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Powerlogix Upgrade for 10.4.4 compatibility
If you run a Powerlogix proc in your Mac then you probably are already aware that each OS upgrade means upgrading your CPU Director software. In case you were out of the loop or mesmerized by the keynote you've been looping incessantly for the past few days, be sure todownload the upgrade. I've been having kernel panics even with 10.4.3 if I don't run CPU Director in the background. Has anyone else had similar issues?
My perspective on Unsanity's MacBook Pro "Lost in Transition" post
One of Unsanity's programmers by the name of Rosyna has posted a really interesting commentary on the new MacBook Pros titled Lost in Translation, focusing on some significant issues that need to be addressed. I recommend you check it out, as it raises questions on a number of issues that Steve Jobs seemed to have glazed over in his keynote.On the flip side though, I couldn't help posting this without offering a response to some of the issues. While I am neither a programmer nor an Apple Engineer, I think I can add a few interesting ideas to the discussion.
15-inch aluminum PowerBook battery update
Apple has released a Battery Update specific to the 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook. I'm not sure if that includes all of the 15-inch Aluminum books, but it showed up in Software Update, and my book is one of the latest DL SuperDrive models out there. Straight from Sotware Update, this 820 KB update "aids the 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook battery in performing at full capacity."I haven't really heard of any issues, though I always suspected I wasn't getting the most out of my fairly new battery. Since I typically have a lot of apps running that pummel my WiFi and hard drive, I wasn't going to make a stink out of it. Regardless, I hope this update does some good for all you 15-inch aluminum PowerBook owners out there.[thanks meatmcguffin!]
On power adapters, PMUs and the new PowerBooks
As I was using my one month old PowerBook yesterday, I was alarmed to see the charging light on the power adapter randomly shift between orange and green. I came up empty handed after some googling and searching Apple's Support pages, so I started plugging the adapter into other outlets in the apartment. No go; my adapter was still putting on its own little glowstick show for me. I then decided to look up Apple's support document detailing the procedure for resetting a PowerBook's PMU (Power Management Unit), which brings me to the first lesson I learned: Apple changed the PMU reset procedure for the most recent 15" and 17" Dual Layer SD PowerBooks, so definitely check it out if you go down this same road.Unfortunately, a PMU reset still didn't solve my dilemma. Getting nervous, I finally decided to take advantage of Apple's insulting "90 days of complementary support" to see if they could bail me out. Fortunately, after some troubleshooting, I learned my second lesson of the day: PowerBook and iBook adapters, if left plugged into a wall for too long, might need to actually be reset. This can easily be done by unplugging both of an adapter's ends for at least 60 seconds. We didn't delve into the inner workings of these power adapters for an explanation, but I've kept one plugged into a specific outlet in my apartment for probably at least a month or two, and I guess that might be just enough to make a power adapter a little confused in the head. So kids, remember: don't be like me. Keep your power adapter happy and light-show free by unplugging it from time to time.
