The Mac Observer Forums

NY Times on Apple overseas—difficult but crucial facts for Apple fans

2012-01-26T15:48:58-05:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-human-costs-for-workers-in-china.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2&pagewanted=all

Far too many grievous situations exist to justify or mitigate by saying that “most companies overseas do the same thing.” The writers go back and forth from clear abuses and negligence to reasonable, responsible interventions. I admit, it’s hard to know exactly what all happens, especially given Apple’s closely-kept secrecy in its relationships with suppliers.

As a stockholder, I realize I need to convey my concerns to Apple. They can change this. They can lead in worker safety just as they lead in product innovation.

Macs at GE again

2012-01-24T08:06:33-05:00

I’m retired from GE. About 1994 or so they had the Mac Sunset Program and took them all out. At the time I had a Mac IICi juiced up with an accelerator board.

Someone forwarded this article to me. I’m not a subscriber to the Wall Street Journal so I couldn’t get to the whole article, but here’s the content:

“BY KATE LINEBAUGH

General Electric Co. would seem to be the last place that Apple Inc. laptops and desktops would appear in workers’ offices, but the technology is slowly seeping into daily life at the 120-year-old conglomerate.

Under a year-old pilot project, GE employees can choose Apple’s Mac notebooks or Mac desktops instead of a Windows PC. It now has about 1,000 Mac users and expects their ranks to expand further as more employees become aware of the program.

It is just a toehold: GE has about 330,000 computers, most running Windows-based software on PC hardware.

Apple has been working to get its ...”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203721704577156704148493394.html?KEYWORDS=apple+mac

Stockouts: Mac Pro refresh imminent or will this not be a reliable indicator this time?

2012-01-11T23:19:22-05:00

Don’t want to alarm anyone, but I searched up Mac Pro on Amazon and a few other e-tailers and noticed VERY constrained stock. We’ve seen stockouts of the Pro lately but Amazon has consistently had plenty (or enough not to have an “N left, order soon!” message in place—all other Macs appear to be in plentiful stock). In general this has been the signal that we were a week or two out from a refresh. This time around, we’re not entirely sure the Mac Pro will continue, though. Any thoughts on which outcome this portends?

What Apple Gear did You Get this Holiday Season?

2011-12-26T10:52:37-05:00

With the holiday present buying season winding down, what Apple gear did you get as a present—or just because you wanted it—this year?

iPhone 4S vs. Samsung Galaxy S II drop test

2011-10-17T10:10:19-05:00

Here’s one thing Apple could copy from Samsung.

iPad for writing?

2011-11-30T14:05:02-05:00

I have a iMac Desk Top. I’ll be out of the country for 2 months in the Spring. While abroad, I want to continue my writing on “my great American novel.” (???) Is the iPad2 a good way to do the writing? I’ve read some good, OK and disappointed reviews about the iPad2. Will the iPad3 be available in the Spring? And it is worth waiting for?
Thanks for your help.

Share your favorite iPad apps

2010-04-12T17:08:29-05:00

Which iPad apps are your favorite so far?

(As well all know, the iPad can also run existing iPhone apps. I’m thinking of ones that are specifically updated for iPad to take advantage of its larger display, etc.)

Time machine backup error question

2011-11-11T12:00:18-05:00

After 18 months of flawless service, my Time Machine “could not complete backup” about once a week (works normally all other days) with the following error message:

/...Time Capsule/iMac.sparsebundle” could not be accessed (error -1).

I direct it to the backup disc, but it does not mount. I have to reset to factory settings, and then it functions perfectly for another week. Then error repeats, and I reset it, and it is fine for another week or so.

Time machine is only one-half full.

I upgraded to Lion without problems in July, and no Time Machine problems then. All software is updated. Only change is iTunes update, but that should not effect Time Machine.

Any thoughts out there?

How Long Before Apple Drops the SuperDrive from the MacBook Pro?

2011-10-25T09:46:23-05:00

Apple updated the MacBook Pro lineup this week with faster processors and better video cards, but didn’t change the body design or remove the SuperDrive optical drive. The SuperDrive was never part of the MacBook Air, and plenty of people think it’s short lived in the MacBook Pro now. How long do you think it will be before Apple goes SuperDrive-free in the MacBook Pro?

best Lit/eBook app I’ve come across

2011-12-02T15:31:16-05:00

Really excited about this - a UK publisher have an app with free ‘eSeries’ episodes, reviving crime drama-y shows – someone should ask them to do even more?! Will it work?

http://www.theappside.com/2011/11/10/boxfiction-app-turns-tv-series-into-eseries-written-episodes/