Apple Media Event Announcements: Free OSX Mavericks is Here! iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, New Retina Macbook Pros

OSX Mavericks from www.Apple.com

Hopefully, you saw the Apple Media Event and saw the new introductions.  I missed it but I hope to watch it later if I can view it on my Apple TV (which I didn't hear of any updates for).  There were some good announcements today.  Here is a quick summary:

OSX Mavericks is available and FREE at the Mac App Store.  Thanks to MacRumors for that information.  You can access OSX Mavericks by clicking here.  Mavericks comes with over 200 new features which I'll cover in depth later...maybe not all 200 but the major updates.  So, hurry and get Mavericks!

iPad Air:  The latest full size iPad was introduced and is now called the iPad Air because it is thinner and lighter than its predecessors and comes with a Retina display as usual.  It also has a 64-Bit A7 processor and it comes with sizes up to 128 GB's of storage.  See more details here.

iPad Mini:  The latest generation of iPad Mini now comes with a Retina display.   I know many people were waiting on that so it's finally here.  If this is what was holding you back from getting an iPad Mini...then wait no longer...well, a little longer...they should be released in November.  The new iPad Mini is a little thicker and heavier than its predecessor but hopefully we won't be able to really tell the difference.  It also has a 64-Bit A7 processor and comes in sizes up to 128 GB's of storage.  See more details here.

Macbook Pro with Retina:  There was no update for the normal Macbook Pro but the 13" and 15" Macbook Pros with Retina were updated with new Haswell processors and faster Flash storage.  The entry level price has also dropped on the Retina Macbook Pros by $200.  See more details here.




You can watch the full event here if you haven't seen it.

I hope you enjoyed the announcements from Apple and we will dive deeper into them later.

What are your thoughts about Apple's announcements?  What products are you excited about?

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Mac Mail Tutorial

I am always connected to the Internet whether on my iPhone or my Macbook.  Sometimes, I probably check my email too often.  I get a lot of emails so I have to make sure I don't miss important emails while filtering out spam and unwanted emails.

I am a fan of the Mail application on Macs.  It works well to fit my needs but when I first started using it, I had to learn how to set it up the way I wanted.  It's set up the way I prefer now but it took a little of research.  If you haven't used the Mail application yet, you should give it a try.

If you have multiple email accounts, the Mail application makes it easy to consolidate all your mail.  You can look at a specific mailbox or you see all your mail at once.  This is a very helpful feature since most people have multiple email accounts by now.  Maybe you have Hotmail, Yahoo, iCloud, and Google email accounts.  Rather than logging into each one each day, you just view them all through the Mail application.

This tutorial is good to help you do some advanced functions in the Mail application on your Mac.  Once you get it set up the way you want, it just works.

Did you find this tutorial helpful?

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Mac OSX Mavericks and How to Upgrade

Apple's newest version of Mac OSX was recently introduced at WWDC 2013. Although still in the beta stages, now is the perfect time to take a look at what this upgrade has to offer, how to install it on your Mac, and when it will be available to buy.

The newly named "Mavericks" is the 10th major release of the powerful OSX operating system, and reportedly offers more than 200 new features.  These new design features promise to make your life easier, run your Mac faster, and improve energy efficiency.

OSX Mavericks incorporates new power-saving innovations like Time Coalescing®, a new feature that groups together low-level operations of your Mac, enabling the CPU to run longer in a reduced-power state.  There is also the App Nap®, another new facet of the Mac OSX upgrade that is designed to focus on open applications you are not using. This makes it possible for your Mac to maintain speed and responsiveness by automatically compressing any inactive data when your system approaches memory capacity. Once you need the data again, however, it is available immediately.

In addition to increased battery life, the latest Mac OSX upgrade introduces iCloud Keychain®, a new security feature that provides safe storage of your WI-FI passwords, website login credentials, and yes, even your credit card information.  Your confidential data, while being securely protected by robust AES 256 bit encryption, is automatically shared with your Mac, and all of your approved devices.

