by manning999

Macbook Pro Review

First impressions

The previous the MacBook Pros were very good indeed. They delivered consistently professional quality and great features. Reviewing next generation MacBook Pros is therefore something of a treat.

An initial glance at the latest models shows nothing new. This isn’t disappointing: the sturdy casings and the smart design are exactly what you want from a superior laptop. The keyboard appears tidier – the result of some minor changes – but apart from that, everything looks as impressive as it always has.

This might suggest that any internal changes are also minor. Not so. When you fire up the MacBook Pros and start putting each model through its paces, you soon realise you’re working with machines that excel expectations.

Technology

To begin with, the processors are Intel 45 nanometer Penryns. These are noticeably faster than the 65 nanometer Meroms installed in the older MacBook Pros, and easily beat the Meroms in all benchmark tests.

The standard processors for the two 15 inch MacBook Pros are 2.4GHz and 2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duos. The 17 inch has the 2.5GHz. Allied to these are enhanced hard drives of 200GB for the 15 inch 2.4GHz, and 250GB for the 15 inch and 17 inch 2.5 GHz.

Of particular interest to the multimedia user is the doubling of the video memory on all three MacBook Pros. The 15 inch 2.4GHz has a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB, and the 15 inch 2.5GHz and 17 inch 2.5GHz have the same graphics processor but with 512MB.

2GB of RAM supports the above technology across the range. The overall results are laptops that cope easily with advanced graphics and audio applications.

Hardware

Each of the three MacBook Pros comes with standard hardware, such as:

slot-loading 8x double-layer SuperDrive

iSight camera

AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth® wireless connections

stereo speakers

FireWire 400 and 800 ports

USB 2.0 ports (two on the 15 inch models; three on the 17 inch)

DVI port

Audio ports

Gigabit Ethernet port

ExpressCard/34 slot

There are also hardware “extras” that help the MacBook Pro stand out from the crowd. These include a powerful lithium-polymer battery; an ambient light sensor that illuminates the keyboard in dark conditions; and an energy-saving LED backlit screen.

These screens are mercury-free and anti-glare, and have resolutions of 1,440 x 900 pixels for the 15 inch models and 1,680 x 1,050 pixels for the 17 inch. With both you have bright, natural and pin sharp images.

Perhaps the best hardware extra of all, though, is the new MacBook Pro trackpad. This now has the multi-touch functions that have proved so popular on the iPhone. By pinching, swiping and rotating your fingers on the trackpad, you have remarkably fast and positive control over the features of the MacBook Pro’s creative software.

Multi-touch does give rise to a slight problem: the size of the trackpad may feel a little small for someone learning the appropriate gestures. That said, once you’re familiar with multi-touch, it’s not difficult to work within the trackpad’s boundaries.

Software

As with all new Macs, the MacBook Pro comes with the best operating system around, the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard. If you’ve never used Leopard before, its proficiency will delight you. If you’re already a Mac user, you still have something to please you because the new MacBook Pros boost the speed of Leopard and the applications that run off it.

Among these applications is Apple’s latest version of the world’s fastest browser, Safari. This comes with the usual batch of updated Apple software such as Boot Camp, Mail, iChat, iTunes, DVD Player, iPhoto and iLife ’08.

Performance

Experienced MacBook Pro users can load their preferred applications on these latest models and immediately notice the improvements in speed. For example, you can set up Photoshop CS3 in approximately eight seconds on the 15 inch 2.5GHz. You’ll then go on to discover Photoshop runs 20 – 25% faster than a 2007 2.6 GHz MacBook Pro.

Compared to a 2006 MacBook Pro, the differences are even greater. Overall, you can experience speed increases of around 50% across a range of applications. This is good news for all those who want maximum performance from a laptop.

Options

With any laptops designed for professional use, it’s always worth looking at the manufacturer’s options because some people will need a buffer zone of extra speed and power for specific applications.

The configuration options of the MacBook Pro are unlikely to let you down. To give you extra power, you can request a 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor upgrade for either the 2.5 GHz 15 inch or 17 inch models. As for RAM, you can upgrade any of the three MacBook Pros to 4GB.

On the 17 inch MacBook Pro, you might want to increase the hard drive to 300GB to provide additional room for space-stealing graphics applications. Similarly, you can ensure the perfect clarity of your images by asking for a 1,920 x 1,200 pixel screen for the same model.

Finally, if you prefer a glossy rather than anti-glare matt screen, you can request this when you place your order, as is possible with most Mac Computers .

