Sonnet Technologies, the company that specializes in processor upgrade cards for Macs, has introduced a new speed to its line of Crescendo PCI upgrades and simultaneously sliced prices up to US$150 on several of its G3 and G4 processor upgrades.
“As we are preparing to introduce our Mac OS X installer for these platforms, Sonnet feels that it is important to offer the best values possible,” Robert Farnsworth, president and CEO of Sonnet, said. “These new prices, combined with our new 450MHz G3, provide a solution for virtually every need.”
Sonnet’s OS X installation solution is scheduled for release in early June. The next generation operating system, released on March 24, supported only “native” G3 and G4 systems, per Apple’s official specs. Sonnet’s announcement covers a much wider array of upgraded Macintosh and compatible models, plus a program to support customers of Newer Technology’s processor upgrades, according to company spokesperson Joy Hsu.
Sonnet’s new speed for Crescendo/PCI upgrades is:
The company’s reduced prices in Crescendo/PCI upgrades are:
The Crescendo/PCI G3 line of products runs in all of the following Mac systems: Power Mac 7300/7500/7600/8500/8600/9500/9600; Workgroup Server 7350, 8550, 9650; Daystar Genesis; PowerCenter, PowerCenter Pro, PowerCurve, PowerTower, PowerTower Pro, PowerWave; and UMAX J700/S900.
Sonnet’s new lower prices in Crescendo/NuBus upgrades are:
The company’s line of Crescendo/NuBus G3 and G4 cards are compatible with the following Mac models: Power Mac 6100, 7100, 8100; Performa 611X; WGS 6150, 8150, 9150; Power Computing 100, 120; and Radius System 100, 81/110.
Sonnet’s new lower price in the Crescendo PowerBook 1400 upgrades is $239.95 for the Crescendo/PB G3-333-1M, reduced from $349.95. The Crescendo/PB upgrade cards are compatible with the following: PowerBook 1400, 1400c/117, 1400cs/117, 1400c/133, 1400cs/133, 1400c/166.
The new prices in Encore upgrades are $349.95 for the Encore G3-500-1M (down from $399.95) and $299.95 for the Encore G4-400-1M (down from $349.95). The Encore G3 and G4 cards are compatible with the following Mac systems: G3 All-in-One; G3 Blue & White; G3 Desktop; G3 Mini Tower; G3 Server; and G4 Graphite.
Sonnet also dropped its price on the Tango FireWire/USB from $139.95 to $129.95.
Early next month, Sonnet Crescendo/PCI G3 and G4 owners will be able to download an installer to run Mac OS X on any of the models mentioned above. The next generation’s compatibility in these machines will match that in Power Mac G3s, according to Sonnet. The solution will be accessible from the Sonnet Web site for a download fee of $29.95.
In March, the folks at Sonnet said they were “committed” to providing broad support for Mac OS X. Company officials added that while Apple has officially dropped support for pre-G3 systems, they were “preparing to deliver the future to many of these loyal users.”