macbook

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

Expect software fixes for Apple TV and 2011 MacBook Pro graphics bugs

In Apple's latest round of software and hardware releases, the second-generation Apple TV got a software update to add more features for HDMI support, AirPlay, and surround sound for Netflix movies; however, along with the update a number of people found their televisions began flickering, especially if they were using HDMI to DVI adapters.

More recently, Apple's updated line of MacBook Pro systems has encountered a problem profiled on MacRumors and discussed in great length on this Apple Discussion Board thread, where the systems have been locking up when under heavy load. While the machines appear to be … Read more

Samsung lappy heralds updated MacBook Air

Under the skin of Samsung's new ultrasvelte laptop beats new Intel silicon that will likely be adopted by Apple in the refresh of the MacBook Air.

One of the criticisms--admittedly of the geek variety--of the 2010 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Airs is the internals. At the risk of sounding like a broken record (as this has been asserted ad nauseam by many reviewers), both models use silicon that, in tech years, is long in the tooth--namely, the Core 2 Duo.

But Apple is expected to pull a leapfrog with the new MacBook Air. The upcoming Airs will jump from … Read more

New MacBook Pros having issues with iTunes Home Sharing

Despite Home Sharing's more prominent role in Apple's iOS and iTunes, some users that purchased the newest line of MacBook Pros aren't thrilled with the feature. An Apple Support Discussions thread has ballooned to over 213 comments since the end of February, filled with users trying to find a solution to the Home Sharing bug.

ASD forum user themacbear writes:

"Although the Apple TV could see the name of my iTunes library, it wouldn't connect to it, or sometimes, would report that 'There are no movies in this library'."

ASD user sftobos concurs, writing:… Read more

Confusing Mini DisplayPort with Thunderbolt

In the last few years Apple has been releasing systems with an advanced Mini DisplayPort connection for monitors that allows for some advanced options such as using an iMac as an external display. This port has been adopted throughout Apple's line of Mac systems because it offers high-resolution video handling as well as other options like audio support for connecting to television systems.

In a recent knowledgebase article on the DisplayPort connection, Apple describes how to identify whether or not your system has a DisplayPort connection, noting the port's geometry as well as the symbols used to identify … Read more

Report: Apple to sell 3.5 million Macs this quarter

According to new research, Apple will sell between 3.5 million and 3.7 million Macs in the fiscal quarter ending in this month.

The data comes from market research firm NPD and was sent to clients by Piper Jaffray senior research analyst Gene Munster. Interpreting the data, Munster says he believes Apple will finish the quarter at the lower end of expectations.

For January and February, Apple is trending up 16 percent over the year-ago quarter. That would put Apple at about 3.6 million Macs for the quarter. The street consensus is for Macs to be up in … Read more

Tip: Switch GPUs on MacBook Pros to save batteries

In the latest MacBook Pro systems from Apple (including some before the aluminum "Unibody" design), many models contain two GPUs: a discrete GPU and an "onboard GPU." The discrete GPU is a dedicated high-performance graphics chip for processing graphics data without impeding on the system's RAM and other resources. On the other hand the onboard GPU is an embedded graphics option that shares system RAM and other resources. As a result it is a slower graphics processing option, but when used the system can turn off the discrete GPU and thereby save more battery life.… Read more

Canon backs Intel's Thunderbolt tech

Camera and copier maker Canon chimed in with support today for Intel's Thunderbolt technology, the first major consumer electronics company after Apple to back the new standard.

Thunderbolt, formerly known by its codename Light Peak, is a new connection technology that combines high-speed data transfer and high-definition video on a single cable. Running at 10Gbps, Thunderbolt can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds.

Apple has already adopted the technology--its newest MacBook Pros come with Thunderbolt ports--and is a technical collaborator with Intel. The announcement by Canon--which references "video creation"--marks the second major … Read more

CNET to the Rescue: Apple questions answered

Our last Apple-focused Rescue was such a success, we decided to do it again. This time we have Josh Lowensohn, CNET News Apple reporter, and former CNET to the Rescue co-host, joining in. He's got practical advice on what to buy from Apple now, how to fix common problems, and more.

If you have a tech question for CNET to the Rescue, call us with your questions to get on the next show: 877-438-6688 or e-mail rescue@cnet.com. No question is too basic, so if you've got a tech problem that's been getting under your skin, please call us and we'll try our best to help you out.

Episode 37: Josh on Apple