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After a big stink was made about Apple charging customers $4.99 (then later $1.99) to activate the 802.11n functionality on their MacBooks, the company has finally announced the update for free.  In my opinion, it was always their intention to release it for free, but they wanted to see how much hype they could generate off of charging for it.

Update: Everybody calm down while we figure out what this news really is.  It looks like it’s just a security update - and we were therefore misinformed.  Here’s an excerpt from the linked page:

About AirPort Extreme Update 2007-001
The perfect wireless solution for home, school, and business. As it blankets your space with a blazing-fast, secure wireless network, it opens up a world of possibilities for home entertainment, backups, printing, and more. With the AirPort Extreme Base Station, you and up to 50 of your friends, colleagues, or family members can enjoy a robust wireless network offering up to five times the performance and up to twice the range of networks created with the earlier 802.11g standard.

[Thanks, everyone for catching the mistake!]

The confusion lied mostly in that the update page has an advertisement for their AirPort Extreme router.  As you can see, it mentions you can enjoy 802.11n speeds on your AirPort Extreme Base Station router.  Eventhough this has nothing to do with the MacBook 802.11n upgrade, we still stand firm on our position that charging for it is ridiculous.  Check out the product page.

Download Apple’s 802.11n firmware update for MacBook / MacBook Pro
Via [Notebook Review]

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]

This morning Apple unveiled the new Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro’s. The new MBP’s are up to 39% faster than their predecessor (that’s pretty damn fast), sporting 2.16GHz and 2.33GHz processors. Pricing starts at a cool $1999 for 15-inch 2.16GHz and go all the way up to $2799 for the 17-inch 2.33GHz. If that wasn’t enough Apple went along and upgraded all the ram, that’s right, double the ram across the board. The 2.16GHz machines now ship with 1GB of ram, and both the 2.33GHz models come with a whopping 2GB’s of ram (with support for 3GB). Some of you will be happy to know that Firewire 800 is back on both the 15 and 17 inch models, as well as a 6x Dual-Layer Superdrive.

Read [Apple] Via [TUAW]

If you haven’t gotten your hands on one of the MacBook or MacBook Pros with the built-in iSight web-cam, you’ve probably noticed that the only other logical choice would be Apple’s full-blown iSight camera.  The only problem with that option is that it will cost you about 149 bucks...which is a complete rip-off.  That’s why Ecamm has announced the iMage USB Webcam, which is available for just $59.96.  The iMage gives you the same resolution video as the iSight (640x480) and works with iChat AV, Yahoo Messenger, and Skype Beta.  It sounds like for getting such a deal, you wouldn’t be missing out on much.

Read [Ecamm iMage] Via [Gizmodo]

If you’re a business traveler and plan on taking Virgin Atlantic airlines in the near future, you should know that your laptop battery may not be allowed on-board.  Similar to Korean Air’s recent battery ban, Virgin has announced that passengers who travel with Dell Inspirons and Latitudes, and Apple iBooks, Powerbooks, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros will be asked to remove the battery before the plane takes off.  The company is asking that if you need to use your laptop in-flight, you plug in to the in-seat power supply.  In addition, passengers are only allowed to bring a max of 2 batteries on-board, so if you the Energizer bunny, you many need to leave some at home.

The battery ban is the result of recalls that took place last month of certain models of Sony-manufactured batterys.  Virgin has yet to announce when they will lift the restriction.

Read [RegHardware]

As you probably already know, on Monday, Dell announced the “the largest safety recall in the history of the consumer electronics industry.” The batteries that led to this explosion in the blogosphere (pun intended) were likely used by more companies than just Dell, since they were manufactured by Sony.  Coincidentally, Apple has a similar exchange program set up for MacBook Pros sold from February to May of this year.  Did Apple use the Sony batteries as well?  According to Channel News Asia, a spokeswoman from Apple has reported that they are “looking into the issue.” If this is what it sounds like (a shady way of avoiding the press), expect Apple’s battery exchange program to span more than just February to May; maybe as long as April to July?  And if they used these batteries in PowerBooks and iBooks, that could spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for Apple.

Update: Reuters says the Sony batteries are also used in laptops from Hewlett-Packard Co., Apple Computer Inc., and Lenovo Group Ltd.

Via [Gizmodo]
Read [Channel News Asia]

Lately it seems like laptop batteries have gone wild with both Dell and Apple computers having issues.  Now Apple has officially issued a “worldwide battery exchange program for certain rechargeable batteries that were sold for use with 15-inch MacBook Pro computer systems from February 2006 through May 2006.” It’s great that they’ve taken corrective action to keep their customers happy, but a little more testing before the quick April release probably could have prevented it.  The affected batteries have the model number A1175 and a 12-digit serial number that ends with U7SA, U7SB or U7SC.  If you have this defective battery, head over to the exchange program’s website and fill out the form on the right side.  You will be asked for your battery’s serial number and shipping information.  Apple will send you a replacement battery free of charge and a prepaid shipping label so they can properly dispose of your current battery.

15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Exchange Program

Via [digg]

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]

The Apple MacBook has been out for a few weeks now and we have had a couple of interactions with it. Not enough to writeup a full review but we logged enough Apple Store hours to offer our impression.

The new MacBook is a 13-inch laptop that replaces both the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook G4. The MacBook box is a slightly smaller version of the thin MacBook Pro box. It comes with the Apple Remote and MagSafe power adaptor. It comes in both standard Apple White and a new Black. We preferred the look of the white in addition to the fact that the black model is extremely overpriced.

Compared to a 15-inch MacBook Pro, the MacBook seems quite small. The MacBook is slightly thicker but weighs 5.2 pounds, compared to the MacBook Pro’s 5.6 pounds. Unfortunately the MacBook is clearly bigger than its predecessor the PowerBook. Not only wider which we expect from the widescreen display, but thicker and heavier too. If you’re an iBook G4 user, you’ll find the MacBook slightly smaller, but slightly heavier.

The 13-inch widescreen display with a native resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels is glossy, which we liked, like Sony and Toshiba units.
Another major change for Apple is the brand new keyboard on the unit. It looks very different (keys are very spaced out) but it seemed to feel natural to type on. The MacBook also does not have a latch to close the unit but rather uses a magnet (which we find unnecessary since a hinge like my Sony VAIO S series works just fine). With two fingers on the mouse pad your click becomes a Ctrl-click/right-click.

Above the screen in the built-in iSight camera, has Front Row software, comes with the remote, has built in wireless and Bluetooth, all like the MacBook Pro. The MacBook’s also got built-in audio input and output, in both digital and analog forms, and support for external displays up to 1920 x 1200 resolution. The MacBook seems to be missing a PC card or ExpressCard expansion slot, a back-lit keyboard, lack of dual-link DVI support, and could have better video card.

Although the MacBook is Apple’s lowest-priced laptop, it’s about as far from a “low-end” model as you could get. Although you can no longer buy a new Mac laptop for under $1,000, the cheapest MacBook (a $1,099 model) features a dual-core 1.83 GHz processor: even the lowest-priced MacBook is a remarkably powerful system. A maxed-out MacBook will cost you $2,049 ($2,199 if you want it in black!), with a dual-core 2GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, a 120GB serial ATA drive, and a SuperDrive.

Overall - We have not spent enough time with the laptop to offer a true rating but we doubt you will go wrong with Apple’s new, very powerful, 13” widescreen laptop.