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News & Opinion
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Products & Services
Software
News & Opinion
Apple Tops Consumer Reports' Ratings in Latest
Tech-support Survey
PR: CR's June
Computer Package also features ratings of desktops and laptops.
Computers are one of the most trouble-prone products. In its June
2008 issue, Consumer Reports tracks in its annual product-reliability
surveys. When it came to solving problems, wait time on the phone, and
the knowledge of support staff, Apple's tech support received high
scores across the board for both laptop and desktop systems in Consumer
Reports' latest survey featured in the June issue.
Consumers looking for stellar tech support should consider a Mac
since Apple's topped Consumer Reports' latest Ratings of tech support
services. The latest annual laptop tech-support survey and desktop
tech-support survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National
Research Center, draws on subscribers' experiences with 10,000 desktop
and laptop computers. Results revealed that tech support solved
problems for only about 60% of the respondents who used it. Apple's
tech support was much more successful than others, solving problems
more than 80% of the time.
Other companies that stood out in CR's survey were Lenovo, which was
outstanding at problem-solving for laptops, and Dell, which was above
average in this area for both desktops and laptops. Consumer Reports
also found HP and Compaq offered inferior support.
Extended Plans
The relative shortcomings of computers and their support creates a
ready market for extra-cost service plans which roll together an
extended period of both repair coverage and technical support.
Sometimes for-pay support is touted as being of higher quality than the
free service. Other extras might also be included, such as in-home tech
support and repairs, and online storage for backup.
Consumer Reports doesn't recommend buying a plan on the basis of its
repair coverage alone. Some credit-card companies offer extended
coverage, often doubling the manufacturers' warranty period if the card
is used to purchase a computer or other warrantied item. As with
extended warranties for other products, CR's data suggest that on
average, computer repairs cost about the same as the plan if the
computer indeed needs a repair during the first few years.
About 50% of the computers in CR's latest survey were covered by
some type of paid service-upgrade plan, but results and analysis
suggest such plans generally aren't good buys. Below are some instances
when consumers may consider purchasing an extended plan for their new
computer. CR notes that cost and coverage of extended plans vary
widely, so consumers should do some research.
For laptops that travel a lot.
If the laptop will be especially vulnerable physically, say if it
will often be used on the go, consider a plan for repair reasons that
will cover accidental damage. Many plans do that while most factory
warranties specifically exclude coverage resulting from accidents or
misuse.
When buying a Mac.
CR has long said it's worth considering an extended plan for Macs
due to Apple's very brief tech support, which runs out 90 days after
purchase, although unlimited support is available in its stores. While
CR's survey showed Apple's track record for solving problems among
consumers without paid plans was already a standout, it was even better
than for support with a plan.
For certain PCs.
Consumers who anticipate the need for continued hand-holding past
the free tech support period with a Dell or Gateway PC should consider
buying an extended plan, according to CR. These companies were
significantly better at problem-solving for consumers with paid plans
as opposed to the standard support offered with the purchase of a
PC.
Where to Get Help
Consumers in the need for tech support for their computer have many
options, although Consumer Reports notes below that some may be better
than others. Below are some choices consumers should consider:
Free phone and Internet support. Manufacturers typically offer free
tech support for a year after the computer is purchased. Most survey
respondents reached tech support by phone, though the help was
frequently less than exemplary, with 59 percent reporting at least one
problem. The least effective help was obtained through the
manufacturers Web site or by e-mail.
In-store support. Walk-in support for Macs available at the
Genius Bars in Apple stores, provided the best troubleshooting by far,
solving problems 90 percent of the time - and the advice is free; the
cost of any needed repairs depends on the problem and the coverage the
computer has. It covers all Macs - under a plan or warranty or not.
In-home service. Seventy-five percent of respondents who
utilized in-home service reported no problems, although fewer used that
option than other types of coverage. Dell offers in-home service for
the first year on most systems as does HP if consumers purchase a
customized desktop.
Online forums. If free tech support has expired or is lacking,
consumers can visit online forums for help, although quality may vary
from site to site. CR's June report includes recommendations for both
PCs and Macs.
Consumer Reports Latest Tests of Desktops & Laptops: Thinnest,
Smallest and Largest
Consumer Reports' look at 24 laptops, 14 desktops and six
all-in-ones features the thinnest (MacBook Air by Apple), smallest
(Asus Eee PC), and largest laptops (HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment
Notebook) ever tested, along with laptops and desktops of unprecedented
processing speed. Even component integration is getting extreme, as
more manufacturers stuff computer circuitry into monitors to create
sleek, one-piece desktops. CR also found basic budget computers and
more powerful workhouse- and high-end models that would be fine choices
for most people.
