Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

According to MacScoop, Apple’s got “tons of Mac hardware releases for Q2” due out next month.  Sources tell them we should be expecting a black 24-inch iMac and 8-core Mac Pros.  Now, we can’t vounch for the rumors, but a black iMac would definately go along with Apple’s strategy.  In fact, they’ll probably introduce the black iMac and charge a $100 premium for it… you know, because they had to use all of that black paint and stuff.  We’ll keep you updated as the rumor mill gets started back up moving into the second quarter.

Read [MacScoop] Via [AppleWeblog]

Apple is offering another three reasons to “Get a Mac” via their clever marketing campaign. One features holiday cheer, another is a taste of the PC’s own medicine, and the final one, well I think it sucks. Check them out. What else are you doing on Tuesday night?

Read [Apple]

Back in September, Apple’s iMac line saw an upgrade from 802.11g to 802.11n Draft 1.0.  Now it looks like Apple’s getting ready to make the 802.11n upgrade for their MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops.  According to ThinkSecret, the upgraded computers will include the Atheros AR5008E wireless chipset.  With the much anticipated iTV due out in the near future, Apple will likely use the faster wireless technology to stream better quality (possibly high-def) content straight to your TV.

Read [ThinkSecret] Via [MacRumors]

When a few color options are not enough, you can call on ColorWare to offer your favorite gadgets in 30 standard colors or almost unlimited customer color options. The newest addition to the lineup is the 2G iPod Nano. You can buy one new directly from their website, or you can send one in that you own to be colored. This is also available to the newly updated 30GB and 80GB iPod video, along with most of Apple’s other popular products. like the 24” iMac. But if Apple products are not what you’re looking for don’t crash, ColorWare also offers a variety of Dell notebooks in 14”, 15”, and 17” models.

Read [Colorware]

Not really sure how we missed this last week but we did…

Apple revamped their entire line of iMacs, upgrading the all-in-one machines to Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Additionally, a new 24-inch iMac joins the 17- and 20-inch family.  The 17” starts at $999 and every model comes with a built-in iSight camera, Front Row media experience and iLife ‘06.

The new iMac lineup includes four models: a 1.83 GHz and a 2.0 GHz 17-inch, a 2.16 GHz 20-inch and the all-new 2.16 GHz 24-inch iMac (1920-by-1200 pixel resolution), and features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor which delivers up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous 20-inch iMac running industry standard benchmarks.

Apple today increased processor speeds on both models of the Mac mini, delivering dual-core performance across the line at no additional cost. The $799 model now includes a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, and the $599 model now includes a 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from a 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor.

Read [MacLive]

As always, the rumor mill is just getting started for Apple’s press event to be held on September 12th.  According to ThinkSecret, Apple will use the event to update the iPod nano, iPod with video, and the iMac.  The nano is expected to be updated to larger capacity flash drives, maybe 4GB and 8GB?  This will be the second generation of the player.  The iPod with video is likely to receive an upgrade in capacity as well - prices as always are expected to remain the same.

Finally, the iMac is rumored to be jacked up to a Core 2 Duo, and possibly get a new friend - the 23-inch iMac.  Currently, Apple only makes 17 and 20-inch models for $1,299 and $1,699 respectively.

Read [ThinkSecret]

If you’re looking for an iMac but aren’t ready to switch over to the other side, Sony’s got the perfect machine for you.  Today, they announced the new VAIO LS1 TV/PC Combo that is just that.  A computer...and a TV...all at the same time.  The 19” beauty has the CPU built into the back of the monitor just like Apple’s iMac.  The laptop-ish desktop sports an Intel Core Duo, 2 gigs of RAM, 250GB hard drive, and of course WiFi.  According to Sony, the “included wireless mouse and wireless aluminum keyboard folds up for a beautiful presentation when not in use.”

So you may be wondering, where exactly is the TV if you can’t see it?  In the words of our dear friend Hansel, “It’s IN the computer.” Hansel… so hot right now.

Read [Sony]

At the beginning of June, word got around that Apple would make their MacBooks, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini and iMac systems available at your local Best Buy retail store.  Think Secret has more recently learned that Apple will staff Best Buy locations with their own employees for training purposes...because afterall, Apple knows Apple best.  The Apple employees, called Apple Solutions Consultants (ASCs), will wear Apple badges, and most likely their token black shirts.  Oh, and don’t be frightend if the person that is selling you a Mac at Best Buy actually knows about the product.

Read [Think Secret]

PC World ranked the top 26 products of the first quarter, ending in April, of 2006. All products on the list were given at minimum a 4.5/5 rating by the editors. Here are the top 10, check out the article to see the rest of the list and read the reviews. Drumroll please:

1. Desktop: Dell Dimension E310


2. Desktop: Apple iMac Intel Core Duo


3. Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X60s


4. Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad T60


5. Laptop: Acer TravelMate 8204WLMi


6. LCD: Gateway FPD2185W


7. LCD: Samsung SyncMaster 204T


8. DVD Burner: Sony DVDirect VRD-MC1


9. Hard Drive: Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition


10. MP3 Player: Creative Zen MicroPhoto

The remainder of the list rounded out with speakers, routers, accessories, software, a webcam, and some games.

Read [PC Mag]

Do you ever just want to hit the screen when you can’t get your computer to do what you want?  (First of all, if you do… you should stop that!) Troll Touch is now transforming your standard 17” or 20” iMac (along with Cinema displays) into a touch screen kiosk.  For $869 and $1045 respectively, they’ll work their magic and send your iMac back an entirely different machine.  Just imagine using Photoshop or even just surfing the web with your computer… it would be fantastic!  If you would rather not send your new iMac to them (and haven’t gotten one yet), you can order yours directly from Troll Touch for $2275 and $2675.  If any of you have enough chutzpah to do this, let us know how it works out for you.

Via [Ubergizmo]