The 'Book Review

The 'Book Review is a weekly review of iBook and PowerBook news written by Charles Moore . For general Apple, Mac desktop, iPod, iPhone, and related news, see The Mac News Review

• MacBooks top Amazon sales, EFI 1.7 problems, pros and cons of built-in batteries, and more, 2009.07.02. Also make a bootable SD Card, Leopard on a 9in Dell netbook, MacBook Pro and Air reviews, triple WiFi range, bargain 'Books from $179 to $2,300, and more.
• 'Slow' SATA in new MacBook Pros fixed, MacBook Pro display issues, Macs hold their value, and more, 2009.06.26. Also Apple acknowledges some MacBooks lack 'ignore trackpad' option, business card USB flash drive fits wallet, gigabit Powerline, bargain 'Books from $179 to $2,150, and more.
• 'Missing' MacBook Pro ports, FireWire back but ExpressCard gone, say no to glossy displays, and more, 2009.06.19. Also slower SATA in new 13" and 15" MacBook Pro, 5 things still missing from MacBook Pro, WD SiliconDrive III SSDs, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,199, and more.
• Fire sale on end of life 'Books, pros of SD Card support, 13" MacBook Pro an editor's choice, and more, 2009.06.12. Also 13" MacBook Pro teardown, ExpressCard missing from new 15" MacBook Pro, Virgin Mobile intros 3G broadband service, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,199, and more.
• Apple updates MacBook Pro line, 2.16 GHz MacBook White benchmarks, lower Modbook pricing, and more, 2009.06.10. Also Apple extends coverage for GeForce 8600M GT defect, requiem for a BlackBook, SMP Firmware Update 1.3, Dell axes Inspiron Mini 9, and more.
• MacBook White updated, DIY Mac tablet, danger of 'Safe Sleep', $350 80 GB SSD kit, and more, 2009.05.29. Also Apple tablet 'confirmed', 3G and lower cost MacBook Air models rumored, 500 GB bus powered hard drive, Mini DisplayPort adapters, bargain 'Books from $179 to $2,299, and more.
• Hackintosh Dell Mini worth it?, smallest external notebook drive, troubleshooting your 'Book, and more, 2009.05.26. Also Apple's 'student rugged' netbook from 1997, reviving a 'Book that won't power up, some trackpad options missing on 10.5.7, bargain 'Books from $179 to $2,290, and more.
• SSD RAID in MacBook Pro, MacBooks sweep Consumer Reports, new SSD drives from Imation, and more, 2009.05.11. Also OS X on the Dell Mini 9, MagSafe unsafe?, netbook vs. notebook performance, 8x SuperDrive for older MacBooks, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,200, and more.
• iPhone not a netbook, OS X on Dell netbook, USB 2.0 external display adapter, and more, 2009.05.01. Also jump in laptop spending plans, $49,000 lost notebook value, USB ports too close on MacBook Pro, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,580, and more.
• Trojan creates Mac botnet, $200 Dell netbook runs OS X well, 10-port USB 2.0 hub, and more, 2009.04.24. Also why Apple doesn't yet make a netbook, Windows guru impressed with Macs, rugged notebook hard drives, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,580, and more.
• Can a MacBook replace a 12" PowerBook?, safe wakeup for MacBooks, battery tips, and more, 2009.04.10. Also one Mac user goes Windows, MacBook Pro keyboard and trackpad issues, Snow White on a MacBook, wireless USB, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
• CPU for MacBook Air reaches 2.13 GHz, 17" MacBook Pro overpriced?, Laptop Flip Stand, and more, 2009.04.03. Also troubleshooting your MacBook, iBook updates can be a challenge, better lithium-ion batteries coming, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
• No $99 netbooks, Apple netbook will fail, learning from a stolen laptop, tiny iDrive, and more, 2009.03.27. Also OLED coming to MacBooks and iPhone, X1600 issues in older MacBook Pro models, battery tips, online backup, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
• nVidia replacing faulty graphic chips, Mac netbook speculation, OS X on a netbook, and more, 2009.03.20. Also MacBook mod puts screen behind Apple logo, $150 green battery, external battery for MacBook Air, new notebook stands, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
• Apple netbook rumors, two Hackintosh netbooks, 17" MacBook Pro reviewed, and more, 2009.03.13. Also why Apple needs an $800 MacBook, graphics issues, OLED coming to touchscreen Mac netbook?, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
• Unibody MacBook makes old MacBook Pro look old, MacBook cracks, OptiBay for Unibodies, and more, 2009.02.27. Also netbooks don't doom Apple, an Apple netbook won't just be for cheapskates, 12,820 mAH battery in 17in MacBook Pro, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
• Unibody MacBook vs. 12" PowerBook, 17" MacBook Pro disassembled, living with MacBook Air, and more, 2009.02.20. Also replacing hard drive much simpler in new MacBook Pro, netbooks now 20% of notebook market, notebook dock with video, bargain 'Books from $499 to $1,899, and more.
