macbook

Apple releases MacBook Pro and iMac EFI and software updates

Apple has released a few updates for the firmware and operating system software for the latest MacBook Pro and iMac models that address problems with Boot Camp, graphics stability and external display support, and also some bugs with the new Thunderbolt I/O connection technology.

These updates are specific to the new MacBook Pro and iMac models released this year that have the Thunderbolt technology, so if you have an older MacBook model then you do not need to download these updates. If you are unsure whether or not you need the update, just check Software Update on your system (… Read more

Macs that await refreshing: 2011

We're several days into May, and another Mac has gotten upgraded to 2011 Intel processors. MacBook Pros, check. iMacs, check. Now that two of Apple's most popular lines have gotten necessary upgrades, it's time to look at which Macs still haven't gotten updated...and wonder when those updates will occur.

In order of our best guess as to when they'll be refreshed, here are the Macs we're still expecting.

The white MacBook (last updated: mid-April 2010) Apple's lone white laptop has survived for years, and now that white's the new black in … Read more

Why doesn't my laptop have USB 3.0?

Why doesn't my laptop have USB 3.0?. I've been asking myself that question a lot lately.

None of my laptops has a USB 3.0 port. Not my 2010 MacBook Air, not my prior-generation Air, nor my Dell laptop. Nor do the laptops purchased recently by my business acquaintances, who typically buy earlier models that have been price-reduced.

Let me be clear, I've talked to Intel, folks at the USB Implementers Forum, PC makers, and analysts. And I've heard every reason under the sun as to why the Universal Serial Bus interface hasn't been upgraded in 10 years. (Intel: We'll get around to it in 2012.)

But those reasons (including: it won't make any material difference for things like printers...not supported in Intel silicon) don't change the fact that devices I use demand a faster USB interface. Now. Or I should say yesterday: I needed it a long time ago.

Thunderbolt, as promising as it sounds, does nothing for consumers today.

Here are just a couple of examples. The Seagate GoFlex external drive, which I purchased this week, prominently advertises USB 3.0 capability on its packaging. As it should. Doing regular transfers of 70 gigabytes (or more) of data demands more than USB 2.0. … Read more

Rumor: New MacBook Pro case design coming

A new rumor pegs Apple as preparing a new MacBook Pro case design to replace the current unibody aluminum case. The new case design should be present on the next revision of the MacBook Pro, which just saw an update back in February. According to the sources of the rumor, the early 2011 MacBook Pro update is the last with the current case design.

MacRumors claims that its source is reliably confirming the updated design, first leaked on iLounge just before February's MacBook Pro update.

As noted by MacRumors, the unibody design currently used for MacBook Pro models was … Read more

AMD to back USB 3.0 in its chips

Advanced Micro Devices will support USB 3.0 in its chips, marking the first instance of a major PC processor supplier getting behind the standard. Intel has yet to support the high-speed interface.

The USB Implementers Forum today announced that AMD will deliver the first chipsets to integrate support for USB 3.0, aka SuperSpeed USB. A chipset accompanies the main processor.

"With [today's] announcement AMD is...disclosing our support for SuperSpeed USB 3.0 in upcoming AMD A75 and A70M Fusion [chipsets]. Both chipsets are shipping today," said Phil Hughes, an AMD spokesman, responding to an … Read more

Early 2011 MacBook Pro starts to gray Apple logo, freezes

Some owners have noted an issue with Apple's latest MacBook Pro model (early 2011), where the machine will start up to the gray Apple logo screen without a progress indicator and freeze. Apple has also noted the issue, releasing a knowledge base article to help with the situation.

Apple Support Discussions forum user CoryCripita writes:

"So for the second time my Macbook Pro is stuck on the ****** gray screen and won't boot. The first time this happened 2 days ago I HAD TO resort to Archive and install. The only thing that I can even think caused … Read more

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer e-mailed questions from our readers. This week there were questions about burned discs no longer being recognized, upgrading from OS X 10.4 Tiger, using a third-party PDF printer in OS X, and CPU temperatures spiking in MacBook Pro systems. We continually answer e-mail questions, and though we present a few answers here, we certainly welcome alternative approaches and views from readers and encourage you to post your suggestions in the comments.

Question: Burned CDs not being recognized anymore MacFixIt reader "Russell" asks:

When I insert a CD, which … Read more

Swapping batteries in Apple's laptops

While some of Apple's new laptops are built with internal batteries to increase power capabilities, other systems still have easily removable batteries. In similar systems, the batteries are interchangeable, and while it may be obvious that you can swap batteries among these systems, some people may also have concerns about doing this. Some of these might include whether or not the system would read battery status properly and if charge values would be similar across multiple machines.

Recently MacFixIt reader David wrote in with such concerns:

"Since I own two batteries for my Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro … Read more

Apple releases OS X 10.6.7, fixes MacBook 2011 graphics bug

Apple has released the anticipated OS X 10.6.7 update, after weeks of developer build seeds that were issued with no new features or fixes. The update is available in the normal versions of delta and combo updaters for both the client and server versions of OS X, and should be available via Software Update for most people. This update is especially important for owners of the new 2011 MacBook Pro systems because it addresses a graphics bug that caused hangs and crashes under heavy graphics load.

You can download the standalone updaters from the following links:

Mac OS X v10.6.7 Update (… Read more