Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Intel to show third-gen Ultrabooks at Computex, makes USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt a necessity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/intel-to-show-third-gen-ultrabooks-requires-usb-3-or-thunderbolt/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/intel-to-show-third-gen-ultrabooks-requires-usb-3-or-thunderbolt/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/intel-to-show-third-gen-ultrabooks-requires-usb-3-or-thunderbolt/#comments Image

When Intel first unveiled its grand plans for Ultrabooks at last year's Computex, many of the fireworks were consciously reserved for Ivy Bridge-based variants in 2012 -- well, they're here. This year's show in Taipei will show off the third generation of the skinny, MacBook Air-inspired platform, and Intel is toughening up the design requirements in the process. The thickness requirements are the same as last year, at 18mm for systems with screens under 14 inches and 21mm for bigger machines, but high-speed ports are now mandatory to get that coveted "Ultrabook" label and the full marketing weight of Intel's $300 million Ultrabook Fund: if a PC doesn't have either USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt, it's out of the running. Intel also wants security built-in, rather than optional, as well as guarantees that a system is quick and responsive when it's fully awake. Not that this would be terribly hard with the low-voltage Ivy Bridge processors launching at the same time, mind you.

Just to reinforce the importance of it all, Intel is noting that the flood of Ultrabooks is about to pick up in a big way as the category hits the mainstream. We were promised 75 Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks this year in a presentation back at CES; that number's now up to 110, 30 of which will be Windows 8-friendly touchscreen models and another 10 opting for the convertible tablet route. At least some of those lightweight portables should pop up at Computex next week, and you can be sure we'll be investigating as many of them as we can to see just how well Intel's partners have advanced the game.

Intel to show third-gen Ultrabooks at Computex, makes USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt a necessity originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computercomputerscomputexcomputex 2012Computex2012convertibleconvertible tabletConvertibleTablethybridintelintel ivy bridgeintel thunderboltintel ultrabookIntelIvyBridgeIntelThunderboltIntelUltrabookivy bridgeIvyBridgelaptoplaptopsmacbook airMacbookAirtablettablet pctablet pcsTabletPcTabletPcstabletsthunderbolttouch screenTouchScreenultrabookultrabooksusb 3.0Usb3.0windows 8Windows8Thu, 31 May 2012 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget Giveaway: win an 11-inch MacBook Air pre-loaded with Parallels!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/engadget-giveaway-macbook-air/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/engadget-giveaway-macbook-air/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/engadget-giveaway-macbook-air/#comments Image

This may just be the biggest single giveaway we've held on Engadget yet. We dare you to resist the tempting lure of an 11-inch MacBook Air with 4GB RAM and 128GB hard drive, capable of running Mac OS X and Windows 7! With graduation season upon us, our friends at Parallels are hooking you up with the best senior gift that you could possibly receive. So what's this software all about? Essentially, it allows you to run Windows and OS X apps side-by-side on your Mac without rebooting -- that way, you'll get the best of both worlds.

The MacBook Air will come pre-loaded with Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac, Windows 7 home premium and Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 for Windows. It'll also come with Parallels Mobile app for iOS, which gives you the ability to access and run everything on your Mac via your iPhone or iPad. Not too shabby for the low, low price of one comment. So brush up on the rules, enter to win and good luck!

Continue reading Engadget Giveaway: win an 11-inch MacBook Air pre-loaded with Parallels!

Engadget Giveaway: win an 11-inch MacBook Air pre-loaded with Parallels! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecontestengadget giveawayEngadgetGiveawayfreegiveawaymacbook airMacbookAirmobilepostcrossMon, 21 May 2012 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial: Thin laptops are the new mainstream, but what about battery life?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/editorial-thin-laptops-mainstream-ultrabook-battery-life-changes/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/editorial-thin-laptops-mainstream-ultrabook-battery-life-changes/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/editorial-thin-laptops-mainstream-ultrabook-battery-life-changes/#comments all day laptop battery life

Bandwagons, trains and Tranes. Can't say that these three have a heck of a lot in common in most regards, but one thing's for sure: trying to stop this trio would be a Herculean task. And so it goes with laptops -- once upon a time, it was good enough to have something that resembled a portable tower, but these days, the ability to even see the chassis at all feels like a negative. I exaggerate, of course, but the proverbial race in the laptop world is hardly about price; it's about thinness. Intel's unstoppable quest to plaster the Ultrabook term as far and wide as possible has led to a change in the way consumers are viewing portable machines, and Apple's devilishly thin MacBook Air certainly played a role, too. What we're left with is a very curious priority list, and I'm wondering if too many OEMs have stopped to wonder if the "obvious" is indeed the "right."

I'll be the first to confess that I love the look of thin. Samsung's Series 9 and Acer's Aspire S5 might just be two of the sexiest machines to ever be built, and Dell's original Adamo was primarily of interest due to one thing: its jaw-droppingly thin frame. But there's some saying about putting form before function that seems to apply here, particularly when keying in on battery life. I've no doubt that the marketing and research teams for PC makers far and wide understand the realities of the market place, and perhaps the average consumer really doesn't need more than four to six hours of life on a single charge. Five years ago, squeezing that much life from machines under an inch thick would've required some sort of wizardry that exists only in a rarely visited corner of West Hollywood. But today, I'm a dreamer. And I'm dreaming of a laptop with "all day battery life" -- something that could be screamed from the rooftops, and honestly, something that could probably be accomplished tomorrow if our laptop options weren't on such a diet.

Continue reading Editorial: Thin laptops are the new mainstream, but what about battery life?

Editorial: Thin laptops are the new mainstream, but what about battery life? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acerappleaspire s5AspireS5asusbatterybattery lifeBatteryLifeeditorialenvyenvy 14envy 14 spectreEnvy14Envy14Spectrehplaptopmacmacbookmacbook airMacbookAirnotebooksamsungseries 9Series9thin and lightthin-and-lightThinAndLightultrabookWed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy Mac discounts hint at clearing inventory, Ivy Bridge revamp coming soon?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/14/best-buy-mac-ivy-bridge/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/14/best-buy-mac-ivy-bridge/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/14/best-buy-mac-ivy-bridge/#comments Best Buy Macbook price slash hints at clearing inventory, Ivy Bridge revamp coming soon?

Cupertino is unsurprisingly tight-of-lip on when it plans to add Ivy Bridge to its desktop and laptop line, but we think that's not far off: we've even seen some benchmarks. Now, in a move that smacks of inventory clearing but could equally mean nothing, Best Buy has hacked between $20 and $200 from its Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Pro and MacBook Pro offerings. If you're into a bargain, then head down to your nearest big blue-and-yellow store -- and we'll let you know as soon as we see the yellow sticky-note.

Best Buy Mac discounts hint at clearing inventory, Ivy Bridge revamp coming soon? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleApple StoreAppleStoreBenchmarksBest BuyBestBuyCore i5Core i7CoreI5CoreI7CupertinoDiscountiMacIvy BridgeIvy Bridge RefreshIvyBridgeIvyBridgeRefreshMacMac MiniMac ProMacBookMacBook AirMacBook ProMacbookAirMacbookProMacMiniMacProRefreshMon, 14 May 2012 07:15:00 EST<![CDATA[HP on laptop design similarities with Apple's: it's a struggle as we drive to simplicity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/hp-apple-laptop-design-similarity/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/hp-apple-laptop-design-similarity/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/hp-apple-laptop-design-similarity/#comments HP on laptop design similarities with Apple's: it's a struggle as we drive to simplicity

HP's spent the afternoon here in Shanghai to share some details about its latest products and strategy, and to our delight, there was one session dedicated to "Style Meets Function," during which Vice President of Industrial Design Stacy Wolff talked about his design philosophy and design goals for the current market. Most notably, we learned that some of HP's latest laptop designs were based on the work of its research centers from 11 different cities, and the company isn't afraid of admitting that it used consultants for an outside perspective as well.

