Low End Mac Editorial Archive

August 2009

The future of up-to-date browsers for PowerPC Macs, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.31. With Intel-only "Snow Leopard" shipping, software support for PPC Macs will continue its decline. Also, a look at SeaMonkey 2 and Camino 1.6.9.
Kodak Zi6 compact hi-def video camera, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 08.31. Selling for under $150, Kodak's Zi6 is light, compact, and produces good quality video for a low-end device.
MacBook with 'Snow Leopard' trumps $1,000 Windows notebooks, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 08.28. If you're on a $1,000 laptop budget, hunt up a MacBook. If you need 17 inches, hunt for a PowerBook or early MacBook Pro.
14 alternative browsers, OS X on PCs without hacking software, Macs 10% of Canadian market, and more, Mac News Review, 08.28. Also memory prices heading up, faxing in OS X, Bluetooth firmware update, Parallels 'Switch to Mac' edition, and more.
Can a Mac lover go PC?, notebook vs. desktop, add a second drive to Unibody MacBook Pro, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.28. Also how to clean a spill, stacked MacBooks may sleep unexpectedly, BookArc laptop holder, 750 GB overnight drive upgrade, bargain 'Books from $179 to $1,999, and more.
Handsfree phones more dangerous?, texting PSA too graphic?, iPhone app takes on SAD, and more, iNews Review, 08.28. Also why can't smartphones kill netbooks?, RealNetworks working on iPhone app, "iPhone moms" account for 29.5% of market, tiny PocketDock, and more.
Is Google Apple's partner or competitor?, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.26. In Google's desire to remain independent of Microsoft, it is beginning to encroach on Apple territory. Google Voice is just the tip of the iceberg.
Tiger on Pismo, LC III just died, installing OS X 10.4 on a DVD free Mac, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.26. Also problems with Target Disk Mode on Pismo, Mac OS 9 app and extension recommendations, powering your 'Book on the road, and more.
Mac mini the best value in desktop Macs, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.25. Although the iMac is faster all around, the Mac mini provides plenty of power at half the price. Even with the cost of upgrades, it's the value champion.
Protect your notebook against loss, theft, data loss, and security breaches, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 08.25. 10 percent of laptops are lost or stolen every year. Tips on preventing theft, securing your data, and recovering from a lost, stolen, or broken notebook.
School year means Clamshell iBook and Aluminum iMac, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 08.24. John Hatchett is getting a brand new 20" iMac at work - but the hand-me-down Clamshell iBook has him really excited.
Weathering Hurricane Bill in Atlantic Canada, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.24. Hurricane Bill hit Atlantic Canada over the weekend, but with minimal damage.
'Snow Leopard' pounces, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.21. Mac OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard' could be Apple's key to reaching a new market - white box PCs.
2010 will be the Year of the iPod touch, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market, 08.21. The traditional iPod market is declining, but a low-end iPod touch could make Apple a major player in the handheld gaming market, among other.
Max Miller, solo musician, Phil Herlihy, Extraordinary Mac Users, 08.21. An interview with Max Miller, solo musician and Mac user.
Top 10 laptop disasters, Apple and the netbook phenomenon, what good is the SD Card slot?, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.21. Also Asus tops in notebook reliability, AirPort and hard drive noise fixes from Apple, some MacBooks not going to sleep, bargain 'Books from $179 to $1,999, and more.
10 truisms of the Apple universe, Adobe ditching PowerPC, Apple still tops in satisfation, and more, Mac News Review, 08.21. Also Microsoft Outlook finally coming to Macs, MacSpeech Dictate reviewed, Verbatim hard drive with always on LCD, Mac vs. PC, and more.
iPhone tops on Flickr, iPhone putting Apple in business market, AAA roadside assistance app, and more, iNews Review, 2009.08.21. Also iPods as noise pollution, Gmail push comes to iPhone, TomTom app released, headphones the double as speakers, and more.
Mac notebook value for the college student, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 08.20. "...Apple 'Books represent the best long-term value for money spent, not to mention user experience...."
Apple gaining back-to-school shoppers despite lack of netbooks and low-end laptops, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.20. From the headlines other sites are using, you'd think that Apple was losing back-to-school shoppers, but a thoughful analysis of Retrevo's survey shows the opposite is true.
Adding USB 2.0 to a Titanium PowerBook G4, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 08.20. TiBooks have built-in USB 1.1, but with a compatible USB 2.0 CardBus card, you can go 2.0. Problem is, not all cards work.
The 64-bitness of Mac OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard', Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.19. Although Apple is promoting 'Snow Leopard' as a fully 64-bit operating system, it defaults to running in 32-bit mode.
The road ahead: 64-bit computing, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.19. Personal computers started with 8-bit CPUs, Macs started out with a 24-bit operating system, and 32-bit computing is starting to give way to 64 bits.
Problems getting 'Tiger' on a DVD-less Mac, more text editor suggestions, future of Smulton, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.19. Also Pismo doesn't require a PRAM battery, and WallStreet, MainStreet, and Pismo compared.
'Snow Leopard' doesn't mean the end of the road for PowerPC Macs, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 08.18. Although Mac development will shift more and more towards requiring Intel CPUs and Snow Leopard, PowerPC Macs will remain viable for years to come.
Step by step guide to manual Mac system migration, Adam Rosen, Adam's Apple, 08.18. Migration Assistant doesn't always do the job. Manual migration involves copying, deauthorizing, and reinstalling apps and user files.
The world is not enough for Apple, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.18. Apple's insatiable appetite for flash memory could soon demand the entire world supply.
Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.17. This Plantronics Bluetooth headset is lightweight, comfortable, and has good sound quality.
