All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
General Apple and Mac desktops is covered in The Mac News Review. iPod, iPhone, and Apple
TV news is covered in The iNews
Review.
News & Opinion
Apple Netbook Rumors
Reviews
Products
News & Opinion
'Apple Needs an $800 MacBook'
NPD's Stephen Baker says:
"NPD's recently-released January PC sales figures showed some
disturbing trends for Apple . . . the numbers appear to cry
out for some creative product development from Apple. If we look back
to the release of Leopard we can trace a continuing growth in sales
from Apple without any price degradation at all. As the economy has
collapsed around us Apple has been delivering and selling desktops and
notebooks with average prices of $1500, into a market where the average
Windows PC is less than half of that. Bravo to them, as maintaining
sales velocity, brand integrity, and pricing has been a trick very few
consumer technology companies have been able to pull off. Continuing to
make it work appears, after the sales results of the last three months,
a much bigger challenge.
"January sales volumes showed the iMac delivering its fourth
consecutive month of negative 30 percent year-over-year growth. Of more
concern to Apple is its MacBook and MacBook Pro business, which, after
generating high double-digit volume increases throughout 2008 on the
strength of the great reception Leopard received, saw sales growth in
December and January match, or fall below, that of Windows
notebooks....
"While a netbook-like product seems a far stretch given the
likelihood it would heavily cannibalize other products, a $799 MacBook
is both prudent and thoughtful."
Link: Apple Needs
an $800 MacBook - NPD's Stephen Baker
Dim Screens on 17" MacBook Pros
MacFixIt
reports:
"The new MacBook computers come with LED backlit displays that are
the brightest Apple has provided on any notebook computers. Despite
this, people who are purchasing the new 17-inch MacBook Pro
laptops are noticing in some instances that the screens seem to be
relatively dim when compared with the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook
models....
"It does appear to be a random problem....
"Possible fixes:
- Reinstall the operating system.
- Perform a Permissions fix.
- Boot into Safe Mode."
Link: Dim
Screens on 17-inch MacBook Pros
Loose Headphone Jacks in MacBooks and 15" MacBook
Pros
MacFixIt
reports:
"Many people are having problems keeping headphones connected on the
unibody 13-inch
MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro.
It seems as though a connected plug will easily slip out of the jack
enough to lose the connection, causing the audio to switch from
"Headphones" to "Internal Speaker."
"It appears the problem may be from a faulty or poorly designed
batch of headphone jacks that Apple used at least in the first Unibody
MacBooks. The 17-inch computers do not appear to have this
problem....
"...Unfortunately, Apple has not yet recognized this as a
problem....
"Possible Workarounds:
- Set the computer on the audio cable
- Use USB/Bluetooth headphones.
- Get another audio interface."
Link: Loose
Headphone Jacks in MacBooks and 15" MacBook Pros
MacBook Issues Giving Mobile Graphics Bad Rap
Cnet's Brooke
Crothers says:
"Advanced Micro Devices worries that lingering issues - both real
and speculative - with Apple MacBooks are giving laptop graphics a
black eye.
"In a phone interview Tuesday, Stan Ossias, director of marketing,
mobile graphics, at AMD, began by asserting that my March 11 post
'overstated' the case about heat and the instability of graphics
processors in laptops and that some readers may interpret heat issues
too broadly.
"'In the case of Apple's product, I don't know what happened with
Nvidia's GPU but we'd like to avoid having the negative aspects taint
the entire industry,' he said....
"Most recently, there have been reports of performance issues with
Apple's new 17-inch MacBook Pro, which has the Nvidia GeForce 9600M
chip. But it's unclear whether Nvidia's chips are really the problem
and it's not known how widespread the issues are."
Link: AMD: MacBook
Issues Giving Graphics Bad Rap
MacBook Pro's 'Razor-sharp Case' a Design
Flaw?
