Brand: MacNews

MacMinute reader Dante Cesa notes that CD-RW configurations of Apple’s PowerBook G4 are temporarily unavailable due to a parts shortage. It’s unclear when the build-to-order option will be available again; in the mean time, Apple is apparently offering customers the choice of having their orders filled with a DVD-ROM model.

The Mac Show, an Internet-based live radio show focusing on all things Mac, has announced their guest lineup for tonight’s broadcast (9:00-11:00 pm ET). Tonight’s guests include Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior director of hardware product marketing to discuss the iPod; Jim Heid, a technology columnist for The Los Angeles Times to discuss iTunes 2 and iPod; and Chris Breen, a long-time Macworld columnist who will offer tips for speeding up your Mac.

U.S. workers spent 4.9 billion minutes using an instant messaging service during the past year, according to a Jupiter Media Matrix report, as unique users increased 34 percent to 13.4 million (or an average of about 6 hours per user). Instant messaging at home, meanwhile, rose 48 percent to 13.6 billion total minutes. America Online, with its AIM and ICQ services, continues to hold the top spot, with 41.7 home users. MSN increased its market share by 94 percent to 18.5 million users, while Yahoo!

Hewlett-Packard this morning reported fourth quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street’s revised expectations. The computer and printer maker, which plans to merge with Compaq, posted a US$361 million profit, down from $841 million in the year-ago quarter, on revenues for $10.9 billion, down from $13.3 billion last year.

Apple has been nominated for three BETT Awards, according to Macworld UK. Apple’s iBook wireless mobile classroom as been nominated for two awards, while Apple’s iDVD software has been nominated for one.