Stan's List

AppleInsider reports, that it is likely “Apple Computer will re-brand its iBook consumer notebooks under the “MacBook” moniker when it releases new models based on Intel Corp.’s Core Duo processors later this month”. More …

Maine’s Department of Education and Apple Computer have reached agreement on a contract that extends the historic Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) with Apple iBooks for four more years according to a Maine press release.

Soon laptop batteries could last all day and be recharged from a cartridge. BBC News has a piece on fuel cells as laptop batteries, and what their adoption could mean for laptop usage.

“At the Cebit technology fair in Hanover, Taiwanese hi-tech firm Antig said its fuel cells should be on the shelves of computer shops by early 2007. The first versions of the methanol-using units should keep a laptop going for up to nine hours. Fuel cell technology got a boost recently when international air flight regulators changed rules that banned passengers from carrying flammable methanol onto aircraft.” More …

MacInTouch has published an extensive survey (10,627) of Mac portable reliability and service patterns. Here’s a snapshot of the numbers they’re reporting:

• Overall average: 41% repaired (lifetime)

• Most-reliable—Original (colored) iBooks, PowerBook G3, 12-inch PowerBook (’05), recent 12-inch iBooks

•Most-troublesome—iBook G3 (especially ‘03 models), 15-inch TiBook, 15-inch Al-Book G4 (first version)

Digitimes reports that Asustek Computer will have a 12 inch laptop that will join with Sony, Toshiba and Fujitsu LED notebooks as the fourth to do so. The LED displays have major advantages in weight and power usage with a slight increase in cost over the LCD displays

Macworld UK reports on an Apple education deal which may point to a January release for Intel-based Macs.

Macworld UK cites a Kinston Free Press report which states, “The school system will sell its 2,041 existing laptops before Apple announces its new product lines on January 9, 2006.”

The new deal for the school system will save around a million dollars. The report appears to suggest that Apple will release new notebook products at MWSF in January, although it is unclear whether these would be iBooks, PowerBooks, or both.

I put my bet on PowerBooks, especially with Intel’s announcement on the 5th of January.

Apple is offering “free” overnight shipping on a range of Macs in each of its product lines. This offer applies only to stock models, so regular charges apply when shipping BTO kit.

Use these links to track down eligible models:

• PowerMac G5

• iMac G5

• iBook

• Mac mini

Naturally, some restrictions and quid pro quos apply, but Apple does state that product will ship within 24 hours of it being ordered (not necessarily the same day).