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iStat Pro 3.3 widget brings temp and fan readings for Intel Macs and more
The feature-packed iStat Pro Dashboard widget is a reigning favorite here at TUAW, and its recent v3.3 update has heralded some handy new features. First, it now includes (though prompts you to install upon first run) a new module that can read the temperature and fan speeds of Intel Macs. That's right - SpeedIt-be-gone. The other nice enhancement is an active AirPort signal quality meter - the AirPort icon in iStat Pro's network section will now dynamically display a quality meter based on the network you're connected to. Of course, for the record, other bugs and "various minor improvements" made this new version, and it's available either by running the widget (it auto-checks for updates by default), or by heading over to iSlayer.com.
Beta Beat: VM2Go Utility for Parallels Desktop for Mac
Parallels user Mark (aka) Clalron has whipped up a nifty little utility called VM2Go and he just released it as beta in the Parallels forums. The app provides a list of all the virtual machines on your Mac, shows their actual disk space usage, allows VMs to be transferred to iPods or external drives, allows you to backup your VM to CD or DVD and restore it from CD or DVD as well. Although I haven't had a chance to try it yet since I won't be on a Mac that has Parallels on it until later today, but it sounds like it will be quite useful! If any of you get a chance to try it out, please let us know your thoughts - and be sure to also send feedback and bug reports to the developer also so he can improve upon future releases.The user guide and mac.com download link location are temporary, as is the icon - which is a good thing because the icon currently looks like the Transmit icon with a bad case of food poisoning.More info and the download link can be found in the Parallels support forums.
Apple Firmware Restoration CD 1.2
The Apple Firmware Restoration CD 1.2 will restore your Intel-based Intel-based Mac to original factory condition. It can only be used to restore the Firmware after an interrupted or failed update.If your computer is already bricked, you'll need to download the update and create the CD on another Mac computer (PowerPC or Intel), or take your Mac to your local Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider and they'll do it for you.If any of you had a problem with yesterday's firmware update, you might want to try this restore CD before you panic. Let us know how it goes!
Apple releases EFI Firmware updates for Intel Macs
Apple today released EFI Firmware Updates for all Intel-based Macs. The update, in all cases, fixes several Boot Camp, start up, and wake-from-sleep issues. Here's the rundown:iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.1After the firmware update is successfully applied to your computer, your Boot ROM Version will be:IM41.0055.B08 (early 2006)IM42.0071.B03 (17-inch mid 2006)IM52.0090.B03 (17-inch late 2006 CD)IM51.0090.B03 (20-inch late 2006)IM61.0093.B01 (24-inch)MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.2*After the firmware update is successfully applied to your computer, your Boot ROM Version will be:MBP11.0055.B08 (MacBook Pro 15 inch)MBP12.0061.B03 (MacBook Pro 17 inch)MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.0After the firmware update is successfully applied to your computer, your Boot ROM Version will be: MB11.0061.B03Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.1 After the firmware update is successfully applied to your computer, your Boot ROM Version will be: MM11.0055.B08Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.1After the firmware update is successfully applied to your computer, your Boot ROM Version will be:MP11.005C.B04*This update appears to be only be for the original Core Duo MacBook Pros - not the latest Core 2 Duos. Be sure to check the Read Me for instructions on how to install the firmware - and be sure to let us know how it works out for you!
Unboxing the 24-inch iMac
It's taken a little longer than we anticipated, but here they are: the first unboxing shots of Apple's new 24-inch iMac to go alongside those recent benchmarks. It's not the most comprehensive unboxing set we've seen, nor the most tidy (check out that cable mess!), but the fact that it's the first means that the guy behind the camera automatically gets our Engadget-branded kudos. The scale of the machine is a little hard to judge -- we *think* that's a 17-inch iMac in the later shots -- but the one thing we have learned from the pictures is very welcome: the increase in screen size makes the 24-incher's plastic "chin" the least distracting of all the iMac models. Apple, take note -- making an iMac that looks less like Jay Leno was a good decision. Keep reading to check out this new Mac in all its unboxed glory, then hit up the Read link for the full gallery...[Via TUAW]
Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta5
Thorn lets us know, in the comments to the fast OS switching post, that the folks at Parallels have released Beta 5 of their Parallels Workstation 2.1 for Intel Macs. This is the software that lets you run 'virtual' machines on your Intel Macs (including, but not limited to, Windows XP).So what's new in Beta 5? Lots: USB support Dynamic screen resolutions Transition cube when going into full screen mode lots of bug fixes When I get an Intel Mac (probably when the second rev of the iMac is released) Parallels is going on my 'must have' list.