• Eee PC 1000HE the model for a Mac netbook, Apple rethinking fixed batteries, LoJac for Macs, and more, 2009.02.13. Also spill-proof coffee mug, ultimate high capacity notebook drive, clever USB 2.0 hub with rotating ports, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
• Tech journalist a switcher, Hackintosh netbook vs. iBook G4, Obama skins for MacBooks, and more, 2009.02.06. Also 17" MacBook Pro delayed, MacBook demand declining?, battery tips for PowerBook and Newtons, obsolete computers at work, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• Apple's notebook shift, loose hinge on Unibody MacBook Pro, MBP video issues, and more, 2009.01.30. Also glossy displays too reflective, an SSD tailored for the MacBook Air, the netbook 'problem', beautiful Unibody MacBook, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• $999 MacBook goes nVidia, MacBook sales up 34%, MacBooks overpriced (or not), and more, 2009.01.23. Also 15" MacBook Air rumors, Apple dual-link DVI adapter incompatible with non-Apple monitors, MatteBook upgrade for 15" MacBook Pro, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• 8 hour battery changes everything, Apple sweeps InfoWorld tech awards, tiny OQO handheld, and more, 2009.01.16. Also SSD prices vary a lot, Macs in politics, OLPC cuts staff, antiglare film for glossy 'Books, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• MacBook keyboard among best ever, glass trackpad less than intuitive, TiBook desktop mod, and more, 2009.01.09. Also $179 to change battery in 17in MacBook Pro, argument for an Apple netbook, MacBook Air SuperDrive hacked for any Mac, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• Intel's quad-core mobile CPU, prevent OS X 10.5.6 crashes, 'netbook' name under fire, and more, 2009.01.05. Also the Age of the Notebook, build a cardboard laptop stand, MacBook reviews, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• OS X on netbook guide, fast Intel X25-M SSD benchmarked, Woz joins Axiotron board, and more, 2008.12.24. Also multi-touch trackpad update for Boot Camp, nVidia's 'Intel-thrashing' netbook GPU, Toshiba launches first 512 GB SSD, bargain 'Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
• 4 GB RAM problem persists after firmware update, TriBook concept MacBook, DIY Mac netbook, and more, 2008.12.19. Also using third-party monitors with 'Late 2008' MacBooks, MacMagSaver protects MagSafe cord, $25 802.11g USB adapter, bargain 'Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
• MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air teething problems and firmware updates, 2008.12.16. Also Apple notebooks strong in weak market, CoolBook controls CPU frequency and voltage for cooler running, Logitech's new Comfort lapdesk, bargain 'Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
• Unibody MacBook video problems, DisplayPort DRM loosened a bit, Mac netbook discussion, and more, 2008.12.05. 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.
• MacBook slowdown without battery, DisplayPort and DRM, 256 GB SSD, MagSafe solutions, and more, 2008.11.26. 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.
• DisplayPort copy protection, trackpad update, netbooks not to be taken lightly, and more, 2008.11.21. 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.
• OS X netbook not from Apple, one-third of notebook buyers leaning to Apple, Spaces made for 'Books, and more, 2008.11.14. 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.
• Recent MacBooks support 6 GB of RAM, USB 2.0 faster in Unibody 'Books, graphics shootouts, and more, 2008.11.07. 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.
• MacBook Pro could use both GPUs at once, 9600M GT smokes 9400M for 3D gaming, new cases, and more, 2008.10.31. Also MacBook Pro doesn't support 8 GB of RAM, matte screen petition, spill sensors in new 'Books, MacBook Pro reviews, hard drive vs. SSD benchmarks, bargain 'Books from $259 to $2,399, and more.
• Apple more green, new MacBook details, FireWire on MacBook petition, benchmarks, and more, 2008.10.28. Also nVidia controller inside new 'Books, death of matte displays, MacBook Pro distorted video service program, bargain 'Books from $259 to $2,399, and more.
