Category Archives: MacBook Air

Hands-on with the Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station with Dual DVI/HDMI/VGA Video (Giveaway!)

Posted on May 25, 2013 by admin

The popularity of Apple’s MacBook Pro and Air laptops is one of the reasons that Mac sales have increased while PC sales are waning. But if there’s one thing that the laptop experience is lacking, it’s a plethora of USB 3.0 and video ports. Kensington’s USB 3.0 Docking Station with DVI/HDMI/VGA Video (Model sd3500v, US$199.99) has been around for a while to help out PC laptop users; the recent availability for OS X drivers for the DisplayLink hardware inside the unit now gives MacBook owners a piece of the action. Design The Docking Station is a slim vertical black tower that’s unobtrusive on any desktop. On the front of the unit are a pair of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports as well as connectors for a pair of headphones and a microphone (or headset). Like many a good bar, all the action is in the back — there are four USB 3.0 ports, a gigabit Ethernet adapter, a DVI port that can be used for VGA or HDMI output with included adapters, and a separate HDMI port. All of this port activity requires some power, so there’s also a 5V AC adapter included that plugs into the back of the unit. The unit has a good, solid feel. Since it’s made by Kensington, there’s a standard Kensington lock port on one side as well so the dock won’t “walk away” from your desk over a weekend. Functionality The best way to test a multi-port docking station of this type is to hook it up and play with it. Prior to connecting, Mac users will need to download and install the free DisplayLink USB 3.0 for Mac OS X driver . Plugging the docking station into power turns on a blue indicator light on the front of the tower, while connecting a USB 3.0 cable from your MacBook to the dock illuminates a small green USB indicator light. From this point on, you can start plugging in your choice of devices. I tested the docking station with a VGA connection to an external monitor, and was able to drive that monitor at 1920 x 1080 while my MacBook Pro happily supported its own Retina display. For even more fun, I plugged in an old VGA monitor while driving the external monitor via HDMI. The three displays (built-in, HDMI, VGA) all worked properly, although resolution on the old, cheap VGA monitor was a bit off — that’s more of an issue of the monitor and not the docking station. I plugged in a variety of USB 3.0 and 2.0 devices — hard drives, flash drives, even a printer — and all worked like a champ with the docking station. If you need one less video port (for instance, you may already have a mini-DisplayPort to HDMI or VGA adapter that you want to use), Kensington also sells a model (sd3000v) that has a single DVI port and adapters for VGA or HDMI priced at $169.99. Conclusion For MacBook Pro or Air owners looking for a way to easily connect an array of monitors and USB devices to their laptops with a single plugin, the Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station with Dual DVI/HDMI/VGA Video is a compact and high-functioning peripheral. Pros Compact vertical design takes up very little desktop space Two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and four “regular” USB 3.0/2.0 ports provide a lot of expansion capability Theoretically, using the two ports on this device as well as the two Thunderbolt ports and HDMI-out on the MacBook Pro, you can drive up to five external monitors (note, this was not tested…) Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Owners of USB 3.0-equipped MacBook Pro or MacBook Air notebooks who want a fast way to connect multiple monitors and devices Giveaway Our review unit is up for grabs for one lucky TUAW reader. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 28, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station with Dual DVI/HDMI/VGA Video valued at US$199.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading… Hands-on with the Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station with Dual DVI/HDMI/VGA Video (Giveaway!) originally appeared on TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sat, 25 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Source  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments Continue reading →

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Apple seeds OS X 10.8.4 beta build 12E55 to developers

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

A little over a week since the previous build , Apple has seeded OS X 10.8.4 beta 12E55 to developers. Once again, the build contains no known issues and Apple asks developers to focus on Safari, Graphics, WiFi, and Windows File Sharing. Thanks, D! Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apps, beta, bf, cm, content, design, Developer, developers, dock, droid, ebook, EV, f1, facebook, fix, gm, google, HD, hot, ICS, ios, iOS Devices, iPad, iphone, ipod touch, LED, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Mobile, mount, OS, PC, RAM, review, rr, rumor, sales, samsung, search, Sony, sync, TC, update, usb | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

9to5Toys Last Call: $6 4-in-1 USB Cable, App Sales Galore, $150 Seagate 4TB USB 3.0 Desktop HD, more

