Gear Diary » Apple MacBook Laptops http://www.geardiary.com Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:00:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 How My MacBook Pro Avoided the Trash, Part 3: Replacing the Fanhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-3-replacing-the-fan/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-3-replacing-the-fan/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:00:57 +0000 Travis Ehrlich http://www.geardiary.com/?p=180661

In part 2 of this series, I took the fan out of my 13" MacBook Pro, cleaned it and lightly lubricated it. For about a day, the fan noise was almost non-existent and the heating issue was mildly approved. Unfortunately, the noise quickly returned along with the hot CPU. This problem had to be fixed one way or another or I was going to have to throw the computer out of the window since it had become painfully slow and buggy. The next plan was to buy a new fan and replace the loud, failing original. I also decided to double the RAM from 4 to 8 gigs since the back would already

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-3-replacing-the-fan/feed/ 0 How My MacBook Pro Avoided the Trash, Part 2: Cleaning the Fanhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-2-cleaning-the-fan/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-2-cleaning-the-fan/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:00:06 +0000 Travis Ehrlich http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178787

In part 1 of this 3 part series, I discovered that my computer was not acting happy due to a fan issue. Catch up with the post here to follow my MacBook adventure. One goal of this project is to avoid the Apple Store and keep the cost down as low as possible. The fan noise is definitely out of control, the machine is running hot and it has become super slow. My next plan of action is to open up the case to clean and lubricate the fan. I took a few photos to explain how to open the machine, take out the fan and clean and lubricate. Remember, this is purely for

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-2-cleaning-the-fan/feed/ 0 How My MacBook Pro Avoided The Trash, Part 1: The Diagnosishttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/05/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-1-the-diagnosis/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/05/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-1-the-diagnosis/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:31 +0000 Travis Ehrlich http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177035

I pretty much live on my Mid 2009 13" MacBook Pro. The computer literally goes everywhere I go, and it contains most everything I need for work and home life. The past few months, my amazing little machine has developed some annoying problems. First, the fan started making a loud noise. At first I thought that it was running too fast, but after adding iStat Pro to my Dashboard, I quickly found the fan to be running at normal speeds with extra noise. Soon after the loud fan issue came the heat. My CPU was regularly running a temperature up to 90+ degrees. When this would occur, the machine was almost unusable. It seemed the noisy fan just could not keep up with the temperatures. I know the MacBook is getting to be a bit old when looking at computer years, but I love this computer and cannot afford to replace it. In fact, the computer was a family gift to me upon graduating with my Masters degree. Fixing the MacBook will be a three-part series of my adventure from start to finish. DISCLAIMER: ALL OF WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ WAS DONE AT MY OWN RISK! IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THE SAME, YOU WILL VOID ANY APPLE WARRANTY FOR THAT MACHINE. NEITHER GEAR DIARY NOR I ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM YOU DOING THE SAME. (ALTHOUGH IF YOU DO AND, AS A RESULT YOU FIX YOUR FAN WE WILL HAPPILY TAKE CREDIT) :-)
IN OTHER WORDS, THIS POST IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION, BUT RATHER IT IS SIMPLY A RECOLLECTION OF HOW I SAVED MY OWN LAPTOP.

My adventure began with a week-long search of forums and websites for easy fixes for the fan issue. It seems the issue is common for fans to go out or become noisy and various fixes are posted across the web. This is an account of my journey through diagnosis and home repair. My goal is to begin simple and free and work up until my MacBook is like new again.

