Tag Archives: macbook

Accessories, Computers

Best External Drives of 2024: Top Picks and How to Decide

External portable drives are a great way to store and backup your data, especially if you need to carry it around with you. They are also useful for transferring files between different devices, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and consoles. However, not all external portable drives are created equal. Some are faster, more durable, more secure, or more stylish than others. In this blog post, we will review 7 of the best external portable drives that you can buy in 2024, based on their performance, features, design, and price.

Samsung T7 Touch

SAMSUNG T7 Touch portable SSD

If you are looking for a fast and secure portable SSD, you might want to check out the Samsung T7 Touch. This device offers impressive transfer speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s for read and write, respectively, thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and PCIe NVMe technology. It also features a fingerprint scanner and AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data from unauthorized access. You can unlock the SSD with a touch of your finger or with a password.

The Samsung T7 Touch has a sleek and durable design, with a metal body that can withstand drops of up to 2 meters. It also has an LED square that shows the status of the SSD at a glance. The device comes in two colors: black and silver, and three capacities: 500GB, 1TB and 2TB. You can use the Samsung Portable SSD software to set up your security options and get firmware updates.

The Samsung T7 Touch is a great option for anyone who needs a portable SSD that combines speed, security and style. It is compatible with Windows, Mac and Android devices, and comes with a 3-year limited warranty. You can find more details about the Samsung T7 Touch on its official website or on various online reviews.

Samsung T7 Touch Specifications

User Manual: [PDF]: https://bit.ly/40Y0REV

WD My Passport

Western Digital My Passport External Drive

The WD My Passport is a reliable and affordable external HDD that offers ample storage space of up to 5 TB. It has a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface that delivers speeds of up to 140 MB/s for both read and write. It also comes with WD Backup software that lets you schedule automatic backups of your files to the drive or to the cloud. The My Passport has a stylish and colorful design that matches your personality. It also has password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption to keep your data secure. The My Passport is compatible with Windows and Mac computers.

Crucial X8 Portable SSD 

Crucial X8 SSD

If you are looking for a fast and reliable external storage solution, you might want to consider the Crucial X8 Portable SSD USB 3.2 SSD. This device offers up to 4TB of storage capacity and delivers up to 1050 MB/s of read speed, thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and NVMe technology. The Crucial X8 is also durable and shock-resistant, drop proof up to 7.5 feet, extreme-temperature, shock and vibration proof with a sleek and elegant design that fits in your pocket. Whether you need to store your photos, videos, games, or documents, the Crucial X8 can handle it with ease and security.

The Crucial X8 supports Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Android, Linux, PS4, and Xbox One.

SanDisk Extreme Pro

SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD

The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a rugged and durable external SSD that offers blazing-fast speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s for both read and write. It has a USB-C interface that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 for maximum performance. It also has an IP55 rating that makes it resistant to water, dust, and shocks. The Extreme Pro has a solid aluminum core that dissipates heat and protects your data from high temperatures. It comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for compatibility with various devices. The Extreme Pro is available in 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB capacities.

It also features a durable design that can withstand shocks, vibrations and extreme temperatures.

SanDisk Extreme Pro Specs

User Manual: [PDF]: https://bit.ly/3UcUBGC

LaCie Rugged SSD

LaCie Rugged Mini SSD

If you are looking for a portable hard drive that can withstand harsh conditions and offer fast data transfer speeds, you might want to check out the LaCie Rugged SSD. This drive is part of the LaCie Rugged family, which has been trusted by creative professionals since 2005 for capturing and transporting data in the field.

The LaCie Rugged Mini SSD USB 3.2 Type-C has a durable design that can resist drops, rain, dust, and crushes. It also has an IP67 rating, which means it can survive being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. The drive has a capacity of up to 4 TB of storage space and uses a solid state drive (SSD) technology, which means it has no moving parts and can deliver faster performance than a traditional hard disk drive (HDD). The drive can reach speeds of up to 1050MB/s, which is ideal for editing and transferring high-resolution photos and videos in 4K.

The LaCie Rugged SSD has a versatile connectivity that works with USB4, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 3 devices. It comes with a USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter, so you can plug it into any computer or tablet. You can even use it with your iPad to expand its storage capacity. The drive also supports Seagate Secure technology, which encrypts your data with AES-256 encryption to protect it from unauthorized access.