There are many other groundbreaking additions to Mavericks, including iBooks®, a feature that provides immediate access to your iBooks library, as well as any new titles in the iBooks Store. Conveniently, iBooks also automatically bookmarks the last page you read.   There is an enhanced multi-display support, and the newly offered Maps, complete with 3D view, interactive Flyover™, and razor-sharp graphics.  The new Safari browser is more powerful, more stable, and offers even more advanced features. If you like the new updates, you can begin planning your upgrade now.

When considering any upgrade, it is important to note that you must always check the system requirements first. Once you understand the specifications, carefully compare them to what you already have, and verify the current OSX version your Mac is running.  This is necessary, because if you missed a previous upgrade, you will need to bring your system current before continuing on to the Mavericks release.

To locate your current OSX, select the apple icon from the top left of your screen, then click on "About This Mac" from the drop down menu to find your version.

Once you have your OSX details, simply visit Apple's website (once Mavericks is available for sale) for specific upgrade instructions.  The process should be similar to past upgrades where you can purchase them through the Mac app store.  I like the fact you only have to purchase one upgrade for multiple computers.  Most importantly, remember to back up all of your data, and be sure you have all of your application CD's before you start.

The preview of Mavericks OSX is available now to all members of the Mac Developer program.  All other Mac users can purchase the new Mavericks Mac OSX upgrade in the Fall of 2013.

What do you think about OSX Mavericks?  Are you ready to upgrade?

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The Benefits of Using Plex Media Server on Your Mac

Today, let's revisit Plex.  If you own a Mac or an iOS device, you can benefit from using Plex Media Server.  Let's jump right into the benefits.

Macs used to come with Front Row but new Macs no longer come with it.  Front Row was an easy program to use but it was limited.  Plex picked up where Front Row left off.  All of a sudden, Mac users were able to watch various media types all in one place.  I have used VLC player in the past and still do sometimes.  It also provides the capability to play various media types but Plex does more than that.

Plex Media Server allows you to store and organize your media.  For instance, if you have movies on a computer, an external hard drive, and on a NAS (network attached storage) like the Drobo FS, you can consolidate them all with Plex Media Server and they would simply all display as movies.  I think that is a cool feature.  When you want to watch your movie collection, you don't want to worry about where is this movie stored.  You want the simplicity of browsing your movie collection and Plex does that well.  This works for TV shows and music as well.

Plex Media Server also takes meta-data (information about the file) and uses it to go online and find more details about the file.  For instance, with movies, it Plex can pull cover art, plot summary, and more.  This feature can really make Plex pop!  Imagine having a something that looks like this on your big screen!

Then there is MyPlex where you can setup an account and then you can take your media with you anywhere.  Imagine watching your shows or movies from home while you're out using your iPhone or iPad.  You can also use this feature to share with your friends if they are using Plex.  Once you use it, I'm sure you'll tell your friends to use it as well.

You can also use Plex to access online content.  That really opens up your options for what you can watch!

So, if you're now ready to setup Plex Media Server on your Mac, here is an informative video that walks you through the process so you can enjoy the benefits.



Do you currently use Plex Media Server or would you use it in the future?  Why or why not?

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How to setup and configure your Apple TV

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The Refurbished Mac Mini Story

An Idea to Fix Your Macbook if It's Running Slow

Fix Your Macbook

Okay, so yesterday, I was looking for something new to write about.  I was looking to see if there was a problem  Apple users were facing.  I stumbled across a forum that was talking about Macbooks running slow.  If you are having this problem, I know it can be annoying.  We like things quick!  If we are searching for information, we want it now.  When you're used to working at a certain level and now you can't, that can be aggravating.  Luckily, this forum also had a way to fix your Macbook if it's running slow.

