Mac (Under) the Knife: Accessorize Your Mac

This blog post references my cover story, 'Mac (Under) the Knife: Piecing Together the PowerPC Puzzle' in the September 15, 2005 edition of EDN.

Third-party companies have developed numerous add-ons to maximize your Apple computing experience. Belkin's Flip for Mac mini KVM switch, four-port USB2 hub, and six-port USB2-plus-Firewire hub are designed to stack on or below the Mac mini. Other World Computing's MiniStack expands on the hub concept by also acting as an external 3.5-in. HDD enclosure; companies such as ADS Technologies, Iomega, Macway, Macpower, and MicroNet sell similar devices. The Plasticsmith's Mini Tower clear enclosure was very useful in protecting the insides of the Mac mini once we had removed the top of the unit; the Mini Grandstand lets you safely place a display on top of the computer. Other World Computing even makes the NuShelf, a Mac mini enclosure that mounts under your desk. A number of other manufacturers offer custom-designed carrying cases that let you take your Mac mini on the road with you like a laptop.

For your PowerBook, RadTech makes the ScreensavRz, a protective cloth you place between the keyboard and screen that doubles as a LCD cleaner, and Sleevz, which keep the computer's outsides from getting scratched. The G4 Power Mac doesn't offer front-mounted USB and FireWire ports, but if you're willing to sacrifice the Zip drive you're probably not using anyway, GeeThree's Sweet Multiport can help you rectify that oversight. And if you'd like to squeeze two or four more HDDs inside your G5 Power Mac, WiebeTech's G5Jam and G5Jam+, respectively, can accomplish this feat; the G5 Drive Bracket and products from MaxUpgrades and Trans International can also put additional drives inside your G5.