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News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Tech Trends
Products & Services
News & Opinion
Has the iPad Killed the Netbook?
Cnet's Dan Ackerman observes that it's hard to believe that before
2007, a laptop was considered low-cost if it sold for less than $1,000.
Then came the netbook revolution, spearheaded initially by Asus with
its original Eee PC, and from that point on, every PC maker was forced
(some more reluctantly than others) to embrace this new subgenre, and
suddenly netbooks were everywhere.
Then they weren't, and Ackerman notes that the netbook fad's nemesis
has clearly been Apple's iPad, which
became the new go-to entry-level computing device for people who either
didn't need or want a full PC, or just wanted a reasonably priced
travel device for email and Web surfing, leading to a gold rush of
sorts, with the same companies that pushed countless me-too netbooks
onto store shelves now doing the same with touchscreen slates, and
suggesting that perhaps we'll look back on this phenomenon a year or
two from now as the Tablet Bubble.
However, he maintains that the netbook's demise can't be entirely
attributed to the iPad, et al., and that a major reason netbooks fell
by the wayside is that they failed to evolve, instead settling into a
comfortable (or so their makers thought) specification niche.
Link: Has Apple's iPad
Finally Killed the Netbook?
Can the iPad 2 Replace a MacBook Air?
"Maybe," says Macs Only's Bill Fox, adding that "the short answer is
not always, for me anyway. But for many people the answer may be
yes."
Fox explains that he purchased his iPad
2 with the hope that he could travel with it instead of my MacBook
Air, making traveling with a computer even easier, and using it almost
exclusively while traveling to Spain, Australia, and Belgium, but not
with unalloyed success and satisfaction.
Link: Can
the iPad 2 Replace a MacBook Air?
2011 iMac and MacBook Pro Support Thunderbolt
Booting
The Mac Observer's Jeff Gamet notes that shortly after Apple
introduced the FireWire port, it added the ability to boot from
external FireWire drives, and support for booting from external drives
was eventually added to USB as well. Gamet reports that owners of
Apple's recently updated MacBook Pro and iMac will also be able to boot
from external drives via Thunderbolt once drives supporting the new
interface hit store shelves.
Link: New iMac, MacBook
Pro Support Thunderbolt Booting
Gartner Predicts SSDs Will Fall Below $1 per GB in
2012
Hardmac's Lionel relays some good news for those of us who are
waiting for a decrease in the daunting price of SSDs, citing a recent
Gartner study that projects the price per GB of SSDs to decrease
significantly in 2012, finally slipping under the psychologically
significant $1 per GB threshold. That compares with roughly $2 per GB
on most current SSD models.
Link: According to
Gartner, SSDs Will Be at $1 per GB in 2012
MacBook Air to Switch to ARM Processor?
AppleBitch's Dave says:
"Following on from reports last week that Apple was considering
implementing ARM processors into their laptop line up as a replacement
to the current Intel chips, a new analyst report is suggesting that the
company is seriously working on the move and that it may happen in some
models of the MacBook as early as 2012."
Link: Rumor: MacBook Air
to Have ARM Processor as Early as 2012
Apple to Stick with Intel
Cnet's Brooke Crothers reports that a technical website posted an
article asserting that Apple will not replace Intel processors with an
alternative design anytime in the next two to three years,
acknowledging Apple's history of transitions to new chip architectures
and the ostensible motivations for moving to ARM, but Real World
Technologies' David Kanter argues that it won't happen for a long time
(beyond three years) - if at all - for a bunch of good reasons
cited.
Link: Report: Apple to
Stick with Intel for MacBooks
Reality Check: Apple Has Not Dumped Intel for
ARM
Forbes' Brian Caulfield observes that the rumor that surfaced last
Thursday that Apple will drop Intel's processors for its own ARM-based
design in its laptops becoming the weekend buzz du jour among tech
chatterati and which even moved markets Friday is based on a blog whose
author labeled it humor published on a site proclaiming itself
"Semi-accurate."
Caulfield thinks this notion is far-fetched for an array of
technical hurdles he cites, and you editor agrees.
Link: Reality Check:
No, Apple Has Not Already Dumped Intel for ARM
Apple Updates
MacBook Pro EFI Update 2.1
MacBook Pro EFI Update 2.1 includes fixes that resolve an issue with
Turbo Mode in Boot Camp, and improve performance and stability for
graphics and Thunderbolt.