The Explanation

I'm including the explanation first so you can verify your symptoms before using the fix.  If your CPU idle % is low, like significantly below 80%, there is a good chance a process is draining your CPU.  You can verify this using Activity Monitor.  To open Activity Monitor, use one of these options:

Option 1

• Click Launchpad on the dock
• Click Other
• Then select Activity Monitor
• Select CPU and view the % idle

Option 2

• On the top toolbar, select Go
• Then Utilities
• Then select Activity Monitor
• Select CPU and view the % idle

The Fix

• Turn off your Macbook and plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
• Hold down the left Shift, Control, Option, and Power buttons for 10 seconds.  The Macbook should remain off during this time.
• Then, release the buttons and power on the Macbook.

This is a simple fix for a problem that could complicate you life.  Hopefully, this tip will remedy your slow Macbook problems so you can get back to being productive.


Did this help fix your Mac issue?

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Screenshots on a Mac

Installed a SSD in Macbook and Mac Mini

What If You Want Windows on Your Mac Mini?

Windows on Mac

So...you've purchased a Mac Mini (or any Mac for that matter) and you aren't ready to leave Windows behind just yet?  You like your Mac Mini but you miss the familiarity of Windows.  I know how you feel...I've been there.  I promise you have made a great choice by purchasing a Mac.  Once you learn more about it and use it more, the software will make sense and you may begin to prefer it to Windows.  But in the meantime, don't worry, Apple has made it so your transition doesn't have to be so quick.  Let's take a look at your options for having Windows on your Mac Mini.

Virtual Network Computing (VNC)

If you still have a Windows computer in your home, the easiest way to get Windows on your Mac Mini is to remotely connect to your Windows computer.  Normally, you want to have your Mac Mini and your Windows computer on the same network.  There are some options for when they are not on the same network but it's not important here.  For your Windows computer, you need to download, install, and configure the TightVNC Server application.  The Mac Mini has a VNC client built into the operating system.  It's called Screen Sharing.  If you want to connect your Mac Mini to the Windows computer, simply click:

Go
Connect to Server
Then enter "vnc://" followed by the IP address of your Windows Computer.

Now, you are ready to go and you have Windows on your Mac Mini.  The downside is the lack of audio.  If you desire audio, you will want to look at the next two options.

Boot Camp

The next option comes standard on the Mac Mini and it's called Boot Camp.  Boot Camp allows you to create a separate partition on your hard drive to install Windows.  This will give you the option to either boot into Mac OSX or Windows at startup.  Some pros for this installation is you will have audio and there is no lag.  The Mac Mini should perform like a Windows computer.  Some people even claim Windows may run better on a Mac.  There may be some driver issues to work through.  The con for this is you can only run one operating system at a time.  For more details about Boot Camp or for the step by step instructions to install it, go here.

Virtual Machine

The last option (and my preferred method) is to install Windows on a virtual machine (VM).  A virtual machine is just running a virtual computer on your existing computer.  This is good if you want to run multiple operating systems.  Some people also use VM's to test software or to add another layer of security to their computer.  There are a few software options for creating and running virtual machines but the most popular are VMWare Fusion
Buy VMware Fusion 5 - The Best Way To Run Windows on Your Mac!
and Parallels.
Limited time offer - 25% off Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac - Run windows on your Mac - Faster
Both offer you a way to run Windows in a virtual machine.  The positive is that you have a Windows computer on your Mac.  The VM will perform as a normal computer would.  The negative is that you have a Windows computer on your Mac.  This sounds bad but I promise I'm not taking a shot at Windows.  I just mean your Mac Mini's operating system will have to share resources (storage space and memory) with the VM.  You just want to make sure your Mac Mini is up to the challenge.  I recommend at least 4 GB's of RAM and a dual core processor.

So there you have it!  Those are some options to put Windows on a Mac Mini.  You can use VNC, Boot Camp, or install a virtual machine.  Then you can continue to use any Windows software you've already purchased.  This is just a brief summary of your options.  You just have to decide which is the best option for your needs.

Did you find these tips helpful?

