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Where do you take a diamond-encrusted, 24kt gold MacBook Pro for service? Why PowerMax, of course.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 / Hardware / 0 Comments
PowerMax has recently teamed up with Computer Choppers to provide R&D, as well as continued support, for their first, custom 24kt Gold & Diamonds Macbook Pro. Computer Choppers is an award-winning custom designer of computer cases, laptops, and electronics. They offer a variety of services, including handmade custom cases and unique add-on modifications. Pictured below are photos of the completed laptop which features a paint matched/re-etched MBP keyboard and a diamond-encrusted Apple logo!
That Dreamy 30-inch Apple Cinema Display
Thursday, November 16, 2006 / Displays, Hardware / 0 Comments
I recently switched to a 30-inch Apple Cinema display, and one of the first things I encountered was how many people were curious as to “what it’s like.” I suppose that has to do with the fact that it’s about the biggest, baddest, coolest display out there, and since display real estate is such a prized commodity, people are very curious as to how it would affect their own personal computing experience.
So, I thought it might make interesting reading for some of our customers to know in advance what might be in store for you should you upgrade to a 30-inch Cinema display.
ConvertX Vs. TVMax
Thursday, November 2, 2006 / Hardware / 0 Comments
In the pursuit of the perfect Mac PVR, I have sampled many hardware solutions that work with Elgato’s EyeTV software. Miglia’s TVMax has impressed me with its ability to encode video in MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and DivX. Elgato’s own EyeTV 250 device can only encode MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. Both MPEG-4 and DivX are important video compression codecs for smaller file storage and multi system playback compatibility. That places the TVMax ahead of the EyeTV 250, but the TVMax is not the only device that that can encode in four codecs. Plextor makes a Mac PVR package like the TVMax, called the ConvertX 402U. In addition to the same encoding capabilities, the ConvertX has been around longer than the TVMax and has the trusted Plextor name attached to it. With all that the ConvertX has going for it, it should be a better solution than the TVMax, but that’s not necessarily the case.
The iPod Interface for Your Car that Works
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 / Hardware, iPods / 0 Comments
I have been on an exhaustive search for an iPod connection for my 1998 Toyota that actually works. Over the years, I’ve meet many other people on the same quest for true iPod / car harmony. Years went by: my iPod changed but my search continued. Last week I found my perfect solution and I got to keep my original Toyota stereo. USA Spec makes a line of quality iPod interface kits that attach to the factory stereo in your car. Installing it took only minutes and it gave me every feature I could expect.
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Slimming Down Your Keyboard
Wednesday, September 6, 2006 / Hardware, Product Review / 3 Comments
Often people think of the display as being the most important point of contact with a computer. It is true that a bad display can make even the best computer look worthless, but the display is only half the story. A display will get the information out of a computer, but your keyboard is what gets most of the information in. As important as a keyboard is to the computing experience we often give it the least amount of thought. We buy expensive mice and tablets but few people invest in a new keyboard. The included keyboard from Apple is a quality keyboard that lasts through years of key pounding. Undoubtedly that’s why they are rarely upgraded. But just because Apple makes a good keyboard doesn’t mean that a different style keyboard would not serve you better.
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I/O and You!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 / Hardware / 0 Comments
I/O stands for input/output, which is just geek-speak for any peripheral device that talks to and/or listens to your computer. Apple has slowly and quietly been changing the included I/O ports of its new computers. It is important to understand what changes, because the add-ons you buy and the ones you own will be affected by these changes. So before you buy that FireWire 800 hard drive, check your connections and read on.
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