The report which includes comprehensive Ratings and buying advice
for tech-support services, desktops, laptops, all-in-ones, and monitors
are available in the June issue of Consumer Reports, on sale May 6. The
reports are also available online to subscribers.
Source: Consumer
Reports
OS X Leopard on Old Macs
Mac 360's Kate
MacKenzie says:
"The Information Super Highway could easily be called the
Misinformation Super Parking Lot. Or, Junk Yard.
"One thing is for sure, Matt Freestone doesn't know squat about
Macs. He says Mac users have to buy new Macs to run OS X Leopard. How
old is your Mac?
"In reading one of the most poorly written, illogical and
unreasonable articles about Macs vs. Windows PCs, or Leopard vs. Vista,
I came away with two thoughts.
"First, some people shouldn't be allowed to write about that which
they do not know. Second, old Macs seems to run Leopard quite well
(contrary to poor Matt's assertions to the contrary)."
Editor's note: Be sure to read Low End Mac's article on Unsupported Leopard Installation.
dk
Link:
Got OS X Leopard Running on an Old Mac? How Old?
The iMac Philosophy
TUAW's Erica Sadun says:
"Let me tell you something about my mindset. When I bought an
iPhone, one of my first thoughts was: 'How do I hook up a Bluetooth
keyboard to this thing?' It's that kind of thinking that has always
stood between me and the
iMac. Because in this world, there are two kinds of people: the
iMac people and the tower people.
"iMac people love the all-in-one package that their system
brings.... The iMac delivers the entire computing experience in a
single friendly unit. Customization? They do it at the store. Buyers
decide what kind of memory and hard drive space they want. And then
they buy it. And they're done.
"Tower people don't think that way. Memory, drives, peripherals -
these are all things that ebb and flow throughout the lifetime of the
unit. More USB ports? Throw in a card. Widescreen monitors just went on
sale? Buy one and eBay the current screen.
"Coming from an tower perspective, the iMac has always puzzled me.
It makes people happy without ever needing to be disassembled and
reassembled...."
Link: The Philosophy
of iMac
DIY Macs: The Key to Apple's Future?
PCMech's Tyler
Thompson says:
"I saw someone over at DailyTech ask a question about building a Mac
and watched him take machine gun-like shots over and over from PC and
Mac fanboys for asking a stupid question. You know it's bad when you
have both sides of the computer world bashing you. Of course you can't
build your own Mac.
"But, Why not?....
"I have also been reading business reports showing that Apple is
going to have to do some things to maintain its market after dominating
the MP3 player arena. Analysts say Apple needs to do something to keep
revenue coming in.
"There is a simple solution that will earn Apple money, give DIY
users - like many that read our website - full control over their
systems, and still gives Apple control over the market itself."
Link:
Build Your Own Mac - Apple's Key to the Future?
OpenOffice 3.0 Beta Now Easy to Install on a
Mac
ReadWriteWeb's
Marshall Kirkpatrick reports:
"The free office suite OpenOffice is now offering a beta of version 3.0 for
testing [Editor's note: The beta requires an Intel Mac; version 2.4.0,
which requires X11, works with PowerPC Macs] and it's easier than ever
for Mac owners to start using it right away. Why would you use
OpenOffice when Google Docs is so easy? Some times it's nice to have a
more robust, desktop toolset than Google Docs offers. The new
OpenOffice could fill that need nicely.
"With strong looking support for importing and exporting even the
newest Microsoft document formats, OpenOffice is easy to try out. Mac
users no longer have to run the X11 program in order to use the
suite."
Link:
OpenOffice 3.0 Beta - Now Easy on a Mac
Did Apple Invest in PA Semi Prior to
Acquisition?
EE Times' Peter
Clarke reports:
"Word on the street is that there is still a little more light to be
shed on the saga of PA Semi and Apple.
"Readers will remember that the news broke that Apple had acquired
PA Semi for $278 million in cash on April 23.
"Subsequently a source has said that Apple was an investor in PA
Semi prior to the acquisition. I haven't been able to find anything in
the public domain about this but strategic investors sometimes prefer
to go unlisted. This does make some sense as a relationship was known
to exist between the two companies and it had been reported elsewhere
that Apple considered buying PA Semi in 2005."
Link:
Did Apple Invest in PA Semi Prior to Acquisition?
Reviews
Penryn iMacs Approach
Quad-Core Performance
Macworld Labs' James
Galbraith has also posted some new iMac benchmarks, but using a
different, Speedmark 5 benchmark protocol where baseline scores are
relative to those of a 1.5 GHz
Core Solo Mac mini, which is assigned a score of 100, with which
they determine that every Penryn model enjoys a modest performanceboost over corresponding preceding models, (e.g.: 13 percent for the
base, 2.4 GHz model), while the 3.06 GHz iMac approaches Mac Pro performance levels.
