PowerMacG5
Latest
Who'd have thought the Power Mac G5 made a good bench?
Like it or loathe it, you have to admit that the design of the Power Mac G5 was a very clever way of getting around the system's legendary thermal issues. It was no surprise that the ol' cheesegrater was kept around for the Mac Pro, at least until last year's solid-state revolution. But what of the numerous G5 chassis that are now lingering in attics, skips and warehouses? If you don't want to gut one to use for your own high-end PC, then Klaus Geiger is more than happy to turn them into furniture. As part of his Benchma[®]c project, two G5 cases and a plank of Walnut is all you need to make a pretty nifty park bench. There's more images down at the source, but you'll have to excuse us, as we're just off to put our collection of Rodrigo Alonso furniture on eBay.
The greatest Apple product leaks of all time
There's been much buzz these past couple of days around the leaked images and videos of the 4th generation iPhone. Despite the current hubbub, secrecy is at the heart of the Apple ethos, and it serves two primary purposes: to protect trade secrets, and to create a buzz. When products leak, it's like finding out about your own surprise party. Most of the fun is gone. Hell hath no fury like Steve Jobs finding out about leaked Apple products. Over the past decade, Steve has had many reasons to unleash his anger about leaked products; let's take a look at the rogue's gallery.
Turn that old Mac into a functioning clock
Let's say you have a Mac collecting dust in the corner of your garage. Rather than succumb to your spouse's demands and send the old friend to computer heaven, why not re-purpose that Mac into something both functional and beautiful? Cult of Mac points us to one enterprising hardware modder who has converted the base of his iMac G4 into a round wall clock. Take a look above on the left for the final result of his Dremel-sourced endeavor. This Apple fan from Japan was also kind enough to post photos of his DIY adventure [Google Translate link]. Check out another image below; the aluminum really pops on the dark wall. Additionally, it seems that the inspiration for the iClock came from another Japanese modder who converted his PowerMac G5 into a functioning timepiece as well. Seen at the top on the right is the completed product. When all is said and done, it seems as though the PowerMac is still usable as computer. This qualifies the creator's work to be considered a "case mod" rather than an all out butchering -- which is ideal because a chopped Mac is a sad Mac. The PowerClock owner also posted in-progress shots of his work [Google Translate link]. I tend to fall in the camp that favors "software" modification, believing that for any piece of computing hardware there is some flavor of Linux that can breathe in new life. Unfortunately, however, sometimes Macs and PCs alike simply bite the dust and are only good for conversion into clocks or lamps.
MCE's 8x internal Blu-ray burner for Mac Pros now shipping, great for anything but playing Blu-ray movies
Here's some perspective: when MCE first released its internal Mac Pro Blu-ray burner, it boasted 2X speeds for a hefty $699 price tag. Cut to present day, when the new generation of the drive that's a noticeably faster 8X Blu-ray read / write and 16X DVD±R/W, all for a hair under $400. Works with Adobe Premier Pro, Final Cut Pro and Roxio Toast 10 Pro ... but if you want to play studio Blu-ray movies, you'll have to either dual boot Windows or wait until some indeterminant time when Apple adds BD support for OS X. Them's the breaks.[Via Macworld]
Nervian's CardReader Pro fits right in with PowerMac G5 / Mac Pro
As your never-ending quest to find peripherals specifically made to match beautifully with your PowerMac G5 / Mac Pro continues, we've one that'll surely shoot right to the top of your must-have list. Nervian's CardReader Pro slips just under the front handle of your tower, providing (almost) integrated card reader functionality without putting a damper on your rig's style. Better still, the USB 2.0 unit supports 52 different flavors of flash memory, ensuring that just about every card you toss in there will mount in short order. There's no word on how costly this will be when it ships in October, but those definitely interested can nab 15% off by signing up for details at the outfit's website.[Thanks, choco]
MCE intros Blu-ray burner for Mac Pro, Power Mac G5
