Low End Mac Editorial Archive
May 2006
- MacTablet, MacBook mini, and MacDock: Resurrecting the dockable 'Book, Matthew Wright, My Turn, 05.31. Apple had a great idea with the PowerBook Duo and Duo Dock. Here's how they could resurrect the concept for the 21st century.
- Less is more: 12" PowerBook still a lawyer's best friend, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 05.31. Weighing all the pros and cons of the MacBook, the 12" PowerBook G4 remains the ideal field computer for this user.
- Avoid rev 1 Mac Pro, flak on myth busting, and mad at Low End Mac, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 05.31. Expect early Mac Pro shipments to have teething problems, flak vs. flack, kudos on myth busting, and problems finding useful StyleWriter info on LEM.
- Myth busting: Microsoft PlaysForSure is not 'hardware neutral', Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.30. Tech journalists have an obligation to clear things up for their readers, not act as PR flaks, obfuscate things, and mislead their audience.
- DiskWarrior 3: The one disk utility every Mac user should have, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.30. DiskWarrior does one thing - and does it very well. It finds and repairs directory damage, then create a new optimized replacement directory.
- Windows growing, will eventually require a googol of RAM, Jeff Adkins, The Lite Side, 05.30. Based on pretty consistent trends from Windows 3.1 through Vista, Windows will grow to require gigabytes, terabytes, petabytes, and eventually googols of RAM.
- MacBook a sign of things to come to MacBook Pro line, Jake Goodridge, Fresh Picked Apples, 05.26. The MacBook isn't just an incredible value compared to the MacBook Pro, it also introduces some features sure to migrate to the pro line.
- Album art and liner notes: An iTunes disadvantage, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.26. Some music buyers prefer to buy the CD instead of an online download because they get the album art and liner notes that way. How Apple could tap into that market.
- Apple nailed it: All you need to know about the MacBook, The 'Book Review, 05.26. Reviewers find Apple's new MacBook nearly perfect, the clever upgrade bay, a matte screen petition, and more.
- 2 GHz PowerBook upgrade, end of PowerBook era, 17" MacBook Pro reviews, cool Concerto table, and more, The 'Book Review, 05.26. Also a new website for ExpressCard info, MIT's $100 laptop, first flash-based notebook, fix for PowerBook lower RAM slot failure, bargain 'Books from $230 to $2,199, and more.
- Turn your Mac into a PVR, Mac mini runs Final Cut Studio slowly, Macintel as 'Vista ready' PCs, and more, Mac News Review, 05.26. Also the mini's ceaseless fan, Apple price drops in Canada, Seagate swallows Maxtor, dead pixels, and more
- What's the best 'Book for my needs: MacBook, MacBook Pro, iBook, or PowerBook?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 05.25. You need to balance size, weight, price, power, and processor to find just the right 'Book for your own needs.
- The productive Mac: Tracking your projects and doing the work, Matthew Jay, Macs to the Max, 05.25. The Mac can be a great tool for any type of project, including collaboration and scheduling.
- Apple shuns 'superstar' PowerPC startup, Intel Core speed bumps and price cuts, and more, The Macintel Report, 05.25. Also MacBook puts Apple on target to meet or beat earnings projections, guide to taking "the Macintel plunge", Intel's new vPro chip, and startup key combos for Intel Macs.
- Power Mac today or Intel tomorrow?, Nvu shortcomings, and best way to sell older Mac stuff, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 05.24. Thoughts on buying a Power Mac G5 now or waiting for the Intel replacement, problems with Nvu software, and how to get the best price when selling old Mac stuff.
- Other stuff I'd like to sync with my iPod, Jeff Adkins, The Lite Side, 05.24. You can already sync your iPod to iTunes, iCal, Address Book, digicam memory cards, and now even Nikes. What other great ideas are just around the corner?