The MacBook Pro EFI Update will update the EFI firmware on your
notebook.
Boot ROM or SMC Version Information: After updating users Boot ROM
will be MBP81.0047.B0E
System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.6.7
Publisher's note: Although Apple doesn't say so, it appears that
this update is only for the Early 2011 MacBook Pro models.
dk
Link: MacBook Pro EFI Update 2.1
MacBook Pro Software Update 1.4
MacBook Pro Software Update 1.4 includes fixes that improve graphics
stability, address issues with external display support and 3D
performance, and improve Thunderbolt device support.
Boot ROM or SMC Version Information: After update OS build version =
10J4138
System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.6.7
Publisher's note: Again, Apple doesn't say so, but it appears that
this update is only for Early 2011 MacBook Pro models. dk
Link: MacBook Pro Software Update
1.4
Tech Trends
Top 7 Ultrathin Windows Laptops: Alternatives to
Apple's MacBook Air
PCWorld's Melanie Pinola notes that many people consider the
Apple MacBook Air to be
the gold standard in ultrathin laptops, but suggests that Windows users
don't have to jump to the Mac platform to get the same slim and sleek
design.
Ms. Pinola profiles seven lightweight laptops, none of which are are
more than about an inch thick, in some cases costing several hundred
dollars less than the Apple's iconic Air - and in many instances
outdoing it in terms of specifications such as processor power,
standard RAM, I/O support, and such. The inimitable Apple coolness and
elegance cachet is another matter.
- Samsung Series 9
- Toshiba Portegé R830
- MSI X-Slim X370
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1
- LG P430
- LG P530
- Dell Adamo-Like Mystery Ultrathin
Link: Top 7 Ultrathin
Windows Laptops: Alternatives to Apple's MacBook Air
Lenovo ThinkPad Beats the Clock for Sub-10 Second
Boot Up Time
PR: Lenovo has announced that it has engineered its newly
introduced ThinkPad T420s Windows 7 laptop to boot up in 10 seconds or
less. As part of Lenovo's Enhanced Experience (EE) 2.0 for Windows 7
program, the RapidBoot Extreme model has proprietary BIOS and hardware
optimizations along with the Intel X25-M Solid State Drive for super
startup capability. Lenovo's IdeaPad Y570 laptop, coming in June, also
features sub-10 second boot up.
Lenovo notes that there's a high level of complexity involved in
shaving off each second of startup time, and that they've pushed the
limits because every second counts when it comes to keeping users
productive, starting from first boot.
"Driving down boot time to sub-10 seconds on the ThinkPad T420s
laptop results from applying precise, focused engineering to hardware
and software interoperability," says Dilip Bhatia, vice president,
Think Product Group, Lenovo. "There's a high level of complexity
involved in shaving off each second. We push the limits because every
second counts when it comes to keeping users productive, starting from
first boot."
Most of Lenovo's 2011 Think and Idea-branded PCs, such as the
ThinkPad T420s laptop, are optimized under Lenovo's EE 2.0 program
launched earlier this year. EE 2.0 provides enhanced startup/shutdown
performance and other optimization features for Lenovo consumer and
business PCs.
With EE 2.0, customers can:
- Start their Lenovo PC on average 20 seconds and shutdown 28% faster
than a typical Windows 7 PC
- Start their PC as fast as 10 seconds and open applications two
times faster on select Lenovo EE 2.0 PCs that include optional
RapidDrive solid state drive technology
- Resume Windows in less than one second, 36% faster than the average
competitor Windows 7 PC1
- Utilize robust security tools and rich Web conferencing features on
Think-branded PCs
"Lenovo's Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7 program is ideal for
business users and consumers who value performance optimization, as
well as faster startup," says Nick Parker, vice president, Worldwide
Marketing, OEM Division, Microsoft Corporation. "Now business users can
extend the Windows 7 experience further with new ThinkPad laptop models
that combine the benefits of faster boot up with features optimized for
business."
Features Beyond Fast Boot
Think-branded PCs with EE 2.0 offer robust security features and
rich Web conferencing. Security tools include a fingerprint reader that
can be used to power-on the PC, optional self-encrypting hard drives,
BIOS port lock settings and Hardware Password Manager for deploying
security features across a fleet of PCs. Features such as
high-definition webcams with advanced white-balancing settings, digital
array microphones with a speakerphone mode, and keystroke noise
suppression technology that automatically detects when a user types
during video chats and suppresses the noise of keystrokes, deliver a
rich Web conferencing experience. One of several ThinkPad laptops
featuring Dolby Home Theater the ThinkPad T420s laptop gives users a
full-impact surround sound experience.
