My MacBook Pro is hot, hot, hot! And I mean hot as in boiling hot. I love my new Macbook Pro but the thing runs terribly hot.
Two areas get exceedingly hot: the bottom towards the back and front panel right under the screen. I cannot use it as a laptop with shorts, I'd burn my legs!
I've checked with others and I am not alone (this is not an example of a single faulty product). Its ashame because its about the only thing I don't like about the Macbook Pro.
True my old Dell Latitude ran hot and many other notebooks do as well, but frankly I can't believe how hot this Macbook gets. I am afraid to leave it lying on the couch "on" (obviously shutting the lid puts it to asleep and it cools quickly).
Nothing is perfect, so I live with it.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Is the MacBook Pro 17" too big?
Is the MacBook Pro 17” too big? Will it actually fit on your lap?
This was a serious question I had before I made my purchase. I wanted the impressive screen resolution but was afraid that the MacBook Pro’s physical size and weight would result in a case of severe buyer’s remorse.
Since I didn’t know anyone with a MacBook Pro 17”, I could only experience it live in the Apple Store. That wasn’t ideal, trust me. All of the computers are alarmed, so there is no easy way to move it to your lap… nor is there a couch to sit down in and try it on your lap. I finally convinced an Apple employee to un-tether it from the alarm, but without a comfortable couch in sight, I could only pretend what the experience would be.
One thing I did manage to do, however, was to try it out in my bag. Not that I intended to travel much with this monster (if I were the traveling type, a MacBook Air would be my choice), but I didn’t want to end up making another purchase if I found it a tad too big for my bag. That all worked out, thankfully.
So, in the end, I decided it would be manageable and I ordered it online. A week later it arrived and I am happy to say that its very comfortable on my lap, much better than I expected. Its thin profile and ample area below the keyboard (where you can rest your wrists) makes it work quite nicely on your lap, on the couch, in front of the TV. The only complaint is this: it run hot, very hot at times. No shorts… you’ll burn your legs… no kidding. Now that I hadn’t thought of!
This was a serious question I had before I made my purchase. I wanted the impressive screen resolution but was afraid that the MacBook Pro’s physical size and weight would result in a case of severe buyer’s remorse.
Since I didn’t know anyone with a MacBook Pro 17”, I could only experience it live in the Apple Store. That wasn’t ideal, trust me. All of the computers are alarmed, so there is no easy way to move it to your lap… nor is there a couch to sit down in and try it on your lap. I finally convinced an Apple employee to un-tether it from the alarm, but without a comfortable couch in sight, I could only pretend what the experience would be.
One thing I did manage to do, however, was to try it out in my bag. Not that I intended to travel much with this monster (if I were the traveling type, a MacBook Air would be my choice), but I didn’t want to end up making another purchase if I found it a tad too big for my bag. That all worked out, thankfully.
So, in the end, I decided it would be manageable and I ordered it online. A week later it arrived and I am happy to say that its very comfortable on my lap, much better than I expected. Its thin profile and ample area below the keyboard (where you can rest your wrists) makes it work quite nicely on your lap, on the couch, in front of the TV. The only complaint is this: it run hot, very hot at times. No shorts… you’ll burn your legs… no kidding. Now that I hadn’t thought of!
![[i] link by personafile | visit personafile.com | #8091](http://personafile.com/_shared/~~pk-000000000044432-b1c5e5a579b64164a51c046836c56f8b~~ea21f057c06b23788114407625a66220~03108C78091.gif){kind=small}
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Problems with iChat? Go to port 443.
My new MacBook is awesome except when it isn't. Like iChat. Since I got this computer, I can't keep iChat connected. What happens is this: iChat will connect and then, after about 1 minute, it will disconnect and retry about 5 times until it complains.
After a little research, turns out the default port 5190 is the problem. It needs to be switched to 443. No kidding. Out of the box it doesn't work, news to Apple fans everywhere: Apple isn't perfect.
Here's what you do: in iChat preferences, select Accounts. Then under the Server Settings tab, change port 5190 to 443. Close the prefs window. You may need to quit and relaunch iChat.
On port 443, mine stays connected now!
After a little research, turns out the default port 5190 is the problem. It needs to be switched to 443. No kidding. Out of the box it doesn't work, news to Apple fans everywhere: Apple isn't perfect.
Here's what you do: in iChat preferences, select Accounts. Then under the Server Settings tab, change port 5190 to 443. Close the prefs window. You may need to quit and relaunch iChat.