Despite Stacy's upbeat presentation and interesting stats (apparently these days men have a boring color preference, from first to fourth favorite: black, gray, blue and white), the inevitable question popped up: One lady expressed her concern that the brand-spanking-new Envy Spectre XT reminded her of the MacBook Air a lot, so she wondered if HP's ever worried that Apple might sue.

Stacy kept his initial reply pretty brief:

"I would go back to the TC1000 [Tablet PC] from about 10 years, and that's a tablet. I think if you look at the new Spectre XT, there are similarities in a way, not due to Apple but due to the way technologies developed. Apple may like to think that they own silver, but they don't. In no way did HP try to mimic Apple. In life there are a lot of similarities."

As always, we wanted more from the horse's mouth, so we grabbed hold of Stacy right after the session and had a little chat over this topic -- you can see the full and surprisingly candid interview after the break.

Gallery: HP on laptop design similarities with Apple's: it's a struggle as we drive to simplicity

Continue reading HP on laptop design similarities with Apple's: it's a struggle as we drive to simplicity

HP on laptop design similarities with Apple's: it's a struggle as we drive to simplicity originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appledesignenvyenvy spectreEnvy Spectre XTEnvySpectreEnvySpectreXtfeaturedfeaturesGlobal Influencer SummitGlobal Influencer Summit 2012GlobalInfluencerSummitGlobalInfluencerSummit2012hpindustrial designIndustrialDesigninterviewlaptopmacbookmacbook airMacbookAirshanghaispectrespectre xtSpectreXtstacy wolffStacyWolffultrabookvice presidentVicePresidentWed, 09 May 2012 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[KIRF MacBook Air is the prettiest netbook we've seen today]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/02/kirf-macbook-air-is-the-prettiest-netbook-weve-seen-today/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/02/kirf-macbook-air-is-the-prettiest-netbook-weve-seen-today/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/02/kirf-macbook-air-is-the-prettiest-netbook-weve-seen-today/#comments
This is the Netbook Navigator NAV13X Windows 7 Ultrabook and if we're honest, we think it's a very attractive looking device. That said, we're not so sure it's going to be on sale for too long, which is a genuine shame. Despite being called an Ultrabook, it's not an Intel-sanctioned device, which won't go down well with Santa Clara's lawyers. Secondly, it's actually a netbook running a 1.86GHz dual-core Atom CPU with 2GB of RAM and a 32GB SSD, with build to-order options running to larger memory and storage. Thirdly, we're fairly sure we've seen industrial design like this before, and given the litigious nature of the company involved, we expect a metric ton of cease-and-desist notices to be delivered to Navigator's New Jersey HQ before the weekend's over. However, if it can survive the barrage of paperwork from two of the industry's biggest companies, it'll arrive very soon, setting you back a slight $500 sans OS or $600 with Windows 7 Home Premium.

KIRF MacBook Air is the prettiest netbook we've seen today originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>32GB SSD32gbSsdAppleIntelIntel AtomIntelAtomKIRFKIRK MacBook AirKirkMacbookAirMacBook AirMacbookAirNetbookNetbook NavigatorNetbook Navigator Nav 13XNetbookNavigatorNetbookNavigatorNav13xWindows 7Windows 7 Home PremiumWindows7Windows7HomePremiumFri, 02 Mar 2012 10:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple releases EFI firmware updates for 2011 Macs, crushes bugs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/apple-releases-efi-firmware-updates-for-2011-macs-crushes-bugs/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/apple-releases-efi-firmware-updates-for-2011-macs-crushes-bugs/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/apple-releases-efi-firmware-updates-for-2011-macs-crushes-bugs/#comments Apple releases EFI firmware updates for 2011 Macs, fixes bugsIf you're anything like us, your inner-geek revels in hearing rare system beeps while holding down obscure key combos that only occur while updating low-level firmware. While much of those theatrics have since disappeared in the modern era, those of you with 2011 iMacs, Mac Minis, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs can at least relive some of that nostalgia as you update them to their latest respective EFI firmwares. There's four versions (one for each machine, naturally), yet Apple tells us they all address the same underlying problems, including improving "the reliability of booting from the network" in addition to addressing "an issue that can prevent HDCP authentication" after reboots. Finally, there's improvements pertaining to "boot device selection when a USB storage device is hot-plugged." Direct links to the respective support pages are below, or those seeking to avoid guesswork can simply go on ahead and fire up Software Update. Your call.

Apple releases EFI firmware updates for 2011 Macs, crushes bugs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleEFI updateEfiUpdatefirmwarefirmware updateFirmwareUpdateiMacMac minimacbook airmacbook proMacbookAirMacbookProMacMiniminipostsoftware updateSoftwareUpdateupdateFri, 24 Feb 2012 04:48:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Can your machine run Mountain Lion?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/psa-can-your-machine-run-mountain-lion/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/psa-can-your-machine-run-mountain-lion/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/psa-can-your-machine-run-mountain-lion/#comments Mountain LionAh, compatibility, she can be a cruel mistress, prone to leaving your favorite devices out in the cold and your wallet a few bills lighter. Apple's latest OS update, Mountain Lion, is no different. OS X 10.8 won't run on just any Mac, so, the question is, will it run on yours? Well, if you've got any machine from 2009 or newer the answer is yes. Older than that and things get a little bit shaky. iMacs are the most forgiving, with support starting on the mid-2007 models. Any Pro desktop from early 2008 on should be fine, while Xserves get cut off at early 2009 along with the Mac Mini. The original Air is already getting turned aside and you'll need a late 2008 model (or newer) for the update, while vanilla MacBooks are nearing total obsolescence as support starts with the aluminum models from 2008. Lastly, those of you rocking 15- or 17-inch MacBook Pros should be golden starting with late 2007 models. Oh, and any 13-inch Pro should be good to go.

PSA: Can your machine run Mountain Lion? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecompatibilityimacmac minimac os xmac promacbookmacbook airmacbook proMacbookAirMacbookProMacMiniMacOsXMacProMountain LionMountainLionoperating systemOperatingSystemosos xos x 10.8os x 10.8 mountain lionOsXOsX10.8OsX10.8MountainLionupdateupdatesupgradexserveFri, 17 Feb 2012 10:02:00 EST<![CDATA[IRL: Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones, Speck SeeThru Satin and the Nokia N800]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/irl-bowers-and-wilkins-p5-headphones-speck-seethru-satin-and-the/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/irl-bowers-and-wilkins-p5-headphones-speck-seethru-satin-and-the/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/irl-bowers-and-wilkins-p5-headphones-speck-seethru-satin-and-the/#commentsWelcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Of this week's IRL contributors, two have already tried out that replacement for iChat. For the purposes of this column, though, all three are waxing on about something very old, at least by early adopter standards. For starters, James still get the warm-and-fuzzies holding his Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, despite its crawling page load times. Joe, our resident audio guru, explains why he tosses a reference to Bowers & Wilkins' P5 into almost every one of his headphone reviews. And the object of Mat's affection -- a laptop skin -- slipped under our radar when it came out over a year ago. So is James actually still using that N800? What's Joe's obsession with B&W? And why would anyone spend $50 on a notebook prophylactic? Read on to find out.

Continue reading IRL: Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones, Speck SeeThru Satin and the Nokia N800

IRL: Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones, Speck SeeThru Satin and the Nokia N800 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bowers and wilkinsBowers and Wilkins P5BowersAndWilkinsBowersAndWilkinsP5BowersWilkinsbowerswilkinsP5casecasesengadgetIRLIRLJoe PollicinoJoePollicinoMacBook AirMacBook Air caseMacbookAirMacbookAirCaseMat SmithMatSmithp5SeeThru SatinSeethruSatinSpeckSpeck ProductsSpeck SeeThru SatinSpeckProductsSpeckSeethruSatinThu, 16 Feb 2012 14:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple refreshes its education bundles, replaces white MacBook with MacBook Air]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/apple-refreshes-its-education-bundles-replaces-white-macbook-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/apple-refreshes-its-education-bundles-replaces-white-macbook-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/apple-refreshes-its-education-bundles-replaces-white-macbook-wi/#comments It was back in July that Apple quit selling the white MacBook to the general public, and recently the remaining stock -- only available through its education webstore -- met a similar fate. Although the folks at Cupertino quietly removed the polycarbonate machine from the store, it's now offering up 5-pack bundles of both the 11- and 13-inch MacBook Air in its place. Notably, an education-only variant of the 13-inch model is available, priced at $4,995 for the bundle ($999 a piece), which rocks the baseline configuration of the 11-incher (Core i5, 2GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD). As MacRumors points out, the cheapest 13-inch Air available to the public starts at $1,200, although it does have beefier specs, so it's nothing to be terribly upset over. You'll find more details at the links below.

