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News & Opinion
Rumor Roundup
Products & Services
News & Opinion
Should Environmentally Conscientious Users Give Up
on the Mac and Go to Windows?
TreeHugger.com's Lloyd Alter says that four years ago he switched to
Mac and fell in love with it, finding it so simple, well designed, and
logical, 
he
wondered why he had wasted all those years building his own Windows
machines. The Mac was just elegant, he observes.
Over the past year, however, Alter says his love for Apple has been
tempered a bit, noting that the new Apple headquarters is a symbol of
everything he dislikes about the company, and like all of his
colleagues at TreeHugger, he's upset by the near hermetically sealed
and virtually unrepairable design of the new MacBook Pro with Retina
Display.
But what may turn out to be the final straw for Alter is that his
Core 2 Duo Mac with 4 GB of RAM and a solid state drive (SSD) is not
supported by OS X 10.8
Mountain Lion, so he's left with the options of sticking with the
old operating system (which would be the greenest alternative), buying
a new MacBook, or, as some of his family are advising, dumping Apple
and spending half as much money on a new PC notebook or ultrabook and
run Windows or Ubuntu.
He's posted an online poll asking readers to weigh in, and sticking
with his existing computer is winning.
Publisher's note: Alan Zisman covers some of the same territory in
Is There Such a Thing as
Ethical Technology? dk
Link: Should I Give Up
on Mac and Go Back to Windows?
Why Tablets Won't Replace PCs Anytime Soon
InfoWorld's Bob Lewis professes to be a big fan of tablets, saying
he recommends them for organizations as a springboard for encouraging
employees to innovate, and for friends whose computing needs begin and
end with email, Web browsing, ebooks, and online news feeds.
However, he notes that while the list of what tablets can do is long
and growing, it's the list of what they can't do that's preventing
wholesale switching to tablets as PC replacement. He contends that for
the foreseeable future, tablets aren't going to replace PCs for most
enterprise users, because there are just too many things PCs can do
that tablets can't and, in many cases, aren't going to do - a very long
list.
That list includes tablets (at least so far) being unable to display
multiple document and/or multiple application windows open
simultaneously, Lewis also observing that whether it's cutting and
pasting information from a Web page into a document, clicking on a link
in an email to open a Web page, or pasting an Excel chart into
PowerPoint, having everything open in front of you makes a big
difference. He notes that Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 and Microsoft's
forthcoming Windows 8 UI (formerly known as Metro) do include
two-app split-screen capabilities, so there's hope for the future,
notwithstanding Apple's stubbornly dogged promotion of a fullscreen,
app-based paradigm.
Then there's limited screen real estate for obvious physical
reasons, with desktop PC and even laptop displays facilitating certain
forms of work that would be impossible in the cramped confines of a
tablet panel.
A third tablet shortcoming is that for input and editing work that
goes beyond text entry, there are a whole raft of features and
capabilities that are either exceedingly lame or not supported at all
on tablets. Lewis provides a list of examples.
And printing from tablets, albeit possible, is typically an exercise
in hassle and frustration, as is also the case with document scanning,
both of which are low hassle on a PC.
Lewis also lists tablet shortcomings associated with use of pivot
tables, as a platform for blogging, and a huge drawback of tablets
being mediocre support for data backup and restore as opposed to just
plugging in an external hard drive with a PC and running the
appropriate software, noting that autosync with the Cloud isn't a
satisfactory substitute for real backup and restore by a long shot.
Bottom line, Lewis observes that for many users, particularly those
with "heads-down production responsibilities", tablets are
irrelevant.
Link: No, Tablets Won't
Replace PCs Anytime Soon
Apple: A Hate/Love Relationship
The Register's Matt Asay says he wants to "hate Apple . . . Its
aggressive litigiousness threatens to impede innovation in the mobile
industry for years to come: innovation . . . and Apple's lust
for control makes it a very poor centre for the rising mobile
ecosystem...."
"And yet," he concedes, "I love Apple. As much as I love the idea of
Android and open source, I find myself buying Apple products over and
over again. For the seamless computing experience. For the beautiful
industrial design. For the exceptional customer service."
Him, me, and vast numbers of others I suspect.
As is frequently the case, I finds myself substantially in agreement
with Asay, both about the Apple product user experience that keeps us
coming back and his affirmation that he really hates litigation of any
form. He takes particular issue with this Samsung litigation that he
says seems designed more to protect Apple's high-margin business model
than to "protect Apple from evil copycats." However, a coincidental
visit to the Apple Genius Bar with a cracked display in his daughter's
iPhone 4S (which hadn't been dropped or subjected to other trauma)
yielded a new phone within five minutes in a customer service
transaction that Asay says was exceptionally pleasant throughout.
He reports a similar experience last winter with his son's iPhone
3GS that had been dropped in water, then melted, and in an attempt to
revive it with a hairdryer, and the Apple Store Genius Bar sent him on
his way with a replacement phone anyway and a cheerful "Merry
Christmas!"
Asay allows that using Apple products doesn't make him cool - and if
anything, it makes him poor, with a family inventory of six Apple
laptops, five iPhones, iPods of various vintages, Airport Extreme, and
so forth, his being an Apple family through and through, despite his
conviction that Apple is toxic to the computing industry, sucking up
all profits, and wrapping itself in the flag of innovation even as it
borrows heavily from others and threatens to cut off industry
innovation at the knees with its patent portfolio.
A law school graduate who passed the bar, as well as an emeritus
board member of the Open Source Initiative (OSI), Asay says he
understands the "rules" of patent law but observes that Silicon Valley
went decades without aggressive litigiousness crippling it the way
patent suits are now hobbling the mobile industry. with Apple having
initiated a climate of litigation that will beleaguer technology for
years.
Which he hates (me too - cm). One side of Asay's brain loves
Apple, while the other despises it, making him wonder if that's how a
drug addict feels.
Another insightful, thought-provoking essay from Mr. Asay.
Link: Apple: I Love to
Hate, and Hate to Love Thee
Rumor Roundup
Displays for 13" Retina MacBook Pro Reportedly in
Production
Cnet's Brooke Crothers reports that a 13.3" version of the Retina
MacBook Pro is on the way, according to NPD DisplaySearch analyst
Richard Shim, who told Cnet that 13" 2560 x 1600 pixel density displays
for the new MacBook Pro model are in production with a volume of one to
two million units anticipated, which would be much greater than volumes
for the larger (and pricier) 15.4" rMBP with its 2880 x 1800 resolution
display, but ultimately dependent on yield rates for the 13" ultra high
resolution panels.
The 13.3" Retina MacBook Pro will presumably be priced price,
substantially lower than the $2,199 starting price for the 15.4" rMBP,
and should be another hot seller for Apple when it's released, likely
in late October or November which is Apple's traditional time slot for
fall new notebook product releases.
Link: 13-inch Retina
MacBook Pro Displays in Production
Products & Services
Desktop Chair: Elegant Bent Wood Laptop and Tablet
Stand
PR: Handmade with fine
natural basswood, Desktop Chair simply holds your Apple laptop when
used in desktop substitute mode with an external display, keyboard and
a mouse (or trackpad), and comes with a cushion pad and anti-slip
buttons.
One size Desktop Chair fits all, able to accommodate virtually all
Apple laptops and tablets regardless of shape, with or without a cover,
now and the future, including all iPads, MacBooks, MacBook Pros,
MacBook Airs plus the PowerBook G4s and indeed any laptop that isn't
thicker than 1.2" (30mm).
Desktop Chair
is made by Atelier MOKU, whose origins are as a Japan-based artisan
shop run by Masayuki and Hideyuki (son & father), who combine
expertise in modern industrial design with traditional
woodcrafting.
The idea of Desktop Chair, Atelier MOKU's first project, came from
the principals' own genuine need for something which they felt
comfortable putting their laptop on while working on a large
screen.
After making two for themselves, they say people kept asking them to
make more - so many that they couldn't keep up with the requests.
Making custom-made woodcraft was something of their specialty, but
making products in a batch and delivering to many others was a whole
new story.
However, with
a help of a partner furniture factory, Masayuki and Hideyuki managed to
develop a technique for producing Desktop Chairs in a fairly large
quantity while maintaining the quality, but still needed funding for
production and for setting up a distribution system
internationally.
In July 2011, they decided to put the Desktop Chair's fate into the
hands of people and started a project at CAMPFIRE, a leading social
funding platform in Japan. With no guarantee for success, 97 people
backed the project and pledged money totaling JPY 477,500, which well
exceeded Masayuki and Hideyuki's funding goal and made Desktop Chair a
reality - a socially funded product.
Desktop Chair sells for $38.
Link: Desktop
Chair
New Slappa MASK-DSLR/Laptop Backpack for
Photographers
PR: Slappa's patented M.A.S.K. backpack has been
heralded as the most flexible backpack in the world, and now there's a
new version ready for professional photographers. The new DSLR M.A.S.K.
features a super-cush padded divider insert, which allows you to store
multiple lenses and camera bodies, while configuring the compartments
to your liking. 
The DSLR face has a fast access pocket that fits your DSLR
body and up to a 10 lenses; giving you immediate access to your camera
if and when you need to catch a shot opportunity that caught you by
surprise.
Other important features include the "quick-scan" laptop section
that enables you to keep your laptop inside the bag when you go through
airport security; a super-cush padded laptop section that can store
most 17-inch laptops including the 17" MacBook Pro, the ASUS G74,
Alienware M17x and M18x and the MSI GT683. The backpack is
surfaced with 1680D Ballistic nylon, and there's .5" super-cush padding
in every wall, a large zippered pocket for power bricks and cords, 3
pockets for handheld devices and a headphone strap.
The MASK DSLR/Laptop Backpack is currently available for preorder,
to ship Sept. 1
Regular Price: $159.99
Introductory Price: $143.99
Link: Slappa
MASK-DSLR/Laptop Backpack
Slappa Announces Stovepipe CHAOS Backpack
PR: The STOVEPIPE is a lightweight, rugged and protective
backpack that offers tons of open storage space (great for books or
clothes) and has a dedicated Super-Cush padded laptop compartment.
The roomy inside gives you move
storage space than the typical back pack. This spacious bag fits a
laptop, lots of books, gym clothes, cords and other kind of gear.
The drawstring cinch string makes it easy to secure and access the
inner compartment. The laptop section features .25" of Super-Cush
padding and two hard plastic underbelly runners provide additional
protection for your laptop. On the outside of the backpack are 4 large
"seamless" storage pockets which are perfect for you to store many
small gadgets, devices and accessories, like chargers, pens, money,
keys, passport, boarding passes.
Features:
- 680D Nylon + ripstop poly with 680D nylon "jacket-flap"
- Dedicated Laptop compartment with .25" Super-Cush foam
- Large 3.5 Gallon Duffle Style main compartment
$80.99
Link: Slappa Stovepipe CHAOS
Backpack
New HumptyDumptyService Laptop LCD Screen
Distributor Sets New Standard with the '0-1 Dead Pixel Guarantee'
PR: A new supplier for computer/laptop repair shops/centers
to purchase replacement screens for repair use claims that while there
are here are many companies and individuals selling screens all across
North America, few can meet the level of service it is bringing to the
table.
Opened in Sept of 2011, the Walnut, CA based HumptyDumptyService has
been working to build a reputation of providing high quality parts and
service for the laptop repair Industry.
HumptyDumptyService caters to both local repair shops and home
technicians who would like to repair their own laptops.
In their latest move, they are offering the 0-1 Dead Pixel
Guarantee, substantially beating the industry standard which is set at
0-5 dead pixels.
Another Service that just launched is the TPTS (Tested Prior To
Shipping) Service, which guarantees that the panel is in working
condition upon arrival.
By also providing Two-Day Shipping Service on 99% of their panels,
HumptyDumptyService have set a new standard when it comes to purchasing
replacement laptop panels.
Some of the panels they carry include models for Apple, Acer, Asus,
HP and Toshiba. To expand their product line, they recently began
carrying Tablet LCD Screens in their lineup. Toshiba Thrive, Acer A500
and Vizio VTAB1008 are just some examples.
Service shops are encouraged to keep HumptyDumptyService in mind
next time they must have a working screen in two days.
Phone Toll Free 866-557-6712 or direct 626-616-0620.
Link: HumptyDumptyService
Securranty Announces iPad and MacBook Warranties
for Classrooms
PR: iPads and MacBooks have become increasingly commonplace
in K-12 classrooms and universities across the United States. In
response to this trend, leading electronics warranty provider
Securranty is announcing its classroom warranty program for iPads and
MacBooks.
Securranty's classroom warranty covers a range of scenarios likely
to be encountered in a classroom or campus environment, including
mechanical and electrical breakdowns, accidental damage, liquid damage
and other mishaps. Securranty claims to offer the most comprehensive
coverage that comes with a hassle free claims process. Securranty's
Online Account Management system processes claims quickly and simply,
and they can be easily made 24/7, perfect for students and
teachers.
Many insurance and warranty providers require forms to be completed
before a claim is paid. Securranty points to its no hassle, no
paperwork claims process that has earned it 5-star ratings from its
clients.
"Securranty provides competitive proposals based on clients needs."
says Alex Davidson, Securranty's Chief Executive and industry expert.
"We customize our program to meet your needs we do not believe one size
fits all. We provide options for coverage and claims that no one else
will.
For more information about Securranty's classroom warranties or to
receive a competitive cost proposal, visit securranty.com and select
Business & Education.
Seccuranty is a provider of warranties for customer electronics,
including cell phones, laptops, desktops, exercise equipment, home
appliances and more, offering a state-of-the-art Call Center, Depot
Repair Services and a national network of local repair centers.
Securranty aims to be the choice of smart shoppers in the consumer
electronics warranty and protection industry. All Securranty policies
are guaranteed during the full term of the service contract as they are
backed by a Licensed Administrator and regulated by the Department of
Licensing & Regulations to ensure obligation, compliance and
guarantee.
Link: Securranty
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.
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iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.