- MpegDec on 68030, more on DRM, and another MP3 player for PowerPC Macs, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 05.24. Hands-on testing shows a 16 MHz LC II isn't up to MP3s, Apple's DRM is less bad than Microsoft's, and a look at Mint Audio, a promising but frustrating discontinued commercial app.
- What's in your workspace?, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 05.23. Does your workspace reflect the way you work today and let you work efficiently?
- Picking the right laptop in 2006, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 05.23. You need to balance size, weight, price, power, and battery life to find just the right notebook computer for your own needs.
- The sun has set on the G4, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 05.23. After seven years with the G4, Apple has discontinued the last model to use it, but that doesn't make these machines obsolete.
- Best OS for older Macs, why OS 9 remains a player, Camino browser fast, DVD-RAM support for Macs, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.22. Also MaxiMice as a potential replacement for Scrollability, Links an alternative to WannaBe, putting a 300 MHz CPU in a slower WallStreet, Word 2004's Word 5.1 option, and more on Pismo modems and Tiger.
- MacBook runs hot, SheepShaver feedback, replacing Home Page, and another PowerBook 1400 fan, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 05.22. Field reports indicate the new MacBook runs hot, SheepShaver emulator works decently on Intel Macs, more WYSIWYG HTML editor thoughts, and a new PowerBook 1400 user writes in.
- The good, the bad, and the ugly of upgrading your Mac, Matthew Jay, Macs to the Max, 05.22. If your Mac is no longer powerful enough for your current needs, an upgrade might be a real alternative to buying a newer Mac.
- Smart design and easy drive replacement will make the MacBook a winner, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.19. Although the graphics processor is far from state-of-the-art and the screen is very reflective, everything else about MacBook points to it becoming a huge success.
- Glossy MacBook screen, MacBook keyboard, fix for MacBook Pro heat problems, and more, The 'Book Review, 05.19. Also inside the MacBook, positive 17" MacBook Pro reviews, third-party power supplies, Hitachi's notebook 'drive of steel', bargain 'Books from $1,000 to $2,199, and more.
- Symantec says buy a Mac, SheepShaver supports Classic on Macintel, painted minis, and more, Mac News Review, 05.19. Also email on a Mac Plus, firmware updates for Intel iMac and mini, $159 G4/933 MHz upgrade, FW800/USB 2.0 to SATA bridge board, and more.
- The Aperture 1.1 update fiasco: Stock Power Mac G5 Dual and Quad video no longer recommended, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.18. "The normal configuration of Apple's three current Power Mac models includes Nvidia GeForce 6600 graphics, the original version of Aperture supported it, but with the update it's no longer recommended."
- Life after the 400K click of death, A. Daniel King, Online Tech Journal, 05.18. What to do when your 400K floppy drive will no longer read and write disks.
- Why I wish Apple were more like Microsoft, Jamie Gruener, My Turn, 05.18. When Macs work, they're wonderful. But when you have to troubleshoot them, Apple leaves you on your own.
- Real claims half of iPod music stolen, iPhone rumors, luminous cable winder, iWood cases, and more, iPod News Review, 05.18. Also Australia and UK legalizing ripping, flat fee "Made for iPod" program, church gives away iPods, white leather dress for iPod Hi-Fi, stopwatch software for the iPod, and more.
- No sub-$1,000 'Books, Core Duo overclocked to 3.8 GHz, another Windows on Mac contender, and more, The Macintel Report, 05.18. MacBook eliminates last $999 iBook, Intel Macs are two computers in one, Apple got Intel right, Intel pushing Centrino 4, and more.
- 13" MacBook introduced, 15" MacBook Pro speed bump, The 'Book Review, 05.17. The iBook replacement has a 13.3" widescreen display, 1.83 and 2.0 GHz Core Duo processors, extended desktop, sudden motion sensors, iSight, Front Row with remote, and much more.
- MacBook glossy screen problems, Classic option for Intel Macs, and more on replacing Home Page, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 05.17. Reader unconvinced a glossy laptop screen is a good idea, SheepShaver PowerPC emulator puts Classic on Macintel, more thoughts on WYSIWYG HTML editors, and eMac CPU upgrade possibilities.