On port 443, mine stays connected now!
![[i] link by personafile | visit personafile.com | #7996](http://personafile.com/_shared/~~pk-000000000044432-b1c5e5a579b64164a51c046836c56f8b~~ea21f057c06b23788114407625a66220~03102267996.gif){kind=small}
Monday, June 9, 2008
iTunes 7.7
iTunes 7.7 will debut in July (July 11th) when the 3G iPhone ships. It will handle app store functionality, the new iPhone 3G update, the iPhone 2.0 software update for existing iPhones, and the new MobileMe cloud syncing features. You'll note that its a "requirement" for new iPhone, http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTE2NTQ.
![[i] link by personafile | visit personafile.com | #7927](http://personafile.com/_shared/~~pk-000000000044451-1ce358f3ea9a4240b957ca385015bf92~~ea21f057c06b23788114407625a66220~03082A57927.gif){kind=small}
Saturday, April 12, 2008
New ThinkPads: X200, X400, X500
Gizmodo has a post on what promised to be the fall refresh of the ThinkPad lineup (post here).
Following on the popular X300 will be the X200, X400, and X500. The X200 with have a 12-inch screen, X400 14.1-inch, and X500 15.4-inch. All will sport the 45nm Intel "Penryn" processor (Why do laptop manufacturers spec screen sizes in inches? I want to know resolution, as in 1600x1200 pixels, they like to hide that data.)
This is good news, as the greatest disappointment with the light-weight/thin X300 is choice, particularly screen size. With the arrival of the Macbook Air, all future laptop brands will be judged by their “thin” lineups.
The rumor is that these X series laptops will have HSDPA and EVDO, two high-speed cellular data network protocols.
I am excited about the expansion of the ThinkPad X-series lineup!
The current X300:
Following on the popular X300 will be the X200, X400, and X500. The X200 with have a 12-inch screen, X400 14.1-inch, and X500 15.4-inch. All will sport the 45nm Intel "Penryn" processor (Why do laptop manufacturers spec screen sizes in inches? I want to know resolution, as in 1600x1200 pixels, they like to hide that data.)
This is good news, as the greatest disappointment with the light-weight/thin X300 is choice, particularly screen size. With the arrival of the Macbook Air, all future laptop brands will be judged by their “thin” lineups.
The rumor is that these X series laptops will have HSDPA and EVDO, two high-speed cellular data network protocols.
I am excited about the expansion of the ThinkPad X-series lineup!
The current X300:
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![[i] link by personafile | visit personafile.com | #6305](http://personafile.com/_shared/~~pk-000000000044436-4da8e8ef158245929a3bba7c854e3f57~~ea21f057c06b23788114407625a66220~03024DE6305.gif){kind=small}
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
iPhone 3g chip
Some developer digging through the iPhone 2.0 SDK ROM came across a reference to the "SGOLD3". Seems like Apple has picked its 3G chip for the next gen iPhone.
Here the dope on this chip:
With its new - GOLD3H baseband, Infineon Technologies extends its well known S-GOLD baseband family to support the 3.5G mobile phone generation. The integrated dual-mode HSDPA/WCDMA/E-GPRS modem technology,together with high speed multimedia hardware accelerators and the advanced connectivity options enable S-GOLD3H to fulfill the requirements of tomorrow's mobile phones.
INFINEON is one of the early platform vendors to support HSDPA category 8 (7.2 Mbit/s). The implementation of equalizer based advanced receiver technology improves the data throughput, especially at high data rates, by up to 40%. In addition, the software programmable slot processing in the HSDPA Rx path provides further flexibility for performanceenhancements. The HSDPA performance of S-GOLD3H meets and exceeds all test cases as specified in the 3GPP standard.
INFINEON's 3.5G physical layer architecture is future-proof and designed for an easy upgrade to higher HSDPA data rates, HSUPA and also Rx-diversity.
-3.5G gen chip
-HSDPA/WCDMA/E-GPRS
-HSDPA category 8 (7.2 Mbit/s)
-ARM 926 based single model/application processor
-MPEG4 / H.263 hardware processor
Check out the spec sheet
Heard that its the best on power of the new generation 3G chips (hope so).
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![[i] link by personafile | visit personafile.com | #6248](http://personafile.com/_shared/~~pk-000000000044121-f28d3eff1cf64884bede1f4644846475~~ea21f057c06b23788114407625a66220~03021556248.gif){kind=small}
Saturday, April 5, 2008
3G iPhone
Here is my collection of random thoughts on the forthcoming 3G iPhone.