How to Use Dictation on a Mac

Use Dictation on a Mac

Do you ever get tired of typing?  Do you wish you could get your thoughts on paper just a little bit quicker?  Well, the good news is if you have a Mac, this feature is already built in.  It is called Dictation and the software comes standard in all the new Macs.  Just think. You talk and it writes down everything that you say.  Is technology really that advanced?  I think so.  I will tell you a few details about dictation and hopefully you will give it a try...if you haven't already.

First, let's go over how to use Dictation.  First, you want to make sure it is activated and to find this out, you have to go to:

System Preferences, then Dictation & Speech

From there, you can simply turn on the Dictation feature.  You can also choose a shortcut from the following options:

Press fn (Function) twice

Press right Command key twice

Press left Command key twice

Press either Command key twice

You can choose whichever shortcut works best for you.  You can also change the language here if needed.  Now you're ready to use Dictation anywhere that you would normally type.  All you have to do to activate Dictation is either use your chosen shortcut or you can go to:

Edit, then Start Dictation

It's that easy!  Dictation may have some problems getting all your words correct in the beginning but it should learn and improve over time.  Even so, the problems are usually minor.  You will have to say the punctuation at the end of your statement or question if you want Dictation to add it.  As you get used to Dictation, you can save a lot of time so don't be shy about trying it out.  If you want to take Mac dictation software to the next level, Dragon Dictation software is a great option.  Use your Mac to it's full potential!

For a detailed list of Dictation commands, simply visit this site.

Did you find these tips helpful?

Screenshots on a Mac

Partial Screenshot

Screenshot on a Mac

I'm not sure if you can tell this, but the picture above is a screenshot.  I took it from Apple's website.  No matter how you use your Mac, I'm sure one day you will need to take a screenshot of something.  There will be times that you just don't want to take a complete screenshot.  You only need one part of what's being displayed for whatever reason.  Well, the good news is that these features are already available in Mac OSX.

Here are a few Mac screenshot commands that you may find helpful in your day to day tasks:

• Command-Shift-3:  Take a screenshot of the screen, and save it as a file on the desktop
• Command-Shift-4, then select an area:  Take a screenshot of an area and save it as a file on the desktop
• Command-Shift-4, then space, then click a window:  Take a screenshot of a window and save it as a file on the desktop
• Command-Control-Shift-3:  Take a screenshot of the screen, and save it to the clipboard
• Command-Control-Shift-4, then select an area:  Take a screenshot of an area and save it to the clipboard
• Command-Control-Shift-4, then space, then click a window:  Take a screenshot of a window and save it to the clipboard

In Leopard and later, the following keys can be held down while selecting an area (via Command-Shift-4 or Command-Control-Shift-4):

• Space, to lock the size of the selected region and instead move it when the mouse moves
• Shift, to resize only one edge of the selected region
• Option, to resize the selected region with its center as the anchor point

These commands came from MacRumors.  For more in-depth Mac screenshot commands, you can view them here.

Did you find these tips helpful?

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Mission Control on Mac

I haven't really used Mission Control on my Mac very often.  I think that was because I hadn't spent any time to learn about it.  After taking the time, I can already see ways that it can help me improve my productivity while keeping my workspaces neat and tidy.  If my computer were a desk, it would be a cluttered desk.  Mission control clears up the clutter.  It may take a little bit of time to get used to but I think it will be beneficial.

The videos below offer a quick tutorial (1st one) to get you started or a more detailed tutorial (2nd one) that covers gestures, special keys, and even settings to use.  So, it's your choice.  You can learn and implement quickly or you can dive deeper and master Mission Control.  "Master" may be stretching it.  Enjoy!

The New Mac Mini!!!

Apple Mac mini dual-core Intel Core i5 i5 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, Intel HD Graphics 4000, OS X Mountain Lion

"Hello.  Is it me you're looking for?" (Lionel Richie)  I continue to be smitten by the Mac Mini and it's only a matter of time before I get the new Mac Mini.  It's still pretty rare to have such a powerful computer in this small of a form factor.  The latest update isn't one that  you will notice when you first remove the Mac Mini from its box.  All of the updates are on the inside.

