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How To Buy A Mac: The Real Mac Genius Guide

So you’ve decided you’re either going to buy a Mac for the first time, or you want to upgrade to a newer one. Good show! But believe it or not, there’s actually an art to it. Following just three steps will help you find the Mac that’s right for you without any buyer’s remorse later.

1. Set a purpose

It’s one thing to want a Mac. It’s another to want it for a specific reason. You’ll most likely spend more money than if you bought a PC, so you want to make sure you’re meeting a specific need. What will you want to do with it?

If you’re looking at doing heavy duty tasks such as graphic design, movie editing, or audio mixing, then the MacBook Pro or Mac Pro can definitely handle your needs. The iLife suite alone is a great answer to why you’d want to buy a Mac. If you’re looking for a computer for more casual use, then there’s a range of options from the MacBook to the iMac. Road warrior? MacBook Air.

And what good is the hardware without the software to complement it? Make sure to check out which software you need, especially if you’re going to an Apple Store. I don’t think I’ve been to one yet that wasn’t always crowded. Your first concern should be an office suite. The two main options are iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) or Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). There’s something to be said for going with all Apple software, considering how well they work together. Also, they can open Microsoft files and save as them. However, if you mainly work in a PC environment, Microsoft Office would be the way to go.

2. Do your homework

Please promise me you won’t be one of those people who buys a computer, only to learn that there’s a newer model the following week. Here’s a tip: OS X 10.7 Lion is just around the corner. You can catch a sneak peek at it in our previous article. Basically, wait until the summer.

Checking the different Mac sites should help you get an idea of what to expect. Sites like Cult of Mac, Apple Insider, Mac Rumors, and us of course can give you a fair idea of what might be up and coming. The best approach is to get a broad view of the news, considering that sometimes Apple will intentionally release false information, or sometimes someone will post something just to be stupid.

You can also try to look at the trends of previous Apple product releases. New iPhones come out in June, new iPods in September, but the notebooks and desktops aren’t so easy to predict. A general rule is that Apple will release revisions to a model each every eight to twelve months. In August, Apple tends to do their iPod promotion for students and teachers. Show that you’re with an educational institution when you buy your Mac, and get a free iPod Touch.

3. Don’t buy AppleCare

Never buying a warranty is a good rule of life. AppleCare is no exception. Here’s the deal: dropping a computer and water are the two main causes of damage. AppleCare covers neither. It gives you 90 days of phone support and a one year limited warranty for hardware.

Phone support is okay, but the Genius on the other end of the line is just looking at a slightly more advanced Apple KBase. There are also plenty of discussion boards out there for free. As for the hardware, definitely keep an eye on your computer for the first year. Follow up immediately if you see any signs for concern. If you can make it past the first year, chances are you’re good. AppleCare just extends the phone and hardware support to three years. It does not add three years. You have to buy it when you buy your Mac.

Take time when evaluating whether or not to buy a Mac, and what options would it open for you. It is a great investment that will last you for the long haul. You’ll be getting a great piece of equipment with software designed to be comfortable for the user. Following these three steps will put you on the right path to the right Mac.

Buyer’s remorse be gone!

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Categories
Reviews

Making Searching your Computer Faster

A lot of people think simplicity is bliss, and I am definitely one of those people.  Today I am going to be showing you two awesome applications that help to replace Spotlight. The first is called Quicksilver (QS). Quicksilver, for me, was sort of difficult to get used to at first, but with time it became a very useful tool.  For me, it really did not shorten my time of searching with it instead of Spotlight.  However, if you are looking for something new that looks very sleek you should check out Quicksilver.  Quicksilver, also sports the ability of an extremely customizable interface and there are many different themes and plugins to add to Quicksilver – just check Google!

The next computer search is called Google Quick Search Box.  The reason why this is a little better in my opinion is the fact that is that it searches your computer and it also gives you the option to search on Google.  It actually has helped save some time when I want to search something on Google, but when searching around the computer, I have not found any significant differences in time saving.

Google Quick Search Box:

Quicksilver:

Sources: [QSB Source, QS]

Categories
Average Joe's Tips

Going Retro With a PowerPC

Last year I went to my school district’s surplus warehouse, looking to pick up a Mac. I hoped to find a Power Mac G4 in order to relive my college days of cutting video on them. Sure, there are certainly faster Macs available for doing that, but certainly not at the cost of a used classroom one.

I found a pallet full of Mac desktops, but it only took a glance to tell they weren’t G4’s. The boxes were the same shape, but colored a light blue; something I hadn’t seen before. My friend who was with me told me it was a G3. I had no idea what specs it had, but all I knew was that I wanted it.

We fired it up there in the warehouse and found out that the hard drive worked, it had OS 9.2, and it clocked in at 300 MHz. I still wanted it. My friend told me how Tiger could be installed on it, despite its lack of a DVD drive. Forty bucks later, and the box and monitor were mine.

And so the obsession began.

I went from knowing little about Macs before the age of Intel chips, to scouring websites and discussion boards about Power PCs. Sites like Low End Mac and Other World Computing showed me that not only is it possible to keep an old Mac alive and kicking, but parts for upgrading it are still available.

In just a few months I installed OS X 10.4.11 Tiger, maxed my G3 out on 1GB of memory, installed a wireless card, a DVD drive, and a ZIF chip that took it from 300 MHz to 500. Thanks to Circuit City going out of business, I also got a Bluetooth dongle for only $20. Amazingly, what I found made the biggest difference was getting a new Radeon video card that bumped the video memory from 8 MB to 32 MB, which made a dramatic effect on the bus speed.