- X11: Your window for using Unix apps on the Mac, Leaman Crews, Plays Well with Others, 05.17. Mac OS X is a Unix variant. X11 is the tool that lets you access Unix applications using a graphical interface with mouse support.
- The MacBook value equation: Incredible value, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.16. With a widescreen display, dual-core CPU, fast bus, and $1,099 base price, the MacBook isn't just a great value - it could gut sales of the 15" MacBook Pro.
- The PowerBook 3400: Surprisingly useful and spry with the Classic Mac OS, Charles Webb, PowerBook Beat, 05.16. The last PowerBook before the G3, the PB 3400 actually outperforms the "MainStreet" PowerBook G3 - and it's generally available for under US$100.
- Old Macs are still fun to use and productive tools, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 05.15. Dusting off the old Macs, turning them on, and using them again provides a reminder of how enjoyable they were to use and how productive they can be.
- Replacing Claris Home Page and how Apple could slash $900 from Macintel prices, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 07.08. Readers suggest Nvu, RapidWeaver, and Sandvox as alternatives to Home Page, and how Apple could use the Pentium D 805 to vastly reduce Mac prices.
- Is Mac OS 9 still a player?, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.15. Is OS 9 still important? Which Macs can boot into it? Where can you buy OS 9? How do you obtain and install the available OS updates?
- Mac community loses an icon, David G. Wood, but not his legacy, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 05.15. David Wood's 'Resources for the Older Macintosh' was an invaluable resource for anyone using pre-PowerPC Macs. Although Wood has passed on, his legacy survives.
- The future of PowerPC Macs in the Intel era, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.12. There are a few reasons why you might not want to go Intel right now - and why you may want to keep a PowerPC Mac around for years to come.
- Setting up a 68040-based Mac media center, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 05.12. Yes, that old '040-based Quadra or Performa just might make a decent media center for listening to MP3s and watching videos.
- No MagSafe for car or airplane a MacBook drawback, MBP battery glitch?, new temperature monitor, and more, The 'Book Review, 05.12. Also low battery unresponsiveness, CPU upgrades for 12" PowerBooks, high capacity batteries for TiBooks and 12" 'Books, FireWire 800 for MacBook Pro, bargain 'Books from $325 to $2,059, and more.
- Macintosh G6 clones, Apple tops in tech support, Mac mini Core Duo upgrades, and more, Mac News Review, 05.12. Also more on Boot Camp, 1.66 GHz Mac mini vs. 1.83 GHz iMac, Seagate's humongous 750 GB hard drive, Guest PC gets faster, and more.
- Why I will probably buy another Mac, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.11. OSnews' "alcibiades" says he'll probably never buy another Mac. As someone who uses a computer to be productive, I can't see going any other way.
- The Low End Mac value equation, Matthew Jay, My Turn, 05.11. Value usually means picking a Mac "that's not quite cutting edge but still gets the job done and saves money."
- iPod/iTunes could use cell phone network, French propose less restrictive DRM law, and more, iPod News Review, 05.11. Also the new JBL Radial iPod speaker system, the first Bluetooth adapter for the iPod nano, and software to convert WMA, ASF, and WMV files to formats the iPod can use.
- Intel Core 2 Duo to ship in July, can a Power Mac replacement be far behind?, The Macintel Report, 05.11. Intel rebrands "Conroe" and "Merom" as Core 2 Duo, and the debate over Apple's motivation behind Boot Camp continues.
- Back to Kansas: A look at the fastest, most expandable pre-G3 Power Macs, Grant Hayes, Applesauce, 05.09. The Power Mac 8600 and 9600 used a fast 604e chip that could give early G3 systems a real run for the money.
- Inexplicable Cocoa ligature problem solved, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.09. My eMac was automatically replacing "fi" and "fl" with ligatures in Cocoa programs. A reader sent me a simple solution to this frustrating problem.
