Mac

Apple ready to launch new iMacs, report says

Apple is getting ready to launch new iMacs, according to a new report.

Fox News' Clayton Morris is reporting today, citing several sources, that Apple will soon update its iMac line. According to Morris, the computers will come with Intel's Ivy Bridge processors, as well as better graphics and USB 3.0.

Apple's iMacs have been in desperate need of a refresh for some time. The all-in-one computers, which were last updated in May 2011, come in the customer's choice of 21.5- and 27-inch models. The iMacs currently offer quad-core Intel Core i5 processors.… Read more

Twitter said to be tossing 'Twitter for Mac' app

The rumor mill is heated up with chatter that Twitter is throwing the Twitter for Mac app under the bus. Apparently the social network is planning to stop all development and future updates on the app, according to TechCrunch.

Tech reporter MG Siegler announced earlier today, via Twitter no less, that, "Word is that Twitter made the call today: Twitter for Mac is done. They won't kill it outright, but no further updates. Goodbye, old friend."

There actually hasn't been much done to the app for some time now -- the last update was in June … Read more

Retina Display MacBook Pro now in stock at Apple store

Those of you eyeing a Retina Display MacBook Pro can now pick up one online with virtually no delay.

The laptops are now officially designated "in stock" at Apple's online store. So you can order one and receive it within five business days via standard free shipping or within two to three business days via $15 expedited shipping.

The Retina Display laptop has teased consumers with a variety of wait times since its debut in June.

Apple initially promised a delay of two to three weeks following the launch of the new MacBook Pro. That quickly rose … Read more

Apple trims prices on refurbished MacBook Airs

Consumers in the market for a MacBook Air can now save a fair amount of cash on a refurbished unit.

Apple has cut its prices on several factory-refurbished MacBook Air editions. A tour of the company's Refurbished product page reveals an 11.6-inch, 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 model selling for $749, 16 percent off the normal price. This flavor offers 2GB of memory and 64GB of flash storage.

A similar version but with 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage is selling for $829, a 17 percent cut off the usual price. And a 13.3-inch … Read more

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

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

This week readers wrote in with questions regarding an odd apsd-related firewall error in OS X, the utility and risks of having Java Runtimes installed, options for maintaining Mountain Lion on corporate networks, and running MacBooks on a dead battery that will not charge. We welcome views from readers, so if you have any suggestions or alternative approaches to these problems, please post them in the comments!

Question: apsd firewall error in OS X MacFixIt reader Clem asks:

When I log into my system I … Read more

Parallels 8 retuned for Mountain Lion, Windows 8

BERLIN -- Parallels released version 8 of its virtualization product today, updating the Windows-on-Mac software to stay up to date with both Microsoft's and Apple's latest operating systems.

The software uses a technology called virtualization that lets a guest operating system, including Windows, Android, or other instances of OS X, run atop an OS X host. That's handy for transitions -- there are lots of new Mac users these days switching from Windows even if Windows still dominates.

There are two big reasons customers pay $80 for the software to do that, said Parallels Product Manager Kurt … Read more

Back to the future: Apple and Microsoft on collision course, again

Two decades and four U.S. presidents ago, Apple vs. Microsoft was worth watching. Since then it's been a snooze.

That's about to change.

This fall consumers will be able to choose from the widest-yet assortment of smartphone and tablet devices because Microsoft, a company that has been an also-ran in mobile computing for too long, has picked itself off the mat.

In a Lazarus-like revival, Microsoft is winning acclaim for its latest mobile operating systems for tablets and smartphones. No. 1 Apple is not sweating any of this now as it preps for the presumed iPhone 5 … Read more

It's Tuesday, so naturally Apple shares are plunging

When it comes to long, strange trips, trust the signature line from the pen of the late, great Jerry Garcia to explain the volatility in Apple's stock price these last few months.

Shares of Apple touched $674.88 earlier this morning (the company became the most valuable ever yesterday, when it reached more than $622 billion in market capitalization). But they reversed course and by early afternoon the stock was way down. How to explain the about-face? Take your pick: Profit taking most likely, though with the jury about to deliberate the Apple-Samsung patent litigation lawsuit some investors might … Read more

iPhone 5 mania lifts Apple stock to all-time high

Less than one month ago, shares of Apple plunged after the company's third-quarter earnings "disappointed" the bean counters on Wall Street. Less than a month later, shares of Apple are up more than 12 percent and are again trading at an all-time high. In fact, earlier today, Jefferies & Co. raised its price target from $800 to $900, as Apple's valuation now tops $600 billion.

If you want to understand why, cue up the 1960s' hit by The Happenings, "See You in September."

That's when the iPhone 5, the biggest, worst-kept secret in … Read more