macbooks now a little less slower

Yeah, they bumped the MacBooks up to Core 2 Duo. About 25% faster.

I’m not convinced all the issues in Rev A have been resolved, even though the new processors run cooler. I think its mostly a case design issue.

Methinks MacBook Pro’s still the way to go. When’s my bonus coming then?

Advertisement

it’s about bloody time

Apple’s finally admitted to the MacBook line’s Random Shutdown Syndrome (RSS), and have released an official patch for the problem here. Thanks to MacBook Random Shutdown for the news.

And just when I’ve decided to get the Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro instead (but after Leopard’s release, and after year-end bonus). Bloody Steve Jobs, always playing me like a cheap hussy.

I’ve even started looking around for superfluous accessories like these damn cool crossbone stickers. Arg. Scrawny angmoh not included.

ipoding

My nano went apeshit on the way home today. Suddenly just kept skipping tracks for no reason and got stuck on permanent skip. Nothing a quick reset couldn’t fix though. I’m just letting it run now to check if it happens again.

In case anyone needs to know (off the Apple site):

Reset for iPods with Click Wheel:

1. Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
2. Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.

If the above steps did not work, try connecting iPod to a power adapter and plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet, or connect iPod to your computer. Make sure the computer is turned on and isn’t set to go to sleep.

Here’s Steve from a while back:

You know, you keep on innovating, you keep on making better stuff. And if you always want the latest and greatest, then you have to buy a new iPod at least once a year.

Ya greedy bastard, almost got my money.

In any case, more Apple news (again…)

IT’S COMING…..

update:
FairPlay’s just been cracked by DVD Jon. I doubt this’ll cause shipping delays, can’t miss that Xmas rush, but Steve’s gonna be pissed…

my bump, my bump, my bump

Well, the MacBook Pros just got bumped. Like a minute ago. Up to 2.33Ghz and 3GB RAM, hmm. I expect exhausting spec-to-spec comparisons on the tech news blogs within the hour.

Now to wait til spring next year for Leopard, argh.

scrybe

I’ve been using a combination of Backpack and Google Calendar for my online organiser needs for a while now, though the combination leaves a little to be desired.

Backpack is fantastic, GCal is ok, but Scrybe looks to beat both hands down – except its a little on the fugly side. But the intuitive calendar zooms and offline sync features are pretty damn impressive. I’ll give it a try once its out.

Got this off Digg.

core 2 duo next week?

So says Laptoping.com, but I’m not holding my breath.

Actually, the timing’s not too bad, since Leopard’s only out Spring 2007 (Jan, Feb? When the hell’s spring?!) – that gives Apple time to fix the inevitable heating, whining issues that will plague the Merom-bumped MacBook Pros.

Who’m I kidding? Half a year later and they still havent fixed Random Shutdown Syndrome on the MacBooks – will I never be able to give Apple my money?!

apple roundups

Well, no Core 2 Duo bump to the MacBooks, no widescreen iPod (which is what I meant by video iPod) but holy shit, the new aluminium nanos are pretty sweet. The shuffle totally caught me by surprise, that thing is purdy.

Not really concerned about the iTV and iTunes stores upgrades, I can’t watch movies on my nano anyway, plus I shudder to think of the DRM. The video iPod upgrades are quite cool too, games like Pacman and Bejeweled, 50% brighter, instant search and gapless playback (finally!).

Here’re a couple of detailed roundups for your perusal:

Gizmodo

Engadget

Macrumors

Arstechnica

have you tried turning it off and on again?

I’ve been considering and re-considering getting a MacBook since they came out awhile back, but I’m pretty glad I’ve waited this long.

Seems like Apple’s been screwing up a fair bit with their portable Intel Mac line so far; there’re some quite horrendous stories out there. I’ve been doing some research, and here’re some pretty good resources to keep on hand when your (or eventually my) Mac decides to ki qia.

Sick Macbooks

AppleDefects.com

Mac Users Group (Singapore) – MacBook & iBook

In the meantime, I’ll wait a bit longer and see what Steve has to say this coming Tuesday. I say still no video iPod, no bump up to Core 2 Duo for MacBook and MacBook Pros, maybe alumnium iPod nanos and most likely movie downloads for iTunes.

unboxing – Sony Ericsson K800i

After years of gadget lust and student budgets, I finally splash out on a bit of self-lurve, techie style. The Sony Ericsson K800i is SE’s first cameraphone under the Cybershot banner, which means this phone has a bitching camera. I’m still fooling around with it, but really I just spend all my time playing tennis and checking RSS feeds on it.

Word of advice, please don’t install Sony’s PC Suite unless you want to drown in bloatware. Just install the driver for USB connection and you’re set. I tried using floAt’s Mobile Agent, which is quite a powerful app for earlier SE models. Unfortunately the K800i is too new, so I need to wait for 2.1 to come out of beta before I start using it.

Unboxing photos coming right up…

box and accessories

for size comparison

Not the usual Sony Carl Zeiss lens, unfortunately.

Grace has a total boner for the purple backlight. I’m like ‘meh’

Browsing’s pretty quick, if a little cramped. Yonks ahead of my old T610.

Next up, here’re some pictures taken with the K800i.

Colour’s a bit green. Keep forgetting to white-balance.

Forgot to set for daylight.

The macro’s not toooo bad…

The autofocus is kinda slow.

Ah, maybe the Xenon flash isn’t such a good idea here.

schweat schtains

Macbook owners are reporting a new problem with the good-looking notebook:

…most commonly, yellowish-redish spots appear on the plastic where the palm rests, and on the trackpad button. These spots cannot be removed by any cleaning solution, and seem to only get worse over time.

I was planning to get the white MacBook to not have to pay the ridiculous $340 premium for a black finish… but freaking sweat stains? As Aaron might so elegantly put it – grosst.