Friday October 13, 2006

- Cooling a MacIntel laptop now easy - Lionel - 13:41:37

Some days ago we let you know of a way to change the fan rotating speed on Apple Intel based laptops (here). Some were quite reluctant to make an attempt though.
Hereafter is an other and much simpler way.


smcFanControl allows modifying the minimal rotation speed of MacBook and Macbook Pro fans. It will only alter this, letting the machine free to accelerate in case of need.
We tested it on a MacBook Pro, where it worked perfectly well. As you will notice by yourself, the fans become very noisy above 3000 t/min. Under this limit, noise is still very acceptable.
It isn't possible to shut down the fans entirely out for security reasons, as Apple decided they should run at least at 1000 T/min since one of their SMC updates.

http://homepage.mac.com/holtmann/eidac

[translation by Kalomir]

- Line renewal for Sony music players and laptops - Lionel - 13:35:42

Source : Clubic

Sony updated their Flash memory based music players.


They'll be proposed in 4 colors, with capacities of 1 to 4 Go and a battery lasting up to 50h. They'll also sport an OLED screen. As the picture shows, Sony decided to improve the quality of the earbuds delivered with their products.
Sony also "innovates" by giving their products a proprietary connection that'll be found on many accessories. Prices will range from 140 to 240 euros.

They also renewed their 13,3" laptops line. The Vaio C will be available in 5 colors (it seems Sony definitely abandoned black!).


They will feature Core 2 Duo CPUs, 1 Go RAM, 100 and 120 Go HDs, a double layer burner, and for the top of the notch models, a Geforce 7400, while the other ones will only sport the infamous GMA 950.
Prices will go from $1,350 to 1,550.
We're eager to see the MacBook (and MacBook Pro) go Core 2 Duo too (see today's other news item).

[translation by Kalomir]

- Where are the MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo? - Lionel - 13:30:08

For weeks the hottest topics on our French forums have been those dealing with a potential MacBook Pro update. Everyone seems to be growing impatient, and with a reason.
Most laptopc PC brands already made or annonunced their upgrades, while MBP stocks have become all but virtual among gross resellers. Only the online Apple Store still announces a 24h delay out of factory.
Meanwhile, some spare parts became totally unavailable from Apple, which includes mere MacBook Pro top cases, though no leak related to this part could occur for this sudden depletion.
Really looks like Apple just recalled all those parts only to be able to go on producing those machines. Might only be an impression, of course.
Anyway it looks like something came and delayed this upgrade to a new line.
It might simply be related to this Airport issue affecting the iMac and MacBook Pro lines. If this problem is already unacceptable on a desktop machine, it will be simply untolerable for a laptop.
We shouldn't complain anyway of any last minute delay. With the first line of Intel based Apple laptops we've had more than our share of problems to deal with, and we're not eager to have once again so much machines to send back for repairs on rev. B. It seems that Apple neither is.

[translation by Kalomir]

- A Red iPod nano for Bono - Lionel - 10:20:46

Source : http://www.chicagotribune.com/

Bono and Oprah Winfrey announced their latest initiative aiming at quelling the AIDS epidemic in Africa. "Project Red," as it is called, will be a special series of red electronic devices in which a portion of the proceeds from the sales will go to this cause.
Among these products, there is, of course, a red iPod nano.


Other companies such as Motorola, American Express, Armani, and Converse will also be participating by offering their products in red.

[translation by jwa]

- Very good value Dell 20'' display - Lionel - 10:00:37

Source : PC Inpact

One thing can be said about Dell's new 20'' display: it's cheap. comes with all these modern times delicacies that are USB port and video input, plus of course a HDCP compatible DVI input. And it's only $350. Sure it's far less hip than my Apple 20'' Cinema Display. But then again it's only half its price. Come on you broke Mac Mini owner, and rejoice, for this is he right stuff for you...

[translation by Greg]