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News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Products & Services
News & Opinion
MacBook Pro Refresh Coming This Month?
AppleInsider's Kasper Jade and Neil Hughes say that with Intel's
next-generation Core i-Series mobile platform not expected until the
second quarter of 2012, Apple is reportedly preparing a refresh of its
professional notebook line ahead of the holiday shopping season to
better bridge the gap, "according to people with proven insight into
Apple's future product plans," who indicate that the Late 2011 MacBook
Pro refresh will be limited to CPU speed bumps with nothing else
changed from the current models.
Publisher's note: The current MacBook Pro line was introduced in
February, so a refresh before the end of October is realistic.
dk
Link: Apple to Surprise
with Late-2011 MacBook Pro Refresh This Month
Two Chassis for Apple's Next MacBook Pros?
T-GAAP's E. Werner Reschke notes that October has traditionally been
a time slot for Apple to introduce updates to its laptop lines, and
with the MacBook Air's popularity, sleek design, and affordable price
points, he's wonder what exactly updated MacBook Pro's will sport this
fall.
Reschke speculates that Apple might even be fixing to roll out two
distinct form factors for an updated MacBook Pro lineup. The first
would house the standard hard drive and SuperDrive and look similar to
today's models, but for those who want a more MacBook Air-ish look, a
second design would dispense with the SuperDrive and only use the
slimmer SSD, but still retain the discrete graphics chip that is
necessary for most Pro users.
Publisher's note: Unlikely, in my opinion. A 15" MacBook Air
wouldn't be out of the question, but I can't see Apple offering a hard
drive/SuperDrive MacBook Pro model and also calling an SSD-only/no
SuperDrive model Pro. dk
Link: Two Chassis for
Apple's Next MacBook Pros?
EFI Update Preps MacBook Airs for Thunderbolt
Display
MacFixIt's Josh Lowensohn notes that in conjunction with the
impending release of its new 27" Thunderbolt Display, Apple has pushed
out a software update (see below) to its latest MacBook Air models that
gets them ready to plug in to the new hardware, while fixing a handful
of bugs in the process, including of special note the fix of an issue
with plugging in to Apple's yet-to-be-released Thunderbolt Display,
which has been marketed as a docking station of sorts (3 USB 2.0 ports,
a FireWire 800 port, Gigabit Ethernet, plus Thunderbolt) for Mid 2011
MacBook Air owners.
Link:
EFI Update Preps MacBook Airs for New Displays
Newest MacBook Air Is 'Dead-Sexy' Says
Reviewer
Business Insider's Dylan Love says he wasn't a fan of the previous
generations of MacBook Air, which were somewhat puny and underpowered -
and had too many connectivity shortcomings. Love says he likes a
vicious processor attached to an affordable machine that feels robust
and non-delicate, and the first-generation Airs fell embarrassingly
short of all these standards - expensive weaklings more like a fashion
accessory that one was always worried about accidentally snapping one
in half.
However, says Love, that's not the case with the latest iterations
of the MacBook Air, which he pronounces "a total joy to use" with the
beautiful hardware and Apple's new Lion operating system complementing
each other wonderfully - and no impression that he needs to treat the
computer with kid gloves. Starting at $1,000, these machines don't pack
nearly the punch on your wallet that they used to.
Link: The Newest
MacBook Air Is Dead-Sexy
Apple Updates
Mid 2011 MacBook Air EFI Firmware
Update
MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.1 includes fixes that enhance the
stability of Lion Recovery from an Internet connection, and resolve
issues with Apple Thunderbolt Display compatibility and Thunderbolt
Target Disk Mode performance on MacBook Air (Mid 2011) models.
For more information about Lion Recovery, visit http://www.apple.com/macosx/recovery/
The MacBook Air EFI Update will update the EFI firmware on your
notebook computer. Your computer's power cord must be connected and
plugged into a working power source. When your MacBook Air 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 Air during this
update.
