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JEFF'S LOSTWORLD

 

October 1997 Power News Archive
(Up to November News Archive)

 

Friday, October 31

  • Power is being sued for $42.75 million by TCI Manufacturing Ltd. for breach of contract after Apple bought back Power's license. TCI was the manufacturer of Power's cases and power supplies.

  • I had a chance to speak with Power's Chris Heatherly about the support issues that have been occuring lately. Chris attributed these problems mostly to very high sales in a short period of time, and in a tough time of transition for the company. However, the complaints posted here have gotten the attention of the higher-ups, and we can expect a press release in a few days explaining what's going on with support. Also, full news on how Apple will takeover frontline support will be out by the end of November. In the meantime, you can now track your order online, and software related questions should be send to techtalk@powercc.com or support@powercc.com.

  • If you're looking for some fun this weekend, pick up a copy of Riven. I got my copy yesterday and my hat is off to the folks at Cyan. While I haven't actually accomplished much in the game yet, the graphics, sound, and atmosphere are stunning. Be sure to check out the cool Journeyman Project 3 demo on the CD, too.

 

Thursday, October 30

  • All PowerTower Pro models are now sold out; Only PowerCenter Pros remain and they are going fast!

  • Power Computing has laid off 18 employees (that's half the team) working on the PowerTrip team, citing disappointing sales of the PowerTrip wintel laptops. Apparently, Power has shipped 150 of only 1,000 orders for these beasts. Power is at least partially blaming a parts shortage for the delays (and I can't help but think that it's the same way on the Mac side of things.). An Austin American-Statesman story has more on this.

  • When I asked for end-user status reports on Power Computing's customer and tech support, I never expected the kind of response I've received in the last 24 hours. What is even more appalling is that Power's support seems to have fallen to levels below there it was last year at this time (I personally waited 5-6 weeks for a PowerTower 200e last October.) Users have reported long waits, multiple, inconsistent stories from customer support, and basically non-existent technical support. I'm not sure what's going on (MacOS Rumors reports on layoffs at PCC), but hopefully these user reports will get things back in the right direction. If you haven't reported in with your story yet, please do.

  • So what's the solution? I'm not sure. I did some snooping around at some of the catalog resellers but none had any of the in demand Power systems listed. As always, I highly encourage you to visit the PowerWatch Views message boards (now more than ever) to see what other readers are doing in regards to this story.

 

Wednesday, October 29

  • Many readers, including myself, have also been reporting the arrival of BeOS Preview Release 2.

  • On a lighter note, if you don't have a Techworks Power3d card yet, these F-18 Hornet: Korea screenshots will make you get one. I've had the card for a month or two and it's definitely worth it! Also, the Olympus D-600L (for those interested in digital cameras) is now shipping-- I will be getting on in a few weeks, and I'll put samples online. The digital camera page will hopefully be up in the next month.

  • Speaking of cameras, I'm selling my Olympus D-300L for $550. It takes 30 1024x768 resolution pictures, or 120 512x384 pictures-- it's an excellent camera I can't recommend enough. Interested? E-Mail Jeff

 

Tuesday, October 28

  • Power customers have reported problems in receiving their machines (especially PowerTower Pro models) and in getting support. Two stories:
    • "I ordered my PTPro 225 on September 26th. The salesperson I talked to said she was supposed to tell customers 2 weeks shipping time, but that she thought it would be more like 3-4. I started calling after 3 weeks, just to get an updated time frame. Over the last two weeks, I have been told anything from "early November" to "shipping this week." Today when I called, [name deleted] did a slow whistle upon bringing up my info, and told me it could be another 4-5 weeks."
    • "Well, needless to say, Power's telephone support is less than stellar right now. To get a message that says "Please call back at a later time" is not very reassuring."

  • I'm not really sure what's going on, but I'd like to hear what you've noticed regarding either of these two items.

 

Monday, October 27

  • Power Computing is now sold out of all the PowerTower Pro models. All that's left on their online store is the PowerCenter Pro.

  • Coming soon from Jeff? I may be starting up a page very similar to this one which covers digital cameras. Sound interesting? Want to help? Let me know.

  • Mike Breeden reviews the PowerLogix PowerForce G3/250 card (I hope to do the same soon).

  • PowerWatch will soon have to begin its restructuring -- and I may have a contest to et some help from you artistic types-- so stay tuned!