Popular Mechanics' Seth Porges says:
"The new MacBook Pro, which was released last October, is a fine
piece of computer engineering. It's fast, looks great, and can
multitask with the best of them, rarely burdening the user with the
spinning pinwheel of death. Unfortunately, it also hurts like hell to
use. The problem is that the lower edge of the metal casing is so sharp
that typing on the computer can feel like a blade driving into your
wrist. Hours after you shut down the machine, your skin will still have
raw, damaged, red lines...."
Link: MacBook
Pro's 'Razor-sharp Case' a Design Flaw?
Installing Mac OS X on a Dell Mini 9
The Apple Core's Jason D.
O'Grady says:
"If you're looking to get a notebook to install Mac OS X on, I
recommend the Dell Mini 9. It's one of the best, no-compromises
platforms according to the BoingBoing compatibility chart for netbooks
running OS X...
"In this post I'm going to detail the easiest way to install Mac OS
X on the Dell Mini 9....
"A note about Hackintoshing: Apple doesn't like it and may send the
black helicopters from Cupertino to visit you if you follow the
instructions...."
Link: Installing Mac OS X on a Dell
Mini 9 - The Easy Way
The Great Apple Netbook Experiment: Installing
Leopard on a Netbook
Apple Matters'
Hadley Stern says:
"In
part one I covered why I was experimenting with hacking a Netbook,
in
part two I covered the purchasing process and now, in part three I
will cover the actual installation process.
"This isn't going to be a guide on how to install OS X on an Acer,
Google will help you with that. Rather it is going to be an analysis of
what the experience was like, and what the pros and cons are...."
Link:
The ModBook Part 3: Installing Leopard, the Good and Bad of a
Hackintosh Netbook
Apple Netbook Rumors
Apple Looking at OLED for New High End Netbook
SmartHouse's
David Richards reports:
"As forecast 9 months ago on the SmartHouse web site Apple is close
to launching a touch screen Netbook type computer according to new
sources in Asia. We can also reveal that Apple has been exploring the
use of flexible OLED display technology for both a screen and a
keyboard....
"Insiders have told SmartHouse that Apple is using a new version of
their PC software which includes a mix of iPhone and Mac Book
capabilities and that recently they held discussions with Sony about
licensing OLED technology into notebooks....
"...sources have told SmartHouse that Apple had a change of mind
after they improved the capability of their touch screen software and
because they had been able to get new patents that allows them to
deliver new features to a 'small notebook'"
Link:
Apple Looking at OLED for New High End Netbook
Wintek to Supply Touch Panels for Apple
Netbook
DigiTimes
Yvonne Yu reports:
"Taiwan-based Wintek will supply touch panels for Apple's new
netbook, and shipments will start in the third quarter this year,
according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.
"...Wintek added that no shipment schedule has been worked out yet,
but shipments are likely to begin in the second half of the year.
"Quanta Computer will be the maker of Apple's new netbook, the
Commercial Times report said...."
Link:
Wintek to Supply Touch Panels for Apple Netbook, Says Paper
(subscription required)
Apple Plans to Launch Netbook with Touch
Screen
Dow Jones
reports:
"Apple Inc. is planning to launch a netbook computer with a touch
screen monitor as early as the second half of this year, two people
close to the situation told Dow Jones Newswires Tuesday.
"The mini laptop computers will likely have monitor screens that are
between 9.7-inches and 10-inches, one person, who declined to be named,
said.
"Another person said other specifications and functions are still
under evaluation...."
Link:
Apple Plans to Launch Netbook with Touch Screen - Dow Jones
Sources
'iPod Touch HD' Will Have 10" Screen
Silicon
Valley Insider's Dan Frommer reports:
"More details about Apple's reportedly forthcoming Internet tablet,
which we've been calling the 'iPod touch HD' for a few months: Dow
Jones sources say Apple plans to sell 'a netbook computer with a touch
screen monitor' with a screen between 9.7 inches and 10 inches. Dow
Jones also reports that the device will launch 'as early as the second
half of this year.'
"That's consistent with what we've read so far, and roughly
consistent with what we think Apple should try to sell...."
Link:
Apple's 'iPod Touch HD' Will Have 10-Inch Screen: Report
Scale Down Mac OS X or Scale Up iPhone OS?
