General Apple and Mac desktops is covered in The Mac News Review. iPod, iPhone, and Apple
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All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Reviews
Tech Trends
Products & Services
News & Opinion
US MacBook Sales Surged 25% in June
Computerworld's Gregg Keizer reports:
"Sales of Apple's laptops in the US surged 25% in June compared to
June 2008, a retail market analyst said....
"Stephen Baker, an analyst at the NPD Group, credited Apple's
notebook refresh and accompanying lower prices early last month for the
increase...."
Editor's note: Also see Apple's
Best Non-Holiday Quarter Ever in this week's Mac News Review.
dk
Link:
Apple Laptop Sales Surged 25% in June, Says NPD
Apple: Yes on Value, No on Netbooks, Maybe on
Tablets
Venture Beat's
Anthony Ha reports that at Tuesday's conference call discussing Apple's
third quarter earnings, Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook continued to
be emphatic that Apple doesn't want to sell a traditional netbook, but
he danced around questions about a rumored tablet computer.
Link:
Apple Execs: Yes on Value, No on Netbooks, Maybe on Tablets
Apple to Team Up with Verizon for Internet
Tablet?
The Boy
Genius Report's Marc Flores says that much has been gathered about
Apple's standings in the market after the impressive show it put on
Tuesday evening. Now, hot on the heels of the Apple's earnings report
is a nice little rumor to further fuel the fire: Apple is allegedly
going to team up with Verizon to release an Internet tablet that will
be subsidized by the carrier. Think of it as a giant iPod touch,
potentially including an actual physical keyboard.
If they go with a real keyboard - even provision for connecting an
external one - "I could get behind that idea," says Flores.
Link:
Apple and Verizon to Partner Up for Internet Tablet?
Use a MacBook Air SuperDrive with Any Mac
Hardmac's
crispin and Lionel report:
"Last year we had shown that it was possible to change the USB
bridge of SuperDrive intended for MacBook Air to make it function with
any Mac. Since then, we are not the only ones to try to simplify things
and to use a software patch to do this....
"A reader, Michael, found the way to do this, at least in an
episodical way...."
Link:
Use a MacBook Air SuperDrive on Another Mac
Apple May Extend Antiglare Display Option to More
Macs
AppleInsider's
Kasper Jade reports:
"Apple made a bold move roughly two years ago to begin transitioning
its entire Mac product line away from matte displays and towards
glass-enclosed glossy ones, but the company may be nearing a concession
that these shiny, highly-reflective screens may not be for
everyone."
Editor's note: As someone who wants to avoid the crisp reflections
from a glossy TV or computer display, I hope this will happen. I'd
gladly come up with an additional $50 to avoid the eye strain.
dk
Link:
Apple May Extend Antiglare Display Option to More Macs
Take Trackpad Gestures Further with
MultiClutch
AppStorm's
Justin Woodbridge says:
"Apple first introduced the MacBook Air in 2008. Other than its
thinness (and its ability to fit inside a manilla envelope) it brought
a multi-touch trackpad, similar to the iPhone. Since then, the unibody
MacBook and MacBook Pro have received the trackpad makeover. The
trackpad seems very useful, and it is; when you are in a
gesture-supported application. For me, my trackpad's abilities fade
into the background. Most of the apps I work in do not support
them.
"Until I discovered MultiClutch, a preference pane extension that
lets you set up trackpad gestures for any application. In this tutorial
I will show you the basics of setting up gestures in Multi Clutch, as
well as some ideas for different uses."
Link:
Taking MacBook Trackpad Gestures Further with MultiClutch
Reviews
250 GB SSD vs. 7200 rpm 500 GB Hard Drive in
MacBook Pro
Bare
Feats' rob-ART Morgan says:
"We posted our test results using the OCZ Vertex SSD in the Mac Pro
but many of you wanted to see how fast the SSD runs in the Unibody
MacBook Pro. We obtained the 'mid 2009' MacBook Pro 3.06 GHz (17") with
the 500G 7K HDD CTO option. We tested it and then replaced it with the
Vertex 250G SSD from OCZ.
"The OCZ Vertex 250G SSD makes a sweet upgrade for the unibody
MacBook Pro. It's fast, quiet, and cool running. If you can swallow
hard then cough up $700, it will kick the butt of the fastest notebook
HDD....
"But all is not sweetness and light in the Solid State
world...."
Editor's note: If you want to buy this "wicked fast" SSD, you can
get it from
Tiger Direct for $725 shipped or
Buy.com for $734.98 shipped (less a $50 mail-in rebate). The
Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500 GB (see press release
below) is available for a lot less - $119.99 shipped from
NewEgg or $124.09 from
Buy.com. dk
Link: Extreme Laptopping: 'Mid 2009'
MacBook Pro, 250G SSD vs. 500G HDD
Tech Trends
Dell Cuts Adamo Price to Match MacBook Air
Electronista
reports that Dell has quietly slashed the price on its Adamo
ultraportable to match Apple's recent MacBook Air updates.