G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD

G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD

If you are looking for a fast, reliable and durable external storage device, you might want to consider the G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C. This is a solid state drive (SSD) that offers high performance, portability and protection for your data. Here are some of the features and benefits of this device:

  • It has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface that supports transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps, which is twice as fast as USB 3.1 Gen 1. This means you can quickly access, edit and backup your files without any lag or delay.
  • It has a shock-resistant design that can withstand drops up to 3 meters and a crush-proof rating of up to 1000 pounds. This means you can take it anywhere without worrying about damaging it or losing your data.
  • It has an IP67 rating that makes it water and dust resistant. This means you can use it in various environments and conditions without compromising its functionality or performance.
  • It has a sleek and compact design that weighs only 0.19 pounds and measures 3.74 x 1.97 x 0.57 inches. This means you can easily fit it in your pocket, backpack or laptop bag and carry it with you wherever you go.
  • It has a capacity of up to 2 TB that can store thousands of photos, videos, music and documents. This means you can have all your important files with you at all times and free up space on your internal drive.

The G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C supports speeds of up to 1050MB/s Read and 1000MB/s Write, and is compatible with Windows / Mac operating systems and comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter. It also comes with a five-year limited warranty that covers any defects or malfunctions.

If you are interested in buying this device, you can find it on Amazon for $299.95 for the 1 TB version and $499.95 for the 2 TB version. You can also check out the official website of G-Technology for more information and reviews.

How To Buy a Portable External Drive

How do you choose the best portable external drive for your needs? Here are some factors to consider:

Capacity

The capacity of a portable external drive is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB), and it determines how much data you can store on it. The more capacity you have, the more files you can store. However, more capacity also means higher price and heavier weight. You should choose a capacity that suits your needs and budget. For example, if you only need to store some documents and photos, a 500 GB drive might be enough. But if you need to store large videos or games, you might need a 2 TB drive or more.

Speed

The speed of a portable external drive is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s) or gigabits per second (Gbps), and it determines how fast you can transfer data to and from it. The faster the speed, the less time you have to wait for your files to copy or load. However, faster speed also means higher price and more power consumption. You should choose a speed that matches your computer’s ports and your usage. For example, if you have a USB 3.0 port on your computer, you should get a USB 3.0 drive that can transfer data at up to 5 Gbps. But if you have an older USB 2.0 port, you should get a USB 2.0 drive that can transfer data at up to 480 Mbps.

Durability:

The durability of a portable external drive is measured by its shock resistance and water resistance, and it determines how well it can withstand physical damage or environmental hazards. The more durable a drive is, the more likely it is to survive drops, bumps, spills, or extreme temperatures. However, more durability also means higher price and bulkier design. You should choose a durability that matches your lifestyle and expectations. For example, if you travel frequently or work in harsh conditions, you should get a rugged drive that can resist shocks and water. But if you use your drive mostly at home or in the office, you might not need such a high level of protection.

Design

The design of a portable external drive is measured by its size, weight, shape, color, and style, and it determines how easy it is to carry and use. The smaller and lighter a drive is, the more convenient it is to transport and store. The shape, color, and style of a drive are also important for aesthetic reasons and personal preference. You should choose a design that appeals to you and fits your needs. For example, if you want a sleek and stylish drive that matches your laptop, you might choose a slim and metallic drive. But if you want a fun and colorful drive that stands out from the crowd, you might choose a round and bright drive.

These are some of the main factors to consider when buying a portable external drive. Of course, there are other features that might interest you as well, such as encryption, backup software, warranty, or customer service. You should compare different models and brands of portable external drives based on these factors and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

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Disclosure: Please note that we may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below, at no expense to you, should you decide to purchase a paid plan. This blog does not provide financial advice, it is purely for entertainment and fun.

Apple, WWDC

Apple WWDC 2023 Event Kicks Off on June 5

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA — Apple WWDC 2023 is the annual Worldwide Developers Conference hosted by Apple Inc. It is a five-day event that showcases the latest innovations and technologies in software, hardware, and services. The conference will take place this year from June 5 to June 9, 2023, at the California HQ. Attendees can expect to learn about the new features and updates of iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and other Apple platforms. They can also participate in sessions, labs, workshops, and networking events with Apple engineers and experts.

Apple today announced it will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in an online format with an opportunity for developers and students to celebrate in person at a special experience at Apple Park on opening day.

Free for all developers, WWDC23 will spotlight the latest iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS advancements. As part of Apple’s ongoing commitment to helping developers create innovative apps, the event will also provide them with unique access to Apple engineers, as well as insight into new technologies and tools to help them realize their visions.  

The conference will also feature the Apple Design Awards, which recognize the best apps and games of the year. Apple WWDC 2023 is open to all registered developers who have an active Apple Developer Program membership. Tickets are distributed through a lottery system and cost $1,599 USD each. The conference will also be live-streamed online for free for anyone who wants to watch.

What we should expect to see at the Apple WWDC 2023 event

Here are some of the things we can expect to see at this year’s WWDC:

  • Good chances we’re going to see some new software updates to Apple’s iDevices, including operating systems for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. We can expect to see iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17, with new features, bug fixes, software improvements, and more.
  • New hardware announcements may include the rumored AR/VR Reality Pro headset prototype, potentially including advanced set of sensors, HD displays, eye-tracking tech and more.
  • An upgrade to the Mac Pro lineup: Apple has been working hard to complete the transition of its MAC and hardware lineup to to its own custom silicon chips, and the next generation start releasing the rumored M2 Ultra chip which would boast up to 32 performance cores and 128 graphics cores, making it a heck of a monster chip.
  • A 15-inch MacBook Air: Potentially another upgrade to the 13-inch MacBook Air laptop series Apple could launch a 15-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip and a bigger 15-inch display that would offer superior performance to the current MBAs.
Computers, Hardware

By Rethinking One Button Huawei MateBook Disrupts the Entire Laptop Market

 

In today’s computer market, it’s hard to disrupt an entire industry. Laptops may get faster, the visuals will get sharper, but at its core, the product is the same.

That was until two days ago, when Huawei shook up the laptop market. On Tuesday, the Chinese tech company launched their new MateBook series and changed everything. Huawei did it with one simple design change- the power button!

For years, the industry viewed the power button as serving one function. Within the limited real estate of a laptop, why is there one button for power and another for finger scanner?

Ever think of that? Me either.

Well, that’s what Huawei was thinking when they launched their MateBook.

A post shared by Huawei Mobile (@huaweimobile) on

A few years ago, I would have expected that Apple might have attempted such a bold redesign. With their eyes laser focused on beating Apple and Microsoft, Huawei simply disrupted the laptop market. They merged two functions and upgraded the power button.

Simple and convenient.

Clearly, this new power button/ finger scanner isn’t where Huawei stopped. All of the other aspects of MateBook X’s hardware are similarly impressive.

In their product launch, Huawei boldly showed who their competition in the laptop market is. Apple. In fact, the MateBook X and MacBook are so similar that Endgaget could barely distinguish between the two.
Huawei took them to task and clearly stated their position.

The MateBook X comes in rose gold.

Sound familiar?

In typical Huawei fashion, they focused on the user. What do all laptops users want? A powerful device, that’s simple and has a long lasting battery.

So, that’s exactly what Huawei created in the MateBook.

The MateBook X is a 13-inch Windows 10 ultra-portable is designed as a  traditional aluminum clamshell, instead of the original MateBook 2-in-1 configuration. Customers can choose from either an Intel “Kaby Lake” Core i5 or i7 processors instead of the less powerful Core m series. The MateBook visuals are super strong too by offering a 3:2 aspect ratio at 2K resolution with a 4.4mm bezel, which is pushing the bezel to the max.

Storage

The Huawei MateBook comes in either 256GB or 512GB SSD options. Sure, the RAM could be a point of contention since the laptop will only come in either 4GB or 8GB options.  I’m rather certain that most laptop users will be forgiving considering that the device is so light, thin, and portable. Honestly, to the average user, 8GB will suffice.

Battery

At the launch event, Huawei claimed that the MateBook can run 1080p video for 10 hours on a single charge. That’s serious.

It’s also not surprising.

