*Update* - Early Friday Morning I received a mail from Tekserve asking I remove the reader's post (which sounded like he worked there) about $79 airport cards in stock. Here's Friday (7/30) Tekserve's email/request:

" We stocked Airport cards to support our local and loyal customers here in New York, we would prefer that you remove the mention from your site. At this point people seem to be buying them to resell on eBay at ripoff prices, and we'd rather have the product to help our own customers.

In the meantime we have put a one per customer and $20 shipping and handling restriction on the item, but we'd rather not go there.
Thanks for your understanding.
David Lerner / Tekserve
Apple Specialist - Macintosh Systems, Solutions and Service "

A reader also said Powermax still listed them (but at $99), however no idea if they still have any in stock. (A reader later said they did, and the adapter card for the older iMacs. However both dealers will probably sell out quickly.)
if you have a PCI slot or PCcard slot, you can often get an 802.11g broadcom based adapter that's still Airport 3.1 and later compatible for less. But for older iMac and iBook owners (w/o Airport Extreme slots) that don't want to use an Ethernet/Wireless bridge or USB adapter, you probably won't find any Airport cards for less right now.

" Hi Mike,
Roxio has now released the Toast 6.0.7 update.

Here's what's new:

New and Improved In Version 6.0.7:

Double-Layer (DL) support for data, audio, video and copy formats.

Data - Create 8 GB data DVDs

Audio - Create DVD Music Albums with over 72 hours of music (requires Toast with Jam 6)

Video - Create DVDs with over 3 hours of video (4 hours when using Dolby Digital sound - requires Toast with Jam 6). Create DVDs from pre-existing VIDEO_TS folders without re-compressing to fit on

Copy - Copy unencrypted DVDs and disc images without re-compressing to fit on single layer DVD.

These features require a double-layer capable DVD recorder and double-layer media.

Setting the layer break is performed automatically for Toast authored DVDs. Any previously authored VIDEO_TS content will be scanned for a suitable non-seamless cell boundary that results in the most equal distribution of data across layers.

The disc capacity gauge near the red Record button now offers a third toggle option of DVD DL, which calibrates the gauge for the increased capacity of double-layer media.

The disc capacity gauge near the red Record button now offers a third toggle option of DVD DL, which calibrates the gauge for the increased capacity of double-layer media.

Burning has been verified to work with the following DL recorder mechanisms:

• NEC 2510A, 3100A, 3500A
• LG GSA-4120A
• Sony 700A
• Teac DV-W58E
• Logitec LDR-HA125FU2/M
• Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-108
• Lacie d2 series (does not make mechanisms, uses one of the above drives)

Discs burned with the NEC 3100A, NEC 3500A, LG GSA-4210A, LDR-HA125FU2/M and Sony 700A currently only play back in PCs and set-top DVD players, but not in Macs. This is due to the fact that, at present, the Mac OS Finder does not recognize DVD+R DL as a valid disc type. The NEC2510A and TEAC drive set the disc type as DVD-ROM, which the Finder does accept. Apple is aware of this issue, and a future update to the Mac OS should recognize these discs correctly for playback.

Simplified creation of DVDs from pre-existing VIDEO_TS folders

New option to create "DVD-Video from VIDEO_TS folder" is added to the Video tab.

"Toast It" contextual menu now supports VIDEO_TS folder. Control-click on a VIDEO_TS folder and select "Toast It" to automatically launch Toast, switch to the correct option in the Video tab, and add the folder to the window.

Automatically creates a "New Disc" entry when a VIDEO_TS folder is added to the main content window. This "New Disc" entry is written as "NEW_DISC" for the UDF portion.

Automatically adds an empty AUDIO_TS folder immediately prior to recording for improved compatibility during playback in set-top DVD players.

Automatically removes Mac OS system files from within the VIDEO_TS folder (e.g., .DS_Store, etc.) for improved compatibility during playback in set-top DVD players. Only files with BUP, IFO, and VOB extensions are included in the VIDEO_TS folder.

MIDI Karaoke (KAR) Support
KAR files are now supported in Video CD, Super Video CD, and DVD formats (as well as DVD Music Album - requires Toast with Jam 6). MIDI Karaoke files contain synthesized instruments and synchronized text lyrics. Search the Internet for MIDI Karaoke (.kar) for more information.

