Apple Composite AV Cable: Review

New Features: 5/5

Welcome to the video everywhere generation! Introducing Apple’s Composite AV Cable for iPod (and iPhone). This product is actually an update to an earlier composite AV (Audio & Video) cable that originally shipped exclusively with any iPod Photo. Quite a bit has been overhauled since its initial inception; and the end user is greatly benefited by this update. Unlike Apple’s original AV Cable, which output media by way of the earphone jack, this one is designed to work through the dock port of any iPod. This product includes a USB cable and wall charger, along side the AV cables, so you may enjoy endless media playback, all while charging or maintaining a fully charged iPod battery.

Performance: 5/5

Distinct brands, such as Apple or Belkin, each of which manufacture cables are not typically compared to one another because cables are not typically changing, evolving products. Yet Apple introduced substantial changes to their AV cable line, thus performance assessment is a must. This composite cable allows you to charge your iPod while playing video through any compatible display. Best of all, unlike the previous battery draining Composite AV Cable, this one comes stock with a USB wall charger for iPod; which allows for endless media playback through any compatible device—as long as you have access to power.

Play: 4/5

Any good toy travels and mobilizes well. Not only does this cable travel well because of its small form, but it packs power for other uses that are not immediately evident. For example, you can charge any iPod with this product from wall power, anywhere, worldwide. This feature is not even available if you were to purchase the standard USB Power Adapter for $29. Thus, the included wall charger packs the ability to operate with Apple’s World Travel Adapter Kit—so you are never without power for your iPod.

Productivity: 4/5

Where this device really shines is in instances where your computer could substitute for an iPod for presenting media on-screen. Clearly, your computer is the first source of media storage, which would then be synced or transfered with iTunes to an iPod. Now, the ability to use your computer for other purposes than being the video feed is evident and beneficial. Best of all, your computer could double as additional storage space for all those videos you couldn’t find space for on your iPod.

Price: 5/5

The Apple Composite Cable sells for $49. No other product likes this exists; and from a functional stand point, this device is a priceless necessity. Even after ten uses, you’ve easily recouped your investment and enjoyed every minute of it.

Overall: 4.6/5

If you are in the market for an iPod charger, get the Composite AV Cable. If you are in the market for a video cable for your iPod, get this one. If you are in the market for an accessory for personal use or even as a gift, get this accessory. Although Apple also makes a similarly priced and presented Component AV Cable for iPod, the Composite Cable satisfies a great deal more presentation rooms requirements because of the widely employed Composite inputs found on most any display.

Holiday Sale!

Please see our Specials page for detailed prices and terms and conditions.

Review: Harman Kardon Soundsticks II

The Harman Kardon Soundsticks II are an incredible set of speakers, coupling power and clarity with a stylish design. Minutes from opening the box you will have thumping bass pouring out of these speakers. They will fill up a room and make it feel like you are immersed in the music. The two 10 watt speakers can be angled up or down so that the sound can be perfectly manipulated to provide you with the best listening experience. On top of that, the booming 20 watt subwoofer can be turned up enough to make your floor shake, easily reaching those frequencies you never thought existed. The volume control buttons on the tweeters work on contact, and muting them is as simple as touching both at the same time. These Soundsticks not only sound great, but they also look super stylish. The subwoofer looks like a futuristic spaceship, and when its plugged in, a small blue LED glows brilliantly in the dark. The speakers look like they are made of glass, and aren’t so large that they will dominate your workspace, yet they look stunning next to any display. The only downside to these speakers is that there is no volume level display to show you how much more you can pump up the sound, but this is easily overcome by keeping your speaker volume level and just adjusting the volume on your computer.

I was thoroughly pleased with my experience with the Harman Kardon Soundsticks II, and anyone looking for some quality computer speakers that provide power without compensating for style should consider these first.

