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News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Products
Software
News & Opinion
Mac Success the Dominant PC Story of 2008
ChangeWave's
Jim Woods and Paul Carton report:
"It's often said that a leopard cannot change its spots, but is the
new Leopard operating system helping Apple change the PC industry?
"Two recent ChangeWave surveys provide new insight on Leopard's
industry impact, along with a close look at consumer and corporate PC
demand for 1st Quarter 2008.
"Mac Sales Hit New All-Time High
"Apple computer sales continue to show extraordinary momentum for
the holidays, according to our latest PC buying survey of 3,872
consumers (Oct 29 - Nov 5).
"Not only do new Mac buyers report sky high satisfaction with their
desktops and laptops, but planned Apple purchases for the next 90 days
also look exceptionally robust....
"Tellingly, one-in-four respondents (24%) say that the release of
Apple's new Leopard operating system has made them more likely to buy a
Mac in the future."
Link:
Apple Macs: Dominant PC Story of 2008
Kensington SlimType: The Best Alternative to
Apple's Aluminum Keyboard
GadgetsPage's Michael Moncur says:
"Apple's latest keyboard is the sleek aluminum number shown here.
While this is a beautiful keyboard and will no doubt win some design
awards, I was underwhelmed when I tried one at the Apple Store. I
prefer a keyboard with a bit of feedback - a 'click' that I can feel as
I press each key. Maybe even a noise. While Apple's new keyboard looks
great and works fine, it provides no feedback at all, and I was unable
to accurately touch-type.
"For those like me who prefer a less 'flat' typing experience, there
are alternatives - although they aren't always easy to find. Here are
some suggestions for keyboards with a more tactile feel....
"Searching every local computer store for a keyboard that looked and
worked as good as my old Apple keyboard, I found one that is 95% of the
way there. The Kensington Slimtype is a nice low-profile keyboard that
still has a satisfying click to its keystrokes. It's available both in
a PC version and in the white Mac-style version.
"I highly recommend the Kensington SlimType, which seems hard to
beat for $30 and is available just about everywhere."
Editor's note: I'll go even farther than Michael and declare that
the Kensington Slimtype is the best
freestanding computer keyboard I've ever used (and do use - it's
been my main workstation keyboard for the last three years or so). It's
the most like a good laptop keyboard (the old PowerBook WalStreet's
'board remains the gold standard for keyboards in my estimation), and
although it is not specifically marketed as an 'ergonomic' 'board, my
fibromyalgia and neuritis afflicted anterior limbs find it more
comfortable to type on than any ergonomic keyboard I've tried. I like
the older Apple USB 'boards too, but the Slimtype has even them beat.
cwm
Link:
Alternatives to Apple's Aluminum Keyboard
Setting Up Desktop Printers in Leopard
Hardmac's
Lionel reports:
"Leopard no longer offers a menu allowing the creation of desktop
printers. Pascal has informed us about this method to easily create
one:
"There is a hidden solution...."
Link: Desktop
Printers in Leopard
Western Digital's DRM-Crippled Network Drive: No
Media Sharing for You
The Register's
Austin Modine reports:
"Western Digital's 1 TB My Book World Edition external hard drive
has been crippled by DRM for your safety.
"A kindly Reg reader tipped us off that the remote-access HDD won't
share media files over network connections. Which is, as you can see
here, the entire stinking point of it.
"It's a scary world full of potentially unlicensed media. We're
fortunate there's a hard drive vendor willing to step forward and do
some indiscriminate policing for us.
"From the WD site:
"'Due to unverifiable media license authentication, the most common
audio and video file types cannot be shared with different users using
WD Anywhere Access.'
"You have 20 seconds to comply...."
Link:
Western Digital Drive Is DRM-Crippled for Your Safety Because You Are a
Dirty Criminal Scumbag
Multimedia Sharing Off Limits with New Network
Drive
IDG News
Service's Agam Shah reports:
"Concerned about piracy of multimedia files, Western Digital has
disallowed the sharing of multimedia files on its 1T-byte
network-attached storage drive, the WD My Book World Edition.
"Due to 'unverifiable media license authentication,' the remote
desktop software embedded on the NAS device does not share audio and
video files, including MP3, MPEG, AVI and DivX files, according to WD's
customer support site ."
Link: Multimedia
Sharing Off Limits on NAS Drive
Apple Updates
Mac OS Versions Included with Intel-based Macs
A new Apple Knowledge Base
article says:
"Learn which versions of Mac OS X come with Intel-based Macs.
Important: Do not use a Mac OS version earlier than the one included
with the computer.
"If you have a PowerPC-based Mac, see below."