Huawei has been improving battery life on all of their devices, like their Mate 9. In my review of this AI infused device,  the phone lasts almost an entire day.

Once again, like their phones, the Huawei MateBook X has a unibody aluminum design, which is optimal design for making the laptop super thin and super light.
At its thickest point, the Huawei MateBook X measures 0.49 inches- thinner than the MacBook (0.52 inches) and the MBP (0.59 inches). In terms of weight, once again, Huawei out-designed the competition by scaling down the MateBook X to only weighs 2.31 pounds compared to the MacBook Pro’s 3.02 pounds.

Photo Credit: Huawei

Untouchable?

With all of these impressive improvements and features, there’s some talk about the MateBook X not coming with a touchscreen. Personally, I don’t think it will deter users. When asked, Huawei responded that “they wanted to put their best foot forward…” I think that most users are still acclimating to the touch screen feature on a laptop. Keep the laptop simple. Don’t confuse the user.

Fanless?

Under the hood, the Huawei MateBook X is going fanless. That should insure that customers won’t worry about their device overheating.

Sound

In their ongoing focus on outperforming their competition, Huawei announced their partnership with Dolby. The MateBook comes with Dolby Atmos Sound inside. While many devices have Dolby Atmos software, Huawei is the first to integrate both software and hardware solutions. By placing the speakers above the keyboard and including software that optimizes the quality of the sound for movies and music, the MateBook will give users a true listening experience that offers quality both via headphones and speakers.

A post shared by Huawei Mobile (@huaweimobile) on

Ports

The MateBook went minimal on the ports. With only two USB C slots, one for power one for everything else, this may be an issue. Hopefully, most users will appreciate the dock offering HDMI, USB A, USB C and VGA that comes with the MateBook. A microSD card reader could have been a valuable addition.

Huawei’s first real attempt in launching a sleek, powerful, practical laptop seems to be a solid competitor in the market. With the MateBook series, Huawei is clearly boasting their ambitions to play with the big boys in the laptop market.

Computers, Events, Mobile

Apple Unveils iOS 7, OS X Mavericks and New MacBook Air at WWDC 2013

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Apple-wwdc13-event

Apple’s annual event for WWDC 2013 has finally come to an end. In a nutshell: no new Apple iphone or iPad. So what did we end up getting? Some rumors have indicated that we would see Apple laptop hardware updates this week, while other rumors pointed to a whole new software design. At the end of the day, I guess it was probably a good mix of both. From the hardware part, Apple has announced a refresh of its MacBook Air & Macbook Pro devices, and software wise, the guys over at Cupertino launched a new OS X (10.9) and the most anticipated iOS 7, which Tim Cook referred to as the “biggest change to iOS since the iPhone.”

But first, as usual they started with some numbers:

•  Apple says that under 5 years, users have downloaded from the App Store about 50b times.

•  There are now 900,000 apps in the App Store, of which 375,000 are for the iPad.

•  Over 600 million iOS devices sold.

•  800 billion iMessages sent.

•  240 million Game Center users.

Apple-Mackbook-Air-Haswell

Macbook Air & OS X Update

Apple just announced the next generation of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air products, with claims that the power consumption will be reduced for both machines (they call it the “all day battery life”). The new MacBook Air is distinctively similar to the previous model, but if you’re going to take a closer look you’ll find the new “Haswell” 4th-gen processors from Intel. In addition, the new line is said to offer a faster 802.11 ac Wifi connectivity, alongside Intel HD Graphics 5000, which is supposed to provide graphics performance that is 40 percent faster. Apple claims 9 hours of battery life for the 11-inch model, while the 13-inch MacBook Air now provides up to 12 hours of continuous work. They’re both available starting today, with the 11-inch Air going at $999 for the 128GB base model, and $1,199 for the 256GB version. The larger 13-inch Air will be priced at $1,099 for the 128GB entry model, and $1,299 for double the size (256GB).