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

From 9to5Toys.com : A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of  ‘Daily Deal’ websites  or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours.  We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to roundup the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow Follow 9to5Toys so you never miss a deal. ..   Twitter ,  RSS Feed ,  Facebook Today’s Featured deals: 4-in-1 USB Cable (Lightning, 30-Pin Apple/Samsung and Micro-USB) – $6 shipped Seagate 4TB USB 3.0 Desktop External HD $150, WD 1TB Portable USB 3.0 $65 Shipped EA Games Memorial  Day iOS App Sale:  Over 55 games for Free or $.99 Free and reduced Apps/Games: Halo 4 $18, COD Black Ops $25 (Mac), Apps galore, more iPhone & iPad game, Angry Birds Space,  Free for the first time ever (Reg. $.99-$2) Other great deals we love that may not see tomorrow: Logitech UE Mini Boombox Bluetooth speaker, “ 9to5Mac’s best portable Speaker you can buy ”  $80 Shipped (Save 20%) SlickWraps 35% sitewide sale  on all personalized mobile device protective skins Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil $54 Shipped (Reg. $110) iDock Mini Charging Dock for 30-Pin Devices $5 + $3 Shipping Mac Game Sale 87% off: 6 games for $20 including Batman Arkham Asylum ($130 off) Alden Design Notebook Travel Kit with a 4 Port USB Hub, RJ45 Cable, Optical Mouse, & Keypad $6 + $2 Shipping Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apps, att, beta, bf, cm, content, design, Developer, developers, dock, droid, ebook, EV, f1, facebook, fix, free, games, gm, google, HD, hot, ICS, Intel, ios, iOS Devices, iPad, iphone, ipod touch, LED, live, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Mobile, mount, OS, PC, RAM, review, rr, rumor, sales, samsung, search, Sony, sync, TC, update, usb | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

9to5Toys Last Call: $50 Logitech Solar Keyboard for iPad (refurb), App Sales Galore, $80 Logitech UE Bluetooth speaker, more

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

From 9to5Toys.com : A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of  ‘Daily Deal’ websites  or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours.  We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to roundup the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow Follow 9to5Toys so you never miss a deal. ..   Twitter ,  RSS Feed ,  Facebook Today’s Featured deals: Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad (refurb):  $50 shipped ($80 off) EA Games Memorial  Day iOS App Sale:  Over 55 games for Free or $.99 Gameloft iOS games: Amazing Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises $.99 (Reg. $7 ea) Free and reduced Apps/Games: COD Black Ops $25 (Mac), Apps galore, more iPhone & iPad game, Angry Birds Space,  Free for the first time ever (Reg. $.99-$2) Other great deals we love that may not see tomorrow: Logitech UE Mini Boombox Bluetooth speaker, “ 9to5Mac’s best portable Speaker you can buy ”  $80 Shipped (Save 20%) iMac $150 off most current generation configurations, now starting at $1,150 shipped SlickWraps 35% sitewide sale  on all personalized mobile device protective skins Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil $54 Shipped (Reg. $110) LG iPhone/iPad docking speaker/FM/alarm clock with Airplay and Bluetooth:  $125 Pioneer in-dash car receiver w/ remote and Apple iPhone / iPod connectivity $50 Shipped (45% savings) iDock Mini Charging Dock for 30-Pin Devices $5 + $3 Shipping Mac Game Sale 87% off: 6 games for $20 including Batman Arkham Asylum ($130 off)   Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apps, att, beta, bf, cm, content, design, Developer, developers, dock, droid, ebook, EV, facebook, fix, free, games, gm, google, HD, hot, ICS, Intel, ios, iOS Devices, iPad, iphone, ipod touch, keyboard, LED, lg, live, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Mobile, OS, PC, RAM, review, rr, rumor, sales, search, Sony, sync, TC, UK, update, usb | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Join us LIVE for 9to5Mac Happy Hour (5/24/13)

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

Subscribe now on iTunes! Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apps, beta, bf, cm, content, design, dock, droid, ebook, EV, f1, facebook, fix, free, games, gm, google, HD, hot, ICS, Intel, ios, iOS Devices, iPad, iphone, ipod touch, LED, live, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Mobile, OS, PC, podcast, RAM, review, rr, rumor, rumors, samsung, search, Sony, sync, TC, update, usb | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Macbooks Could Get 50% Better Battery With Intel’s Upcoming Haswell Chips

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

It’s almost that time again when Intel will release its new lineup of processors, which seems to happen on a two-year cycle. Apple is always one of the first, if not the first, company to have the new processors inside its computers, so with Haswell processor expected to debut in a few weeks, it makes sense that we’ll also be seeing some new Macbooks with Haswell announced soon. And this is definitely a good thing. Intel is stating that the new chip will have great effects on battery life, as reducing power consumption is Haswell’s main goal. Intel says that Haswell will give laptops 50% better battery life than what they had with the previous generation Ivy Bridge processors. When the laptop’s in standby mode, battery improvements will be even more remarkable, with battery life being extended by up to 20 times. The chips will also greatly improve the integrated graphics capabilities of Macbooks, with graphic performance expected to be doubled. Haswell is a big upgrade over the Ivy Bridge processors in the current Macbooks. It is the “tock” in Intel’s “tick tock” cycle. This means that while Ivy Bridge was only a minor update over the preceding Sandy Bridge, Haswell provides substantial improvements and changes. There have been rumors of a new Macbook Air being announced at WWDC, which would include Haswell, so we might be able to see just how big these improvements are in a few short weeks. Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apple Inc, Apple Store, Apps, att, battery, books, case, content, doe, droid, ebook, EV, facebook, fix, Gadgets, gaming, gm, google, history, hot, ICS, industry, Intel, iPad, iphone, laptop, LED, lg, live, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Microsoft, Mobile, OS, PC, podcast, price, RAM, refresh, release, rr, rumor, rumors, sales, shopping, stand, sync, TC, UK, update, upgrade, video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple trolls us with ‘iWatch’ tease in latest iPhone music ad

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

Here’s an amusing little image for your Friday: the screenshot above is a clip from Apple’s newest “Music Every Day” ad, which was posted on their YouTube channel last night. If you pay attention at around 0:30 in the commercial, you’ll see what would almost appear to be someone wearing a large, wrist-device while listening to music on their iPhone. While obviously Apple wouldn’t leak a real product through their advertisements, we can’t help but think that this is perhaps a subtle troll on Apple’s part. Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apps, att, beta, bf, cm, content, design, dock, droid, ebook, EV, f1, facebook, fix, free, games, gm, google, HD, hot, ICS, ios, iOS Devices, iPad, iphone, ipod touch, LED, live, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Mobile, OS, PC, RAM, review, rr, rumor, rumors, samsung, search, Sony, sync, TC, update, usb | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FDA begins cracking down on medical diagnosis apps starting with ‘uChek’ iPhone urinalysis app

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

Bloomberg reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is launching a first of its kind inquiry into medical diagnosis apps starting with the ‘uChek’ urine analysis app from Biosense Technologies. The free app, which is currently still on the App Store , requires users to purchase a kit containing urine test strips that can be visually analyzed with the iPhone’s camera. The problem, according to a letter sent to Biosense from the FDA , is the fact that the test strips have only been cleared for “direct visual reading” and not automated analysis from an application: Please note that though the types of urinalysis dipsticks you reference for use with your application are cleared, they are only cleared when interpreted by direct visual reading.  Since your app allows a mobile phone to analyze the dipsticks, the phone and device as a whole functions as an automated strip reader.  When these dipsticks are read by an automated strip reader, the dipsticks require new clearance as part of the test system.  Therefore, any company intending to promote their device for use in analyzing, reading, and/or interpreting these dipsticks need to obtain clearance for the entire urinalysis test system (i.e., the strip reader and the test strips, as used together). While Biosense plans to work with the FDA to resolve the issue, Bloomberg notes that this is only the start of a broader crack down on apps that claim to diagnose medical conditions: The agency has said it wants stricter rules for apps that directly diagnose or treat conditions, proposing in 2011 to apply similar quality standards as for heart stents, ultrasound machines and other medical devices. “We intend to finalize the guidance this year,” Synim Rivers, an agency spokeswoman, said yesterday in an e-mail. “The FDA has proposed a regulatory approach that limits its immediate oversight to a specific, small subset of mobile medical applications that are medical devices and present the greatest risk to patient safety if they don’t work as intended.” Biosense claims that the uChek app allows them to price their system at “a fraction of other semi-automated urinalysis while providing comparable accuracy,” but does warn that “uChek is intended for use only by or on the recommendation of a qualified healthcare professional.” Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apps, beta, bf, camera, cm, content, design, dock, doe, droid, ebook, EV, f1, facebook, fix, free, games, gm, google, HD, hot, ICS, industry, Intel, ios, iOS Devices, iPad, iphone, ipod touch, LED, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Microsoft, Mobile, OS, PC, price, RAM, review, rr, rumor, rumors, samsung, search, Sony, stand, sync, tablet, TC, update, usb | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple cuts prices again on refurbished iPads