 

Friday, October 24

  • Power Computing is suing Education Access, Inc. (also known as Computers Plus, Inc.) for "allegedly cashing a payment for 30 computers that Power Computing sold last summer to an Iowa school district," according to an Austin American-Statesman story. (Thanks, MacInTouch)

 

Thursday, October 23

  • While working inside my computer, one of the pins on the power connector to my hard drive busted off; Hence, I am forced to use my Powerbook 3400 (gee, tough life) until I get it fixed, so things may be a bit quiet for a few days. Thanks for your patience.

  • Looking for buy or sell Power hardware? Check out the PowerWatch Classifieds message board. (On a side note, is anyone interesting in purchasing an Olympus D-300L digital camera for around 550 bucks? Let me know)

  • PowerComputing has sold out of their "Half Monty" systems, leaving only the "Full Monty" bundle, as well as PCPro 180 and 240 minitower systems.

 

Monday, October 20

  • The MRP has a review of the PowerLogix PowerForce G3 card; I hope to take a look at one soon as well.

  • Speaking of upgrades, soon I will be designing a totally new upgrade section, so you can keep your Power machine from becoming obsolete!

  • If you've been looking for the MacOS Rumors website, you can find it here, until its new location spreads through the DNS servers.

 

Saturday, October 18

  • PowerComputing now has two deals called "The Full Monty" and "The Half Monty." Here's a rundown:
    • The systems are the same with only one exception (the hard disk setup).
      • PowerTower Pro 250
      • 128mb RAM
      • 4gb RAID (Half Monty) or 8gb RAID (Full Monty)
        • That's either 2-2gb or 2-4gb 7200rpm Ultra SCSI hard drives
      • 24X CD-ROM, ixMicro 8mb video card, Adaptec 2940UW card
      • MacOS 8
      • PowerTron 20" Monitor
    • The Full Monty is $4999 and The Half Monty is $4595
    • While looking at the online store, it looks like they aren't even selling the PTPro 250 unbundled anymore!

  • Slightly off topic: CNET's Ten Technologies that Don't Stand a Chance are pretty interesting (I agree with most of them, except for Java and TV.)

 

Thursday, October 16

  • MacInTouch reports that PowerLogix confirmed that their PowerForce G3 cards work in most of the PowerCC systems--even those based on the Catalyst design. The only exception is the Powerbase, but PowerLogix is working toward a model for that system as well.

 

Wednesday, October 15

  • MacNN is reporting that PowerComputing will completely cease operations in November, after all the MacOS systems are sold out. Apparently, this also includes the shutting down of the Wintel side of the business too. Of course, this is a pretty wild rumor, but I'll fish around for any more news on this one.

  • The $199.99 RAM deal from Bottom Line has been extended through Monday night!

 

Tuesday, October 14

  • MacWarehouse has Powerbase 240LP's for only $1099. If you buy it with the Power 15" monitor, you get a $100 rebate.

  • Power Computing customers should read about Apple's new support policies, since, at least according to Mr. Jobs, we're all back in the Apple family. (Of course, we never left, right? grumble.) Update: It sounds like, from reader response, that Power customers may NOT have to go through with this. I'll dig some more on this.

  • Many of you are interested in digital cameras (I know I am!) -- I've got a growing collection from my Olympus D-300L.. but if you've got a little more money to burn, take a look at the absolutely stunning pictures (a circuit board, a child, balloons, flowers, and a website with links to more) from the Olympus D-600L ($1299). I'd love to get my hands on this beast one day...

 

Monday, October 13

  • NewerTech's new Citation series of processor daughtercards may be a viable low-cost solution for those looking to move into the high speed 604e realm. The 604e/200 model is $359, while the 233MHz model is $449, and they include both RAM Doubler and Speed Doubler. Keep in mind these are fixed speed-- you can't "crank 'em up" like the more expensive Newer or PowerLogix cards, but for the cost, they're hard to beat. Newer claims they'll work on PTPro, PowerCenter, PowerCenter Pro, and Powerwave. I'd assume they work on PowerTowers as well. (Thanks, MacInTouch)

  • I know a lot of you aren't fans of personal stuff mentioned in the news... well, today I say: tough luck. If you like digital photography, I have a whole new section on my Lostworld pages dedicated to it. My latest project was my Walt Disney World trip... even if you don't care about the subject, I've got some super pictures I took on my Olympus D-300L. And, to top it off, I completely redid my Disneyland pages too! Feedback is always welcome (and no nagging me about posting this kind of stuff).

 

Saturday, October 11

  • MacWeek reviews the Newer MAXpowr Pro cards (giving it a great review, too), the X-Factor G3 computer from PowerTools, and has news on the PowerLogix and Total Impact G3 cards.