Apple unveils its latest operating system, the OS X “Mavericks.” First thing you’ll notice, is that the company is replacing its traditional practice of calling Mac operating systems after cats. Instead, it is going after an undersea rock in California that apparently creates big waves. Symbolic, isn’t it? Anyway, the new operating system is said to extend battery life to the most, reduce boot-up time, and enhanced multiple display support (with the ability to tweak elements between screens). Furthermore, the Mavericks features a range of improvements and new features aimed at both users and developers alike. That includes the “finder tabs” addition, which will organize different finder windows into one, documents tagging, new iBooks and Maps app integration, a new version of Safari browser, including a whole new bookmark bar, a redesigned calendar, improved notifications, and a powerful iCloud keychain feature, an encrypted 256-bit AES functionality for password and private info management.

apple-itunes-radio

 iTunes Radio

Music streaming services are growing big these days. Google has recently unveiled its Google Play Music and the market is packed with some major streaming players such as Rdio, Spotify and Pandora. Today, Apple is joining that group with recent announcement of its iTunes Radio music platform, which was described by the A-team as “a new way to discover music.” At present, there is no need to pay any fee for this, but the free radio service supported by ads. You can either listen to the channels the service offers from various sources (e.g Twitter trending songs, integrated stations, your personal music collection), or simply create your private iTunes Radio station at your choice. You can also modify existing stations to your own taste by choosing the ‘Play more like this’ or ‘Don’t play music like this’ sections. The service is expected to launch in the U.S first and then expand globally, sometime in the future.

Apple-iOS-7

iOS7

And now we’re finally getting to the highlight of the show: Apple has revealed a completely new iOS 7 software, featuring a all-new design with a modern “Flat” approach. It has a much smoother look, and considered by the Cupertino-based company as “the biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone.”

With so many new options and  features installed, I think that iOS7 was definitely worth the wait. It has a nice clean form, some pretty colorful icons and a very friendly interface on top. What else can we find in there?

Control Center – An Android-like area where you can manage and adjust some of the most important settings on your phone. (Wi-Fi, brightness, volume, etc.). To get in there, you simply need to swipe the screen down from the upper area on your mobile device, and voila!

Airdrop – This is an OS X feature that Apple has finally imported to its mobile devices. What it basically does is to enable mobile users that have smartphones, tablets or laptops to send files or pictures to anyone around them in real time. Unfortunately, it only supports iPhone 5, fourth generation iPad, iPad mini, and fourth-gen iPod touch.

Multitasking – The multitasking app cards were a major feature of Palm’s WebOS platform. This is probably the best way to switch between the apps, monitor them and determine which ones are being used the most. With the card interface, you get a clear view of your content instead of multiple tiers of very tiny icons.

Siri – As you all probably know, Siri is a personal assistant built into the iphone. In iOS 7 Siri gets a whole new look and a new refreshing voice. From now on, you’ll be able to adjust your settings with Siri, conduct search queries from Bing and Wikipedia, and dictate your map navigation and messages, thanks to the in-car iOS support (Apple is said to bring iOS dashboard to Honda, Mercedes, Nissan, Chevy, Kia, Volvo, Acura and others).

Camera and Photos – There’s a new stuff going on in the Camera app and the Photos section. For a start, they both look very good now, with the latest and greatest iOS Seven. Users can now create Shared Photostreams  in a two-way collaborative system, while the new Photo app is now capable of intelligently organize and present your entire digital albums, by automatically clustering them into “Moments” or collections (chronologically). With the new Camera app, you can easily swipe between various modes such as video, still, or “square” (for Instagram shots), and even spice them up with a wide range of integrated filters.

Safari – Apple’s good ‘ol browser is getting a fresh new look in iOS7. The interface is much bigger than what we have known in previous versions, and there’s a new tabbed view (which is kinda similar to Chrome for Android), along with a vertical cover-flow carousel browser. The search field has been upgraded as well, to a unified search menu, and you are also getting access to the iCloud keychain password management control.

New App Store – The App Store segment is also getting a new design in your phone. In that regard, the apps will now start updating themselves automatically in the background, and you’ll be able to search for apps, based on rates, popularity and your personal preferences and location.

Activation Loc – Basically, if your iphone gets stolen and the thief tries to turn the Find My iPhone off, then he or she will not be able to reactivate it again, without including  your personal iCloud password.

Release Date

iOS 7 coming to developers TODAY, and for the rest of the world, sometime in the fall. The platform will support the following devices: iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini, and iPod Touch 4th gen.