Apple refreshes its education bundles, replaces white MacBook with MacBook Air originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>11-inch13-inch5 pack5Packapplebundleclassroomcore i5CoreI5educationeducation bundleEducationBundlefive packFivePackintel core i5IntelCoreI5laptopmacbook airMacbookAirmbaminipostnotebookschoolschoolswhite macbookWhiteMacbookMon, 13 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple updates EFI firmware on 2010 Macs: offers Lion internet recovery, not much else]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/apple-updates-efi-firmware-on-2010-macs-offers-lion-internet-re/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/apple-updates-efi-firmware-on-2010-macs-offers-lion-internet-re/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/apple-updates-efi-firmware-on-2010-macs-offers-lion-internet-re/#comments Apple updates EFI firmware on 2010 Macs: offers Lion internet recovery, not much elseStaring forlorn at that two-year-old MacBook, just sitting there in the corner? Well, there's good news; Apple's decided to furnish those 2010 models with a new EFI firmware update. Arriving on its MacBook Air (late 2010), iMac (mid 2010) and MacBook Pro (early 2010) models, it adds support for Lion's internet-based recovery feature -- something that's very useful for those optical drive-less MacBook Airs and Mac minis. The update also fixes a bug on Air models, where it would reset if the power button was pressed immediately after booting from deep sleep mode. You can consult your Mac's software updater for the new firmware -- it's out there now.

Apple updates EFI firmware on 2010 Macs: offers Lion internet recovery, not much else originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleEFIEFI firmware updateEfiFirmwareUpdateimacinternet recoveryInternetRecoverylionmacmac minimacbookmacbook airmacbook proMacbookAirMacbookProMacMiniminipostupdateWed, 08 Feb 2012 13:49:00 EST<![CDATA[OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express SATA 3.0 SSDs doubles your (MacBook) Airspeed velocity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/owc-mercury-aura-pro-express-sata-3-0-ssds-doubles-your-macbook/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/owc-mercury-aura-pro-express-sata-3-0-ssds-doubles-your-macbook/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/owc-mercury-aura-pro-express-sata-3-0-ssds-doubles-your-macbook/#comments
It's MacWorld, which means those providers of Apple gear are busting out wares for aftermarket insertion into your objects of desire. Other World Computing's latest offering is a slender solid-state drive ready to be crow-barred into last year's MacBook Airs. The bombastically named OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G SSD is a SATA Rev. 3.0 drive with a promised 6Gb/s data speed at sizes of up to a staggering 480GB. Since the stock drives are limited to the 3Gb/s SATA Rev. 2.0 (but the controllers run 3.0), you should find a significant performance bump when swapping in the new unit. The toggle-synchronous NAND drives come in a variety of sizes, starting at 120GB ($260), but it's the brand new and quite beastly 480GB model that has us excited. Sure, $1,150 is a lot to ask for less than half a terrabyte of storage, but you'll get a three-year warranty for all that cash. We may never give you our money, nor our funny pages, but you can have the press release that's after the break.

Continue reading OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express SATA 3.0 SSDs doubles your (MacBook) Airspeed velocity

OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express SATA 3.0 SSDs doubles your (MacBook) Airspeed velocity originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleHard DriveHardDriveMacBook AirMacbookAirMacWorldMBAMercury Aura Pro Express 6GMercuryAuraProExpress6gOSXOther World ComputingOtherWorldComputingOWCOWC Mercury Aura Pro ExpressOwcMercuryAuraProExpressSATA 6GBPSSATA IIISATA III SSDSATA Rev. 3.0Sata6gbpsSataIiiSataIiiSsdSataRev.3.0Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget's gear of CES 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/engadgets-gear-of-ces-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/engadgets-gear-of-ces-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/engadgets-gear-of-ces-2012/#comments We see an enormous number of gadgets each year at CES, and while the veil comes off a handful of notebooks, cameras and smartphones during the show, the gear that really makes the week for Engadget is our own. In each editor's gear bag, you'd likely be able to find a notebook, camera with external microphone, an Android / iOS / Windows Phone device, an AT&T LTE USB modem and enough bottled beverages to make trips to the "posh restroom" as routine as checking email. Pizza, pasta, chips and beef jerky keep us going during 20-hour days in the trailer, where a stable (and pricey) Ethernet connection let us bring you dozens of posts each hour without interruption. Jump past the break for a look at our gear in a bit more detail.

Continue reading Engadget's gear of CES 2012

Engadget's gear of CES 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4GAndroidcameracamerasCanon EF-S lens mountcesces 2012Ces2012consumer electronics showConsumerElectronicsShowdigital cameradigital camerasDigitalCameraDigitalCamerasgeargear of cesGearOfCesLas Vegas Convention CenterMacBook AirMacBook ProMark IImobilepostcrossSci/TechWindows MobileSat, 14 Jan 2012 18:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Henge Docks for the MacBook Air hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/13/henge-docks-for-the-macbook-air-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/13/henge-docks-for-the-macbook-air-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/13/henge-docks-for-the-macbook-air-hands-on-video/#comments We were a little giddy when Henge Docks announced their desktop resting spot for the MacBook Pro, and perhaps even more so when they unveiled the MacBook Air model earlier this week. We paid the company a visit on the CES floor to catch a peek at products first-hand. Sure, the white, plastic exterior may a bit off-putting for some but we didn't mind it -- especially for a dock that you can snag for around $50. While the device is pretty straightforward, the rubber padding that hugs the docked laptop provided more security that we'd initially thought. One thing you'll want to keep in mind though: the peripheral does make the USB port on the machine's docked end usable on its backside, but the Thunderbolt socket is reduced to display-only functionality. The outfit assured us that it's working on a solution that maximizes that Intel potential and we're anxious to see that become a reality. An express tour awaits the curious, right after the break.

Gallery: Henge MacBook Air

Continue reading Henge Docks for the MacBook Air hands-on (video)

Henge Docks for the MacBook Air hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2012Ces2012dockfeaturehands-onhenge docksHengeDocksmacbook airmacbook proMacbookAirMacbookProMini DisplayPortMiniDisplayportperipheralsUSBvideoFri, 13 Jan 2012 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Henge Docks announces docking stations for MacBook Air, tidies up your desk layout]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/henge-docks-announces-docking-stations-for-macbook-air-tidies-u/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/henge-docks-announces-docking-stations-for-macbook-air-tidies-u/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/henge-docks-announces-docking-stations-for-macbook-air-tidies-u/#comments
We were thrilled when Henge Docks unveiled their docking solution for the MacBook fam. Now, those of us who've adopted the thinner sibling can snatch up the same vertical desktop peripheral, as the company has announced docks for both the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air. If you recall, the outfit's offerings come with fully integrated Mini Display and USB ports with no need for additional setup and a rubberized cradle to insure a perfect fit. You'll be able to pre-order both models starting today via the source link below for $55 and $60 respectively. But if you're in need of a little more convincing, check out all the details in the PR just past the break.

Continue reading Henge Docks announces docking stations for MacBook Air, tidies up your desk layout

Henge Docks announces docking stations for MacBook Air, tidies up your desk layout originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryapplecesces 2012Ces2012dockdocking stationDockingStationHenge DocksHengeDockslaptopmacbookmacbook airMacbookAirperipheralTue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Switched On: The 2011 Switchies]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/01/switched-on-the-2011-switchies/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/01/switched-on-the-2011-switchies/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/01/switched-on-the-2011-switchies/#commentsEach week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.


It's that special time of year between the post-holiday sales and the pre-CES hype that presents an opportunity to consider some of the most innovative devices of the year. Switched On is proud to present the Saluting Wares Improving Technology's Contribution to Humanity awards, also known as The Switchies. This year marks the sixth annual Switchies, which are decided based on a rigorous examination of the opinion of me, and do not reflect the opinion of Engadget or its editors. For that latter honor, nominees will need to win an Engadget Award. Let's roll out the red carpet then.

Continue reading Switched On: The 2011 Switchies

Switched On: The 2011 Switchies originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d cinema displays3dCinemaDisplaysapple samsungAppleSamsungASUS Eee PadAsusEeePadcolumndroid razorDroidRazorgalaxy nexusGalaxyNexusipad 2Ipad2iPhone 4sIphone4sLenovaLGlytromacbook airMacbookAirMOTOACTVPocketFinderRoku 2 XSRoku2Xsswitched onSwitchedOntransformer primeTransformerPrimeWimmWIMM LabsWIMM OneWimmLabsWimmOneSun, 01 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: laptops]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-2011-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-2011-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-2011-laptops/#commentsWelcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.

Let's get this out of the way: a laptop is an intimate gift. Even if you were to get away with paying just $400, it's a lot to spend on even your spouse (ten years is the netbook anniversary, right?). Not to mention, your lucky giftee will be spending more time with it, perhaps, than they do their friends, families and pets. At the same time, the selection is nothing if not overwhelming, and if you were to make a spreadsheet tallying prices and specs, you'd notice an uncomfortable similarity across different brands. So, we rounded up some of the best we've seen -- everything from all-purpose notebooks to Ultrabooks to high-end dream machines. If you're thinking of pulling the trigger, hop past the break for a few ideas and the (very brief) low-down on the trade-offs you'll be making.

Continue reading Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: laptops

Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple macbook airapple macbook air 2011AppleMacbookAirAppleMacbookAir2011ASUSasus ux31ASUS Zenbook UX31AsusUx31AsusZenbookUx31DellDell Inspiron 14zDellInspiron14zdm1dm1zEnvy 17 3DEnvy173dFolioFolio 13Folio 13 UltrabookFolio13Folio13Ultrabookgift guidegift guidesGiftGuideGiftGuideshgg2011holiday gift guideHolidayGiftGuideHolidayGiftGuide2011HPHP dm1HP dm1zHP Envy 17 3DHP Folio 13hp pavilion dm1HP Pavilion dm1zHpDm1HpDm1zHpEnvy173dHpFolio13HpPavilionDm1HpPavilionDm1zIdeaPad U300SIdeapadU300sinspiron 14zInspiron14zlaptoplaptopsLenovoLenovo IdeaPad U300slenovo u300sLenovoIdeapadU300sLenovoU300smacbook airmacbook air 2011MacbookAirMacbookAir2011pavilion dm1pavilion dm1zPavilionDm1PavilionDm1zSONYsony vaio sSony VAIO S seriessony vaio sbSony Vaio ZSony VAIO z seriesSonyVaioSSonyVaioSbSonyVaioSSeriesSonyVaioZSonyVaioZSeriesvaio sbvaio zVaioSbVaioZZenbook UX31ZenbookUx31Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple flips the switch on Black Friday sale, Macbook Air, Pro see modest discounts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/apple-flips-the-switch-on-black-friday-sale-macbook-air-pro-se/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/apple-flips-the-switch-on-black-friday-sale-macbook-air-pro-se/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/apple-flips-the-switch-on-black-friday-sale-macbook-air-pro-se/#comments
Apple has just launched its annual Black Friday online sale, and, as you may expect, there isn't a whole lot to write home about. The company has slashed the prices of its MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iMac by a modest $100 for this year's 24-hour event, with the iPad 2 seeing a $41 reduction, and the iPod Touch getting slashed by a measly $21. Not exactly the kind of discounts you'd wait an entire year for, but they're there at the source link, nonetheless. For more tryptophan-laced deals, check out our ongoing Black Friday roundup.

Apple flips the switch on Black Friday sale, Macbook Air, Pro see modest discounts originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple storeAppleStoreblack fridayBlackFridaydiscountipadmacbook airmacbook proMacbookAirMacbookPropricesalethanksgivingFri, 25 Nov 2011 03:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple reaches settlement in MagSafe class action suit, dodges fireball]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/apple-reaches-settlement-in-magsafe-class-action-suit-dodges-fi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/apple-reaches-settlement-in-magsafe-class-action-suit-dodges-fi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/08/apple-reaches-settlement-in-magsafe-class-action-suit-dodges-fi/#comments
Apple's MagSafe has been veritable boon to the clumsy, saving MacBooks from accidental drops since 2006. The magnetic solution, however, hasn't been exactly great when keeping those same notebooks spark free. Those who weren't able to convince a Genius to part ways with a replacement gratis should know that Cupertino has just settled a class-action relating to the original's propensity to fray. Provided they fill out the necessary paperwork, those who paid for replacements out of pocket will be reimbursed $79 within the first year of the computer's purchase, decreasing to $50 and $35 respectively in the years that follow. Claims can be submitted up to three years after the original purchase, or until March 21, 2012 -- whichever occurs first. And to those of you rocking the pre-2008 "L" shaped redesign, might we recommend some flame retardant socks?

Apple reaches settlement in MagSafe class action suit, dodges fireball originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple macbookapple macbook airapple macbook proAppleMacbookAppleMacbookAirAppleMacbookProclass actionclass action lawsuitClassActionClassActionLawsuitfirefiresfraylawsuitmacbookmacbook airmacbook proMacbookAirMacbookPromagsafepower adapterPowerAdapterreplacementsettlementTue, 08 Nov 2011 17:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Not so ultimate Ultrabook: MacBook Air KIRF features mini-HDMI port, 3.5 hour battery life]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/29/not-so-ultimate-ultrabook-macbook-air-kirf-features-mini-hdmi-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/29/not-so-ultimate-ultrabook-macbook-air-kirf-features-mini-hdmi-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/29/not-so-ultimate-ultrabook-macbook-air-kirf-features-mini-hdmi-p/#comments
Hey, who wiped the MacBook Air logo off? Nah, we're kidding -- it's a KIRF. Sure, Apple's svelte 13-incher may have a duo of USB ports and an SD card slot, but this rig adds in a 3-in-1 card reader and an odd, combo RJ45 / VGA jack (which we assume needs an adapter). For good measure, you'll also find a mini-HDMI output, although, with 3.5 hours of battery life it may prove problematic for getting through a 1080p movie marathon without nearby power. The alloy-encased lappy has a 1.86GHz Intel Atom N2800 CPU with a GMA3600 integrated GPU, 2GB of RAM, a 32GB SSD and a 13.3-inch LED display sporting a ho-hum resolution (for a 13-incher) of 1366 x 768, just like the 11-inch MacBook Air. Amazingly, this knock-off weighs merely .01 kilograms more than its real counterpart at 1.36 kgs (about three pounds), while being only 0.1 cm thicker. Giz-China expects this Ultrabook-wannabe by Shenzhen Technology Ltd to land on Chinese shelves sometime in November for about $471. Cue Apple's lawyers in 3... 2...

Not so ultimate Ultrabook: MacBook Air KIRF features mini-HDMI port, 3.5 hour battery life originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleclonecopygiz-chinaintel atomintel atom n2800IntelAtomIntelAtomN2800keepin it real fakeKeepinItRealFakekirfkirf macbook airkirf mbaKirfMacbookAirKirfMbamacbookmacbook airmacbook air 13macbook air 13.3-inchmacbook air cloneMacbookAirMacbookAir13MacbookAir13.3-inchMacbookAirCloneshenzhen Technology LtdShenzhenTechnologyLtdultrabookSat, 29 Oct 2011 18:21:00 EST<![CDATA[OWC unleashes Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G SSD, peps up your 2011 MacBook Air]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/owc-unleashes-mecury-aura-pro-express-6g-ssd-peps-up-your-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/owc-unleashes-mecury-aura-pro-express-6g-ssd-peps-up-your-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/owc-unleashes-mecury-aura-pro-express-6g-ssd-peps-up-your-2011/#comments
So, you've got a 2011 MacBook Air, and you say its SSD's read / write speeds are letting you down? Well, Other World Computing would be happy to quell your woes with its SandForce-equipped Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G. The company's latest storage upgrade steps things up from its 3Gb/s versions, promising to get your tasks zooming with consistent speeds of "over 500MB/s" (achieved by utilizing the '11 Air's SATA Revision 3.0, 6Gb/s bus). The 120GB variant will set you back a wallet-thinning $350, while 240GBs will cost you a whopping 600 bones -- hey, no one ever said performance like this comes cheap. They're available now from OWC, and you'll find full details in the PR past the break.