Link: Mac OS
Versions, Builds Included with Intel-based Macs
Mac OS Versions Included with PowerPC Macs Since
1998
An Apple Knowledge Base article
says:
"Learn the version(s) of Mac OS included with PowerPC Macs produced
since 01 Jan 1998. If you're looking for information about Intel Macs
produced since 2006, see this article.
"Important: You cannot normally use a Mac OS version earlier than
the one included with the computer....
"Some computers may include a slightly newer build (but same
numbered version) of Mac OS X on the Install or Restore discs than was
preinstalled on the hard drive. This is normal.
"Some versions of computer-specific software can only be used for
NetBoot or System Images for the computer model with which they were
bundled. This includes these Power Mac G5 computer-specific builds:
6S74, 6S75, 6S80, 6S90."
Link: Mac OS:
Versions, Builds Included with PowerPC Macs (since 1998)
Products
Five Leopard Tips and Tricks from David Pogue
Missing Manuals founder and author David Pogue says:
"With this new Missing Manual, you can count on learning how to use
all of Leopard's new features including the Time Machine, Boot Camp,
and File Stacks. And here, as a bonus, David gives you six of his
favorite Leopard tips...."
Editor's note: You can preorder Mac
OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual from Amazon.com for $24.95
with free Super Saver shipping. dk
Link: Mac OS X
Leopard: The Missing Manual Sneak Preview: Five Tips and Tricks
from David Pogue
Miglia TVMini2 Shipping
PR: The TVMini2 from Miglia is now available from its online
store, Apple Premium Resellers, and all good resellers Europe wide. In
fact, purchasing a new iMac this Christmas could get you a TVMini2 for
as little as €1/£1 (see miglia.com for details).
The TVMini2
is a digital tuning device especially made for Mac users. The stylish
ultra-slim design makes the TVMini2 the smallest and sexiest USB device
available. It slots neatly into a USB 2.0 port, without blocking any
other ports/outlets, including the MagSafe on your MacBook Pro.
Despite, its incredibly small size the TVMini2 is powered by a high
performance Tuner and Demodulator, which creates a much higher
performance when it comes to signal reception. You can then watch TV
and surf channels with the remote as easily as ABC
The TVMini2 can transfer your favourite TV shows onto your
iPod®, PSP™ or Apple TV™ allowing you to set your own
TV programme schedules. It's a great way to enjoy last night's show on
the way to work!
The TVMini2 is priced at £59.99 or €78.99.
Link: Miglia
TVMini2
Newertech Lowers Pricing on Guardian Maximus RAID 1
Storage
PR: Newer Technology, Inc. (NewerTech) has announced new
lower pricing on its award-winning Guardian MAXimus, the first low-cost
FireWire and USB2 External RAID 1 storage solution for consumers and
professional users alike.
Guardian
MAXimus received a Five Star Rating in the December 2007 issue of
Photoshop User magazine. "Easy to use, incredibly fast, and offers a
lot of space for the price . . . the perfect space-to-speed
ratio that's so important to graphics professionals, digital
photographers, and designers," said PhotoShop User magazine. Introduced
May 2007, Guardian MAXimus has also earned accolades from The Mac
Observer, MyMac.com, and American Photo.
NewerTech Guardian MAXimus is available in seven configurations:
- 250GB Mirror (250 + 250) 7200RPM w/32MB total buffer was $329.99,
now $319.99
- 320GB Mirror (320 + 320) 7200RPM w/32MB total buffer was $339.99,
now $329.99
- 400GB Mirror (400 + 400) 7200RPM w/32MB total buffer was $369.99,
now $349.99
- 500GB Mirror (500 + 500) 7200RPM w/32MB total buffer was $419.99,
now $399.99
- 750GB Mirror (750 + 750) 7200RPM w/32MB total buffer was $649.99,
now $599.00
- 1.0TB Mirror (1.0TB + 1.0TB) 7200RPM w/64MB total buffer was
$1,099.99, now $879.99
- 150GB "Power User" Mirror (150 + 150) 10,000RPM w/32MB total buffer
was $689.99, now $599.99
Guardian MAXimus RAID-1 mirror storage solution is a Plug 'N Play
"Live Activity" backup solution for creative professionals. Always
guarding against data loss and costly system downtime, Guardian MAXimus
writes the same information in real-time to two separate drives for a
"mirrored" copy. With up to 1.0TB dual SATA drives, data transfer rates
up to 100MB/s, OS X "Leopard" Time Machine readiness, and FireWire
800/400 and USB 2.0 ports, Guardian MAXimus offers performance,
flexibility, and reliability for critical data backup.
