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?

If you found this helpful, make sure you leave a comment, share it, "Like" us on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter!

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?

If you found this helpful, make sure you leave a comment, share it, "Like" us on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter!

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The Refurbished Mac Mini Story

Screenshots on a Mac

Installed a SSD in Macbook and Mac Mini

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?

If you found this helpful, make sure you leave a comment, share it, "Like" us on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter!

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!

Apple Announcements: iPad, iPad Mini, 13 Inch Macbook With Retina, iMac, and Mac Mini

The announcements have been made and it looks like the rumors were pretty much on target.  For Apple product lovers, there are some new toys to enjoy.  This includes the Fourth Generation iPad, the super-thin iMac, the 13 inch Macbook Pro with Retina, the updated Mac Mini, and of course, the iPad Mini!  As usual, I am interested in the Mac Mini...the tiny workhorse.  But it was the iMac that shocked me; I was surprised to see the thin iMac.  I'm not trying to start the next rumor, but after seeing the new iMac, I can't help but wonder what Apple could do with the iTV...if they were to make it.

MacRumors did a round up of the announcements for the day.  Take a look at the articles below.  There are a couple of videos at the bottom as well.  Enjoy!  And let me know what you think about Apple's updated and new products.

- Apple Introduces New 7.9-Inch iPad Mini Starting at $329
- Apple Announces Fourth-Generation iPad with Lightning Connector, New A6X Chip
- Apple Announces Lighter, Thinner iMac Models with Fusion Drive
- Apple Introduces 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display
- Apple Introduces New Mac Mini With Faster Processors and Quad-Core Option

- First Impressions and Hands On with iPad Mini
- Hands On with Apple's New 13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro

- Some Apple Retail Stores Offering 30-Day Window to Exchange iPads for New Model
- Apple's New 'Fusion Drive' Not a Typical Hybrid Drive
- iPad Mini Supports Siri, iPad 2 Still Doesn't
- Apple Devices to Support Many New International LTE Networks In Coming Months
- 21.5" iMac Has No User-Upgradable RAM; 27" Has Four Accessible RAM Slots
- Apple Announces Updated iBooks App With Continuous Scrolling
- Apple Updates iBooks Author with New Templates and Remote Update Feature

Apple Media Event Around the Corner

Apple's Media Event is Tuesday, October 23, 2012.  This media event is supposed to reveal updated iMacs, 13 inch Macbook Pros with Retina, and Mac Minis (my favorite!).  But of course, the main attraction is the iPad Mini.  Apple has had huge success with the full size iPad but never entered into the smaller tablet market.  Apple's competition seized the opportunity and began offering smaller tablets.  Now, Apple is about to enter the market with the iPad Mini.  How do you think the iPad Mini will be received?

Below is an article that discusses the venue for the Apple Media Event...the California Theatre.

California Theatre for Apple Media Event

Apple Media Event Rumor Roundup

There are a lot of rumors for the Apple Media event expected for next Tuesday.  MacRumors has done a rumor roundup so I have it for you below.  New information has surfaced since then in regards to pricing of the new products.  Those links are also below.  You can look through all the latest information below and let me know what you think about the rumors and the expected prices as well.

Rumor Roundup

13 Inch Macbook Pro with Retina Pics

Updated iPad and Possible Pricing

iPad Mini Pricing

Apple Media Event Invites and More

Apple sent out invitations for its next media event planned for Oct. 23rd.  We've already heard rumors about what will be unveiled.  The iPad Mini is probably the most anticipated but there are rumors that Apple will also release updated iMacs, 13" Macbook Pros with Retina, and Mac Minis.  Will we see all, some, or none?  I think the iPad Mini will be the highlight and will definitely be unveiled.  The other products are hopefuls...users hope to see updates on these.  We will see what Apple has to say on Oct. 23rd.

There are also rumors of the iPad Mini launching on Nov. 2nd and there are pictures of iPad Mini displays.  More details are below.


Apple Media Event Invites

iPad Mini Launch Building Speculation

iPad Mini Displays

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.