Continue reading OWC unleashes Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G SSD, peps up your 2011 MacBook Air

OWC unleashes Mercury Aura Pro Express 6G SSD, peps up your 2011 MacBook Air originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 01:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple macbook air 2011AppleMacbookAir2011macbook airmacbook air 2011MacbookAirMacbookAir2011Mercury Aura Promercury aura pro express 6gMercuryAuraProMercuryAuraProExpress6gos xOsXothersOWC Mercury Aura Pro Express 6GOwcMercuryAuraProExpress6gSandForceSandForce 1200Sandforce1200SATA 3.0 RevisionSata3.0Revisionsolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdstorageMon, 19 Sep 2011 01:22:00 EST<![CDATA[IRL: The stuff Engadget editors are using... in real life]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/irl-the-stuff-engadget-editors-are-using-in-real-life/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/irl-the-stuff-engadget-editors-are-using-in-real-life/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/irl-the-stuff-engadget-editors-are-using-in-real-life/#comments Hi, guys! Welcome to IRL, a brand new feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life. One of the reasons we started this column is that we don't necessarily stop evaluating products once we slap on a numbered rating and publish some 3,000 words worth of impressions. This is a dilemma all gadget reviewers wrestle with, really. It's one thing to test a product for a week and report back on benchmark results and battery life, but it's another thing entirely to live with it. Sometimes, there are things we didn't get to test. And if you play with something long enough, the Honeymoon always comes to an end. No exceptions.

We still see reviews as a snapshot in time -- our job, after all, is to size up the products folks might be thinking of buying today, and it's not fair to stay mum while we wait for companies to tweak products they had no business shipping half-baked in the first place. But we don't think the conversation should end with the review. You guys already get to sound off on the things you own in the "How would you change?" column. Consider this our turn.

Continue reading IRL: The stuff Engadget editors are using... in real life

IRL: The stuff Engadget editors are using... in real life originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>11.6 inch11.6-inch11.6-inch macbook air11.6-inchMacbookAir11.6InchA500Acer Iconia Tab A500AcerIconiaTabA500Appleapple macbook airAppleMacbookAirBarnes NobleBarnesNobleBrian HeaterBrianHeaterChrome OSChromebookChromeOsDana WollmanDanaWollmanEngadget IRLengadgetIRLiconia tab a500IconiaTabA500IRLJoe PollicinoJoePollicinoMacBook AirMacbookAirNetflixNooknook wifiNookWifiSamsungsamsung series 5samsung series 5 chromebookSamsungSeries5SamsungSeries5ChromebookTim StevensTimStevensFri, 26 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget's back to school guide 2011: laptops]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/engadgets-back-to-school-guide-2011-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/engadgets-back-to-school-guide-2011-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/26/engadgets-back-to-school-guide-2011-laptops/#commentsWelcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today we're getting down to the very important business of helping you sift through laptops, and you can always head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here!


Ah, laptops. Some of us received our first notebooks the summer before college if not later. But times have changed and we're sure for many of the kids reading this freshman year is just an excuse to upgrade from the clunkers that carried them through high school. Either way, this one's pretty much mandatory -- unless you're a serious gamer who insists on a desktop GPU for marathon sessions of CoD: Black Ops, you're going to need a laptop for pounding out last-minute term papers in the library, taking notes in class and posting incriminating photos on Facebook. The problem is, the market's overrun with laptops that purport to be just perfect for the back to school set. They can't all be worth your money, though, so we whittled the list down to a handful of choices for each budget -- and if you're lucky you'll get your very own HP Pavilion dm1z for the pretty price of, well, nothing. Simply leave a comment below to be entered to win, and check out our giveaway page for more details. So wipe off the glasses, grab your clicker, and get ready to jump past the break for a top-level overview of this year's picks for back to school.

Continue reading Engadget's back to school guide 2011: laptops

Engadget's back to school guide 2011: laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5830T5830TG-6402Acer Aspire TimelineXAcer Aspire TimelineX 5830TAcer TimelineXAcer TimelineX AS5830TG-6402AcerAspireTimelinexAcerAspireTimelinex5830tAcerTimelinexAcerTimelinexAs5830tg-6402AirAppleApple MacBook AirAppleMacbookAirAS5830TG-6402back to schoolback to school shoppingBackToSchoolbacktoschool2011BackToSchoolShoppingDellDell InspironDell Inspiron 14zDellInspironDellInspiron14zdm1dm1zEnvyenvy 14Envy14GatewayGateway ID47Gateway ID47502UGatewayId47GatewayId47502uHPHP EnvyHP Envy 14HP PavilionHP Pavilion dm1HP Pavilion dm1zHpEnvyHpEnvy14HpPavilionHpPavilionDm1HpPavilionDm1zID47ID47502UInspironInspiron 14zInspiron14zL750D-ST4N01laptoplaptopsMacBookMacBook Airmacbook air 2011MacbookAirMacbookAir2011Pavilion dm1Pavilion dm1zPavilionDm1PavilionDm1zSamsung Series 3Samsung Series 3 350U2B-A01SamsungSeries3SamsungSeries3350u2b-a01Satellite L750D-ST4N01SatelliteL750d-st4n01Series 3Series 3 350U2B-A01Series3Series3350u2b-a01shoppingSony VAIO S seriesSony VAIO SA seriesSonyVaioSaSeriesSonyVaioSSeriesstudentstudentsToshiba SatelliteToshiba Satellite L750D-ST4N01ToshibaSatelliteToshibaSatelliteL750d-st4n01VAIOVAIO SAVaioSaFri, 26 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel Ultrabooks get $300 million investment fund, prep for low-carb diet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/intel-ultrabooks-get-300-million-investment-fund-prep-for-low/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/intel-ultrabooks-get-300-million-investment-fund-prep-for-low/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/intel-ultrabooks-get-300-million-investment-fund-prep-for-low/#comments
Intel Capital has stumped up $300 million to "drive innovation" in the burgeoning Ultrabook market. The cash will go to projects that refine user interaction (hint: more touchscreens), reduce power consumption and create devices no thicker than 21mm (0.8-inches). Intel is clearly hoping to lure back all those customers who have ditched laptops for tablets by undercutting the popular Samsung Series 9 and Macbook Air. The company's new mantra? "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels".

Intel Ultrabooks get $300 million investment fund, prep for low-carb diet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>intelintel capitalIntelCapitalipadmacbook airMacbookAirsamsung series 9SamsungSeries9thin and lightThinAndLightUltrabookUltrabooksThu, 11 Aug 2011 16:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer's Aspire 3951 leaks with MacBook Air-like specs, available in October?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/acers-aspire-3951-leaks-with-macbook-air-like-specs-available/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/acers-aspire-3951-leaks-with-macbook-air-like-specs-available/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/acers-aspire-3951-leaks-with-macbook-air-like-specs-available/#comments
It looks like Acer may be dropping down to the lightweight laptop division, now that images of its so-called Aspire 3951 have leaked out of Vietnam. An ostensible rival to the recently refreshed MacBook Air, the 13.3-inch 3951 reportedly boasts a similarly slim design, measuring 13mm thick and weighing less than 1.4 kilograms (about three pounds). According to Sohoa, the aluminum-cased device is powered by a second generation Intel Core processor, features an optional 160GB SSD, and offers more than six hours of battery life, along with Bluetooth 4.0 support. Much like the Air, this Aspire can purportedly boot up pretty fast, as well, rousing from sleep mode in just 1.7 seconds. It's rumored that Acer will release this new line in October within the curiously affordable price range between $770 and $960, but we'll have to wait and see whether that actually comes to fruition. In the meantime, you can check out an extra image of the Aspire 3951 below, or hit the source link for the full collection.

