MacbookPro
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Rig of the Day: Out with the old, in with the new
"...If I could save time in a bottle..." Today's shot features a 15" MacBook Pro next to its older brother, a 15" Powerbook G4. They're really quite similar at first glance. Looks can be deceiving.So long, Powerbook, and thanks for all the fish."The first of a new generation, and the last of the old" posted by marooned.tom.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Apple updates MacBook Pro firmware, won't say why
Sure, there are few glaringly obvious reasons to fix the MacBook Pro firmware, such as its "too hot to touch" running temperatures and random whining noises prodigiously documented by users, but Apple ain't saying nothing. They've just released a firmware update for their Intel-based systems cleverly titled: "SMC Firmware Update 1.0," with zero explanation as to the purpose of the update. The SMC, or System Management Control, does manage heat related issues, including the fans, so it's a reasonable guess that the new firmware is meant to address the issues at hand with the MacBook Pro, but you sure wouldn't know it from the way Apple is acting. Luckily, the rabid fan base is already testing out the new firmware, and most have found it to fix their heat issues. The verdict is still out when it comes to the whining noises, with some reporting an improvement and some not. All the same, it would really be nice of Apple to let people know what's up. The first step is admitting you have a problem.
Hands on with the Apple Macbook
Yeah, we have no shame. We marched ourselves down to the Apple store yesterday afternoon and shoved through braved some lines to get our grubby mitts on Apple's latest, the consumer-oriented MacBook. You've probably already seen some pics of this thing in the wild, but we'll hook you up with our five minute rundown.With the MacBook you're getting a full fledged Mac machine: Core Duo processor -- not Core Solo as some had expected -- WXGA display, digital video out to power that 24-incher, Bluetooth, a slot loading DVD burner (depending on your model), the whole megillah. What you aren't getting, however, is slightly more subtle. Yes, you're not getting that 15.4-inch display or the ExpressCard slot (remember, the iBook before the MacBook didn't have a PC Card slot, either), nor are you getting that fancy ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, but you're also forgoing that notably larger MacBook Pro power brick, mechanical latches, and a dimmer (though less reflective) display. Click on for more!
More integrated graphics from Apple
Apple released the MacBook, its new consumer laptop, today. The full tech specs -- which are over at Apple's site -- mention that the MacBook features an Intel GMA950: in other words, an integrated graphics chip identical to the Mac mini. Previously we've summarized the disadvantages of integrated graphics and we've moaned about the poor graphics performance of Apple's line-up in an attempt to force someone at Apple to listen, but it was all in vain. Apple's supposed "gaming solution" (Windows) is hardly a solution now that Apple's consumer line-up (MacBook, Mac mini) doesn't have a dedicated graphics card, the prosumer line-up (MacBook Pro, iMac) features a low- to mid-range mobile chip and the remaining top-of-the-range machine (PowerMac) is stuck with PowerPC processors, crappy default GPUs (GeForce 6600s, yuck!) and a largely unobtainable price.If Apple one days wakes up and realizes that there are a load of potential gaming switchers sitting on the fence it would either: tell, no, force Intel to make some integrated chips that aren't "virtually unplayable for anybody that cares about gaming" or provide the option of dedicated graphics cards for gamers, even if it costs us more.
MacBook Pro gets speed bump, glossy display
Not to be outdone by its younger brother, the MacBook Pro received an update today as well. Specifically, the 2.0GHz model has been replaced by a 2.16GHz version (at $2499US), and the 1.83GHz model now sports an 2.0GHz Intel processor (at $1999US). Also, both MacBook Pro models now feature the new "glossy" display that was introduced (minutes ago) with the MacBook.Such a busy day in Mac Land.[Via Macworld]
MacBook is here, and it's black
Ah, ThinkSecret. You told us we'd get a MacBook on a Tuesday, but not which Tuesday. Regardless, the MacBook has landed, and it's pretty cool.The MacBook Pro's younger sibling features a Core Duo Intel processor at either 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz, FrontRow (and remote), a built-in iSight, a 13.3 inch "glossy" display that Apple says is "...79% brighter with 30% more viewing area" than the now defunct iBook. The Magsafe power adapter is also included, as well as a latch-less, magnetic closing mechanism. As for graphics, you'll find an Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory. Finally, Airport Extreme is built in as well.There are three pricing options: The 1.83GHz (combo drive) and 2.0GHz (Super Drive) models are available in white for $1099US and $1299 for starters. If you want black, you're going to need to come up with $1499US. For the extra two hundred bucks you get black paint and a larger hard drive (80GB @ 5400 rpm vs. 60GB at the same speed). But really, who is going to buy a white one?