This post recalls diagnosing the problem and possible plans of action.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/05/how-my-macbook-pro-avoided-the-trash-part-1-the-diagnosis/feed/ 0 Black Friday Giveaway #3http://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/25/black-friday-giveaway-3/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/25/black-friday-giveaway-3/#comments Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:30:53 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=171079 It's Black Friday and that means you can save some cash on things you want for yourself or to give to family and friends. Discounts are good but you know what is better? FREE! And we're giving away some awesome stuff today absolutely free. All you need to do is enter. This item has a value of $69.99. What is it and how can you win? Read on!   Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/25/black-friday-giveaway-3/feed/ 5 Holiday Gift Guide: For Those Who Work on the Gohttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/13/gear-diary-2011-gift-guide-gifts-for-working-on-the-go/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/13/gear-diary-2011-gift-guide-gifts-for-working-on-the-go/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:00:56 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=168751 From the Editorial Staff of Gear Diary: Is there someone in your life who loves music? If so, here are five gifts with which you can't go wrong. Apple MacBook Air Designed the way every notebook should be 1 We have to start this list with the 11" MacBook air. It's small, light, under $1000 and it makes working on the go a pleasure. You'll quickly forget that it is as small as it is. Judie has one and loves it. Dan has one and loves it. Elana has one and loves it (and she NEVER raves about technology.) Get one at Apple.com Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/13/gear-diary-2011-gift-guide-gifts-for-working-on-the-go/feed/ 0 Gear Deal: Apple MacBook Pro 13.3″ 2.3GHz Core i5 Notebook (Early 2011)http://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/10/gear-deal-apple-macbook-pro-13-3-2-3ghz-core-i5-notebook-early-2011/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/10/gear-deal-apple-macbook-pro-13-3-2-3ghz-core-i5-notebook-early-2011/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:59:51 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=168197 It isn't often that an Apple product is our daily Gear Deal but that what our Gear Sponsor has for us today! This deal is on the 13" MacBook Pro with a 2.3GHz Core i5 processor. This model dates from early 2011 and has the Thunderbolt port, Gigabit Ethernet, a FaceTime HD camera, the SDXC card slot and, of course, it has the durable Aluminum unibody design that has been such a huge hit. .Normally $1199 this laptop is just $1,037.99 with this deal. Thanks to an additional $50 mail-in rebate that comes all the way down to just $987.99. Better still, it will ship for free and there is no tax in most states Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/11/10/gear-deal-apple-macbook-pro-13-3-2-3ghz-core-i5-notebook-early-2011/feed/ 0 Macbook Pro Utility You NEED for Better Battery Life: gfxCardStatushttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/10/24/macbook-pro-utility-you-need-for-better-battery-life-gfxcardstatus/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/10/24/macbook-pro-utility-you-need-for-better-battery-life-gfxcardstatus/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:15:59 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=165958

Perhaps it was because I was using the Sony Vaio S-series laptop with its 15-hour battery, but I never really looked critically at the battery life on my 2011 15" Macbook Pro. But recently I have been using it almost exclusively and have felt that I should be getting more hours between charges. My assumption - particularly how the fans would spin up even when I was doing nothing particularly challenging - was that there was something related to the graphics card. So I looked around and found that the dynamic switching on the graphics cards will often leave the system stuck using the discrete card when the integrated is more than enough (for Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/10/24/macbook-pro-utility-you-need-for-better-battery-life-gfxcardstatus/feed/ 0 Gear Deal: Creative Sound Blaster Wireless for iTunes with Wireless Receiverhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/10/14/gear-deal-creative-sound-blaster-wireless-for-itunes-with-wireless-receiver/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/10/14/gear-deal-creative-sound-blaster-wireless-for-itunes-with-wireless-receiver/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:15:56 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=164673 Today's Gear Deal is something we have not previously highlighted as a deal. With Creative Labs' Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter and Receiver Bundle you simply plug the device into a USB port, and you can stream your iTunes music wirelessly to powered speakers. It requires no cables or network configuration and comes bundled with a remote control. Moreover, thanks to the fact that it uses uncompressed Xtreme Fidelity enhanced music the sound is great. Finally, with the remote control you can play, pause and skip through your music from the comfort of your couch. Usually $119.99 our Gear Sponsor has tracked it down for just $69.99. It will even ship for free. Details Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/10/14/gear-deal-creative-sound-blaster-wireless-for-itunes-with-wireless-receiver/feed/ 0 Movin’ to a Machttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/09/19/movin-to-a-mac/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/09/19/movin-to-a-mac/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:00:24 +0000 Douglas Moran http://www.geardiary.com/?p=160963 Recently, I was laid off from my day job.  As a result, for the first time in my life (literally!), my main system will be an Apple system, specifically 15" MacBook Pro running OS X "Snow Leopard".  And as I've made the move, copying my iTunes library over, setting up a backup disk, and all the other nonsense in which one must engage when one makes a big move of this type, I've noticed a few things.  If you're someone who is considering making the jump, but has been hesitating for one reason or another, maybe my experiences here will help you make a final decision. Let me state right out that I am most definitely Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/09/19/movin-to-a-mac/feed/ 7 Not Everyone is Ready to “Think Different” or Even to “Think Smart”http://www.geardiary.com/2011/08/27/not-everyone-is-ready-to-think-different-or-even-to-think-smart/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/08/27/not-everyone-is-ready-to-think-different-or-even-to-think-smart/#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 21:30:21 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=158319

