The three products include the TripLog, a mileage tracking tool that helps you manage tax-deductible mileage logging. It can memorize frequently-taken trips, and e-mail them in a log.

The Athlete’s Calculator is Stevens Creek Software’s iPhone version of a software application created for Palm OS. It calculates time, distance and pace or speed and performs both English and metric units and distance conversions.

Handy Randy is a strange name for a random number generator application! Sounds rather fruity, though what it actually does select random numbers from up to three unconnected ranges to help run a plethora of games and help pick lottery numbers.

All 3 of these applications will be available online from the Apple’s Apps Store on July 11th 2008. To register interest in the Apple iPhone Australia click here.

> > click here to shop online with Apple Australia

> > click here to shop online with Apple New Zealand

A range of 1 and 2 year plans will also be available, with cheaper monthly caps for additional handset charges. The iPhone will also be available post-paid on the Optus network for free when ordering the AU$79 capped plan over 2 years, which includes a 700MB monthly data allowance.

The cheapest option includes AU$50 of calls and messages and a 100MB data allowance for AU$19 a month minimum spend and handset repayments of AU$21 per month for the 8GB model.

All customers purchasing an iPhone will receive a start-up bonus of AU$400 credit, plus free unlimited data usage for the first month.

The 3G Apple iPhone is released in Australia on July 11th 2008, if you would like to register interest click here.

> > click here to shop online with Apple Australia

> > click here to shop online with Apple New Zealand

This tiny piece of kit comes fitted with a 2GHz Intel Core Duo T2300 processor, 1GB of memory, a 120GB hard drive, an Intel GMA950 graphics card and a dual-layer DVD writer. The chassis itself is still a mere 165mm on each side, with the only discerning difference being a black square on the writer’s slot.

The big difference between the latest mini and the original is the number of ports available.  The latest incarnation features 4 USB ports, a Gigabit Ethernet cable, a Firewire 400 socket, not to mention a DVI-I video connector plus digital in/outs. Quite a jump from the 2 USB ports on the original machine!

If you’re in the market for a quick Apple ‘fix’, or space is your major concern, the Apple Mac Mini is as small, and as smart, as it gets…

> > click here to shop online with Apple Australia

> > click here to shop online with Apple New Zealand

It featured Intel’s 3.06Ghz Core 2 Duo processor with 2GB of RAM running at 800MHz RAM, plus a massive 320GB hard drive running at 7,200rpm. What really separates the men from the boys is the 512MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GS graphics card, which on the 24-inch built in screen should have gamers across the globe drooling…

The brushed aluminium and glass chassis is a design heads dream, whilst the 2inch thick flat screen has a frame rate of 86.3frames per second at a 1,024×768 resolution – perfect for crisp Photoshop-ing and graphically great gameplay. The screen of the iMac is a sleek, self-contained system with all of the ports located on the back, with an integrated dual-layer DVD writer nicely tucked away on the right-hand side of the chassis.

The operating system not only runs OSX but also Windows, making the iMac an attractive proposition for not only current Apple customers, but also for PC users who fancy a look into what us Apple-heads are so addicted to…

> > click here to shop online with Apple Australia

> > click here to shop online with Apple New Zealand

Dell, the world’s second biggest PC maker behind HP, claim world sales will account for as much as 66% of their total revenue within the next 5 years. International sales topped US figures for the first time ever, with worldwide sales generating 73% of the company’s profits in the first quarter.

These high quarterly profit margins were caused by Dell’s cost cutting across the company, allied with strong consumer demand for higher margin products, such as the XPS line. Dell also pointed to the return in January 2007 of Michael Dell to the chief executives post for yielding greater results and a stronger performance worldwide.

> > click here to shop online with Dell Australia

> > click here to shop online with Dell New Zealand

Despite no current agreement between Apple and the 3 Network, the website will allow customers to register their interest in the iPhone, even though you can’t actually get it on 3 yet!

Vodafone and Optus are the two confirmed Australian networks currently able to offer the 3G iPhone at launch, though the 3 Network remain hopeful they will be able to strike a deal with Apple.

3 Mobile’s director of sales and marketing, Noel Hamill, said -

“Ever since Apple’s announcement that a 3G iPhone is coming, we’ve had lots of calls and e-mails from people wanting to get the value that 3 offers with the iPhone. We want Apple to see just how much our customers want the iPhone.”

3 Network customers can SMS the word iPhone to 333000 to receive a form allowing them to enter their comments directly from their mobile. They can also register their interest on this page, where they can also message Apple directly.

> > click here to shop online with 3 Mobile Australia

> > click here to shop online with Apple Australia

Dell is warning businesses that possible migration challenges lie ahead. Microsoft have suggested that 1GB of RAM is a fine platform to run Vista on, but Dell claim 2GB or larger would be more comfortable.

Dell’s client services business manager Niall O’Callaghan said –

“They need to be looking at the number of images they will be installing and the size of these images. A 2GB image for each user will have a big impact. We are set up to give people all the guidance and support they need for this but we are not here to promote Microsoft and tell people they should buy it. We can show them the advantages of Vista and what they need to put in place to begin to move across.”

In the last month alone Microsoft have sold more than 40 million units of Vista, though most of these sales were made to consumers rather than businesses. With Vista being such a big, complex programme, application migration is the key area that needs thorough testing.

> > click here to shop online with Dell Australia

> > click here to shop online with Dell New Zealand

With much lower component costs, the profit margins are expected to exceed 50%, which is higher even than Apple’s most popular gadget – the iPod.

Research firm iSuppli Corp. performed a ‘virtual teardown’ to create estimates of iPhone content, suppliers and costs. This research doesn’t include the costs of software development, shipping, distribution and packaging.

Principal analyst for iSuppli, Dr. Jagdish Rebello said -

‘The new iPhone is significantly less expensive to produce than the first-generation product, despite major improvements in the product’s functionality and unique usability, due to the addition of 3G communications’

The hugely anticipated 3G Apple iPhone is released in Australia, and 11 other countries worldwide, on July 11th 2008.

You can pre register your interest in the iPhone here.

> > click here to shop online with Apple Australia

> > click here to shop online with Apple New Zealand

The phone itself will be available in 8GB and 16GB formats; though don’t be surprised to see a 32GB model available very soon. For some people an iPhone simple doesn’t have the memory to work as an out and out iPod, so I’m sure Apple will deal with this as they did with the iTouch and already have a bigger one in the pipeline.

Ah, the iPod Touch. What exactly will happen to these is slightly unsure as they are almost twice the price of their memory comparative iPhone, without the GPS or phone part. I guess if you’re already happy with your mobile then an iTouch is an option, but I can see a lot of people choosing the iPhone over the iTouch due to it’s ‘all in one’ capacity (I certainly am).

The iPhone’s GPS capabilities allow TomTom-esque turn-by-turn driving directions This is quite a feat for a mobile phone, though the location based social network meaning people can determine EXACTLY where you are, may not go down quite as well…

‘Where are you? Your dinners getting cold.’

‘I’m in the gym’

‘No you’re not, you’re in the pub!’

With the new pricing policy of the 3G iPhone, it looks like it’s going to be a head to head battle with the Blackberry in this summer’s smart phone war. The iPhone has a much bigger screen, multi touch input, and of course the iTunes Store. Plus it’s going to be cheaper than a Blackberry, though the 18 month contract may put off some people.

Another string to Apple’s marketing bow is their latest software – MobileMe. This allows PC users as well as Mac customers to easily sync the iPhones to their desktop computers for keeping their mail and contacts. MobileMe’s web-based applications also look like being the first Apple service that lives up to the high standards of Apple’s traditional desktop software.

The big question is, with the Apple iPhone encompassing so many different Mac products in one package, will the iPhone faze out some of the other Apple gadgets?

> > click here to register interest in the Apple iPhone today

> > click here to shop online with Apple Australia

> > click here to shop online with Apple New Zealand

Decisions, decisions. The memory, the processing speed, the soundcard, the screen size, the endless poetry. It almost makes you want to cellotape a walkman to an abacus with a few sheets of lined paper attached to the top and be done with it. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Clear your mind Grasshopper, and think clearly into what your heart desires. For only with a heart and mind working in perfect symmetry can one call judgement on what a man truly needs …

Right, now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s have a look at what’s the right package for you.

Basic Computing Needs
If your needs are basic, then you don’t have to spend a fortune on getting set up with something nice and functional. Specialist providers such as Dell computers offer low range laptops are available at very reasonable prices (from just $699 at time of writing), and if your main aim is to browse the web, send emails, watch DVD’s and upload photo’s, then breaking the bank seems a little pointless -you wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and drive it at 20km per hour, now would you? The only downside to the cheaper end of the market is processing speed and weight of machine, so as long as you’re not planning on hacking into the CIA central computer system from the top of Mount Everest you’re onto a winner.

Mid-Range Computing Needs
A slightly more expensive machine comes with all the perks you’d expect for paying that little bit extra. A lighter, more portable machine is an obvious plus for people on the go, plus the faster processing speed means, well, your machine works a lot faster. This opens up a world of new software which a cheaper machine would struggle to handle, especially if you’re planning on editing not just photo’s, but music and video. So if your formation dance team think it’s struck gold with its latest routine and it’s time for dance floor domination, this is the type of machine you’ll need to share it with the world.

Top End Users
OK, so you’re the big man on Campus. Then you’re going to need a top of the range, high powered monster machine that’s going to not only iron your shirts, but allow you to use super slick editing facilities at the speed of sound. Plus enough memory to store every full script from the Police Academy series, and so light in weight that it would almost float away if it wasn’t being pinned down by your fingers constantly prodding at it. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, not entirely. You’re going to have to dig deep to afford one of these beauties, as they can be almost double the price of the mid range machines, plus, your new found mug-ability rating will go through the roof! I guess you pay the cost to be the boss. (Please note - notebooks will not actually iron your shirts!). Great high end laptops are available from :

• Dell Australia
• Dell New Zealand
• Apple Australia
• Apple New Zealand
• Alienware Computers - especially built for gaming