Also, as promised, here are some screenshots of Leopard.
Created a stack for all my applications:
Quick Look works quite well:
Word 2008 + Safari 3.1 on Expose:
Web Clip together with other widgets:
Showing posts with label iMac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iMac. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2008
Leopard Screenshots
[Video taken down... I've malu-ed myself enough.]
Also, as promised, here are some screenshots of Leopard.
Created a stack for all my applications:
Quick Look works quite well:
Word 2008 + Safari 3.1 on Expose:
Web Clip together with other widgets:
Also, as promised, here are some screenshots of Leopard.
Created a stack for all my applications:
Quick Look works quite well:
Word 2008 + Safari 3.1 on Expose:
Web Clip together with other widgets:
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Turning junk into good use
Before I got the new iMac, I was using a HP desktop with a 15-inch LCD display. But now that the HP is no longer in use, the display has been sitting in a corner collecting dust, until today.
I should have thought of it earlier, but somehow the idea didn't hit me that I could use the old 15" display together with the iMac for an extended desktop experience, meaning, dual display.
Setting it up was easy. After messing around with some cables, this is how my computer table-top looks like:
So this is how it works. The iMac has a Mini-DVI video-out port. I borrowed my dad's DVI to VGA adapter for his MacBook, and used it to hook up the 15" display. Then, under System Preferences, I arranged the monitors such that dragging any windows out of the iMac's screen to the left would result in that window appearing on the other display.
Only a few people would realise how useful this dual display configuration is. It's like having two computers and one CPU. It is beneficial when using software such as photoshop, where I move all my toolbars on the other monitor so that there is space to work on whatever photo I'm editing. It's useful when you're checking mail and working on a document at the same time. Just shift the web browser window over to the other monitor so that the word doc can occupy the iMac screen. I can see so many reason why I could use this extended screen experience.
And I'm turning junk into good use! My only complain: placing a 15" beside a 20" is like David versus Goliath. It looks weird!
I should have thought of it earlier, but somehow the idea didn't hit me that I could use the old 15" display together with the iMac for an extended desktop experience, meaning, dual display.
Setting it up was easy. After messing around with some cables, this is how my computer table-top looks like:
So this is how it works. The iMac has a Mini-DVI video-out port. I borrowed my dad's DVI to VGA adapter for his MacBook, and used it to hook up the 15" display. Then, under System Preferences, I arranged the monitors such that dragging any windows out of the iMac's screen to the left would result in that window appearing on the other display.
Only a few people would realise how useful this dual display configuration is. It's like having two computers and one CPU. It is beneficial when using software such as photoshop, where I move all my toolbars on the other monitor so that there is space to work on whatever photo I'm editing. It's useful when you're checking mail and working on a document at the same time. Just shift the web browser window over to the other monitor so that the word doc can occupy the iMac screen. I can see so many reason why I could use this extended screen experience.
And I'm turning junk into good use! My only complain: placing a 15" beside a 20" is like David versus Goliath. It looks weird!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
iMac: getting along well
So my iMac has been with me for about 4 days. Here are my quick first impressions of Leopard 10.5.2 as I explore it further in the coming days.
1) I've noticed improved security overall. For example, before installing apps that I've downloaded, Leopard actually pops up a dialog box requesting my permission and stating the source of the download. Similar to UAC on Vista?? But definitely not as pervasive and irritating.
2) For the dock, the new small blue glowing oval thingy below the application that is currently running is REALLY hard to see. I prefer what's on Tiger, where it's just a simple black triangle to denote an open application.
3) Software update has had minor changes and works slightly differently regarding the way it downloads and installs updates. But I like this change.
4) I would have preferred more new wallpapers. Getting a bit sick of the old ones, and the new one's aren't really fantastic. Ok I guess I'm supposed to use my own pictures.
5) LEOPARD'S TEXT-TO-SPEECH ROCKS! I love the new voice Alex. Finally it speaks close to a human, with proper pauses and a deep rich voice. Absolutely a joy to hear him speak!
6) I like the new finder. Cover flow rocks.
