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Apple updates MacBook Air with faster processor, cheaper price

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop,

MacBook Air 2014

As we reported yesterday, Apple has released an updated MacBook Air lineup today. While we expected the slightly faster processors to be included, we were pleasantly surprised to see that Apple cut the price of all MacBook Air models by $100 as well. That means that the starting price of the MacBook Air is now $899.

"With MacBook Air starting at $899, there’s no reason to settle for anything less than a Mac," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Macs have never been more popular, and today we've boosted the performance and lowered the price of MacBook Air so even more people can experience the perfect everyday notebook."

So, what's changed? Both the 11- and 13-inch models now sport a 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Haswell processor and 4GB RAM. The base model configurations of each size include 128GB PCIe-based flash storage, which can be doubled to 256GB for $200. Build-to-order options allow you to add things like a 1.7GHz processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB PCIe storage.

Additionally, the new models get better battery life for iTunes movie playback, with the 11-inch model going from 8 hours to 9 hours, and the 13-incher going from 10 hours to 12 hours.

You can pick up the new MacBook Air now.


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Apple expected to release new MacBook Air tomorrow

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Rumors,

New MacBook Air

Apple is expected to release its new line of MacBook Air notebooks as soon as tomorrow, multiple sources are reporting. The word is that shipments of the new MacBook Airs have already started arriving at Apple Stores in advance of the announcement, which will allow buyers to pick up the new models right away.

This won't be the redesigned fanless MacBook Air with 12-inch Retina display and buttonless trackpad that has been rumored for a few months. Instead, this update should bring the newer Intel Haswell processor to the Air, offering speed and battery life increases. Once we get word on an announcement, we'll let you know.

Read More | MacBook Air product page

Ask Andru: Will OS X Mavericks be compatible with my Mac?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Software,

OS X Mavericks

Apple announced OS X Mavericks a few days ago during the WWDC 2013 keynote, and we've been getting a bunch of questions about which Macs will work with the new operating system, like this one from Anette:

Q: OS X Mavericks looks cool, despite the silly name. However, it seems that when new software is introduced, a bunch of hardware is left out of the mix. Apple didn't make it clear which Macs will be able to run Mavericks. Do you know? Here's hoping my 2010 MacBook Air isn't left out in the cold!

A: Thankfully, it appears that Mavericks will be pretty forgiving, and won't need super-new hardware in order to run. In fact, it will run on some Macs that are as much as 6-years old. Here's the list:

  • iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
  • MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later), (15-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later), (17-inch, Late 2007 or later)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
  • Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
  • Xserve (Early 2009)

As you can see, anyone who has bought a Mac within the past four years is covered and will be able to run OS X Mavericks. Mac Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook aluminum buyers as far back as 2008 are also good. In fact, some MacBook Pro and iMac buyers from back in 2007 can even get in on the Mavericks action. We'd say that this is a pretty large blanket of Mac users that will be able to enjoy the next generation of OS X.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks is set to launch later this fall, and will be available exclusively on the Mac App Store. No pricing has been announced just yet, but if history is any indication, it will cost between $19.99 and $29.99.


Apple releases OS X 10.8.4, highlighted by Wi-Fi & Exchange improvements

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,

Mac OS X 10.8.4

Apple has just released OS X 10.8.4 for it's desktop and notebook computer lines. The latest update to Mountain Lion is mostly focused on stability and security, fixing things like Microsoft Exchange calendaring, corporate Wi-Fi issues, and the like. Safari 6.0.5 is also included in this release. Fire up the Mac App Store to grab it. Full changelog after the break.

Click to continue reading Apple releases OS X 10.8.4, highlighted by Wi-Fi & Exchange improvements


MacBook Air available for 20% off at Best Buy right now

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Hot Deals, PC / Laptop,

MacBook Air Sale

Best Buy has a tremendous sale going on today and tomorrow, selling all 2012 MacBook Air models for $200 off. Yep, the latest MacBook Air from Apple can be had for a 20% discount. Pretty insane, and better than any deal you would have found on Black Friday. The sale goes for both the 11-inch models, as well as the 13-inch units as well. This is definitely not one to miss, especially when compared against the Surface Pro, which will cost about $1,020 with Touch Cover keyboard. Here are the links:


13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is official

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop,

13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
Apple has launched it's second Mac that sports a super-high resolution screen with the announcement of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. Sporting a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, it's got even more pixels than a new 27-inch iMac. Along with the Retina display, you're also getting two Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, and a couple of USB 3.0 ports as well. Pricing starts at $1,699 for a dual-core 2.5GHz Core i5 process, 8GB RAM, and 128GB of flash storage. If that's not enough, you can configure it with up to 768GB storage and a Core i7, all wrapped in an enclosure that is 0.75-inches thin. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display ships today, and you can buy one now.

Read More | MacBook Pro with Retina display

Apple will live stream today’s iPad mini event!

iPad mini event live stream

For the first time in a long time, Apple will be live-streaming an Apple event! That's right, you can follow along with all the coverage from today's iPad mini event using your Apple TV, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac. For the Apple TV, there's even a new channel that's been added that let's you watch all previous events as well. Things get started in just under 40 minutes from now!

Read More | iPad mini event stream

13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display set for October 23rd?

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Rumors,

Macbook Pro 13 inch Retina display

First reported by 9to5Mac, AllThingsD is also reporting that a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display may be anounced alongside the 7.85-inch iPad mini during a speculated Apple invite-only press event on the 23rd of October. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is rumored to have a 2560 x 1600 display (226 pixels per inch,) the same port layout as the 15-inch model, and the same all flash storage configuration. Also like the 15-inch model, the smaller version will be priced much higher than the non-Retina display MacBook Pro of the same size. All in all, it appears that the next Apple event will focus on new size iterations, rather than on entirely new products.

Read More | AllThingsD

Ask Andru: How do I prepare my Mac for Mountain Lion?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Software,

OS X Mountain Lion

Apple is set to release it's next major operating system update, known os OS X Mountain Lion, later this month. In this edition of Ask Andru, Tracy writes in and asks if there is anything she should do to prepare her Mac computers for the Mountain Lion installation. I share some tips on what we can all do to ensure a smooth upgrade experience to Mac OS 10.8.

Question: I hear that Apple will be releasing a new version of OS X shortly. Is there anything I need to do in order to prepare for it to ensure that I can run it? Will it be expensive?

You're correct! Apple announced OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion just five months ago, and it will be available in under two weeks. Mountain Lion will sell exclusively on the Mac App Store for $19.99 (so, not expensive at all!) and will include some nice features, including AirPlay Mirroring from your Mac, tighter iCloud integration, Twitter and Facebook built-in at the system level, Reminders, Notes, Game Center, a new Messages app that will let you send and receive iMessages from the Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. In total, there are over 200 new features that Apple is introducing in Mountain Lion.

Click to continue reading Ask Andru: How do I prepare my Mac for Mountain Lion?


Is your Mac compatible with Mountain Lion? Check here!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,

OS X Mountain Lion installation

Apple has relesed the official list of Mac computers that will be able to run its next operating system, OS X Mountain Lion. The good news is that pretty much anyone who bought a Mac in the past four years qualifies, but there are a few exceptions (we're looking at you, Mac mini.) Curious if your Mac fits the bill? Here's the list that breaks down whether you can run OS X 10.8 when Mountain Lion is released later this month:

So there you have it. If you're the owner of a Mac mini or Xserve, we feel your pain, but those machines were never the bulk of Apple Macintosh purchases. If you've got something older, your choices are to be stuck on Lion, or to get a new Mac. It's time.

Read More | Apple

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