In July 2008, NVIDIA publicly acknowledged a higher than normal failure rate for some of their graphics processors due to a packaging defect. At that same time, NVIDIA assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected. However, after an Apple-led investigation, Apple has determined that some MacBook Pro computers with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor may be affected. If the NVIDIA graphics processor in your MacBook Pro has failed, or fails within three years of the original date of purchase, a repair will be done free of charge, even if your MacBook Pro is out of warranty.
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CNET Gets Dreamy
CNET has put together a list of things they’d like to see out of an Apple tablet.
The list is pretty comprehensive, but I agree with the writer that 2010 is the earliest we’ll see anything like this from Apple - if we see it at all.
RIP, Dell Mini 9
Engadget reported last night that Dell is discontinuing the Dell Mini 9:
We just got off the phone with a Dell customer service rep who told us the same thing a handful of our tipsters heard: the Mini 9’s being phased out, with its official “End of Life” possibly as soon as Monday.
The Dell Mini 9 won some heavy-duty geek cred by being the best netbook out there to hackintosh. Outside of it’s amazing ability to run OS X, it wasn’t that unique - there are far better netbooks out there.
On the Pre’s Keyboard
It’s really not good. My hands aren’t that big (I can type faster than you could ever dream on a BlackBerry, iPhone or E71) and my thumb literally takes up 3 or 4 keys on the keyboard. There’s less space in between each key than say, a BlackBerry Curve 8300 keyboard, and the texture takes some time to get used to. It’s a rubberized coating kind of like the Centro and Treo Pro, and while the keys are a bit harder (better), the coating could possibly get irritating as usage increases. It’s really such an important area that couldn’t afford to be messed with and we’ll admit it… we’re a little let down. You’re going after the big guns here, and this is kind of disappointing.
Behold, The Titanium
The Titanium PowerBook was the first notebook from Apple to feature the G4 processor.
At 1-inch thick, sporting a 15-inch widescreen display and wrapped in metal, the notebook caught everyone by surprise. The design is proving timeless. The Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros are built like the Titanium - a thin plate on the bottom with all the insides built into the top case. Not to mention the black keyboard being back in style.
One-to-One Getting Overhauled
Beginning June 2, Apple will also make significant changes to its One-to-One personal training service geared towards helping new Mac customers get the most out their systems.
Currently, anyone who’s willing to pay $99 can sign up for a year’s worth of the training service, but Johnson says Apple will start limiting signups to only those customers who purchase a Mac at an Apple retail store or the Apple online store. Legacy users won’t be booted from the program, however, and will be offered the opportunity to renew their subscription for the same $99.
Rebooting
As I previously posted, we have found out our son has brain cancer. He just underwent his first round of chemo and we’re back home now. Thank you for the kind emails, and rest assured we will continue to update on our “Josiah Updates” page.
That said, Merri advised me the other night to “give the people what they want.” So ForkBombr is back up and running.
Update on a Different Matter
Dear Readers,
I wanted to drop a quick line and let you know updating on ForkBombr is coming to a screeching halt for a while. On Friday, May 8, we found out our 6-month old son has a brain tumor. He’s at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Needless to say, I’m focused on my family alone right now - nothing else really matters right now.
I appreciate your dedication and support, and will be back soon - probably by the end of the month. Definitely by WWDC.
Jason Snell on Twitterrific 2.0
Looks like it may give Tweetie a run for its money.
The Kindle and the Future of Newspapers
For newspaper delivery via the Kindle to have appeal, I do not want a rehash of the print edition or the Web version. Instead, I want flexibility and customization that matches my preferences. I want to be able to customize the types of stories I see and the frequency with which they’re sent. I want to be able to clip and save stories for posterity-both on the device and in the cloud so I can re-download them to another Kindle (or my Kindle iPhone app) or access them via the Web.
‘Not His Superpower’
Perhaps the best thing I’ve read on the Jobs/Woz relationship, written by John Siracusa:
By all accounts, Steve Jobs is no engineer. He was never a programming maven like Bill, nor was he a hardware wiz like Woz. On his own, Jobs could not create much of anything. But that’s not his superpower.
Though a good critic can influence the community of creators, in the end, he does not create anything himself. But take that critic and put him in charge of the creators. Make him, let’s say, the founder, CEO, and spiritual leader of several thousand of the most talented engineers and artists in the computer industry. What might happen then?
Apple’s Media Pad/Tablet Ideas (c. 1987)
The video is set in 2011.