Category: Rants

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Still no new MacBook Pro for me.

So, I went to the Apple Store again earlier today. I get to play with the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro again. I was ready to get one, and even asked one of the Apple Store employee if they could bring me one. While waiting I was talking to a few people around the new MacBook Pro. For some reasons, I didn’t see the Apple Store employee I talked to earlier for a while. Almost an hour passed, and we all were going on tangents around the MacBook Pro. I decided to call Carrie, just to tell her that she wouldn’t be able to “Mac-block” me this time. Alas, her iPhone was turned off. I kept talking to the people there and for some reasons, we were walking out the store and realized it was closing time already.

Yeah, I “Mac-block” myself this time.

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Editorial: “Thanks a lot, Carrie. You just Mac-Block me last night.”

First, I’d like to thank Carrie for Mac-Blocking me last night. She just delayed the inevitable.

We headed to Apple Store at The Grove with the intention of me buying a new Unibody MacBook Pro. well, we decided to get something to drink at the Farmer’s Market first.

A few beers later and lots of debate about the debate, including Joe The Plumber, I realized it was already past 10:00 PM. Yep, the Apple Store closed an hour prior to that.

I could only blame you, Carrie. You just prevented me spending my money that night. But that doesn’t mean I can’t spend my money today!

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“Thanks to the spoilers, I hate the soon to be released MacBook Pro already.”

Apple has yet to officially reveal the new notebook line on “The spotlights turns to notebooks” event, but the leaks and spoilers are ruining everything I’d ever hope for. Well, at least for the design of the MacBook Pro. The Mac news/rumors sites seems to think that John Gruber has already nailed it.

According to Gruber there’s only one display for the MacBook and MacBook Pro from now on. That display is a shiny and glaring one. Yeah, apparently no more matte-finish display. On the other hand, we get to use the screen as an emergency mirror now.

Personally, I am not really liking the black keyboard on a silver aluminum casing. But that’s not really a huge issue. The biggest issue for me right now would be the rumored pricing. I have been paying a lot for PowerBook G4’s and MacBook Pro (yeah, I only bought one Macbook Pro from January 2006) and hoping at least that Apple would reduce the price. I still remember when Apple introduced Aluminum PowerBook G4 at lower prices.

One thing that has not really been discussed in the leaks/spoliers/rumors so far is the CPU of the MacBook Pro. I have been hearing that somehow Apple would utilize Intel’s mobile Quad-Core CPU (here and here) into the MacBook Pro. The real question is “when?”

I know that I am complaining about products that have not been officially announced yet. It is only two hours away from this posting.

In spite of all the bitching and complaining based on the leaks and rumors, there are a few things that I am looking forward to find out. As I’ve been saying before, according to a super stealthy secret source the new MacBook Pro line would have an easily accessible hard-drive bay. That would be a huge advantage for the consumer. All you would have to do is removing the battery and a few screws. No more cracking open the casing by removing 14 screws just to get to the hard-drive bay. A few more screws to actually replace the hard-drive. I have done so many hard-drive upgrades on MacBook Pros, my best record is about 15 minutes to actually open the case, take out the hard-drive, install the new hard-drive, and putting it back together.

Apparently I am rambling too much for now. We’ll see in exactly two hours from this post if I’m going to buy a new MacBook Pro today. The sad thing is that I am still on the fence. Should I wait for the Quad-Core MacBook Pro to arrive?

Disclaimer, this is a poor attempt at sarcasm and irony.

I have compiled an extensive list of sites that would be covering the event live on this post. So, click this link. Yes, this link. CLICK.

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Editorial: 3G Wireless in MacBook Pro, You Must Be Crazy!

Computerworld’s Seth Weintraub wrote about what to expect with the upcoming MacBook Pro. While it is somewhat entertaining to read for a minute or so, he is expecting Apple to include some kind of 3G Wireless technology built in the MacBook Pro. Weintraub elaborates that Apple now has the experience thanks to the iPhone 3G, and Dell has done it.

Now, let’s see. Apple has been getting a lot of criticsm for choosing AT&T as their “partner” for the iPhone. Now, if the MacBook Pro should be equipped with some kind of 3G Wireless technology, that means the service would be tied to certain carrier. HSDPA or EVDO? AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile?

Why would you want your portable computer tied to a service provider? Make it an add-on, so people would have the options for the carrier. Doesn’t matter which partner Apple chose for 3G Wireless support, people will complain about it. Even if Apple would support all the major 3G Network protocols, they would have to be tied to a service provider.  Not to mentions there would be the seemingly idiotic person would find a lawyer to sue Apple for saturating the 3G network.

Please stop asking for built-in 3G network in your computer, the business model still disadvantages end users.

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iPhone 3G in Best Buy. Why Oh Why?

Best Buy will be selling iPhone 3G starting September 7th, 2008. With stellar customer service and The Geek Squad support, Best Buy is expecting to exploit make a killing with the iPhone 3G craze.

When you think buying a computer is not painful enough at Best Buy, wait till you are buying iPhone 3G and having Geek Squad services shoved down your throat.

“Bring your computer so The Geek Squad can sync your newly purchased iPhone 3G to your iTunes.

Wait a minute, the Geek Squad can optimize your computer for a little fee, and we will sell you softwares you don’t really need.

We also offer in Home service so that you can connect your newly purchased iPhone 3G with your computer. Don’t worry, the Geek Squad will optimize your iPhone home screen for a little fee.

By the way, this iPhone is not an open box item even though we’ve already opened it and optimized it.”

Seriously, Best Buy might have the presence in many places, but their service is horrible. How much money does Best Buy throw at Apple to have the opportunity to sell iPhone 3G and screw provide service to more customers?

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Definition of Open Box Merchandise

What is the definition of “Open Box Merchandise”?

It seems that retailers have different opinions about wht it really is. In general, “open box merchandise” is a product that has its packaging opened and seals (if available) broken before it is sold to the end customer. Open box merchandise could be a product returned by a customer to the retailer or a demo product.

Would you buy a computer which is already taken out of its packaging, turned on, and had some modifications done on the software (no matter how little modification is made)?

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HP MediaSmart: System Temperature and Warranty Policy

According to HP, a small percentage of HP MediaSmart EX470/EX475 comes with redundant sensors that is showing false temperature readings. HP is providing a software hot-fix for the unit equipped with the faulty sensors. HP will not make any hardware repair on the affected units.

Based HP Technical Support:

The attached software patch disables the notification of the redundant sensor and ensures that you will not receive false hardware alerts in the future. The key temperature reading for your Mediasmart Server is the CPU reading. This sensor is the focus of the temperature control design and is functioning properly, so you can be assured that your HP MediaSmart Server is operating as designed.

The software patch is available only through HP Technical Support, and is not available through HP Web-Site.

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According to HP Technical Support, RAM upgrade will void MediaSmart warranty. To be honest, this is not a good move by HP. The system comes with a mere 512MB RAM, which is not enough for any real server task. Try installing McAfee Total Protection Service add-in, and the Windows Home Server’s performance will turn into a crawl.

Crucial is selling compatible RAM upgrade for HP MediaSmart EX470/EX475, unfortunately HP Warranty Policy does not support such upgrade.