ZD Net's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
says:
"DigiTimes is reporting that Taiwan-based Wintek will start
supplying Apple with touch-sensitive panels during Q3 of this year for
a new product - but what sort of product will that be?...
"The way I see it is that Apple has two ways it could go. The
mainstream thinking is that Apple will go for a netbook of some sorts
in order to take advantage of the current craze for netbooks....
"The alternative would be so form of scaled-up iPhone (either with
without the phone part). An iTablet perhaps... likely to be powered by
a tweaked version of the iPhone OS...."
Link: What Should Apple Do - Scale
Down Mac OS X or Scale Up iPhone OS?
Apple's Netbook Will Be a Folding iPhone
Computerworld's Mike Elgan says:
"A rumor is circulating, based on Taiwanese newspapers that cover
laptop and cell phone components and manufacturing, that Apple will
ship some kind of touch-screen netbook this summer.
"The professional speculators are rallying around two distinct
visions for this netbook. The first is a standard netbook with screen
and keyboard. The second is essentially a tablet, which has been dubbed
the 'iPod Touch HD.'
"I think both these visions are wrong, or both right, depending on
how you look at it...."
Link:
Apple's So-called Netbook Will Be a Folding iPhone
Reviews
17" Unibody MacBook Pro Runs 7 Hours
Register Hardware's Stephen Dean reports:
"...the 17in MacBook Pro has finally received the proper overhaul
that we've all been expecting. The unibody design is present and
correct, and its minimalist style makes the unit look about as neat and
compact as is possible for a 17in notebook to be....
"More controversial, though, is the 17in Pro's the sealed-in,
non-removable battery....
"Apple claims that this battery can last for as much as eight hours,
although that number comes with all the usual caveats that PC
manufacturers rely on when quoting battery life. Even so, we had to
admit that we were impressed by the battery life that we got from the
machine....
"If you just want a powerful Mac laptop then the 13in and 15in
models undoubtedly offer better value for money. But then the 17in
MacBook Pro is a niche product aimed at a relatively small number of
Apple's creative users who specifically need that big screen
display."
Link:
Apple 17in MacBook Pro (March 2009)
17" Unibody MacBook Pro Powerful and
Overpriced
Palluxo.com says:
"Although this is a beautiful notebook, the fact is that MacBook Pro
17-inch was not made out of gold or platinum, it's made of aluminum
. . . The price is $2,799 - a little bit extreme for most
shoppers....
"The question is: Who is willing to pay this much money for a
notebook? Bill Gates? Steve Ballmer? Michael Dell? Steve Jobs? Bernard
Madoff? Certainly not 51% of average Americans who earn less than
$18,000 per year."
Link:
Review: MacBook Pro 17" (Unibody), Powerful and Overpriced
Products
Uniea to Expand Omniverse Product Line
PR: The Omniverse series will now include cases for a variety
of electronics and accessories.
Universal
Electronic Accessories ("Uniea"), a leading designer and manufacturer
of innovative electronic accessories, announced that it plans to
develop new cases based around the design concept of the Omniverse, one
of the company's newest and most innovative universal laptop cases.
Due to debut in mid March, Omniverse cases offered in both Nylon and
Silk Fiber materials for 2.5-inch hard disk devices and digital cameras
will be added to the product line, which currently includes tote and
sleeve styles in both Nylon and Silk Fiber for 10- and 13-inch laptops.
.
The decision
comes as a result of the resounding success of the Omniverse laptop
cases, which initially debuted earlier this year. Uniea decided to
utilize the same innovative materials and aesthetics used with the
Omniverse laptop cases in developing the new models based on the recent
feedback from customers who have raved about the style, protection, and
features that Omniverse offers their laptops.
Uniea believes
that the same design features used in the Omniverse laptop cases, such
as its unique interior memory form material that conforms to the shape
of the computer and effectively dissipates heat, will be equally
popular features for customers looking for protective, versatile hard
disk and digital camera cases. In addition, the new Omniverse cases
will also employ the same lightweight construction, impact-resistant
protection, and sharp, comfortable found in the original Omniverse
models.