Value

With all these upgrades packed into the same shells as the previous MacBook Pro models, you might anticipate a rise in prices. If you do, you’d be wrong. The new MacBook Pros are unquestionably better machines but the prices across the range haven’t changed. The old MacBook Pros were good value, but the latest incarnations are simply excellent for the price.

Conclusion

Want the best laptops from a great manufacturer? Look no further.

Pros

Speedier than the previous generation of MacBook Pros

Double the video memory

Smooth, multi-touch features on the trackpad

Improved battery life

Excellent configuration options

More for your money: no price increase compared to the older MacBook Pro equivalents

Cons

Trackpad may be a little small for novice users

by 37prime

Macbook Air Review

At first sight

Computer manufacturers have responded positively to our demands for laptops that are as functional as possible. Too often, however, the results are machines that are space savers on desks but are not as convenient to carry around or prop on your knees as their name suggests. Apple has therefore gone back to the basic purpose of a laptop – portability – and introduced its light and thin MacBook Air.

When describing Mac Computers, there’s always a possibility that words such as “stylish” and “elegant” will appear too frequently; but when you first come across a MacBook Air, no one can blame you if these words spring to mind. “I want people to see me with this,” is the sort of comment that may run through your head. The MacBook Air is sleek: it’s just 4mm (1/6 inch) at the front, tapering out to a mere 19mm (3/4 inch) at its deepest point. It’s also robust: the aluminium casing ensures that thinness doesn’t mean fragility.

Pick up the Macbook Air and you further appreciate what Apple has achieved. At 1.36kg (3 pounds), the MacBook Air easily beats Apple’s previous lightweight, the 2.26kg (5 pounds) MacBook.

With such a drop in weight, you cannot help but wonder if you’re going to open up the MacBook Air to find a tiny screen that causes you to squint and a keyboard that bunches up your fingers. The reality is a 13.3 inch widescreen display and a full size keyboard. What’s more, a large trackpad complements these to give an overall impression that this is a laptop that’s both practical and a pleasure to use.

The technology of the MacBook Air

It stands to reason that Apple has had to surrender some technological capability to make a laptop that’s so thin and that has shed so much weight. Or has it? You still get an Intel Core 2 Duo processor of either 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz with 2GB of memory for both. You also have an 80GB 4,200 rpm hard drive for the 1.6GHz model, a 64GB solid-state drive for the 1.8GHz, and built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. These specs are easily good enough for most everyday laptop uses.

Hardware

The hardware of the MacBook Air includes

an iSight camera and microphone a mono speaker an infrared receiver a built-in battery an ambient light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the backlit LED screen and brightens the keyboard as necessary

Tucked neatly away in a hatch on the right-hand side of the MacBook Air are also three ports:

a headphone/speaker jack a USB 2.0 port a micro DVI port

A possible hardware concern is the one USB port. By itself such a port is rarely enough, so if you plan to connect a series of peripheral devices at the same time, you’ll need a USB hub. As for the micro DVI port, the MacBook Air comes with useful VGA and DVI adaptors to improve your connectivity options.

You may have noticed by now a hardware omission: the MacBook Air doesn’t have an optical drive. Instead, Apple offers an external 8x SuperDrive. Whether you need this depends on your use of CDs and DVDs. Another choice is to employ Apple’s Remote Disc application so that your MacBook Air connects to a network and links with the optical drive of another Mac or PC.

Remote Disc is very handy because it installs software and gives you access to files. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t allow you to play or burn CDs and DVDs remotely. When you want to listen to music, or watch a film or TV programme, you must turn to iTunes. If you already own an iPod, this isn’t exactly a hardship.

Software

Apple includes Remote Disc with the usual bundle of MacBook Air software. This software comes with the excellent Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system and offers you everything you’d expect from all other Macs. What’s more, you can swiftly navigate and manage the software with the responsive features of the MacBook Air trackpad.

Battery

The MacBook Air’s battery can give you up to five hours continuous service. Once it dies, however, you may have a problem. The MacBook Air has the battery built in, so you can’t replace it with one that’s fully charged. Your only alternative is to find an electric socket for the MagSafe Power Adaptor, an option that’s not always available if you’re on the move.

MacBook Air performance

For standard tasks such as keeping up with your email, writing, and browsing the Internet, you won’t find a significant speed difference between a MacBook Air and the more powerful MacBook. Some people may still worry about the smaller processor sizes and the relatively slower speeds of the hard drives on both MacBook Air models compared to other Apple laptops. What you have to do, however, is ask yourself why you want the MacBook Air. Complex graphics applications, for example, will certainly strain the processor’s capacity, but then again, if you have this sort of use in mind, you probably need a MacBook Pro anyway.