Link: Dell
Cuts Adamo Price to Match MacBook Air
11.6" Medion Netbook Uses AMD Sempron
Processor
Windows
for Devices' Jonathan Angel reports:
"UK manufacturer Medion* announced a netbook using a 1.5 GHz AMD
Sempron 210U processor. The Akoya Mini E1312 comes with integrated ATI
Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics, an 11.6-inch display, both VGA and HDMI
video outputs, a 160/and an optional nine-cell battery, the company
says."
Link: 11.6-inch
Netbook Has AMD Processor
Products & Services
Seagate Momentus 7200.4 Laptop Hard Drives
PR: The Seagate Momentus 7200.4 drive is claimed to deliver
the highest available laptop hard drive capacity, satisfying the need
for desktop performance in a notebook computer. All this without
sacrificing battery life, because these new 7200 RPM drives draw only
slightly more power than a 5400 RPM laptop drive.
Seagate 7200 RPM drives can shut your system down 34% faster, and
opening big files can be up to 30 seconds faster than a 5400 RPM drive
can manage.
The Seagate Momentus 7200 RPM family comes with optional G-Force
Protection technology for hardcore road warriors or even aspiring
warriors in need of extra robustness. The G-Force Protection feature
provides enhanced data protection against shock that may occur while
the drive is operating. This feature is designed to decrease the
likelihood of data loss by detecting a freefall event and unloading the
actuator before a shock takes place in falls of greater than 8 inches
(nominal). The drive uses a drop sensor mounted on the printed circuit
board assembly to sense this event and protect your data. (Editor's
note: For Mac users, it may be best to order without the G-Force
Protection option, since Apple laptops already have Sudden Motion
Sensor technology built-in, and there are reports of possible
conflicts. cm)
Available in capacities up to 500 GB with 16 MB of cache and a SATA
3 Gb/s NCQ interface, the Momentus 7200.4 laptop hard drive is
ideal for mainstream and performance laptops, workstations, small form
factor desktop systems, industrial applications and
non-mission-critical blade servers.
Key Features and Benefits
- Highest available notebook performance increases productivity in
all environments.
- SATA 3 Gb/s interface with Native Command Queuing (NCQ) and
command ordering
- 16-MB cache on every capacity
- Green features:
- Leverages Seagate laptop power management technology, delivering
the lowest-power 7200 RPM laptop hard drive yet
- Utilizes ramp load features that remove the head from the disk
during idle periods, improving idle power consumption and adding to the
durability of the drive
- Optional G-Force Protection feature adds another layer of
robustness for road warriors.
- QuietStep technology enables ultra-quiet load/unload acoustics
- State-of-the-art cache and on-the-fly error-correction
algorithms
- Fluid dynamic bearing motor for quiet operation
- Support for S.M.A.R.T. drive monitoring and reporting Key
Applications
- High-performance and mainstream laptop PCs
- Small form factor PCs
- Workstations
- Non-mission-critical blade servers and industrial applications
Momentus 7200.4 Industry-leading 7200 RPM performance meets extreme
green low power consumption levels.
Specifications
- Capacity (GB) 500 and 250
- Interface SATA 3 Gb/s NCQ
- Cache (MB) 16
- Spindle Speed (RPM) 7200
- Shock, Operating: 2 ms (Gs) 350
- Shock, Nonoperating: 1 ms (Gs) 1000
- Acoustics, Idle, typical (bels) 2.3
- Acoustics, Seek, typical (bels) 2.5
- Operating Temperature (°C) 0 to 60
Link:
Seagate Momentus 7200.4 Laptop Hard Drives
Crucial 2.5" Solid State Drives
PR: Introducing Crucial SSD (Solid State Drive) technology
-delivering the benefits of flash technology in a completely different
way. More reliable, faster, and more durable than traditional magnetic
hard drives, Crucial SSDs are a forward-thinking solution for mobile
users who want longer battery life, and can't afford to lose or corrupt
the data stored on their notebooks. Likewise, SSDs are a great
alternative for the PC enthusiast who is always looking for the very
best in system performance.
The advantages reach beyond the notebook, too. the innovative
SK01external storage kit integrates an SSD into your standard desktop
PC and allows it to act as a portable USB storage device. The
possibilities are endless!
Crucial is the company that's been giving your outstanding DRAM
memory upgrades backed by industry-leading warranties and outstanding
service and support. And now, they offer SSD products and information
to meet your needs.
Why an SSD?
