable. Further, when using relatively inexpensive paper, the ink does not bleed. I have not printed any photos, although the demos from within the store I have seen are exceptional. As an additional bonus, the Canon prints in near silence and includes a quiet-mode setting.

The Pixma MX7600 supports duplexing for copying, scanning and printing. It supports networking over Ethernet, although it is not wireless capable. From the unit, you can scan items to any Mac on the network.

One annoyance with this unit is that setting it up over the network is a little clumsy. First, you must connect the printer to the Mac via USB while at the same time, connect it to the router over Ethernet. This happens because Canon implemented their own network discovery software rather than using Bonjour from Apple.

On the positive side, each time you print, the printer tray door opens automatically, avoiding any potential paper jams. It’s nice to see Canon consider small touches like this for an AIO printer because in a network environment, it is possible that users will be printing where they cannot directly access and/or see the printer and ensure that the print tray is extended.

Another small issue with the printer is that you cannot mount media cards (compact flash, etc.) over the network. This feature is only available via USB. If this is an important feature for your SoHo, consider it in your evaluation.

Faxing with the Canon is relatively straightforward. Insert your document into the ADF, utilize the touch screen to specify the destination and send it. The Pixma MX7600 can store up to 100 speed dials and has a 250 page memory for previously receive faxes, making it easy to reprint them.

As an added bonus, this printer is built like a tank, which is pretty exceptional seeing how it is made of recycled plastics. Nothing feels flimsy or under-developed.

If I were to make any recommendations for the next generation of this printer, I would suggest that Canon increase the size of the small 1.8″ color screen for additional readability. Epson sets a new standard here with their 7″ touch screen display. Canon could consider this as well, although call me old school, but I like the mixture of simple screen and hard buttons with the Pixma MX7600.

Canon’s support team is excellent. The standard business reply time via email is 24 hours. I received a reply within two hours of problem submission. Further, the answer was clear and solved my problem immediately (setting up the printer over IPv6).

The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of this printer includes the following:

Capital costs

• Canon Pixma MX7600: $399 (MSRP)

• Replacement Inks: $92.94 (5 x 14.99 low capacity + 1 Clear Ink @ 17.99)

The inks can print approximately 800 pages (averaged across all colors) before replacement. If you print a ream a month, expect that you will be spending about $60 (average). Granted, this is just printing/copying regular paper. Your mileage may vary if you print photos and other types of content. For more information, Canon has this information at their support site.

Please note, it appears you can only currently purchase the ink cartridges from either Canon directly or at Amazon.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a new all-in-one printer, and have a more sizable budget, then you should consider this device from Canon. The Pixma MX7600 is a very solid device with a rich feature set.

Personal Sidebar

After five weeks of research and testing printers, there was much learned. For one, there are many great products out there for SoHo users to choose from when selecting an AIO printer. Second, be clear on your personal/business needs for selecting a printer. Lastly, make sure that you understand the costs of what you are purchasing, as buying a printer is not a one-time action.

For me, the Canon Pixma 7600 met my requirements and is becoming the SoHo daily workhorse in our household. Its print quality, build quality, relatively manageable TCO and ability to duplex copy/scan/print made it the clear winner.

Targus, a company more popularly associated with its extensive line of laptop cases, also markets computer accessories. One of their newer introductions is the Targus USB 2.0 4-Port Bend-A-Hub, a modestly-priced, useful add-on and an excellent gift suggestion or stocking stuffer for computer users on your Christmas list.

This hub allows you to connect up to four USB devices through a single USB port on your computer.

“So what?,” you’re probably saying, “there are dozens of 4-port USB hubs that do that.”

However, what makes the Bend-a-Hub distinctive is its literal flexibility plus its two specialty connectors; one of which can adjust to a 90-degree angle for better accessibility — able to be oriented either horizontally or vertically, making it ideal for connecting a flash thumb drive or iPod. Moreover, another of its four USB ports folds out to reveal a mini USB connector of the sort used by many digital cameras, mobile phones, and PDAs. The Bend-a-Hub’s flexible form factor makes it easy to accommodate a variety of larger USB devices.

It may also be possible to charge devices through the mini USB port if the connecting device supports charging through a mini USB connector. The unit works with both USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports and supports both Mac OS X and Windows (2000, XP, Vista).

The Bend-a-Hub’s flexibility makes it convenient to roll it up and tuck it in your pocket, laptop case, or backpack for road warrioring, and it weighs just an easy-to-carry 1.8 ounces.

Note, however, that there is no provision for self-powering using an AC power adapter, so the device is dependent upon whatever amount of power your computer is able to supply through a USB port. The amount of power output by many computer USB ports may get spread a bit thin with multiple devices attached, especially on certain Mac laptops, including recent Intel models.

The Bend-a-Hub is nicely finished, looks well-constructed, and the cables that connect the ports and plug to the central distribution module are generously sized with husky anti-fatigue collars where the cables enter the port and plug modules.

While it may look a little odd, the Targus Bend-a-Hub offers substantial versatility advantages over conventional USB hubs, especially for road warrioring, with the caveat above-noted regarding bus-powering. The only thing I found not to like about this product was that the female USB port modules were a bit snug, requiring more effort to insert and remove than I would prefer, but that will probably improve with repeated use.

The USB 2.0 4-Port Bend-a-Hub with Mini USB Adapter is 9″ in length, weighs 1.8 oz, and sells for $19.99.

In recent years, the Mac has become a device capable of acting as a very powerful media center. iTunes, Front Row, and OS X in general, provide a plethora of features which justify the Mac as a living room device.

That said, one vital piece is missing as a standard: watching and recording live TV on your Mac. There is a wide variety of hardware and software which allow you to watch TV, and this post will cover some of the options available to you.

What’s available?

There are several different TV receivers available for the Mac. They all connect via USB, plug into an antenna socket (some include small, portable antennas), and are bundled with a piece of software. Many offer slightly different additional features which meet the specific needs of different users.

The most widely known company producing Mac tuners is Elgato. They develop a range of ‘EyeTV’ devices, and also the widely acclaimed EyeTV Software. The main competitors to Elgato consist of Pinnacle and Miglia. Interestingly, the majority of TV products are aimed at the non-U.S. international market. I’ll note which devices are international and which are U.S. compatible below.

Elgato

EyeTV Hybrid – A versatile DVB-T/DVB-C/Analogue TV tuner and FM radio receiver. EyeTV Hybrid also comes with a video cable for composite (RCA) and S-Video to connect a set-top box to your Mac for satellite or premium channels. This is a very versatile device, which supports most connections (even allowing the use of gaming consoles). It comes with the EyeTV software, a remote control, and is available in European and US versions.

EyeTV Diversity – A dual TV tuner stick that receives Digital Terrestrial Television (DVB-T, or DTT). In “Dual-Tuner mode”, you can watch two different TV shows on your Mac at the same time, or watch one show while you record another. A “Diversity” mode can also be used, which amplifies the received signal through combining both tuners. Quite a formidable concept, with some great functionality. It’s Europe only for the moment.

EyeTV DTT (+ Deluxe) – A compact DVB-T TV tuner with either a full size antenna plug, or a compact version (in the Deluxe edition). You can opt for the standard DTT to receive the basic tuner with no extras, or the Deluxe DTT which comes bundled with a small portable antenna, a remote control and is small enough to fit snugly in the MacBook Air. As with the Diversity, it’s Europe only.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle only offers one TV tuner product for the Mac, the HD Mini Stick. It’s a fairly basic device, with different versions for the US and Europe. It comes with a mini remote, a portable antenna and a carry-bag. Rather than being bundled with the full EyeTV 3 software, they come with a stripped down version called ‘EyeTV Lite’. This still offers most of the main functionality you’d need — basic features such as watching, scheduling and recording TV. It’s possible to upgrade to the full version at a later date. For the price, however, you’d be better off opting for one of Elgato’s devices in the first place.

Miglia

And so we come to the final offering — Miglia’s TV Mini devices. With one exception, these are all non-U.S. — only the TVMicro Express works in the USA. The product lineup from Miglia is as follows:

• TVMini+ – A portable tuner with support for digital & analogue TV, as well as connecting composite and S-Video.
• TVMini 2 – Featuring a compact design, perfect for thin Apple laptops.
• TVMini Express – The budget version, with a relatively compact size and no frills.
• TVBook Pro Express – An unnecessarily long name, but this tuner fits into the ExpressCard slot in the MacBook Pro. Clever!
• TVMicro Express – The international version of the TVMini Express, working worldwide.

Miglia have an extensive line up, and you’ll probably find that only a few of their devices are available where you are. They all come bundled with Miglia’s own TV software, which supports recording, scheduling, integrating with an online TV guide and exporting into iTunes/iPod/Apple TV etc.

Conclusion

It is clear to see that the different companies producing Mac TV products are differentiating their lineup in a similar way. You’ll need to decide whether you want: (a) a compact and budget device; (b) one which supports composite and S-Video inputs; (c) one which fits into an ExpressCard slot; or (d) one with multiple tuners for simultaneous recording/viewing.

Software is also a very important consideration. The definitive market leader is EyeTV 3, which undoubtedly provides a wide range of features. However, if you’re looking to save a few hard earned pennies and don’t require the latest and sleekest software, opting for a device offering EyeTV Lite or MigliaTV could be a cheaper option.

Regardless of which you opt for, I hope this article has opened your eyes to the range of options available and will allow you to make a better informed decision!

Note: There are also a number of TV tuner devices which support hardware encoding of TV shows to a H.264 format. I haven’t covered these in this review (to keep it to a readable size!) but may do so in a future post.

Whatever system hardware you’re using, including the port-impoverished new 13″ MacBooks, SimpleTech’s new Duo Pro Drive should have you covered.

The Duo Pro supports a variety of different backup options, including Apple’s OS X 10.5 Time Machine as well as SimpleTech’s own Fabrik Ultimate Backup, and its aluminum and grey colored plastic case harmonizes with Apple’s array of aluminum enclosures.

With its 1 Terabyte capacity (pre-formatting, 500 GB and 750 GB are also offered), the Duo Pro drive has ample capacity to accommodate Time Machine backups for a long time for most users. The 500 GB drive I’ve been using with Time Machine for the past year still has more than 200 GB free space.

However, that drive, a SimpleDrive Pininfarina unit, has a couple of shortcomings: first mine is USB 2 only (a USB/FireWire version is optionally available) — real-world slower than FireWire 400, and not conveniently and dependably bootable like a FireWire drive would be, and secondly the Maxtor 3.5″ drive inside it does a passable impression of a 767’s fanjets throttling up for takeoff. Not a problem for occasional backups, but tiresome when you keep it plugged in.

This Duo Pro Drive addresses both these issues satisfactorily. First, the Quad interface supports USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and 3Gb/sec eSATA connectivity. Most Macs built over the past eight years have FireWire 400, and many higher-end models support FireWire 800 as well. FireWire is the no-hassle speedy choice for these machines. USB 2 is slower, and bootability is an iffy proposition, but evidently it’s the protocol Apple has chosen for going forward. USB 3, which will be backward compatible for connectivity, will hopefully address at least some of USB’s deficiencies compared with FireWire.

The Pro Drive is quiet, not inaudible but definitely subdued and no hardship to live with. The internal drive is reportedly a Seagate FreeAgent XTreme 3.5″ unit, although I didn’t open the case to verify that visually. Build quality appears to be excellent, and the drive is backed by a three-year warranty.

The front of the Pro Drive Housing, which is designed to be used in either upright or horizontal (stackable) orientation, is simple, with just a product logo and a power-on/read/write activity light. The back panel is busier, with a power switch, ventilation ports, the AC power adapter jack, a Kensington lock, plus USB 2.0, FireWire 1394a, FireWire 1394b and eSATA ports.

In use, I found the Pro Drive a bit slow to mount over the FireWire 400 interface on my G4 PowerBooks, but speedy copying flies once up and running. FireWire 800 offers even faster throughput, and desktop users with PCI expansion slots can take advantage of Pro Drive’s eSATA interface, which delivers up to 3X the speed of USB 2.0. If your desktop computer doesn’t already have an eSATA port, you can add support with an eSATA PCI ExpressCard such as Fabrik’s SimpleTech ProSpeed eSATA card.

The Pro Drive comes formatted NFTS, which is read-only on the Mac, so Mac-users will, in most instances, want to reformat the drive before using it. Illustrated, “Getting Started” walk-you-through instructions for drive formatting are included on the drive, but of course must be backed up elsewhere if you don’t want to lose them when you reinitialize the drive.

The Pro Drive comes with bundled USB and FireWire 400 cables, a power adapter, and 2 GB of free online Fabrik Ultimate Backup space (more capacity available for a fee), and free unlimited tech support. FireWire 400 and/or eSATA connection cabling must be purchased separately.

The SimpleTech Pro Drive is available from most major computer peripherals resellers. Prices at Amazon.com are $200.99 for the 1 TB unit, $153.18 for the 750 GB model, and a relatively modest $117.02 for the 500 GB variant.

Disclosure: SimpleTech provided a sample unit for this review.