The wait is over for those of you low-end Mac users
itching for PowerPC performance. Apple’s brand new
Macintosh Processor Upgrade card will upgrade any
low-end 68040-based Macintosh with a shiny new
PowerPC 601 processor running at twice the speed of
your current system. The Macintosh Processor Upgrade
card ships with System 7.5 (required to use the card) and a copy of ClarisWorks 3.0, accelerated for Power Macintosh. The card itself contains a 256k Level 2 cache, which is upgradeable to one megabyte.
  Installation
The Macintosh Processor Upgrade has been aptly named—that’s exactly what has to be done. In theory, the installation procedure is simple: just crack open your Macintosh, pry the existing 68040 processor out of its socket, pop the Macintosh Processor Upgrade card into the 68040 socket, and then place the 68040 from the logic board into a socket on the Processor Upgrade card. If you didn’t quite follow that, don’t worry. Apple doesn’t want you to. You must have the Macintosh Processor Upgrade card installed by an authorized Apple technician, or you may void your warranty. The more brazen of you out there may still feel confident you can handle the upgrade yourself; please heed our recommendation. You’ll have a tough time explaining to Apple just how the prongs on your 68040 processor got bent and broken off without your direct involvement.
An important thing to remember about the Macintosh processor upgrade is that the PowerPC performance you get depends upon the original speed of your processor. If you have an LC 475 or Quadra 605 (both 25MHz 68040’s), you’ll only get 50MHz PowerPC performance. However, if you have an LC 575 or Quadra 630 (both 33MHz 68040’s), you’ll have a 66MHz PowerPC machine. This definitely makes the Macintosh Processor Upgrade a better value for owners of 33MHz 68040 Macintoshes.
After the installation of System 7.5 (the Apple technician may or may not have installed it), you’ll boot your Macintosh using the 68040 processor. Once the desktop appears, you’ll have to go the new “601 Processor Upgrade” control panel and to turn the card on. (This control panel allows you to turn your upgrade card on and off as you like, allowing you to get maximum performance from your applications. A non PowerPC-native application must run in 68040 emulation mode when the Macintosh Processor Upgrade card is on. Emulation is not all that fast, and this may cause that application to run slower than it would normally run on a 68040 processor.) After you have turned on the card for the first time, you will have to restart your Macintosh to boot with the PowerPC processor. You will immediately notice your machine has a nifty new start-up sound—a string of chords—which is much more dignified and robust than the tinny, high-pitched start-up sound of the Power Macintoshes.
  Performance
Increased performance is the sole purpose of the Macintosh Processor Upgrade card, and it astoundingly delivers. Of course, to truly benefit from the PowerPC processor, you will have to be running PowerPC-native applications (i.e., application written specifically for the PowerPC processor). As mentioned above, the card ships with a fat-binary version of ClarisWorks 3.0, which will give you a taste of your new- found speed. To really see your Macintosh perform, however, you might just want to select the new “Graphic Calculator” application in your Apple menu, and have your machine graph and rotate a three-dimensional function. But I digress.
Shown at right is a small graph comparing  
the performance of similar powered Mac-
intosh systems: the new Power Macintosh
6100/66av, the LC 575 with the Macin-
tosh Processor Upgrade card, the original
Power Macintosh 7100/66av, and for re-
ference, the original LC 575. The graph is
based upon test results obtained from the
aforementioned systems using Ziff Davis’
MacBench‚Ñ¢ Version 2.0 (MacBench is a
trademark of Ziff-Davis Publishing
Company, L.P.).
Processor Speed. It is with great pleasure
we report that the raw processor speed of
the Macintosh Processor Upgrade card
(running on a Macintosh LC 575) rivals
the speed of the recently introduced 6100/66av, and surpasses the performance of the 7100/66. The reason for this is somewhat obvious: both the 6100/66av and Macintosh Processor Upgrade card ship with an external 256k Level 2 cache. (This is available as an option for the the original 7100/66av.) Because the card interfaces directly with processor, it is able to achieve a greater performance than its older brother, the Power Macintosh Upgrade Card (available for 68040 machines such as the Centris 650; the card plugs into the computer’s processor direct expansion slot.) A system equipped with the Power Macintosh Upgrade Card was not available for testing.
FPU Performance. Despite not being quite as fast as the 6100/66av or the 7100/66av, we found that the Macintosh Processor Upgrade card could certainly hold its own against the mid-range Power Macintoshes. Though not shown in the graph, the LC 575 with Macintosh Processor Upgrade performed FPU functions 7% faster than a stock 6100/60.
Video Performance. We had originally decided not to include video test results in our review, naively assuming that the Power Macintosh’s video performance would be no match for the LC 575’s built-in video. We were wrong. As indicated in the graph, the LC 575 with Macintosh Processor Upgrade sports the same level of video performance as the Power Macintosh 7100/66av!
  Limitations
Before you rush out and buy a Macintosh Processor Upgrade, you should be aware that the Processor Upgrade Card has its limitations. The card, unfortunately, is nothing more than a simple speed enhancer. If you require such features as 16-bit audio, speech recognition, fast SCSI throughput or GeoPort architecture and associated integrated telephony, you best sell your existing computer and purchase a new Power Macintosh; the Macintosh Processor Upgrades provides none of these features.
