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
Products
Software
News & Opinion
MagSafe out of Warranty Replacement Program
APC Magazine's Danny Gorog
reports:
"As if iPhone 3G woes weren't enough for Apple to deal with right
now, another storm is brewing on the horizon.
"This one concerns faulty MagSafe power adaptors that shipped with
MacBook (13-inch Late 2006), MacBook (13-inch), MacBook Pro (15-inch
Glossy) and MacBook Pro (17-inch).
"In a rare turnaround, Apple has acknowledged in a tech support
article that some MagSafe adaptors may be faulty, and users may 'may
notice a separation of the white insulation on the magnetic end of the
MagSafe adapter. Under continued use, the cable may discolor and the
rubber molding may become deformed.'
"The good news, if you are one of the affected users, Apple will
replace your MagSafe adaptor free-of-charge, whether you are in your
initial warranty period or not."
Link: Apple Announces
MagSafe out of Warranty Replacement Program
Nvidia Fault Affecting Macs?
Pocket-Lint's
Katie Scott reports:
"There are suggestions on the web that the problem with the faulty
Nvidia chipsets, which are affecting HP and Dell laptops, may be an
issue for other manufacturers as well.
"As we reported just last week, the team over at The Inquirer
believe that laptops with G84, G86, G92s and G94 chips, which include
Asus, Lenovo and Apple machines, could also suffer from the overheating
issue....
"But now a Pocket-lint reader has got in touch and claims that his
brand new MacBook Pro is indeed faulty, and it seems to be the Nvidia
chip...."
Link:
Is the Nvidia Fault Affecting Macs?
Intel Hint Suggests 160 GB MacBook Air
Computerworld's Sharon Gaudin reports:
"Intel Tuesday outlined the roadmap for its upcoming line of
solid-state drives that will use flash-based solid-state memory to
store data - and replace hard drives in some computers.
"Such flash-based solid state drives are already available in some
computers available on the market, including the MacBook Air, though
the drives used in these products haven't been produced by Intel.
"Dubbed the Intel High-Performance SATA Solid-State Drive product
line, the data storage devices are aimed at mobile and desktop clients,
as well as enterprise server, storage and workstation applications. The
first products in the new line are slated to be available by
mid-September.
"The announcement was made Tuesday at the company's Intel Developer
Forum in San Francisco." d
Link: DF:
Intel Hint Suggests 160 GB MacBook Air
MacBook Air Revision Imminent with Full Penryn,
More Power
PhoneNews's
Christopher Price says:
"PhoneNews.com can confirm that Apple is preparing to release an new
revision of the MacBook Air. While that in and of itself is not a
surprise to many, we can confirm some of the specifications of the
unit.
"Much of the MacBook Air's external design will not change. However,
the internals will receive a significant revision from the initial
release back in January. The MacBook Air is currently powered by a
custom version of the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, from the Merom-class.
That processor had been modified with a lower voltage process to
conserve power.
"The new MacBook Air however, will trade that CPU out for a standard
Penryn-class Core 2 Duo...."
Link:
MacBook Air Revision Imminent, Full Penryn, More Power
Rumor Hints 2 GHz MacBook Air with 120 GB Hard
Drive
Electronista
reports:
"Apple's first revision to the MacBook Air will see a clock speedboost as well as a storage upgrade, according to a newly prominent
rumor. The report claims the 13.3-inch lightweight portable will switch
from Apple's custom-ordered 65 nanometer processors to a reference 45
nanometer, Penryn-based design. Upgrading will allegedly reduce the
clock speed gap and let the MacBook Air's Core 2 Duo chip push
2 GHz 'and beyond,' according to the leak.
"However, this swap will allegedly create a power increase and
require that Apple supply the system with a 60-watt power supply rather
than the smaller 45-watt unit that comes with the existing model. The
internal design is described as closer to that of the standard MacBook,
though whether it will be based on some components of Intel's Centrino
2 platform or use a rumored custom design is unknown."