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

From 9to5Toys.com : Apple this morning dropped prices across the board on iPads in its refurbished section of the online Apple Store as noted by MacRumors . We’ve recently seen quite a bit of iPad price reductions at  9to5Toys , some even steeper than this. For instance, Walmart has a new iPad mini for $80 off and refurb iPad Mini 16GB for $250.  The new Apple Store prices: iPad mini – 16 GB Wi-Fi: $279, down from $299 previously and $329 brand-new – 32 GB Wi-Fi: $359, down from $389 previously and $429 brand-new – 64 GB Wi-Fi: $439, down from $489 previously and $529 brand-new – 16 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $389, down from $429 previously and $459 brand-new – 32 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $469, down from $519 previously and $559 brand-new – 64 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $549, down from $619 previously and $659 brand-new Fourth-generation iPad – 16 GB Wi-Fi: $419, down from $449 previously and $499 brand-new – 32 GB Wi-Fi: $499, down from $549 previously and $599 brand-new – 64 GB Wi-Fi: $579, down from $649 previously and $699 brand-new – 16 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $529, down from $579 previously and $629 brand-new – 32 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $609, down from $679 previously and $729 brand-new – 64 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $689, down from $779 previously and $829 brand-new Good news for those interested in displays too: Thunderbolt and Cinema Displays are down to $799 (a $30 drop).You know what this usually means… Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apple Store, Apps, att, battery, beta, bf, books, case, cm, content, design, dock, droid, ebook, EV, f1, facebook, fix, free, games, gm, google, hack, HD, hot, ICS, Intel, ios, iOS Devices, iPad, iphone, ipod touch, LED, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Mobile, OS, PC, price, RAM, release, review, rr, rumor, rumors, samsung, search, Sony, stand, sync, TC, update, usb | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HP expands Mac-cloning design approach across all of its latest notebooks

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

Photo: The Verge HP appears to be taking its  If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em  design philosophy to something of an extreme with the new HP Envy notebook. A gallery posted by  The Verge  shows just how closely HP has copied Apple’s MacBook Air designs in almost every respect, from the wedge profile through the chicklet keyboard, trackpad and colors … Take away the logo, and at first glance, you could easily mistake the HP clone for the original. The heading used here by HP even appears to be a shameless admission of the approach: The irony of HP CEO Meg Whitman’s commentary on this made me laugh aloud: Last year, Hewlett-Packard decided to unify the design of every thin and light laptop it sold, applying the same basic curves across every keyboard, touchpad, hinge, lid, and frame. This year, it’s not just thin-and-light laptops getting the treatment: according to company representatives, CEO Meg Whitman has now mandated a unified design language across HP’s entire portfolio of consumer machines. “She took a look at our portfolio and said, ”I don’t know what’s HP.’” She does now know what’s HP, apparently. When she said last year that “Apple taught us that design really matters,” she seemingly meant this rather literally … HP does have form for this. The company last year released the Spectre One desktop . Remind you of anything? Photo: Engadget Even the trackpad and mouse were cloned. HP is not alone in this, of course, as our own Jordan Kahn saw at the IFA in Berlin last year, but it does seem rather more blatant than most. HP’s approach may even go back further, to the HP Touchsmart back in 2011: Which we felt looked kinda familiar … Perhaps HP thought it was just the next logical step after simply stamping its own logo on the back of an iPod: Photo: Wikipedia (That one was legitimate: a deal with Apple dating back to 2004 to sell HP-labelled iPods through its distribution networks.) Continue reading →

Posted in App, apple, Apps, att, Best Buy, beta, bf, books, camera, case, cm, content, design, dock, doe, droid, ebook, EV, facebook, fix, free, games, google, HD, hot, ICS, ios, iOS Devices, iPad, iphone, ipod touch, keyboard, laptop, LED, lg, lte, Mac, Mac News, macbook, MacBook Air, Mobile, OS, PC, RAM, release, review, rr, rumor, rumors, samsung, search, stand, sync, TC, usb | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment