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While we have all come to expect that majority of these ultra-portable notebooks are very similar not only feature wise, but also in the way they look on the outside. However some new promo images from Asus and MSI are now offering (almost) the same image. Well, the image is actually the same, except for the fact they at least took the time to switch out the notebooks to show off their own product. The fact that two currently popular ultra-portable notebook makers are offering such a similar promo shot is just the tip of what seems like a slight controversy because this images has already been used in the past, showing off what appears to be a MacBook. Keep reading to check out the original image below…

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While the image could be completely faked, it would lead us to believe that Steve Ballmer is using a MacBook to run his presentations. What’s your call? The MacBook could have simply been Photoshopped in or possibly the MacBook is just running Windows, or maybe Ballmer has finally gone crazy and jumped ship.

Image [Flickr] Via [Gizmodo]

How long does it take you to earn $10,000? For Charlie Miller, of Independent Security Evaluators and former NSA employee, it takes him about two minutes. Last Thursday, Miller won the PWN 2 OWN competition at the 2008 CanSecWest security conference in Vancouver, by successfully hacking a MacBook Air. In fact, Miller isn’t a newcomer. He is well-known as the first to successfully hack the iPhone back a year ago. 

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In keeping with what seems like a Tuesday tradition for 2008, Apple has once again given us all something new. The store went down, the speculation began and with the return came some updated MacBook and MacBook Pro’s, both of which will be available immediately.

Starting with the MacBook line, they were given a speed boost along with more storage. The MacBook line still consists of the three “base” models and now offer the white model with either a 2.1 or 2.4 GHz processor with a 120GB and 160GB hard drive as the standard. The black model will offer the 2.4 GHz processor along with a standard 250GB hard drive. The MacBook also ships with 1GB of RAM on the low end and 2GB standard on the higher spec’d white model and black model, all three can handle up to 4GB total RAM. Pricing on the MacBook’s remain the same as before, which was $1,099, $1,299 and $1,499.

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Apple has certainly gotten a lot of buzz with their latest offering, the MacBook Air. There are a few Air’s out in the wild now, including John Mayer who was showing his off on a recent trip. The Air still is a little bit away from hitting the hands of us regular folk, however the reviews from the big guys are starting to trickle in. Lets see what they have to say:

Walt Mossberg; All Things Digital

If you value thinness, and a large screen and keyboard in a subnotebook, and don’t watch DVDs on planes or require spare batteries, the MacBook Air might be just the ticket. But if you rely on spare batteries, expect the usual array of ports, or like to play DVDs on planes, this isn’t the computer to buy.

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While Mr. Jobs is claiming the thinnest notebook, it seems that Toshiba may actually claim the lightest with their recent addition to the Portege R500 line. The soon to be released R500-11J will come in a just 11.14-inches x 8.49-inches x 0.76-inches/ 1-inches and weighs just 1.72-pounds. Overall the dimensions are pretty close to the 12.8-inches x 8.95-inches x 0.1-inches/ 0.76-inches found in the Air, that weighs in at about 3-pounds.

Similar to the MacBook Air, the R50-11J will include the 64GB SSD. In addition it will also feature a 12.1-inch WXGA Transflective LED at 1,280 x 800, 1.20GHz Intel Centrino Duo with Intel Core2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage U7600, 2GB RAM, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, touchpad, Gigabit Ethernet, Buetooth, 3G+ and Wi-Fi (802.11 a/g/n). Similar to the MacBook Air it will also not include any optical drive.

The R500-11J will run Windows Vista Pro and be available later this month for 2500 euros or around $3600 US.

Via [Akihabara News]

Want to extend your MacBook’s battery life for extended use away from a power source? FastMac’s new product, the TruePower is great to pack into your bag for long plane trips.

The TruePower is available in black and white to match your MacBook, and they will retail for $99.99 - $30 less than if you buy an extra battery directly from Apple.  They are scheduled to ship in mid-March, and you can pre-order now.

These look very interesting - I’m very keen to get my hands on one for my white MacBook for use on long trips away from home.

Product [FastMac] Via [CrunchGear]

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]

For some reason or another, Apple has chosen to stay away from the Tablet PC market for now.  Luckily there are companies like Axiotron that have stepped up to the plate.  The company is currently taking pre-orders for their new ModBook (that was announced at Macworld this year), which is just what it sounds like: a modified Macbook.  The computers are new Macbooks that have the company’s AnyView 13.3” Wide Screen monitor, ForceGlass Screen & Camera Cover, and WACOM Penabled Digitizer, allowing for touch screen functions.  They are selling three models with varying specs at $2,199, $2,399, and $2,699.

Head over to their site for complete specs.

Product Page [ModBook]

Wow if this doesn’t create excitement what does? Apple has changed their homepage image to the one seen above.

The first 30 years were just the beginning. Welcome to 2007.

As if there was not enough buzz around the company, they have certainly succeeded in reinvigorating the rumors and longing for shiny new gadgets and software in 2007. We already know that Apple will be upgrading their OS, from Tiger to Leopard around Q3 2007 as well as entering the living room space via the “iTV.” Other expectations are a HD Apple Cinema display with HDMI, Blu-ray support for the Mac Pro, the long awaited Apple phone, as well as the forever rumored video iPod.

Can we expect other new products/services from Apple? Be sure of it. How about some thinner, faster, sleeker MacBook Pros, maybe a MacBook tablet, doubling the memory of the nano and shuffle, HD iTunes downloads, more movie studios on iTunes, as well as other gadgets here and there.

Gadgetell Contest: We want to know what your Apple wishes are for 2007. Post them as a comment below and we’ll pick five winners at random. If you win, we will send one of the following items:

• Altec Lansing’s M602 iPod speaker dock ($199)


• Altec Lansing im500 iPod speaker dock ($129)


• Myvu personal media view for the iPod ($299)


• DLO Homedock ($99)

The rules…

The Rules:

• You may only enter this contest one time


• The winners will be sent a notice via email and has 72 hours to reply with their mailing address to claim their prize — make sure you use a valid email address


• You will be shipped your prize as soon as we get it into the mail, but don’t worry it’s coming


• Contest only valid in the continental 48 states


• Contest is open until 11:59pm PST on Friday, January 5, 2007


• Gadgetell has the right to use any and all submissions in any way, shape or form; but will never sell your submission nor your contact information.

Good luck!