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A laptop case for paramilitary missions

Now this is a laptop case that makes sense to us. There are PCs, keyboards and even USB drives designed to withstand all manner of assault, but our needs aren't so ambitious. In fact, given our sedentary nature, the only time we really worry about damage to our computers is when they're packed away for the car or plane. Which is precisely where RadTech's "MacTruck" comes in.

The aluminum-alloy case, which the manufacturer claims is "rugged enough to drive a truck over," has two steel latch bars to provide maximum protection for a … Read more

Apple unveils upgraded MacBook Pro laptops

Apple announced Tuesday that it has updated its high-end MacBook Pro laptops with faster processors, better graphics, and more memory.

The laptops are still available in three models: two 15.4-inch versions that retail for $1,999 and $2,499 and a larger 17-inch edition that costs $2,799. But with Tuesday's update, the lower-end 15-inch model is now equipped with 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors (previously, it had a 2.16GHz chip); the higher-end 15-incher and the 17-incher now come with 2.4GHz processors, up from 2.33GHz. These new processors are indeed Intel's latest Centrino (… Read more

Rumor redux: new MacBooks coming soon

Mac rumors, you vex us so. Pretty much every other hardware vendor is powerless against the almighty leak, as evidenced by the flood of laptop information that showed up online prior to the launch of Intel's Santa Rosa platform. But Apple always manages to keep us guessing up until the very last moment.

The current buzz around the Interwebs is that we should see some kind of update to the hugely popular MacBook line of laptops sometime in June. The Apple WorldWide Developers conference, or WWDC, starts June 11, an obvious marker, but Web site MacRumors.com is putting … Read more

MacBook owners file class action suit over displays

Apple has been hit with a class action lawsuit filed by MacBook and MacBook Pro owners unhappy with the quality of the displays on those notebooks.

The suit, spotted by Engadget, accuses Apple of improperly playing up the capabilities of the displays for the MacBook Pros and MacBooks launched in the first part of last year. For example, it notes that Apple advertised the MacBooks as capable of displaying "millions of colors" when they can only do that using a technique called "dithering." Also, it points to complaints lodged by MacBook users on various Apple discussion … Read more

New Skype for Mac

One of the best choices for online telephony for Mac just got better. The latest Skype update pushes the program to version 2.6, adding a call transfer feature and some new chat options so you can stay in touch with friends and family around the world. Skype has always been one of my favorite apps for its familiar chat-like interface and the ability to talk to users around the world for free (provided they're also using Skype). For a little extra money, you can sign up with Skype and make calls to anyone in the world (including land … Read more

MacBooks get a speed bump

Apple updated its MacBook line this morning, but the new models don't include many of the rumored features such as Intel's new Santa Rosa platform, LED-backlit displays, or solid-state hard drives. But what did you expect? Anything larger would have required Steve Jobs to take the stage. Using the same design, MacBooks now feature 2.0GHz or 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory, 80GB to 200GB hard drives, and 802.11n networking. Pricing still starts at $1,099.

Apple: Get the LED out!

A lot of people I've talked to recently (both Mac and Windows users) have been talking about getting a Mac laptop. It's pretty evenly split between MacBooks and the more expensive MacBook Pros, with some of my friends looking for a portable computer to bring with them for common tasks, while others need that extra processing power for music recording and film editing. Whenever I've been asked about getting a new Apple laptop though, my answer more recently has been the same: wait a little bit longer.

Judging from the rumor mill, Apple may announce new MacBooks … Read more

Apple issues fix for notebook battery issues

Apple is advising all owners of MacBooks or MacBook Pros bought after February 2006 to download a software update that will help fix some battery issues.

The update, available through Software Update in the Apple menu or here on Apple's site, was released to correct some battery performance problems, such as shorter than usual battery life or problems charging the battery, according to a Web page on the support section of Apple's site.

But if that fix doesn't work, notebook users should contact Apple to have their battery replaced if they notice the following symptoms, cut and … Read more

Testing the Blue Raven iPod battery kit

iPod battery replacement kits are nothing new. Manufacturers like Sonnet Technologies have offered reasonably priced do-it-yourself battery replacement kits for the past few years. What distinguishes the latest line of Blue Raven iPod batteries from previous efforts is a boast of 30 to 50 percent better battery life over the factory original (depending on your iPod model). The Blue Raven batteries are also much more attractively packaged than other replacements I've seen, which seems silly to mention, but I think packaging can have a huge effect on how intimidating a DIY project appears. Kits are available for around $30 … Read more