Tag: Mac

Homing software

It seems more and more software vendors are implanting "spyware" code in their software. Microsoft does it with Windows Genuine Advantage and now Apple has joined the list; first with the iTunes ministore and now with the widget updater.

Macworld: News: Mac OS X "phones home" with 10.4.7 update

Mac users got a taste of what its like to run Microsoft Windows as it came to light this week that the recently released update, Mac OS X 10.4.7, "phones home" to Apple servers periodically. Referred to as the Dashboard Advisory by Apple, the new feature ensures customer's widgets are up to date -- Apple said there is no transmission of personal information.

Intel Core Duo

Apple's announcement at MacWorld of their first new Mac powered by Intel CPUs has me wondering how the newer Intel Core Duo desktop and laptops from Dell will compare to Apple's iMac and MacBook Pro.

The iMac's CPU is integrated into the 17 or 20 inch LCD display and all Mac peripherals are either FireWire (IEE1394) or USB 2.0 (USB 2.0 is as fast as FireWire 400). Dell's XPS 400 solution cost about the same as the top model iMac (there are 2 models) when similarly configured.

The Dell E1705 laptop has a larger screen (17in) than the MacBook Pro but I expect Apple will soon offer 17 inch PowerBooks with Core Duo processors. Other than screen size the Dell and Apple laptop offerings are about the same price when configured similarly.

Of course all Mac's come with video editing software, Apple's Front Row software (equivalent to Media Centre PC), Garage Band music recording and editing software, or a remote control. The Dells have none of this.

I bought a FireWire enclosure (includes a USD and FireWire hub) added a 160GB drive and hooked it up to my Mac mini. I put my video, photos, music on the FireWire drive and the performance is awesome. Because OS X has TiVo support I can play my music and photos on my TiVo (which is connected to my home theatre amp) over the home wireless connection. Both my wife and I can sync up our iPods quickly to the mac mini and TiVo has a deal with Apple to provide support for downloading TiVo show directly to the iPod Video.

I think I will be investing more into Apple than into Microsoft in the coming years. Of course, Apple's solutions are proprietary, just like Microsoft's, so I will still maintain a Linux OS in my home.

Mac mini

I bought a Mac mini. I like it a lot. I think Apple has a beautiful little machine. I love the sleek white lines.

So what are the specs?

  • 1.42GHz PowerPC G4
  • 512MB DDR333 SDRAM
  • ATI Radeon 9200
  • 32MB DDR video memory
  • 80GB Ultra ATA hard drive
  • SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
  • DVI or VGA video output
  • Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth
  • Optional 56k Internal Modem
  • one FireWire 400 port
  • two USB 2.0 ports
  • 10⁄100 Ethernet

Since it came without a keyboard or mouse, I bought an Apple USB keyboard. I read a review of the wireless keyboard that was less than glowing. I might buy the wireless Super Mouse in a few months.