The Psystar Scenario
So, this company called Psystar apparently didn’t get the memo that Steve Jobs killed the Mac clones back in 1998. That, or they just aren’t really that smart. Either way, their site is back up and their $399 Open Computer (changed from Open Mac) is available for purchase. (more…)
Posted: April 15, 2008 / Category: Hardware
New Macbook & Macbook Pro models arrive
Apple has unleashed a new generation of Macbook and Macbook Pro notebook computers. While looking nearly identical to the previous generation, the newer models feature faster processors, larger hard drives, and (on the Macbook Pro) multi-touch track pads.
The biggest improvements seem to be in the Macbook Pro line, with new Pernyn processors, double the previous generations video ram, and the addition of multi-touch track pads.
One thing that surprised me was that Apple kept the “black tax” on the Macbook model. I had figured Apple would have reduced the black tax, or dropped it altogether in an effort to spur sales. I guess sales aren’t hurting that much, since Apple seems content with holding the status quo on the black tax.
Additionally, the new models retain the previous form factor. It’s been five years since Apple updated the Macbook Pro form factor. Of course, many view the current form factor as a thing of beauty, and why mess with beauty when it is clearly still selling well, right?
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iSuck
Yeah, that about sums up how I feel about today’s announcements from Apple. Apple has always been a company that charges a premium for it’s products, but this is getting ridiculous.
First up, the new Intel Mac mini. Available in two flavors - a $599 Core Solo 1.5ghz chip with a 60GB HD, and a $799 Core Duo 1.66ghz with an 80GB HD. Yes, Apple jacked the price up by $100 on both the low and high end model. What do you get with the new Mac mini? Well as expected, you get Front Row and the Apple Remote. You get Airport, Bluetooth and USB. You can expand these models up to 2GB of RAM. However, while Front Row has been beefed up with subnet sharing of files, it did not gain the widely anticipated (and highly requested) DVR capabilities.
Oh, and the kicker here is that these new minis feature Intel Integrated Graphics Chipsets (GMA950). Yes, that new 512MB mini you just bought is already running shy about 80MB to handle it’s graphics processing. Isn’t that special?
Clearly, someone in marketing (and Steve himself, for that matter) didn’t learn the painful lesson of the Cube.
Also introduced today was the iPod Hi-Fi, a large rectangular speaker that has an iPod dock/connector on top. It also features built in handles on the side so moving it from room to room should be a breeze. The problem? The price, of course. At $349, the iPod Hi-Fi is $50 more than the Bose Sounddock, which I consider to be the best iPod home audio solution available. Time will tell if Apple will be able to sell these things at such a high price.
The final laugher of the day is the new leather iPod case from Apple. Basically a leather pouch with no window to view your iPod’s screen, no click wheel access, and no common sense. I say no common sense because at $99 this has to be the most brazen attempt to cash in on the iPod craze. Will people buy them at this price? I’m sure some will. But I’m hopeful that most people will have the sense to see what a ripoff this product is.
Today’s announcements have obviously left me puzzled. Has Apple become intoxicated with it’s own success? Time will tell if these products will sell, but I’m betting they won’t be strong points in the product lineup.
Five minute Mighty Mouse Review
I recveived my Mighty Mouse last week. While many other detailed, in-depth reviews have been posted, I wanted to wait awhile before I gave my impressions of the multi-sensored white rodent. After many hours of usage, here’s my feedback.
Appearance:
First off, you know that since it is an Apple product, the aesthetics are top notch. The Mighty Mouse keeps the same shape and size of the Apple Pro Mouse. However, the shell is now a all white solid. While this provides more of a match for the Apple Pro Keyboard, I believe it makes the mouse look a little cheaper than the Apple Pro Mouse. The see-through outer shell of the Apple Pro Mouse was just uber-cool, and the Mighty Mouse doeesn’t illicit that same reaction. I’m not saying it’s unattractive. Quite the opposite, as it’s a very attractive, unassuming component when sitting next to the Apple Pro Keyboard.
Feel:
The most important feature of any input device is how it feels in your hand over an extended period of time. The Pro Mouse was lauded for it’s comfortable feel in hands of all sizes. While the Mighty Mouse shares the same general shape and size of the Pro Mouse, it is used differently due to the scroll wheel and the right click and side “squeeze” functioanlity. If you use the Mighty Mouse as just a single click device, it should feel just like Apple Pro Mouse to you. Buy why would anybody do that when this mouse costs $20 more than the Pro Mouse? Easily - you wouldn’t. Which brings us to the new Mouse’s achille’s heel - it’s right click and side click functionality.
