News for Friday, 27 October 2006

The expected evolution is there: Apple has released its new graphical user interface for its .Mac service
If esthetically it looks nice and can be consider as a successful evolution, it is currently unfortunately rather slow. It might just be a temporary issue, due to the introduction of the new GUI.
Now, the question: Is .Mac service worth the money? Is the integration with iApps the only real advantage of this "expensive" service, when compared to similar ones that are available from third-parties on the web, and in many cases free...
Give us your point of view on our forum: http://forum.hardmac.com/index.php?showtopic=207

According to Digitimes, to face the huge success of the MacBook, Apple would be preparing a 15.4" model (black or white model).
It could be a way to propose a cheaper 15.4" notebook than the entry-level MB Pro, it is expected to be introduced in May 2007 (at the WWDC?).

Semthex prides himself of having been able to run OS X 10.4.8 on an Intel-based PC. According to him, the distribution of the new kernel is legal because it is based on Darwin's one, and not cracked from OS X itself. However running the machine also requires to get Mac OS X's TPM keys, whose distribution is illegal.
As he admits himself, it is not running perfectly, but more is to come.
Let us just warn you about something: while the distribution of this file might be legal, OS X end user license agreement, which you are supposed to accept before you install, forbids the installation on anything alse than an Apple brander computer.
Now it remains to see how this will affect Apple: will they take it as benevolent publicity for OS X or will they have to fight in order not to lose ground?

While it's pretty common to install at least 1GB of RAM with OSX, it is much rarer - and less needed - with XP. Vista is going to change this with its "Vista Ready" certification requiring 1GB of RAM.
This certification has begun to put a heavy strain on the market, which might not be able to supply enough RAM to fulfill the demand. A big raise of the memory modules is therefore to be expected, and it will last as long as the supply isn't up to the demand, which could take over a year.