The new Mac Mini offers USB 3.0 for faster data transfer.  It also has faster graphics and gives you the option to power this little beast with a quad core processor.

Still the Mac Mini is small enough to place practically anywhere.  Mine sits on my entertainment shelf easily and takes up way less space than my Xbox 360.  I just use my Macbook (that I'm always on) to connect to the Mac Mini  and control it.  I have a wired keyboard with a built in trackpad just in case I cannot access it remotely.

If you are thinking about buying a Mac at a reasonable price, I recommend the Mac Mini.  The complete review is below.


Mac Mini Review

Thoughts on Mac Mini and Benchmarks

I enjoy Apple products overall but this is my favorite Mac...the Mac Mini!  I'm not sure how many Mac Minis Apple has sold.  I don't know if they are very popular.  Still, I think they are great.  This was the first Mac I ever purchased.  I, like many people, thought Macs were too expensive.  After looking through Apple's website, I came across the Mac Mini.  It said something like "BYODKM (Bring your own display, keyboard, and mouse."  At the time, I was building my computers and I thought, "I do already have those things."  This made the Mac Mini my Mac of choice.  It had a low entry price (compared to other Macs) and decent specs considering the size of this computer.  I was able to get a refurbished model from the Apple store and saved about $100...which I later used to upgrade the memory.

Well, that's what I have to say about the Mac Mini (for now).  The article below talks about what other people are saying about the new Mac Mini models and includes the latest benchmark information.  Also, there is a link to great free software to add to a Mac Mini or any Mac.  Enjoy!  Let me know what you think.

Thoughts and Benchmarks

Great Free Software for Macs

New iPod Nano Teardown

The iPod Nano has been updated and iFixit has completed a teardown so we can see how Apple has created this product.  Not only can you see the components, but you can also learn which product manufacturers Apple has been working with.  Read below for more details.

New iPod Nano Teardown

Setting Up a Mac

If you are new to Mac or about to purchase your first Mac, this is a great tutorial to show you how to setup your Mac.  It's a pretty simple process but if you're completely new to the Apple ecosystem, this could be helpful.  If you've already made the transition, I'm proud of you.  If you are about to make the transition, I know you will enjoy it.  And my blog is always here to assist.


Setting Up a Mac

Installed A SSD in 13" Macbook and Mac Mini

OCZ Technology 256GB Octane Series - Solid state drive (SSD) - Internal - 2.5" - SATA III (OCT1-25SAT3-256G) only $139.99 after Mail-in Rebate. Ends 10/10

I have a Macbook and a Mac Mini. You may know this already. Recently I decided to upgrade them both with Solid State Drives (SSD). Both had 80 GB drives and I was looking to increase storage and performance. I looked around the internet and was able to find 2- 120 GB SSDs at a reasonable price. Due to the price of SSDs, I couldn't find larger SSDs for a price I was willing to pay. After the fact, I found the special sale above and the company also had great prices on Apple computers and accessories. You may want to check it out and get the deal I missed. Here is a video of a hard drive replacement…pretty easy. The fast forward noise is a little cheesy but good information nonetheless. During the video, you can also see where the memory is located…2 modules stacked on top of each other...if you decide to upgrade it later.


 

