Stan's List

This update enables file system journaling on MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers. Some MacBook and MacBook Pro systems were shipped with file system journaling turned off. Journaling is recommended on all Mac computers as a preventative measure against file corruption. Download page

SeekingAlpha reports that RBC Capital Markets, an international corporate and investment bank, is predicting 2 million in Mac sales due to the back to school quarter. More …

The iPhone is having it influence. It is one thing to have the advance publicity and hype surrounding the release of the iPhone. eMediaWire is reporting a surge in Apple laptop sales, close to what was reported before. More …

There is not much evidence in the second article tying the iPhone to the increased laptop sales. At this point who is to say this isn’t also evidence of school year purchases? Laptops are becoming the computer of choice for schools, whether secondary school or higher education (not counting Maine)

Senior Lead Program Manager on Windows Live Hotmail, Omar Shahine, did have this to say about Apple:

I think Apple has already become the best PC OEM … Apple somehow manages to place all the required drivers on a single CD [Boot Camp] you can burn yourself with a single installer. Why can’t anyone else [Ed—Microsoft?] do this is beyond me.

Audio Update 2007-001 remedies the audio bug in Intel Mac OS X 10.4.10.

The Audio Update 2007-001 addresses an issue with version 1.0 of the Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update in which a “popping” sound might be heard with some external speakers on Intel-based Mac. This update is recommended for all Intel-based Macs running Mac OS X 10.4.10.

Apple revised Mac OS X 10.4.10 update for Intel-based Macs, fixing some bugs in the first version:

It includes the contents of Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update and fixes a non-security issue that causes audio popping sounds in certain Intel-based configurations running the Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update. PowerPC-based configurations are not affected by the audio issue.
As previously posted, Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update contained a fix for CVE-2007-2242. The identical security fix is also present in Version 1.1 of Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update.
Systems that have applied Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update are correctly patched for CVE-2007-2242, and do not require Version 1.1 of Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update. A separate software update to address the audio issue is available for Intel-based systems running Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update.
The Software Update utility will not present Version 1.1 of Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update for systems already running Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update.

Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update v1.1

10.4.10 v1.1 Combo version

The SuperDrive Update improves readability of certain CD media. The updater application will be installed in the /Applications/Utilities folder. Please follow the instructions in the updater application to complete the update process. Download Page

Apple has a number of sample noises made by varies operations by the MacBook and MacBook Pro, in an attempt to set a baseline. If your noise exceeds the sample noise, then contact Apple. More …

In the actual Knowledge Base article Apple uses the word “sounds”, not noise. My guess is that a number of returns or repairs were because of noise below the threshold.

It appears most, except the largest laptop displays, are 6 bit LCD’s not the 8 bit necessary for millions of colors. Has Apple represented the quality of the display beyond its capability? Ars Technica notes this is the main thrust of the case. The other causes are basically subjective. All laptops, PC included, should share this concern. More …

Knowledge Base article details a potential external display quirk with the newly introduced MacBooks.

If the systems are connected to an external display in extended mode (rather than mirrored), the menubar location is on the external display, and the systems are woken from sleep by opening the clamshell, video may not be displayed on the built-in display. More …

Apple has announced the release of updated MacBook with faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 1 GB of memory and larger hard drives in every model; $1,099 2.0 GHz 80 GB ATA (5400 rpm), $1,299 2.16 GHz 120 GB ATA (5400 rpm), and Black $1,499 2.16 GHz 160 GB ATA (5400 rpm).

Each model also includes:

• 667 MHz front-side bus;
• 1 GB DDR2 (2 GB max);
• Slot-load Combo drive;
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
• Mini-DVI out
• Built-in iSight video camera;
• Gigabit Ethernet port;
• Built-in 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR; (2) USB 2.0 and (1) FireWire 400 port;
• (1) audio line in, (1) audio line out port
• Apple Remote; and
• MagSafe power adapter.

Computerworld notes that more than 25% of Georgetown students have Apple laptops and support has been accommodating. Following the short article is a number of comments, most evidencing an increase in Mac use at other universities. More …