Overall, it's still very evidently OS X. The changes in Leopard are visible, some of which significant, but not in a way that you're thrown into a completely new environment.
1) I've noticed improved security overall. For example, before installing apps that I've downloaded, Leopard actually pops up a dialog box requesting my permission and stating the source of the download. Similar to UAC on Vista?? But definitely not as pervasive and irritating.
2) For the dock, the new small blue glowing oval thingy below the application that is currently running is REALLY hard to see. I prefer what's on Tiger, where it's just a simple black triangle to denote an open application.
3) Software update has had minor changes and works slightly differently regarding the way it downloads and installs updates. But I like this change.
4) I would have preferred more new wallpapers. Getting a bit sick of the old ones, and the new one's aren't really fantastic. Ok I guess I'm supposed to use my own pictures.
5) LEOPARD'S TEXT-TO-SPEECH ROCKS! I love the new voice Alex. Finally it speaks close to a human, with proper pauses and a deep rich voice. Absolutely a joy to hear him speak!
6) I like the new finder. Cover flow rocks.
Overall, it's still very evidently OS X. The changes in Leopard are visible, some of which significant, but not in a way that you're thrown into a completely new environment.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
iMac finally here
Finally, after about 2 weeks of patient awaiting, my family computer, a 20-inch iMac, arrived yesterday morning. It takes the place of a 4.25 year old HP desktop, and proudly I must add.
Haven't really set it up yet, still have to install Photoshop and other essential apps. It is dual-booting Windows Vista Home Premium via Boot Camp. The work I have to do on Vista is more than on Leopard. Have to install Norton, Photoshop, connect to Internet, get Windows Updates, get SP1 (maybe?)... just time consuming stuff.
Will properly review this new guy when I have the time, probably next week or so, and also upload more pictures. But initial impressions are good. It is blazing fast, screen is gorgeous and very compact indeed. Being an all-in-one desktop sure saves space. Cables are also very few, avoiding the usual clutter of wires. In fact, it is just one wire from the iMac to main power supply, then another USB cable from iMac to keyboard, and mouse is wireless. There's another USB from iMac to printer, and the printer is then connected via a thick cable to main power. That's about it. Extremely neat and tidy.
For technical specs and stuff, wait for the full review.
Monday, August 20, 2007
I WANT iMAC!
I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC!I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC! I WANT iMAC!
I ALSO WANT LEOPARD TO COME QUICK!
I ALSO WANT LEOPARD TO COME QUICK!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Apple's at it again
It was previously anticipated that sometime soon Apple would renew its iMac all-in-one desktop, however, never in my wildest dreams has it occurred to me that this change would take place so quickly.
Viola! Load the Apple homepage today and a gorgeous striking picture of the latest iMac, clad in shiny aluminum casing with a black border surrounding its glossy screen, will greet you. It’s thinner than before, which immediately raises questions about air circulation and over-heating problems especially now that these machines are running chips up to 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. That’s beastly.
As with many of Apple’s new products, they are not completely new or foreign. I would call this new iMac more of an upgrade and a facelift rather than a complete overhaul. The concept for its outer design has been retained, but the usual white glass-coated plastic covering has been abandoned as consumers favour the more durable aluminum shell, citing that it makes the product look classier. And finally Apple has heard the boos and whines from environmentalists, repeatedly assuring everyone, during the Apple Special Event held at the Apple campus, that this iMac is made of recyclable materials and high-quality plastics that can be recycled and is environment-friendly.
Together with the spanking new iMacs, Jobs also announced improvements to the lacking and almost stagnant .Mac online services, a revamped iLife and a fresh new version of iMovie and significant new features to iPhoto, finishing it off with upgrades to iWork, including the introduction of an Excel compatible spreadsheet software, Numbers. With the complete suite, Pages, Keynote and Numbers, this could be the final nail in the coffin for Office for Mac.
So Apple has been busy busy busy this year! And in a few months time Leopard will ship. I have a few theories as to why Apple suddenly released so many new stuff all at one go.
