November 2008
- How come
Dell can sell a new 15" notebook for half the price of a refurbished
MacBook?, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 12.11. With Dell Canada
selling a 15" Inspiron notebook for $549 and Apple selling a
refurbished last generation MacBook for $1,049, one has to wonder.
- Why you
should partition your Mac's hard drive, Dan Knight, Mac Musings,
12.11. "At the very least, it makes sense to have a second partition
with a bootable version of the Mac OS, so if you have problems with
your work partition, you can boot from the 'emergency' partition to run
Disk Utility and other diagnostics."
- New iPods vs. old iTunes, some
netbooks more flexible than MacBooks, iCab 4 uses WebKit, and more,
Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 12.10. Also Linux is more
resource hungry and less responsive than OS X, the value of a 17"
PowerBook, and looking forward to the diNovo Mac Edition.
- 7 favorite Mac
browsers, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 12.09. Mac users
have a wealth of good browsers to choose from. This is one user's
analysis of the best seven.
- Let the Mac's
25th anniversary begin!, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 12.09. The
Mac doesn't officially turn 25 until January 24, 2009, but the 25th
anniversary issue of Macworld is already out there.
- Logitech diNovo
Edge Bluetooth Keyboard complements modern Macs, Charles W Moore,
Miscellaneous Ramblings, 12.08. Logitech's diNovo Edge isn't just a
well built Bluetooth keyboard. It brings some new features to the Mac
and looks great next to glass and aluminum hardware.
- Spreading iPod Shortage, turn
iPod touch into a phone, Christmas ringtones for your iPhone, and
more, iNews Review, 12.05. Also iPod sales may have peaked, Apple
in-ear headphones shipping, triple-life battery for iPhone and iPods,
universal travel charger, and more.
- Windows below 90%, IE below 70%,
as Mac, Firefox, and Safari gain ground, Mac News Review, 12.05.
Also 5 reasons to choose OS X, 12 more unanswered Apple questions,
'Welcome to Macintosh' DVD goes on sale, Mozilla Songbird takes on
iTunes, and more.
- Unibody MacBook video problems,
DisplayPort DRM loosened a bit, Mac netbook discussion, and more,
The 'Book Review, 12.05. Also free licensing for Mini DisplayPort, the
sexy clamshell iBook, Apple's liquid cooled notebook plans, Sonnet FW
400/800 adapter, bargain 'Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
- How Apple Retail
can profit from the recession, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market,
12.04. "Apple has a larger cash mountain than any of its competitors in
retail, and with the right kind of investments will come out of the
recession stronger than ever."
- Watching DVDs from
different regions on your Mac, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the
Job, 2008.12.04. Hardware and software solutions for watching DVDs
intended for a different region.
- Targus Velos
Messenger Case: Versatile, attractive, and modestly priced, Charles
Moore, 'Book Value, 12.04. The Velos Messenger Case is solidly built,
had pockets for lots of extras, and could even handle a second 15in
notebook computer.
- OS X more efficient than Linux,
Snow Leopard and PowerPC Macs, and Eudora woes, Charles W Moore,
Miscellaneous Ramblings, 12.03. A user reports both Panther and Leopard
run more smoothly and use memory more efficiently than Linux. Also
thoughts on PowerPC abandonment in Snow Leopard and replacing Eudora in
Leopard.
- A used 17"
PowerBook as a budget notebook alternative, Charles W Moore, 'Book
Value, 12.02. Sure, you can buy a refurbished 13.3" MacBook for under
$900, but you could also have an expansive, feature laden 17" PowerBook
in the same price range.
- The Leopard
experience at 867 MHz, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 12.02. Mac OS X
10.5 requires an 867 MHz G4 with 512 MB of memory, but is performance
really acceptable on a minimum spec system?
- The very best Macs:
Sometimes Apple just nails it, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the
Job, 12.01. Apple has produced lots of good Macs, a few dogs, and some
'best of breed' models that stand apart from the pack.
- Apple could buy Dell,
and Linux is no threat to Mac OS X, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous
Ramblings, 12.01. Apple has the cash to buy Dell outright, and the idea
has some merit. Also, why Linux still isn't ready to displace the Mac
OS.
- Will Snow Leopard
support some PowerPC Macs?, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 11.26. It
just doesn't make sense that Apple would ship a new OS that won't
support Macs sold less than three years ago.
- Apple retail will
break records this Christmas, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market,
11.26. "Despite all the economic problems, Apple Retail can look
forward to another successful quarter with sales maybe breaking through
$2 billion...."
- From Ubuntu to OS X, picking the
right Mac, an aluminum mouse pad, and more, Mac News Review, 11.26.
Also changes in Apple culture, OWC rebates on Hitachi drives, Clone X
clones OS X, and LaCie SilverKeeper updated for OS X 10.5.5.
- MacBook slowdown without battery,
DisplayPort and DRM, 256 GB SSD, MagSafe solutions, and more, The
'Book Review, 11.26. Also Mac netbook prospects, laptop cooling table
with 2 fans, solar notebook bag, hard shell cases for unibody 'Books,
bargain 'Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
- iPhone 2.2 Software Update
released and jailbroken, advent calendars for your iPhone, and
more, iNews Review, 11.26. Also making Street View work on the iPod
touch, BlackBerry Storm questions answered, Microsoft's forthcoming
phone, eco-friendly cases, and more.