There's an old story about three blind men. One grabbed an elephant's trunk and thought it was a snake. One grabbed a leg and thought it was a tree trunk. Another grabbed… Oh you get the idea. The bottom line is, when you look at only one piece of anything you are not going to see clearly… Or correctly. Yet time and again decisions get made upon this small-picture limited-think. Here's yet another example. A post over on Cult of Mac today offers the following.  
Here’s an idea: let’s cut Apple in half. Sure, the company is the most profitable on the planet and grabs more headlines than the U.S. President. The trouble, according
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/08/27/not-everyone-is-ready-to-think-different-or-even-to-think-smart/feed/ 2 The Neat Company’s NeatWorks Software Updated for Mac OS X Lionhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/27/the-neat-companys-neatworks-software-updated-for-mac-os-x-lion/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/27/the-neat-companys-neatworks-software-updated-for-mac-os-x-lion/#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:00:51 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=154906   I'm totally sold on The Neat Company's hardware/software combination that I reviewed a while back. It is a great way to move in the direction of being totally paperless and, best of all, it just works beautifully. I was bummed to discover that the Neat software was one of the things that would not work while I was running the beta version of OS X Lion but, then again, that's the price you pay for running Beta software. Well I'm happy to share with all of you that the company has updated their software and it is now compatible with Lion. As the email I received explains Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/27/the-neat-companys-neatworks-software-updated-for-mac-os-x-lion/feed/ 1 It’s a Post-PC, Post-Spec World but in the Real World Specs Still Matterhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/25/its-a-post-pc-post-spec-world-but-in-the-real-world-specs-still-matter/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/25/its-a-post-pc-post-spec-world-but-in-the-real-world-specs-still-matter/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:00:25 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=154652 By his own admission Steve Jobs is quickly moving us into a "Post-PC" era. This new era is not "post computer" era. Rather, it is an era in which computers look less and less like desktops or laptops and more like... well iPads and iPhones. (Perhaps a better name for this new era in computing would be "PC Rev2".) This process of moving into PC Rev2 will be sped up when iOS 5.0 is released this fall since it finally makes it easy to cut the cord. Yes, iPhones, iPod touches and iPads that have been slaves to Macs or Windows PCs will finally sync and update without physically needing to tether them to a Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/25/its-a-post-pc-post-spec-world-but-in-the-real-world-specs-still-matter/feed/ 0 Nuance Releases Dragon Dictate for Mac 2.5http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/25/nuance-releases-dragon-dictate-for-mac-2-5/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/25/nuance-releases-dragon-dictate-for-mac-2-5/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:44:42 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=154676   Last week Apple released their updated MacBook Airs. I picked up an 11" MBA with 4GB RAM and a 128GB ssd. I love the thing. There were a few reasons for the purchase. First, the new generation of MBAs are super fast. That along makes them a great choice. Second, this release brought back the backlit keyboard that had disappeared in the prior generation. I didn't realize just how much I missed the backlighting until I had it again. Third, the diminutive size of the 11" MBA makes it simple to being pretty much everywhere. As much as I love my iPad there are some things you just need access to Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/25/nuance-releases-dragon-dictate-for-mac-2-5/feed/ 1 MacBook Air 11″ (rev Summer 2011) First Impressionshttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/22/macbook-air-11-rev-summer-2011-first-impressions/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/22/macbook-air-11-rev-summer-2011-first-impressions/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:00:26 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=154469 For the last few months I have been using a 13" MacBook Air as my primary computer. It works beautifully. It is thin, light, and more than speedy enough for my needs. In addition, since the screen resolution is the same as the 15" MacBook Pro I used briefly a few years ago I don't feel like I'm compromising because of the size. All of that noted, however, there was part of me that, for these last months, had my eyes straying to (lusting for?) a different laptop. Yes, back in January Elana got an 11" MacBook Air and I have thought about getting one (again since I owned one briefly when they were Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/22/macbook-air-11-rev-summer-2011-first-impressions/feed/ 2 Sonos Issues Mac OS X ‘Lion’ Compatibility Warning – Don’t Upgrade Yet!!http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/21/sonos-issues-mac-os-x-%e2%80%98lion%e2%80%99-compatibility-warning-%e2%80%93-don%e2%80%99t-upgrade-yet/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/21/sonos-issues-mac-os-x-%e2%80%98lion%e2%80%99-compatibility-warning-%e2%80%93-don%e2%80%99t-upgrade-yet/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:30:05 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=154253 Yesterday Michael brought word that Livescribe's Mac desktop software is not currently compatible with Mac OS X Lion. In other words, if you rely on Livescribe don't upgrade to OS X Lion. This isn't a surprise or even an issue since there are always small bumps along the way whenever new operating systems come out.  