Link:
From the Lab: Penryn iMacs Show Promise
Penryn iMacs: Enough Features and Performance for
All
Macworld's Roman
Loyola reports:
"Finally, eight months after the aluminum iMac made its debut, Apple
has released an update to its flagship consumer desktop model. Under
the hood, the new iMacs differ significantly from the original aluminum
iMac, and those differences result in speed increases.
"On the outside, nothing has changed, and the iMac is still
available in 20- or 24-inch aluminum-encased models. The major changes
involve the Intel Core 2 Duo (Penryn) processor now at the heart of the
iMac....
"However, a slate of under-the-hood improvements have facilitated a
performance spike in the standard models that makes them an especially
good value for people looking to upgrade...."
Link:
Review: 20- and 24-Inch Aluminum iMacs (2008 Edition)
Penryn iMac 'a Versatile Multimedia Machine'
VNUnet's Cliff Joseph
reports:
"Apple's MacBook
notebook computers have sold like hotcakes over the past year and the
iMac - formerly the flagship of Apple's home range - has taken a back
seat.
"However the company recently updated its entire iMac range and one
of the main beneficiaries is this new entry-level model
"...though games are a weakness, the iMac does well as a versatile
multimedia machine. There's a webcam and microphone built into the
unit, along with the stereo speakers....
"There are cheaper Windows PCs available but they rarely have the
same range of hardware features and added software that you get with
the iMac...."
Link:
Review: Apple iMac 20in Desktop Computer
Psystar's Open Computer: Compatible, but No Mac
Build Quality
Macworld's James
Galbraith reports that the OS X-capable Psystar PC has arrived in their
lab and relates first impressions:
"Because we think it's informative to see how OS X performs on a
computer that isn't a Mac, Macworld ordered a Psystar Open Computer
about a week or so ago. The machine, which Psystar touts as a low-cost
alternative to Apple's hardware, has arrived in our lab...
"We had a bit of scare . . . when we tried to start up the computer.
As soon as I hit the power button it sounded like I'd turned on the
garbage disposal. I quickly unplugged the power cable and opened the
case. It turns out that one of the power cables was getting caught in
the fan. I rerouted the cable and restarted. The crunching sound of the
cable hitting the fan was gone, but the fan was still pretty darn loud.
You won't want this computer sitting on your desk....
"That said, I've been impressed by how compatible the Psystar is
with applications and peripherals - many of the OS X features work
as they would on a legitimate Mac...."
Link:
Opening Up Psystar's Open Computer
Psystar's Open Computer: Is It Worth
It?
ZD Net's Larry Dignan
reports:
"There are a few things you need to know before hopping on the
Psystar Mac clone bandwagon: You can't download a software update,
which means patching is impossible. You'll never be a card-carrying
member of the Apple ecosystem. And the hardware doesn't come close to
the designs Apple offers. Those caveats aside the Psystar Open Computer
isn't so bad....
"But....
"Its hardware isn't made by Apple's design team, it will likely
never work as a full member of the greater Apple ecosystem, and one
ill-intended software update could turn it into a $750 brick [although
you could switch to Linux or Windows]."
Link: Psystar's Open Computer Review: Is
It Worth It?
Products & Services
EMC Backs Up Macs
internetnews.com's Paul Shread reports:
"EMC is now offering its Mozy online backup service to Mac
users.
"MozyHome for Mac has already been downloaded more than 43,000 times
by beta users and is the clearest sign yet that the high-end enterprise
storage giant sees consumers as a big growth market....
"MozyHome for Mac offers 2 GB of online backup for free, or
$4.95 a month for unlimited online backup capacity. All files are
encrypted with 448-bit Blowfish encryption, and the encrypted files are
transferred via a 128-bit SSL connection."
Link:
EMC Backs Up Macs
MozyHome for Mac Internet Backup
PR: Backing up your stuff has never been so sexy.
Mac users, rejoice! The moment you've been waiting for is finally
here. MozyHome for Mac is making its 1.0 debut as the first unlimited
online backup service for the Mac. You didn't think we'd limit the Mozy
goodness to Windows users only, did you?
Thousands of beta customers have worked to bring the power of Mozy
to Mac users like you. Our new Mac client is sleek, sexy, and dare we
say . . . scrumdidliumptious. So get started with MozyHome
for Mac 1.0 today and protect your photos, music, documents, and more.
It's the most inexpensive insurance policy you'll find anywhere.
- Download & Install the MozyHome client
- Select the files to back up
- Let MozyHome for Mac do the rest
System requirements:
- MozyHome for Mac requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher.