Put simply, SSDs are flash-based drives that offer greater
reliability and faster performance than traditional magnetic hard
drives. SSDs (solid state drives) are data storage devices that utilize
nonvolatile (do not lose data when power is removed) flash memory for
computing applications that traditionally rely upon a mechanical hard
disk drive. Crucial SSDs are designed as industry-standard drop-in
replacements (via a SATA connection) for hard drives.
Consisting of just NAND, a controller, connectors, and a PCB, the
SSD has no moving parts, creating greater stability by eliminating the
mechanical delays and failures associated with a conventional magnetic
hard disk drive.
What are the advantages of an SSD?
Superior reliability
The continuous motion generated by multiple moving parts creates
heat, which is a leading factor in hard drive failure. In fact, hard
drives are one of the notebook components most likely to fail. Because
an SSD does not have moving parts, heat dissipation and noise are
reduced or eliminated, resulting in a very rugged and reliable offering
compared to a mechanical hard drive.
SSDs also have extreme shock and vibration tolerance, and their
operating temperature ranges meet or exceed that of standard hard
drives.
Increased power efficiency
Ever have your notebook battery die during a presentation? With no
moving parts, SSDs require less power, improving battery operating time
in notebook PCs and portable electronic devices.
Instant-load performance
Without the moving mechanical parts that cause latency issues, SSDs
are not impeded by spin-up, seek time, or rotational latency. This
equates to faster boot times, faster application loading, and greater
overall system responsiveness. Via SATA, the Crucial 2.5" SSD offers a
host data transfer rate of up to 3 Gb/s, backward-compatible to
SATA 1.5 Gb/s.
Quiet acoustics
With no spinning parts, SSDs provide for silent operation, similar
to that of a standard USB flash drive rather than the constant, noisy
humming of a mechanical hard drive.
More efficient heat dissipation
Hard drives dissipate high levels of failure-inducing heat due to
the parts necessary to operate the hard drive (such as the spinning
platter). In contrast, SSDs produce little-to-no measurable heat
because they have no moving parts, thus helping keep notebooks
operating cooler.
Lightweight
Enjoy increased mobility with a lighter-weight SSD, which weighs
less than a traditional mechanical drive.
Crucial SK01 External 2.5" Storage Kit
The Crucial SK01 External 2.5" Storage Kit provides:
- 2.5" USB 2.0 external enclosure for 2.5" SSDs
- 3.5" drive bay with SATA interface for internal desktop
installation
- 5.25" bracket for internal desktop installation
If the Crucial Solid State Drive (SSD) is redefining desktop
computing, the Crucial SK01 external drive kit can make it even more
versatile, allowing you to use the technology in your desktop or as a
portable storage device via a USB port. It's also compatible with your
SATA 2.5" mechanical hard drive.
The kit, which is sold separately from the Crucial SSD, includes a
rugged 2.5" USB 2.0 external enclosure. It also comes with a SATA
3 Gb/s interface 3.5" hot-swappable drive bay to allow for SSD
integration into your PC. Don't have a spare 3.5" drive bay? We've got
you covered, thanks to a 5.25" drive bay bracket.
For hot-swap-supported systems, get enhanced security and mobility
for your critical data by easily removing the SSD from desktop drive
bays and storing it in a secure location, without even turning the
computer power off. For USB connections, simply disconnect the USB
cable and carry the drive with you. It's that simple.
Crucial Solid State Disk (SSD) drives in 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB
capacities have MSRP's of $170, $330, and $600 respectively.
Link: Crucial 2.5" Solid
State Drives
Speck SeeThru and SeeThru Satin Hard Shell MacBook
Cases Updated
PR: Speck has introduced updated versions of its popular
SeeThru and soft-touch SeeThru Satin hard shell cases to address recent
AppleDesign changes in both the 13" and 15" MacBook products released
earlier this month. The updated cases also fit previous editions of
MacBook and MacBook Pro aluminum unibody models originally launched in
October 2008.
For the 13" category, the new SeeThru and SeeThru Satin are
compatible with both the previous aluminum unibody MacBook and the
newly introduced aluminum unibody MacBook Pro. 13".
For the 15" MacBook Pro, the new SeeThru and SeeThru Satin
universally cover all unibody MacBook Pro aluminum unibody notebooks
introduced since October 2008, including the latest updated MacBook Pro
models unveiled earlier this month.
The recently announced SeeThru and SeeThru Satin for the 17"
unibody MacBook Pro remains unchanged and fits all previous and current
17" MacBook Pro models.
For MacBook Air and the newly introduced MacBook (white), the
current SeeThru cases are still compatible.
