[URL] I just found out about these. Looks interesting, and fairly cheap too. The specs are fairly low, but they are absolutely quiet, smaller than the Mac Mini, and still does what it was made to do... basic web browsing, HD video streaming, maybe a music server, etc. basic stuff. And it is fairly cheap, too. Just thought you guys might want to know about something cool I found on the intronet.
View 4 Replies
I wanted to see if there were any alternatives to the $100 superdrive that seems pretty fragile and some people suggested this Fastmac [URL] for $110, which can ready Bluray discs.
I did a little diging on this forum and found this tread [URL], which basically says it's a Panasonic (Matshita) UJ-120 drive in an external enclosure and an IDE-to-USB bridge.
Then I went on eBay to see if they sell the UJ-120 and found this seller ([URL]) selling it for $80.
I took the plunge and bought it, and it works fine. When I plugged it in, nothing happen, but when I inserted a DVD it played it and when I inserted a blank disk, it let me burn it with itunes.
Anyway I just wanted to let everyone know that this is a great alternative for $80. I haven't tried the bluray yet, but I got what I wanted.
So now that iStat is a paid app (don't get me wrong I like the app but thats not what this thread is about) I went looking for an alternative app with the same functionality, but free I came across MenuMeters and it is VERY similar, lightweight, and best of all its free.
View 6 Replies View RelatedI'm looking for a decent mouse that has great comfort, but also matches the iMac as well. I do not enjoy any of the apple mouses, even the magic mouse, mostly because of comfort reasons. I've looked at a few Logitech mouses, and the MX Resolution is by far very comfortable, but doesn't really match or look as great with an iMac. So i'm curious what you are using, and what other mouses you think would go hand and hand with the iMac and provide comfort? I'm thinking about getting the Explorer mouse from Microsoft, but mouses that have charging bases are a bonus, just like the Logitech MX Resolution. Just looks better
View 2 Replies View RelatedI have my Mini hooked up through a usb/minidisplayport to HDMI adapter. On my keyboard when I push mute or volume up or down, the computer shows the mute/vol up/vol down icon on the screen when I push it and it makes the volume sound, but it does not actually mute the tv or make the volume go up or down. Only the actual TV controls will make it work.
View 8 Replies View RelatedI'm thinking of getting a Mac Mini as an HTPC and for holding my iTunes library and AVI's. I currently have an upscaling DVD player that also has a USB socket for DivX stuff and would like access to my iTunes library also. I was thinking of simply adding an AppleTV to the set-up but I've been considering a Mini also. My questions are:
1) If I have a Mini in the living room with all my AVI's and iTunes stuff on it- can I Wake-On LAN it using a Mac laptop, my iMac or an AppleTV in another room to access my library if it's sleeping? If I wanna watch a movie in bed on an AppleTV I don't want to have to nip downstairs to wake my Mini 'cause it's power-saving.
2) Would a Mini work well as an iTunes media server? Not bothered about accessing it from the internet, just want access through wired and wi-fi within the house.
3) Could I control the Mini remotely from the iMac or laptop over the network to save connecting a keyboard/mouse to it? For example if I need to perform a software update or move some files? I can do that over the network with another Mac, right? Sort of remote desktop?
4) Could I control the Mini, purely for playback, from Remote on an iPod Touch?
5) Is there a hack/fix/workaround to add AVI's (DivX and xVid) to Front Row? I understand these wouldn't be playable on the AppleTV.
I've tried searching for individual answers to the above but it's a bit confusing. I'm not sure of the difference between Back To Mac or Apple Remote Desktop. And I'm not sure about the WOL stuff either.
I'm using a 2GHz MacBook Pro as a HTPC, but it has developed some major heat issues and is not much longer for this world. I have read some threads regarding overheating issues with Minis and wonder if that is still an issue? I want to replace the laptop with a Mini and don't want to run into the same problems.
View 21 Replies View RelatedI have a March 2009 Mac Mini that was working fine under Leopard when sending out a signal from mini display port to hdmi and then to a Samsung HDTV. Now when I upgraded I get more options for monitoring HD signals but my TV signal drops out intermittently. I suspect this is a bug with Snow Leopard and HDMI. Anyone have any inklings on how to solve this issue?
View 1 Replies View RelatedI'm looking to replace my parent's cable subscription with a mac mini, the Apple TV seems too outdated and restricted. I plan to couple it with OTA broadcasts, but what else can I do? I see things like Boxee and Plex, what are these and how can I best use them? Are there any better software to use? I planned on using Hulu, getting some massive storage and putting seasond and seasons of shows on there. Note, I don't really need HD content as much, they just don't care. I know I can buy off of itunes, but is there a way to get the news? Like a program that will take a RSS feed of CNN or something? Basically I want Hulu to have news. Can all of this tie into front row? What hardware addons can I purchase? like a tuner or somehting. I'll probably get a used Mac Mini to try it out on first.
View 5 Replies View RelatedWith a Mac Mini as a HTPC, I am going to add external storage that can be expanded to about 8TB. I don't see myself maxing out 4TB in the near future.
I have looked into Drobo, despite all of the mixed reviews. Some say they love it, some say it is slow and have had problems, and some have said their Drobo died no more than a year in. However, the ease of use and ease of expandability is very tempting. So, if I do not find an alternative I will purchase a Drobo soon.
I ordered a new Mac Pro 2.66 octo with a single video card (GT 120). I also ordered a mini for use a a HTPC in my living room.I have a TV in my bedroom too (where my Mac Pro is going to be placed). I was wondering if there's a way to "partition" the display of my Mac Pro so that when I'm at my desk, it functions as a regular computer, and also be able to use it for Front Row, Plex etc with an apple remote. I'll can attach an IR receiver to my Mac Pro. I'd like this to be setup so that the two modes do not interfere with each other and effectively function independently. Is such a setup possible with a second video card?I idea is the share my media between the mini and mac pro so that I have access to the Front row etc from both rooms.
View 8 Replies View RelatedI have the 2010 MBP 13" and I understand it can utilize two monitors. Could this situation be possible, for using it as a HTPC;
1) Have my 'TV' screen hooked up via DVI for movies off the external HD
AND
2) Have my 'External Monitor' hooked up via DVI/HDMI for everyday computer use?
My TV isn't that close to my MBP, so I can get an extended DVI cable for it.
I need to make a slideshow with a ton of impact, I have about 80 images and and what we have now is very basic, check it out .its way too slow for the amount of pictures takes an eternity to get through.We found this slideshow on the net.its very effective and you can see our pictures in a minimal amount of time. Only problem is i have no idea how to replicate this effect, I was thinking maybe premier pro but have had a look and cant get anywhere close to it.
my Screen Sharing within my LAN isnt verygood. Its very stuttery and screen splintersa lot and doesnt update some things. My router is a 'G' router which should be able to cope with these things.also, the screen res on my Mini is slightly different to my MBP, which i use as the remote screen to control it and therefore the picture isnt as sharp. Can i make it as sharp as if i was looking at MBP stuff?
Info:
MBP 15.2, Mac OS X (10.7.2)
I am looking for a great grammar checking software, I have downloaded the demo for Grammarian Pro X and really enjoyed it; however, I wanted to ask you guys if there is anything better than Grammarian?
View 4 Replies View RelatedI purchased a Mac Pro last Thursday after running a G4 350 MHZ machine for far too many years. But it had been such a good machine I focused on it and took my eyes off of technological progress. I thought the PCI buses in the Mac pro were just faster versions of the kind of PCI in the G4. The G4 was outfitted with a Revolution 7.1 sound card from M Audio and that fed into a Creative 6.1 speaker system (with internal amp). The sound was amazing. It was my hope that I'd be able to transfer this card to the Mac Pro and discover even higher quality sound. But before I even tried plugging it in I did some checking and found that PCI Express is an entirely different technology than PCI.
M-Audio has stopped making the Revolution even though they still have drivers for OS X 10.5 (for folks who put this OS onto machines with the original PCI slots, I suppose). So now that this dream has shattered I am wondering what are my options for being able to hear great sound from my new computer. The internal speaker is OK for the beeps and buzzes produced by an OS that wants to get your attention but it sounds horrible when you're trying to watch a surround sound DVD. I'd like to hear from any Mac Pro owners who have found a way to make their computers deliver high quality sound. I know the Mac Pro has optical in and out but have no idea how I could make use of this other than to plug into a rather high priced surround amp.
I've kept my Mac on for days in order to test out these memory leaks that Safari, iTunes, etc supposedly have.
Safari is now using 1.01 GB of memory. And that's not from having 100 windows open or anything. I usulaly have a few windows open with a few tabs each most of the time. But it's just the size to which Safari has grown. It started out much less. Under 100mb I think.
iTunes is up to 280mb from 50mb and I believe it was even higher earlier in the day somewhere in the 330mb range.
I have 4 gigs of RAm on my aluminum iMac, but now I have only 58mb of free memory left!!!
When memory runs out what will be the result? Is Safari just using a gig of memory because it can??? Will this slowdown my system? Or will Safari and/or iTunes give up memory starting with the oldest data first? Am I reinventing the wheel here? What will this test or observation prove?
Updates to follow.
I'd like to restore my OEM Snow Leopard Installer disk (Disk 1). It won't read anymore. I've tried things like toothpaste which usually works and a metal polisher but those didn't work for this dual layer.
What's a good brand of scratch remover? How do I restore it? It's good if I get to restore it so that when it's resold later (for an upgrade), everything's original and complete. I'll do my best to find it in the stores here.
Info:
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), iMac Late 2009
For all you scientists on AI: I just came across the 'Papers' app after reading a glowing Ars Review.I've been playing with it for the last hour and it is hands on the best literature organizing software I've come across thusfar, and it's not even at 1.0!
View 13 Replies View RelatedJust got my 8800 card today and I thought some of you may be interested to see what is in the box. By the way the card works great with the 2600 in leopard.
View 21 Replies View RelatedCan anyone with experience using the Google browser vouch for what makes it so great? When I have tried it (on four different computers, different networks and locations) a lot of websites don't seem to work at all. I keep running into situations where some plugin seems to be required, but no plugin or fix exists. Why then are so many technology news sites writing such flattering reviews of this browser? Is it really fit to compete with Safari and Firefox?
View 5 Replies View RelatedI am trying to find an updated screen capture program (not video recording, just stills) that works well in Snow Leopard and will run OK in 64bit mode too. One of my favorite old programs from Windows was called "Hypersnap" and I would like to find something that good or better for the Mac. In that program you could do things like add highlights to the image, draw arrows or place clip art on the image too. After looking at Google, I just could not find anything like that, at least current for Snow Leopard use.
View 3 Replies View RelatedI've been having problems with the optical drive on my G5 Quad for the last few months. It makes a clanking noise every few minutes, similar to the sound it makes when you put in a cd. Also, every now and then when I put in a cd it just doesn't read it, and it makes itunes crash. The drive is an LG HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GWA-4165B. I have read lots of bad things about this drive on the internet, and it also happens to be much slower at importing dvds than the pioneer drives that are (or were) also shipping with some G5s.
I finally went down to my apple store, in The Netherlands. I explained the problem to the tech guy, and he said they would replace it under warranty. However, when I asked if it was possible to get a pioneer drive, he said they had no control over which brand they receive on replacement parts, but that almost always they get pioneers. Well, I took it in and they replaced the drive. They refused to do a test on it though, arguing that they were fixing another G5 and wouldn't be able to hear the noises I was complaining about (there was also a strange noise coming form one of the fans). The guy suggested that I brought it back some other time, and said he was absolutely sure he wouldn't find anything (turns out these guys also happen to be clairvoyants, or so they seem to think!) Coming from America I find it really hard to believe how rude and stupid the apple people can be at this store in The Hague, but unfortunately I can't avoid having to deal with them while I live here (there are endless horror stories about this particular shop). I don't have a car, so I had to take a cab there and back, which ran to about � 20, plus all the trouble and the wasted time. But sure, why not just bring it again some other time like the guy said?............
MacBook Air challenges Sony Z series ! Let me know your thoughts !
Updated with basic specs of both great piece of arts !1. MacBook Air ( 1.6Ghz , 120GB HDD ) ( www.apple.com )- 2GB Memory- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M Graphics- 13.3 Inch great display- Multi Touch + 3 Pounds- Great Design !- Price = $1799 + Tax !2. Sony Z ( 2.40 Ghz, 250GB HDD ) ( http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VGN-Z550N...5159984&sr=8-4)- 3GB Memory ( upto 4 )- Intel GMA 4500MHD & Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS - 13.1 Inch XBrite Display- 3.31 Pounds ( Almost same weighs compare to Air )- Price = $1800 with no tax and free shipping !
We have two Mac Laptops, 1 is the little white Macbook, the other MBP. We have DSL coming in and then thru a 2wire modem then thru the Airport. The 2 wire modem is connected to a PC. All of this sits about 40 feet from the bar where we use the laptops and is a straight shot.
My problem is that the the newer MBP is stuck in the mud when it comes to connecting, and then holding any type of signal strength with the wireless signal.The older little white MB works great, every bar on the wireless icon is black, on the other (as I type this they are both on and side by side..) only has one.
When pressing Alt/Option and clicking on the wireless icon the good computer shows a transmit rate of somewhere between 20 and 26 when I have checked it several times this morning, the bad one has never been above one.It seems for the price I paid for the Airport Ex. BOTH of these units should be getting full strength signals.Ever had this problem? No of any possible solutions?The fact that the slow one is my wife's machine doesn't make life any easierI figure before I make an Apple reservation I could do a little research myself.
What is the best small printer to go with an air book and thunderbolt screen and be a great printer?
Info:
MacBook Air, iOS 5.0.1
is it possible anyone has any recommendations for an alternate to the OWC On the Go Pro? The story is that i have one of these backing up my mac pro on my desk and i would very much like to replace the one that i store off site with a new one. i'm thinking of gettings something similar but i would like to think about using a slightly different product in the event of some odd manufacturing error. basically i love the OWC but I am thinking of getting a slightly different item.this is for an off site backup for both my mac pro and my mac book pro.
Info:
Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 10.6.8 with 64 bit Win7 in Parallel
Long time ago before torrent I used to use DC ++ (Direct Connect) program on windows. Unfortunately I need to find really old files that nobody seeds in torrents now, so I'm looking for something like DC++ but on a mac?
View 3 Replies View RelatedI have tried using SMC fan control in the past but the minimum fan speed was 1000rpm which i found too high when i didnt need the extra cooling (noisy too).
Is there an alternative to SMC fan control so i can increase the speed when needed then reduce them to the original speeds during idle?
1 password alternatives? other than the keychain are they any others with such good integration into safari?
View 15 Replies View Related
