" Mike, Everyone seems to have missed that the new 17" PowerBooks have optical audio in and out. It's at the bottom of the Apple page here
-Erik
http://www.apple.com/powerbook/index17.html

"Audiophiles Rejoice
The new 17-inch PowerBook also includes built-in optical digital audio input and output for connecting to devices such as decks, receivers, digital instruments and 5.1 surround sound systems. Because optical digital audio transmits data as impulses of light rather than electrical signals, it enables true, noise-free, pristine sound Û eliminating troublesome ground loops and ensuring higher audio and signal quality. "

I forgot to mention this in the earlier post on the new Powerbook G4 features.

"(from http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imoviehd501update.html)

About iMovie HD Update
Addresses issues related to video and audio synchronization for DV projects and other minor issues, including:

audio in PAL widescreen

Sharing/exporting HDV to videocamera tape

compatibility with some analog-to-digital converter boxes

importing video from a DV videocamera, such as when using analog passthrough or recording live video."

" iPhoto Poster Technique
Blogger Mike Matas tells how to make a stunning 20x30-inch photographic poster using iPhoto and your photo library. Time: about 30 minutes. Cost: about $29."

" Apple unveiled the fastest, most affordable PowerBook line ever, featuring PowerPC G4 processors running up to 1.67GHz, faster hard drives and a faster 8X SuperDrive - all housed in the signature aluminum PowerBook enclosure. All new PowerBooks come standard with 512MB memory, faster graphics, integrated AirPort 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 wireless networking and two new Apple patent-pending technologies - the scrolling TrackPad and the Sudden Motion Sensor.

(clip from Apple's revised powerbook page on the scrolling trackpad and sudden motion sensor)

Ready to Scroll
Scrolling through web pages or large documents on a trackpad can challenge even the most nimble fingers. ThatÃs why every PowerBook G4 features a new trackpad with scrolling capability. Just drag two fingers over the trackpad to scroll vertically and horizontally or pan around any active window. Change this feature to suit your needs: Customize your trackpad settings or turn off scrolling completely via System Preferences.

Takes the Fall
Now every PowerBook G4 is equipped with Apple's Sudden Motion Sensor to help protect your most valuable asset: your data. The Sudden Motion Sensor senses change in axis position and accelerated movement. In the event of a drop or fall, the Sudden Motion Sensor instantly parks the hard drive heads so they wonÃt scratch the disks on impact, lessening the risk of damage and improving your chances of retrieving valuable data. When the Sudden Motion Sensor senses your PowerBook is once again level, it unlocks the hard drive heads automatically. "

Before I get mail on this I know scrolling trackpad options have been standard on some PC notebooks (although I don't remember if it was available on both axis - there was a software control panel from synaptics on some PC notebooks I used in the past) and I think that IBM Thinkpad ads noted a similar sudden motion feature, but it's good to see these standard on the new Powerbook's.
BTW - Several readers sent a note about a trackpad utility for Macs that has a similar feature:

" PowerBook owners envious of the "trackpad scrolling" in the new PowerBooks should check out the excellent SideTrack at . http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/sidetrack/index.html
Bill D. "

" All OWC Mercury Elite Pro solutions include Dantz Retrospect Backup(Mac/PC), Intech HD Speedtools, all cables, pretested/preformatted, and the longest in the industry - an OWC 2yr Warranty.
FireWire 400+USB2 300GB 7200RPM 8MB Model was $329.99, now $299.99
FireWire 800/400 300GB 7200RPM 8MB Model was $349.99, now $319.99
FireWire 800/400+USB2 300GB 7200RPM 8MB Model was $369.99, now $339.99
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing"

" iTunes New Music Sampler
Lucky 13, Get 13 Songs from iTunes Free
It's been awhile since you've downloaded music from iTunes - and we want to welcome you back with a free new music sampler from Universal Motown. It includes something for every kind of music fan: the sparkling jazz vocals of Jamie Cullum, a Motown classic from Michael McDonald, emerging hip-hop from Akon, the glam-pop of Scissor Sisters. And that's just for starters.
There's also great Alternative (Le Tigre), Rock (Teitur), R&B (Brian McKnight) and more. Who says 13 is an unlucky number?"

Note: although the email was received today - a reader said this is the same list of songs as in the previous free samper mentioned here earlier this month. (And one reader said he had problems downloading - I saw the same thing last time, 'unkown error', although after repeated attempts I was finally able to download all but the last song. I didn't try this one today.)

• X-Plane 8.0.6 (long list of changes)
• TinkerTool 3.3c (italian language pkg update)
• OpenGL Extensions Viewer 2.15 (late posting this)
• Electric Guitar and Electric Piano loops for GarageBand (bandmateloops.com)
• Cinematize 2.02 (DVD movie cllip extractor) (Miraizon)
• Regarding Pfeiffer report on QuarkXpr vs. InDesign (IT Enquirer)

• Daystar G4/500 in (Pismo) PowerBook G3 2000 (rated 10)
  
  (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked at the CPU upgrades page. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

CDRW Drives:
• IDE Liteon LTR-52327S (52x32x52x) in (yikes) G4 no AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (native burn support)
• Firewire (cased) Ricoh MP7200A used with G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support but noted some burn problems in iTunes.)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire (cased) Acer (Benq) DW1620 used w/iMac G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support.)
• Firewire (cased) Pioneer DVR-108 used w/Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (wasn't aware of patchburn3 apparently)
• Firewire (cased) Traxdata RW3500 (rebranded NEC 3500AG) used w/G4 Cube (OS X 10.3) (Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support.)
• IDE BenQ DW1610 in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (listed under "other" brands. Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support. Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 models up to the Digital Audio.)
• IDE BenQ (didn't list model no.) in eMac (OS X 10.3)
  (listed under "other" brands. Assuming he's using patchburn3)
• IDE Emprex DVDRW1016IM in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (listed under "other" brands. Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support.)
• IDE Emprex (16x) in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (listed under "other" brands. Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support.)
• IDE LG 4160b in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3.)
  (Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support. )
• IDE Pioneer DVR-k04 in PowerBook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (native burn support in 10.3.7. noted some mods needed to install)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-A06 (retail boxed DVR-106D) in G5 Tower (OS X 10.3)
  (native burn support)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-108 in (MDD) Dual G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
  (Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support. )
• IDE Pioneer DVR-109 in G5 Tower (OS X 10.3)
  (Using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support. )
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Maxtor 120GB in eMac (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Seagate Momentus 5400.2 100GB in PowerBook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (Reader FYI - PowerBook G4 Ti 15in. LCD illustrated Hard Drive install guide here
  PB G4 15in (Aluminum) Disassembly guide.
  Powerbook G4 12in LCD illustrated Hard Drive install guide here)
• IDE Seagate 120GB in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (Illustrated guide to adding a 2nd HD here in B&W G3 rev2 and G4 towers up to the QuickSilver models.
  IDE articles page RAID section has an illustrated guide for adding 2 more drives in the side bays.)
• IDE Toshiba MK4025GAS 40GB in (pismo) PowerBook G3 2000 (OS X 10.3)
  (PB G3 Pismo illustrated HD install guide here)
• Firewire (cased) Seagate ST3160023A 160GB used w/eMac (OS X 10.3)
  (2 reports filed using different FW cases)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)