Stan's List

This article provides links to information about third-party peripherals and devices that are compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Compatible devices include:

video cameras

digital cameras

storage devices

scanners

monitors and projectors

input devices

printers

sub-link to tablets that work with Ink

Mac OS X 10.4: Included printer drivers and PostScript PPD files

One of the very few problems reported about Mac OS X 10.4.5 is 3rd party mice and keyboards for which the shareware USB Overdrive is installed, will now use the settings in the Keyboard and Mouse control panel as USB Overdrive is broken in the update. USB Overdrive, has released version 10.4.5 which, not surprisingly, is compatible with Mac OS X 10.4.5.

The VerticalMouse 2 is shaped like an ordinary mouse, only turned 90 degrees so that your arm is in a natural ‘handshake position.’ ExtremeTech’s review of the VerticalMouse 2 suggests that its horsepower and familiar feel make it a worthy candidate to replace a horizontal mouse. Some of the drawbacks include its $75 price tag and difficulty to pick up in 3D gaming scenarios.

Computerworld has interviewed Kurt Gerecke, an IBM storage expert and physicist who claims burned CDs only have a two to five-year lifespan, depending on the quality of the CD.

“The problem is material degradation. Optical discs commonly used for burning, such as CD-R and CD-RW, have a recording surface consisting of a layer of dye that can be modified by heat to store data. The degradation process can result in the data ’shifting’ on the surface and thus becoming unreadable to the laser beam.” Gerecke recommends magnetic tapes to store pictures, videos and songs.”

Conrad Weiler noticed a Mossberg article in which the author manages to give Apple another compliment, though a bit other handed.

Know everything (well, almost everything) there is to know about every Mac ever made, all for free. Mactracker also includes info on Apple monitors, printers, cameras, AirPort Base Stations, iPods, etc. Download the update from within the application or the authors web page.

According to the Read Me file,

“Mactracker 4.0.2 adds a “Timeline” option to view models by date introduced, adds updated history information for latest iPods and the main window now uses the “Unified title/toolbar” appearance under Mac OS X 10.4 if “Use brushed metal appearance” is not checked in the preferences.”

Forbes thinks this will happen, and that Apple will also enter more new markets.

“2006 will undoubtedly mark another major year in Apple’s transformation, but its new markets bring together tougher competition,” said a Goldman Sachs research note. “If early indications from suppliers prove correct, Apple is likely to move further from its Mac core in 2006, leveraging its brand and building on the consumer success of iPod.”

The Miami Herald reports that Seagate Technology, the world’s largest disk drive maker, will attempt to purchase its struggling rival, Maxtor of Milpitas, in a stock deal valued at about $1.9 billion “It’s the latest merger in an industry that has seen the number of players dwindle over the years amid fierce competition. This could cause antitrust scrutiny.

MacFixIt has had a number of reports from readers who just plug in the device, like a wireless PC card, and it just works. Usually with no additional software.and at a much cheaper price. Some reported devices:

Linksys WCG200 wireless router

Verizon CDMA Express Network PC Card

D-Link DWL-G122 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter

Samsung SPH i500 smartphone

Linksys WPC54GS v1.1 PC card

Dell printers (usually repackaged brand printers) which may have an alternative Mac driver.

Apple’s PowerBooks and iPods are # 1 in PC World’s reliability surveys – for the second year running, in the PowerBook’s case.

The survey was comprised 35,000 PC World readers. Apple PowerBooks shared laptop honors with Lenovo’s (formerly IBM’s) ThinkPads for support, service and reliability. Somewhat surprisingly, Mac desktops rated less highly.

Customers were satisfied with Mac desktops’ reliability, but the survey results noted, “Apple’s scores for failed components and failed core components slipped into the average range.”