Want a gold MacBook Pro?…
(Oh, BABY!!!…)
MacBook review
Keep in mind that the intent of this review is to evaluate the MacBook, not necessarily the operating system. iMacs and PowerMacs have other/more applications and abilitites.
It is my opinion (and experience) that the Macintosh operating system has not been as flexible as Windows and Linux. This scenario has lead to less opportunities for possible modifications that could cause instability…and, I imagine, limited opportunities for contributions to the platform.
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I was allowed to review a “model a1181” MacBook…
For external monitors, it has a mini DVI out port.
Magnetic attraction is used to keep the unit closed…
…and, the power connection is magnetic. Tripping over the cord doesn’t send your MacBook flying off a table or desk: it breaks away without damage to the cord and the system.
The AC powercord shows green when battery is full. There are lights on the battery so you can check its capacity status. You can check it with the computer off, and the battery out of computer.
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After booting to a desktop, I chose to “install” the Mac OS X…choosing the option to erase the hard drive, and install the operating system.
After completion, I found there is no easy/simple way to disable the startup sound. To not have the sound at boot, you must mute sound before shutdown. (After a search of the internet, I found other options…but none I preferred.)
The bottom of the notebook was warm enough for me to use a notebook lap desk…
The touchpad is nice and large…sometime too sensitive to the touch…sometimes I had to press on the pad to get a response. I consider myself a “Windows power-user”, so I wish there were a “left-click” button. When I rested my hands near the touchpad and keypad, the sharp edges of the MacBook began to indent my skin causing some uncomfortableness and pain. I assume by its looks, the MacBook Pro gives more space…
The “sleep” function is nice! When in “sleep” mode, you open the MacBook, and it awakens. And using the wireless remote will do the same.
VoiceOver is an application that reads aloud the contents of files, web pages, Mail messages and word processing files (allowing you to navigate the interface and interact with application and system controls…visually impared individuals I have been in contact with give me the impression that they prefer the “Jaws” application).
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The operating system indicated…
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: Mac
Model Identi?er: MacBook2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 4 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB21.00A5.B07
SMC Version: 1.17f0
For me, 1 GB RAM felt a little slow…
System Software Overview:
System Version: Mac OS X 10.4.10 (8R3032)
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.10.2
Boot Volume: Macintosh HD
Computer Name: TechTalkRadio MacBook
User Name: S!ick (slick)
MATSHITADVD-R UJ-857E:
Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-857E
Revision: ZB0E
Protocol: ATAPI
Socket Type: Internal
Low Power Polling: Yes
Only 120 mm round discs can be used in most models…a 120 mm round disc is a standard CD/DVD.
To boot to the optical drive:
power on computer…
insert the optical disc…
and hold the “C” key.
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I am dissappointed that there is no “Firewire 800”. (It is available on the MacBook Pro…)
802.11n Wi-Fi lets you connect to: 802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g wireless networks.
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR is included.
There is an infrared port.
Audio in and out ports also support optical digital connection (as well as 1/8″ plugs).
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The operating system will allow connnectivity to Windows server networks.
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An integrated iSight camera is placed about the display screen…the microphone is positioned to the right of it.
The iChat application allows access to AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) accounts. You may video chat with up to three connections, and audio chat with up to 9.
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I love the Front Row application. Via its interface it gives access to music, photos, and videos and can be controled with the included wireless Apple Remote control unit.
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I like the iCal calendar application: it’s nice…inviting…it makes me want to use it…
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Every Mac comes with iLIfe ’08 to allow creation of photo books, greeting cards, calendars, DVDs, websites, and podcasts.
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After using Garage Band, I can only recommend it for creating very basic podcasts…
There’s iPhoto…iDVD (for playing DVDs)…
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I would use iMovie for video mail, diaries, blogs, etcetera. You can export movies to different file formats, including:
3g
apple tv
QuickTime movie (MOV)
MPEG-4 (considered to be the latest, worldwide standard)
AVI
more…
I recorded some example videos and posted them in my Revver account.
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Having never attempted to install applications into a Mac operating system before, after a few tries, I was able to (install Yahoo Messenger). I didn’t know what I was doing wrong, and I wasn’t sure how to do it…
I was very dissappointed that I needed to install software for a (Logitech) mouse. I expected that if I connected a mouse I would at least get basic functionality.
I did not attempt to do so, but removing applications is supposed to be easy: delete them from the hard drive. You will need to search the entire hard drive for remnants (THIS IS WHY I LOVE “PORTABLE” APPLICATIONS)…
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At an Apple Store, a “Genius” can transfer your data from PC to Mac: http://www.apple.com/getamac/movetomac/
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While I was reviewing the MacBook, I read a post from a guy that had trouble getting his issue resolved by Apple, he received a response…and an offer for a free iPod. I’ve heard that a lot of the Apple/Mac faithful have not been happy with the company lately…but I feel that this guy’s experience is something worth mentioning, and considering.
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For what it’s worth to you, I was able to boot to an Ununtu CD…
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In summary:
As they say, “It just works”. Novice, elementary, and intermediate computer users should consider a Mac as their:
first computer…
and only computer.
More experienced computer users should be able to determine on their own if they should purchase one.
If I were to spend my money, it would be on a MacBook Pro (with the RAM maximized).
free mac software
During the show, I gave a link on air as my “Website of the Week”..and since have found two more to suggest:
The Free Mac Classroom (the one I mentioned on-air)…
and FreeMacWare.
Give a Laptop and Get One
Give a Laptop and Get One
Nicholas Negroponte hopes the One Laptop Per Child’s “Give 1 Get 1” initiative will jump-start distribution of the new XO Laptop.