1. It's coming in June. WWDC probably. Lots of evidence is pointing this way: lack of supply of the current models, AT&T CEO slip up, Walt Mossberg prediction, etc.
2. While 3G will be a vast improvement over EDGE, I think there are some caveats, namely coverage and power. 3G has a limited rollout (coverage), so if you are not in the right place, you'll be experiencing EDGE speeds.
Take a look at the map below. It details the data coverage in my area (San Jose, CA). Note that 3G is in a limited area, whereas EDGE is pretty much everywhere voice is.
To check 3G coverage in your area visit http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer
3. Hopefully Apple has dealt with the big tradeoff: power. 3G is a power-hungry pig. New chipsets apparently are making great headway in reducing the power load, but it's not going to be pretty. The problem only gets worse in poor coverage areas, the "fringe" of 3G coverage; here the chipset or firmware (not sure who's in charge) has to make a quick decision on either dropping down to EDGE or "trying harder" in 3g mode. And there's the rub: "trying harder" is where you burn the most power and get the least bang for the buck. And because 3G is not rolled out in all areas where you'll presently find EDGE, there will be a lot of "fringe". All in all, I am all for 3g and I'm sure Apple applied their best magic to this product.
4. No doubt the 3G iPhone will run the new iPhone 2.0 software (and existing phones too). The iPhone 2.0 software is the "SDK ready" release. So new 3G iPhone will support forthcoming 3rd party applications. What's not clear, from the current SDK documentation, is how you'll know (how the application might know) what data network it's on: 3G or EDGE/GPRS. That would certainly play into a developer's decision to push more bytes in a higher bandwidth environment. Perhaps Apple will detail this to developers in the near future. What I think a lot of developers are hoping for is some way to run their applications in the background. Apple has made no provision for this, from what I can see. This means a good instant messaging app will be hard to write.
5. Will the 3G iPhone replace the current model? My guess is yes. But I guess it depends on the price point and margin structure. At some point Apple will go down-market with the iPhone, to the masses, if you will (and that will be a good day). Will the current model continue with a price cut as a down-market product? I don't think so, I think Apple will do something more like the 'iPhone nano' to go down-market.
6. Data is important: new surveys point to the fact that iPhone users are big data users. Many are overbuying their voice plans and racking up rollover minutes. 3G is needed for the iPhone considering its use model.
7. 3G and Europe. Apple will not make huge inroads into the European and Asian markets until 3G is standard. Coverage is better there and customer expectations are higher.
btw, this content got published on /products
1. It's coming in June. WWDC probably. Lots of evidence is pointing this way: lack of supply of the current models, AT&T CEO slip up, Walt Mossberg prediction, etc.
2. While 3G will be a vast improvement over EDGE, I think there are some caveats, namely coverage and power. 3G has a limited rollout (coverage), so if you are not in the right place, you'll be experiencing EDGE speeds.
Take a look at the map below. It details the data coverage in my area (San Jose, CA). Note that 3G is in a limited area, whereas EDGE is pretty much everywhere voice is.
To check 3G coverage in your area visit http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer
3. Hopefully Apple has dealt with the big tradeoff: power. 3G is a power-hungry pig. New chipsets apparently are making great headway in reducing the power load, but it's not going to be pretty. The problem only gets worse in poor coverage areas, the "fringe" of 3G coverage; here the chipset or firmware (not sure who's in charge) has to make a quick decision on either dropping down to EDGE or "trying harder" in 3g mode. And there's the rub: "trying harder" is where you burn the most power and get the least bang for the buck. And because 3G is not rolled out in all areas where you'll presently find EDGE, there will be a lot of "fringe". All in all, I am all for 3g and I'm sure Apple applied their best magic to this product.
4. No doubt the 3G iPhone will run the new iPhone 2.0 software (and existing phones too). The iPhone 2.0 software is the "SDK ready" release. So new 3G iPhone will support forthcoming 3rd party applications. What's not clear, from the current SDK documentation, is how you'll know (how the application might know) what data network it's on: 3G or EDGE/GPRS. That would certainly play into a developer's decision to push more bytes in a higher bandwidth environment. Perhaps Apple will detail this to developers in the near future. What I think a lot of developers are hoping for is some way to run their applications in the background. Apple has made no provision for this, from what I can see. This means a good instant messaging app will be hard to write.
5. Will the 3G iPhone replace the current model? My guess is yes. But I guess it depends on the price point and margin structure. At some point Apple will go down-market with the iPhone, to the masses, if you will (and that will be a good day). Will the current model continue with a price cut as a down-market product? I don't think so, I think Apple will do something more like the 'iPhone nano' to go down-market.
6. Data is important: new surveys point to the fact that iPhone users are big data users. Many are overbuying their voice plans and racking up rollover minutes. 3G is needed for the iPhone considering its use model.
7. 3G and Europe. Apple will not make huge inroads into the European and Asian markets until 3G is standard. Coverage is better there and customer expectations are higher.
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![[i] link by personafile | visit personafile.com | #6208](http://personafile.com/_shared/~~pk-000000000044121-f28d3eff1cf64884bede1f4644846475~~ea21f057c06b23788114407625a66220~03017746208.gif){kind=small}
btw, this content got published on /products
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
MacBook Air: did I buy one?
Not so long ago I posted on the awesome Macbook Air. And for the record, it is awesome, Apple did a great job. But I didn't buy one (yet). Three issues are holding me back:
1. Price
Apple charges just to darn much for this thing. Sure I can buy the 1.6GHz unit for $1799.00 but I sure want that SSD and a $3098 MRSP is just too steep.
2. Screen size
Not enough pixels. I need/want/gotta have more. I am used to a 1600x1200 laptop, and stepping down to the MBA's resolution would be painful. If it were 1600x1200, I'd buy it right now, period.
3. SSD
The solid state hard drive is where its at. Silent, fast, cooler (in both senses of the word). But (see #1) the price increment is outrageous. The Thinkpad X300, which only has a SSD, is cheaper by comparison.
1. Price
Apple charges just to darn much for this thing. Sure I can buy the 1.6GHz unit for $1799.00 but I sure want that SSD and a $3098 MRSP is just too steep.
2. Screen size
Not enough pixels. I need/want/gotta have more. I am used to a 1600x1200 laptop, and stepping down to the MBA's resolution would be painful. If it were 1600x1200, I'd buy it right now, period.
3. SSD
The solid state hard drive is where its at. Silent, fast, cooler (in both senses of the word). But (see #1) the price increment is outrageous. The Thinkpad X300, which only has a SSD, is cheaper by comparison.
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![[i] link by personafile | visit personafile.com | #5897](http://personafile.com/_shared/~~pk-000000000043856-e595f6ff41b94b1abb767bedef36b423~~ef2535ab7ac8517b1074dd9d8b626011~02993AD5897.gif){kind=small}
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Apple iPod Shuffle 2GB version
Apple announced a 2GB version of the popular Shuffle. Its $69, reducing the price of of the 1GB to $49. I guess this is a good idea, of course you get 2GB for less than the 1GB version (as of yesterday's pricing)... though how much music can you listen to while working out? And since its hard to navigate through songs, 500 songs might be more of a problem than its worth. Anyway, onward and upward, at a reduced price.
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Monday, February 11, 2008
New Sony Cybershot DSC-W170
The Sony DSC-W170 is the latest addition to Sony's Cyber-Shot W series of digital still cameras. The Sony DSC-W170 features a 10.1 mega pixel and a Carl Zeiss 5x optical zoom capable of wide angle views of 28mm-140mm and 30mm-150mm. The Sony DSC-W170 also has a 2.7 inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder.
Nice camera!
Nice camera!
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Sunday, February 10, 2008
Go RED
While there is nothing special about this laptop itself (its a great, solid laptop in its class), the (PRODUCT) RED designation makes is special. I like the concept that a consumer can add a little to a good cause by simply buying a great product. (PRODUCT) RED products help the fight against AIDS, see www.joinred.com.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
MacBook Air
I finally got my hands on a MacBook Air at a local Apple Store. This is a stunning product. No picture does it justice. Beware: you might just buy one if you touch one.
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Friday, February 8, 2008
EEE Micro Linux PC - Cool
Looking for a cheap, lightweight laptop? The Asus Eee PC is the way to go. A cross between a pocket PC and a full-size laptop, it's great for students and travelers. Weighing in at a mere 2 pounds, the Asus Eee PC is light yet sturdy. Bigger than a Palm Pilot, but smaller that most laptops, this brand new model is a must-have for students. With a price tag of around $350, a teenager can take it to school, or a business person can carry it on the road without worry about toting around an expensive piece of equipment.
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