11/19, 11:10am
iPhone remains notably absent
The MacBook and the iPod touch have both taken positions on a Time list of the top 25 travel gadgets for 2009. The updated plastic MacBook is complimented for being tougher than its predecessor, and having LED backlighting, which contributes to a maximum seven-hour battery life. The magazine also remarks on the presence of a glass multi-touch trackpad, and the removal of mercury and arsenic from materials.
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11/13, 1:05pm
Best Buy Thanksgiving sale flyer leaked
The flyer for Best Buy's Black Friday/Thanksgiving sale has been leaked on the Internet ahead of its official release thanks to a copy posted today. Among the 'doorbusters' are a $300 PS3 bundle that includes two games, while an Xbox 360 bundle with six games will carry the same sticker price. Another front-page deal involves a 46-inch, 120Hz LED-backlit Samsung HDTV with free home delivery, hook-up and recycling for $1,600, or $1,000 off.
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11/10, 10:55pm
NX stores both laptops and external hard drives
Macessity has released a new product for its line of laptop accessories, the NX stand. The notebook stand features steel construction with an aluminum-color powder coat, with a design enabling users to stand their laptop vertically within a cushioned slot. NX fits a wide range of devices including 13-inch MacBooks and 15- or 17-inch MacBook Pros. It provides a vented opening to help keep the notebook cool, without blocking access to all ports and the drive slot.
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11/10, 9:00am
VESA greenlights mDP
The VESA group today officially released Mini DisplayPort as a finalized standard. Known for short as mDP, the Apple-developed connector can now be used by other companies to attach displays with the expectation that they will meet all the DisplayPort 1.1a specs. It's expected that mDP will find its way into notebooks beyond the MacBook line but also into video cards with many video outputs, such as the upcoming six-display Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity6 Edition.
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11/03, 4:35pm
Devices aid with batteries, headphones
Koyono has introduced two new products for its line of Mac and iPhone accessories, the HyperMac and the Magneat. The HyperMac is an external battery and car charger designed for all MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks, as well as all three iPhone models. It features a 5V/1A USB power port, which enables it to charge any USB-powered device and Mac simultaneously. It also supports both 16.5V and 18.5V output for different device requirements, adjusting automatically.
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10/26, 10:15pm
TrayStation raises laptop, improves ventalation
Macessity has introduced TrayStation, a new laptop riser that has been added to the company's line of computer accessories. TrayStation consists of both a heavy steel base-station coated in aluminum, and a 5mm clear acrylic tray which raises the laptop approximately 6 inches and is designed to help reduce strain on the eyes and back. The stand provides four non-skid feet which prevent it from sliding on furniture, along with four latches at the top which secure the tray in place.
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10/22, 10:30pm
SleeveCase, Natural Linen sleeves for MacBooks
Wrappers and WaterField Designs have announced new laptop sleeves, the custom-fitted SleeveCase and Natural Linen series, for Apple’s unibody MacBooks. The SleeveCase, which is made by WaterField, is designed for 13.3-inch MacBooks and features a ballistic nylon outer shell, 6mm neoprene interior for increased shock resistance, and a small flap across the middle to keep the laptop in place. It is TSA compliant for traveling through airports, while a bottom loop is designed to help users pull the notebook out of the case.
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10/22, 4:10pm
Magic Mouse more significant, says columnist
Apple's new MacBook and iMacs are solid but merely evolutionary products, argues Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg. The MacBook is praised for incorporating the MacBook Pro's large trackpad, and being "fast and reliable," booting cold in 22 seconds. It is also described as lighter than its predecessor at 4.7 pounds, and armed with a powerful battery, though likely to fall short of Apple's promised seven-hour lifespan in most cases.
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10/20, 10:50pm
13-inch MacBook Pro drops to $1,300
Coinciding with Apple’s latest release of new Macs and accessories, the Canadian stores have made an additional change by dropping the price on its line of MacBook computers by up to $300. On the list are five different MacBook Pros, with the entry-level model dropping from $1,400 to $1,300. The most expensive 17-inch variant, previously available for $2,900, now costs just $2,600. The 13-inch with a 2.53GHz processor dropped by $150 down to $1,600, while the 2.53GHz, 15-inch Pro has been reduced from $2,000 to $1,800.
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10/20, 9:05pm
Form factor now matches aluminum unibodies
iFixit has already dissected the new polycarbonate-unibody MacBook, exposing several minor changes to the internals. Externally, the redesigned housing features curved surfaces similar to the MacBook Pro models with aluminum unibodies. The device also adopts the multi-touch glass trackpad and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics components.
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10/20, 12:25pm
Borrows tech from recent MacBook Pros
Fulfilling earlier rumors, Apple has introduced a new base-level MacBook. While still made of polycarbonate plastic, the computer sports a new unibody design, borrowing from the manufacturing technique currently used for MacBook Pros. Also carried over from the Pros is LED backlighting, and an integrated seven-hour battery.
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10/19, 11:15pm
Slew of products said to be launched Tuesday
Daring Fireball blogger John Gruber and "Fake Steve Jobs" blogger Dan Lyons both suggest Apple is ready to launch new products tomorrow. Lyons claims there is "something brewing" for a news announcement tomorrow, although he declined to provide specific details on the products.
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10/19, 6:00pm
Apple call alludes to less expensive devices
Apple during the conference call discussing its record quarterly results this summer provided multiple hints of price drops on its products in the near future. When asked during a Q&A session about its prediction of lower gross margins for the fall, the company warned that products in the future will have lower margins and repeatedly emphasized cost as an issue. It stressed that it would provide "ever-increasing value" in its products and reiterated its beliefs that it will continue to make products at prices others "can't match."
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10/14, 4:40pm
VGA, DVI and HDMI versions available
Computer Docking Systems has announced the Dock-a-Mac vertical docking system for MacBooks. The black acrylic station docks with any black or white MacBook, and is available in three configurations, based on video output. Buyers can choose between VGA, DVI or HDMI options, which connect a computer to an external monitor or TV. Vertical orientation allows for better heat dissipation, and the docking bar is removable for portability's sake.
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10/07, 2:10am
ClearCal anti-glare film
RadTech has expanded its ClearCal anti-glare film offerings with new sizes for Apple’s 17-inch MacBook Pro and 20-inch iMac. The film is designed to help reduce glare from a glossy display in brightly lit or outdoor environments. An anti-reflection layer is paired with a flexible transparent base, helping to protect against impacts while concealing existing scrapes or scratches on the display glass.
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10/06, 10:05am
NPD positive on back-to-school PC sales
Back-to-school notebook sales were as strong as ever this year but skewed in favor of cheaper systems, the NPD Group said today in a new study. About $1.6 billion of the $7.6 billion spent between late July and mid-September went directly to notebooks, or about as much as was spent last year despite ongoing economic problems and rendering them "recession-proof." However, the revenue came at the expense of system prices: while more systems were sold, the average price of a school notebook fell from $804 last year to $624 this year.
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10/05, 8:30am
Blu-ray not likely for new iMacs
Despite implications of Blu-ray Macs soon, the rumored iMac overhaul isn't slated to get the better disc format, tech writer John Gruber claimed on Sunday. Known for sources that have accurately predicted iPhone details, he said that Blu-ray was once considered likely but that the "new word" is that it has been dropped. Why this might be hasn't been addressed.
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10/03, 4:55pm
Dutch ads hint new iMac, MacBook, Mac mini
A trio of new Google AdSense ads that surfaced this weekend have alluded to new iMacs and Mac minis as well as a similarly redesigned MacBook. Searches on the Dutch version of Google with the right keywords have shown AppleInsider text ads for a "brand new," "ultra thin" iMac in 20- and 24-inch models and a "thinner, lighter and stronger" MacBook. A Mac mini ad touts the system as "faster and more affordable than ever" but sells it for 499 Euros where the lowest official Netherlands price is 599 Euros.
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09/30, 3:20pm
Allow capacities up to 1.5TB
PowerbookMedic has launched a new line of DualDrive options, said to double the internal storage capacities of Mac notebooks. A DualDrive is user-installed in place of a Mac's optical drive, allowing a second hard drive to be connected. As a tradeoff, owners lose internal CD/DVD functions.
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09/29, 2:35pm
Incident matches reports from Apple online store
MacNN reader Robert-Anthony Bunoan has voiced frustration with Apple after the battery in his 17-inch MacBook Pro reportedly swelled to the point of rupturing the case. The notebook was approximately two years old, with a removable battery instead of the integrated lithium-polymer design featured in the latest aluminum-unibody models.
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09/29, 11:35am
Apple axes iMac, Mac mini reseller orders
Apple has abruptly notified resellers that it's ramping down stock of iMacs and Mac minis in what's likely a sign of new models ahead, according to leaked details. US-based stores are being told they can no longer place new orders for any of the existing iMac models and, according to AppleInsider, at least the starter Mac mini configuration. A supply change of the sort is often a sign Apple is readying new models and wants existing stock to clear out before the new models are ready.
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09/28, 4:10pm
Additionally calls for $800 MacBook
Thomas Weisel analyst Doug Reid has raised his price target for Apple stock, shifting it from $180 to $210. The analyst cites "store checks" as an influence, indicating continued product demand; also important to the target are factors like higher anticipated IT sales, and China Unicom's iPhone deal. The latter is said to support beliefs that Apple could sell 24.9 million phones during FY2010.
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09/25, 1:45pm
Device expected to retain polycarbonate housing
Apple may be set to release an update to its entry-level MacBook sooner than analysts initially anticipated, an unnamed source told Apple Insider. Several recent reports suggest the company is preparing to launch new MacBooks and iMacs.
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09/21, 5:20pm
MS poaching Apple retail managers
Microsoft is actively trying to lure away Apple's retail workers for its first chain stores, according to a new leak. Sources for The Loop claim the Windows developer is not only soliciting Apple's store managers but in many cases is promising large raises and even offering to cover relocation costs for some of them. Some high-performing sales staff are also purportedly being encouraged to switch over.
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09/17, 1:15pm
iPhone, iPod, Macs top
Apple has won every category it participated in as part of a new study of service and reliablity. The reader-driven PCMag rankings saw it lead the cellphone, desktop, notebook and portable media categories, in some cases with particularly wide margins compared to rivals. Apple's best success was in the notebook category, where MacBooks earned an overall score of 9.2 out of 10 and a very high 9.4 out of 10 "would recommend" score.
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09/16, 9:20am
May aim to compete with Windows 7 PCs
Apple is likely to release new iMacs and MacBooks "in the next several weeks," claims Wedge Partners. In particular the firm's analysts say they envision an iMac with a "thinner, organic design," including "smoothed or rounded edges." Any changes to the MacBook are "likely to be limited," according to the firm. This could be because Apple announced redesigned MacBook Pros as recently as June.
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09/04, 11:50am
Discs ejected before they can run
A continuing problem with the optical drives in Mac notebooks is now preventing people from installing Snow Leopard, according to discussions on Apple's support forums. Affected systems may initially accept a disc, only to eject it without mounting. Within the problem group machines may reject all discs, only DVDs, or only some particular DVDs. The Snow Leopard upgrade is sold only on DVDs.
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08/26, 9:20pm
Iowa schools buy MacBooks
The Van Meter School District has bought all of its students new 15 inch MacBooks in an attempt to rid the district of textbooks and adopt a new digital education system, according to an ABC news clip. The school district is part of a growing trend in central Iowa that provides computers to all students in grades seven through twelve. The Van Meter School District was able to do this by utilizing the city's "one cent sales tax." Van Meter Superintendent, John Carver, said the school district plans to eliminate the necessity for textbooks within the next four years, switching the curriculum to and entirely online format.
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08/25, 2:40pm
White MacBook Rework Leak
Apple is in the midst of redesigning its plastic MacBook to cement its share at the lower end of the notebook spectrum, a source said today. An apparent contact for AppleInsider claims that the computer builder is planning a new version of the system that would be lighter and thinner. Redesigned internals would also be part of the plans, though it's uncertain what this would involve.
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08/21, 12:35pm
Thomas Weisel on AAPL
An analyst for the Thomas Weisel research firm, Doug Reid, says he has raised his estimates for Apple's stock performance based on meetings with the company's management. EPS for the 2009 fiscal year is now expected to be $5.83 instead of $5.77, while the FY10 figure has been raised from $6.06 to $6.51. A price target of $180 has been set for Apple stock, with an Overweight rating.
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08/20, 10:45am
IDC on Canada and Apple
Canada may have the highest proportional number of Mac users in the world after recent gains by Apple, according to an IDC study of computer sales in the country during the spring. The American company broke into double-digit share there for the first time by accounting for 10 percent of all non-server computers shipped between March and June. Such a gain left it only behind world leaders HP and Dell, who held on to 22.1 percent and 20.7 percent respectively.
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08/18, 6:10pm
Students favoring netbooks
The still-growing popularity of netbooks has likely robbed Apple much of its target audience for back-to-school Mac sales this year, a study from Retrevo found on Tuesday. Just over a third of notebook-buying college students, or 34 percent, plan to buy a netbook from any make for their return to class. About 49 percent of the total also specifically plan to buy a regular Windows notebook, leaving just 17 percent either buying a Mac or uncertain about what they will buy.
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08/12, 3:15pm
AirPort client update
Apple has posted a small but significant update to its AirPort client software for MacBooks and MacBook Pros. The new version fixes problems created by Mac OS X 10.5.8, which can potentially affect AirPort networking performance while a notebook is running on battery power. The update is 1.68MB, and can only be installed on 13-inch MacBooks launched between late 2007 and late 2008, 15-inch MacBook Pros from early 2008, and 17-inch MacBook Pros released any time last year.
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08/12, 9:20am
MacBook refurb price cuts
Apple is offering several new discounts on refurbished MacBooks ordered through its online store. A 13-inch unibody MacBook, equipped with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive, is now being sold for $899 with free shipping. The model is also notable for LED backlighting, and a one-year limited warranty.
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08/07, 4:10pm
ProTouch keyboard guards
iSkin has launched new ProTouch keyboard protectors for the MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. The skins come in three different forms: the Classic, FX and Vibes. Each is made of silicone and designed to prevent dust, food, liquids and hairs from affecting a keyboard, along with general wear. They can also be used to diminish typing noise, and make cleaning easier through handwashing.
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08/06, 1:30pm
Newer ships new gear
Newer Technology has launched its NewerTech Intelligent Battery Charging Stations for 13-inch Unibody MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pros released prior to June, 2009. The charger/conditioner models, claimed to be the first-to-market, feature two battery bays for charging multiple batteries. One battery can be charged while another is being conditioned prior to charging.
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08/06, 10:05am
Newton MoGo Mouse for NBs
Newton Peripherals on Wednesday announced the release of its MoGo Mouse for Netbooks. Smaller still than the company's already low-profile mice, the wireless presenter mouse is just 0.2 inches thick and half an ounce light, using Bluetooth 2.0 to communicate with a matching Bluetooth USB adapter. When not in use, the mouse is stored in a similarly thick holster that optionally sticks onto the outside surface of any netbook.
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07/30, 2:15pm
STM Turtle hard-shell case
RadTech has released the latest in its line of laptop accessories, the STM Turtle hard-shell laptop sleeve. The STM Turtle is made from a compressed form of polymer called Ethylene Vinyl Acetate or EVA for short, which is formed into a hard-shell that protects the laptop from bumps, scrapes and scratches that can occur during everyday transporting. Insert the laptop into the case through an opening along the side, and keep it in place with two straps that wrap around and attach onto hooks.
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07/28, 12:20pm
Greenpeace anti HP Protest
Greenpeace through its Twitter feed said Tuesday that it has launched a campaign against HP today to criticize the company for its environmental policy. The activist group claims to have painted the roof of HP's Palo Alto headquarters with the words "hazardous products" and to be calling HP staffers with automated messages from William Shatner asking why the company hasn't lived up to its promises of greener products. The protesters now hold Apple as a model for green improvement and claim HP is lagging behind, particularly in its continued use of toxics like bromide flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in its computers.
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07/23, 12:45pm
Apple 91pc of Prem Laptops
Apple has virtually complete control of the high-end notebook market in the US, the NPD Group says. In June, MacBooks represented 91 percent of all US portables sold priced over $1,000. The figure is an increase on an already high 88 percent in May and even higher than in early 2008, when Apple held just 66 percent of the same audience. The jump has already been credited to a 25 percent jump in MacBook sales following the launch of new MacBook Pro models, suggesting the sheer popularity of the new models as the main factor.
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07/22, 10:10am
NPD on June MacBooks
This June saw a 25 percent jump in US MacBook sales as compared the same month last year, says NPD Group analyst Stephen Baker. The growth is attributed to Apple's revised MacBook Pro line, which has not only changed specifications but absorbed some basic MacBooks, and fallen in price. "The Apple marketing machine is firing on all cylinders," says Baker. "With almost every launch of new machines, sales get a boost."
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07/21, 5:30pm
DealNN: printers, more
Today's featured deals from DealNN include printers, keyboards, MacBooks and more. Most noteworthy is a crazy deal we found on the HP VooDooDNA gaming keyboard. It was priced at $79.99, but a $40 instant rebate drops the price to $39.99, a coupon code slashes an additional 20% off the cost for a final price of $29.99. Get a fully customized gaming experience with the VooDooDNA keyboard, featuring programmable keys, a detachable wrist rest and illuminated characters.
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07/21, 4:30pm
Speck ships upgraded cases
Speck has launched updated versions of its See Thru and See Thru Satin cases for MacBooks and MacBook Pros, including 13- and 15-inch sizes. The cases accommodate design changes in the new Pros, while retaining compatibility with the previous generation of unibody notebooks. Case construction involves two translucent hard shells, which snap into place to protect a computer from bumps and scratches.
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07/21, 11:05am
CLEAR Vegas and Sam Mondi
Clearwire had a two-pronged launch on Tuesday with news both of its CLEAR WiMAX service reaching Las Vegas as well as the availability of the Samsung Mondi for its network and othe device news. The 4G-level service debuts on the 21st and will give the desert city typical download speeds between 3Mbps and 6Mbps, rendering it suited to video streaming and other broadband tasks on the road. Plans start at $20 for fixed service at home or $30 for mobile use anywhere in CLEAR's coverage areas. The company also has a $45 fixed-and-mobile plan for those who need two connections as well as a $10 day pass for visitors.
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07/16, 9:45am
Antiglare on more Macs?
Apple is currently considering antiglare options for more Macs, say sources claimed to be familiar with the company's plans. In recent years Macs have migrated to a glossy display surface, which Apple describes as providing a "crisp" and "vivid" picture, along with a seamless design aesthetic. The move has engendered complaints however, as in many cases reflections can obscure onscreen images, or affect the appearance of colors.
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07/14, 3:20pm
Multi-touch pad patent
Apple has been granted a critical patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office, covering the company's wide-ratio multi-touch trackpad. The first real-world example of the pad emerged in the beginning of 2008, when it appeared in the MacBook Air. It has since migrated to MacBooks and MacBook Pros, and should remain standard on Apple notebooks for some time.
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07/13, 8:05am
Apple Touch Netbook Oct
Rumors of a touchscreen Apple netbook gained fuel on Monday with a claim by China's InfoTimes that supposedly confirms launch details. Backing earlier claims, the site says the system will use a 9.7-inch touchscreen supplied by Wintek and is due to ship in October. Apple is expected to avoid competing directly with regular, sub-$500 netbooks and may use the touchscreen and other features to bring the price closer to $800, much like the Sony VAIO P.
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07/11, 10:40am
ClearCal anti-glare film
RadTech has launched the latest of its MacBook accessories, the ClearCal anti-glare film for glossy displays. ClearCal is designed to protect the users screen from dirt, dust and scratches, while reducing glare on glossy glass displays when outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The film combines a 2-mil anti-reflection layer with a 3-mil flexible transparent base, and when bonded to the glass computer screen, is capable of helping hide scratches and marks.
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07/08, 11:15pm
Apple Juicz Lite battery
QuickerTek has released its newest external battery for the MacBook and MacBook Pro, Apple Juicz Lite. Similar to the company’s original Apple Juicz, the new version still delivers 25 percent more power but in a lighter and smaller-sized battery. The external battery is capable of providing up-to five additional hours of battery power for the MacBook, and can also charge the internal laptops battery while plugged in. The current amount of battery power within the device can be read via its LCD charging status indicator.
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07/08, 9:40am
6th Laptop Hunters Ad
Microsoft has returned to its ad campaign with the first ad in its "Laptop Hunters" campaign in weeks. The TV spot sees couple Matt and Olivia tasked with finding a system at Best Buy with a large screen, long battery life and good support for pictures at $700. They dismiss a 13-inch plastic MacBook as "too small" and too expensive at $1,000, eventually settling on an HP Pavilion dv7 exactly matching their target price. In comparing the Mac and Windows lines, Microsoft is direct and emphasizes absolute price over features.
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