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Apple patents dock connector with Thunderbolt, USB 3.0 connectivity
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Handhelds,
The United States Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday awarded Apple a patent that suggests Apple is working on an iPhone and iPod that supports Intel Thunderbolt and USB 3.0.
The invention, which in 2009 Apple called a "Reduced Size Multi-Pin Male Plug Connector" describes a 30-pin dock connector for "high-speed communication standards," citing USB 3.0 and a "dual channel" DisplayPort.
The name "Thunderbolt" wasn't mentioned (unsurprisingly, given that it only launched in February 2011 on the new MacBook Pro) but the patent's multiple mentions of a "dual channel" DisplayPort suggests the same technology.
Thunderbolt combines Intel's PCI Express and DisplayPort into a single connector for theoretical transfer speeds of 10 Gbps (fast enough to download a full-length Blu-ray movie in under 30 seconds).
Click to continue reading Apple patents dock connector with Thunderbolt, USB 3.0 connectivity
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MacBook Pro purchasers reporting problems with Thunderbolt and Cinema Displays
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop,
A series of rainclouds has descended over Apple. Purchasers of the company's latest Macbook Pros—featuring Intel's brand-new Thunderbolt ports—are reporting issues when they go to hook up their Apple Cinema Displays to their laptops via a Displayport-to-Thunderbolt connection.
"I have a new MBP with a thunderbolt port, which is connected to an Apple 24" cinema display, using the new thunderbolt port," writes user "Streitz" on Apple's support forums. "I am experiencing one second black outs every few minutes, and fairly regular jitters once the computer starts warming up and crunching some numbers. The shift never occurs on the 15" monitor, only the external. I also still have my old MBP with a mini-display port, and the external monitor works perfect with it."
The display flickering issue allegedly affects all editions of the latest Thunderbolt-laden MacBook Pros. And as the above comment illustrates, it seems to be a problem involving the combined Thunderbolt/DisplayPort connection. The only fix, so far, appears to be the time-honored tradition of waiting it out.
Intel launches 10Gbps Thunderbolt data transfer technology
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, PC / Laptop,
Intel today officially announced the availability of Thunderbolt, its new PC connection technology capable of running at speeds of 10Gbps—more than twice the speed of USB 3.0, and fast enough to transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds.
First introduced at IDF 2009 under the code name "Light Peak," Thunderbolt is based on fiber optics and was originally designed to transmit data over thin glass cables rather than traditional electrical ones. (Intel announced last month, however, that the initial iterations would use copper rather than fiber-optic cabling.) Powered by an Intel controller chip, it unites the PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort protocols to send data and video transmissions in two directions at once over a single cable.
Thunderbolt's first commercial application is on Apple's just-released refresh of its MacBook Pro laptop line. There had been speculation for a while that Apple would introduce the technology commercially, as Steve Jobs declared in October that because of lackluster support the company would not implement USB 3.0 right away.
Click to continue reading Intel launches 10Gbps Thunderbolt data transfer technology
Apple iMac gets updated, 24-inch model cheaper
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop,
Yup, even more Apple update news for you guys today, as it would be irresponsible of us not to inform you of the spec bumps to the iMac line. Like all the other Apple computer products, the iMac picks up a Mini DisplayPort with this revision, but that’s not all. Prices are looking good, with a 20-inch model starting at $1,199, and the 24-inch model starting at a price of $1,499. There is only one 20-inch model, which hits you with a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, 320GB hard drive space, and a GeForce 9400M graphics chip. The baseline 24-inch model includes the same processor, but 4GB RAM and a 640GB hard drive. You can move up from there if you want a 2.93Ghz, or 3.06 GHz, processor. You can pick up a new iMac now.
Read More 
| Apple iMac
Eizo FlexScan S2432W-H Monitor
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: PC / Laptop, Peripherals,
Japan’s Eizo’s new 24-inch LCD monitor uses the DisplayPort video standard. With a 1920x1200 resolution and a contrast ratio of 1000:1, the FlexScan S2432W-H has both an HDCP compatible DVI-D and a VGA port. EcoView automatically adjusts the monitor’s brightness according to ambient light. The display has built-in speakers, 2 USB jacks, and can turn left, right, tilt and rise 3.2 inches while the viewing angle remains 178º. The FlexScan’s release date is December 5 in Japan with a $960.00 price.
Read More | electronista
MacBook Pro Late 2008 unboxing gallery
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, Galleries, Laptop,
We are still working on those unboxing videos for you, but in the meantime, we’ve got more unboxing love based on the new Apple notebooks. This time, we give the MacBook Pro its due, splaying it out for your enjoyment. The newly-redesigned MacBook Pro features an iMac-ish aluminum and glass look to it, including the black bezel around the screen. Gone are the days of the matte finish as well, as the new MacBook Pro is only available in a glossy display finish. The trackpad is now glass, although it strangely doesn’t feel like it, but we guess that’s okay. You’ll see more in the video, but for now, enjoy our MacBook Pro 2008 unboxing gallery.
MacBook Pro 2008 unboxing gallery
Gallery:
Apple announces redesigned MacBook Pro
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Design, PC / Laptop,
It took them about eight months since the last spec bump in the line, but we are still stoked that Apple today announced that their newly redesigned MacBook Pro is here, and available immediately. The notebooks are still sporting their aluminum exterior, but now they are built using a new process that involves carving a solid piece of aluminum rather than the old school welding technique. That means one part rather than many, which Apple is calling the “Unibody.” You’ll also notice, fairly quickly, that the MacBook Pro now sports an iMac-ish black bezel around the screen, along with a glass covering. Back to that whole aluminum and glass thing.
The display will now only be available in a glossy finish, gone are the days of matte Apple notebooks. The trackpad has also been re-imagined as well. It’s made entirely from glass, and no longer has a separate button. Instead, the entire trackpaad is the button. The glass trackpad is multi-touch compatible, and Apple has introduced new gestures in the product to boot.
Click to continue reading Apple announces redesigned MacBook Pro
Apple introduces LED Cinema Display: 24-inch, $899
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Peripherals,
After many years of remaining stagnant, Apple finally gave their Cinema Display line a nice redesign. The new 24” LED Cinema Display looks similar to what you’d find in an iMac. Aluminum casing, black bezel along the front, LED backlit, built-in MagSafe connector, and a built-in iSight camera with microphone. That last one is something we’ve been waiting for, for far too long. Unfortunately, not everything is all fun and games with the new Cinema Display, as it appears that - at least for the time being - these new Cinema Displays are only compatible with the new MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air that were announced today, which all incorporate the DisplayPort. There is currently no way to connect a Mac Pro, iMac, or older notebook to one of these. Let’s hope this gets remedied quickly.
You can pick up the new 24-inch LED Cinema Display in November for $899.
Read More | LED Cinema Display
Apple updated MacBook Air with NVIDIA graphics, more storage
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop,
During this mornings notebook event, Apple announced that the MacBook Air was getting a bump in some of its specs. First and foremost, the Air is getting updated to the new NVIDIA 9400M graphics chipset, which should be a nice upgrade. Even better, if SSD is your thing, you’ll be pleased to know that a 128GB solid state drive is now available, along with a standard 120GB drive if that is more your thing. microDVI has been replaced by a mini DisplayPort, which we are seeinc across the board with Apple. You can grab the base model for $1799, or go with the SSD model with 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo for the lowered price of $2499 (that one is due in November.)
Read More | MacBook Air announcement
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