- Software to
keep your MacBook cool, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation,
11.25. Heat is the enemy of long hardware life. Two programs to keep
your MacBook running cooler.
- Old Macs in the new
economy, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 11.25. "We are the
kings of making our computers last, last, and last some more."
- Virtualization shootout:
VirtualBox 2 vs. VMWare Fusion 2, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync,
11.25. VirtualBox is aimed at a different audience than Fusion and
Parallels. While it works well, the typical desktop user will probably
prefer Fusion.
- Another way to run WeatherBug,
Aspire One runs OS X, 17" MacBook Pro hi-res display, and more,
Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.25. Also finding that 'just
right' notebook computer, car, or truck.
- Netbooks
tempting, cry out for Mac OS X, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 11.24.
Netbooks are light, cheap, compact, and underpowered. One with OS X and
a real Core 2 Duo processor would fly.
- Why Apple should
buy Dell, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.24. Apple has $24 billion in
the bank. Dell is currently worth under $19 billion. The acquisition
makes sense.
- Could Linux ever
replace Mac OS X?, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 11.24. Linux has
become more powerful and more friendly month after month, but can it
compare with the Mac OS X experience?
- The long term value
of a high end Mac, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 11.21.
Low-end Macs are more affordable up front, but the flexibility and
upgrade options of a top-end Mac can make it the better value in the
long run.
- 15 reasons Macs are better,
quad-core iMac in January?, USB 3.0 spec finalized, and more, Mac
News Review, 11.21. Also 25 years of Macs, 'Snow Leopard' in Q1?,
SimpleTech's faster and greener hard drive, Hyperspaces, StarOffice for
OS X, and more.
- DisplayPort copy protection,
trackpad update, netbooks not to be taken lightly, and more, The
'Book Review, 11.21. Also Apple set for record sales, 4-finger gestures
on original MacBook Air, MacBook Apple's best consumer notebook to
date, Cricket laptop stand, bargain 'Books from $490 to $2,299, and
more.
- iPhone #1 worldwide, Google
voice search for iPhone, iPhone 3G battery pack, and more, iNews
Review, 11.21. Also British accents throw off Google voice search, lots
of new iPhone apps, universal USB car charger, new protective cases,
and more.
- Apple caves to
Hollywood with DRM on iTunes videos, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz,
11.20. HDCP on the new MacBooks means that you may never really own
those videos you buy from the iTunes Store.
- Virtualization
shootout: VMWare Fusion 2 vs. Parallels Desktop 4, Kev Kitchens,
Kitchens Sync, 11.20. Both programs do the same thing, but one runs
Windows XP smoothly alongside Mac apps, while the other bogs down
everything but Windows.
- Just right: Papa
bear, mama bear, and baby bear MacBooks, Charles W Moore, 'Book
Value, 11.20. Some people like small and light notebooks, others prefer
huge desktop replacements, but the best value tends to be in the
middle.
- Every working
computer is useful to someone, Allison Payne, The Budget Mac,
11.19. Whether it's a PowerBook 1400, G3 iMac, or Power Mac G4, it
could be all the computer someone needs.
- Leopard runs very
nicely on PowerPC Macs, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 11.19. Some
claim that Mac OS X 10.5 is so optimized for Intel Macs that it runs
poorly on PowerPC hardware. That's simply not the case.
- No high definition iTunes
video for you, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.19. The October 2008
MacBooks are preventing users from viewing some high-def iTunes content
from being viewed on their external displays. Poor form!
- 3 WeatherBug options
for Apple users, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.19.
Have instant access to current local weather conditions with a
Dashboard widget, iPhone app, or Firefox plugin.
- Anticipating
Macworld: Nehalem, Snow Leopard, and updated desktops, Dan Knight,
Mac Musings, 11.18. Intel's Core i7 CPU has to make it way into the
next Mac Pro, Nvidia GeForce graphics will drive the iMac and Mac mini,
and 'Snow Leopard' will unleash the animal within.
- Love my refurb MacBook Pro, Eudora
forever, and the lightest AA batteries, Charles W Moore,
Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.18. Also questions about Nvidia GeForce
8600 problems in earlier MacBook Pro models and importing Eudora
mailboxes into Eudora successors.
- Cruz browser
introduces useful new features, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous
Ramblings, 11.17. Although only a 0.1 release, this new WebKit-based
browser has several clever new features that just might hook you.
- DLO Action
Jacket for the SanDisk Sansa, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh,
11.17. Want to protect your SanDisk Sansa MP3 player on the go? The DLO
Action Jacket does a great job.
- OS X netbook not from Apple,
one-third of notebook buyers leaning to Apple, Spaces made for 'Books,
and more, The 'Book Review, 11.14. Also Apple's 'special deals'
site, good-bye to a faithful TiBook, bent Unibody MacBook Pro, 10 hour
battery for MacBook Pro, 6 GB RAM solutions and benchmarks, bargain
'Books from $480 to $2,399, and more.
