Mac

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

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

This week, readers wrote in with questions about hiding the menu bar in OS X, a "formatter failed" error when erasing hard drives, alternative configuration possibilities for Apple's Fusion Drive technology, and whether or not a Mini DisplayPort cable can be used for Thunderbolt connections. I welcome views from readers, so if you have any suggestions or alternative approaches to these problems, please post them in the comments!

Question: Hiding the menu bar in OS X MacFixIt reader Shawn asks:

How do … Read more

How to make a custom CoreStorage drive in OS X

CoreStorage is Apple's volume manager that provides an interface between the OS and physical volumes on the drive. It was introduced in OS X Lion for its full-disk encryption options with FileVault 2, but in addition allows for volume spanning, where multiple drives in the system can be combined into one logical volume for the OS to use.

The CoreStorage volume-spanning feature not only increases a single volume's storage beyond the capacity of a single drive, it also prioritizes storage to the primary drive in its logical volume. This means that if you use an SSD as the … Read more

Apple's new iMacs face delays, report claims

The release of Apple's newly-redesigned iMac all-in-one desktop has quietly been pushed back, and could miss a major part of the holiday shopping season, according to a new report.

Citing an unnamed source, French Apple news site MacBidouille says production difficulties will push back the release of both models, possibly affecting holiday sales.

The computer, which was unveiled at Apple's iPad Mini event in October, is set to ship out to early buyers sometime this month, with the larger, 27-inch model shipping in December.

So what's the hold up? MacBidouille says it's the new friction-stir welding … Read more

How to share reminders in OS X

In OS X Mountain Lion, Apple included a few of its iOS applications, one of which is the Reminders app for setting up and organizing to-do lists. Reminders used to be part of Apple's iCal feature, but has migrated to a separate app that interfaces with the Calendar for all your Apple devices and with Apple's iCloud service. This unified setup not only makes sharing reminders among devices easy, but also offers a platform for sharing reminders among different iCloud users.

While a little redundant with standard calendar events, reminders are convenient alternatives since they are maintained in … Read more

In your FaceTime: Apple gets sued by VirnetX -- again

VirnetX, which has already won $368.2 million in damages, isn't quite done with Apple.

The patent holding and security software company, which earlier this week won an earlier suit against Apple in a Texas court, has now slapped the electronics giant with a new lawsuit. As in the prior complaint, VirnetX is accusing Apple of infringing four of its networking patents through the use of FaceTime.

Those patents, Nos. 6,502,135, 7,418,504, 7,921,211 and 7,490,151, cover advancements for secure communication over the Internet. That includes technology for creating a virtual private … Read more

Karl Rove stroking a Mac: Bad for both brands?

"Maybe we got you a slow computer back there," said a Fox News wit to Karl Rove during the network's election broadcast.

Rove was insisting that President Obama hadn't quite yet won the election, when his own network had already called the result.

Yes, I watched election night on Fox News. I sensed this would be the place for a little action, a little color.

And yet, as the evening wore on to its Silver-lined conclusion, I couldn't quite shake a sight that seemed especially peculiar: the computer that Rove was using was a Mac. … Read more

Apple gearing up for major adjustments to the Mac

When Apple abandoned its long-standing use of PowerPC chips in favor of those from Intel, Steve Jobs said, "It's been 10 years since our transition to the PowerPC, and we think Intel's technology will help us create the best personal computers for the next 10 years." Eight years have now passed since that moment, and recent developments suggest that Apple may abide by this statement and move to a new architecture within a few years. But not only is Apple looking to new hardware, it is also preparing plans for its operating systems.

Bloomberg is reporting … Read more

The future of the iPad

Now that the iPad line has split into two families, the Mini and the Retina, it might make you wonder where the iPad, as a product, is heading. I've wondered it, too, even going back to the days before the Mini. The third-gen Retina Display iPad was such a complete product that it made me curious: where could iPads go next?

As the days go on since reviewing the iPad Mini, I look back and forth between both the "large iPad" and the Mini. I carry both around (I don't normally travel with two iPads -- they're review samples, I own a third-gen). I use them around my home and outside. They're awfully similar in experience, different in size and speed. But I think there's something else going on. I think iPads, to some degree, are entering a transition.… Read more

How to check the battery condition in OS X

If you have a laptop system, then it helps to ensure the battery is working properly, since as with any system, over time and use the battery will begin to lose its charging capabilities and give you less and less running time. To compensate for the gradual loss in charging capability, it may help to regularly calibrate your battery to ensure its charge is accurately reported to the system, but this will not give you any indication of the battery's overall health.

To check the condition of your battery, first go to the Energy Saver system preferences and check … Read more