Link:
Rumor Hints 2 GHz MacBook Air with 120 GB Disk
Intel Launches Smaller SSD for Netbooks,
Mini-desktops
IDG News
Service's Dan Nystedt reports:
"Intel launched a much smaller version of its Z-P230 SSDs (solid
state drive) aimed at netbooks and mini-desktops....
"The new SSD is based on a miniature card module that weighs just 8
grams, compared to 11 grams for the original Z-P230, which Intel
announced in June."
Link: Intel
Launches Smaller SSD for Netbooks, Mini-desktops
MacBooks Now on Sale at Your Local Grocer?
Maybe!
AppleGazette's Michael reports:
"So last night we went grocery shopping. Normal trip, nothing out of
the ordinary . . . and then I walked past the photo booth.
They have recently started selling notebook computers but, like every
other place in the world, they're always Windows-based - so I don't
care. Then I saw this...
"And I did a double take.
"Look at that! A MacBook on sale in a grocery store! If that
doesn't say something about Apple's market growth - I don't know what
will...."
Link:
MacBooks - Now on Sale at Your Local . . . Grocery Store?
Yup!
Intel Shifts Future Core Processors into Turbo
Mode
PR: In his Intel
Developer Forum keynote this week, Pat Gelsinger detailed the roadmap
for Intel's continued march toward pervasive, higher performance and
power efficient computing. The senior vice president and general
manager of Intel's Digital Enterprise Group discussed new features of
the company's next-generation processor family including a new turbo
mode that shifts the processor into a higher gear for mind-blowing
performance without a heat penalty.
The company's first desktop PC chips branded Intel Core i7
processors and initial energy-efficient, high-performance server
products (codenamed "Nehalem-EP") will be first to production. Intel is
also planning to manufacture a second server derivative designed for
the expandable sever market ("Nehalem-EX"), and desktop ("Havendale"
and "Lynnfield") and mobile ("Auburndale" and "Clarksfield") client
versions in the second half of 2009.
"Our engineers have put together an incredible processing family
here that will include a tremendous amount of new processor features
all centered on delivering faster computer performance and terrific
energy efficiency," Gelsinger said.
The next-generation Core microarchitecture also features Intel
Hyper-Threading Technology* delivering up to 8-threaded performance
capability on 4 cores in the initial versions and best-in-class memory
bandwidth thanks to the new QuickPath Interconnect. QuickPath is a
technology that connects processors, chipsets and memory together, and
delivers up to three times the memory bandwidth of previous generation
Core microarchitecture solutions.
The new Intel Xeon processor X7460 with 6 cores and 16 MB L3 cache
for expandable servers launching in September has already broken
multiple performance world records1.
An 8-socket IBM System x* 3950 M2 server became the first platform to
break the 1 million tpmC barrier on the TPC*-C benchmark. New 4-Socket
performance records include TPC*-C on HP Proliant* DL580 G5, TPC*-E on
Dell PowerEdge* R900, SPECjbb*2005 on Sun Fire* X4450 and
SPECint*_rate2006 on Fujitsu-Siemens PRIMERGY* RX600 S4.
Gelsinger also discussed the industry's first many-core Intel
Architecture (IA) based design, codenamed "Larrabee." Expected in 2009
or 2010, the first product based on Larrabee will target the personal
computer graphics market, support DirectX and OpenGL, and run today's
games and programs. Larrabee is expected to kick start an industrywide
effort to create and optimize software for the dozens, hundreds and
thousands of cores expected to power future computers.
The Intel executive also outlined Intel's vision for the next wave
of the Internet, called the Embedded Internet. Emerging markets in the
embedded computing space such as IP networking and security, video
intelligence, medical, in-vehicle infotainment and home automation can
greatly benefit from the always-on Internet connectivity. Gelsinger
said that this area is another growth opportunity for Intel and the
high-tech industry, and predicted that there will be 15 billion devices
connected to the Internet as a result of the rapid rise of the embedded
internet.
Where Will Mobile Computing's 'On-the-Go, Go?'
Showing the breadth and health of Intel's next-generation
processors, David (Dadi) Perlmutter, executive vice president and
general manager of Intel's Mobility Group today demonstrated the first
working laptop platform codenamed "Calpella."
"Calpella will redefine how we compute on-the-go by giving users a
stunning new computing visual experience, better manageability and
security, enhanced turbo mode features and evolutionary power
management for notebooks," said Perlmutter. "It is all about dramatic
mobile performance without compromise."
New Mobile Processors Unveiled
Building on the recent Intel Centrino 2 launch for notebook PCs in
July, Perlmutter unveiled Intel's first-ever mobile-focused quad-core
laptop workstation - the Intel Core 2 Extreme processor. While the
products include four cores, they only use 45 watts of power.
Perlmutter also introduced the company's second-generation dual-core
mobile processors for increasingly popular ultra thin and light
notebook PCs.
He also outlined upcoming mobile platform enhancements including the
Intel High-Performance SATA Solid-State Drive product line for faster
system responsiveness, lower power consumption and rugged, reliable
operation and available later this year, Intel Antitheft Technology,
which features intelligent hardware-based detection and response
mechanisms that enable IT managers or service providers to disable the
platform and/or access to data in case of loss or theft.
WiMax Connecting Soon
Emerging WiMax 4G networks around the world will be connecting the
plethora of mobile platforms and devices, and specifically within the
United States where Sprint XOHM* plans to turn on its first citywide
network in Baltimore in September. Globally, more than 400 WiMax trials
and networks2 extend the richness of
the mobility experience. Perlmutter also announced that Dell has now
joined other computer-makers such as Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Panasonic, and
Toshiba as publicly committing to include the Intel WiMax/WiFi Link
5050 Series module to future laptop product lines.
Barrett: 'Get involved'
During the conference's opening keynote, Intel Chairman Craig
Barrett applauded the developer community for technology innovations
that contributed to unimagined advances in entertainment and business
productivity during the past 40 years. He said the impact of their work
is borderless and challenged them to collaborate and use their
technology expertise to inspire and empower the billions of people who
have recently joined the world's free economic system.
"Technology is a tool to address some of the world's most pressing
challenges related to health care, education, economic development and
the environment," said Barrett, who also chairs a United Nations
initiative on technology in the developing world. "No nations or
individuals are untouched by these issues. Get involved. Be part of the
solution."
Barrett also announced that Intel will award four $100,000 prizes to
the most innovative ideas for applying technology to meet unmet needs
related to education, health care, economic development and the
environment. Ideas will be evaluated for sustainability and
innovativeness of the solution. More details on the INSPIRE-EMPOWER
Challenge are available at www.intelchallenge.com .
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of their
respective owners. SPEC, SPECint, SPECfp, SPECrate, SPECweb, SPECjbb
are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. See:
http://www.spec.org for more information on the benchmarks.
Performance tests and ratings are measured using specific computer
systems and/or components and reflect the approximate performance of
Intel products as measured by those tests. Any difference in system
hardware or software design or configuration may affect actual
performance. Buyers should consult other sources of information to
evaluate the performance of systems or components they are considering
purchasing. For more information on performance tests and on the
performance of Intel products, visit
www.intel.com/performance/resources/limits.htm or call (US)
800-628-8686 or 916-356-3104.
News on Intel's Nehalem, Chips with Integrated GPUs
Next
ZD Net's John Morris says:
"Intel has given new details of what it calls the biggest change in
its processor platform in a decade.
"The new information on Nehalem, discussed in keynotes and
presentations at the Intel Developer Forum this week, was expected.
Nehalem isn't a single product, but a family of products all based on a
new microarchitecture. The first products, due to ship in the fourth
quarter, will be performance and "extreme" desktop chips bearing the
name Core i7....
"Intel also dropped some hints about how the technology in Nehalem
will be used in other products, most notably processors that have both
general-purpose x86 cores and GPUs on the same silicon die. For
example, the QPI can be used to connect the CPUs to the GPUs and turbo
mode can be extended to control the GPUs as well, so that you can have
any combination of x86 cores and GPUs running depending on the
applications you are using. There will be both desktop (Havendale) and
mobile (Auburndale) processors with GPUs onboard; the desktop and
laptop versions without integrated graphics are code-named Lynnfield
and Clarksfield, respectively. These are all due in the second half of
2009...."
Link: The News on Intel's Nehalem;
Chips with Integrated GPUs up Next
Products
Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase by Tom Bihn
PR: Tom Bihn, a designer,
manufacturer, and retailer of laptop bags, backpacks, messenger bags,
and briefcases, has introduced the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase, a
new "checkpoint friendly" briefcase-style laptop bag with a highly
protective compartment for a laptop computer.
The Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase Bihn's
answer to an intensive, five-month design challenge issued by the TSA
(Transportation Security Administration) to design a laptop bag that
meets its newly implemented "checkpoint friendly" program guidelines.
The Checkpoint Flyer provides the TSA with a clear, unobstructed x-ray
view of the laptop in the bag without sacrificing organizational
pockets and clean design.
Unique features of the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase
include:
- Handsome and tough US made 1050 denier ballistic nylon,
splash-proof YKK Uretek zippers, Duraflex Stealth buckles, and Poron
foam-padded handles.
- Made in USA in Tom Bihn's own Seattle factory.
- Over 11 organizational pockets.
- Back pocket zips open to accommodate the handle of a
roll-aboard.
- Quick-access boarding pass/map pocket.
- Molded foam laptop compartment that completely encases the laptop
in 8mm-thick closed cell foam, available in three sizes designed
specifically to fit the 13" MacBook and MacBook Air, 15.4" MacBook Pro,
and 17" MacBook Pro. Also fits many PC laptops.
- Requires less than 3 seconds to be prepared in order to send the
briefcase through the x-ray machine.
- Not designed simply for the security checkpoint process, the
Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase works well as an everyday laptop
bag.
The Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase is available for pre-order
through the Tom Bihn Web site and ships by late September. $220.
Available in three colors.
Link: Checkpoint Flyer
Laptop Briefcase
Software
FunctionFlip Toggles the Function Keys on Your
MacBook
PR: FunctionFlip individually controls your MacBook or
MacBook Pro's function keys, turning special keys back to regular
F-keys, or vice-versa
Developer Kevin Gessner says:
"I like the media keys on my MacBook keyboard - just not all of
them. Fat-fingered that I am, I regularly skip tracks when I just want
to pause. Disabling all of the keys just won't do, because I use the
brightness and volume keys every day.
"FunctionFlip individually controls your MacBook or MacBook Pro's
function keys, turning special keys back to regular F-keys, or
vice-versa.
"FunctionFlip's purpose is simply to disable the special features -
rewind, play, mute, etc. - on the function keys. For example, if you
"flip" F7, F8, and F9, those keys will revert back to normal F keys -
without affecting the other functions. Press the fn key with the
special key to get the special function back. That is, the "special"
and "normal" functions are flipped.
"To assign a custom shortcuts to your reclaimed keys, use a program
like Quicksilver or Keyboard Maestro.
"Please note: FunctionFlip only works on Macintosh laptops with the
"new model" keyboard, featuring the function keys shown in this Apple
image.
"As of version 1.1, FunctionFlip supports all MacBooks and MacBooks
Pro, as well as recent Apple external keyboards. If your keyboard is
not supported, contact me."
FunctionFlip requires that "Enable access for assistive devices" be
checked on the Universal Access pane in System Preferences.
New in version 1.1:
- Support for more keyboard layouts
- New icons by Lorenzo Orlandi
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.5 or later
System Support: PPC/Intel
Free
Link: FunctionFlip
Bargain 'Books
Bargain 'Books are used unless otherwise indicated. New and
refurbished units have a one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for
AppleCare.