- Photoshop Elements 4.0 and Lightroom Beta show Adobe still does well by Mac users, Alan Zisman, Low End Mac Reviews, 05.09. Adobe's Photoshop Elements 4.0 provides "85% of Photoshop's power for 15% of its cost" and the Mac-only Lightroom beta looks very promising.
- Getting the Mac digital jukebox up and running, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 05.08. Connecting your PowerPC Mac to your stereo and remote control options for running a headless digital audio jukebox.
- Setting up a NuBus Power Mac as a digital recording studio, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 05.08. Take a Power Mac 7100 or 8100, add a Digidesign AudioMedia II card and a fast hard drive, and you've got the core of a powerful, low-cost digital recording studio.
- Flexible eWheelie stand improves notebook use at your desk, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.08. With a unique wheeled design, the eWheelie Laptop Stand lets you roll your 'Book to the side when you need to use your desk for other things.
- Mac mini Hacks & Mods for Dummies, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 05.05. This volume provides a lot of useful information, but those with Intel minis or speed-bumped G4 minis will realize the book is already dated.
- The sad state of today's music: Rap brings out the worst, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 05.05. iPod's let you listen to the music you like privately. Why is it that so many rap fans feel the need to crank it up and force their music on everyone?
- Front Row, Apple's digital hub, needs TV support, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 05.05. Apple pioneered the digital hub, but they are missing the boat when it comes to recording and viewing TV programs.
- Anticipating the non-Pro MacBook, Paulo Rodrigues, Apple Outsider, 05.05. What features is the widely anticipated 13" widescreen Intel-powered iBook replacment expected to have?
- OS X safer than Windows, Macs fuel academic turnaround, potential restore from backup problems, and more, Mac News Review, 05.05. Also future monitors may look back, new DisplayPort standard, Apple Keyboard Update for Macintel, 750 GB miniStack, Mac mini coverage, an iMac review, and a multi-channel digital audio PCIe card for the last gen Power Macs.
- MacBook Pro whining and overheating, 80 GB drive failure in 1.5 GHz PowerBooks, Pismo G4 price drop, and more, The 'Book Review, 05.05. Also problems with MacBook Pro batteries, MacBook Pro firmware update, transceiver doubles MacBook WiFi range, Temperature Monitor updated, bargain 'Books from $230 to $1,849, and more.
- Apple's WallStreet PowerBook G3 at 8 years old, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.04. Probably the most flexible, expandable PowerBook ever, the G3 Series offered desktop performance to go - and today it's a good deal on the used market. Also, the WallStreet CPU Upgrade Guide.
- Apple's new ads: Spokespeople for other operating systems, Jeff Adkins, The Lite Side, 05.04. Apple's new ads pit a Mac user against a Windows XP user, but what about all of those other operating systems?
- iPod use mostly illegal in UK, unlicensed iPod accessory crack down, a color change iPod case, and more, iPod News Review, 05.04. Also the return of iPod booting, next gen iPod speculation, iPod Fast Start, iPod trade-up service, portable apps to run from your iPod, and more.
- Apple embraces Dark Side, Book Camp kicks butt, Intel 90% dual-core by year end, and more, The Macintel Report, 05.04. More thoughts on Windows on Macs, Parallels Workstation reaches Beta 6, and Intel plans new CPU architecture every two years.
- Cocoa ligature behavior can drive you crazy, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 05.03. The Mac OS is inexplicably and automatically replacing "fi" and "fl" with ligatures on one of my Macs, and I can't make it stop.
- Pismo modem issues, best Mac keyboard, Pismo processor upgrade value, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 05.01. Also swapping screens between Lombard and Pismo, more on Frankenpismo, PRAM reset may resurrrect dead Lombard, and more on the dead Lombard.
- DRM increasingly restricts what you can do with your CDs, DVDs, and downloaded tunes, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 05.01. "The more media is a hassle to transfer from device to device, the better the opportunity the various corporations have to sell consumers the same product over and over."
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