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This video demonstrates the Magic Trackpad gestures. As with the Magic Mouse and multi-touch trackpads on the MacBook and MacBook Pros, the preference pane for the Magic Trackpad features video demonstrations of the gestures and swipes for each of the features.
July 27th, 2010 / Posted by JeremyPosted in Apple, NewsTags: iMacComments Off
Apple today updated their iMac line with a host of new processors, graphics cards, and option of having both a normal SATA hard drive and Solid State Drive in the 27″ models. All models are shipping as of today.
The 21.5″ and entry level 27″ iMacs now feature the Intel dual-core Core i3 (3.06GHz and 3.2GHz) and Core i5 (3.60GHz) processors, while the high-end 27″ iMac features faster quad-core Core i5 (2.8GHz) or Core i7 (2.93GHz) processors.
All models ship with 4GB RAM (2 x 2GB 1333MHz DDR3 PC10600 SoDIMMs) and are upgradable to 16GB (4 x 4GB).
Upgrades to the graphics cards see the entry level 21.5″ getting the ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB GDDR3 RAM or ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB GDDR3 RAM, with the 27″ shipping with either the ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB GDDR3 RAM or the unbelievable ATI Radeon HD 5750 with an amazing 1GB of GDDR5 RAM
The 27″ iMacs are now customizable to ship with up to a 2TB SATA hard drive as well as an 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD) with blazing fast data transfer speeds perfect for professionals.
Also available today is the option to purchase your iMac with the new wireless Magic Trackpad (either on its own or in addition to a Magic Mouse).
The new 21.5-inch 3.06 GHz Intel Core i3 iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (CAD), includes:
ATI Radeon HD 5750 discrete graphics with 1GB GDDR5;
1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
Mini DisplayPort for audio and video input and output (adapters sold separately);
AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
iSight video camera;
Gigabit Ethernet;
four USB 2.0 ports;
one FireWire 800 port;
one SDXC SD card slot;
built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.
Configure-to-order options include a 2.93 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 processor, a 2TB hard drive, 256GB solid state drive (SSD) and up to 16GB of RAM.
July 27th, 2010 / Posted by adminPosted in Apple, NewsTags: Mac ProComments Off
Announced today and coming in August is the very, very long awaited update to the Mac Pro line. While the design of the machine remains the same, the Mac Pro now features the option of either 4, 6, 8, or 12 cores of processing power and a performance boost over previous models of up to 1.5x.
From Apple.com:
The new Mac Pro offers two advanced processor options from Intel. The Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processor is available in a single-processor, quad-core configuration at speeds up to 3.2GHz. For even greater speed and power, choose the “Westmere” series, Intel’s next-generation processor based on its latest 32-nm process technology. ”Westmere” is available in both quad-core and 6-core versions, and the Mac Pro comes with either one or two processors. Which means that you can have a 6-core Mac Pro at 3.33GHz, an 8-core system at 2.4GHz, or, to max out your performance, a 12-core system at up to 2.93GHz.
The graphics card has been updated as well offering three (yes, 3 now!) video ports (2 miniDisplayPort and 1 dual-link DVI) on either the ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB GDDR5 RAM or the ATI Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB GDDR5 RAM.
For storage the Mac Pro still features the same RAID options but configurations have been updated to allow for up to four 512MB solid-state drives!
The much rumoured Magic Trackpad ($69 CAD) was finally announced and began shipping today. The Magic Trackpad bring the same multi-touch functionality previously only available on Apple’s MacBook and MacBook Pro line to your desktop (or more comfortable positioning for your notebook).
From Apple.com:
Desktop users, your time has come. The new Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer. It uses the same Multi-Touch technology you love on the MacBook Pro. And it supports a full set of gestures, giving you a whole new way to control and interact with what’s on your screen. Swiping through pages online feels just like flipping through pages in a book or magazine. And inertial scrolling makes moving up and down a page more natural than ever. Magic Trackpad connects to your Mac via Bluetooth wireless technology. Use it in place of a mouse or in conjunction with one on any Mac computer — even a notebook.
Magic Trackpad is just like the trackpad on the MacBook Pro — but bigger. It’s made with the same advanced touch-friendly and wear-resistant glass surface. But with nearly 80 percent more area, it’s the largest Multi-Touch trackpad made by Apple. So there’s even more room for you to scroll, swipe, pinch, and rotate to your fingers’ content. And since the entire surface is a button that clicks, you can use it in place of a mouse.
Magic Trackpad features the same sculpted aluminum design as the Apple Wireless Keyboard, and side by side the two sit flush at the same angle and height. Go from typing to gesturing in one motion, or do both at the same time. How perfect is that?
Magic Trackpad works using Bluetooth technology, so you don’t have to deal with an annoying cable that dictates where you place it. Once you pair Magic Trackpad with your Bluetooth-enabled Mac, you’ll enjoy a reliable, secure connection up to 33 feet away. Magic Trackpad detects periods of inactivity, and it’s equipped with an on/off switch. Together these features help to conserve battery life, so you can keep gesturing for months at a time.