Apple posts firmware update
Earlier today, Apple posted a new firmware update for Intel-equipped Macs. According to Apple, this update will bring your Intel Mac to firmware version 1.0.1. You can find the update for the Mac mini here, the iMac here and the MacBook Pro here. Apple didn't provide a whole lot of detail about these updates, so let us know what your experiences are.
Windows on an Intel Mac: WoW, what a difference
We've already seen WoW on an Intel Mac thanks to our resident Mac-user, but he's managed to go one better. Previously we saw the OS X Universal Binary version running at 50-60fps; running WoW under Windows on the same hardware, maximising all the graphics settings, there's actually a gain in framerate to the tune of 6fps.Those of us with PCs creaking along on the default settings are justified in being envious. While keeping up with the vast succession of new PC games requires regular upgrades and a killer gaming rig, if your free time is taken over by WoW then you obviate the need to upgrade -- but miss out on the fantastic framerates such upgrades can afford.
Apple to PC Manufacturers and Windows: It's on!
OMG I cannot stop giggling with glee over Scott's Boot Camp post. Apple has just thrown down a pretty major gauntlet to all the current PC manufacturers. I mean, now, thousands of cubicle workers around the globe can say, "Yes, I can run Windows on my MacBook Pro. I won't be needing that Dell machine you ordered for me to run the one bit of proprietary Windows-based software that has shackled our company to an expensive spyware and virus-riddled platform for far too long."If it works nicely, that means in the short term that Dell is in big trouble, as are all other PC manufacturers. It also means that Windows may be making some more money starting out, as a decent number of Apple users *may* go out and buy a copy to install on their Macs. However, over time, if Apple plays its cards right and doesn't screw things up, people will see that booting into OS X runs more smoothly and is nicer than booting into Windows, and we may see more switchers than ever before.Of course, the real key to this would be if Apple would just go ahead and release a version of OS X for PCs. I think with Boot Camp, Apple just threw down the gauntlet and within a year, they'll take the fight to the desktop PC. I cannot wait.
Photoshop not Universal until next version?
Our very own David Chartier has posted on the Unofficial Photoshop Weblog that there are rumors that Adobe has no plans to make their current offerings into Universal applications (ones that run natively on both PowerPC and Intel based Macs). If this is true, and at the moment this is pure conjecture, then that would mean Photoshop pros will need to pony up the cash for the upgrade if they want to run Photoshop on an Intel Mac. It is a given that most Photoshop pros would upgrade anyway, so the real let down is the length of time that we would have to wait for the upgrade to come around.Let's hope this rumor is just that, and Adobe is feverishly working on a free (a boy can dream, right?) update to their CS2 apps that will make them Universal applications.
My day in the Mactel underground installing OS x86
Last week I was listening to This Week in Tech, with the golden voice of Leo Laporte. Apparently Leo had refused a copy of os x86 that had been offered to him by some punk kids. Me? I love punk kids. They pay my bills (because I'm paid to teach them). So it was with great glee that one such punk kid let me know about a little experiment... He and some friends were going to put OS x86 on his Dell. He offered transportation to an undisclosed site where the grand plan would unfold, and I told him I'd check it out.Brace yourself for a walk through the seamy underbelly of Macdom. Let's face it, all this business has Apple a little ruffled. And Mac purists just roll their eyes, knowing whatever comes out of Cupertino next year will be loads better than the VAIO's, Dells, and e-Machines currently sporting the little OS that could. I'm going to explain what we had to go through to get all this working, and what we had by the end of the day. Read on— if you dare!