MozyHome cost $4.95 per month per computer.
Link: MozyHome for
Mac
Mac RAM Memory Upgrades Made Easy
PR: Upgrading Apple and Mac computer systems with memory is
now foolproof at TheUpgradePlace.com . Their new upgrade tool makes
finding a 100% compatible memory upgrades for Mac and Apple computers a
simple and painless process. Upgrading system memory still proves to be
the least expensive and most effective performance boost in the
industry.
The Upgrade Place, a 25-year veteran memory upgrade distributor, has
taken the headaches out of upgrading Apple and Mac computers. Some
Apple and Mac systems have special memory upgrade requirements that
even give Apple's technicians a challenging time.
Buying RAM memory upgrades from third party manufacturers usually
comes with big savings on price. Until now, even upgrading Apple and
Mac systems through the official Apple Store has been a daunting task.
Users may receive inferior products or even the wrong memory for their
Apple model. Installing the wrong memory will lead to system failure,
instability, confusing beep codes, kernel panic error codes and
eventually long Apple tech support calls.
The Upgrade Place now offers a memory upgrade solution that takes
the headache out of finding Apple and Mac memory upgrades. They offer a
new Apple memory tool where simply clicking on the appropriate Apple
model, speed and monitor size will lead to a straightforward list of
memory upgrade options and factory specs.
Partnering with iRam Technology, The Upgrade Place offers memory
that is 100% guaranteed compatible with even the most difficult Apple
models. Some systems require special memory builds or heat sinks to
ensure stable operation (or just to work at all). iRam Technology
rigorously tests their memory modules in each appropriate computer
model to ensure full and guaranteed compatibility. iRam memory is
assembled using major brand components for long term reliability in the
largest memory manufacturing facility in America and offers a Lifetime
Warranty on all of their memory products.
The Upgrade Place also offers other top tier quality upgrades such
as industry standard DDR & DDR2 memory, USB flash drives, external
hard drives, network storage and more.
To find Apple compatible memory, visit the website or or call
1-800-338-1531 to speak with their upgrade experts.
Editor's note: Coverage goes back to the original iMac, beige Power
Mac G3, and G4 iBooks, and titanium G4 PowerBooks. dk
Link: The
Upgrade Place: Apple Memory
Software
WeatherDock: Weather Forecast Info in the
Dock & Window
PR: WeatherDock displays weather information based on
xml-feeds supplied by weather.com. It displays textual weather
information as well as icon-based. Next to the current conditions it
contains 10 day forecasts with 2 day-part's weather information.
For the current conditions it displays the current temperature and
feels like temperature and the current sky conditions. It displays the
current pressure, wind speed, wind direction, the humidity, Dew point,
visibility and UV-index.
The forecasts for today and the upcoming nine days, contains per
day-part information on the temperature, condition, wind speed and
direction, the humidity and the chance of precipitation, as well as
sunrise and sunset information for that particular day.
Main window
The main window shows all sorts of information. It displays the
current condition as a big icon and contains all sorts of detailed
information. WeatherDock shows 5 or 10 icons containing forecasts for
the upcoming 5 or 10 days.
Informative Dock icon
WeatherDock updates it's application icon with an icon representing
the current weather conditions. You can customize this icon by adding
'badges' to them representing all sorts of weather information.
Desktop icon
Next to the Dock icon, you optionally can add this icon to your
desktop, this icon will then always be visible on top of your other
applications on a location you desire, but will hide itself when it
could get in the way.
Status menu item
WeatherDock can add a menu item to you menu bar. This item contains
direct information on the current conditions, but when selecting it you
have instant access to more detailed information as well as forecast
information.
WeatherDock 2 has added many features allowing you to display
weather information the way you want it. The new features include a
fully customizable icon, a desktop icon and a menu item.
New in version 2.4.7:
- Fixed Work/Home feature, which could default back to 'Twenthe,
Netherlands' in certain cases
- Fixed print date localization issue
- Fixed Italian print-out localization
- Fixed English help localization
- Fixed German preferences localization
- Added sunset/sunrise information to print-out
System requirements:
- WeatherDock is a Mac OS X Native application written in Cocoa /
Objective-C. It requires a minimum of Mac OS X 10.3.9 (Panther) to
function.
- It has been tested and run in Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther), 10.4 (Tiger)
& 10.5 (Leopard) on both Intel and PowerPC configurations.
- WeatherDock runs native on both PowerPC and Intel processors.
- WeatherDock requires an Internet connection to retrieve its weather
information, this requires approximately a 10 KB download every 30
minutes.
System Support: PPC/Intel
Free
Link: WeatherDock
Desktop Mac
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