After two-and-a-half years of relentless organizing, product development, and evangelizing, the so-called $100 laptop is ready to go into production in October. At a time like this, you’d think that übertechnology visionary Nicholas Negroponte and his team at the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) organization would be stockpiling champagne for a blowout celebration. Far from it.
While the notebook computer for schoolchildren in underdeveloped nations is just about ready for prime time, the goal of distributing tens of millions of the cute green-and-white machines still seems a far-off dream. The reasons: The computers, now called XO Laptops, will cost about $188 each to produce initially, nearly twice the original estimate; and, so far, not a single government has written a check.
That’s why on Sept. 24, the OLPC announced a money-raising gambit called “Give 1 Get 1.” Originally, the organization had no set plans to sell or distribute the computers in the U.S. Now it’s hoping to capitalize on widespread interest from American gadget fans to raise enough money to pay for shipments of XO Laptops to four countries that are among the poorest of the poor: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, and Rwanda.
Laptop Donations
Under Give 1 Get 1, which will run for two weeks starting Nov. 12, U.S. customers will be able to pay $399 to buy two laptops: one for themselves and one to be shipped to a child in one of those four countries. About half of the purchase price will be tax-deductible. Also, starting Sept. 24, people can simply “give” a laptop by making a $200 donation. Those who’d like to participate can sign up for e-mail alerts on the Web site www.XOgiving.org. The machines, which are being built in Taiwan, will begin shipping to U.S. customers in January or February.
While the highly quotable Negroponte has been a master at getting publicity for OLPC, this effort is mostly about cash: “It has become important for us to raise money this way,” says Negroponte. “I have met with about 30 heads of state. They’re all enthusiastic. But there’s a huge gulf between a head of state shaking your hand and a minister making a bank transfer.” Negroponte won’t predict how many laptops might be sold through Give 1 Get 1, but factory capacity presents no limitations: Quanta Computer in Taiwan can produce 1 million XO Laptops a month, if need be.
Interviewed during a stop in Europe, Negroponte admitted that the difficulties of his task sometimes discourage him. “You wake up some mornings feeling that way, but then I think about all the good people who are helping us and supporting us,” he says. He hopes that by subsidizing the purchase of computers in the four countries, OLPC will prompt other countries to make their own investments.
Read more about the Give a Laptop and Get One at http://www.businessweek.com/technology/.
Easy Principles to Becoming a Master Designer
Rule Three: Contrast, Contrast, Contrast
Good contrast in your design goes hand-in-hand with your color selections. Contrast is the value difference between the colors on your design. Value is how bright or dark the color (ink) is. Ever see a blank white canvas and as a joke someone says: “Hey – it’s a white cow in a snow storm!” This is an example of no contrast. White on white is no contrast – you can’t see anything.
Elementary right? I mean what kind of stupid tutorial is this? I’m explaining that the piece I’m designing needs to be visible?? This is a retarded concept for a tutorial right?
Wrong.
Because unfortunately, I see lots of problems with designer’s contrast all the time. Not only that, but contrast, when used properly can be an important tool.
Here is one big mistake I see frequently: Designers use color difference to produce contrast instead of value difference. For instance… a medium value blue sitting on top of a medium value red produces some contrast. You CAN see the difference between the two. But when you have two colors together of the same value – it produces what is known as “vibrating.” You’ll notice that at the line where the blue and red meet your eye seems to oscillate back and forth between the two. It almost feels like the text is pulsing.
If your goal is to produce something really vibrant – you can use this technique. But it’s hard on the eyes and most people will find it annoying. Here is another example of the same design using different colors that have more contrast:
This second one is obviously much easier on the eyes.
A quick way to evaluate your design to see if there is sufficient contrast is to convert the entire thing to grey scale momentarily and see if the design still looks clear and easy to read. In Illustrator you do this by selecting your design, and select: Edit>Edit Colors>Convert to Grayscale. In Photoshop you’ll need to flatten your work then you can select: Image>Adjustments>Desaturate. This will convert it to Grayscale.
In either case, you’ll want to undo this action once you’ve had a chance to see how your design looks put to this test.
Here is a sample of the same design –one with good contrast, one with bad contrast. And just under each one is how they both look in grayscale.
You can clearly see how much easier it is to read the text in the design on the left, particularly when it’s converted to grayscale. The design on the right uses less contrast and more color difference to define the shapes.
One question I get all the time is: “what opacity setting should I use for a background water mark?” I think a good watermark background should be between 10%-15% opaque. Once again – this is all about maintaining contrast in your design. If the background is light – then the watermark should obviously also be fairly light and vice versa. Here is an example of a good and bad watermark:
The last little thing I want to note about contrast is how it can be used as a tool. If, for instance, you have a need to direct your audience’s attention to something specific on your design – you can accomplish it with contrast! You might keep the entire design relatively light and then make the one spot you want your audience to focus on dark. Here is an example of a well designed landing page:
This is a page on E-Harmony’s tour section of their website. While they want to give people a “tour,” what they REALLY want to do is get people to actually sign-up. So, when you look at this page – what is the biggest darkest thing on the page? It’s a non-clickable picture of a girl and the “Get Started Now” button. Obviously they want you to click on the “Get Started Now” button. Look at how much bigger and darker the “Get Started Now” button is compared to the “Next Step” button. The Next Step button is what someone on the tour SHOULD be pushing to continue the tour – but how tempting is that Get Started Now button? And why? Why does it jump off the page at you? Simple – CONTRAST!
This concludes a fairly basic but fundamentally critical lesson in design. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Four more basics to go. After that I promise I’ll teach you how to draw!
Here is the link for more Easy Principles to Becoming a Master Designer:
http://www.gomediazine.com/design-tip/rule-three-contrast-contrast-contrast/
Thanks for the link Andy!! Great points to know…