Mac Desktops

What You Need to Know About Mac Desktops What set the distinction of Mac desktops were the reasons why they became the top choices of business and creative professionals: exceptional performance, unique style, and user-friendly applications. But before choosing your Mac desktop, it is necessary to know which of the choices best fit your lifestyle and professional needs. The diversity of the Mac desktop line has offered many options to enjoy the Mac experience. The current Mac desktop collection features three distinct yet equally remarkable machines you can choose from: the Mac mini, the iMac, and the Mac Pro. Get to know more of these items and find out which of the three desktops suit your needs the most for your enjoyment. Speed and Power: How Fast Do They Run? In desktops, performance is measured by the speed of the processor and the size of the memory. Mac desktops come with different configurations to cater to a wide range of advanced users and beginners with varying performance requirements. The new Mac Pro is the fastest, most powerful Mac ever, powered by either Intel Xeon Nehalem or Westmere processor, or even both. The Intel Xeon processor comes with a single-processor, quad–core configuration at speeds up to 3.2GHz; while the Westmere series is available in both quad–core and 6–core versions. And since Mac Pro can operate with the two processors, 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. If your tasks are less demanding, the iMac offers quad-core Intel i7 processors with up to 2.93GHz and supports up to 8GB of RAM; while the Mac mini has Intel Core 2 Duo processors with speed that reaches up to 2.66GHz and supports up to 8GB of RAM. Multimedia Experience: How Enjoyable Are Macs? Your digital life will go beyond the usual with Mac desktops, as they use the latest wireless technology complemented by cutting-edge graphics and simple-to-use applications. For instance, the Mac Pro redefines graphics capabilities through the ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1 GB GDDR5 SDRAM memory, giving you brand new audio and visual experiences. And since the iMac adopted the all-in-one design concept, it has combined a display screen in 21.5–inch and 27–inch glossy widescreen models with a webcam, a microphone, and speakers, making it the most complete multimedia package among the three desktops. But if you wish to enhance your multimedia experience by integrating a Mac desktop with home entertainment devices, the Mac mini is the best pick because of its tiny footprint and DVI/VGA output. Data Access and Storage: How Reliable Are Mac Desktops? All Mac desktops are equipped with two types of drives that serve distinct purposes: a hard drive for storing data and an optical drive for accessing and burning data on CDs and DVDs. Also, its Superdrive feature with double-layer support enables all three desktops to read and burn CDs and DVDs. The Mac mini comes with ample storage of up to 500GB while the iMac and the Mac Pro offer terabyte capacities at 7200-rpm. Additionally, the Mac Pro is assembled with an open optical drive bay to accommodate an extra Superdrive. Size and Design: Can Mac Desktops Complement Your Style? Apple has always blazed the design trail – never settling for the banal and constantly pushing the envelope of form and style. But it is not all about aesthetics; each element of design enhances the computer’s utility inside and out. If you prefer a unit that requires a minimal space, you can choose between the Mac mini and the iMac. The former has a small form factor with the simplicity of the Zen-like design. It weighs a mere 3.0 pounds, making it light enough to transport anywhere in your home. Meanwhile, the iMac saves your space with its svelte all–in–one construction that combines the display screen and CPU into a single unit, liberating your desk from clutter and the ghastly tangle of wires. The Mac Pro, on the other hand, is anything but small. With a height of 20.1 inches and a weight of over 40 pounds, the unit looks magnificent from the outside with its sleek, aluminum, industrial frame. But its interior is even more interesting due to its intelligent structure that makes DIY hardware upgrades quick and hassle–free. Which Mac Desktop Suits Your Budget? The cost always depends on your needs and demands. The most affordable way to get into the Mac experience is the Mac mini with a starting price of $599. Its minute dimensions and built-in wireless connectivity allow you to move the unit conveniently to any corner of your living space. With the Mac mini, you can always bring the Mac experience wherever you go. The price of iMac, on the other hand, starts at $1199. Its unique all–in–one design and solid overall performance make it an incredibly attractive package for mainstream PC users who wants to switch to a Mac desktop. The Mac Pro, which is purposely created to be a high performance machine, has the starting price of $2499 – a friendly rate for the many possibilities you can expect with this one ultimate desktop. Now that you are well–equipped with the necessary information about Mac desktops, it will be easier for you to choose which Mac is best for you.   1940 E. Mariposa Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245 - 800.MACMALL © 2011 MacMall - All rights reserved.

Troubleshoot Wireless Network

Here are some tips from Macworld to help you with troubleshooting your wireless network.  Hopefully, you won't need them but just in case.

Troubleshoot Wireless Network