The fact remains that the MacBook Air is a truly portable all-purpose laptop that performs daily computing jobs extremely well. For most of us, this is precisely what we want.

Conclusion Pros

The MacBook Air is light, thin and unquestionably stylish The casing is robust The 13.3 inch screen automatically adjusts its brightness, thanks to a light sensor The keyboard is full size and lights up in dim conditions There are technology compromises, but most users will notice little difference in speed and responsiveness to a MacBook

Cons

The lower processor and hard drive specs (compared to the MacBook and MacBook Pro) may disappoint some people Inability to swap a dead battery for a fresh one may cause difficulties in some circumstances

Apple has taken the MacBook, its most mainstream portable computer, decidedly upscale with its combination of unibody construction, innovative tweaks and faster hardware.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

by Ninja M.

BlackBerry Pearl Review

When you hold a BlackBerry Pearl in your hands for the first time you will probably wonder why so much can be pushed into one small box. A BlackBerry Pearl is one of the smaller BlackBerry’s. Most people like the large look and feel of the BlackBerry’s but there are consumers who prefer everything that a BlackBerry offers but without it being so big in size. There are some differences in the BlackBerry Pearl and the regular BlackBerry and we are about to look at those differences.

There are actually more advantages of owning a BlackBerry Pearl than any other BlackBerry. Like the BlackBerry Curve, the Pearl features a trackball that can be used just like a mouse is used on a computer. This can help you navigate through your menu and other selections quick and easy.

On the side of your BlackBerry Pearl you will find several little buttons that help you to get where you are going faster. These keys are referred to as your Convenience keys because they save you a few steps to get where you are going. You can access voice dialing, camera functions, master volume control, and more. You can also hook up your earphones for convenient listening or have immediate access to the USB port.

For BlackBerry Pearl users you may have noticed something different with the keypad. Because the keypad is smaller than the standard Blackberry there had to be some changes made in order to suit the smaller appearance of the BlackBerry Pearl. The first change came on the keypad by doubling up on the letters or function of each key. When you start typing a word you will notice a list of possible words to help you write quicker. You can choose from the list or create your own. If you have never owned a BlackBerry phone before then downsizing is not going to bother you all that much. If you have owned a BlackBerry Phone before than you will need to take time to get use to the smaller keyboard.

A BlackBerry Pearl has other brilliant features as well. Whether you are in to music or not the multimedia function on the BlackBerry Pearl is amazing and beneficial for viewing texts, creating video, taking pictures, and more. If you love the features of an MP3 player you are going to love the BlackBerry Pearl multimedia function. Imagine being able to capture every moment in time without carrying around a camera. The camera built into the BlackBerry Pearl will take care of all your pictures with class. Of course it’s always a good idea to purchase a memory card to hold all your pictures and music on your BlackBerry Pearl so it doesn’t consume all your memory.

Other features that are included with the BlackBerry Pearl include Microsoft Office so you can work on the go. Send attachments, answer emails, read important documents right from the palm of your hand. This program is well worth having as it allows you the freedom to be away from your desk without falling behind.

by kairin

Blackberry 7130g Review – a Review of the Blackberry 7130g Cell Phone

The BlackBerry 7130g puts the world in hand. This striking unit boasts an attractive, clean design and smooth lines for comfortable handling. This handheld is a prime example of stylish form in a compact design that is brimming with outstanding features. The system has a lot to offer professionals on the go.

The BlackBerry 7130g boasts 64 MB of memory for ample storage. The system is compatible with many Personal Information Management (PIM) software programs. The address book offers quick and simple access to contacts. Other organizational tools include a task list of making important duties top priority.

The BlackBerry 7130g has a memo pad that allows users to create quick reminders and a task list to help keep priorities in order. These tools are supplemented by the many messaging tools built into the system that keep users on task and ready for correspondences.

Email support is crucial to the busy professional in this day and age. The unit offers this support reliably and it also boasts attachment viewing for quick access to important documents from just about anywhere. Short messaging service (SMS) allow for silent entries that can be inconspicuously sent and multimedia messaging services (MMS) merges text, sounds and images.

Surfing the Internet is simple using the reliable Web browser and users can enjoy real-time correspondences using BlackBerry Internet Service with Instant Messaging (IM). Of course, the unit also has an integrated phone that offers superior sound quality and reliable connections.