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233 MHz,
the cacheless MainStreet version and the
later Series II with
a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from the
vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included links within
this paragraph to the two models. The same goes for the PowerBook G4/667 (VGA) and
G4/667 (DVI), the
titanium vs. aluminum 15" PowerBook G4 at 1 GHz, and 1.25 GHz to 1.5
GHz 15" PowerBooks.
PowerBook, iBook, and MacBook profiles linked in our Portable Mac Index.
A 2.6 GHz 15" MacBook Pro for $1,849 this week, and the $1,649.00
deal is back. Each model comes with an Apple one-year warranty, and
ground shipping is free.
- refurb 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80, $1,499
- refurb 1.8 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80, $1,699
- refurb 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/64 SSD, $2,099
- refurb 1.8 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/64 SSD, $2,299
- refurb 2.1 GHz Penryn MacBook, white, 1 GB/120/Combo, $899
- refurb 2.4 GHz Penryn MacBook, white, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,099
- refurb 2.4 GHz Penryn MacBook, black, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,299
- refurb 15" 2.4 GHz Santa Rosa MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,649
- refurb 15" 2.5 GHz Penryn MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $1,999
- refurb 15" 2.6 GHz Santa Rosa MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,849
- refurb 17" 2.4 GHz Santa Rosa MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,899
- refurb 17" 2.5 GHz Penryn MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD, $2,299
- refurb 17" 2.5 GHz hi-res Penryn MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD,
$2,499
- refurb 17" hi-res 2.6 GHz Santa Rosa MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD,
$2,499
- refurb 17" 2.6 GHz Santa Rosa MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, $2,649
- refurb 17" 2.6 GHz hi-res Penryn MacBook Pro, 2 GB/250/SD,
$2,699
- 13.3" 1.83 GHz MacBook, white, 1 GB/60/Combo, $799
- 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80, $1,499.99
- 12" PowerBook G4/867 MHz, 256/40/Combo, $489.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.25 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $599.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, 256/60/Combo, $639.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 1 GB/80/Combo, $679.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 1 GB/80/SD, APX, $729.99
- 15" hi-res PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 512/80/SD, APX, $799.99
- 15" 1.83 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 512/80/SD, $1,099.99
- 15" 2.0 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 512/80/SD, $1,154.99
- 15" 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 1 GB/ 100/SD, $1,399.99
- 17" PowerBook G4/1 GHz, 512/60/SD, $789.99
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.33 GHz, /512/80/SD, $849.99
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, /1/100/SD, $879.99
- 17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, /1/100/SD, $909.99
- 17" 2.16 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, $1,299.99
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 1 GB/80/Combo, APX, $719
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz, 1 GB/80/Combo, APX, $785
- 15" 2.1 GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro, 512/80/SD, APX, $1,129
- open box 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, 2 GB/80, $1,699
- open box 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook, white, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,249
- open box 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,899
- refurb 17" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $1,988
- open box 17" 2.4 GHz Santa Rosa MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD,
$2,188
- open box 17" 2.6 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/160/SD, $2,649
- 12" iBook G3/500, 128/10/CD, $219.95
- 12" iBook G3/500, 192/40/CD, $239.95
- 12" iBook G3/600, 128/40/CD, $259.95
- 12" iBook G4/1.33 GHz, 768/40/Combo, AP, AppleCare, $599.95
- Pismo PowerBook G3/500, 256/20/Zip 100, $299.95
- 15" PowerBook G4/667 MHz DVI, 256/30/Combo, $499.95
- 15" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz, 1 GB/80/Combo, APX, $999.95
- 15" 2.16 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 1 GB/120/SD, APX, $1,599.95
- 15" 2.4 GHz Core 2 MacBook Pro, 2 GB/200/SD, APX, $1,799.95
For more deals on current or discontinued models, see our MacBook deals, MacBook Air deals, 15" MacBook Pro deals,
17" MacBook Pro
deals, 12"
PowerBook G4 deals, 15" PowerBook G4 deals,
17" PowerBook G4
deals, titanium
PowerBook G4 deals, iBook G4 deals, PowerBook G3 deals, and
iBook G3 deals.