Issues emerge and, within a short period of time, are resolved. This time is no different. I just got word that the same holds true for Sonos' Mac Controller. It too is not currently compatible with Mac OS X Lion. I've been using Lion for a few weeks now and love it but had not noticed this issue Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/21/sonos-issues-mac-os-x-%e2%80%98lion%e2%80%99-compatibility-warning-%e2%80%93-don%e2%80%99t-upgrade-yet/feed/ 0 Waterfield’s New MacBook Air Smart Case Let’s You Carry Your MBA with Style and Protectionhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/20/waterfields-new-macbook-air-smart-case-lets-you-carry-your-mba-with-style-and-protection/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/20/waterfields-new-macbook-air-smart-case-lets-you-carry-your-mba-with-style-and-protection/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:32:28 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=154128 Apple announced the new MacBook Airs this morning and Waterfield has a new design that will make protecting it on the go simple and stylish. The new Waterfield Smart Case for MacBook Air is a simple but effective sleeve for both the 11" and 13" MBA. It features the company's excellent build-quality along with a style that belies its hardcore protective features. Among those features: a plastic insert that shields both sides and the bottom of the MBA and a snug fit that will keep the laptop from sliding out. In addition there is a mesh pocket that expands if you need to carry something but sits flat when empty. I've used the Smart Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/20/waterfields-new-macbook-air-smart-case-lets-you-carry-your-mba-with-style-and-protection/feed/ 1 OS X Lion’s AirDrop- First Experience with it Explains Why it Rockshttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/17/os-x-lions-airdrop-first-experience-with-it-explains-why-it-rocks/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/17/os-x-lions-airdrop-first-experience-with-it-explains-why-it-rocks/#comments Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:30:32 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=153646 One of the features that will arrive with OS X Lion later this week is AirDrop. AirDrop makes it possible to quickly and simply share files with someone on your local network. Personally I didn't see much of the point… until just now. Safari Judie and I are both working on our Macbook Airs here in NJ. My 13" has an SD slot while her 11" Air doesn't. (And boy oh boy has she been complaining whining about that fact!) She took some pictures for a review and wanted to get them on her computer. At first we were going to Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/07/17/os-x-lions-airdrop-first-experience-with-it-explains-why-it-rocks/feed/ 1 Mac Accessory Review: Magic Connector for Apple’s Trackpad and Bluetooth Keyboardhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/06/02/mac-accessory-review-magic-connector-for-apples-trackpad-and-bluetooth-keyboard/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/06/02/mac-accessory-review-magic-connector-for-apples-trackpad-and-bluetooth-keyboard/#comments Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:00:25 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=147327 Elana and I are both using our MacBook Air's as our primary computers and could not be happier. (She has an 11" and I have a 13".) Safari Both of us have Rain Design's mStand and love the simple, elegant way it raises the laptop up so that the screen is at perfect eye-level. And we both use a Bluetooth keyboard and pointing device. Elana uses Apple's MagicMouse, and I use a Magic Trackpad. That's where the issue comes in. IMG 3954 Having the trackpad and Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/06/02/mac-accessory-review-magic-connector-for-apples-trackpad-and-bluetooth-keyboard/feed/ 2 GD Quicky: OS X Lion Turns Your Laptop Into the Best Desktop Everhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/05/01/gd-quicky-os-x-lion-turns-your-laptop-into-the-best-desktop-ever/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/05/01/gd-quicky-os-x-lion-turns-your-laptop-into-the-best-desktop-ever/#comments Mon, 02 May 2011 01:00:22 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=142190   9to5Mac had an interesting post earlier today regarding a seemingly minor change in the upcoming OS X Lion release. As they explain,
Among other subtle changes, in Lion when you shut your MacBook’s screen while connected to an external monitor, the machine no longer goes to sleep but instead switches immediately to external monitor-only view while staying active.
To flesh it out a bit, when I have my 13" MBA connected to an external monitor, mouse and keyboard and I close the lid the external monitor goes blank and the MBA goes into sleep mode. If I want to use the MBA as a "desktop" all I need to do is move the mouse or Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/05/01/gd-quicky-os-x-lion-turns-your-laptop-into-the-best-desktop-ever/feed/ 1 GD Quickie: Mobile Computing as It Was Meant to Behttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/04/26/gd-quickie-mobile-computing-as-it-was-meant-to-be/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/04/26/gd-quickie-mobile-computing-as-it-was-meant-to-be/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:55:03 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=141298