[Thanks, @tranquochuyvn]

Update: Oddly enough, it appears that we've caught a glimpse of this exact same laptop before, except it was portrayed by M.I.C. Gadget as a Thunderbolt MacBook Air leak. Perhaps the folks received some bad intel, be it intentional or not.

Continue reading Acer's Aspire 3951 leaks with MacBook Air-like specs, available in October?

Acer's Aspire 3951 leaks with MacBook Air-like specs, available in October? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>13-inch160gbaceracer aspireAcerAspireairaspireaspire 3951Aspire3951battery lifeBatteryLifebluetoothbluetooth 4.0Bluetooth4.0bootingCPUimageintelintel coreIntel Core iIntelCoreIntelCoreIlaptopleakmacbookmacbook airMacbookAirprocessorrumorssdvietnamTue, 09 Aug 2011 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial: Apple's officially over the optical drive, for better or worse]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/editorial-apples-officially-over-the-optical-drive-for-better/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/editorial-apples-officially-over-the-optical-drive-for-better/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/editorial-apples-officially-over-the-optical-drive-for-better/#comments I don't like it. Not one iota. But frankly, it doesn't much matter -- Apple's officially done with the optical drive, and there's no evidence more strikingly clear than the mid 2011 refresh of its Mac mini. Last year, that bantam box arrived with a $699 price tag, pep in its step and a personality that could charm even the most hardened desktop owner. This year, a $599 model showed up on my doorstep promising the same, but instead it delivered a noticeable drop in actual functionality. Pundits have argued that you could tether a USB SuperDrive to the new mini and save $20 in the process compared to last year's rig, but does relying on a cabled accessory go hand-in-hand with beauty and simplicity? No, and I've every reason to believe that Apple would agree.

Despite the obvious -- that consumers would buy a mini to reduce the sheer burden of operating a convoluted desktop setup -- Apple's gone and yanked what has become a staple in both Macs and PCs alike. For years, ODDs have been standard fare, spinning CDs, DVDs, HD-DVDs (however briefly) and Blu-ray Discs, not to mention a few other formats that didn't do much to deserve a mention. Compared to most everything else in the technology universe, the tried-and-true optical drive has managed to hang around well beyond what it's creator likely had in mind, but it's pretty obvious that 2011 is to the ODD what 1998 was to the floppy drive. At least in the mind of one Steven P. Jobs.

Continue reading Editorial: Apple's officially over the optical drive, for better or worse

Editorial: Apple's officially over the optical drive, for better or worse originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleblu-rayblu-ray discBlu-rayDisccddvddvd burnerdvd writerDvdBurnerDvdWritereditorialmac minimacbookmacbook airmacbook proMacbookAirMacbookProMacMinioddoptical driveOpticalDriveslot loadingslot-loadingSlotLoadingsuperdriveWed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple patent application takes the hard keys out of the keyboard, promises a flat surface solution]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/apple-patent-application-takes-the-hard-keys-out-of-the-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/apple-patent-application-takes-the-hard-keys-out-of-the-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/apple-patent-application-takes-the-hard-keys-out-of-the-keyboard/#comments Apple's giving us a patent application peek into its post-PC future, and it looks like hard keys will be so 2008. The recently revealed filing shows off a virtual, flat keyboard concept for Cupertino's line of non-iOS products that flirts with metal, plastic and glass form factors. Using a combination of piezoelectrics, haptic feedback and acoustic pulse recognition, these prospective designs will be able to detect your finger-pounding surface input. If you're the fast-typing kind, you're probably wondering how your digits will recognize the keys sight unseen. Well, there's a few workarounds for that. In its metal and plastic iterations, Jobs and co. plan to stamp or micro-perforate the layout into place, while their glass counterpart would receive a graphical overlay. The application also promises an LED-lit display for hard to see conditions and the inclusion of capactive sensors to enable multi-touch functions, so you avoid e.e. cummings-style emails. Of course, applications aren't necessarily indicative of a surefire product, but those interested in tickling their imagination can give the source link a look.

Apple patent application takes the hard keys out of the keyboard, promises a flat surface solution originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acoustic pulse recognitionAcousticPulseRecognitionAppleCupertinofilingflat surface keyboardFlatSurfaceKeyboardhaptic feedbackHapticFeedbackiMackeyboardkeyboardsmacbook airmacbook proMacbookAirMacbookProOS X LionOsXLionpatent applicationpatent applicationsPatentApplicationPatentApplicationspiezoelectricpiezoelectricsSteve JobsSteveJobsvirtual keyboardVirtualKeyboardMon, 25 Jul 2011 22:05:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Apple using slower SSDs in some MacBook Air models (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/psa-apple-using-slower-ssds-in-some-macbook-air-models-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/psa-apple-using-slower-ssds-in-some-macbook-air-models-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/psa-apple-using-slower-ssds-in-some-macbook-air-models-video/#comments When you head to Apple's online store to configure your MacBook Air, you'll find options to increase processor speed or SSD capacity -- depending on the model you select, of course. There's no mention of flash drive speed, however, though it's now clear that not all SSDs are created equal at Apple -- not only when it comes to capacity, but also performance. Jonathan over at TLD discovered a fairly significant discrepancy when benchmarking both MacBook Air models over the weekend. The 128GB Samsung SSD in his 11-inch Air was able to achieve 246 MB/s write and 264 MB/s read speeds. When he switched to the 13-inch model, however, speeds dropped to 156 MB/s and 208 MB/s, respectively, using that notebook's 128GB Toshiba SSD. We compared speeds on two generations of 13-inch models, and confirmed Jonathan's findings. During our tests, the 256GB Samsung drive in our older model achieved 214 MB/s write and 251 MB/s read speeds, while the 128GB Toshiba drive in the new MacBook Air scored 184 MB/s and 203 MB/s during write and read tests, respectively. Overall, you're not likely to notice a significant difference during normal usage, though it's certainly an interesting find, nonetheless.

[Thanks, Larry]

Continue reading PSA: Apple using slower SSDs in some MacBook Air models (video)

PSA: Apple using slower SSDs in some MacBook Air models (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>11-inch13-inchairapplecore i5core i7CoreI5CoreI7hard driveHardDrivelaptoplionmacbookmacbook airMacbookAirmid 2011Mid2011os xos x lionOsXOsXLionperformancesamsungsandy bridgeSandyBridgesolid state driveSolidStateDrivespeedssdstoragethin and lightThinAndLighttldtoshibaultraportablevideoMon, 25 Jul 2011 13:17:00 EST<![CDATA[MacBook Air review (mid 2011)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/macbook-air-review-mid-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/macbook-air-review-mid-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/macbook-air-review-mid-2011/#comments There comes a time when that giant, corporate-issued laptop stops fitting into your lifestyle. When dragging around a Kensington roller case just won't do. When you start to hear the siren lilt of something thinner, lighter, and maybe a bit more alluring. For years the MacBook Air has been that svelte temptress hollering your name, but it's always been a bit too slow -- all show and no go. It didn't have the power and the longevity to make it a serious contender for your serious affections.

No more. With its latest refresh, Apple has taken what was once a manilla-clad curiosity and turned it into a legitimate machine, not just a sultry looker. Good thing, too, because the death of the plastic-clad MacBook means the Air is now Apple's entry-level portable. Weary traveler looking for a laptop that will lighten your load and, it must be said, your wallet too? This might just be it.