For many consumers that are aware of Leopard, Apple’s next operating system, they would patiently wait for Leopard to arrive before purchasing a new Mac. Hence, there would be a drop in the number of people buying the Mac at this period, as many would prefer to wait for Leopard on their Macs, and not install another OS over the existing Tiger. So, in a bid to keep consumer interest and sales going, Apple has to introduce many new enticing upgrades and new products to keep the demand high. For people who do not know anything about Leopard, they will fall for this trap and purchase the new iMac running Tiger and in a few months time when Leopard ships, their system will be outdated and more money has to be spent buying Leopard and going through the hassle of installing it. Knowing that fans are so crazy over new products and can’t wait, Apple has taken this opportunity to release these fantastic stuff.
Also, the new iMac can be seen as a more powerful machine released in preparation for Leopard, which surely demands more processing power than Tiger. Furthermore, the fact that Apple is giving students free iPod nanos with every current purchase of a new Mac confirms my theory that these are desperate attempts to keep sales going. And guess what, this offer ends at around the time when Leopard is released. HAH!
Be smart, wait for Leopard before buying the new iMac, like I’m going to do, then get iWork, use the free Boot Camp, install Vista Home Premium, give it a RAM boost to 2GB (you’ll need that), and finally get rid of XP on that old PC in the living room, and replace it with the neat 20/24-inch beauty!
Viola! Load the Apple homepage today and a gorgeous striking picture of the latest iMac, clad in shiny aluminum casing with a black border surrounding its glossy screen, will greet you. It’s thinner than before, which immediately raises questions about air circulation and over-heating problems especially now that these machines are running chips up to 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. That’s beastly.
As with many of Apple’s new products, they are not completely new or foreign. I would call this new iMac more of an upgrade and a facelift rather than a complete overhaul. The concept for its outer design has been retained, but the usual white glass-coated plastic covering has been abandoned as consumers favour the more durable aluminum shell, citing that it makes the product look classier. And finally Apple has heard the boos and whines from environmentalists, repeatedly assuring everyone, during the Apple Special Event held at the Apple campus, that this iMac is made of recyclable materials and high-quality plastics that can be recycled and is environment-friendly.
Together with the spanking new iMacs, Jobs also announced improvements to the lacking and almost stagnant .Mac online services, a revamped iLife and a fresh new version of iMovie and significant new features to iPhoto, finishing it off with upgrades to iWork, including the introduction of an Excel compatible spreadsheet software, Numbers. With the complete suite, Pages, Keynote and Numbers, this could be the final nail in the coffin for Office for Mac.
So Apple has been busy busy busy this year! And in a few months time Leopard will ship. I have a few theories as to why Apple suddenly released so many new stuff all at one go.
For many consumers that are aware of Leopard, Apple’s next operating system, they would patiently wait for Leopard to arrive before purchasing a new Mac. Hence, there would be a drop in the number of people buying the Mac at this period, as many would prefer to wait for Leopard on their Macs, and not install another OS over the existing Tiger. So, in a bid to keep consumer interest and sales going, Apple has to introduce many new enticing upgrades and new products to keep the demand high. For people who do not know anything about Leopard, they will fall for this trap and purchase the new iMac running Tiger and in a few months time when Leopard ships, their system will be outdated and more money has to be spent buying Leopard and going through the hassle of installing it. Knowing that fans are so crazy over new products and can’t wait, Apple has taken this opportunity to release these fantastic stuff.
Also, the new iMac can be seen as a more powerful machine released in preparation for Leopard, which surely demands more processing power than Tiger. Furthermore, the fact that Apple is giving students free iPod nanos with every current purchase of a new Mac confirms my theory that these are desperate attempts to keep sales going. And guess what, this offer ends at around the time when Leopard is released. HAH!
Be smart, wait for Leopard before buying the new iMac, like I’m going to do, then get iWork, use the free Boot Camp, install Vista Home Premium, give it a RAM boost to 2GB (you’ll need that), and finally get rid of XP on that old PC in the living room, and replace it with the neat 20/24-inch beauty!
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