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News & Opinion
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News & Opinion
June 2007 and February 2008 MacBook Pro Owners
Invited to Apply for Compensation Under Nvidia Class Action
Settlement
Certain 2007 and 2008 15" and 17" MacBook Pro systems were subject
to a video issue that manifested as scrambled video output and/or
sometimes black screens. A class action lawsuit resulted, and a
settlement has been arrived at. The lawsuit (Case No. 08-04312-JW
NVIDIA GPU LITIGATION) claimed that NVIDIA sold defective Graphics
Processing Units (GPUs) and Media and Communications Processors (MCPs)
that affected the performance of some of the computers in which they
were incorporated. NVIDIA denies all allegations of wrongdoing and has
asserted many defenses. The settlement is not an admission of
wrongdoing.
However, users who own affected MacBook Pro models manufactured
between 2007 and 2008 and who are experiencing video problems (black or
scrambled output) will be eligible to have their systems fixed for
free. Reimbursements will be paid to people who have had these problems
fixed at their own expense. You may be a Settlement Class Member if you
are a United States resident who purchased for your own personal use
and not for resale one of the computers listed in Section 7 of the Full
Notice during the corresponding time period, which contained one of
certain NVIDIA chips that were incorporated into some versions of those
computers.
If you believe you are entitled to the benefits of this settlement,
you can register to have your system fixed at the Nvidia GPU Litigation
Web site. The site has a specific model check section where you can see
if your computer is eligible for repairs.
To determine whether your model is affected by this lawsuit, visit
this page: http://bit.ly/bB6ubW
Affected models incorporate the Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT GPU:
Link: The NVIDIA
GPU Litigation
Intel Reveals New Core i5 and i7 Mobile
Processors
According to separate reports by Cnet's Brooke Crothers and
Thinq's Paul Taylor, Intel has added several new Core i series chips to
its CPU lineup, including two Core i5 mobile chips for laptops - the
2.66 GHz i5-580M (3 MB L2 cache, two cores, four threads) and the
2.66 GHz i5-560M - both rated at 35W power draw, plus an 18W ultra-low
power 560UM clocked at 1.33 GHz
Also new are a Core 1.33 GHz i5-560UM ("ultralow power" - 3 MB
L2 cache, two cores, four threads, 32-nanometer) CPU drawing just 18W
of power, making it suitable for ultraslim laptops and tablets, and the
power-efficient 2.26 GHz Core i7-660LM (4 MB L2 cache, two cores,
four threads, 32nm) and 1.46 GHz i7-680UM (4 MB L2 cache, two
cores, four threads, 32nm).
It remains to be seen whether and which of these chips will find
their way into Apple laptops.
Link: Intel Discloses
New Mobile Processors, Pricing, Cnet
Link: Intel
Punts Eight New Mobile CPUs, Thinq
Turn Your MacBook Into a WiFi Hotspot
MacGroup's Terry White offers a handy connectivity tip for travelers
who travel with both a MacBook and an iOS device, such as an iPad, iPod
touch, or iPhone, noting:
"Although I usually travel with an AirPort Express for those times
when I'm in a hotel room with Internet access via ethernet, sometimes
I'm in a conference center and I'm connected to the center's Internet
via Ethernet directly into my MacBook Pro . . . The problem
is that in those cases there are rarely multiple Ethernet plugs and nor
is there WiFi (well sometimes there's WiFi, but usually at an
additional cost). I do the next best thing. I plug the Ethernet cable
in my MacBook Pro and then I enable Internet Sharing via the Sharing
System Preferences. This in effect turns your MacBook notebook into a
temporary WiFi hotspot for other devices to share your Internet
connection."
Link: Turn Your MacBook
Into a WiFi Hotspot
Restoring a Mac from Time Machine
eXtensions' Graham K. Rogers reports that his 15" MacBook Pro was
returned to him with its hard disk having been replaced a week after
its 13" junior arrived. He chronicles reinstalling his software and
files from a Time Machine backup, observing what a beautiful machine
his MacBook Pro is and how the disappointments of freezing had colored
his perspective.
His 13" MacBook Pro was connected to the Time Machine disk, so in
theory Graham had the latest backup, and he intended to switch directly
to the 15" MacBook and run that as his main machine to see how it fared
after the repair.
Rogers reports in detail that he was able to restore his mini-fleet
of MacBook Pro computers fairly quickly to a running state using Time
Machine, but he is still not sure whether the cause of his recent
problems with the 15-incher was the hard drive, graphics switching, or
a faulty sudden motion sensor (as some have suggested), noting that he
may never know - but he's back on track with productivity.
Link: Accentuate
the Positive, Eliminate the Negative (2): Back to my Original Mac
(Gingerly)
MacBook Being Replaced by Smaller, More Affordable
MacBook Air?
Three Guys and a Podcast's Mark Reschke says:
"If recent reports are to be believed, a new MacBook Air from Apple
is imminent . . . the rumored number of screens on order is
said to be up to 500,000 by year's end. If accurate, those volumes
indicate Apple is looking to reposition the MacBook Air within their
portable lineup . . . So where will the new MacBook Air fit
in order to find relevance?"
Reschke ventures that when the new Air arrives in October or
November, it could slot into the current MacBook space at a $999 price
point; suggesting that the current base MacBook will cease to exist and
the new MacBook Air take it's place with an ultra low power Intel Core
i-series CPU, a smaller overall footprint, greater performance, and
dramatically improved battery life.
An interesting line of speculation, although your editor is dubious,
but I do agree with Reschke that the Air is either overdue for its
rumored refresh or it won't survive much beyond year's end.
Link: MacBook Out - Air
In?
Apple Readying Smaller, Lighter MacBook Air?
AppleInsider Staff note that since introducing the 13.3" MacBook Air
as the "world's thinnest notebook" nearly three years ago, sales have
stagnated - along with the design, which has received just two minor
revisions in a 29-month production run, the most recent more than a
year ago. AppleInsider suggests that the Air's 13.3" footprint and 3
pound carrying weight may be a bit more than its target cohort of
customers would prefer, especially when compared with the more compact
and lighter 9.7" iPad (not to mention PC netbooks, which hadn't heavily
impacted the market when the MacBook Air was introduced in 2008.
Aside from a smaller display making a more compact footprint
possible, AppleInsider speculates that weight reduction could be
facilitated by going to a partial carbon fiber enclosure, and that the
revised Air will be powered by an Intel Core i ultra-low voltage
processor.
Link: Apple Readying
Production of Smaller, Lighter 11.6-inch MacBook Airs?
11.6" MacBook Air Coming Soon?
DigiTimes' Yen-Shyang Hwang and Steve Shen report that longtime
Apple laptop subcontractor Quanta Computer's shipments are likely to
reach five million units in September, with the company expected to
ship a total of 13-13.2 million notebooks in the third quarter - down
3-5% from 13.7 million units shipped in the second quarter, and that
Quanta has reportedly also received orders for 11.6-inch MacBooks from
Apple, with shipments expected to top 400,000 to 500,000 units in
2010.
If they're going to hit that metric with a relatively low-volume
niche model like the MacBook Air, we would deduce that it should be
introduced soon. Or perhaps rumors of a significant price cut for the
new Air have some substance, and Apple will be shooting for a higher
sales volume with the new model, all of which at this point is
speculation.
Link: 11.6-inch MacBook
Air Coming Soon? (subscription required)
11.6" MacBook Air Release Imminent?
The Register's Tony Smith also suggests that an 11.6" MacBook Air
may be nearing release, observing that with the MacBook Pro range now
including 13.3" models, it leaves little room in between them and the
polycarbonate-housed MacBook for the 13.3" MacBook Air, which hasn't
been updated for almost 18 months and is due a refresh. Smith observes
that dropping the Air's screen size to 11.6" would move it out of the
MacBook and MacBook Pro space to become the Intel Core "true successor"
to the erstwhile and much-lamented 12"
PowerBook G4 - and as the logical keyboard-equipped step up from
the iPad.
Editor's note: I agree. cm
Link: 11.6in
MacBook Air Release Imminent?
iOS Netbook Instead of a Smaller, Lighter MacBook
Air?
AppleMatters' Chris Seibold observes that Apple is supposedly going
to churn out a netbook, which would be the rumored second-generation
MacBook Air with an 11.7" screen, a slightly undersized keyboard, a low
power CPU etc., but suggests that the trouble with this idea is that
Apple has already, publicly and unequivocally, rejected the idea of a
netbook.
Seibold is of a mind that Apple isn't about to make a smaller
version of the MacBook Air at cut-rate prices just to appease folks who
have been clamoring for a cheaper portable Mac, but the iPad makes
things little more interesting - and the idea of an 11.7" Apple netbook
a lot more plausible. He thinks Mac OS X on an Apple netbook is a
nonstarter, but iOS, conversely, has been pitched as the OS for
products with more affordable price points, so we're not talking about
a smaller Mac but rather an enhanced iPad with a real keyboard and
better I/O connectivity, which would allow Apple to get more mileage
out of its A4 CPU, and that if Apple determines that such a device
could revolutionize the netbook market you can expect to see it.
Sounds plausible
Link: Is
an iOS Netbook in the Works?
Products & Services
Wooden MacBook Pro Case with Leather Lining
PR: Custom furniture, interior and exhibition designer
Rainer Spehl announces this Wooden Laptop Case with leather lining and
magnetic closing device for Apple MacBook Pro 13", 15" and 17".
Not much other detail provided, and Spehl lets these photographs by
Achim Hatzius do the talking.
Spehl manages and realizes projects for commercial clients from
concepts to the finished product. His portfolio includes exhibition
stands, events and product displays for clients such as Nike, Stone
Island, Dior, and Gucci.
He also works on his own collection of furniture and products as
well as designing individual pieces for private clients.
Spehl's
designs show a strong interest in craftmanship and its utilisation. The
choice of material, the detailing and the incorporation of the
respective surroundings are characteristic for his work - aiming to be
of the highest standard; functionally - as well as aesthetically.
For purchases contact:
- Rainer Spehl
- Koepenicker Strasse 187/188
- 10997 Berlin
- tel + 49 30 817 979 58
- fax + 49 30 616 215 69
- mob + 49 178 355 16 77
- mail@rainerspehl.com
Link: Wooden MacBook Pro Case with
Leather Lining
Software
Watts, a Mac Laptop Battery Calibration Tool
PR: Your
Mac laptop's battery needs to be recalibrated from time to time to keep
the onscreen battery time and percent display accurate, and to keep the
battery operating at maximum efficiency. Watts is a utility that can
assist with battery maintenance, and automate the recalibration
chore.
Better battery indicator
Watts can substitute the
default menu bar battery icon and adds advanced features. Watts menu
will behave as the system battery icon menu, and provides some extra
options like calibration assistant and other features.
Intuitive calibration assistant
Watts will guide you through the process of calibrating your
battery. The calibration scheduling can be adjusted for your needs, and
even postponed if you want. Calibration dates are automatically
logged.
More useful Growl notifications
Have your battery always in excellent conditions by enabling useful
Growl suggestions. For example, allow Growl to remind you to disconnect
the power adapter after a long time connected.
Detailed battery information
All relevant information about your battery is fully available as
well as clear explanation of any technical details. Charge cycles,
current battery capacity, capacity history log - everything to check
your battery lifespan.
System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5 and up
$6.95, 60 day demoware
Link: Watts
Bargain 'Books
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