Sound Quality:  5/5

Ease of Use:  5/5

Aesthetics:  5/5

Price:  3/5

Overall:  4.5/5

Price: $169.00

The Magic Mouse is here!

We finally got our shipment so come in and get yours for $69.

Fall Sale UPDATE:

This is an update of the previous post regarding the Fall Sale here at the Illini Apple Center.

$50 off of the 13” MacBook Pro (2.26 GHz) and the 15” MacBook Pro (2.53 GHz)!

The older generation of White MacBooks are still on clearance at $799 until supplies last.

We’ve also got a few models of the fourth generation iPod nanos in stock. Remember, if you purchase a fourth generation iPod, you can receive 50% off of a case for it!

Make sure you stop in to take advantage of these great deals.

It's the LAST DAY of the fall sale!

This is your last day to come in and get $50 off of 13” MacBook Pros and $100 dollars off of 15” & 17” MacBook Pros!

Remember, the previous generation of white MacBooks (2.13 GHz) is at a clearance price of $799!

Blue Snowflake Microphone

Small, portable and affordable.  How much more can you ask for in a consumer-level, condenser microphone?  The Snowflake is a USB mic, making it perfect for plug and play situations.  With no unnecessary drivers to install, plugging the mic into my MacBook and starting to record right away was a breeze.  I found this mic to be ideal for recording voice-overs for home movies, podcasts and demos for the aspiring musician.

With a frequency range of 35Hz-20kHz and a fairly flat response across these frequencies, it can be used in almost any situation, but vocals seem to be the best applicant for this mic.  The Snowflake is a cardioid shaped mic which helps give it direction during recording.  Recording levels did seem a little lower than I had hoped, which might have been caused by the fact that it’s a USB-condenser mic, meaning it receives its power from the computer.  But with that aside, the recording was clear.  Vocals were much warmer and fuller in comparison to my internal, laptop mic.

Overall, I was very satisfied with the Snowflake.  I found it very convenient to be able to plug this mic into my laptop and start recording right away without having to install drivers or deal with external interfaces.  With the only accessory being a USB cable, setting up this mic couldn’t be simpler.  I would definitely recommend this mic to anyone doing consumer level work.  Anyone looking to do a professional recording without having to spend thousands, should look at the higher end Blue microphones such as the Snowball.

Sound Quality: 4/5

Portability: 5/5

Price: 4/5

Overall: 4.3/5

Price: $59.00

Design Your Way contest ends tomorrow!

Submit your Tucano sleeve design to the Design Your Way contest by midnight tomorrow (Oct. 23) for your chance to win a trip to Tucano’s Headquarters in Milan, Italy!

Go to this website to submit.

The Illini Apple Center Fall Sale

Until supplies last:

$50 off 13” White MacBook

• 13” White MacBook 2.13GHz $949 $899 (Retail Price $999)

$50 off 13” MacBook Pro

• 13” MacBook Pro 2.26GHz $1099 $1049 (Retail Price $1199)

• 13” MacBook Pro 2.53GHz $1399 $1349 (Retail Price $1499)

$100 off 15” and 17” MacBook Pro

• 15” MacBook Pro 2.53GHz $1599 $1499 (Retail Price $1699)
• 15” MacBook Pro 2.66GHz $1849 $1749 (Retail Price $1999)
• 15” MacBook Pro 2.8GHz $2099 $1999 (Retail Price $2299)
• 17” MacBook Pro 2.8GHz $2299 $2199 (Retail Price $2499)

(No custom orders. In stock only. No MacBook Airs.)

Check out our Specials Page for more details.

Calling all University of Illinois student artists and designers!

Be a part of the design elite! Design the new Tucano sleeve for the 13” MacBook Pro and your design could be selected for Tucano’s Limited Edition Folder Art Collection 2010.

You can win a trip to Tucano’s headquarters in Milan, Italy!

Check out the website for more details and come on into the Illini Apple Center to get a feel for existing Tucano sleeves before you start designing your own.