The BlackBerry 7130g has Bluetooth capability that allows users to take advantage of headsets and car kits for hands-free convenience. The integrated speakerphone is another hands-free feature that comes in handy in many situations. Also convenient are the dedicated send and end keys for lightning-fast entries.

SureType keyboard technology with QWERTY, AZERTY or QWERTZ-style layout offer convenient spacing and comfortable typing. Polyphonic ring tones add character to the unit and the high resolution display supports over 65,000 colors.

The BlackBerry 7130g brings the packs these features in a compact form that exudes sophistication and style.

by kairin

Blackberry 7130e Review – a Review of the Blackberry 7130e Cellular Phone

Communication has become an art with the BlackBerry 7130e mobile phone. This unit is smooth and chic and brimming with outstanding features that are certain to turn heads. The system offers reliability and the form is aesthetically pleasing. This BlackBerry offers a wireless experience that can not be matched.

Connectivity is all-important for many individuals who have busy lifestyles and many projects. The BlackBerry 7130e delivers through a number of different vehicles. The phone offers outstanding sound quality and reliable connections and there are plenty more connectivity features built into the system.

The Web browsers put the Internet in the palm of the hand. The unit has BlackBerry Internet Service that supports Instant Messaging (IM). Instant Messaging is crucial for time-saving correspondences that do not require a wait. Users can combine text, sound and pictures using multimedia messaging services (MMS) and they can make silent entries with short messaging services (SMS).

The BlackBerry 7130e is offers convenient email support that allows users to check Internet messages from just about anywhere. Users can check email messages while surfing the World Wide Web. In addition, email support also feature attachment viewing for reliable access to important documents.

Organization is quick and simple using the unit’s generous address book. The calendar makes for easy viewing of important dates and anniversaries. The memo pad and task list also helps to keep everything in order by providing quick reminders and by helping to set priorities. The system is compatible with popular Personal Information Management (PIM) software.

Ev-DO support keeps users connected to their laptops or personal computers using tethered modem capability. Bluetooth capability offers hands-free convenience using car kits and headsets while the integrated speakerphone supplements hands-free correspondences.

SureType keyboard technology ensures quick and reliable entries while the QWERTY-style layout is ideal for comfortable typing. Users can make this unit truly unique with polyphonic ring tones for the ultimate in personalization and the high resolution display brings life and color to the BlackBerry 7130e.

by swirlspice

Blackberry 7100i Review – a Review of the Blackberry 7100i Mobile Phone

Cutting-edge features and eye-catching style are each a major component in the BlackBerry 7100i. This attractive cell phone offers full functionality and sleek good looks. Users can take advantage of the system’s many benefits while taking in the aesthetic value and tactile appeal of this stunning mobile phone.

The BlackBerry 7100i’s Web browser allows users to surf the Internet while on the move. Access to current events and favorite websites is available at the touch of a button. The unit also has email support for checking Internet messages while on the move. Integrated attachment viewing provides plenty opportunities to review important documents in a flash.

BlackBerry Internet Service offers Instant Messaging (IM) for real-time correspondences. Users can also take advantage of short messaging service (SMS) and multimedia messaging service (MMS) for quick entries. The phone features boasts clear sound quality in the BlackBerry 7100i.

Organization is a breeze using the integrated task list. Users can make priorities and set them into motion using this handy feature. The memo pad serves as quick reminders of important meeting, deadlines and special occasions. Another appealing tool is the address book that keeps contacts accessible and in order.

Connecting to contacts is simple with the dedicated send and end keys and the speakerphone allows for hands-free convenience while on the move. The BlackBerry 7100i also has Bluetooth technology that exemplifies hands-free communication using headset or safety-conscious car kits.

GPS navigation ensures that users will get to their destinations quickly and reliably. Reading maps and enjoying images is possible with the system’s high resolution color display that is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. SureType keyboard technology and QWERTY-style layout provide ample room for efficient, error-free entries.

Additional benefits include Personal Information Management (PIM) capability and polyphonic ring tones for added character and personalization. Owners of the BlackBerry 7100i definitely want to make this striking unit their own.

Thats right get data services with no need for any sort of blackberry plan Here are the Instructions: sites.google.com His download links for the hacked service books are at the bottom of the page enjoy ***UPDATE*** March 9th 2010 Sorry all who were asking why this wasnt working, the site was down and this is the new one bb.anworm.com same instructions as before