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13-inch MacBook/2.13GHz Update Improves Performance, Adds Value; Tackling LCD "Burn-ins" And Dead/Stuck Pixels; Apple OS X 10.5.7 Overheats Some Macs; "If It's A PC, You Can Keep It"; MacAlly BookShell Pro2 Leather Cover for MacBook Pro And IceShell Clear Case For 13" Aluminum MacBook
Monday, June 8 2009 @ 9:55 AM ET | Article Link
13-inch MacBook/2.13GHz (White) Updates Improve Performance And Add Value
Macworld's James Galbraith says Apple s recent updates to its $999 white MacBook should attract some cost-conscious, value-oriented consumers over the laptop-buying fence, with its faster processor; larger capacity hard drive; status as the only MacBook left with FireWire support, and comparatively long battery life.
Galbraith also notes that the white MacBook is popular in the education market and offers better value for the money than ever with the recent speed bump from 2GHz to 2.13GHz and increased hard drive capacity from 120GB to 160GB as well as enhancing the RAM spec. to faster 800MHz DDR2 memory from the previous 667MHz DDR2 RAM creating a system package that's benchmarked at 6.5% faster than the 2.0GHz aluminum unibody MacBook selling for $300 more.
However, what you don't get is the aluminum MacBook's luscious new unibody design, which includes the new mini DisplayPort connector, and uses faster 1066MHz DDR3 memory, an LED display backlight.
Personally having recently wrestled with weighing which of these machines was the best alternative, I wemt with the unibody, and haven't experienced a millisecond of regret over my choice so far, although I do find the absence of FireWire annoying and a not insignificant inconvenience by times. However, the virtues of the precision unibody enclosure have to be experienced first-hand to be appreciated, and the WhiteBook's polycarbonate case has had a history of unhappy issues like discoloration and cracking that may or may not be behind it.
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Tackling LCD "Burn-ins" And Dead/Stuck Pixels
MacFixIt remids us MacFixIt remids us that one of the major problems with old CRT displays was "burn-ins," an unwelcome phenomenon whereby after a length of time displaying the same image or pattern on the screen, a shadow of that image would persist even after the image had changed. However, contrary to popular perception, LCD displays are not totally immune to image persistence that's analogically similar to the classic burn-in, although technically a different sort of dysfunction.
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Apple OS X 10.5.7 Overheats Some Macs
zeldman.com reports that OS X 10.5.7 appears to adversely affect the internal heat management efficiency of some iMacs and MacBooks, causing the machines to overheat, which in turn can lead to to such problems as freezes during iCal sync; freezes during iTunes sync; and the inability of attached hard drives to complete a backup....
I finally got on a WiFi broadband connectionand downloaded the OS 10.5.7 updater last week, but I'm still sitting on it. OS 10.5.6 is running smoothly and reliably on both my MacBook and G4 PowerBook, and given the evidentally extraordinary volume of issues reportedly associated with the OS 10.5.7 update, I'm in an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" frame of mind. Unfortunately, the latest Safari 4 preview build requires OS 10.5.7, so I'm locked out of that until I update, but I think I can live with that, and may not make a move until Apple releases an OS 10.5.8 bugfix cleaner-upper.
How about you? Any problems with 10.5.7?
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If It's A PC, You Can Keep It - Make A Statement
You can respond to Microsoft's "laptop hunters" campaign with a Fastmac "NOT PC" T-shirt. Fastmac is giving away these T-shirts to Apple developers at WWDC this week.
Fastmac offers a wide variety of limited edition T-shirts that are becoming increasingly popular within the Mac community.
With a unique blend of design and wit, FastMac's shirts possess all the elements that make for a classic T-shirt. They have just added three brand new designs, featuring a "Not PC" shirt which is a response to Microsoft's "Laptop Hunters" Ad campaign.
 Don't forget to check out Fastmac's other popular additions to their collection which commemorated the 25th Anniversary of Macintosh Computers with designs like "25 Years of Mac", "1984" & "Classic Mac". They also have shirts that honor our new president Barack Obama with designs such as, "OSX Software We Can Believe In" & "HOPE". With so many styles, you'll easily find a shirt that fits you best.
Available in most sizes, these shirts will not be around forever, so pick one up soon before they're gone.
*Free Shipping is limit ONE per customer.
Prices start at $9.95
For more information, visit:
http://fastmac.com/apparel.php
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MacAlly BookShell Pro2 Leather Protective Cover for 15-inch Glass Display MacBook Pro
MacAlly has introduced the BookShell Pro2 Leather Protective Cover for 15-inch Glass Display MacBook Pros
Features :
Two piece snap-on protective leather case
Specially designed for your new 15-inch aluminum MacBook Pro Access to all ports and sensors
Ventilated rear to minimize heat built-up Suede inner lining to prevent scratches to your MacBook Pro
MSRP : $ 29.99
For more information, visit:
http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=267
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MacAlly IceShell Clear Protective Case For 13" Aluminum MacBook
MacAlly has also introduced the IceShell Clear Protective Case for 13" Aluminum MacBooks
Features :
Two piece snap-on protective clear case Specially designed for your new 13" Aluminum MacBook
Access to all ports and sensors Protects against dust and scratches
Ventilated rear to minimize heat built-up.
MSRP : $ 29.99
For more information, visit:
http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=269
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