Video Encoding

Improved pass-through (do not re-encode) for pre-existing

Improved status messages during video processing. Pre-existing compliant video content that is passed-through now say "multiplexing" versus "encoding".

General Improvements

Automatically creates additional slideshow buttons to the main disc menu when adding more than 99 images to a Video CD, Super Video CD or DVD slideshow.

Automatically creates additional playlist buttons to the main disc menu when adding more than 99 tracks to a DVD Music Album playlist (requires Toast with Jam 6).

List view option now available in the Edit sheet for photo slideshows and DVD Music Album playlists.

Miscellaneous Error Fixes

No longer returns an error if the mDNSResponder is not running on the system.

Creating a DVD Music Album with a playlist larger than 2 GB no longer returns a -1310 error (requires Toast with Jam 6).

Export of a VOB with 5.1 AC3 audio now works correctly (requires Toast with Jam 6).

Left and right audio are no longer reversed when burning a DVD with PCM audio.

Progress dialog is now displayed correctly when processing multiplexed MPG files in DVD.

Deja Vu Backup Scheduler
New Deja Vu installer updates to the correct version for latest Panther compatibility. To install/update Deja Vu, follow the instructions in the Toast Setup Assistant. Deja Vu is installed in the System Preferences. For usage assistance, click on the "?" button in Deja Vu.

Thanks,
Adam Steinberg
Director, Product Line Management
Elgato Systems LLC "

"New Pioneer Bundle pricing
Bundle#1 was $105.99, now $103.95
Pioneer DVR-107 (8x rated), 5 pieces DVD-R Media w/Jewel, CharisMac Discribe Authoring Software.

Bundle#2 was $112.95, now $109.99
Pioneer DVR-107, 5 Pieces DVD-R Media w/Jewel, 10 Pieces CD-R Media w/Jewel, Dantz Retrospect Mac/PC Backup

Bundle #3 was $115.99, now $112.95
Pioneer DVR-107, 5 pieces DVD-R Media w/Jewel, Dantz Retrospect Mac/PC Backup, Apple iLife 2003 (iDVD 3.x, etc.)

Others unchanged from drop earlier this week. New page listing these
(Superdrive/DVD burners for G3s, Cubes and Powerbooks also available.)

Rebates now available too for OWC customers on their old optical drives!
http://eshop.macsales.com/Service/index.cfm?page=optical_rebate.html
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing"

" ATI Radeon Tool shows free VRAM (like the OS 9 ATI Displays)

Hi Mike,
As you know, the ATI Displays OS 9 (control panel) had shown the VRAM Usage of the ATI Radeon Cards. This Function is gone in the OS X Version.
I made an App which shows the free VRAM again under OS X. It will only work with ATI Radeon Cards. Tested: my ATI 7000, 64 MB, ATI 9700 128 MB, and ATI 9600 Mobile 64 MB

It is an early Version, maybe later there will be an Logging (for Fullscreen Games ). Later there will be some OpenGL Performance Values ( e.g. OpenGL Texture RAM Page IN/ Out which will show how much VRAM ist swapped over the AGP Bus if VRAM gets to low.
Now you can see:

• Quartz Exterme VRAM usage
• OpenGL Game / Bench Usage only if game/Bench is in window mode. e.g. Big Bang Chess (great OpenGL Chess App): 21 MB of 64 MB free (1164x864/Mill)

I used the ATI Displays 3D Option to show how a fixed 4xFSAA reduces free VRAM. lowering free VRAM from 21 MB down to 11 MB. On 2D QuartzExtreme I have 43-46 MB free. The more windows the lower the free VRAM.
(he later wrote)
New GUI Version (Konsole App is the same) with same Link, same .sitx Name

1. GUI can now , if you wish log the values into an file - good if you want to get values with an real "UNREAL" Game in Fullscreen. Timestamp 1-5 Min selectable.
   