First off, the right click. What you will notice first upon using this mouse is that mechanically, it is just like the Pro Mouse in that it is really just a single button mouse. How Apple approaches the extra buttons is through sensors placed underneath the shell of the mouse. So, by tapping on the top right hand side of the mouse, you get your right click registered. By squeezing the sides, you get your squeeze click registered. Same for the scroll wheel button.
The problem is that the the sensor for the right click starts right at the center of the mouse. Since you have no clear ridges where buttons are, your left click finger (your index finger for most of you with 5 digits) may sometimes be positioned more towards the center of the mouse, thus producing a right clicks when you meant to produce a left click. It seems like a pretty easy fix - make the sensor for the right click start a few more mm/cm to the right instead of right down the center.
The side sensors which activate the “squeeze” just feel awkward. There is little tactile feedback when pressed, and their positioning makes it an uncomfortable move to make for most people. If I were revising the Mighty Mouse, I would make the side sensors extend a little bit higher on the mouse. This would give the thumb a better position on the left sensor, and the fourth finger a better grip on the right sensor (assuming you are a right handed user).
When it comes to the scroll ball, Apple got it just right. At first the small size took a bit getting used to. I usually use a Kensington Optical Elite mouse, and it’s scroll wheel is comparatively large. But after a couple of hours, I found myself very comfortable with the scroll ball. It is much more comfortable than the scroll wheels on other mice.
Finally, a word about the tiny speaker inside the Mighty Mouse. Much ado has been made about it. To set the record straight, when you make your primary click, the sound that is produced is the mechanical click sound, just like the Apple Pro Mouse. When you right click, you are still actually making a mechanical click as well. Same for the click using the scroll ball.
The internal speaker is used to produce audible feedback when scrolling and when side clicking/squeezing. Apple did a good job with it’s implementation, because you never really even think that the sound is generated synthetically and not from a mechanical operation.
Software:
The mouse driver you install gives you enhanced functionality on Tiger 10.4.2 or higher. The software allows you to assign Exposé, Dashboard, Spotlight, or any other application to any click. One unfortunate limitation is that you can only assign one operation to both left and right side buttons, essentially meaning that your two buttons are really only one two sided button. This seems like such a waste.
You can also adjust whether the scroll wheel will allow for only vertical or horizontal scrolling, or both.
Also of note - many 3rd party mice work with the Mighty Mouse driver. My Kensington Optical Elite operated exactly like the Mighty Mouse when I plugged it in. However, by comparison, the Kensington mouse driver is much more flexible, allowing you to assign keystroke combinations to your buttons. This allows you to use the left and right side buttons as backwards and forwards buttons in your web browser and the Finder. I find this very useful and am disappointed this functionality doesn’t exist in the Mighty Mouse driver.
Conclusion:
If you need a multi-button Mouse, and want to keep all of your peripherals Apple branded and matching each other, the Apple Mighty Mouse is a worthwhile addition to your setup. If you need the flexibility to assign keystroke actions to your buttons or you aren’t a fan of the feel of the Apple Pro Mouse, you may want to pass on the Mighty Mouse
Score: 3.5 out of 5
Posted: August 13, 2005 / Category: Hardware
Apple releases Power Mac G5 firmware update
Apple has released a firmware update for the “uniprocessor” (single processor 1.6 or 1.8ghz) G5 Power Macs. According to the update notes, the update improves general system reliability and restores sleep functionality. The update requires Mac OS X 10.3.5.
Posted: September 12, 2004 / Category: Hardware
Joswiak elaborates on iMac availability date
In an interview with MacCentral, Greg Joswiak, VP of Product Hardware and Marketing elaborates on the projected availability of the new iMac. When asked about Phil Schiller’s statement that the new iMac would be available in mid-September, Greg states
“Well, let’s be realistic. That’s when they first start shipping. By definition a ramp means going from zero to whatever full capacity is going to be. On day one, there’s all this demand that’s built up, and inevitably, there’s a shortage. People get excited about our products — that’s good, and in no way do I want to dampen that. … but the reality is with any new product, it’s hard to imagine any example where [a shortage] isn’t the case.”
Posted: September 6, 2004 / Category: Hardware