The RapidBoot Extreme model of the ThinkPad T420s laptop will be
offered starting in mid-May on lenovo.com. Pricing starts at
approximately $1,679.
Link: Lenovo
ThinkPad Beats the Clock for Sub-10 Second Boot Up Time
Products & Services
NuPower High Capacity Replacement Battery for
2008/2009 15" MacBook Pros
PR: Probably your editor's unfavorite feature of the unibody
MacBook Pros and MacBooks (as well as MacBook Airs) is their
non-swappable battery. I don't say non-replacable, because iFixit
teardown reports have revealed that a DIY battery replacement would not
be beyond the bounds of practical possibility for the handy with tools,
but it was something of a moot point with no replacement batteries
available from any source but Apple.
However, that's now been addressed, at least for the
2008/09 unibody 15" MacBook Pro models with Newer Technology, Inc.
(NewerTech) announcing its NuPower 52 Watt-Hour High Capacity
Replacement Battery for Late 2008 and Early 2009 15" Apple MacBook Pro
Unibody notebook computers, that offers up to 4% greater capacity over
the factory original battery for longer runtimes. With a $99 MSRP, the
NuPower 52 Watt-Hour battery offers a 23% lower cost than the
replacement battery available from Apple.
The NewerTech NuPower 52 Watt-Hour High Capacity Replacement Battery
is available immediately at $99 MSRP from NewerTech's exclusive
distributor, Other World Computing (OWC), as well as through the retail
channel.
NewerTech NuPower high capacity replacement batteries are available
for nearly every Mac notebook computer model produced from 1998 to
2008, including G3 PowerBooks with up to 87% more capacity, G4
PowerBooks with up to 50% more capacity, and iBooks with up to 67% more
capacity. A One Year NewerTech Warranty is included with all NuPower
replacement batteries.
Engineered to perfectly complement the intended laptop models,
NuPower replacement batteries are a Perfect Fit Solution that offers
full compatibility with applicable OEM sleep and power reduction
modes.
Longer Run Times and Lifetime Usage
NewerTech NuPower High Capacity Li-Ion batteries use top tier cells
and are designed, engineered, and manufactured to deliver the highest
run times available. Users can listen to more music, watch more videos,
and/or get more work done between recharges. In addition to providing
longer run times, NuPower batteries are also built to last longer so
they can deliver more use cycles before a replacement is needed.
"With more power than the factory original battery and a savings of
$30 compared to Apple's battery, our NuPower battery for the 2008/2009
15" MacBook Pro Unibody is a win-win upgrade," says Grant Dahlke, Brand
Manager, NewerTech.
Link: NuPower 52
Watt-Hour High Capacity Replacement Battery
Matrox DualHead2Go DP and TripleHead2Go DP
Multi-Monitor Adapters Now Compatible with Thunderbolt-Enabled MacBook
Pro
PR: Matrox Graphics Inc. have announced that the Matrox
DualHead2Go DP Edition and TripleHead2Go DP Edition are now compatible
with the latest MacBook Pro notebooks featuring the new Thunderbolt
port.
Developed by Intel and brought to market with technical
collaboration from Apple, the high speed I/O port sets a new standard
for high performance peripherals. DualHead2Go DP and TripleHead2Go DP
are already the preferred multi-display solutions of many Mac users.
With a simple Matrox firmware update, these solutions can also be used
to achieve unprecedented dual- and triple-monitor performance,
including OpenGL support, on the new Thunderbolt-enabled MacBook Pro.
The new software release will also add the 2 x 1400 x 1050
multi-projector resolution to the already comprehensive supported
resolution list.
"DualHead2Go DP and TripleHead2Go DP deliver workstation-class,
multi-display performance for the most demanding media creators and CAD
designers," says Caroline Injoyan, Business Development Manager, Matrox
Graphics, Inc. "We're happy to provide continuous support to our Mac
users by enabling Thunderbolt compatibility on our Graphics eXpansion
Modules."