[youtube id=”H7KXr3tKGDg”]

 

[Apple]

Computers, tablets

Apple’s Mini iPad Official, Smaller, Thinner and Lighter

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The late CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs was not in favor of a 7-inch tablet; he repeatedly stated that “this size is useless unless you include sandpaper so users can sand their fingers down to a quarter of their size.” Fast forward couple of years later, the growing interest in small, cheap and simple tablet devices has now brought his  long-time company to finally release one of its own. At an event today in San Jose, California, Apple finally officially unveiled its new line of Mini iPad products.

The Mini iPad features the same casing we’ve already seen around its bigger brother, the iPad 3. In addition it boasts the same Lighting dock connector which has already been implemented into Apple’s latest iPhone 5 mobile phone. So what’s different, you’re asking? The size, ladies and gents, the size. Running Apple’s latest and greatest iOS 6 on board, the new Mini device features a 7.85-inch 1024X768 display, measures ONLY 7.2mm thick (.75-inch) and weighs 3.5 pounds. That’s small, and ridiculously thin for a portable slab, isn’t it?

As far as CPU goes, the iPad Mini ships with Apple’s A5 processor under the lid, alongside a 5MP camera, about 10 hours of battery time, Facetime capabilities, Apple’s brand new Lightning connector and last but not least, 4G LTE Network support.

Technically this isn’t a Retina display device, but that doesn’t appear to be stopping Apple from trying to sell this thing at high prices. Come November 2, the WiFi-only iPad Mini will hit your local shelves, at a $329 price point for the 16GB model, while the 32GB flavor runs at $429, and the 64GB $will set you back $529; pre-orders begin Oct 26th.

In addition, Apple will be selling what it is calling the “iPad Mini Smart Cover” in green, red, blue, dark gray, light gray, and pinkcolors.

Full PR after the break.

Update1: Cellular models to kick off only few weeks later, on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, starting at $459 for the 16 gigs and up to $659 for the 64GB flavor.

Update2: We’ve just added a couple quick hands-on video after the break.

Update3: Make sure to checkout the comparison chart after the break: The iPad mini vs. the competition

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Videos courtesy of The Verge and Laptopmag.

 Chart via Engadget 

 

Apple Introduces iPad mini

Unveils New Fourth Generation iPad with Retina Display, Faster A6X Chip, FaceTime HD Camera & Ultrafast Wireless
SAN JOSE, California―October 23, 2012―Apple® today introduced iPad® mini, a completely new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad. The new iPad mini features a stunning 7.9-inch Multi-Touch™ display, FaceTime® HD and iSight® cameras, ultrafast wireless performance¹ and an incredible 10 hours of battery life²―every inch an iPad, yet in a revolutionary design you can hold in one hand. Apple today also announced the fourth generation iPad featuring a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina™ display, new Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera and ultrafast wireless performance. Both iPad mini and fourth generation iPad come with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features.

“iPad mini is every inch an iPad. With its gorgeous 7.9-inch display, iPad mini features the same number of pixels as the original iPad and iPad 2, so you can run more than 275,000 apps designed specifically for iPad,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPad mini is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper, yet packs a fast A5 chip, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras and ultrafast wireless―all while delivering up to 10 hours of battery life.”

iPad mini comes in a beautiful new aluminum and glass design that is just 7.2 mm thin and weighs only 0.68 pounds. The 7.9-inch Multi-Touch display delivers the same iPad experience users have come to expect, in a design that has 35 percent more screen real estate than 7-inch tablets and up to an astonishing 67 percent more usable viewing area when browsing the web. The dual-core A5 chip delivers responsive graphics and a fast, fluid Multi-Touch experience, while still providing all-day battery life.

iPad mini features a front-facing FaceTime HD camera and a 5 megapixel iSight camera on the back with advanced optics for taking sharp still pictures and recording full 1080p HD video. The iSight camera includes video image stabilization and both cameras feature backside illumination to let users capture great pictures in low light. iPad mini also allows easy sharing of photos with friends and family using iCloud’s Shared Photo Streams.

