iMac

For the same $1,299 you could spend on this 21.5-inch Apple iMac, you can buy a 23-inch or even a 27-inch Windows-based all-in-one, and with more robust features.

Yes, for better or for worse, those other PCs have Windows 8. They also have touch screens and optical drives, features that Apple has deemed inessential for a desktop. You might agree with Apple. You might also accept Apple's hallmark design excellence and display quality as worthy substitutions. You might even need or want a particular function of OS X that you can't get in a Windows PC.… Read more

Apple's next-generation iPad Mini will feature a high-resolution Retina Display, says KGI Securites analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In an investors note detailed last night by MacRumors, Kuo projects that the iPad Mini 2 will come with the same Retina Display already offered by its larger counterpart.

The upgrade will be beneficial not only to consumers but to developers who can then design the same high-resolution apps to fit both iPad models. The next version of the 9.7-inch iPad will also lose some weight, get much slimmer, and take on the same thin bezels used on the Mini, according to … Read more

Those of you ready to order a new 27-inch iMac will have to wait till next month for it to arrive.

Apple's latest estimate calls for a ship time of three to four weeks, zeroing in around early to mid-February. In early December, Apple offered a vague time frame of January. So people who ordered at that time hopefully will receive their computers by the end of the month.

The new 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs popped up for sale at Apple's Web site on November 30. The 27-incher offered an initial ship time of two to three … Read more

Want to be able to write directly on your iMac? You may soon have the right tool in hand, if the designers can generate enough cash.

Designed by the minds at Cregle, the iPen 2 is aiming to out-stylus its predecessor with a version for both the iMac and iPad. The current iPen lets you write and draw on the screen but only supports the iPad.

Cregle is trying to drum up the necessary funding for the new iPen via a Kickstarter project looking to bring in $360,000 by February 5.… Read more

Apple has released three EFI firmware updates for some of its Mac systems that were released in 2012, which tackle a number of issues pertaining to sleep, Thunderbolt performance, and -- more relevantly to many users -- reliability of Wi-Fi connectivity.

The first update is a Wi-Fi update for all late 2012 Mac systems that improves compatibility with 5GHz-band Wi-Fi signals.

The update includes a new version of the AirPortBrcm4311.kext kernel extension. This update is specific for those running OS X 10.8.2 build 12C2034 (you can look this up by clicking the version number of OS X … Read more

iMac buyers who already ordered one of the new 27-inch models are now being told by Apple that their units are one step closer to shipping.

A few MacRumors forum members who snagged the new large-screen iMacs say they've received notices indicating that the order status has been changed to "Preparing for Shipment." At least one person also said his credit card has been charged.

Both signs mean the 27-inchers are almost ready to be handed off to the shippers. Customers say the estimated delivery time is still being quoted as somewhere between December 21 and 31, … Read more

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which I answer questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week, readers wrote in with questions about the cabling requirements for using Target Display mode in new iMac systems, maintaining Snow Leopard after having upgraded to newer versions of OS X, RAM purchasing recommendations for Mac systems, and having a used Mac checked out by Apple or other technicians before purchasing. I welcome views from readers, so if you have any suggestions or alternative approaches to these problems, please post them in the comments!

Question: Using Target Display mode in new iMac systems MacFixIt … Read more

The 27-inch iMac now has a vague ship date of January, not exactly an improvement over the previous estimate.

Unveiled in October, the 27-inch iMac popped up for preorder on Apple's online retail site on November 30. The initial ship time was pegged at two to three weeks, but that shot up to three to four weeks after just a few hours.

Three to four weeks after November 30 takes us to December 21 to December 28. That estimate already meant the 27-inch iMac wouldn't make it on the shopping lists of holidays buyers. And now a fuzzy … Read more

Key chips for the iPhone and iPad are being made in the U.S. -- future U.S.-made Macs, as disclosed today, notwithstanding.

This year, CEO Tim Cook has been talking about U.S. manufacturing more than usual. Partly to counter Apple's largely make-it-in-China strategy but also because of U.S. manufacturing strengths.

The same essential points he made in a Bloomberg interview today he made back in May.

To wit: "It's not known well that the engine for the iPhone and iPad is made in the U.S., and many of these are also exported.... … Read more