  Compatibility
Having rigorously used the Macintosh Processor Upgrade for almost two weeks now, I am happy to report I have encountered only two compatibility problems: for some odd reason, some Photoshop 3.0 filters will just not work in native PowerPC-mode (Photoshop reports an application error when trying to use such filters as twirl and spherize); additionally, I have been experiencing intermittent system crashes when using eWorld.
The Macintosh Processor Upgrade delivers over 300% improvement in processor speed and is an extremely good value for low-end Macintosh owners with 33MHz 68040 computers. If you would like to add some real horsepower to your Mac for complex graphic work and you don’t need 16-bit audio or GeoPorts, the Macintosh Processor Upgrade is an excellent way to boost your productivity without bruising your pocket book.
 
  
Global Village Communications, $155 US. ($199 Cdn.)
Requirements: System 6.07 or better, hard drive, 4MB RAM.
Surfing through cyberspace and receiving electronic faxes with your computer has never been easier. Global Village’s Teleport Gold II fax modem is simple to setup and use, and continues the line of solid Global Village products. The package includes everything you need to get started: the award winning Global Village fax software, cables, ZTerm data communication software, an extensive manual and a plethora of online services information (including America Online). What is missing from the package, however, is Global Village’s OCR software; this will remain a component of the more expensive Teleport Mercury modem.
Although the current shipping version of the Fax Software (2.1.4) is not Power Mac- intosh native, it does run in emulation mode. A fully native version of the software (2.5) is expected to be shipping shortly. As with most Macintosh software, installa- tion is a simple procedure: just insert the included disk, launch the installer applica- tion, click on the install button, and voila! A few moments later you are ready to get started. Upon restarting your computer, you are prompted to register your modem by fax. Simply fill out the requested information, and your registration will be automatically sent to Global Village.
Faxing is a cinch. Using the GlobalFax software allows you to send faxes from any application. Press the predetermined key (either the option key, or the command key) and select 'Fax'. Then you simply drag the name from the address book (which you can edit) and then click on 'Send'. Global Fax also includes group faxing (faxing the document to more than one location) and envelope faxing (faxing more than one document to any location). Included with the fax software is Fax Center. Fax Center is similar to a control center; you can view incoming or outgoing faxes, delete previous faxes, keep a log of fax use, create or modify fax cover sheets or change fax settings. The software also includes Teleport Serial, a control panel which lets you adjust the modem speaker level, error correction and compression, select which port the modem will be used on, and reset the modem. It also places a convenient indicator in your menu bar while faxing to show you the progress of the fax, and any important details. The fax software includes four cover pages, but you can create your own as well.
The only downfall to this modem is that it does not include a “QuickFax” option sim- ilar to what can be found in FaxSTF. It is a small application (usually an Apple Menu item) which can send a brief fax to any telephone number you manually enter. There are instances where you do not have the time or the need to go into a word processor to create a fax and send it. This option would have certainly complimented the GlobalFax Software.
The Global Village technical support system is quite thorough and can be reached by, telephone, fax and through several online services. While researching this review, however, I spent thirty minutes on hold waiting for a customer service repre- sentative.
Global Fax Software version 2.5 can be attained through Global Village for $24.95
(if you purchased a Global Village modem on or after November 15, 1994 and can provide proof of purchase the charge will be reduced to $14.00 including shipping and handling). We purchased the Teleport Gold II on January 24, 1995. I contacted Global Village to see if I could obtain a free upgrade; their original press release (which is available on America Online and the Global Village Home Page) stated that the software would begin shipping with their modems in January. The representative I spoke with told me that it would not be shipping until February and that I qualified for the $14.00 limited time offer. The press release is misleading and should be removed.
The Global Village Teleport II is an excellent fax modem; it is simple to setup and a pleasure to use. The Teleport Gold II’s cost is definitely another advantage. With a suggested retail price of $155 ($199 Canadian), Global Village's high-quality modems are now price competitive with even the cheapest 14.4k fax modems. The Global Fax software is far ahead of its competition, and Version 2.5 will ensure it remains so for the foreseeable future.
greyscale display, System 6.07 or better, 4MB RAM,
and sizeable hard drive. Recommended: 68040 pro-
cessor or better, System 7.0.
QuickCam, the latest monitor-top peripheral craze from the company behind the revolutionary Ram Doubler and Mode32 products, comes on like a 'gotta-have' gadget you'll never want to let go. For a little more than a hundred bucks, you can have your very own digital video camera sitting on your Mac!
The innovation and packaging behind QuickCam is so far ahead of other Mac gadgets out there that we believe this will start a new craze in desktop computing. The merging of conventional video broadcasting and computing technologies has never been so appa- rent now that mainstream computer users have access to such eye-opening and idea generating devices.
The QuickCam is both a digital video camera and audio microphone in one. The camera stands about 3 inches high and 3.5 inches wide, with its detachable slip-resistant base. Without its base, the camera is a near perfect sphere with a flexible cable attached opposite to the lens assembly. The camera is about the size of a squash ball and comes with a five-foot cable.
