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Get a handle on your MacBook...

...Literally. For some minimalists, even a laptop bag is overkill. Enter Handle-it ($50), a handle made out of aircraft aluminum and leather that attaches directly to your MacBook (MacBook Pro versions also available). When it's not being used for carrying, the Handle-it folds underneath your MacBook and acts as a passive cooler. If you (like us) are wary of drilling holes in your expensive laptop, you'll be pleased to know the Handle-it takes advantage of the existing holes on your MacBook; the attachment kit includes extra-long screws to accommodate the handle's added thickness.

We've carried laptops … Read more

Why I'm not getting an iPhone next week

Apple will begin selling the iPhone on Friday, but I'm not buying one.

It isn't that I don't like Apple hardware. I'm typing this on a MacBook Pro I bought last November. I have a stack of older PowerBooks (literally), a couple of iPods (one dead, alas), and a Power Mac G5.

It isn't that I don't like to buy new toys. I just counted: I carry around ten battery-powered devices every day, four of which are less than six months old.

But I don't need a new phone, especially not … Read more

A laptop case for paramilitary missions

Now this is a laptop case that makes sense to us. There are PCs, keyboards and even USB drives designed to withstand all manner of assault, but our needs aren't so ambitious. In fact, given our sedentary nature, the only time we really worry about damage to our computers is when they're packed away for the car or plane. Which is precisely where RadTech's "MacTruck" comes in.

The aluminum-alloy case, which the manufacturer claims is "rugged enough to drive a truck over," has two steel latch bars to provide maximum protection for a … Read more

Apple unveils upgraded MacBook Pro laptops

Apple announced Tuesday that it has updated its high-end MacBook Pro laptops with faster processors, better graphics, and more memory.

The laptops are still available in three models: two 15.4-inch versions that retail for $1,999 and $2,499 and a larger 17-inch edition that costs $2,799. But with Tuesday's update, the lower-end 15-inch model is now equipped with 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors (previously, it had a 2.16GHz chip); the higher-end 15-incher and the 17-incher now come with 2.4GHz processors, up from 2.33GHz. These new processors are indeed Intel's latest Centrino (… Read more

Rumor redux: new MacBooks coming soon

Mac rumors, you vex us so. Pretty much every other hardware vendor is powerless against the almighty leak, as evidenced by the flood of laptop information that showed up online prior to the launch of Intel's Santa Rosa platform. But Apple always manages to keep us guessing up until the very last moment.

The current buzz around the Interwebs is that we should see some kind of update to the hugely popular MacBook line of laptops sometime in June. The Apple WorldWide Developers conference, or WWDC, starts June 11, an obvious marker, but Web site MacRumors.com is putting … Read more

MacBook owners file class action suit over displays

Apple has been hit with a class action lawsuit filed by MacBook and MacBook Pro owners unhappy with the quality of the displays on those notebooks.

The suit, spotted by Engadget, accuses Apple of improperly playing up the capabilities of the displays for the MacBook Pros and MacBooks launched in the first part of last year. For example, it notes that Apple advertised the MacBooks as capable of displaying "millions of colors" when they can only do that using a technique called "dithering." Also, it points to complaints lodged by MacBook users on various Apple discussion … Read more

New Skype for Mac

One of the best choices for online telephony for Mac just got better. The latest Skype update pushes the program to version 2.6, adding a call transfer feature and some new chat options so you can stay in touch with friends and family around the world. Skype has always been one of my favorite apps for its familiar chat-like interface and the ability to talk to users around the world for free (provided they're also using Skype). For a little extra money, you can sign up with Skype and make calls to anyone in the world (including land … Read more

MacBooks get a speed bump

Apple updated its MacBook line this morning, but the new models don't include many of the rumored features such as Intel's new Santa Rosa platform, LED-backlit displays, or solid-state hard drives. But what did you expect? Anything larger would have required Steve Jobs to take the stage. Using the same design, MacBooks now feature 2.0GHz or 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory, 80GB to 200GB hard drives, and 802.11n networking. Pricing still starts at $1,099.

Apple: Get the LED out!

A lot of people I've talked to recently (both Mac and Windows users) have been talking about getting a Mac laptop. It's pretty evenly split between MacBooks and the more expensive MacBook Pros, with some of my friends looking for a portable computer to bring with them for common tasks, while others need that extra processing power for music recording and film editing. Whenever I've been asked about getting a new Apple laptop though, my answer more recently has been the same: wait a little bit longer.

Judging from the rumor mill, Apple may announce new MacBooks … Read more