CoreDuoTemp
Your new MacBook Pro runs a little hot, but how hot is it? CoreDuoTemp can tell you how hot your CPU is, as well as let you know CPU usages, and frequency. All of this for free? Well, donations are accepted.Sorry PowerPC folks, this one is Intel Mac only.
What does a whining MacBook Pro sound like?
I don't have a MacBook Pro, so I'm not able to listen to its infamous "whine." Luckily for me, some enterprising soul had the idea to record his whining laptop and post the audio to the web. He notes that the sound his computer makes in person is a bit different that what the recording presents, but it's still pretty annoying. He also notes that he has since returned the MacBook Pro. Check it out for yourself.[Via Cult of Mac]
Apple initiating a "silent" recall of batteries?
So PCSIntel is reporting that Apple's effecting a "silent" recall and replacement of first and second week MacBook Pro batteries (which start with the serial numbers W8607 and W8608) due to such symptoms as failure, power cutoffs, mis-reporting of remaining power, and unresponsiveness to status polling. You know, the usual for a 1.0 product. We didn't hear either way from Apple PR (yet -- we'll let you know if we do), but a quick call to Apple support -- which according to PCSIntel should have yielded a quick blanket-return of any part with a serial that started as stated above -- yielded no recommendation for return. In fact the support rep we spoke with researched it and told us he had no documentation or instructions to initiate any such blanket return on MBP batteries -- which we're told is why it's a "silent" recall. So that doesn't necessarily mean the batteries from the first and second weeks aren't (often) defective, or that Apple isn't necessarily silently recalling them, but, well, it kind of goes without saying that if your new system is having problems you'll be giving them a call no matter what you read here or anywhere else.[Via The Apple Core]Update: Apple's Director of Product PR called to let us know that there's no such recall of MBP batteries they're aware of -- so take that how you will. We'll take that as "there's no such recall of MBP batteries they're aware of."
Apple recalling MacBook Pro batteries
MacBook Pro owners, check your machine's serial number. If it begins with W8607 or W8608, it's eligible. There's nothing you need to do except check your mail (provided that you registered), as this is a "silent" recall, and Apple has begun cross-shipping replacement batteries to customers.So let's see, the MBP whines like a Banshee, is blisteringly hot and features a recalled part. I'm not giving up my Powerbook any time soon.[Via MacNN]
Rig of the Day: The Wing
Now here's a setup that Mr. Ive himself would envy. The desk looks like a machined airplane wing, and the Macbook Pro (we assume) is connected to the wall-mounted Apple display (here's another shot). A wireless keyboard and mouse keep the whole thing clean, clean, clean. We love it. "apple wing!" posted by jensen interceptor. If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
MultiAlarm for Powerbook/iBook
You may remember iAlertU, the "theft alarm" that you can configure to go off when your MacBook Pro is moved (by unauthorized hands, that is), by making use of the Mac's motion detector. It's a pretty nice idea, but it leaves Powerbook users out in the cold. Enter MultiAlarm.It works in a similar way, but isn't limited to the MacBook Pro. The developer has promised some Salling Clicker scripts for it as well, so you can arm/disarm your Mac from your phone, Palm device, etc. For some reason, the thought of a Starbucks full of wailing Apple laptops makes me happy.[Via FreeMacWare]
MacBook Pros overheating due to thermal grease?
This isn't the first time the accusation's been leveled at a company: misapplication of thermal grease causing overheating hardware got a bunch of Xbox 360 fans in a furor over what turned out to be intentional manufacture. Well, a Something Awful forum poster by the name of Interrupting Moss was having (unintentional) thermal issues with his own overheating 129° F MacBook Pro, so he cracked it open and found a dearth of silvery paste. He generously reapplied his own and re-gauged the temperature at 103° -- a 26 degree drop, and that's only an IR reading of the keyboard area. Is this a cure-all for overheating MacBooks the world over? Hard to say, but if your MacBook is too hot to handle (certainly not too cold to hold), you might consider a more mano a la máquina approach before you wait in line to talk to a Genius just to have him/her whisk away your precious laptop for who knows how long. [Warning: link possibly NSFW][Via The Inq]
Gawker - record, share, combine time-lapse movies with an iSight
Gawker is a really interesting open source app that takes a very simple, yet powerful, approach to capturing time-lapse videos from an iSight camera - be it your own or someone else's. As you can see in this image, Gawker can utilize smart networking abilities of Bonjour to see if any other Macs on your network are running Gawker with an iSight, or you can enable iSight access over the web. You even have control over image quality, resolution and fps.Check out the project's examples page for some intriguing samples of what this software can do, such as sped-up footage of snow melting in Colorado and a PowerBook hard drive replacement.After a little tinkering, I must say Gawker is darn slick and drop-dead-easy to use. But before you ask: I'm not sure if other cameras are compatible. Head over to Gawker's project page for more information.
