Apple posted an update for Mac Pros with 10.5.2 and the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics card on Tuesday. The firmware update improves the system stability, according to Apple. “This update is for Mac Pro computers with one or more ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics cards installed, running Mac OS X 10.5.2 or…
Mac
Detailed Changes to Penryn MacBook Pros Posted
EveryMac has posted the exact details of the changes from the “Mid-2007/Santa Rosa” MacBok Pro models to the “Early 2008/Penryn” models. The story notes the new way Apple measures battery life and that the 17-inch models still use CCFL backlighting. In addition, there are changes to the keyboard in the new models. “Itis also worth…
A Persistent, Rewarding Journey from Windows to Mac
Adam Turner started down the road away from Windows. The first stop was Ubuntu Linux, but he went on to Mac OS X and hasnit looked back, according to his story at ITWire on Tuesday. Adam Turneris first observation addressed a common myth: “… I must say people who say iLeopard is just *nix with…
AnandTech Compares Old and New MacBooks
AnandTech has built a comparison table showing, in detail, the small technical differences between the previous and current generation MacBook, MacBook Pro, and the MacBook Air. Aside from the CPU and hard disk storage options, there is really very little difference between the old MacBooks and the new ones announced on Tuesday. Of course, benchmarks…
ShaggyMac Introduces MacBook Air Screen Protector
ShaggyMac introduced its MacBook Air screen protector on Friday. Designed specifically for the MacBook Air, the microfiber cloth cushions the display when the lid is closed. “Avoid screen damage from key contact, dirt, oils, and residue. Even with a recessed keyboard, the MacBookis LCD is still prone to the same problems faced by most laptops.…
New Macintosh Help Website Debuts
Scott Haneda and Caroline Merchiers have launched the first basic Macintosh help Website, osxhelp.com, on Wednesday. It claims to bring a new perspective to the Mac help Websites currently available. The new site is designed for the beginning Mac user, whether they just purchased their first computer or just their first Macintosh, and covers everything…
Demystification of the Mac in Science
Myths continue to persist about the Mac, even in scientific circles where critical, logical thinking should dominate. Even so, when it suits some PC apologists, the Mac is characterized by its state, circa Mac OS 9.2.2. At Mactropolis last week, the persistent myths about Mac OS X in science were debunked. Steve Jobs is well…
Linus Torvalds Brands Mac File System "Utter Crap"
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald published on Tuesday, Linux Torvalds expressed his preference for Mac OS X over Windows, but described the Mac OS X file system HFS+ as “complete and utter crap.” Nick Miller with the SMH interviewed Mr. Torvalds at last weekis Linux conference in Melbourne. When the Interview got…
Logic Studio Shows Music on the Mac is Back
Weive been reviewing Logic Studio for a couple of months now, and weire extremely impressed. For budding engineers and producers, no software provides a better value. For studio veterans, Logic 8 has the edge on the competition in flexibility, portability, and MIDI functionality. Itis our experience — though this is notoriously hard to prove or…
Organized Internet Criminals Sizing Up Macs as Targets
Organized criminal gangs working on the Internet have started to size up their opportunities with the Mac and users, according to a Sophos report. Previously, organized criminals have not paid much attention to Macs when there are so many poorly protected Windows systems to go after. However, in 2007, according to the report, cited by…
ChangeWave Research: Explosive Mac Sales Over Holidays
ChangeWave Research surveyed 4,604 CWR members in January and found that that 17 percent of respondents bought a Mac notebook in the last 90 days, a 3 percent jump from the previous survey in November 2007. Apple desktops were purchased by 16 percent, up six points from previously. “The results represent an astonishing leap for…
CallWave Brings Visual Voicemail to the Mac
Virtual Voicemail syncs with the useris Mac OS X Address Book and provides unlimited storage and access of messages, with the ability to connect to voicemail via the Web, if the user doesnit have their computer handy. CallWave also offers a Visual Voicemail Widget that notifies users of new messages, maintains a log of inbound…