Boot ROM or SMC Version Information: After this update has
successfully completed, your Boot ROM Version will be:
MBA41.88Z.0077.B08.1109011050
System Requirements: OS X Lion 10.7 and later
Link: MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update
2.1
Products & Services
mDock: First Zero-Footprint Docking Station and
Backup Solution for MacBook Pro
PR: At the
International Broadcasters' Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, Culver City,
California based mLogic LLC announced the launch of its new startup
company and introduced three innovative products designed for Mac
computers - mDock, mBack, and mLink.
mDock
mDock is a companion product for unibody MacBook Pro laptops,
designed to eliminate repetitive plugging and unplugging of devices
typically connected to these computers while significantly reducing
desktop cable clutter. When docked, mDock's built-in hard drive backs
up the MacBook Pro's system drive via Time Machine, and also features
convenient front-facing USB and headphone ports.
Highlights:
- Replicates the ports located on the side of unibody 13" and 15" MBP
computers
- Peripheral devices (monitors, speakers, printers, etc.) are
attached to mDock eliminating the need to plug and unplug these devices
whenever the user goes mobile
- Eliminates desktop cable clutter
- Built-in hard drive (500 GB or 1 TB) backs up the MBP system disk
via Time Machine
- Convenient front facing USB and headphone jacks
- Front facing, high-power (10W) charge port powers up iOS devices
fast
- Sleek, fanless design and aluminum enclosure complements MacBook
Pro
Link: mDock
mBack
mBack is a unique
zero-footprint backup drive for iMac computers. Unlike a typical backup
drive that resides on the desktop, mBack mounts securely to the iMac
stand (or Apple Cinema/Thunderbolt Display stand) so its off the
desktop and elegantly out of the way.
Highlights:
- Unique zero-footprint backup drive
- Mounts to the iMac or Cinema/Thunderbolt Display stand using
specialized hardware
- Does not take up any desktop real estate
- Time Machine compatible
- 1, 2, and 3 TB versions with high-speed USB 2.0 interface
- Sleek, fanless design and aluminum enclosure complements iMac and
Apple displays
Link: mBack
mLink
mLink is an external chassis that enables PCIe adapter cards (HD
video capture cards, RAID controllers, host bus adapters, SSDs, etc.)
to be attached to any Thunderbolt equipped Macintosh computer. mLink
brings the functionality of these adapter cards that formerly required
a Mac Pro to the new iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air via a
high-speed 10 Gb/s Thunderbolt connection.
Highlights:
- Links PCIe 2.0 adapter boards to Thunderbolt enabled Mac
computers
- 2x 10 GB/s Thunderbolt ports
- Small form factor all-aluminum desktop enclosure
"Thunderbolt technology in combination with mLogic's mLink brings
unique expandability and high-performance to users with mobile and
all-in-one computers," says Jason Ziller, Director Thunderbolt
Marketing, Intel. "We're excited to see mLink provide these
capabilities to media creators and enthusiasts."
"I am thrilled to announce the launch of mLogic at IBC 2011," said
Roger Mabon, CEO of mLogic. "We are introducing some very interesting
products at the show that I know will resonate with Mac users. mLogic's
mission is to provide innovative products to the Mac community and the
mDock, mBack and mLink are the first of many more to come."
Pricing and Availability
- mDock: 500 GB - $219, 1 TB - $299
- mBack: 1 TB - $169, 2 TB - $209, 3 TB - $349
- mLink: $399
mDock, mBack, and mLink will be available in November through
mLogic's authorized retail and distribution channels. mLogic will begin
accepting preorders in October at mlogic.com.
Clyde Street Messenger Bag Combines Upscale Fashion
with Functionality
PR: Acme Made, a design company specializing in protective
accessories for computer devices has expanded its designer laptop
messenger bag line with the spacious, stylish, and durable Clyde Street
Messenger.
This bag is designed to fit in comfortably in settings from
student coffee lounges to corporate boardrooms, and is capacious enough
to easily store a 17" MacBook Pro.
