Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2007.04.27
Apple announces sales of over 1.5 million Macs and 10.5 million
iPods during the past quarter. Gartner figures that gives Apple 5%
of the US market.
On the Mac Pro front, Bare Feats shows how multitasking really
benefits from 8 cores, Hardmac explains how to cool third-party
RAM in the Mac Pro, and NewerTech has a clever extender cable that
ports up to two SATA ports from the Mac Pro motherboard to the back
of the computer for use with eSATA drives.
Intel has announced new Core 2 CPUs with twice-as-large caches
while slashing prices on several of its existing CPUs. And
ScreenRecycler, a program for using another computer to give your
Mac an extended desktop, has been updated with fast VNC
support.
PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, and other portable computing is
covered in The 'Book Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Products
iPod Accessories
Software
News & Opinion
Apple Corners 5% of US PC Market
ZD Net's Larry Dignan reports:
"Fueled by a 30 percent year-over-year growth rate, Apple
shipments hit 741,000 units in the first quarter, up from 570,000
units from a year ago.
"And according to Gartner, that tally equates to 5 percent
market share in the US PC market, up a percentage point from this
time a year ago.
"As far as growth goes, Apple grew the fastest of the US PC
makers in shipments with a 30 percent growth rate...."
Editor's note: Gartner
reports their figures as estimates. Apple announced sales of
over 1.5 million Macs worldwide during the quarter, which would
indicate that over half of all Mac sales are taking place outside
of the US. dk
Link: Apple Corners 5%
of US PC Market
8 Core Mac Pro Shows Its Stuff when
Multitasking
Bare Feats' rob-ART Morgan reports:
"In some cases in our early testing, the 8
core (dual quad-core) Mac Pro was
only barely faster than the 4 Core (dual dual-core) Mac Pro running
at the same clock speed (3 GHz). But when we converted 6 movie
clips simultaneously in QuickTime Player, we saw the 8 core surge
ahead by 38%. You could call that 'muti-tasking.'
"In this test session, we constructed a 'multi-processing'
scenario where four different MP 'aware' apps were simultaneously
'crunching' and fighting for CPU cycles. That included....
- iDVD 6 encoding menu and HD video assets
- Motion 2 rendering a RAM preview of a 1000 frame 1440 x 1080
project
- Final Cut Pro 5 rendering a 20 second HD clip
- Photoshop CS3 taking a 100 MB test file and running 3 lens
flares and 3 radial blurs (with the aid of an action file).
"If your work flow means doing more than one thing at a time on
your Mac Pro, then you will see significant gains if you spend
extra to get the 8-core version."
Link: Multi-Processing: 8 Core
Mac Pro versus 4 Core Mac Pro
How to Cool Third-party Memory Modules in Mac
Pro
Hardmac's Lionel reports:
"As many Mac Pro owners, Christophe purchased non
Apple-certified FB-DIMM modules for his Mac Pro 2.66 GHz. When
checking temperature of his modules, he discovered that the
temperature is in average 15°C higher than Apple-branded ones.
So, he decided to improve the cooling system.
"He added some
copper-based heatsink from ThermalTake. With such components
glued to the chips, the overall temperature goes down to the same
level than Apple-branded ones, dropping from 75°C to
60°C."
Link: Mac Pro and
Third-party Memory Modules: How to Cool Them Down
Will Leopard Usher in the Era of Blu-ray?
Ars Technica's Iljitsch van Beijnum says:
"Over at Spymac
Michael Simon retells the story of high-definition video on the
Mac, starting with Steve Jobs' proclamation that 2005 would be the
'year of HD.'
"Apple's video editing software, even at the low end in the form
of iMovie, has had HD support for some years. DVD Player
(mysteriously not updated a week ago along with the rest of the
Final Cut Studio suite) will play HD content burned to regular DVD
media, and DVD Studio Pro will even author HD DVD projects, but no
Blu-ray so far, even though Apple is on the board of directors of
the Blu-ray Disc Association. In the Spymac article, Michael Simon
speculates that the delayed Leopard release could pave the way for
Blu-ray compatible Macs by the end of the year...."
Link:
Will Leopard Usher in the Era of Blu-ray?
Intel Doubles Cache Size in New Core 2 Duos
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Intel has extended its line of desktop dual-core Core 2 Duo
processors, adding an extra model to the set limited to an 800 MHz
frontside bus and beefing up the cache size of a number of 1066 MHz
FSB versions.