What at first I thought would be a hobby turned into a reliable workhorse. I write every morning on it, actually opting for it over my MacBook Pro. There’s a rewarding feeling about working on a desktop that I fixed up. Also, the fact that browsing the web or checking e-mail takes a little longer than usual helps keep me focused on just writing.

The G3 marked Apple’s turning away from beige boxes. Even ten years later, the G3’s exterior is a thing of beauty. Inside, it’s solid and reliable. I would highly recommend buying a PowerPC to any Mac fan who doesn’t already have one. As long as you get rid of the expectation to use anything past Tiger on it, and are willing to spend some money to upgrade it, you can own a reliable piece of Apple hardware. I can’t see Cover Flow in iTunes, and YouTube is more of a waiting game, but I’d take my 10-year-old G3 over a 10-year-old PC any day.

Macs age the way Harrison Ford does–improving as they get older. PCs tend to age like Carol Channing.

Categories
News

AT&T Cracking Down on Jailbreak Tethering

What is tethering? Well, tethering with your iPhone is using your iPhone as a modem for other devices to connect to the internet. Tethering allows you to use your iPhone as a means for Internet access, through WiFi, USB, or Bluetooth. There are many people who jailbreak their iPhone and use it for tethering. One of the most popular jailbreaking apps is MyWi. MyWi allows you to bypass AT&T’s DataPro plan check and enable you to tether independently. Running jailbreaking apps such as MyWi gives you the chance to use your iPhone as a hotspot for other devices to connect to the internet. It appears AT&T has noticed that people are jailbreaking their iPhone devices and are tethering without AT&T’s permission. AT&T has been sending this letter to customers who are suspected of tethering without permission:

Dear [Name of Account Holder],

We’ve noticed your service plan may need updating.

Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones— a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan.
Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.

If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at www.wireless.att.com, or call us at 1-888-860-6789 Monday — Friday, 7 a.m. — 9 p.m. CST or Saturday, 8 a.m. — 7 p.m. CST, by March 27, 2011 to sign up for DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering. Here are details on the plan:

DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering
– $45 per month (this gives you 4GB in total, combining both your smartphone data plan for $25 and the tethering feature, $20)
– $10 per each additional GB thereafter, added automatically as needed
– Mobile Hotspot capabilities are included for compatible Smartphones

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll plan to automatically enroll you into DataPro 4GB after March 27, 2011. The new plan — whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you — will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan.

If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required.

It’s easy to track your usage throughout the month so there are no bill surprises. For example, we send you free text messages when you reach 65, 90, and 100 percent of your plan’s threshold. If you would like to monitor your account more closely, go to www.att.com/dataplans to learn about other ways to track your data usage.

As a reminder, our smartphone data plans also include unlimited usage of Wi-Fi at no additional charge. AT&T smartphone customers can use Wi-Fi at home or on-the-go at any one of our more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots already included in your data plan.

Thank you for bringing your account up to date. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve your mobile broadband needs.

Sincerely,

AT&T

Please update your data plan by March 27, 2011 if you intend to continue tethering

To learn more and update your plan, visit att.com/dataplans

Reach us for assistance during business hours: Monday — Friday 7 a.m. — 9 p.m. CST Saturday 8 a.m. — 7 p.m. CST at 1-888-860-6789

If you are suspected of tethering without permission, you are most likely going to receive this email letter. If you receive this email, you should contact AT&T immediately. If you decide to discontinue tethering without permission, you will not be penalized. If you decide to continue to tether, you will have to enroll into DataPro 4GB.

AT&T is really cracking down on those who are jailbreaking and tethering without permission. Many people will definitely be disappointed that they can no longer tether without having to pay for the DataPro 4GB.

Feel free to leave questions or comments below.

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Categories
News

iPad 2 Lines Still Crowded After Launch!

It has been more than a week since the launch of the iPad 2, and it is still difficult to get one. People have been lining up outside Apple retail stores every morning. Apple retail stores only receive shipments on certain days also, but they will not disclose the days it will receive a shipment. You have to go every morning just to check if they even have a shipment that day. Even if they do have a shipment, they only receive a small quantity. If you decide to buy it online, it now estimates that it will ship in 4-5 weeks, which is a very long time for those who are anxious to get there hands on one. On a positive note, if you buy it online at the Apple Online Store, you get free shipping and free iPad engraving, an Apple Online Store exclusive offer.

Apple Stores are now holding iPad 2 shipments that were received during the day, instead of selling them once they arrive, so they can sell it the next morning so people won’t crowd the store all day hoping a shipment will arrive to sell throughout the day. Some Apple Stores are even opening earlier just to sell the iPad 2 and get rid of the crowd so it will be less crowded for the normal business hours.

In my opinion, your best bet is to still purchase your iPad 2 online at the Apple Online Store. You get free shipping and the free iPad engraving is an awesome offer. You can your very own iPad 2 customized with your very own engraving. On the other side, I would also want to get my iPad 2 right away. It would also be a good idea to go to the Apple Store early in the morning and wait in line. Some people are even camping out, so there is a lot of competition for getting an iPad 2. Just make sure you are prepared for the weather. The iPad 2 is definitely in demand, and I hope they come out with more frequent and larger shipments because we are all waiting for one.

Feel free to leave comments and questions.

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