Macenstein

Dell adopts Mac mini “marketing ploy”

Posted by Igor In a swift and decisive move, Dell Computers announced today that it will begin shipping all systems with intentionally mis-labeled specifications on the boxes. In what is being seen as an obvious attempt to play catch up with Apple computer’s brilliant move to sell its Mac mini systems with specs that may “meet or exceed” those listed on their packing, Dell took the move one step further. “We feel the average consumer is becoming bored with... Read More

New Power Macs at MacWorld SF, new PowerBooks November 1st

Posted by Igor Our sources hint at 2 upcoming revisions to Apple’s most important professional products, the Power Mac G5 and the PowerBook G4. The PowerBook update is said to be relatively minor, while the real news is the desktop update. Due the week of the MacWorld SF convention, the Power Mac is expected to (finally) see an upgrade to the 970MP Dual Core PowerPC processor. Speeds should top out around 3 GHz. The 3GHz mark has been the holy grail Mac users have been searching... Read More

Apple blames iPod nano screen defects on obese Americans/tight pants

Apple today officially acknowledged that a small number of iPod nano owners have reported problems with the hot-selling music player. Customers are reporting instances where after removing the iPod nano from their front pockets (much as Steve Jobs did during the iPod nano’s famous unveiling) finding that the nano’s LCD screen is cracked, and in some instances, no longer works at all. Apple’s SVP of Marketing Phil Schiller said today in a press release “…this... Read More

LG to be the first to commercially produce fuel cel batteries for portables

Posted by Dr. Macenstein LG Chem, a subsidiary of Korean-basedLG Electronics, announced today it plans to be the first company to commercially produce fuel cel batteries for notebook computers and other portables. The batteries, powered by removable methanol canisters, are currently able to produce 25W of power for 10 hours (per canister). The cell itself is expected to last for over 4000 hours. Right now the solution seems less than ideal for portables, as the battery is roughly... Read More

Apple acknowledges nano screen problems

Posted by Dr. Macenstein Apple acknowledged reported problems affecting their iPod nano’s screen yesterday. Reports of cracked and easily scratched screens apeared last week on Flawedmusicplayer.com. Apple says it has received reports of a small number of cracked screens, and those customers who are affected by this “minor issue” can exchange theis nanos for replacements. Apple blames the problem on “vendor quality problem in a small number of units”,... Read More

Delicious Monster Founder Wil Shipley is planning to offer $500 for proof that a Mac virus exists

Posted by Igor Like many fans of the Mac, it appears Mr. Shipley is tired of reports that the Mac is “mostly” virus-free, despite there being no documented proof of active Mac viruses out there. Says the Delicious Monster Founder, “if a reporter asked you, “Hey, do you have herpes?” and you replied, “Nope, I’ve been tested, no herpes, never,” and then they wrote an article with the headline, “Bob Smith: Mostly Herpes-Free,”... Read More

Apple beaten to Dual-Core punch?

Posted by Igor OSnews is reporting that the company Genesi has announced they will build a 970MP (dual-core G5) server, named “Open Server Workstation”. This would be the first production computer to utilize two 970MP chips. Rumors have been flying in past months of an upcoming G5 PowerMac revision featuring two 970MP chips, but so far our sources have been unable to confirm this.  Read More

Sid Meier’s Civilization 4 due out October 24th for PC- No word on Mac edition yet

Posted by Dr. Macenstein Sid Meier’s Civilization 4 is due to ship this October for PC. A Mac edition is expected to follow, although no timetable is given. Past Mac-ports of the Civilization franchise were handled by Macsoft. Amazon is currently taking pre-orders for the PC version. This special pre-sale version includes: collector’s case, CD soundtrack, keyboard layout, tech tree poster, and spiral bound manual. The game costs $49.99 and has free shipping.  Read More

LoopRumors.com lists more 10.5 features

Posted by Dr. Macenstein LoopRumors.com has posted part 2 of their ongoing coverage of the rumored feature set for Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard. Of note, LoopRumors claims we will see “An iPod Home feature.” which will allow “users of two different computers to finally use one iPod. Although music is still not allowed to be copied from the iPod to the Macintosh, a shared Home directory will be available to users of multiple machines.” Credibility: 7/10  Read More

Updates to Mac mini tomorrow, sources say

Posted by Igor Sources have confirmed that the much rumored speed bumps to the mac mini line will come no later than end of week, and signs point to a September 27th release date. Don’t look for any big special event, however, as these updates will hardly be noticeable. Word has it the low end Mac mini will see a boost from 1.3 GHz to a 1.33 GHz G4, and the “high-end” mini will top out at 1.5 GHz. At this point we can’t say for sure whether the SuperDrive... Read More