The Desktop Macs Need More Sex Appeal
Apple makes products that people love to feel, love to own, and love to show to their friends. However, when it comes to the desktop Macs which are often married to the largest displays, Apple has taken a hard, long duration turn into ugly. Thatis not going to make a lot of Apple enthusiasts very…
MacBook Pro, Leopard Score InfoWorld Technology Awards
Apple’s MacBook Pro and Mac OS X 10.5 operating system both landed on top of InfoWorld’s 2008 Technology of the Year Awards list. The annual awards highlight the best and most ground breaking products from the prior year. Apple’s MacBook Pro ranked as the top notebook computer thanks to its Intel Santa Rosa chip set…
Apple Springs 8-core Xserve
Appleis 8-core Xserve
Mac, PC Named Best Commercial Characters
Apple’s Mac and PC transcended the ranks of commercial spokesmen in 2007 to become USATODAY’s best ad-based characters of the year. The characters were portrayed by Justin Long and John Hodgman and appeared in 17 advertisements throughout the year. John Hodgman and Justin Long in Apple’s Get a Mac campaign. The advertisements were conceived by…
Creating Custom Greeting Cards on a Mac
One can buy off-the-shelf Christmas cards, but there are also many different ways to create custom Christmas or greeting cards on a Macintosh. Using iPhoto is just one way, according to Charles Moore in his Festive Mac roundup of card creation software at Applelinks. Mr. Moore looked at and wrote mini-reviews of the following software:…
Podcast - Mac Geek Gab #131: Macworld Tips and Paul Kent Interviewed
Show notes for Mac Geek Gab Podcast For Saturday, December 8th, 2007 Direct Links: MP3 Version or AAC Enhanced Version (coming soon courtesy of Michael Johnston). In this special Macworld Prep episode, John and Dave take a few minutes to share their favorite Expo attendance and travel tips for you. Learn the secrets these two…
Google Unveils the Mac Developer Playground
Google announced on Tuesday the unveiling of its Mac Developer Playground. Google’s Mac team engineers spend part of their time experimenting and developing useful tools and fun software. Now they’ve opened it up, according to Sean Carlson at Google. “We’ve always had a place to showcase our consumer products. Today, we’re unveiling the Google Mac…
USA Today: Thoughts on Switching to a Mac
Many consumers are pondering the switch to Mac this holiday season. For those who are, Edward Baig has provided a most cogent synopsis of what makes the Macintosh so appealing at USA Today on Wednesday. In what may be one of the best written and balanced essays ever on why potential Switchers should consider Mac,…
Gadget Support Comes to Google Desktop for the Mac
Google announced on Wednesday that it is adding Google Gadget support to its Google Desktop application for the Mac. Google Gadgets are similar to Apple’s Dashboard widgets, but are cross-platform and work in Dashboard, iGoogle pages, and the Google Desktop Sidebar. Google Desktop: Now with Gadgets An extensive list of Google Gadgets is already available,…
Microsoft Mac BU Publishes Office 2008 Sneak Peek #6
The Microsoft Macintosh Business Unit (Mac BU) published its Office 2008 Sneak Peek #6 on Tuesday. The Sneak Peek showcases the PowerPoint interface to iPhoto and Wordis Notebook Layout View improvements. Microsoft cited these items to showcase in SP #6: PowerPoint 2008 Send to iPhoto: With Office 2008, users can share presentations from their Macs…
Zenhabits: How to Get Things Done on Your Mac
Being productive on a Macintosh consists of exploiting Mac OS X to the fullest, but also entails some universal concepts that allow one to better exploit any computer system, according to Leo Babauta at his Website, Zenhabits. The free article was originally published at MacForat Magazine and covers the following topics that will help creative…
Podcast - Apple Weekly Report: Mac Update Extravaganza, Lawsuit Shuffle, & Semanticus Metamorphosis!
Direct Link: MP3 Version Apple’s lawsuit standing was mixed this week: One case against the company was dismissed, but two more were filed. Mac OS X is selling well in Japan and the iPhone is selling well in the U.K., most everything with an Apple logo on it was updated, Google unleashed Android, and Apple’s…