"We've refined our SeeThru case designs to fit the new changes in
port locations on each side of the latest aluminum unibody MacBook and
MacBook Pro models," said Irene Baran, CEO of Speck. "Our updated cases
offer all the great protection and personalization fans expect from a
Speck SeeThru and now fit all aluminum unibody notebook models launched
by Apple since October 2008."
SeeThru is a road-tested, translucent two-piece form-fit hard shell
case that will protect your MacBook from scrapes and scratches caused
by life's bumbles and thumps. The SeeThru Satin offers the same hard
shell protection as the SeeThru, but also features a soft-touch outer
finish that gives the new unibody MacBook Pro a semi-translucent
frosted appearance that easily slips in and out your bag or backpack,
all the while retaining a grippy edge for extra peace of mind. Precise
device-specific engineering makes both case styles custom fits that
highlight the sleek look of your new unibody MacBook Pro. In addition,
the hard shells both personalize and protect while offering complete
access to all ports, controls and functions, including the battery
status check button, without the need to remove the case. Both SeeThru
and SeeThru Satin hard shell cases are available for $49.95 MSRP each
and available at Apple Stores and
online.
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.
Factory refurbished units with Apple's full one-year warranty.
- 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80 HD, $999
- 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/64 SSD, $1,199
- 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/120 HD, $1,199
- 1.8 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80 HD, $1,099
- 1.8 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/64 GB SSD, $1,299
- 1.86 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/128 GB SSD, $1,449
- 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 MacBook White, 2 GB/160/SD, $849
- 2.0 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/160/SD, $949
- 2.4 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,099
- 2.4 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/128 SSD/SD, $1,449
- 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,349
- 15" 2.66 GHz MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,499
- 15" 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,699
- 15" 2.93 GHz MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,949
- 17" 2.5 GHz MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,799
- 17" 2.5 GHz MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,999
- 17" 2.66 GHz MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,949
- 17" 2.66 GHz MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, antiglare, $1,999
- 1.83 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/Combo, $669.99
- 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/SD, $679.99
- 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 1 GB/80/Combo, $699.99
- 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 2.0 GHz 1 GB/80/SD, $719.99
- 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $729.00
- 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/160/SD, $729.99
- 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/SD, $769.99
- 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/80/SD, $769.99
- 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black, 1 GB/160/SD, $779.99
- 15" 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, $899.99
- 15" 2.2 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, $949.99
- 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 1 GB/160/SD, $999.99
- 17" 2.16 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, APX, $1,099
- 17" 2.33 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, APX, $1,269
- 17" 2.6 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 1 GB/200/8x DL SuperDrive,
$1,499
- 2.13 GHz MacBook White, 2 GB/160/SD, $929
- 2.0 GHz Unibody MacBook, 2 GB/160/SD, $924.99
- 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,569.99
- 15" 2.66 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 4 GB/320/SD, $1,829.99
- 15" 2.66 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 4 GB/250-7200rpm/SD, $2,144
- 17" 2.6 GHz hi-res Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200-7200rpm/SD,
$2,049.99
- Lombard PowerBook G3/400, 256/6/DVD, OS 9, $179
- Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 512/10/no optical drive?, AP, $299
- Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 128/6/DVD, $299.99
- Pismo PowerBook G3/500, 128/6/DVD, $349.99
- Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 256/40/DVD, $399.99
- Pismo PowerBook G3/400, 256/60/DVD, $419.99
- Pismo PowerBook G3/500, 256/40/DVD, $439.99
- Pismo PowerBook G3/500, 256/60/DVD, $449.99
- Pismo PowerBook with G4/550 upgrade, 256/40/Combo, $529.99
- 12" iBook G4/800 MHz, 256/30/Combo, 60 day warranty, $289.99
- 12" iBook G4/1 GHz, 256/30/Combo, 60 day warranty, $369.99
- 12" iBook G4/1.2 GHz, 256/30/Combo, 60 day warranty, $409.99
- 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/40/Combo, AirPort & Bluetooth, 60
day warranty, $489.99
- 14" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 512/60/Combo, 60 day warranty, $499.99
- 14" iBook G4/1.42 GHz, 512/60/SD, 60 day warranty, $529.99
- 1.83 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 512/60/Combo, $594.99
- 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, white, 512/60/Combo, $659.99
- 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook, black, 512/80/SD, $719.99
- 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white Core2 Duo, 1 GB/80/SD, $769.99
- 2.0 GHz Core 2 MacBook, black Core2 Duo, 1 GB/120/SD, $799.99
- 2.0 GHz MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/SD, scratched, $549
- 2.0 GHz MacBook, white, 1 GB/100/SD, $679
- 15" 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro, 2 GB/100/SD, $999
- 15" 2.33 GHz MacBook Pro, 3 GB/500/SD, $1,299
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, scratched, $399
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, $699
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.