The camera, with its easy to use software components and drivers, can record either a QuickTime movie or a still frame picture. The QuickCam can incorporate sound into recorded video with its built-in microphone (at 5KHz), or a microphone attached or built-in to your Macintosh (11KHz or 22KHz).
Despite its relatively slow serial connection to the host Macintosh, the QuickCam can deliver some pretty surprising movie clips with reasonable frame rates. Video is recorded in a 4-bit greyscale format (or 16 shades of grey), with a frame size of up to 320 by 240 pixels. If you're a camera buff, you will be surprised to know that the camera lens is rated at Δí1.9. Focus is fixed from 18 inches to horizon, and the camera does its own focus interpolation through software. The field of view on the camera is 65¬∞, but shooting an object up close can cause a fish-eye distortion, similar to a wide-angle lens. Depending on your Macintosh processor speed, you can attain up to 15 frames per second when recording. The camera itself has a standard threaded tripod adaptor in its base if you want a taller viewpoint.
Apart from the loss of productive time  
and new found obsession this device has
cost me to date, there are actually a good
number of useful things that can be said
about it. First of all, if you have a Mac-
intosh that does not have a sound input
or microphone capability (such as the
Macs released before the Mac IIsi and
LC series) adding this gizmo will give
microphone capabilities. However, don't
expect compact disc quality sound. The
QuickCam only produces 5KHz sound
samples in an 8-bit mono resolution.
This quality, however, is suitable for Anything is a subect!
small voice recordings and custom error
sounds.
Another great feature is that it's totally compatible with all of Apple's system soft- ware and extensions, along with third-party video software. Adobe's Premiere 4.0 can use the camera as a video input device or sound input device. The camera seems to be fully supported by Apple's Sound Manager 3.0 and QuickTime 2.0. Thanks to Apple Computer Inc., use of the included Apple Multimedia Tuner 2.0 (or later) will improve playback on low-memory conditions.
If you want to play with the emerging ideas of video-teleconferencing, the QuickCam is currently supported by four software packages that accommodate this. Intelligence at Large has a program called Being There, Compression Labs has a system called Cameo, Cornell University publishes a piece called CU See Me, and Electronic Studio produces Face to Face. If you'd like more information, we suggest you contact these parties directly.
However, all good things do have hidden faults. The QuickCam's serial cable should have a longer length. Resting it atop your monitor looks great, but that's hardly a functional spot. The camera can practically be used as an object scanner, but it is hard to make use of it with such a short cable. Additionally, the camera's software does not seem to be AppleScript aware. This makes using the camera with preset scripts or an AppleEvent macro utility nearly impossible. The software also lacks a 'preferences' option—setting the optimal contrast level along with a desired 'save' folder over and over again can drive you to the brink of insanity.
Apart from these minor annoyances, there are a number of incompatibilities that you should be made aware of before you rush out and purchase this little marvel. The QuickCam does not run on a Macintosh Portable, 128 or 512, Mac Plus or SE, Classic, or original LC. This is in part due to the fact that the QuickCam requires QuickTime to be installed, and these Macs (with the exception of the LC) cannot run QuickTime because they lack a 68020 processor of higher. The manual does not state why a Macintosh LC, with a 68020, does not work with a QuickCam.
We also came across a significant incompatibility problem when hooking the QuickCam up to an LC 575. A Connectix representative (who declined to be named) explains:
"Some of the Quadra 605's, Performa and LC 475's and 575's produced by
Apple have defective serial port oscillator crystals. Apparently, Apple out-
sourced this part from two or three different vendors. Some of these crystals
cannot handle Apple's specification for serial data throughput. As a result,
QuickCam currently does not work on any machine with one of these defective
oscillators. Indeed, ANY serial device that externally clocks the serial port and
tries to pump the maximum amount of data across it will have similar
troubles.
We haven't advertised this fact, mainly because there's no sure way of fixing
these machines—any replacement motherboard from Apple is just as likely to
have a defective crystal. We are currently working on a software solution that
allows the camera to work on these motherboards with defective oscillators. The
updated software detects if the port is incapable of performing up to spec, then
drops down to a lower data transmission rate that the port IS capable of support-
ing. This means a slower frame update rate for video on these machines, but it's
a better solution than declaring all of those machines incompatible with the
QuickCam."
PowerBook owners are urged to unplug the QuickCam when not in use as it will drain battery power, even if the Mac is sleeping or idle. If you are a serial device fanatic and already have too many serial cables and rely on a serial NuBus expansion card or a serial splitter, make note that the QuickCam will not function on these expanders or adaptors unless they are solely a hardware split (and not a hardware/software combination). A serial A/B switchbox will function.
Although these problems may seem severe , I have personally had no problems with the camera or its software and drivers. If you are a net-surfer and like to send a candid shot of yourself to outsiders, or would like to explore the growing world of video-teleconferencing, you will find hundreds of hours of amusement for a great price. Had the QuickCam was shipped in time for Christmas, it would have made one great stocking stuffer!