iPad mini features dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi support for speeds up to 150 Mbps,³ which is twice the Wi-Fi performance compared to previous iPad models. iPad mini is available in Wi-Fi + Cellular models which are world-ready with built-in support for ultrafast wireless standards, including LTE¹ and DC-HSDPA, so you can browse, download and stream content fast from wherever you are. iPad mini data plans will be available with no contract so you can simply sign up and activate service directly from your iPad.⁴ The Personal Hotspot feature means you can share a fast cellular data connection via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB with up to five other devices such as MacBook® Pro, iPod touch® or another iPad.⁵

The new fourth generation iPad features the amazing 9.7-inch Retina display and includes a new Apple-designed A6X chip that delivers up to twice the CPU performance and up to twice the graphics performance of the A5X chip, all while delivering an incredible 10 hours of battery life in the same thin and light iPad design. Other new features include a FaceTime HD camera, twice the Wi-Fi performance when compared to previous iPad models and support for additional LTE carriers worldwide.⁶

iPad mini and fourth generation iPad both feature support for the Lightning™ connector that is smaller, smarter and more durable than the 30-pin connector. Lightning connector accessories are available to support cameras, SD cards and VGA or HDMI digital video.⁷ Existing iPad Smart Covers and the iPad Smart Case are compatible with fourth generation iPad, and new polyurethane Smart Covers custom-designed for iPad mini are available in pink, green, blue, light gray, dark gray and (PRODUCT) RED for $39.

iPad runs over 700,000 apps available on the App Store℠, including more than 275,000 apps designed specifically for iPad, from a wide range of categories including books, games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. iPad also supports the more than 5,000 newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand and the more than 1.5 million books available on the iBookstore℠. The iTunes Store® puts the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store at your fingertips with a catalog of over 26 million songs, over 190,000 TV episodes and over 45,000 films. The new iBooks® app for iPad lets users read ebooks in over 40 languages. iBooks also lets users experience an entirely new kind of ebook that’s dynamic, engaging and truly interactive. Ebooks created with Apple’s new iBooks Author offer gorgeous, fullscreen ebooks with interactive animations, diagrams, photos, videos, custom fonts, mathematical expressions and much more.

Pricing & Availability
iPad mini with Wi-Fi models will be available in black & slate or white & silver on Friday, November 2, for a suggested retail price of $329 (US) for the 16GB model, $429 (US) for the 32GB model and $529 (US) for the 64GB model. The fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi models will also be available on Friday, November 2, in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model and $699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad will be sold through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, and select Apple Authorized Resellers in the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular and fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular will start shipping a couple of weeks after the Wi-Fi models, beginning in the US on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular will be offered for a suggested retail price of $459 (US) for the 16GB model, $559 (US) for the 32GB model and $659 (US) for the 64GB model. Fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon will be offered for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. Additionally, iPad 2 is available at $399 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and just $529 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G model where they are sold now.

Customers can begin pre-ordering all models of iPad mini and all models of the fourth generation iPad on Friday, October 26 through the Apple Online Store in the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

 

Computers, Events, News, Video

MacBook 2008: Apple Announces New MacBook And MacBook Pro With Glass Multitouch Trackpad

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MacBook 2008 event at Cupertino is over, and we get 4 major announcements from Apple, as follows:

  • New MacBook laptop.
  • New MacBook Pro laptop.
  • New boosted MacBook Air laptop.
  • New 24-inch Cinema Display.

It’s not that we were totally surprised from today’s new announcements. After all, there’s always a strange commotion, preceding Apple’s events, feeding us with rumors, and anonymous tipsters who emerge from the dark with some hidden images. Luckily, this time wasn’t different from others, as we were able to catch up with all the tidbits and leaked pictures, during those recent weeks. Hit the jump to read more about Apple’s novelties in a nutshell.

Continue reading MacBook 2008: Apple Announces New MacBook And MacBook Pro With Glass Multitouch Trackpad →

Computers, General

MacBook Surface Gets Whiter With Toothpaste

Macbook users tend to complain about those ugly marks and dark smudges, decorating their surface as a result of palm contact or dust accruement. To solve the problem and get back to the original shiny white color, Lifehacker posted an interesting solution: All you have to do is spread on some white toothpaste on the given area, let it dry, clean it with a damp clout and…voila ! back to the first days when the white was bright glowing.

 stains-macbook-clean

[via Lifehacker]