"So, in comes the 2 GHz Core 2 Duo E4400, fitted with 2 MB
of L2 cache. The existing E6300 and E6400, clocked at 1.86 GHz and
2.13 GHz, respectively, also contain 2 MB of L2, but are now
joined by versions at the same clock speed but with 4 MB of L2
as per the remainder of the Core 2 Duo E6xxx series.
"Earlier this week, Intel cut its desktop processor prices by up
to 40 per cent."
Link:
Intel Expands Core 2 Duo Line-up
Intel Chops Dual, Quad-Core Prices Almost 40
Percent
ExtremeTech reports:
"In the midst of a price war with AMD, Intel announced its own
substantive price cuts for its high-end Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad
microprocessors over the weekend.
"Intel also took the axe to the prices of its Xeon
processors."
Link: Intel
Chops Dual, Quad-Core Prices Almost 40 Percent
Mini CDs and Slot-loading Drives Don't Mix
Mac OS X Hints says:
"Here's a hint . . . don't put a mini CD in your
MacBook! If you do, like I did, and it gets stuck, like mine did,
well . . . I managed to get it out by turning my MacBook
on its side and shaking it.
"[robg adds: Mini CDs (and any other non-standard CD size or
shape, for that matter, should never be put into a slot-loading
CD/DVD drive on any Mac that is thus equipped. If you have a
tray-loading drive, I think the Mini CD format might work, but I
haven't tested one myself]"
Editor's note: I have, and Mini CDs work just fine in my old QPS
QueFire! 40x CD-burning drive, but keep 'em out of the
slot-loaders. cm
Link: Mini
CDs and Slot-loading Drives Don't Mix
Apple Updates
Apple Security Updater 2007-004
For the protection of our customers, Apple does not disclose,
discuss, or confirm security issues until a full investigation has
occurred and any necessary patches or releases are available.
Security Update 2007-004 is recommended for all users and
improves the security of the following components:
- AFP Client
- AirPort
- CarbonCore
- diskdev_cmds
- fetchmail
- ftpd
- gnutar
- Help Viewer
- HID Family
- Installer
- Kerberos
- Libinfo
- Login Window
- network_cmds
- SMB
- System Configuration
- URLMount
- Video Conference
- WebDAV
For explanation of what a SHA1 digest is, please see Mac OS X:
How to Verify a SHA-1 Digest.
For detailed information on Security Updates, please see
Apple
Security Updates.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.4.9
System support: PPC/Intel
Free
Link: Apple
Security Updater 2007-004
Products
eSATA Extender Cable Routes Internal Mac Pro
SATA Ports for External Use
PR: Newer Technology, Inc. (NewerTech), the
leading developer of PC, Macintosh, and iPod performance upgrades
and accessories, announced the NewerTech eSATA Extender Cable for
Mac Pro computers. The NewerTech eSATA Extender Cable is the first
extender cable available on the market that offers Mac Pro owners
the ability to utilize the two unused internal SATA ports on the
motherboard and add up to two external eSATA devices to run up to 6
hard drives or other devices on your Mac Pro.
"Perfect Fit Solution" Expands Mac Pro Capabilities
The NewerTech eSATA Extender Cable is specifically and
thoroughly engineered to be a "Perfect Fit Solution" so it
accurately and properly routes inside a Mac Pro case. Users can
connect any two SATA-I or SATA-II devices to expand their data
storage configuration. A step-by step illustrated installation
manual is included to make setup easy.
Features:
- First Mac Pro eSATA port expansion cable available on the
market.
- Provides ability to run external eSATA devices with Mac Pro
8-Core and Quad-Core models.
- "Perfect Fit Solution" for proper and accurate cable
routing.
- Enables connection of any two SATA-I or SATA-II devices.
- Full color, photo illustrated, step-by-step installation
manual.
The NewerTech eSATA Extender Cable is priced at $24.95 MSRP and
is available immediately from NewerTech's exclusive distributor,
Other World Computing, as well as through the retail channel.
Link: eSATA Extender
Cable For Mac Pro
New Server Rack Designed for Noise
Reduction
PR: GizMac Accessories, designer and manufacturer of the
XRackPro2 server rack enclosure cabinets for noise reduction,
begins shipping a new XRackPro2 model. GizMac began shipping their
new 6U size XRackPro2 server rack today.