Japan's Logitec may have been the first to lay claim to a Mac-compatible Blu-ray burner, but it looks like MCE Technologies gets the bragging rights for the first Mac-friendly internal burner, which also has the added benefit of actually being available 'round these parts. As with the Logitec, MCE's Mac Pro and Power Mac G5-compatible drive will give you 2x reading and writing speeds on Blu-ray discs, as well as the usual less-than-speedy burning times for CDs and DVDs. The key to the Mac compatibility is, of course, Roxio's Toast 8 Titanium software, which first declared its Mac Blu-ray support last summer but so far hasn't been able to put it to much use. While you'll have to crack open your case, you will be somewhat rewarded for your effort, with drive setting you back considerably less than Logitec's external offering, available now direct from MCE for $699.[Thanks, Dave]
Apple announces PowerMac G5 Repair Extension Program for Power Supply Issues
Earlier today Apple announced their The Power Mac G5 Repair Extension Program which applies to Power Mac G5 systems that have "power-related issues as a result of a specific component failure within the computer's power supply." In other words, if your G5 isn't starting up and your serial number falls conveniently within ranges indicated, Apple will fix you up on the house. Apple says there are no known safety issues caused by this component failure. Having a G5 for a paperweight is overkill, however, so you might as well let them fix it.From the info page:The affected Power Mac G5 models were sold between approximately October 2005 and August 2006 and feature Dual 2GHz, Dual 2.3GHz or Quad 2.5GHz PowerPC G5 processors.If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) determines that your Power Mac G5 computer is eligible as part of the program, the power supply repair will be covered by Apple for up to two years from the original date of purchase even if your Power Mac G5 is out of warranty. This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of the Power Mac G5.Affected systems will exhibit one of the following power-related symptoms: System will not start up after the power button is pressed No LED activity Note: If your Power Mac G5 is not experiencing any of these symptoms, you do not have to contact Apple or any Apple Authorized Service Provider. The affected Power Mac G5 computers have serial numbers where the first 5 digits fall into the ranges noted below. The Power Mac G5 computer's serial number is located inside the case directly below the air deflector, along with other configuration information.Serial Number RangesCK539xxxxxx - CK608xxxxxx G8539xxxxxx - G8608xxxxxx YM539xxxxxx - YM608xxxxxx RM539xxxxxx - RM608xxxxxxBy the way, if you've been bitten by this bug and already paid for out of warranty repairs that would now qualify under this program, Apple or the AASP that did the repair should be contacting you about starting the reimbursement process - but you might want to contact them first to get the ball rolling.If you're a G5 owner, leave us a comment and let us know if your system is one of the ones affected!
Apple's Mac Pro case, same as the old case (almost)
According to Apple Insider's latest information, it looks like Apple's upcoming Intel-based Mac Pro desktop is going to end up looking pretty much the same as the current Power Mac G5 that it's replacing, with only a couple of small modifications. The biggest change is the addition of a second optical drive slot (seen in an artist's rendition, above), which Apple Insider rightly speculates will probably ship empty in the initial units, giving users the choice to add a Blu-Ray or HD DVD drive as their wallet permits. The other change comes at the rear of the unit, where the power supply has been moved further to the top, bringing it more in line with Windows PC designs. Of course, this could just be a diversion to make it an even bigger surprise when Jobs unveils a radically redesigned system at a hastily arranged "special event", but we wouldn't bet on it.[Thanks, Bababooie]
Weekend Review: This week's rigs
Each week, we recap the Rigs of the Day that have graced our pages over the past seven days, and crown a "Rig of the Week." Here is the current entry.Reader *nathan asks, "Where did the computer go?" Let's hope he got that thing back together. jasonsewell wow'd us with the 50" TV connected to his Mac mini running FrontRow. His set up makes the TV I won in college in 1989 seem even more pathetic.* In fact, we were so stunned by jasonsewell's set up, what we went on a bit of a multimedia rig frenzy. Reader ICULOOKN had a similar arrangement, with the clever addition of an iSight camera, and beenester decided to use a G5 Powermac as his multimedia Mac. Very cool.OndraSoukup believes in raising Mac addicts from the start, and Zennifer attached a swivel arm to the back of her G5 iMac for a very cool floating effect. So which is the Rig of the Week? We've got to go with Zennifer's floating iMac. Sure, the swivel arm is kind of bulky, but you won't see it while working. We really like it. Well done!If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We select one image to highlight each day, and crown a Rig of the Week on Sundays.*Yes, I still use a TV I got in college in 1989 as my primary TV. It's sad.
Rig of the Day: Thomas Dolby's setup
Yes, that Thomas Dolby. Flickr user randomduck snapped a shot of his on-stage rig which consisted of contemporary and (modded) vintage equipment, all of which is controlled by a dual-processor Power Mac G5. For a more detailed run down of what's pictured, check out Thomas' blog."Thomas Dolby's on-stage Mac rig" posted by randomduck.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Rig of the Day: Multiple monitors
Flickr user and TUAW reader End User's desk, while cluttered, looks like a set from Fox's drama 24. Four displays form a semi-circle while broadcasting the video signals from a dual 2.7GHz Power Mac G5 with 4.5GB RAM...and a couple of PC's. But we'll let that go. Also featured in this shot are a 7300 with a G3 upgrade (even if it is being used as a monitor stand) and a 60GB iPod. That's nice desk, End User. Now tidy up a bit."Desk" posted by End User.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Rig of the Day: A nice home studio
Flickr user, TUAW reader, and slayer of the living dead Zombie Killer is responsible for today's Rig of the Day. His home studio features two 20" Cinema Displays, a dual 2.0GHz Power Mac G5, a couple guitars, a couple of basses and a whole rack of fun stuff. The snapshot has been carefully notated, so you can check everything out."Studio" posted by Zombie Killer.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Rig of the Day: The studio
Today's rig features one serious G5-powered home studio. A huge Cinema Display surveys its domain from on high. Not being a professional musician, I don't even know what most of that stuff is, so maybe reader metanut can enlighten us?"Studio" posted by metanut.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Rig of the Day: Do you have enough displays?
Sure, the G5 Power Mac on the floor is cool, as is the iPod and the Xbox 360. But check out the four image-spanning displays! Is that TUAW on the Cinema display, with my Munsters post front and center? Seriously, could you run Photoshop on this setup or what?"Untitled" posted by scorpioca77.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Big Fat Hard Drives for your PowerMac G5
If you bought a PowerMac G5, or if you're still going to buy one because you hate all that is Intel and you suspect Apple will switch over their desktops next, be sure to check out some of the SATA hard disk options currently on the market. If you choose, for example, to upgrade your drives from the Apple Store, note that you will pay: 250gig SATA hard drive: $275* 500gig SATA hard drive: $575* Now if you buy 500gig SATA hard drives from, for example, Western Digital, you will pay: 500gig WD Caviar SE16 SATA hard drive: $349.99 (shipping?) Or by looking a bit at pricewatch.com, you will find: 500gig Seagate Barracuda SATA hard drive: $340.00 (free shipping) If you instead fish around at newegg.com you may see: 500gig Hitachi Deskstar SATA hard drive: $395.00 (plus shipping) Remember, if you RAID it up, Mix it up! Try to use different models and makes of hard drives for your RAIDs. If a drive fails in a machine, chances are a similar make and model could** fail soon thereafter.From what I know there is only room for two SATA drives in a PowerMac G5 (without adding any controller cards), so why not put in two 500gig drives yourself? Sell that Wow Original Apple Hard drive !!! 250gig !!! Must L@@K! on eBay to offset your costs.* (Algebraically derived from today's Apple Store prices, if you need to see the math, call me.)** (This of course is up to chaos theory and many other electrical factors. Your second drive may outlive even your favorite parrot. You just can't know.)
Rig of the Day: Mind the Mac, Chewie
Last week we posted a rig that prompted reader minty95 to comment, "Loving the rig pictures, but hey guys, what's with being so tidy? How about a few messy desks over the next few days..." Ask and you shall receive.Today's rig comes from narcofiche, and features (among other things) a 20" Cinema Display, a dual 2.0 Power Mac G5, a silver iPod mini, a plastic Chewbacca head, some Ben & Jerry's (I prefer Chunky Monkey, myself) and...well, we're sure there's a mouse and keyboard in there somewhere. This snapshot takes me back to my college days. Ah, youth."messy desk" posted by narcofiche.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Rig of the Day: Drool
Today's rig of the day has us drooling. This shot by Flickr user The Real Dexta features two 30" cinema displays, an iSight, a 15" Powerbook, a 1TB LaCie RAID (yikes), a dualie 2.7 G5...and an iPod sock. It's the sock that puts it over the edge for me (mostly because I still use my grey one, too). There are more goodies buried in there, click around the plethora of notes to see what you can find."dexta_computers" posted by the real dexta.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