  I can think of far worse work stations than this! Take one gorgeous spring day, an 11" MacBook Air and Rain Design's awesome laptop stand and you get one rather nice place to work. Elana has never raved about a computer as much as she does her 11" MBA and being able to edit a business proposal for someone while looking out at the lake is pretty darn nice! I think THIS is what mobile computing was made for! :)   And speaking of mobile computing... Posted from my RIM Playbook! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/04/26/gd-quickie-mobile-computing-as-it-was-meant-to-be/feed/ 1 GD Quickie: The Cruel March of Technologyhttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/04/25/gd-quickie-the-cruel-march-of-technology/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/04/25/gd-quickie-the-cruel-march-of-technology/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:15:49 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=141058 I tend to keep my Mac laptops for two 'generations', which allows me to extract maximum value from them in terms of return on investment before trading them in or selling them. At that point there is still solid performance and decent value remaining. When the iPad 2 launch was approaching, I decided to look at the possibility of trading in my 2008 Macbook Pro. Lately I have used Gazelle, as they give a reasonable value and their process is so quick and painless that it is worth taking a little bit less because of the time savings. But as I looked I realized that I had fallen three generations Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/04/25/gd-quickie-the-cruel-march-of-technology/feed/ 0 As 2010 Comes to an End We Ask: Was it a Good Year in Tech? And We Answer… Nopehttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/31/as-2010-comes-to-an-and-we-ask-was-it-a-good-year-in-tech-and-we-answer-nope/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/31/as-2010-comes-to-an-and-we-ask-was-it-a-good-year-in-tech-and-we-answer-nope/#comments Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:00:39 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=124048 As 2010 comes to an end we ask... Was it a good year in tech? And we answer... Nope Nope??? Nope! It was a great year in tech. That's right. 2010 finally saw some of the key things we have been hoping for come to fruition. iPad Baby!! First and foremost 2010 gave us the iPad. The iPad wasn't significant just because of what it did for Apple but because it finally showed that a tablet form factor can and will work... And be loved by consumers... if it  is done right. Think about it for a minute–the iPad is the first generation device and yet it is fantastic. Yes Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/31/as-2010-comes-to-an-and-we-ask-was-it-a-good-year-in-tech-and-we-answer-nope/feed/ 2 MacBook Air Gear: AUTUM Straight Jacket, an Insanely Simple Leather Laptop Sleevehttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/15/macbook-air-gear-autum-straight-jacket-an-insanely-simple-leather-laptop-sleeve/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/15/macbook-air-gear-autum-straight-jacket-an-insanely-simple-leather-laptop-sleeve/#comments Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:00:28 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=121518