Guardian MAXimus Features:
- Up to 1.0TB Dual-Drive Solution
- Up to 64MB of drive cache (32MB per drive)
- Custom Oxford 924 Based Bridge Solution
- 2 FireWire 800 9 pin ports
- 1 FireWire 400 6 pin port
- 1 USB 2.0 "B" port - backwards compatible with USB 1.1
- Front panel drive status LEDs
- Quiet operation
- 9.3" x 2.8" x 5.6" size, shock-resistant for maximum
portability
- US/International 90~240V 4.2A UL- Listed power supply
- 36" FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0/1.1 double shielded
connecting cables included
- Compatible with Apple OS 8.6 to 9.2.2, OS X 10.1.x and later (10.2
or later required for FW800 and USB 2.0), and Windows ME and later
operating systems. * Includes ProSoft Engineering Data Backup 3,
NovaStor NovaBACKUP, and Intech SpeedTools Utilities software (a $200
retail value)
Guardian MAXimus is available immediately from NewerTech's exclusive
distributor, Other World Computing.
Link: Guardian
MAXimus
MicroNet Announces Compatibility with Mac OS
X 10.5 'Leopard'
PR: MicroNet Technology has certified the compatibility of
MicroNet/Fantom Drives products with Apple's , Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard."
The following products are fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.5:
- Fantom Drives Titanium II family
- Fantom Drives G-Force Megadisk USB, Triple Interface,
eSATA+USB
- Fantom Drives G-Force SCSI and FCAL RAID Arrays
- Fantom Drives Titanium Mini
- MicroNet SR4
- MicroNet PlatinumRAID (All models)
Behzad Esghieh, CEO of MicroNet Technology said, "This is just a
part of our ongoing commitment to the Mac community." MicroNet
Technology, the first manufacturer of disk arrays for the Mac Platform,
opened its doors in 1988. Today MicroNet remains a leader in storage
technology for the Mac Platform, with customers working in graphic
design, digital pre-press, audio and video professions.
As part of the support for the OS, all of the above Fantom Drives
and MicroNet USB, Firewire & eSATA drives are compatible with Time
Machine, the exciting new backup suite coming with Mac OS X 10.5. Joe
Trupiano, Director of Marketing for MicroNet Technology, spoke candidly
on the subject of Time Machine, "Backup is the most important role of a
storage product; there's no warranty in the world that will cover your
memories."
For customers looking for continuous backup functionality over the
network Fantom Drives also offers the Award-winning NTI Shadow
software, which allows real-time, continuous backup in addition to
scheduled backup to virtually any storage device, and is fully
compatible with Leopard as well.
About MicroNet Technology and Fantom Drives Based in Torrance,
California, MicroNet and Fantom Drives manufacture a full range of data
storage solutions for a wide range of customers. From the affordable
Titanium line of desktop products to high-performance RAID and NAS
solutions. MicroNet and Fantom Drives continue to lead the industry in
quality, performance and value. Their award-winning storage solutions
include Titanium disk drives, SANcube FireWire Storage Area Networks,
the miniMate and the Platinum family of personal storage. For product
and reseller information, contact MicroNet Technology and Fantom
Drives, at phone: 310-320-7272, fax: 310-328-0202, or on the Web.
Link: MicroNet
Software
Office 2008 Sneak Peek
PR: On the eve of Release to Manufacturing (RTM), the Mac BU
is giving you a final peek into the new Office 2008 for Mac before it
officially launches at Macworld. This last sneak preview provides a
look at the Excel 2008 improvements that cater to spreadsheet novices
and experts alike with helpful new formula tools and a significantly
increased grid workspace.
Excel 2008
- Formula Builder: Another great tool to help all Excel users tap
into the power of this application is Formula Builder. Found in the
updated Excel 2008 Toolbox, Formula Builder walks users through the
steps needed to create the perfect formula for any occasion.
- Formula AutoComplete: And for those who are a little further along
on the Excel proficiency continuum, Formula AutoComplete is on the
scene. Simply start by typing the first part of a formula in the
Formula Bar, and a dynamic drop-down menu of functions and names
appears -- with the most recent ones at the top. Select an item to
insert from the list and let the computations begin.
- Increased Rows and Columns: As part of Mac BU's ongoing efforts to
satisfy power users while enhancing the everyday user experience, Excel
2008 introduces increased rows and columns. This expansion matches the
Windows Office System 2007, so all Excel spreadsheet users on Macs and
PCs will have access to up to 16,000 columns and more than 1 million
rows which is truly a "Big Grid"!
Please let me know if you have any questions and to review the
features above visit the Sneak Peek site.
Link: Microsoft Office 2008
for Mac Sneak Peek
Desktop Mac
Deals
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