• nVidia inside next MacBook?, time for a Mac netbook, Asus launches MacBook Air killer, and more, 2008.10.10. Also photo reveals more about MacBook Pro, comparing 16:9 and 16:10 displays, Apple settles suit over faulty iBook and PowerBook adapters, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• Mac netbook coming?, $179 64 GB SSD, Apple owns 20% of US notebook market, and more, 2008.10.03. Also head of Norton AntiVirus team uses a Mac, Toshiba demos new battery technology, 1 TB notebook drives due in 2010, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• $200 64 GB SSD for your 'Book, Apple steering customers away from MacBook Pro, and more, 2008.09.26. Also how a $550 Windows notebook can cost over $1,200, netbooks may cut into MacBook sales, widescreens getting wider, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• Mac notebook share up 60% in US, Apple refurbs a great deal, RIP PowerBook G4, and more, 2008.09.19. Also speculation on next generation MacBooks, refreshing a WallStreet, running a PowerBook 5300 from flash memory, 3G modem sale booming, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• BYO $550 Mac netbook, new MacBooks rumored for October, notebook battery famine, and more, 2008.09.12. Also MacBook Air owners have mixed results with latest update, Intel's fast and costly solid state drives, laptop docking station, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• Buy a MacBook now or wait?, MacBook touch patents, Samsung X360 takes on MBA, and more, 2008.09.05. Also 20 years of portable Macs, data backup and preservation, universal U-Charge battery charger for Mac 'Books, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• New 'Books likely in September, 17" PowerBook display fault site, SSD security, and more, 2008.08.29. Also 6 ways to speed up your MacBook, next generation MacBook Air CPU, MacBook Air Update, LapStrap carrying solution, rise and fall of ultraportables, bargain 'Books from $220 to $2,699, and more.
• MagSafe out of warranty replacement, nVidia Flaw Affecting Macs, MacBook Air revision soon, and more, 2008.08.22. Also 160 GB microdrive from Intel, MacBooks on grocer's shelves, Intel future CPU plans, a checkpoint friendly notebook case, bargain 'Books from $220 to $2,699, and more.
• 'All nVidia GeForce 8600 chips bad', subcompact MacBook in 2009?, instant on notebooks, and more, 2008.08.15. Also MacBooks in high demand in education, first quad-core ThinkPad, new Dell notebook claims 19 hour battery life, new Logitech mouse clips to your notebook, bargain 'Books from $200 to $3,069, and more.
• US Customs can seize any laptop, aluminum and ultraportable MacBook rumors, and more, 2008.08.08. Also thoughts on the next generation of MacBooks, "I want to marry the Apple MacBook Pro", do it yourself MacBook Pro hard drive replacement, bargain 'Books from $490 to $3,069, and more.
• Next gen MacBook rumors and speculation, Laptop Laidback 3 released, privacy screen, and more, 2008.08.01. Also Apple warns of MacBook drought, mobile chip overkill?, Apple rumored abandoning Intel chipsets, MacBook Air requires SuperDrive to install Windows, bargain 'Books from $325 to $3,069, and more.
• New 'Books soon, 'product transition' rumors includes tablet, fan control software, and more, 2008.07.25. Also Apple limiting shipments to Best Buy, possible price cuts, TruePower battery reviewed, a clever new notebook stand, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• 4-core Core 2 Extreme mobile CPU in August, 256 MB SSD coming to MacBook Air, and more, 2008.07.18. Also Centrino 2 shipping, OS X running on tiny MSI Wind notebook, fuel cell notebooks one step closer, free laptop tracking service, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,649, and more.
• MacBooks cheaper than PC laptops, SSD power draw debated, MacBook Air showdowns, and more, 2008.07.11. Also Samsung fires up 128 GB SSD, next gen MacBook Pro design, drawbacks of MagSafe, 7200 rpm vs. 5400 rpm drive benchmarks, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,649, and more.
• 1.8 GHz, SSD MacBook Air price cuts; Samsung vs. Hitachi notebook drives; Centrino 2 preorders; and more, 2008.07.07. Also MacBook shipments up 61% over Q1 2007, Apple notebook redesign rumored, Santa Rosa MacBook Pro video failure, Mopar in-vehicle wireless Internet, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,749, and more.
• 2008 'Book Review Archive
• 2007 'Book Review Archive
• 2006 'Book Review Archive
• 2005 'Book Review Archive
• 2004 'Book Review Archive
• 2003 'Book Review Archive
• 2002 'Book Review Archive
• 2001 'Book Review Archive

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