Dan mentioned a little while ago that AUTUM was releasing Straight Jackets for the new MacBook Airs and the iPad, which he soon followed with a review of their iPad Straight Jacket. Because Dan and I are now the owners of new MacBook Airs, we have been sent a couple of AUTUM's MacBook Air Straight Jackets to review as well; I was sent the 11" version, and Dan has Both the 11" and the 13". The picture above shows all three; the 13" is on the bottom, the 11" is in the middle, and the iPad Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/15/macbook-air-gear-autum-straight-jacket-an-insanely-simple-leather-laptop-sleeve/feed/ 4 Apple on TV: Dueling iPads & Dueling Mac Book Proshttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/13/apple-on-tv-dueling-ipads-dueling-mac-book-pros/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/13/apple-on-tv-dueling-ipads-dueling-mac-book-pros/#comments Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:00:15 +0000 LarryGreenberg http://www.geardiary.com/?p=121349 Like any good admitted fanboy, I often find myself looking for Apple products on TV. Lately I’ve been spotting more and more iDevices popping up on many of the shows I watch. So I’ve decided to start a new weekly segment entitled “Apple On TV.” The premise is simple. Whenever I spot an Apple product in one of the shows I watch (and I watch a lot of TV), I’ll take a screen shot of it and post it here, in a weekly recap, with a short description. But I need your help too! Although I watch a lot of TV I don’t watch everything. So if you come across an Apple product in one of Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/13/apple-on-tv-dueling-ipads-dueling-mac-book-pros/feed/ 0 Apple On TV: This Week’s Apple Sightingshttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/06/apple-on-tv-this-weeks-apple-sitings/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/06/apple-on-tv-this-weeks-apple-sitings/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:00:10 +0000 LarryGreenberg http://www.geardiary.com/?p=120387 Like any good admitted fanboy, I often find myself looking for Apple products on TV. Lately I’ve been spotting more and more iDevices popping up on many of the shows I watch. So I’ve decided to start a new weekly segment entitled “Apple On TV.” The premise is simple. Whenever I spot an Apple product in one of the shows I watch (and I watch a lot of TV), I’ll take a screen shot of it and post it here, in a weekly recap, with a short description. But I need your help too! Although I watch a lot of TV I don’t watch everything. So if you come across an Apple product in one of Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/12/06/apple-on-tv-this-weeks-apple-sitings/feed/ 1 Apple On TV: There Aren’t a Lot of Apples on Thanksgivinghttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/11/30/apple-on-tv-there-arent-a-lot-of-apples-on-thanksgiving/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/11/30/apple-on-tv-there-arent-a-lot-of-apples-on-thanksgiving/#comments Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:00:37 +0000 LarryGreenberg http://www.geardiary.com/?p=119476 Appletvwall111.jpg