The entire surface of Magic Trackpad is one large button, so you can click and double-click anywhere. Magic Trackpad also supports a full set of gestures, including two-finger scrolling, pinching to zoom, rotating with your fingertips, three-finger swiping, and activating Exposé or switching between applications with four fingers.
Apple today introduced the 27″ Cinema Display, the perfect companion for your MacBook Pro, iMac, mini, or Mac Pro! Available in September the new 27″ Cinema Display will retail for $999 USD (Canadian pricing not yet announced).
From Apple:
Connect your Mac with Mini DisplayPort to the LED Cinema Display for a panoramic viewing experience unlike any other. You get a huge 27-inch glossy widescreen display with a cinematic 16:9 aspect ratio and an astonishing 2560-by-1440 resolution. With 60 percent more pixels than the 24-inch LED Cinema Display, the 27-inch LED Cinema Display gives you even more room for all your windows and applications.
Apple today also lowered the price of the still current 24″ Cinema Display from $999 CAD to $849.
From Apple.com:
With the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display, you can turn your new MacBook into a desktop in three easy connections. The universal MagSafe connector charges your notebook. A new Mini DisplayPort connector makes attaching an external display even easier and faster than before. And a USB connector provides access to three USB 2.0 ports. There’s also a built-in iSight camera, microphone, and speaker system that provide a true desktop experience. Made of aluminum and glass, the LED Cinema Display is the perfect companion for the new MacBook family. And it’s now compatible with Mac desktop computers that have a Mini DisplayPort: Mac Pro, Mac mini, and iMac.
If your Time Capsule falls within serial number range above and it does not power on or shuts down unexpectedly after starting up, it may be eligible for repair or replacement.
Contact the Apple representative most convenient for you:
Apple Retail Store. Set up an appointment with a Genius (available in some countries only).
Apple Contact Center. Find the phone number for your region.
If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider confirms that your Time Capsule is affected, Apple will repair or replace it free of charge.
Note: If you need to retain the data that is on your affected Time Capsule, Apple provides options depending upon where you live.
If you live in the U.S. or Japan and want to retain the data on the affected Time Capsule, contact Apple to arrange for mail-in service. Turnaround time for mail-in service will be 3 to 5 days.
In all other countries, an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) can transfer your data from the affected Time Capsule to a replacement Time Capsule if desired. Your Retail or AASP representative can provide specific turnaround times for this service.
If you believe that you paid for a repair or replacement Time Capsule due to this issue, contact Apple regarding a refund.
As always, Apple recommends that you back up your data. Learn more about other back up options while you are without your Time Capsule. Apple is not responsible for data loss.
This program covers affected Time Capsule models for 3 years from their original date of purchase. Apple will continue to evaluate the service data and will provide further updates to the program if needed.
It’s an unfortunate fact that hard drives fail. And because it’s impossible to know whether it might happen within the first 6 months, after 5 years, or well after the useful life of the computer has ended, it’s vital that you have a solid backup method for your information. Work documents, school projects, home finances, and family photos are just some of the irreplaceable items that can be lost if your hard drive fails.
Soho offers all the available solutions for protecting your data including Time Capsule, external hard drives, MobileMe subscriptions, CDs and DVDs.
Backup instructions for each of these methods are outlined below:
Time Machine – Learn how to set up Time Machine to perform backups to external hard drives, Time Capsule and more.
Time Capsule – Learn more about backing up your data with Time Capsule.
External hard drive – There are several ways you can back up your computer’s hard drive to an external hard drive.
MobileMe – If you are a MobileMe user, you can use MobileMe’s iDisk.
Disk Utility – If you need to back up more files than can fit on a single CD or DVD, you can use Disk Utility to create a compressed disk image of the files.
Backup options for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
Time Machine – Learn how to set up Time Machine to perform backups to external hard drives, Time Capsule and more.
Time Capsule – Learn more about backing up your data with Time Capsule.
External hard drive – There are several ways you can back up your computer’s hard drive to an external hard drive.
MobileMe – If you are a MobileMe user, you can use MobileMe’s iDisk.
Disk Utility – If you need to back up more files than can fit on a single CD or DVD, you can use Disk Utility to create a compressed disk image of the files.
Backup options for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
MobileMe – If you are a MobileMe user, you can use MobileMe’s iDisk.
Disk Utility – If you need to back up more files than can fit on a single CD or DVD, you can use Disk Utility to create a compressed disk image of the files.
Other backup options – You can burn files to a disc with OS X v10.4.
Apple has determined that a very small percentage of hard drives that were used in MacBook systems, sold between approximately May 2006 and December 2007, may fail under certain conditions.
If your MacBook was purchased in the date range listed above and shows a flashing question mark on the screen, please take it to Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider and they will examine the hard drive to confirm if it is eligible for a replacement, free of charge, under this program.