The Matrox DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go Graphics eXpansion Modules
(GXMs) work in conjunction with your system's existing GPU to provide
high-quality, uncompressed graphics and video across maximum
resolutions of dual 1920x1200 and triple 1360x768 under Mac. With the
additional desktop display area, MacBook Pro users can run different
applications on each monitor or view one application across multiple
displays, eliminating the tedious and time-consuming tasks of resizing,
rearranging, and reorganizing multiple windows. Notebook users can
further enhance their productive workflow by using their laptop's LCD
as a third or fourth monitor to achieve an unprecedented level of
computing efficiency. GXMs are also compatible with Microsoft Windows
operating systems.
The new software is available on the Matrox driver download web
pages, while the Matrox DualHead2Go DP Edition and TripleHead2Go DP
Edition are available for purchase from authorized Matrox resellers
worldwide or, in North America and Europe, directly from Matrox.
Link: Matrox Driver
Downloads
Mercury Aura Pro Express 480 GB, Industry's
Largest Capacity High Performance SSD for 2010 MacBook Air
PR: Other World Computing (OWC), has
announced its OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express Solid State Drive is now
shipping in an industry largest 480 GB capacity for all 2010 Apple MacBook Air models.
First announced at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show this past
January, the OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express line now offers up to 4X
greater capacity and up to 68% faster real-world performance than
factory available options. This new 480 GB model introduction continues
OWC's position as the only aftermarket SSD manufacturer for the 2010
MacBook Air and the most comprehensive US manufacturer of industry
leading SandForce processor based SSDs available today with OWC Mercury
Pro brand SSD models available for nearly every Mac and PC produced
over the past decade.
Four Models Starting at $479.99 MSRP
The OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express is available immediately for same
day order fulfillment in four capacities compatible with all 11.1" and
13.3" 2010 MacBook Air models:
- 180 GB Mercury Aura Pro Express with 7% over provisioning & 3
year warranty, $479.99
- 240 GB Mercury Aura Pro Express with 7% over provisioning & 3
year warranty, $579.99
- 360 GB Mercury Aura Pro Express with 7% over provisioning & 3
year warranty, $1,179.99
- 480 GB Mercury Aura Pro Express with 7% over provisioning & 3
year warranty, $1,579.99
For more information on the OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express line,
including reseller inquires, visit:
More Speed, Capacity, and Options Than Factory SSD
The OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express offers owners of and those
interested in the 2010 MacBook Air models a SSD upgrade path that
delivers higher performance, functionality, and reliability. With peak
data rates of 275 MB/s, the Mercury Aura Pro Express was benchmark test
proven by The Storage Review to offer up to 68% higher speed than
factory installed SSDs. The OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express is available
in four sizes -180 GB, 240 GB, 360 GB, 480 GB for more upgrade choices
and nearly 4x higher data storage/backup capacity than factory SSD
options when compared to 11.1" model factory options up to only 128 GB
and 13" model factory options up to 256 GB.
Doesn't Slow Down with Use Like Ordinary SSDs
Ordinary SSDs offer fast read/write performance during first initial
uses, but then experience significant write speed degradation over
repeated usage. Independent simulation tests conducted by leading drive
performance experts like MacPerformanceGuide confirm OWC Mercury Aura
Pro Express SSDs ultra-efficient Block Management & Wear Leveling
technologies are able to eliminate virtually any reduction in data
transfer speeds over heavy long term usage of the drive and without
dependency on less than effective OS TRIM management.
Up to 100x Greater Data Protection
Utilizing SandForce DuraClass technology, the OWC Mercury Aura Pro
Express is able to provide up to 100x higher data protection than
provided by ordinary SSDs as well as leading enterprise class hard disk
drives. By combining the highest level of Error Correction Code (ECC)
and SandForce RAISE (Redundant Array of Independent Silicon Elements)
technology along with 7% over provisioning, the Mercury Aura Pro
Express provides RAID like data protection and reliability without loss
of transfer speed due to parity.
Earns Industry Expert Praise & Accolades
Out of a field of more than 230 exhibitors and thousands of
exhibited products at this past Januarys Macworld 2011 conference, the
OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express SSD was named one of 10 Macworld Expo 2011
Best of Show products by Macworld magazine as well as earning Best Mac
Hardware honors by MacLife magazine.
"We're quite pleased to introduce this highest capacity model to the
first and only available aftermarket SSD line for the 2010 MacBook
Air," says Larry O'Connor, Founder and CEO, Other World Computing. With
up to 4X greater capacity and up to 68% faster real-world performance
over factory options, the Mercury Aura Pro can truly transform a
MacBook Air.
Expands Most Comprehensive SSD Line for Macs And PCs
The new 480 GB Mercury Aura Pro Express model joins OWC's existing
line of performance leading, record breaking SATA 2.0 and SATA 3.0
interface Mercury Extreme Pro SSDs available for nearly every Mac and
PC in capacities from 40 GB to 480 GB starting from $99.97:
- OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G SSD - Benchmark tested by Bare Feats as
the industry's fastest SSD available, the Pro 6G SSD provides up to 559
MB/s sustained reads and 515 MB/s writes for nearly SATA 3.0 bus
saturating speed.
- OWC Mercury Extreme Pro SSD - Ultra high performance 2.5" SATA 2.0
SSD for demanding portable and desktop tower use.
- OWC Mercury Extreme Pro RE SSD - RAID-Ready Enhanced performance
with 28% over-provisioning for data centers, network operation centers,
and dedicated RAID installations. Used to set overclocking world record
- http://bit.ly/lFJAMr
- OWC Mercury Legacy Pro - First and fastest SandForce processor
based IDE/ATA SSD available for pre-Intel PowerPC based Mac notebooks,
PCs, and other notebook/laptop computers.
- OWC Mercury Extreme Pro Legacy Edition - First and fastest
SandForce processor based IDE/ATA SSD available for pre-Intel PowerPC
based Macs, PCs, and other desktop/tower computers.
Link: OWC Mercury
Aura Pro Express
Aluminum Laptop Cases Molding the Way of the
Future
PR: Aluminum case manufacturer Mezzi reports that it's been
noticing noticing a dramatic increase in the number of reviews for its
lines of aluminum laptop cases, and that from the virtual mouths of
bloggers and video reviewers, the online world is buzzing with
positivity for the dependability and portability of the Mezzi aluminum
laptop case.
"In this modern day and age so many people are carrying
laptops, either for business or pleasure or both, explains Mezzi
President," David Mezzi, "and the online community has seemed to latch
onto the quality and reliability they find in our aluminum cases.
Bloggers, reviewers and freelance writers who rely on their laptops for
their business need something to protect their equipment. In fact,
their laptop is their number one tool, so those who have experienced
the quality of our cases are feeling inspired to spread the word to
others.
Unlike the soft, minimal protection of a stylish leather laptop bag
or, perhaps worse, the zero-protection of throwing a laptop into a
backpack, the lightweight, molded durability of Mezzi's aluminum laptop
carrying cases have impressed a growing number of online
reviewers."
"I am loving my new Mezzi laptop case," says one reviewer at
TheDirtytShirt.com. "Not only is it the most sturdy case I have ever
used but it also seems very roomy even with my laptop in it. I took it
to a meeting I had recently and the first thing, even before I shook
the mans hand, he commented on my case and asked where to get one. I
love when that happens because not only do I get to tell my readers
about the wonderful products I have tried out but I can also tell
complete strangers about them and point them in the right direction to
get one for themselves."
Roomy, spacious and secure these are only a few of the descriptors
reviewers have used to characterize the value they found in Mezzi's
aluminum laptop briefcases. Standard in every aluminum laptop case is
customizable padding, so different sizes of laptops can be given a snug
fit. And in order to accommodate a wide range of personal tastes and
styles, Mezzi's laptop cases range in color and covering, from simple
jet black to gold or a high-grade wood finish.
Mezzi aluminum cases have also appeared in high-profile movies,
television shows and music videos. Very recently, a Mezzi aluminum case
was used in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Also Mezzi was
featured in Jay-Zs Show Me What You Got music video and on the
television game show, Deal or No Deal. At the box office, Mezzi
cases have appeared in the hands of Jason Statham in 13 and Tom
Cruise in Mission: Impossible III.
Link: Mezzi Laptop Cases
Bargain 'Books
For deals on current and discontinued 'Books, see our 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro,
MacBook Air, 13" MacBook Pro, 15" MacBook Pro, 17" MacBook Pro, 12" PowerBook G4, 15" PowerBook G4, 17" PowerBook G4, titanium PowerBook G4,
iBook G4, PowerBook G3, and iBook G3 deals.
We also track iPad,
iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.