Like any good admitted fanboy, I often find myself looking for Apple products on TV. Lately I’ve been spotting more and more iDevices popping up on many of the shows I watch. So I’ve decided to start a new weekly segment entitled “Apple On TV.” The premise is simple. Whenever I spot an Apple product in one of the shows I watch (and I watch a lot of TV), I’ll take a screen shot of it and post it here, in a weekly recap, with a short description. But I need your help too! Although I watch a lot of TV I don’t watch everything. So if you come across an

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/11/30/apple-on-tv-there-arent-a-lot-of-apples-on-thanksgiving/feed/ 0 Apple On TV: Only The iPhone Gets Barshttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/11/22/apple-on-tv-only-the-iphone-gets-bars/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/11/22/apple-on-tv-only-the-iphone-gets-bars/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:59 +0000 LarryGreenberg http://www.geardiary.com/?p=118333 Like any good admitted fanboy, I often find myself looking for Apple products on TV. Lately I’ve been spotting more and more iDevices popping up on many of the shows I watch. So I’ve decided to start a new weekly segment entitled “Apple On TV.” The premise is simple. Whenever I spot an Apple product in one of the shows I watch (and I watch a lot of TV), I’ll take a screen shot of it and post it here, in a weekly recap, with a short description. But I need your help too! Although I watch a lot of TV I don’t watch everything. So if you come across an Apple product in one of the shows Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/11/22/apple-on-tv-only-the-iphone-gets-bars/feed/ 0 Eenie Meenie Miny Moe… MacBook Airs But Which Way to Go?http://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/24/eenie-meenie-miny-moe-macbook-airs-but-which-way-to-go/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/24/eenie-meenie-miny-moe-macbook-airs-but-which-way-to-go/#comments Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:00:09 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=114776 When Apple announced the new MacBook air this past Wednesday I knew immediately that I would be ordering one. The question was – which one? Safari.png Dan- Let me go back a few years. I have always wanted a thin and light computer that allowed me to do everything but was simple to lug around. When my arthritic wrists became increasingly painful the need for a light notebook grew significantly. As a result I ordered the first MacBook Air as soon as it was available. In fact, mine came in the very first day the computers were hitting the United States Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/24/eenie-meenie-miny-moe-macbook-airs-but-which-way-to-go/feed/ 3 MacBook Air 11-inch First Impressionshttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/23/macbook-air-11-inch-first-impressions/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/23/macbook-air-11-inch-first-impressions/#comments Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:00:26 +0000 Mitchell Oke http://www.geardiary.com/?p=114791

When Apple announced the new MacBook Air, I knew that I would be buying one. It looked to fix the issues that I had with the first one and fitted into my current situation better than my 13” MacBook Pro. I purchased the 13” MacBook Pro as soon as it came out. At the time it combined the right size, performance and battery life that I needed whilst at uni, catching the train every day, and needing to do a bit of video editing at home and on the move. That has changed however, since I no longer use my laptop for video editing, and in a lot of cases I want to be Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/23/macbook-air-11-inch-first-impressions/feed/ 1 Apple Goes Back to the Mac… News From Apple’s Special Mac Eventhttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/20/apple-goes-back-to-the-mac-news-from-apples-special-mac-event/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/20/apple-goes-back-to-the-mac-news-from-apples-special-mac-event/#comments Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:35:07 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=114410 Apple is holding their Back to the Mac Special Event after announcing it just one week prior. One week's notice, and the blogosphere is all abuzz with excitement. It is pretty amazing that Apple can pull off such things and time after time grab so much attention, but it especially makes sense this time around. Not only is Apple on a roll with its most profitable quarter behind them and a runaway hit with the iPad, but after so much time and energy spent on iOS devices, Mac enthusiasts have been clamoring to see Cupertino shift its focus back to OS X and the machines that run it. Well that's what Apple is delivering Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/10/20/apple-goes-back-to-the-mac-news-from-apples-special-mac-event/feed/ 18