Note: If your MacBook is not experiencing the symptom listed above, you do not have to contact Apple or any Apple Authorized Service Provider. As always, Apple recommends that you back up your data. Learn more.
Identifying Affected MacBook Systems
Symptom A flashing question mark appears on screen when the MacBook is turned on. [Soho note: By the time you see the flashing questions mark, in general you drive has failed and the contents have been lost. Please make sure you back up your hard drive on a regular basis.]
Affected MacBook models
13-inch black and white MacBook models with the following processor speeds and hard drive capacities:
Processor speed – 1.83GHz, 2GHz, or 2.16GHz
Hard drive capacity – 60GB, 80GB, 100GB, 120GB, or 160GB
Next Steps
If your MacBook exhibits the flashing question mark symptom and matches the affected model descriptions above, the hard drive needs to be examined.
Please take your MacBook to the Apple representative most convenient for you:
Apple Authorized Service Provider – Find one here.
Apple Retail Store – Set up an appointment with a Genius.
If Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider confirms that your hard drive is affected, Apple will replace it with a new hard drive. Once the drive is replaced, you will be responsible for installing any additional software and restoring your data.
If you need assistance finding the best service option in your area, you may contact Apple Technical Support for more information.
Additional Information
Some customers may have paid for out of warranty repairs that qualify under this program. Apple will contact affected customers (where contact information is available) with details on the reimbursement process. If you believe that you paid for a repair covered by this program and you have not been contacted, you may contact Apple Technical Support.
This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of the MacBook
This program covers affected MacBook models for 3 years from their original date of purchase or until August 15, 2010 whichever provides longer coverage. Apple will continue to evaluate the repair data and will provide further repair extensions if needed.
July 22nd, 2010 / Posted by adminPosted in NewsComments Off
Apple has determined that the Apple Headphones with Remote included with the iPod shuffle (3rd gen) may fail under certain conditions. A very small percentage of iPod shuffle owners have experienced this issue. These headphones were included with the iPod shuffle (3rd generation) made between approximately February 2009 and February 2010.
If your headphones stop working or work intermittently as described below, Apple will replace them, free of charge, for two years from date of purchase.
Symptoms
Controls are non-responsive or work intermittently
Unexpected volume increase or decrease
Unexpected playing of voice feedback
Product Description Apple Headphones with Remote – included with iPod shuffle (3rd generation). Serial number ranges of the iPod shuffle with the covered headphones: xx909xxxxxx to xx952xxxxxx xx001xxxxxx to xx004xxxxxx
Note: Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic and Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic which exhibit the symptoms noted above are also covered under this program.
Next Steps
f your headphones are experiencing any of the symptoms noted above, please use the Online Service Assistant on the Apple Support site to begin the replacement process. You will need to provide the following information:
Serial number of your iPod or iPhone
Shipping and Billing addresses
Credit card information
Please choose “Replace part or accessory” as the service needed. Then choose “Headphones” to complete the request.
Upon completion of your online service request, Apple will send you a replacement along with a pre-paid return envelope so that you can ship back the original headphones. It’s important that you return the original headphones so that they can be examined and recycled responsibly. If Apple does not receive your original headphones within 10 business days, your credit card will be charged a non-return fee.
A compact aluminum enclosure hides a powerful, full-size computer with faster graphics than before. Just connect it to your display, keyboard, mouse—even your HDTV.
The new Mac Mini – $749.99
Featuring:
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
2GB of memory
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
320GB Serial ATA hard drive
8x-speed SuperDrive
HDMI and Mini DisplayPort output
HDMI to DVI Adapter
SD card slot, four USB 2.0 ports, and one FireWire 800 port
Gigabit Ethernet
Built-in
AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi2 and Bluetooth 2.1
Or configure yours with faster processor, more ram, or more hard drive storage. See in-store for details.
We've always said that it's our heart that set us apart, but heart's a difficult thing to quantify. What does that heart mean for you in concrete terms? We think it shows itself in four key ways that set us apart from our competition:
Heart is a difficult competitive advantage to quantify, it reveals itself only through the experience of dealing with us each day. But if products and prices are generally the same everywhere then we think heart makes all the difference.
1. Our heart is expressed in our dedication to professionalism providing reliability you can count on, unlike some other smaller stores.
2. Our heart is expressed in our passion for the potential the technology we provide offers you and in helping you achieve it's full benefit, unlike most of the big guys.
3. Our heart is expressed through the personalized care and relationships we offer our clients, unlike shopping online.
4. And our heart is expressed in our committment to excellence by always trying to surpass even the example of customer experience that Apple itself sets.
The Soho
Customer Service
Guarantee
We promise to treat you as if you're our only client, listening to and addressing each of your questions and comments, and never trying to sell you anything that we don't personally and genuinely believe in.
Recycle: Turn your old computer into food with Soho and The Mustard Seed Food Bank
Soho charges a minimum $10 fee for accepting and recycling your old electronics, 100% of which is donated to The Mustard Seed Food Bank.
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