Mac OS X Server shortcomings in the enterprise, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 08.17. For large organizations, the maximum number of servers, replication issues, limited database size, domain integration and high costs can keep Apple out.
FCC investigation of Apple's Google Voice rejection could become a political mess, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market, 08.14. The FCC is overstepping its authority, which could lead to a serious backlash against the Democratic party and the President.
Apple's path to evil has not been easy, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.14. "It hasn't been easy for Apple to turn completely evil, but it has managed to make every decision count."
'Snow Leopard' and the end of PowerPC Macs, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 08.14. Mac OS X 10.6 will be the first version of OS X without PowerPC support. That marks the beginning of the end for G4 and G5 Macs.
8GB iPhone 3GS soon?, texting makes kids dumber, 2 Twitter apps, mobile calls cost most in US, and more, iNews Review, 08.14. Also 5 parent-proof arguments for an iPhone, 2 new iPod speaker docks from Logitech, lifestyle apps, and more.
Apple wins notebook tech support showdown, MacBook cracks persist, DeepSleep widget, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.14. Also moving to a 13" MacBook Pro, AirPort Client Update, USB condenser mic for notebooks, tiny USB drives, bargain 'Books from $179 to $1,999, and more.
OS X 10.6 requirements, why Apple owns the high end, when to upgrade your Mac, and more, Mac News Review, 08.14. Also Microsoft Word patent infringement, BackPack shelf for iMac and Cinema Displays, two updated Bible study programs, and more.
Apple finally brings antiglare to 15" MacBook Pro, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 08.13. Losing a matte display option has kept some Mac users away from the new glossy screen MacBooks. For $50 extra, that objection goes away.
Emulation on a Mac, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 08.12. Whether you're emulating an older Mac, a Windows PC, or a game console, emulation software provides the tools you need.
Pismo resuscitation, a possible NotePad Deluxe replacement, Eudora 8 keyboard shortcuts, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.12. Also looking at TextWrangler and TextMate as potential replacements for the Smultron text editor.
Apple's iPhone crushes netbooks where it counts, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.11. Apple's overall profit on the iPhone beats that of all brands of netbooks combined.
The perfect Mac: MacBook Pro or iMac?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.11. The 15" MacBook Pro with antiglare could be the perfect Mac, but the iMac also has much to commend it.
2 steps forward: Logitech Control Center 3.0 and Unifying Receiver, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.11. With the Unifying Receiver, several wireless Logitech devices need only one USB dongle, and the LCC 3.0 software is the best version yet.
Nerd-vana? School network means installing Windows on a MacBook, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 08.10. "My son is going off to college this fall. The campus intranet requires Windows as an operating system."
Apple's largely forgotten QuickTake 150 digital camera, Leo Titus LeBron V, Collection Spotlight, 08.10. Apple was the first to market with a sub-$1,000 digital camera, the fixed focus, VGA resolution, Mac- and PC-compatible QuickTake line.
Laptop sleeve shootout: RadTech Tekstyl Omni Case, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 08.10. The Tekstyl Omni Case is compact yet very flexible while protecting your 'Book on the go.
Laptop sleeve shootout: iSkin SOHO Sleeve Portfolio, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 08.10. iSkin's SOHO Sleeve Portfolio protects your 'Book while adding a minimal amount of weight.
Gaming on a Pismo PowerBook, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 08.07. Apple's Pismo PowerBook G3 has plenty of processing power, but its deficient when it comes to graphics power and video memory.
Technology vs. texting, fixing iPhone annoyances, quitting the iPhone, photo speed dialing, and more, iNews Review, 08.07. Also iPhone 3.0.1 released and hacked, iPhone haters, apps for hotel reservations, comic books, and writing, and more.
No Final Cut 3 with Intel graphics, MacBook Pro hard drive lag, small USB 2.0 monitor, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.07. Also 13" MacBook Pro 'a cut above the rest', Windows 7 to boost netbook prices, CPU Speed Menu, Logitech Unifying Receiver, bargain 'Books from $179 to $1,999, and more.
OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard for $29, run Windows on your Mac for Free, Update Breaks Office 2008, and more, Mac News Review, 08.07. Also getting your Mac ready for Snow Leopard, Time Capsule doubles capacity, Picasa 3 for Mac, Bodega Mac app store, and more.
Why is there an app for everything?, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.06. The iPhone's size means you can take it everywhere, and the broad range of apps means you can use it for everything.
Hasta la vista, Smultron, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.06. Smultron, a great text editor and information tracker, will no longer be updated.
Computer disaster ends happily, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 08.05. The iMac was getting slower and slower, and Disk Utility kept trying to fix the same problems. With a new hard drive, the iMac is running as well as ever.
Pismo worth a G4 upgrade?, what to do with old Macs, and dangers from texting and talking drivers, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.05. More feedback from those who love the Pismo PowerBook, whether ancient Macs have much real value, and road risks from texting and talking on cell phones.
Net Applications cuts Mac market share by half, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.04. Real world data is now weighted by country, resulting in higher figures for Windows and IE, lower ones for Macs, Linux, Firefox, and Safari.
Gaming on an Aluminum PowerBook, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 08.04. There are quite a few high-end games from the late PowerBook era that run quite well on the later, faster G4 PowerBooks.
The day the Pismo died, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 08.04. At eight years old, a short or power surge took out the Pismo PowerBook. But with the right parts, it's been brought back to life and remains in daily use.
My five favorite OS X apps (and several other useful ones), Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.03. Moore's list of most important apps includes a text editor, email client, browser, image editor, and speech-to-text program - none of them from Apple.