The 6U rack joins the current 25U, 12U and 4U XRackPro2 server
racks in the battle to reduce noise from loud equipment. As with
the current XRackPro2 server rack line, the new 6U model can reduce
noise up to 80%.
"Servers, RAID systems, switches, routers, audio/video, and
other rackmount units can be made significantly quieter with our
XRackPro2 products." says Tim Cave, LOAHS for GizMac Accessories,
"As the chassis size of rackmount equipment becomes smaller, the
cooling fans inside the rackmount equipment also get smaller and
ultimately louder to keep up with the larger cooling demands of new
technology, that is why GizMac is seeing an increase in customers
seeking noise reduction."
The noise reduction engineering of the XRackPro2 server rack
allows computer, audio/video, and other systems to be placed in
areas that require low noise. Post production for film, video and
audio editing; television, cable and radio broadcasting; business
and medical offices, schools or any other environment that requires
low noise will benefit from the XRackPro.
Pricing for the new 6U XRackPro2 server rack is $749.99 US
retail.
The 6U XRackPro2 can be purchased from authorized resellers or
directly from the XRackPro website.
Link: XRackPro
Software
StartupProfiler Automatically Gathers
Data
PR: StartupProfiler is an application that will allow the
user to gather Apple System Profiler information quickly and
easily. The user can automatically or manually print, save, and
display a wider range of options than System Profiler.
StartupProfiler allows system information to be automatically
gathered on launch. The results can be printed or saved without
user interaction. This program can be used as a startup item,
automating the gathering of system data.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.
System Support: PPC/Intel
Free
Link: StartupProfiler
ScreenRecycler Adds Fast VNC
Support
PR: Most Mac users have a spare computer sitting right
next to their main computer on their desk including a nice display.
ScreenRecycler now enables you to use this spare computer as second
display for your Mac. You can even use an idle machine for that
purpose.
It's like a dual monitor setup without the need to buy an
additional monitor.
Just start ScreenRecycler on your Mac then connect to
ScreenRecycler via VNC from your old machine.
Use any machine as additional monitor on your Mac
New in version 1.0rc1:
- added trial mode and activation. Activation is free in this
build.
- added IPv6 support. This enables to use non setup connections
via Bonjour.
- JollysFastVNC v0.64 is
now included.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 on the ScreenRecycler
machine. A VNC client program on the client machine.
System support: PPC/Intel
Free
Link: ScreenRecycler
Smart Scroll X Extends Grab Scroll
Support
PR: Smart Scroll X brings new scrolling options and
enhancements to Mac OS X:
- Super Wheel - smoother, more comfortable scroll wheel
action.
- Grab Scroll gives you a Hand tool to easily move any window's
contents. It features coasting, just like on the iPhone.
- A "High Gear" for your scroll wheel, so you can have super-fast
scrolling when you need it.
- Universal Scroll Keys to scroll without having to reach for the
mouse. Scroll keys are the same in every application, giving you
fast & dependable scrolling right from the keyboard.
- Adds Scroll wheel support to FileMaker Pro 6 and 7 (as well as
live scrolling).
- Adds Live Scrolling and proportional thumbs to AppleWorks
6.
Grab Scroll
Grab scroll works with any mouse or pen or trackpad, etc. It is
essentially the same feature as the hand tool available in many
graphics programs, but now you can use it for scrolling in any
Cocoa application (support for Carbon applications is
forthcoming).
- With a single-button mouse, a scroll key lets you turn the
cursor into an open hand: hold the first key and tap the second
one. To scroll, click and drag with the mouse. Grab scroll mode
ends when you release the first key (the 2nd key is used to
activate grab scroll, and also to scroll faster when you
want).
- With a multiple-button mouse, you just press one of the buttons
(select one) to grab the page and slide it inside its window.
- With a graphics pen, you'll probably want to setup the extra
buttons so that the first one does a middle-click (so you can use
it to grab scroll) and the 2nd one does a right-click. Since the
pen lets you move the cursor farther with less effort and more
precision than a mouse, you can keep the normal speed at 1x for
maximum control and set the other speeds to some high value.