 

Friday, October 10

  • We've got two special deals going on right now for PowerWatch readers!
  • Please join us for PowerWatch Chat this sunday night at 6:00pm Pacific time! Just bring your Java-enabled browser and we'll talk about what's news! Have a wonderful weekend!


Thursday, October 9

  • Yesterday's ad promotion was very successful! We will hopefully have a few new advertisers online soon!

  • We received a discouraging note concerning BeOS compatibility on PowerCenter Pro's, and I think it's time to rally up the troops:
    • Due to Apple's acquisition of Power Computing, Be has curtailed development of a BeOS driver for the Adaptec PowerDomain fast and wide UltraSCSI PCI card. So, in answer to your question, Preview Release 2 does not have the Adaptec driver with it. Here is the reason why: Unfortunately, the loss of on-going support from Power Computing and the fact that we have a small engineering department with just over 20 engineers, makes it impossible for us to develop drivers for the wide variety of PCI cards available. We encourage you to contact Adaptec and express you interest in the BeOS version of their driver. Customer demand will convince them to develop the driver.
    • Do you want to help convince them? E-mail Be or Adaptec today and let them know you're interested!

  • Starmax.net reviews the PowerTools X-Factor system, currently the only shipping G3 system out there.

 

Wednesday, October 8

  • PowerComputing has posted a status page which basically confirms what we reported last week: Only PTPro 250, PCPro 180MT and 240MT remain. In addition, they are clearing out their monitors, modems, and RAID systems:
    • Powertron 24 only $2499 (with system purchase)
    • Powertron 20 $1299
    • Power 17" $599
    • Power 15" Multimedia $299
    • 33.6kbps modems for $119
    • 4gb RAIDs for $649, 8gb RAIDs for $1199 (slightly higher for core configurations)

  • MacCPU is taking priority orders on the PowerLogix G3 cards:
    • PowerForce 250/250/1Mb (MacBench=960) $2099
    • PowerForce 275/275/1Mb (MacBench=1050) $2599
    • In addition, they have the Newer MAXpowr Pro 250/125/512kb (MacBench=805) $1299 in stock. With none of the Pro+ models in sight, MacCPU is recommending users get the PowerForce instead.

  • Remember that the Newer cards currently only work in PowerTower Pro and PowerWave systems; We'll know more about the PowerLogix cards in a few days. In addition, there are no G3 cards for the Powerbase yet, but stay tuned on that front.

 

Tuesday, October 7

  • PowerComputing is now out of PowerTower Pro 225 systems, leaving only the 250MHz model of that line left. They also have PowerCenter Pro 180MT and 240MT systems, but those are probably going fast as well.

  • But don't fret if you missed the boat on some systems-- a little digging last night found the following (all are in stock as of last night):
    • PowerBase 240LP 16/2gb/12X at MacWarehouse for $1299
    • PowerCenter Pro 180LP 16/2gb/16X at MacWarehouse for $1699
    • MacMall and MacZone seem to have some stuff as well. MacMall's site wasn't working at press time, and MacZone doesn't say if they have in-stock systems on their web page. However, MacZone (888-211-5032) does have all the free RAM configs that Power offered in their latest sale.
    • If you see any more of these kind of details, e-mail Jeff

 

Monday, October 6

  • I must apologize for the lack of updates.. I won't bore you with too many excuses (slow news, web page work, school, Final Fantasy VII), but during these lapses, I urge you to check out some cool stuff here on PowerWatch:
  • Our good friends at PowerLogix have announced their PowerForce G3 cards, which scream past the Newer G3 cards, thanks to their 1:1 processor to cache ratio. They'll cost under $2000, and will have the same adjustable controls as the Powerboost Pro lines, so you can crank that baby up to 300MHz (MacBench score: 1157) or more! PowerLogix says that it will work in PowerComputing systems, though I'm not sure which models at this time. They will ship this month-- hopefully I can review one for you all! If you're looking for a way to get to G3, try picking up an old PowerWave (in which all G3 cards work.. anyone know where to find one of these anymore??), and slapping somebody's G3 card into it.

  • Other World Computing actually beat MacGurus' price on 604e/180 cards, several users reported -- they have them for only $299.

  • We may have a PowerWatch Chat next sunday night, just for old times' sake.

 

Wednesday, October 1

  • Since one of my new goals for this page is to provide info on upgrades, I will keep on top of good deals on daughtercards. Case in point: MacGurus' darn low prices on PowerLogix cards. 604e/180MHz for $319 is quite inexpensive.

  • Look for some slight remodeling over the next few weeks....

  • There seems to be a delay in shipping of PowerTowerPro models due to a lack of video cards. However, the PCPro models are shipping very quickly.

 

(Down to September News Archive)

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