From rugged, innovative cases with innovative features, to trendy,
fashion-oriented accessories that coordinate with the look and style of
one's own fashion sensibilities, Uniea continues to strive to create a
broad spectrum of consumer electronics accessories that will uniquely
enhance customers' use of their handheld devices and laptops.
Link: Uniea Universal
Case
Bargain 'Books
Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and
refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for
AppleCare.
PowerBook, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.
Full slate of refurb Unibodies this week save for the 17-incher.
- refurb 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80, $999
- refurb 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/64 SSD, $1,199
- refurb 1.8 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80, $1,099
- refurb 1.8 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/64 SSD, $1,299
- 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/Combo, $849
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/160/SD $949
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/250/SD $1,049
- refurb 2.0 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,099
- refurb 2.4 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,399
- refurb 2.4 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/128 SSD/SD, $1,699
- refurb 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250 GB/SD, $1,699
- refurb 15" 2.5 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250 GB/SD, $1,499
- refurb 17" 2.5 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,799
- 15" 2.16 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/100/SD, $949
- Axiotron ModBook - Value Priced Preconfigured ModBook Systems -
$1,699
- 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80, $1,149.99
- 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,218.99
- 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,509.99
- 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,449.99
- 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, $1,499.99
- 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,799.99
- 15" 2.53 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $2,248
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $169.99
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/15/CD, $249.99
- 12" iBook G3/700, 128/20/Combo, $329.99
- 12" iBook G3/800, 256/30/Combo, $399.99
- 12" iBook G3/900, 256/40/Combo, $489.99
- 1.83 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 512/60/Combo, 60 day warranty,
$594.99
- 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 512/60/Combo, 60 day warranty,
$659.99
- 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, black, 512/80/SD, 60 day warranty,
$719.99
- 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/SD, 60 day warranty,
$769.99
- 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/120/SD, 60 day warranty,
$799.99
- 15" Titanium PowerBook G4/867 MHz, 256/30/Combo, $549.99
- 15" Titanium PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $699.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.25 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $599.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $639.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 1 GB/80/Combo, $679.99
- 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, APX, $729.99
- 15" hi-res Aluminum PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/80/SD, APX,
$799.99
- 15" 1.83 GHz MacBook Pro, 512/80/SD, 90 day warranty, $899.99
- 15" 2.0 GHz MacBook Pro, 512/80/SD 90 day warranty, $979.99
- 15" 2.0 GHz MacBook Pro, 512/100/SD 90 day warranty, $1,099.99
- 15" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, 1 GB/100/SD, 90 day warranty,
$1,179.99
- 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 1 GB/40/Combo, $299
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 1.25 GB/40/Combo, $449
- 12" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 1.25 GB/40/SD, BT, $499
- 12" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 1.25G/ 60/SD, APX, scratched, $399
- 1.83 GHz MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/Combo, $599
- 2.0 GHz MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/SD, $679
- 2.0 GHz MacBook, black, 2 GB/80/SD, $749
- 14" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/60/SD, APX, $399
- 15" 1.83 GHz MacBook Pro, 2 GB/80/SD, $849
- 15" 2.0 GHz MacBook Pro, 2 GB/80/SD, $899
- 15" 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320-7200rpm/SD, AppleCare,
$2,999
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, scratched,$649
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, APX, $799
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 1 GB/ 120/SD, $899
- 1.83 GHz MacBook, 1 GB/80/Combo, APX, $600
- 15" hi-res PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, $715
- 15" hi-res PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 1.5 GB/100/SD, $805
- 2.0 GHz MacBook Pro, 1 GB/100/SD, APX, $969
- 15" hi-res PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 1 GB/120/SD, $899.95
For deals on current and discontinued 'Books, see our 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro,
MacBook Air, 13" MacBook Pro, 15" MacBook Pro, 17" MacBook Pro, 12" PowerBook G4, 15" PowerBook G4, 17" PowerBook G4, titanium PowerBook G4,
iBook G4, PowerBook G3, and iBook G3 deals.
We also track iPad,
iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.