Two extra scrolling speeds are available, in addition to the
normal speed. One by holding a user-selectable key while dragging,
and the second by starting to drag near an edge of the area to
scroll.
Faster Scroll Wheel
You can make your scroll wheel faster when you hold down a
user-selectable key, up to 12 times faster. In addition, the speed
multiplier you choose is applied on top of the acceleration already
provided by the Keyboard & Mouse preference pane: this means
you keep the same level of control as you have now, but you can
scroll farther and without having to spin the wheel nearly as
much.
Universal Scroll Keys
A welcome alternative to always having to reach for the mouse,
Scroll Keys are a real time saver for anyone who types a lot!
With automatic scroll focusing, all you do is press a Scroll Key
and Smart Scroll X automatically selects and scrolls the correct
pane. Scroll Keys also feature their own adjustable scrolling
speed, with optional progressive acceleration, so that you can
easily scroll multiple pages simply by holding down a key.
Scroll Keys are the same across all applications: no need to
remember different keys for each app. Because of this, and because
Scroll Keys are conveniently located in the corner of the keyboard,
you can even scroll without having to look at the keys.
Scroll Keys are made possible by the new kind of keyboard
shortcut used in Smart Scroll X, which doesn't involve hitting
letter keys (hence avoiding conflicts with existing key
combinations). Instead, you hold down one of the four corner keys
and you scroll by hitting one of the others (some keyboards have
these keys on both sides, letting you scroll with either hand)
:
FileMaker Pro & AppleWorks enhancements
Smart Scroll X brings scroll wheel support and live scrolling to
FileMaker Pro 6 and 7. You can now use your scroll wheel mouse for
scrolling FileMaker Pro documents. Note: With some layouts you may
need to click one of the scroll bars once before the scroll wheel
works. A fix will be available in the next version of Smart Scroll
X.
AppleWorks 6 users get live scrolling and proportional thumbs,
as well as scroll wheel support.
Live scrolling updates the document while you drag the scroll
bar thumb. Proportional thumbs show how much of the document is
being displayed, and they make it easier to see which part you are
viewing. They are also easier to grab with the mouse.
Scroll Next
If a window has two or more scrollable panes, it is the one
under the mouse pointer that scrolls. Automatic scroll focusing
will select one of the panes for you when you press a Scroll Key to
start scrolling, but chances are it won't be able to guess the
correct pane every time. To let you scroll another pane without
reaching for the mouse, Smart Scroll X adds the Scroll Next
feature: hold down Control and hit Shift to select the next pane in
the window for scrolling. The mouse pointer jumps to the selected
pane too, providing visual feedback.
Scroll Next is quite useful in applications such as Mail for
example, where one often wants to alternatively scroll the list of
messages and the text of an email.
Note: In the current version of Smart Scroll X, scrolling in
Carbon applications only works if the mouse pointer is above the
pane to scroll. An upcoming version of Smart Scroll X will remove
this limitation, and also enable the Scroll Next feature for Carbon
applications.
Other features of Smart Scroll X
Finally, Smart Scroll X lets you select a comfortable scrolling
speed for Scroll keys (including optional acceleration), and offers
a larger selection of scrollbar arrows positions (still useful from
time to time, although with Grab Scroll and Scroll Keys you won't
need to click on arrows very often anymore). You do not need to
restart applications for these changes to take effect.
New in version 2.2:
- Grab Scroll support for Safari's RSS display.
- Grab Scroll support for NetNewsWire (Thanks, Arnold Kid!)
- Super Wheel and Grab Scroll support for Camino (Thanks, Thomas
Meyer & Timothy James!)
- By popular request, a "Scroll without moving cursor" option for
Grab Scroll.
- Fixes a problem in v2.1.2 where Smart Scroll X would sometimes
stop working in Safari.
- FileMaker Pro enhancements are now working again (broken since
v2.1.1).
- Various fixes and improvements.
New in version 2.0x:
- New Super Wheel feature.
- New Coasting feature for Grab Scroll.
- New Grab Scroll feature for Carbon applications.
- Universal binary.
- Includes Rosetta TuneUp, a utility for preventing
Rosetta-related crashes on Intel Macs.
- Streamlined preference pane.
- Various fixes and improvements.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.
System support: PPC/Intel
Smart Scroll X is shareware ($19 single user license)
Link: Smart Scroll X
Desktop Mac
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