2. GUI now shows 2 more values: TexturePageIN und PageOut Bytes.
   PagINBytes change in some Texture is loaded.
   PageOutBytes mostly zero, only if VRAM is getting very low and much textureusage show Values > 0

(it's freeware and will be freeware allways)
greetings Mitch,
Stuttgart/Germany
App:
http://people.freenet.de/amichalak/ATI%20GETRAM%20NOINSTALL.sitx
German Forum Tread about that Tool (foreigners welcome, like the ATI flash Thread early 2003)
NEW LINK:
http://people.freenet.de/amichalak/ATI_GETRAM_NOINSTALL.sitx (NEW: Now there is also an Terminal App included, so you can log VRAM usage of non window mode Games (Fullscreen) in the Terminal.) "

" New Elite 800/400/USB2 pricing
OWC Mercury Elite FireWire 800/400+USB 2.0-1.1 Solutions all feature a 2 Year OWC Warranty + include FireWire 800 Cable, FireWire 400 Cable, USB 2.0/1.1 Cable, Dantz Retrospect Backup (Mac/PC), and Intech HD Speedtools (Mac). All drives are pretested, preformatted, and pre-loaded with free software. Designed to stack horizontally or stand vertically.

300GB 5400RPM 2MB was $399.99, now $379.99

80GB 7200RPM 2MB was $189.99, now $179.99

120GB 7200RPM 8MB was $229.99, now $219.99

160GB 7200RPM 8MB was $239.99, now $229.99

200GB 7200RPM 8MB was $279.99, now $259.99

250GB 7200RPM 8MB was $359.99, now $329.99
.... Some even better deals found on the Xlr8YourMac Specials page ... FW800/400/USB2.0 250GB7200RPM/8MB cache $319.... FW400/USB 2.0 200GB, 7200RPM/8MB Cache $209.00. :)
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing"

" Just wondering if you noticed that the only available original airport cards are not available from any source other than the apple store for education institutions? They're currently going for $150+ on eBay.
peet"

Yikes... I don't keep up with ebay items but did check the apple store this morning - none listed (even on the specials/refurb page). Two dealers wrote to say they were discontinued when Apple announced the Airport Express (and dropped the low end AE base/reduced the price on the AE cards)

" Mike, Just a note from the dealer channel that the original airport cards where officially discontinued by Apple on the day they announced the new airport express. they also lowered the price of the airport extreme card to $79.00. We bought up every card we could find in distribution that day, but we are down to about a dozen left today.
People who think they might want one should grab one NOW, or they will be very expensive in the future.
Fred E.
Product Manager
First Tech Computer "

Another reader in the business wrote:

" Hey Mike, I work for an Apple Specialist, just wanted to let you and your readers know that as of June 28, 2004, the original AirPort Card is available as a service part only. The finished goods upgrade AirPort Card (part #M7600LL/E) is no longer available. This means you should still be able to order an original Airport Card from your local Apple Specialist or service provider. However since it's only available as a service part it does carry a higher price tag, I'd expect most stores to charge between $99 and $125 for one.
Mike C.
Apple Certified Desktop Technician
Mac Business Solutions,Inc. "

In the past I've gotten some good discounts from 'open box' or 'refurbished' Airport cards (never had a problem with any of them) but I have not checked the usual mail order sources for them lately. OWC used to occasionally get a large batch of them also for sale, but I didn't see any listed at their wireless products page this morning. Just posting as a FYI to anyone thinking of getting an Airport (original 802.11b) card. (They may be sold out by the time you read this of course, but the later news item above had 2 sources of the Airport cards for $79 and $99.xx as of today.)

For Macs with PCI slots or a PCcard slot, there are other compatible options of course. And for systems like iBooks and iMacs that have no PCI/PCcard slot, options are USB adapters or Ethernet bridges (both covered in the FAQ's Networking section here and recent news items.)

"New Apple OS X Pricing/deals
Apple OS X 10.1.x Full CD Set/License was $ 5.99, now $ 5.75
Apple OS X 10.2.x Jaguar Full CD Set/License was $32.95, now $29.99
Apple OS X 10.2.x Jaguar Update CD Set + 10.1.4 Full CD Set was $24.95, now $23.99
While Supplies Last, just a few of these bundles left!
Apple OS X 10.3.x Panther Update CD Set was $65.99, now $62.95
Apple OS X 10.3.x Panther 10.3.x Full CD Install Set remains $79.99
NEW:
Apple OS X 10.3.x Panther Full CD Install Set + Apple iLife 2004 Bundle $115.99
All products listed and available on this page.
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing"

" Hi Mike, I have been using microsoft nm-730 since 10.2.8 (10.3.5 now). I have to patch/modify the Plist.info file for the airport package. (the FAQ's networking section has an old report on plist file mods like this from Jan. 2003 but I didn't think it was needed anymore with later Airport updates using Broadcom chip based adapters.) It have the same broadcom chip as other card. However, MS uses different ID. After added the MS ID to the plist.info file, it works as native AE card. I need to do it everytime Apple upgrade the AE.
Feels good when I am using all the MS hardware for my powermac. MS Keyboard, Mouse, Wireless card and Wireless AP.
KK "

For details on mods the card's ID and editing the info.plist file, see this Friday's news page which lists the steps involved and an update notes a better PCI 802.11g card option (and cheap - as low as $39.xx) is the Motorola model which was PNP in 10.2.8 and 10.3.4 here in my MDD and Digital Audio G4 towers. Here's the Microsoft page for the NM-730 PCI Adapter (there's some typos on the bold feature headings on the page - "WAP" should be 'WPA" and "Fullt" should be "Fully..".)
Since he noted having to edit the Plist after every Airport update, most users will just prefer to buy an 802.11g adapter that doesn't require that. (See FAQ's Networking section and earlier posts from this week's news page for some recent reports/examples.)

While on the subject, a reader sent a note about a Broadcom "54G" website that lists companies that make adapters using their chipset. (However the links there just go to the vendor's pages, and as Linksys has done with some of their products, the chipset used can change over time.)

"Concerning Airport 3.x compatible 802.11g cards, a very rough listing of vendors that have sold Broadcom chip based cards is at
http://www.54g.org/54g_products.php
(note - that page URL no longer works as of Monday 8/2/2004. Odd - as was a valid link when I posted it originally.)
Despite the generic sounding domain name of this site, it is Broadcom owned - says so at the bottom of each web page. Earlier in the month I purchased a $29 Air-Link+ brand 802.11g card (model WLH3010) and it works just fine in my Yikes.
Unfortunately both Fry's and Outpost, who seem to be the only Air-Link+ distributors have stopped selling this model. The one they sell now (model AWLH3025) is not Broadcom based and does not work with Airport software.
-Gregg T."

Again be careful when buying adapters that you want to be natively Aiport 3.1 and later compatible - verify the adapter uses the broadcom chipset first if possible, or buy from a retail store that has a return policy.

• PowerBook and iBook: Identifying the right power adapter and power cord--US
• iPod (Click Wheel) pauses when headphone connector is unplugged

• Powerlogix G3/900 in B&W G3 (rated 9)
  (for a comprehensive comparison with apps tests, game tests, install info, benchmarks, etc. of the fastest CPU ZIF upgrades for Yikes G4/B&W G3/Beige G3s, see the review of G3 1GHz/1.1GHz vs G4/1GHz, G4/800MHz and G4/550MHz CPU ZIF Upgrades here.)
  
  (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked on 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.)

DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire (cased) LG GSA-4120B used w/PowerBook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (no native Dual Layer burn support, no native iApps burn support. Suggested trying Patchburn II.)
• IDE NEC ND-2510A (dual layer) in iMac G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (no OS X dual layer burn support to date, Toast 6.0.7 update supports DL burning though. Suggested trying Patchburn II for Panther iApps burn support
  iMac G4 take-apart here.)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-107DB in G5 Tower (OS X 10.3)
  (got one of the rare "DVD RW" ID models, so not supported. Flashing with the firmware linked in the FAQ usually fixes this but he said the flasher would not run on his drive. Suggested trying Patchburn II for Panther if he can't return the drive.)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-AO7XLA (DVR-107) in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (native burn support in 10.3.3 and later, FAQ's DVD section has OS 9.x burn support file)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-107 in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers B&W G3 - G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model and Beige G3 MT Macs)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Western Digital WD800JBRTL 80GB in iMac (OS X)
  (problems noted)

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.)