- What the next Mac mini needs,
FireWire alive and well, Parallels 4.0 for Mac, and more, Mac News
Review, 11.14. Also Apple will weather rough economy better than
competitors, Logitech diNovo Keyboard for Mac, gift tracking software,
Logos Bible Software pre-release offer, and more.
- iPhone more reliable than
Blackberry or Treo, when to restore your iPhone, FourTrack recording,
and more, iNews Review, 11.14. Also using your iPhone as a
trackpad, backup battery for iPhone, new charging solutions, more
cases, lots of additional apps, and more.
- Apple rewrites the rules for
games, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market, 11.13. With the
iPhone/iPod touch and the online App Store, Apple has created a market
for low cost games that has other platforms worried.
- The future of
PowerPC Macs and software as 'Snow Leopard' approaches, Simon
Royal, Tech Spectrum, 11.13. Apple phased out Classic Mode and G3
support with 'Leopard' last year, and next year's OS X 10.6 won't
support any PowerPC Macs. Will other developers abandon PowerPC as
well?
- Windows 7 Is
Microsoft's opportunity to get Vista right, Frank Fox, Stop the
Noiz, 11.13. Microsoft made a lot of mistakes with Vista and earned a
black eye. Windows 7 gives it a chance to learn from the past and move
ahead.
- Kensington
Ci95m Wireless Mouse: Great battery life, smooth performance,
Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 11.13. Kensington's slim wireless mouse is
well built, works smoothly, has great battery life, and avoids
Bluetooth pairing and wake-up issues.
- One Used Mac can make a
difference, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.12. Instead of scrapping
out old Macs for raw materials, what if the Mac community worked to
restore them and give them away to those with no computers?
- Refurb MacBook Pro value, MacBook
too big to replace 12" PowerBook, Pismo noise, and more, Charles
Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.12. Also installing OS X using
FireWire Target Disk Mode, running Virtual PC under Leopard, and how to
use filters in iCab.
- Checking out
the latest Eudora replacement betas, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous
Ramblings, 11.11. The two contenders to replace classic Eudora are
improving with each beta release, but both are missing crucial features
and still fall short of replacing Eudora 6.2.4.
- Microsoft puts
Apple's lipstick on the Vista pig, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync,
11.10. Microsoft's Vista brochure uses an Apple PowerBook to show what
a notebook computer should look like. Really.
- Targus USB 2.0
High-Speed File Transfer Cable helps offset loss of FireWire,
Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.10. Although it can't
replace Target Disk Mode, Targus' $40 cable makes it easy to transfer
files quickly between two Macs, two PCs, or one of each.
- Recent MacBooks support 6 GB of
RAM, USB 2.0 faster in Unibody 'Books, graphics shootouts, and
more, The 'Book Review, 11.07. Also FireWire-to-USB, workaround for
glossy screens, 3G MacBooks planned, checkpoint-friendly bags for new
MacBooks, bargain 'Books from $480 to $2,399, and more.
- Macs good values, Nehalem 'blows
everything else away', free Lotus Symphony for Mac, and more, Mac
News Review, 11.07. Also Mac mini update coming, ink left in "dead"
cartridges, Blu-ray facts, USB turntable, Eudora updated, and
more.
- Some go iPhone to save, iPhone
app reads like a book, Game Grip for iPhone and iPod touch, and
more, iNews Review, 11.07. Also latest iPods won't charge with
FireWire dock, LP to iPod converter, turn down the iPod, ecard utility
for iPhone and iPod touch, and more.
- Apple takes the
high road to profitability, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.06. There
are two roads to profitability - high volume with low margins and low
volume with high margins.
- A brief history of
portable computing: From Dynabook to netbooks, Dan Knight, Mac
Musings, 11.06. 40 years ago Alan Kay dreamt of a two pound handheld
computer. Portables have made a lot of changes since 1981, but haven't
yet matched the Dynabook.
- Unibody
MacBook the logical successor to the 12" PowerBook, Charles W Moore,
'Book Value, 11.05. All things considered, the thinner, lighter
aluminum MacBook is a worthy successor to the 12" PowerBook beloved by
so many.
- Best refurb MacBook Pro value,
AirPort Card thermal issues, Opera vs. iCab, and more, Charles
Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.05. Also more thoughts on the lack
of FireWire on the Unibody MacBook.
- Apple strikes back at 'I'm a
PC' campaign, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.04. Apple's latest ads
remind Microsoft that it could have fixed Vista instead of spending
$300 million promoting a flawed product.
- Windows Mobile,
the first sign of Microsoft's retreat?, Tim Nash, Taking Back the
Market, 11.04. Windows Mobile has fallen behind the iPhone and
Blackberry, version 7 has been delayed, and Vista's failings are giving
Windows users a reason to consider alternatives.
- NewerTech 11
Piece Portable Toolkit for servicing and upgrading computers,
Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.03. NewerTech's $20 toolkit
may have all the tools you'll need to repair and upgrade your computers
- and classic iPods.
Editorial Archives
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2000 Sept.-Dec., May-Aug., Jan.-March
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1997 �
