Real Apple Store services fake MacBook Air in China, of course

Is there no limit to the tolerance margin in Apple Stores? After comedian Mark Malkoff brought his pet goat into an Apple Store, another guy found out that Apple Stores will in fact service his knock-off MacBook Air. And no, we are not talking about counterfeit Apple Stores in China, although the store in question was located in China.

Per this report from the Chinese forum Sina Weibo, relayed by MIC Gadget, a Chinese guy brought his laughable MacBook Air knock-off to Apple’s flagship store in the Shanghai’s Pudong district. An Apple Genius not only agreed to repair the poor guy’s computer, but also posed for a shot which is now making the rounds on the web. From the looks of it, the Genius appears to be genuinely surprised by just how closely the rip-off Air resembles the real one. Yup, knock-offs are getting sophisticated these days.

*thanks 9to5mac*

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Ruling Whittles Down HTC’s Patent Case Against Apple

If HTC thought its acquisition of S3 would be a handy club with which to beat down Apple’s patent infringement attacks, it best think again.
A U.S. International Trade Commission judge has ruled that some of Apple’s Mac computers do infringe two of the four patents S3 asserted against the company. But it also ruled that Apple’s iOS devices do not and that Macs running Nvidia GPUs have an implied license to use them.


In other words, the iPhone and iPad are no longer at risk for an importation ban if things go sideways for Apple in this case. And neither are any Macs protected by that implied license I mentioned earlier. Really the only infringing products at issue in the case are Macs with Intel GPUs. So worst case scenario, if the ITC’s initial ruling should be upheld, Apple could presumably switch its Mac line over to Nvdia GPUs and dodge an ITC ban. Which significantly blunts S3′s helpfulness to HTC in its ongoing IP war with Apple, as Litigating Apple’s Matt Macari suggested last week.
“As S3 goes, so goes HTC — at least when it comes to using the S3 acquisition as leverage against Apple,” Macari, an IP attorney, wrote. “Such a turn in events would effectively put HTC back where it was before it purchased S3, forcing HTC to face Apple’s initial ITC win head on.”




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MacBook Air Teardown Reveals Upgradeable SSD

iFixIt has performed their teardown of the new MacBook Air which reveals that Apple is still using a SSD that is not soldered to the logic.

Just like in the mid-2010 MacBook Air, the SSD is not soldered to the logic board. Thankfully this means you can upgrade the SSD for more storage, but you're still out of luck if you need extra RAM.

Seeing as how the RAM is not user-serviceable, it might be worth it to buy the nicer model from the get-go (all models except the base 11" come with 4GB).

MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Repairability: 4 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair).
● Once you manage to take off the bottom cover, all the parts are pretty easily replaceable.
● Opening the bottom cover is quite difficult if you don't have the right screwdriver. It's clear that Apple didn't want people to open their machine.
● All the components -- including RAM and SSD -- are proprietary, meaning that no off-the-shelf parts will work in it without serious rigging.

You can checkout the entire teardown at this link...







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Apple Store Overnight on July 13th to Prepare for OS X Lion, New MacBook Airs?

Apple Store employees will reportedly work overnight on July 13th to prepare for what may be the release of Mac OS X Lion and/or new MacBook Airs, according to 9to5Mac. This falls in line with a previous prediction by the same site that Apple will release Mac OS X Lion on July 14th.

We're expecting the Lion release obviously, and also some new MacBook Airs which may or may not have faster storage, a Sandy Bridge CPU and Thunderbolts coming out the side. We've heard some stories of backlit keyboards, 3Gs, a black option and the mythical 15-inch MacBook Air HD but they seem unlikely at this point.

Along with the Airs, there have been shortages of the White MacBooks, Mac Minis and (perhaps redesigned) Pros – everything that doesn't currently have Thunderbolt - so those could also see updates. If not on the 14th, then perhaps shortly after.

Earlier reports have predicted that Apple is holding back all its hardware releases until Mac OS X Lion ships.




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MacBook Airs drop to $829 at the Apple Store (refurbs), updates on the way?

Apple dropped prices on current MacBook Air refurbs last night so that the base model now starts at just $829. That’s $30 lower than yesterday and could mean Apple’s clearing some inventory out for a refresh, perhaps as soon as WWDC. Or, perhaps not.

*thanks 9to5Mac*

I can't wait for a backlit keyboard, thunderbolt, 4gb ram minimum(upgradable to 8gb), & if possible similar to Sonys new laptop a 24hr battery life(even a 14hr battery would do)...


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Bootcamp Drops Support for Windows XP and Vista on New MacBooks ***UPDATE***

Bootcamp no longer offers support for Windows XP and Vista on the new MacBooks just released last week, according to ZDNet.

An Apple support documents says,

MacBook Air (Late 2010) and MacBook Pro (Early 2011) computers support 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, or Windows 7 Ultimate.

Note: Windows XP and Vista drivers are not supplied for these computers and are not supported.

To use Boot Camp with with Windows 7, you need the following:
● An optical drive (MacBook Air computers require an external optical disc drive to install Windows 7).
● A blank CD or USB storage device to contain the Windows Drivers created by the Boot Camp Assistant.
● For 32-bit versions of Windows, at least 16 GB of free space.
● For 64-bit versions of Windows, at least 20 GB of free space.
● Boot Camp Assistant, which is pre-installed in /Applications/Utilities/ .
● An authentic, 32-bit or 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate disc.





*thanks iclarified*

***UPDATE***

• You are chatting with Gabriel R, an Apple Expert

• Hi, my name is Gabriel R. Welcome to Apple!
• Good afternoon! How may I assist you today?
• hi, i have a question about bootcamp on the new mbp
• Hello.
• Yes. Any new Mac lets you install and natively run Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP with the built in Boot Camp feature. Additionally, if you need to run both Mac and Windows applications simultaneously, we recommend VMware or Parallels software.
• so there is support for windows xp?
• Yes, correct.
• Will this be your first Mac?
• i have read online on many sites that apple had stopped support for windows xp...
• no second..
• Great.
• How will you be using your Mac, for example what programs will you be using on the Mac?
• well i use Photoshop, Final cut pro, and a few others on OSX and Auto desk inventor and autocad on the windows xp partition....
• Excellent!
• Will you store all of your music, video and photos on your Mac? Or maybe as well use an external hard drive?
• i am a mechanical engineering student and need support for windows xp, i have the previous model of the mbp 15.4 i7 and would love the thunderbolt upgrade, and the boost in the fsb...
• Yes, it is amazing!
• The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro now feature quad-core Intel Core i7 processors. And the 13-inch models jump to dual-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. All models are up to 2x faster.
• New Thunderbolt technology lets you connect high-performance peripherals and high-resolution displays to one port — with data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps.
• thank you for the info, now i have to sell my current mbp and buy a new one... ;-)
• Do you need to have something like Word, Excel or PowerPoint on your Mac?
• i have office 08 on my mac and iwork...
• Which screen size would you prefer?
• 15.4
• Based on your needs I recommend for you the new MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz. With 4 GB RAM and 750GB hard drive. That will give you great speed to run all your applications and enough space for your files and programs. Will that MacBook Pro work for you? How does that sound?
• I also recommend iWork 09 and AppleCare. For Macs, AppleCare offers 3 years of unlimited calls to our technical support team, it extends the original coverage from 1 year to 3 years. And you get global repair coverage for your Mac — both parts and labor — through convenient service options. You can add them to your Mac and get more details on them in the configuration page.
• i was just wondering do you have any info on the previous models pricing? i dont remember what i paid for it...
• is there a family pac for apple care?
• I'm sorry we no longer carry new ones previous generation just refurbished section.
• i just needed the price...
• pack*
• There is not since AppleCare is based on the product serial number.
• Click here for the refurbished section.
• Let me know if the link works fine.
• Now for the new Mac I will stay online with you and leave this chat open while you place the order, in case you have any questions.
• Once you place the order, you can type in your order number here so i can verify our order went through fine.
• well i cant buy a new one until i sell my current mbp..
• We currently offer two credit options: The Barclaycard Financing Visa card, which is offered through Barclays Bank Delaware, and Bill Me Later, which is offered through CIT Bank.
• thanks for the info and for confirming that windows xp and vista are still supported...
• Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
• You are welcome.
• Thank you for visiting the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. If you would like more help, please chat with us again.
• is there any way i can get a transcript of this conversation?
• You can just copy and paste to save it.
• Have a great day.
• thank you, and have a great day too..
• Thank you for visiting the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. If you would like more help, please chat with us again.
• Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. If you have any additional questions, please chat us again.

It may seem Zdnet is wrong! windows xp and vista are still supported by bootcamp in the new macbook pro and air models.

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MacBook Air to Get Sandy Bridge CPU in June?

Apple may be planning to give the MacBook Air a speed bump by updating it with Intel's new Sandy Bridge processor, according to CNET.

Initial shipments of Intel's Sandy Bridge processor were snafued on January 31 by a minor glitch in the accompanying chipset, though the chipmaker will resume shipments of fixed chipsets as early as mid-month. The Sandy Bridge processor itself is not affected.

The MacBook Air refresh is expected in June, according to a source familiar with Apple's plans.

The MacBook Pros are also rumored to get an update which could come as early as March.




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Twelve South Introduces BookArc for the MacBook Air

Twelve South has introduced a new version of its popular BookArc, designed exclusively for the Apple MacBook Air (Late 2010 models).

Like previous versions of BookArc, the MacBook Air model is fashioned from heavy gauge steel for stylish looks and a sturdy footprint. One convenient addition is built-in cable management. Since MacBook Air has inputs on both sides, the BookArc cable housing routes power, external display, USB and other cables behind the MacBook for a clean workspace. These cables stay tethered to the stand so you can easily get your Mac in and out quicker than ever

For those who use MacBook Air with an external display, a key benefit for BookArc is the performance boost it gives your Mac. If you connect MacBook Air to an external monitor and leave the MacBook open, video memory is split between the two displays. When working with MacBook Air in the closed position, resting in BookArc, 100% of the video memory is dedicated to powering the external monitor. This provides a notable boost in power when working with Aperture, Photoshop and other graphics- intensive programs.

"BookArc has been one of our most popular products, so it was only natural to create one for the thin new MacBook Air," said Creative Director Andrew Green of Twelve South. "Some insightful feedback from customers led to some design tweaks, including the cable manager, making this the strongest BookArc to date."

The arc-shaped stand elevates MacBook for a less cluttered workspace. A soft silicone insert firmly grips the second generation, 11 and 13-inch MacBook Air. Padded rubber feet keep the stand from leaving any marks on your work surface.

BookArc for MacBook Air begins shipping next month with a price of $39.99.




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MacHeist Customers Get Secret Pre-release Access to Twitter for Mac

MacHeist nanoBundle 2 customers who purchased beta access to Tweetie 2 have been given access to secret features in the new Twitter for Mac application.

Some of the "Super Secret" features include:
● User timeline avatar derepeater
● Scroll over window will bring to front
● Type anywhere
● Hide app in background
● Compose windows float over all windows
● ESC closes compose windodws
● Link Color

MacHeist members should look for an email which offers the following instructions:

"The rabbit hole begins in Twitter's Help menu. Open it and hold the followings keys: Ctrl+Opt+Command. Your nanBundle 2 Tweiitie license number is the secret password.

Included are super cool things - secret experimental preferences and options, and promised access to pre-release builds of Twitter for Mac. A glimpse into the future."










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Apple Releases Firmware Update for MacBook Air

Apple has released an EFI firmware update for all 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Airs.

About MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.0
This update resolves a rare issue where MacBook Air boots or wakes to a black screen or becomes unresponsive. This update is recommended for all 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air (late 2010) models.

The MacBook Air EFI Update will update the EFI firmware on your notebook computer. Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source. When your MacBook Air restarts, a gray screen will appear with a status bar to indicate the progress of the update. It will take several minutes for the update to complete. Do not disturb or shut off the power on your MacBook Air during this update.

You can download the update by selecting Software Update from the Apple menu at the top left of you screen.


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Toshiba Announces MacBook Air Blade-Type SSD Modules

Toshiba has announced the Blade X-gale SSD series, a new form factor in solid-state storage that debuted with the MacBook Air.

Available now, the new drives are offered in capacities of 64-gigabyte (GB), 128GB and 256GB, with a maximum sequential read speed of 220MB per second (MB/s) and a maximum sequential write speed of 180MB/s. Ideally suited for integration into space-sensitive products, including tablet PCs, laptops, mini-mobile and netbook PCs, Toshiba's latest SSD offering helps these devices achieve a super slim profile.

"Delivering a product that enables superior user experience in a smaller footprint is the ultimate goal," noted Scott Nelson, vice president, Memory Business Unit, Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. "The density of MLC NAND enables the creation of smaller form factor high density storage solutions, and Toshiba, as the technology leader for NAND storage solutions, will continue to innovate in this space."

As mobile devices get smaller and lighter, yet even more feature packed than ever, the SSDs inside them – the heart of storing all of the music and other entertainment data – must be even smaller, and much thinner. Toshiba's new 64GB and 128GB Blade X-gale SSDs are the thinnest available within the company's comprehensive portfolio of SSD solutions. At a thickness of 2.2mm, the modules are 42 percent thinner than that of a typical mSATA SSD, and Toshiba's advanced wiring technology has assured optimized wiring layouts and data transfer rates in this new form factor. Thanks to Toshiba's base design technology that minimizes board warpage during thinning, 256GB capacity can be achieved when mounted on both sides, the largest density in the industry for small type SSD modules. Toshiba also offers designers a choice of mSATA and Half-Slim SSD modules in capacities up to 128GB.

"Until recently, storage designers looking for high capacity storage had accommodated the size of HDD into their designs," continued Nelson. "Up to this point, SSD designs also followed the basic design of small form factor HDD - which does not fully leverage the capabilities of high density NAND technology. Toshiba's module-based SSDs break with this approach, giving hardware designers greater freedom and flexibility in enabling their product design."

This announcement provides an upgrade path for MacBook Air users looking to increase storage. It's unclear if 11.6-inch owners will be able to upgrade to the 256GB stick due to the height difference indicated in the chart below.







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11-inch Upgraded MacBook Air Offers 15% Performance Increase

AnandTech has tested the upgraded configuration of the 11-inch MacBook Air and found that it offers a 15% increase in performance.

Apple's 11.6 inch MacBook Air has a base configuration of 1.4GHz and 2GB of RAM. These specifications can be bumped to 1.6GHz and 4GB of RAM for an additional $200.

On average the upgraded system was 15% faster than the base 11-inch MacBook Air. The base 13-inch MBA averaged around 19% faster across the board, however in applications/usage models with large memory footprints the faster CPU had effectively no benefit.

The site was also able to measure a reduction of around 6% in battery life.




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Apple Internally Confirms MacBook Air Display Issues

Apple has internally confirmed the reported MacBook Air display issues and will issue a fix via an upcoming software update, according to support documents leaked by BGR.

Apple's suggested fix for the time being is to shut the notebook for ten seconds then reopen forcing the display to power cycle.





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MacBook Air Battery Life Reduced By Two Hours When Flash is Installed

The MacBook Air's battery life is reduced by whopping two hours when Adobe Flash is installed, according to testing by ArsTechnica.

We did find (quite by accident) that Apple may have more reasons behind not installing Flash by default other than the stated reason of ensuring that users always have the most up-to-date version. Having Flash installed can cut battery runtime considerably—as much as 20 percent in our testing. With a handful of websites loaded in Safari, Flash-based ads kept the CPU running far more than seemed necessary, and the best time I recorded with Flash installed was just 4 hours. After deleting Flash, however, the MacBook Air ran for 6:02—with the exact same set of websites reloaded in Safari, and with static ads replacing the CPU-sucking Flash versions.

So if those added minutes of battery life are important to you, consider disabling or uninstalling Flash, especially on your new MacBook Air.



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InvisibleSHIELD Now Available for New MacBook Airs

ZAGG has begun selling their invisibleSHIELD and ZAGGskins protection for Apple's new Macbook Air laptop computers.

The invisibleSHIELD is ZAGG's patent-pending, military-grade, virtually invisible and indestructible film, available in over 5,000 designs for the most popular electronics. As the original thin film full-body protector, the invisibleSHIELD covers millions of devices all around the world from bumps, scratches, and dings, and includes a lifetime replacement warranty. ZAGGskins are customized high-quality images and designs fused with the invisibleSHIELD to provide personalized protection. The invisibleSHIELD designs for Apple's iPad, iPhone and iPod lines are some of ZAGG's most popular products.

"Apple has built the new Macbook Air around technology advances from the iPad. So, not only is it amazingly thin and eye-catching, but it has the latest and greatest technology Apple has to offer," said Derek Smith, Vice President of Sales for ZAGG. "Both the original invisibleSHIELD and ZAGGskins give users the opportunity to protect and personalize their Macbook without fear of scratches, and without adding bulk to the design."

The invisibleSHIELDs and ZAGGskins for both Macbook Air models are available online at www.ZAGG.com, and ZAGG is shipping the invisibleSHIELD to select retail partners.

Both the 11-inch and 13-inch full coverage films cost $54.99.


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The New MacBook Air Screen is 'Insane'

TechRestore CEO Shannon Jean says the new MacBook Air screen is unlike any other used in a laptop.

In a message to ZDNET Jean writes, the screen is paper thin and it’s not inside a housing like the traditional screens. It’s in layers, it’s insane. Perhaps you can do a post on this service, then I can send you images of the screen to do an additional post. I don’t think there’s ever been a screen like this used in a laptop. It’s very similar to a Sony PSP screen, where the LCD panel and backlight are separate pieces.

Like I mentioned, this is an ultra-thin screen that is not encased in a typical screen housing. Looks like Apple saved weight and space by keeping the parts separate. Very cool, except getting the screen out of the unit is a challenge with the Iron Man adhesives that Apple uses. Plus the fact that replacing the screen will require a dust free environment, since you are essentially peeling back the screen like an onion and there are all kinds of ways to cause damage. If you scratch the backlight layer, it will show through the LCD, if you get dirt/dust in between the LCD and reflective layers, it will show up, just to name a few.

TechRestore is offering a service that replaces the super glossy, LED backlit LCD with a matte-finish screen that has the exact same specifications as the original.







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11-inch MacBook Air Can Stay in Your Bag Through Airport Security

The 11-inch MacBook Air can remain in your bag when going through airport security, a Transportation Security Administration spokesman told CNN.

As gadget-toting flyers know, TSA officials require that laptops and larger electronics, such as Xbox or Wii game systems, be removed from luggage and passed through X-ray machines separately. Security-checkpoint employees are trained to identify what basic electronic gadgets' innards are supposed to look like in an X-ray image. For larger hardware, the TSA requires a clear shot to make inspecting the complex parts inside easier.

This is definitely great news for travelers. If only Apple had included a micro-SIM card slot, everything would have been perfect!



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