Apple Keyboard Update 1.0
An odd headline, I know, but it's true: last night Apple released Keyboard Update 1.0 for their Intel-based Macs including the MacBook Pro, iMac (Early 2006) and Mac mini (Early 2006). From Apple's site: "The Apple Keyboard Update 1.0 addresses reliability of keyboard and mouse functionality."You can grab the update either through Software Update or from Apple's Support Downloads.
New Mac ads coming
Other than the Intel ads, when was the last time we saw an ad from Apple that wasn't about the iPod or iTunes? It's safe to say that it has been a while. At this week's Apple shareholder's meeting, Steve said that new ads would debut during May sweeps, though no details were given about just what products (new or otherwise) would be the focus of the new spots. Perhaps the MacBook Pros? We'll have to wait and see.
MacBook Pros now available in 20 colors - from ColorWare
It seems like the rumors of multi-colored MacBook Pros were true, though Apple wasn't the one who dipped them in paint. ColorWare, purveyors of colorized high-end electronics, has added the 15-inch MacBook Pro (sorry, no 17-inch - yet) to their array of products you can purchase new and colorized. They also offer their colorizing service for those who need to add some colorful zing to that old 'n busted product you bought mere weeks ago.Their highly-secretive colorizing process costs $449 (not including shipping) for Apple's pro notebook line, which also includes the new MacBook Pro. A base model 1.83 GHz MacBook Pro purchased from ColorWare in something other than Apple's standard titanium grey will cost $2449, while the higher-end 2.0 GHz model sells for $2949. You'll also have to wait for your brighter and shinier Intel-based pro Apple notebook: current shipping times are 2-3 weeks.I have yet to see one of these in the wild, and it's hard to say what my reaction would be. Apple has obviously done a fantastic engineering and design job on their latest PowerBook line. Notice how virtually nothing changed between PPC and Intel machines - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Still, it's good to have choices, even if they're $449 choices.[via The Apple Blog]
Apple Design Awards 2006 now accepting entries
"Show off your latest feat of programming genius," says the Apple Developer Connection email announcing the call for entries to their 11th annual Design Awards. Recognizing "technical excellence and outstanding achievement in developing Mac OS X software," there are eight award categories into which developers can submit their apps: Best Mac OS X Developer Tool, Best Use of Mac OS X Graphics, Best Widget, Automator Workflow, User Experience, Game, Scientific Computing Solution and Student Product.As far as what winning developers receive for all their hard work, Apple's going all out this year. Each category winner receives two 15-inch MacBook Pros, two 23-inch Cinema Displays, an ADC Premiere Membership, a WWDC 2006 E-ticket, and an exhibitor space at Macworld 2007. The Student category winner will receive one 15-inch MacBook Pro, one 23-inch Cinema Display, one 60GB iPod, an ADC Student Membership, and a WWDC 2006 Student E-ticket. Does anyone else find it odd the non-student members don't receive an iPod? And how about the lack of PowerMac prizes?The entry deadline is June 16th, and the winners will be honored at WWDC in August.
Engadget Podcast 076 - 04.25.06
Just because we had to take a week off to perform certain civic duties doesn't mean the news stops,. So we're back this week with the latest on Motorolas new Canary phone (which could well be the followup to the RAZR), the Sidekick III showing up on the FCC, Apple's new spensivo 17-inch MacBook Pro, whatever it is AT&T is doing to fight their own battle for the digital living room, and the Venzero One portable audio player. Enjoy! Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 43:24, 19.8 MB, MP3 Program 01:54 - Motorola RAZR 2 / Canary? 04:40 - Sidekick III hits the FCC 08:11 - Apple unveils the 17-inch MacBook Pro 11:30 - Venzero announces the Venzero One 18:14 - AT&T to launch Homezone TV service 22:47 - Listener voicemail / e-mail LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
17 inch MacBook Pro: a video pro's dream
Philip Michaels thinks that the new 17 inch MacBook Pro is aim squarely at video/design professionals, and I have to agree. He notes the release date coincided with NAB (the National Association of Broadcasters conference) which is a good start. The larger screen is of obvious appeal to folks working with video, as is the Firewire 800 port (absent in the 15 inch MacBook Pro).So, video people, is this the MacBook Pro that you have been waiting for?