The Clyde Street Messenger can make an ideal addition a professional
or student's fall wardrobe. Available immediately on the Acme Made
website, the Clyde Street Messenger is crafted with Acme Made's
Bombshell exterior for premium protection and provides both the style
and superior safeguard solution that today's electronic consumer users
demand. There is also a unique stay-flat document pocket to protect
important files and notes.
Clyde Street Messenger features
- Adjustable shoulder strap with removable pad for comfortable
transport
- Generous interior pockets keep your essentials organized
San Francisco based Acme Made says the Clyde Street Messenger is its
innovative answer to the ubiquitous messenger bag, designed to meet the
demands of modern urban living with the upscale fit, finishes and
versatility that have characterized Acme Made products since 2002.
Spacious, stylish and engineered tough, the Clyde Street Messenger
is designed to be both chic and highly accessible. Crafted with Acme
Made's Bombshell exterior for premium protection, the Clyde Street
Messenger features a fully-padded laptop pocket within a roomy main
compartment. The bag also boasts fine-tuned compartments for all
stash-able items, easily stowing a 17" MacBook Pro alongside sneakers,
sketchbooks, chewing gum, show tickets, noise-cancelling head phones,
train tokens, jukebox quarters or iPhone.
Comfortable in a coffeehouse but also boardroom-ready, the
Clyde Street Messenger translates seamlessly from student life to a
career-focused fashion accessory, offering a unique stay-flat document
pocket to protect important files. Wearers can count on long-haul
comfort with its custom soft-rubber handle and padded adjustable
shoulder strap.
"Craftily navigating the demands and diversity of the modern urban
landscape, we're sure the Clyde Street Messenger will take its rightful
place in the legion of elegantly engineered bags from Acme Made," says
Ben McCosh, Acme Made's Product Manager.
Link: Clyde
Street Messenger Bag
Kensington ClickSafe Combination Lock Provides
Convenient Security for Laptops
PR: Now businesses and individuals can select combination or
key locks to best fit their needs. Kensington Computer Products Group
today introduced the Kensington ClickSafe Combination Laptop Lock, a
click-to-lock system that secures a laptop to a physical, immovable
object with a combination lock. Mirroring the effortless one-click,
simple installation of the Kensington ClickSafe family, Kensingtons new
lock provides a combination code instead of a key to secure the device,
protecting the valuable data residing on the device.
Kensington has a 20-year heritage pioneering the
development of physical security for computers. Kensington's ClickSafe
family provides a simpler, more effective locking experience. Engaged
with an almost effortless one-click action, Kensington's ClickSafe
locks are constructed from high carbon steel cables with a
corrosion-proof steel lockhead, while maintaining a sleek look and
lightweight feel, ideal for the mobilized worker.
With the addition of the new ClickSafe Combination lock to the
ClickSafe family, businesses can choose different lock and key
configurations that best suit their employees, and can customize access
to various devices. For example, the ClickSafe Combination lock might
be more convenient for those workers who cant carry a key, or prefer to
have a combination instead of another key on their key ring.
Kensington's ClickSafe Combination lock is available with master
access, allowing administrators to use a tool called the ComboGenie to
access all laptop locks when necessary. With the ComboGenie,
administrators can unlock laptops if employees forget their
combinations or if an executive needs access to a laptop, providing
enhanced IT support and greater administrative control.
"As today's workforce increasingly relies on mobile devices to
create and access critical information, preventing laptop theft and the
resulting data loss is critical," says Brian Baltezore, Senior Global
Product Manager at Kensington.
The ClickSafe Combination lock provides a new approach to
safeguarding corporate information on vulnerable laptops by preventing
opportunistic theft with an easy click to lock system."
The Kensington ClickSafe Combination Locks will be available at
Kensington.com and
through Kensington channel partners.
Link: Kensington
ClickSafe Combination Lock
Bargain 'Books
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