Gallery: MacBook Air Review

Continue reading MacBook Air review (mid 2011)

MacBook Air review (mid 2011) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>11-inch13-inchairapplecore i5core i7CoreI5CoreI7engadget awardsengadget awards 2011EngadgetAwardsEngadgetAwards2011laptoplionmacbookmacbook airMacbookAirmid 2011Mid2011os xos x lionOsXOsXLionreviewsandy bridgeSandyBridgessdthin and lightThinAndLightultraportableMon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Charlie Miller finds MacBook battery security hole, plans to fill with Caulkgun]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/22/charlie-miller-finds-macbook-battery-security-hole-plans-to-fil/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/22/charlie-miller-finds-macbook-battery-security-hole-plans-to-fil/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/22/charlie-miller-finds-macbook-battery-security-hole-plans-to-fil/#comments Those batteries have probably met a worse fate than the white MacBook line they came from. According to Forbes, Charlie Miller's managed to render seven of them useless after gaining total access to their micro-controllers' firmware via a security hole. Evidently, the Li-ion packs for the line of lappies -- including Airs and Pros -- are accessible with two passwords he dug up from an '09 software update. Chuck mentions that someone could "use them to do something really bad," including faulting charge-levels and thermal read-outs to possibly even making them explode. He also thinks hard-to-spot malware could be installed directly within the battery, repeatedly infecting a computer unless removed. Come August, he'll reportedly be detailing the vulnerability at the Black Hat security conference along with a fix he's dubbed Caulkgun, which only has the mild side-effect of locking-out updates by Apple. Worth being safe these days, though. Right? Full story in the links below.

Charlie Miller finds MacBook battery security hole, plans to fill with Caulkgun originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebatterybattery hackBatteryHackblack hatblack hat security conferenceBlackHatBlackHatSecurityConferencecaulkguncharlie millerCharlieMillerexploitfirmwarehacklaptopLithium Ionlithium ion batteriesLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesmacbookmacbook airmacbook batterymacbook proMacbookAirMacbookBatteryMacbookPromicro-controllersecuritysoftware updateSoftwareUpdateFri, 22 Jul 2011 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[iFixit tears down new MacBook Air, beholds the miracle of backlighting]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/ifixit-tears-down-new-macbook-air-beholds-the-miracle-of-backli/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/ifixit-tears-down-new-macbook-air-beholds-the-miracle-of-backli/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/ifixit-tears-down-new-macbook-air-beholds-the-miracle-of-backli/#comments Warranties be damned, iFixit got its hands on the newly announced MacBook Air and immediately did its thing, digging into the super-thin laptop like a kid at Christmas. Not all that much to see from the outside of the device, save for that new Thunderbolt port and some shiny new keyboard backlighting. Things are a bit different inside, however, including an Intel Core i5 processor, a Bluetooth 4.0 chip, and a general lack of thermal paste. As for putting the thing back together again -- the Air scores a four out of ten for repairability, so maybe don't try this at home.

iFixit tears down new MacBook Air, beholds the miracle of backlighting originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple macbookAppleMacbookbacklightbluetoothbluetooth 4.0Bluetooth4.0ifixitkeyboardmacbookmacbook airMacbookAirteardownThu, 21 Jul 2011 18:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Chromium OS running on a MacBook Air: somewhere, a mad scientist cackles in the night]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/chromium-os-running-on-a-macbook-air-somewhere-a-mad-scientist/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/chromium-os-running-on-a-macbook-air-somewhere-a-mad-scientist/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/chromium-os-running-on-a-macbook-air-somewhere-a-mad-scientist/#comments Does it hurt your brain to look at the picture above? That'd be Chromium OS -- running on a MacBook Air! Pretty much the definition of "worlds colliding," this feat is brought to you by Hexxeh, whose most recent mind-warping project put Chrome on an iPad. The platform-mixing maestro says in this case everything works except Bluetooth, owing to a lack of support. But hearty souls who seek to follow in his footsteps, take heed: there's no dual-boot option, and you will lose OS X -- so perhaps this is a job for your now outdated model. Click the source link for 14 easy steps to turning your svelte laptop into Frankenstein's monster, but sadly, there's no mention of where to buy that hopelessly cute Chrome pillow.

Update: Diligent researchers found the Chrome pillow. Peep it in the second source link. Thanks, Matthew.

Chromium OS running on a MacBook Air: somewhere, a mad scientist cackles in the night originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleAppleIpadchrome osChromeOschromium osChromiumOsgooglehackhackinghexxehlaptopmacbookmacbook airMacbookAiroperating systemOperatingSystemosportWed, 20 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple refreshes MacBook Air with Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt, and backlit keyboards]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/dnp-stub-apple-refreshes-macbook-air-with-sandy-bridge-thunderb/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/dnp-stub-apple-refreshes-macbook-air-with-sandy-bridge-thunderb/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/dnp-stub-apple-refreshes-macbook-air-with-sandy-bridge-thunderb/#comments They say Apple updates its products like clockwork, releasing something new at the same time in the same place every year. Not so with MacBook Airs anyway. The outfit's gone and freshened up its 13-inch and 11-inch ultraportables -- the second such update in nine months. Although the industrial design hasn't changed much since the last generation, both models step up to Sandy Bridge Core i5 and i7 processors, Thunderbolt ports, backlit keyboards, and, of course, OS X Lion.

The 11.6-inch flavor starts at $999 with 64GB of solid-state storage, 2GB of memory and a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor. The higher-end of the two configurations costs $1,199, with the extra two hundred dollars doubling your RAM and storage. The 13-inch Air, meanwhile, starts at $1,299, with a 128GB SSD, 4GB of RAM, and a 1.7GHz Core i5 CPU. Step up to the $1,599 model and you'll get a 256GB SSD instead. Regardless, you're looking at Intel HD 3000 graphics across the board, along with FaceTime webcams, two USB ports (plus an SD slot on the 13-inch version), 802.11n WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0. The two differ when it comes to resolution and battery life: the 11-incher has a 1366 x 768 panel and is rated for up to five hours of battery life, whereas the 13-inch model has a 1440 x 900 screen and promises up to seven hours of juice. As for that 1.8GHz Core i7 CPU, it'll set you back an extra $100 on the 13-inch version, and $150 for the 11-inch version. Whichever size you choose, it's only an option for the higher-end configuration. Hit the source link to peep the specs and buy one, if you're so inclined.

Gallery: MacBook Air (mid-2011)

Continue reading Apple refreshes MacBook Air with Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt, and backlit keyboards

Apple refreshes MacBook Air with Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt, and backlit keyboards originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>11-inch13-inchAirApplebacklit keyboardBacklitKeyboardbreaking newsCore i5Core i7CoreI5CoreI7laptoplaptopsLionMac OS XMac OS X LionMacBookMacBook AirMacBook Air 2011MacbookAirMacbookAir2011MacOsXMacOsXLionOS X LionOsXLionrefreshrefreshesSandy BridgeSandyBridgeThunderboltultraportableultraportablesWed, 20 Jul 2011 08:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple store goes down, all is quiet before the Lion roars]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/Apple-store-goes-down-all-is-quiet-before-the-Lion-roars/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/Apple-store-goes-down-all-is-quiet-before-the-Lion-roars/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/Apple-store-goes-down-all-is-quiet-before-the-Lion-roars/#comments And so it begins. The Apple Store has been taken down for updating and it probably won't reappear until it's rocking the hotly awaited $30 Mac OS 10.7 upgrade. We'll have a full review of Lion later in the week, but if you can't wait that long check out our hands-on preview. There's a chance we'll see some MacBook Air action today too, so we'll keep you posted. Oh yeah, and this store is the real deal.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

Apple store goes down, all is quiet before the Lion roars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple storeAppleStorebreaking newslionmacbook airMacbookAiros xOS X LionOsXOsXLionrefreshWed, 20 Jul 2011 05:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case cloaks your iPad 2 in a MacBook Air duvet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/aluminum-keyboard-buddy-case-cloaks-your-ipad-2-in-a-macbook-air/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/aluminum-keyboard-buddy-case-cloaks-your-ipad-2-in-a-macbook-air/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/aluminum-keyboard-buddy-case-cloaks-your-ipad-2-in-a-macbook-air/#comments
Your friends may think that's a MacBook Air sitting on your coffee table -- but they'd be wrong and would deserve to be ridiculed. Taking its aesthetic cue from the Zaggmate, MIC's new Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case brings both a protective shell and a (nearly) full QWERTY set to your iPad 2. When pressed against the tablet face-to-face, the Buddy Case's magnets will automatically put your iPad to sleep, with its curved back guarding your precious slate from dirt, scratches and Hun invasions. To transition into keyboard mode, all you have to do is slide your 'Pad into a slot and let your fingers roam free. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, this $50 peripheral also allows users to control their iPad's brightness and media playback. Unfortunately, though, it'll only hold your slate at one, fixed angle, so make sure you have a neck before buying one.

Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case cloaks your iPad 2 in a MacBook Air duvet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryappleipadipad 2ipad accessoryipad caseipad keyboardipad keyboard caseIpad2IpadAccessoryIpadCaseIpadKeyboardIpadKeyboardCasekeyboardkeyboard caseKeyboardCasemacbook airMacbookAirMICThu, 07 Jul 2011 10:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple boots Sandy Bridge-based MacBook Air into mass production? (update)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/11/apple-boots-sandy-bridge-based-macbook-air-into-mass-production/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/11/apple-boots-sandy-bridge-based-macbook-air-into-mass-production/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/11/apple-boots-sandy-bridge-based-macbook-air-into-mass-production/#comments Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is starting to build a bit of a reputation for accurate Apple rumors, so you may be able to take this with a slightly smaller dose of NaCl: Kuo told AppleInsider that Cupertino's allegedly ordered 380,000 of those new MacBook Air models with Intel's Sandy Bridge processors on board, to be completed within the month. Of course, if Apple's got its heart set on distributing silica scaffolding, it has to phase the existing Core 2 Duo variants out, and so the company's reportedly finishing a final production run of 80,000 units now. If you happen to notice that your entire state is out of aluminum-clad ultralights, you know who to call!

Update: iPhone hacker Chronic claims the MacBook Air refresh could appear as soon as Wednesday morning.

Update 2: Never mind -- Chronic says his sources were mistaken about the MacBook Air on Wednesday.

Apple boots Sandy Bridge-based MacBook Air into mass production? (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AirAppleMacBook AirMacbookAirMBAMing-Chi KuoMing-chiKuorumorrumorsSat, 11 Jun 2011 22:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Bird Electron EP-15V charges your MacBook Air from eight C-type batteries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bird-electron-ep-15v-charges-your-macbook-air-from-eight-c-type/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bird-electron-ep-15v-charges-your-macbook-air-from-eight-c-type/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bird-electron-ep-15v-charges-your-macbook-air-from-eight-c-type/#comments Remember those thick C-type batteries you used to toss in your flashlights before the age of LEDs? Well, they're not likely to overtake the disposable battery market anytime soon, but they did just become slightly more useful to a very select number of Japanese MacBook Air owners. The EP-15V from Bird Electron will bridge eight of those C batts to create a 12-volt power source, giving your 11.6-inch MacBook Air a two-hour boost when used with standard alkaline batteries. The charger was released today in Japan, and will initially sell for ¥19,800 (about $250), not including batteries or the requisite MagSafe Airline Adapter (¥5,800, or about $75 in Japan). The EP-15V isn't likely to be the most practical option, considering its cost, size, weight (2.3 pounds, or just over 1 kilogram -- before you add batts), and the fact that you'll need access to an adapter and eight batteries, which you'll be tossing after just two hours of use. But if you find yourself in a remote village with a hearty C-type battery supply and no electricity or access to the sun, then you might just regret not picking one up.

Bird Electron EP-15V charges your MacBook Air from eight C-type batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryappleapple macbookAppleMacbookbatteriesbatterybattery chargerBatteryChargerc batteryCBatterychargerchargingmacbookmacbook airmacbook air chargermacbook chargerMacbookAirMacbookAirChargerMacbookChargerportable chargerPortableChargerFri, 10 Jun 2011 05:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple testing A5-packing MacBook Air?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/28/apple-testing-a5-packing-macbook-air/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/28/apple-testing-a5-packing-macbook-air/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/28/apple-testing-a5-packing-macbook-air/#comments We've seen it put its processing power behind the iPad 2 and heard rumors of its presence in the upcoming fifth-gen iPhone, but could Apple really be considering putting its mobile-minded A5 processor in a MacBook Air? According to Japanese website, Macotakara, a trial of the ARM chip is already underway. Apple's reportedly been experimenting with a Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Air with the A5 on board, and "according to someone who has seen a model running with [Apple's] A5 processor, the performance is better than had been thought." Two weeks ago, we reported on rumors that the upcoming MacBook Air refresh could be on its way as early as next month, featuring Intel's Sandy Bridge 17W mobile processors -- a claim we'd say could hold water. Of course, this information has trickled a ways down the grapevine, and the presence of an A5-packing test vehicle doesn't mean much anyway, but you can consider our interest piqued, regardless.

Apple testing A5-packing MacBook Air? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 May 2011 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A5 CPUA5 MacBook AirA5CpuA5MacbookAirAppleARM A5ARM A5 CPUARM processorArmA5ArmA5CpuArmProcessorCPUMacBook AirMacbookAirnetbooknetbooksprocessortesttrailSat, 28 May 2011 19:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's MacBook Air duo to receive Sandy Bridge and Thunderbolt upgrade in June or July?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/apples-macbook-air-duo-to-receive-sandy-bridge-and-thunderbolt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/apples-macbook-air-duo-to-receive-sandy-bridge-and-thunderbolt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/apples-macbook-air-duo-to-receive-sandy-bridge-and-thunderbolt/#comments We've already seen Intel's Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt reinvigorating the MacBook Pro line, so it's only logical for the MacBook Airs to eventually follow suit -- presumably they'll pick up Sandy Bridge's 17W mobile processors to match the current 10W and 17W Core 2 Duos. So when can we expect this to happen? Well, according to DigiTimes' sources within the supply chain, Apple may receive shipment of the refreshed Airs in late May ahead of a June or July launch -- this echoes earlier reports from Apple Insider and CNET that cited the same time frame. Additionally, DigiTimes says Quanta will continue to assemble Apple's ultra-portable laptops, with Simplo Technology and Dynapack supplying the battery packs. As always, we shall remain open-minded about such rumors, but you'll know the real deal as soon as we do within the next couple of months or so.

Apple's MacBook Air duo to receive Sandy Bridge and Thunderbolt upgrade in June or July? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airAppleApple InsiderAppleInsiderCNETDigitimesIntellaptopMacBookMacBook AirMacbookAirQuantarefreshrumorSandy BridgeSandyBridgeslimThunderboltThunderbolt IOThunderboltIoultraportableunibodyupdateupgradeWed, 18 May 2011 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple patent application shows keyboard that doesn't require contact, blows air]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/13/apple-patent-application-shows-keyboard-that-doesnt-require-con/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/13/apple-patent-application-shows-keyboard-that-doesnt-require-con/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/13/apple-patent-application-shows-keyboard-that-doesnt-require-con/#comments We've been generally satisfied with the chiclet-style keyboards that have become omnipresent in laptops and Apple's latest generation of desktop keyboards, but Cupertino feels that these thinner, lower-profile input devices limit tactile feedback. A patent application from Apple, filed in 2009 but only now revealed, aims to improve the user experience by "expelling air from the input device proximate the key when user selection is imminent." That's right -- your keyboard could blow on your fingertips as you blow our minds in the comments. Another solution in the patent would function like a vacuum to pull keys away when a proximity sensor detects that you're about to type, providing simulated feedback. If this concept takes off in the future, your next MacBook Air could really live up to its name.

Apple patent application shows keyboard that doesn't require contact, blows air originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appleapple keyboardapple keyboard patentapple macbookApple patentAppleKeyboardAppleKeyboardPatentAppleMacbookApplePatentchiclet keyboardChicletKeyboardimacimac keyboardImacKeyboardmacbookmacbook airmacbook air keyboardMacbookAirMacbookAirKeyboardpatentpatent apppatent applicationPatentAppPatentApplicationpatentsFri, 13 May 2011 10:51:00 EST