The latest installation ofMacworld ’s Gear Guide tackles gift for Mac users who are either on the move or propel to take on all comer in Unreal Tournament 2004 . Part Three looks at half - a - dozen gadgets design for travelers and gamers .
Travelers
How to Spot Them : Apple sell more than 1.6 million laptop computer during its 2004 fiscal twelvemonth . That ’s a mickle of iBooks and PowerBooks tucked under the subdivision of traveler examine to make their connecting flight . And that ’s an awful flock of the great unwashed in need of some accessory to make the journeying just a little snatch well-off .
Why We Picked These endowment : These gadgets will keep itinerant Mac users on the go without add significant bulk to their pack - on baggage .
What You ’ll Spend : $ 13 to $ 30 .
Other Ideas : No business organisation traveler who has ever been bound by the little , inconveniently - placed networking cable available in most hotel rooms should be without an AirPort Express . Speaking of indispensable geared wheel , here are some more must - have detail for mobile Mac exploiter .
Java Jive
Say you want to keep a drinkable hot while you work , but you do n’t have approach to a microwave because you ’re on the road . ThinkGeek’sUSB Cup Warmerplugs into a Mac ’s USB embrasure and warms your smiler for 30 minutes , providing heating system straight from your computer . This appliance is also swell for otiose office workers.—CYRUS FARIVAR
$ 13;ThinkGeek
USB Juicer
Do you have a go at it Mac exploiter whose mobile phone earphone always run out of succus ? TheZip - Linq Wireless Phone Chargercan restore their gift of gab . It plugs into a Mac ’s USB larboard and includes a 6 - volt booster . There are two rendering ( I and II ) , so control the lists of compatible phone on the company ’s connection internet site before you buy . For more powering options , you may pair the charger cable’s length with the company ’s bulwark - way out and automobile adapters.—TERRI STONE
versions I and II , $ 30 each;Zip - Linq
Keep Cool
While your PowerBook might make you look coolheaded , theKensington FlyFanactually makes you experience nerveless . This portable , lightweight fan draw power like a shot from your laptop ’s USB port wine . The cord is flexible and durable ; you may bend it in nearly any centering and it will concur that military position . The blades are made of soft nylon , so if you accidentally get catch in them , you wo n’t get ache . Now it ’ll never be too spicy to work outside.—CYRUS FARIVAR
$ 10;Kensington
Gamers
How to Spot Them : They ’ve draw twitchy fingers , heightened senses , and the detectable glow of satisfaction that only comes from having captured the enemy ’s flag during a marathon Halo session . They ’re Mac gamers , and do n’t try secern them that this weapons platform is only good for edit digital photograph and building databases .
Why We pick These natural endowment : For the gamer who has everything — or at least , every cool Mac game to hit the shelves in the last month — nothing helps old biz seem young again like a few ironware adjustment .
What You ’ll Spend : $ 50 to $ 399 .
Other Ideas : Just in cause there ’s a game your favorite Mac gamerdoesn’town , our Game Hall of Fame appear at the good Mac games of 2004 .
Satisfy a Sweet Tooth
If you ’d like to treat a surd - core Mac gamer to the sweetest eye confect , ATI Technologies’Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition cardis just the matter . It supports the pel and shading essence you ’ll see in the latest game ; includes DVI , VGA , and 128 MB of VRAM ; and even has an S - Video connector so you may hook up your Mac to a TV . There ’s also a Power Mac G5 - only Special Edition version that doubles the VRAM to 256 M and nixes S - Video and VGA support , but adds an ADC connector for Apple ’s old Cinema Displays.—PETER COHEN
Mac Edition , $ 349 ; Special Edition , $ 399;ATI Technologies
What’s Your Sign?
have a bun in the oven a PDA and a Game Boy just mean more muddle in your backpack . flux the two with Tapwave’sZodiac : a full - sport Palm OS - based PDA designed for gamers , with 3 - 500 - graphics acceleration on a big screen , a build - in parallel thumbstick controller with vibration result , and a growing library of games . Built - in Bluetooth makes wireless synchronization a snap , though you ’ll needMissing Syncfrom Mark / Space because the Zodiac does n’t number with Mac software.—PETER COHEN
Zodiac , $ 300;Tapwave ; The Missing Sync , $ 40;Mark / infinite
Surrounded by Sound
3 - D positional environs audio is gaining adhesive friction in Mac games , thanks to M - Audio ’s Revolution 5.1 card and OpenAL . Gamers looking for tangible 3 - D sound that wo n’t vex roommates or coworkers will value Zalman’sZM - RS6F Theatre 6 Surround Headphones , which apply the discrete front , center , and rear inputs on sound cards such as the Revolution 5.1 to generate 3 - 500 sound — no signal - time lag trickery here , as on loud curing . Great for LAN parties , too.—PETER COHEN
$ 50;Zalman
