Two interesting articles on the PC side this week. The Register
looks at netbooks, and if you know someone looking for a cheap, very
portable back-to-school machine, their advice could be helpful. The
second looks at a line of very low power computers that don't plug into
AC - instead, they receive their power via ethernet, eliminating one
more cable and the need for a power supply that converts AC to DC.
General Apple and Mac desktops is covered in The Mac News Review. iPad, iPod, iPhone, and
Apple TV news is covered in The iOS News
Review. All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Tech Trends
Products & Services
News & Opinion
47% of Mac Gamers Run a MacBook Pro
AppleInsider's Sam Oliver reports that Valve's monthly survey of the
hardware specifications of Steam users has found that nearly half of
Mac gamers run a MacBook Pro, while the iMac accounts for nearly a
quarter.
Link: Steam Survey Finds
47% of Mac Gamers Run Apple's MacBook Pro
Tablets Are Popular but Won't Replace Laptops
InformationWeek's Ed Hansberry says that while Apple didn't make the
first tablet computer, they've wrought the first tablet that took the
consumer market by storm, and the iPad's spectacular initial success
even has AT&T is thinking that a $1,000 tablet could take the place
of a full-featured laptop.
However, Hansberry thinks that while tablets may be able to
computationally match what some traditional computer's can do, he
doesn't imagine that they can comprehensively substitute for a
traditional computer, contending that the laptop form factor isn't
going away anytime soon and that for raw power and massive storage
space, you can't beat a desktop.
He observes that while some people may indeed be able to get by with
just an iPad or similar device, they likely are the type of users who
didn't use their PC for much beyond email and web browsing, or possibly
who didn't have a PC to begin with.
Link: Tablets Are
Popular but Won't Replace Laptops
Apple Updates
Mid 2010 MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.9
MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.9 resolves a rare issue that may
cause the system to freeze during startup or intermittently stall
during operation, and it improves compatibility with external
displays.
This update is recommended for all 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro mid
2010 models.
The MacBook Pro EFI Update will update the EFI firmware on your
MacBook Pro. Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged
into a working power source. When your MacBook Pro restarts a gray
screen will appear with a status bar to indicate the progress of the
update. It will take several minutes for the update to complete. Do not
disturb or shut off the power on your MacBook Pro during this
update.
EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237.
2.16 MB
System Requirements
- 15-inch or 17-inch MacBook Pro mid 2010 model.
- Mac OS X 10.6.4 or later.
Link: Apple MacBook Pro EFI Firmware
Update 1.9
Tech Trends
Back-to-School 10" Netbooks: Which Machines Score
Top Marks?
Register Hardware reports:
"The summer hols are over, and it's back to school for the kids. Or
to college, for the older ones. Whatever their age, though, your
offspring - perhaps even you yourself - are likely to have their eye on
a new computer for the new term.
"And with prices never being lower, there's no longer a financial
reason to restrict junior to a hand-me-down machine, especially if you
consider the lower end of the market where the Small, Cheap Computer -
a.k.a. the netbook - reigns supreme....
"To help you and yours choose the best netbook to take off to
university or to keep at home for homework, we asked six of the major
netbook suppliers - Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba - to
each submit a 10in machine for testing.
"But before we get down to each machine individually, take a look at
our Buyer's Guide, which will steer you through the choices and factors
you'll need to consider when selecting a netbook, whether it's one of
those reviewed here or any of the many other machines on sale."
Link: Back-to-School
10in Netbooks
SkinnyBytes PoE-185 Elite: 18.5" All-in-One
Requires No AC Power
PR: SkinnyBytes has launched
a new line of PoE Computer, the PoE-185 Elite, an 18.5 AIO
(All-In-One). All SkinnyBytes systems are Power-over-Ethernet,
therefore they do not require AC power outlets. AC electrical is
expensive to install and far more dangerous than the low-voltage DC
power provided by PoE. All SkinnyBytes PoE computers are engineered for
extremely low power consumption, therefore are able to receive all of
their power over a standard network cable via Power-Over-Ethernet. The
PoE-185 also supports VESA mounting, making it ideal for a variety of
environments including schools, healthcare, professional, retail, and
industrial.
PoE Advantages
Value - Eliminating the need for installing AC outlets can
easily reduce installation costs by 50% or more. And
Power-over-Ethernet computers are eco-friendly computers, consuming 90%
less power than a traditional computer, reducing your energy bill.
Safety - AC power is very dangerous due to the
high-voltage/high-current it supplies. In classroom environments where
the safety of the students is of paramount concern, SkinnyBytes
maintains it's| hazardous to install AC outlets within reach of curious
students. Power-over-Ethernet computers utilize low-voltage/low-current
over a standard network cable, making them compliant with UL
classification SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) and therefore make ideal
classroom-friendly computers.
Technology - Utilizing emerging technologies such as
Solid State Drives (SSD), low-power Intel Atom Processors, LED
backlighting, and passive cooling technologies, SkinnyBytes has created
a line of PoE computers that can run on a meager 30 watts of power
without sacrificing performance. By eliminating moving components, we
are able to reduce the power requirements of our systems by 90%
compared with traditional computing systems.
Simplified - One cable provides all of your power and data.
Eliminate the tangled mess of cords and power strips.
Flexibility - Built-in stand or VESA mount. Power via PoE or
included AC power adapter as needed. You can install or move your
computer anywhere without requiring an AC outlet nearby.
All of SkinnyBytes' systems are tailored toward business and
educational institutions. No moving components translates into highly
durable systems with high uptime and long life span. Every system comes
with Windows 7 preinstalled, and a variety of custom options including
color, capacity, and memory.
Models available:
- 10.1" PoE Computer - TouchScreen Tablet - $699.00
- 15.6" PoE Computer AIO 'Touch' - $799.00
- 18.5" PoE Computer AIO 'Elite' - $999.00
18.5" PoE Computer AIO 'Elite'
Featuring an 18.5" LCD, this unit is custom engineered for
low-power and low-voltage operation. Thanks to the use of the Intel
Atom platform with a D510 Dual-Core processor, the power consumption of
the POE PC has been reduced by 90% without (SkinnyBytes claims)
sacrificing performance. A further contribution to power conservation
is the use of a Solid State Disk SSD drive and LED backlit monitor.
Equipment includes a 4-in-1 card reader, integrated webcam,
integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics, and a widescreen display, as well as
everything you need to get started with PoE including a PoE 'Injector'
to supply power to the unit over the network cable. The unit can be
powered via PoE or using the included AC adapter, and also supports
VESA mounting.
10.1" PoE Computer - TouchScreen Tablet
The 10.1" Tablet power-over-ethernet computer with touchscreen can
be used in laptop configuration or flat as a touchscreen tablet.
Optional VESA mounting hardware is available.
The 10.1" PoE Computer - TouchScreen Tablet comes with a PoE
'Injector' for supplying power to the device over the network cable.
Optional 6, 12, 24 port PoE Injectors (midspans) can be purchased
separately for larger deployments. Also included is an external AC
adapter, allowing you the flexibility to power the computer via PoE or
AC power as needed.
10.1" PoE Computer - TouchScreen Tablet Specs.
- Intel ATOM N450 CPU
- 1 GB DDR2 1 x SODIMM slot; up to 2G; 160 GB HDD; no optical
drive
- 10.1" Touch Screen (Multi Touch functionality when loaded with
Windows 7 Home Premium OS)
- 802.11 b/g/n; 3M pixel camera
- Windows 7 Starter OS; 35W/h polymer (Up 6.5(*) Hrs)
Included
- PoE Splitter (Power-over-Ethernet)
- AC Adapter (standard AC electrical power)
- PoE Injector
Size (LWH): 10.39 inches, 7.13 inches, 1.22 inches
Weight: 2.86 pounds
Link: SkinnyBytes
Products & Services
NewerTech Lowers Prices up to 33% for Intelligent
Battery Charging/Conditioning Station
PR: Newer Technology, Inc. (NewerTech) has announced it has
lowered the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price on its entire line of
NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging/Conditioning Stations, the only
complete line of chargers/conditioners on the market today designed to
keep batteries in optimal charged condition for maximum "unplugged"
usage.
Available immediately and starting as low as $99 - up to
a 33% reduction from the previous MSRP - the NewerTech Intelligent
Battery Charging/Conditioning Station is available for the following
Apple notebook models:
- MacBook Pro 15 3 Unibody
- MacBook 13 3 Unibody
- MacBook Pro 17 3
- MacBook Pro 15 3
- MacBook 13 3
- iBook G3/G4 12 3
- iBook G3/G4 14 3
- PowerBook G4 12 3 "Aluminum"
- PowerBook G4 15 3 "Aluminum"
- PowerBook G4 17 3 "Aluminum"
- PowerBook G4 15 3 "Titanium"
The NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging/Conditioning Station is
available for ordering from NewerTech's exclusive distributor, Other
World Computing (OWC), as well as through the retail channel.
'Intelligent' Design Takes Guesswork Out of Battery Charging
NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging/Conditioning Stations are
ideal for users who have one or more batteries and want to keep their
batteries in optimal charged condition. The two bay design can
accommodate two batteries, and when the first battery is done charging,
the unit "intelligently" begins charging the second battery. In
addition to charging batteries quickly and correctly, the deep
conditioning feature can bring back additional life to a battery that's
started to show its age.
NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging/Conditioning Station
Features:
- 2 Bays: 1 bay charges, 1 bay charges & conditions
- 2 Year Warranty
- Power Input/Output: 120~240V 50/60 Hz 1.5A / 24V 2.3A,
regulated
"Whether a user has one of the latest MacBook models or a still
useful legacy Mac notebook, the NewerTech Intelligent Battery
Charging/Conditioning Station is ideal for getting the longest runtime
and lifetime from the battery," says Grant Dahlke, Brand Manager,
NewerTech. "By both charging and deep conditioning the battery at the
same time, users can save both time and restore new life to older
batteries."
Compliments Complete Line of High Capacity Batteries
In addition to its line of battery chargers/conditioners, NewerTech
also offers a complete line of NuPower high capacity replacement
batteries from $79.99 MSRP for MacBook Pro, MacBook, PowerBook G4/G3,
and iBook G4/G3 notebooks with up to 68% more capacity than original
Apple batteries.
Link: NewerTech
Intelligent Battery Charging/Conditioning Station
2 New Logitech Speakers Transform Laptop Audio
PR: Laptop computers have dramatically changed the way you
enjoy entertainment today, but laptop audio hasn't really kept pace.
Because you're watching movies, shows, and Facebook video clips on your
laptop, Logitech announced the Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515 and the
Logitech Laptop Speaker Z305. Whether you use a Mac or a Windows-based
laptop or a netbook, the Wireless Speaker Z515 delivers great sound
from your laptop, iPad, or iPhone with no strings attached, while the
Laptop Speaker Z305 brings you all-around sound in a compact
design.
"The speakers built into most laptops are tiny and can't always
reproduce powerful audio," says Mark Schneider, vice president and
general manager of Logitech's audio business unit. "Whether you're an
MP3 junkie or a movie lover, our two new laptop speakers make it easy
to connect, turn the sound up and lose yourself in the things you love.
There's no reason that you can't have quality audio while you're
watching the latest YouTube sensation or the newest Hollywood release
on your laptop."
Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515 - Great Sound, No Strings
Attached
To free you from the hassle of cords and let you place your
speakers up to 50 feet (15 m) away, the Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515
uses 2.4 GHz wireless technology to deliver wireless audio. And setup
couldn't be easier. Just plug the included wireless adapter into a USB
port on your laptop, and you're connected in a matter of seconds. Or if
you want to connect to an iPad or iPhone, you won't even need the USB
dongle just put your device into Discovery mode and the Logitech Z515
speaker will find it and connect wirelessly.
But these speakers aren't just wireless - they also provide rich
sound. The speaker's dual two-inch drivers give full stereo sound and
plenty of bass. Plus, so you can take your music with you wherever you
go, the Z515 includes a rechargeable battery that can power your
speaker for up to 10 hours.
Logitech Laptop Speaker Z305 - All-Around Sound from Your Laptop,
To Go
If you are looking for a lightweight, compact speaker that is
truly as portable as your laptop, look no farther than the Logitech
Laptop Speaker Z305. Thanks to 360-degree audio, the Z305 emits sound
evenly in all directions so you get a great listening experience
throughout the room. The plug-and-play USB connection delivers power
and pure, digital audio instantly - without the need for software or an
external power supply.
So you can easily use the speaker anywhere you use your computer
your office, your bed, the airport the Logitech Laptop Speaker Z305
securely mounts behind the screen so it's out of the way. And the
Laptop Speaker Z305 is also extremely lightweight approximately
one-half pound which means you'll always be able to take it with you.
As an added convenience, the USB cable tucks neatly into the back of
your speaker, giving you a look that's sleek and clutter-free.
When you're ready to hit the road, both new Logitech laptop speakers
fit easily into the included travel case or your laptop bag.
The Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515 is expected to be available in
September in the U.S. and Europe for a suggested retail price of
$99.99. The Logitech Laptop Speaker Z305 is expected to be available in
September in the US and Europe for a suggested retail price of
$59.99.
Link:
Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515
Link:
Logitech Laptop Speaker Z305
Bargain 'Books
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.
