In addition to the slew of new products announced on Tuesday, Apple also released the MacBook Battery Updater 1.4. A small number of MacBooks (both the latest unibody-style MacBooks as well as the “older” white and black plastic models) have batteries that can become inoperative after long periods of inactivity. This update presumably updates the battery software to put the computer to sleep with a little more charge remaining, avoiding extended periods of complete depletion.

You can know whether your battery needs the update by going to System Profiler and selecting Power from the Hardware section. If the battery device name is ASMB016 or ASMB013, a pack lot code is 0002, or a battery firmware version is 0110, then you should install this update. Of course, the updater will work only on eligible batteries, so there’s no harm in just downloading it and letting it determine whether or not your battery needs it.

If you must store your laptop for an extended period, this is not an issue at all. Simply charge the battery fully and remove it from the computer. The worst thing you can do is leave a battery in a depleted state for a long time, and if you plan to store your mobile computer for more than five months it is especially important to remove the battery.

Learn more and download the updated by “clicking here.”:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3421

On Tuesday, Apple upgraded the entire iMac family, and now offers the iMac in four new configurations. General specs:

*20-inch* “2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB memory, 320GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, $1199.99”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73293

*24-inch* “2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB memory, 640GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, $1499.99”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73294

*24-inch* “2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB memory, 640GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 256MB memory, $1799.99”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73295

*24-inch* “3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB memory, 1TB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 with 512MB memory, $2199.99”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73296

The biggest change to the iMac family is an almost total move to larger 24-inch monitors. Out of the four standard configurations, only one features a 20-inch display (1680-by-1050 resolution). The next three models up feature 24-inch displays (1920-by-1200 resolution).

The new iMacs use the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors running from 2.66GHz up to 3.06GHz. They all include 6MB of shared L2 cache. Prices range from $1199 to $2199.

The new iMacs also include high-performance NVIDIA graphics standard. The 20-inch iMac has an NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor that delivers up to 2.3x faster graphics performance over the previous entry-level 20-inch iMac (and this is the same The 24-inch iMacs offer three graphics options. From Apple:

“The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor makes viewing web pages and searching through your iPhoto library smoother and more efficient. Or you can choose NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 discrete graphics to take 3D graphics up a notch. For 3D graphics-intensive games or pro applications like Aperture and Motion, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 and ATI Radeon HD 4850 processors deliver the fastest graphics performance yet.”

New 20-inch iMacs ship with 2GB of memory, and all 24-inch iMacs ship with 4GB of memory. It’s now possible to use up to 8GB of RAM with the new iMacs. The new iMacs use faster PC8500 SO DIMM

Standard hard drives have also been upgraded. The entry level iMac has a 320GB drive, the two middle models have 620GB drives, and the top iMac sports a 1TB drive.

Complete performance benchmarks of the new machines is forthcoming, but “Primate Labs”:http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2009/03/imac-and-mac-mini-benchmarks-early-2009/ benchmarked the iMac’s standalone processor and RAM performance and says:

“Processor performance hasn’t increased substantially in the latest hardware; the performance increase seems to scale with processor speed. This isn’t surprising, since neither the iMac nor the Mac mini moved to a new processor architecture.”

However, the biggest update to the new iMacs is the move to NVIDIA-based graphics. Improved graphics cards can provide a notable speed boost in many Mac OS X applications, from games, to photo and video editing, even to web browsing. This will be even more apparent when Snow Leopard is released later this year. The improved graphics cards were not considered in the above tests.

Speaking of graphics, all new iMacs feature the new Mini DisplayPort. This makes it possible to connect the iMac to Apple’s 24-inch LED display, as well as pretty much any other

All iMacs have built-in iSight cameras, 8x DVD-burning SuperDrives, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), and the latest 802.11n Airport Extreme wireless technology. They also feature a FireWire 800 port, a total of six USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, optical digital audio input/audio line in, and combined optical digital audio output/headphone out.

The iMac is designed with the environment in mind. It’s created with highly recyclable glass and aluminum, and it’s free of toxins such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is one of the first computers to achieve Energy Star 5.0 compliance.

The only negative aspect (in my opinion) about the new iMacs is that they feature an updated wired keyboard that actually lacks a number pad. I use the number pad all the time at work, and I’d miss having it. The keyboard with the number pad is available as a configure-to-order option, and is separately available for sale.

Other than the new keyboard, the new iMacs are a solid step forward. They make it easier for people and businesses at all levels to bring large, productivity enhancing displays and incredible graphics into their homes and offices. I use a 24-inch iMac at work and at home, and appreciate the large display every time I use them.

Time Capsule and AirPort models were updated on Tuesday, adding some fun and much-needed features.

New features on both:
* *Simultaneous Dual-Band WiFi:* Time Caspule and AirPort Extreme now work on both 2.4GHz (the same frequency as cordless phones, by the way) and 5GHz bands at the same time.
* *Guest Networking:* Now Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme offer a WiFi network option expressly for visitors, meaning guests use a different password on a separate network (keeping those passwords safe!).

Wireless drive sharing and printing is still featured on both, as well as integration with iPhone and Apple TV. They have remained at the same price points.

*Time Capsule*
Apple’s solution for automatic “no hassle” backups. There are still two storage options, 500GB and 1TB, and it includes the same easy wireless networking capability.

* “500GB:”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73304 *$299.99*
* “1TB:”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73303 *$499.99*

*AirPort Extreme*
The wireless router that gives you more. It still offers fast, 802.11n WiFi access for Macs and PCs and other WiFi devices such as iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple TV.

* “AirPort Extreme Base Station:”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73301 *$179.99*

_Dear Friends,_

The big news this week is a complete refresh of Apple’s Macintosh desktop computers. iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros were all upgraded this week and new versions of the Apple Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme Base Station were released. We will review this new products in this issue of Kibbles & Bytes and should have most of these new products in stock next week.

Apple reduced prices and increased the features of these new desktop Macs and now, more than ever, the value of a Mac transcends the advantages of the Mac operating system, ease of use and reliability. With the ability to run both Mac OS and Windows, the value of a Mac becomes more absolute. Apple desktops are simply the most versatile and best value in desktop personal computers. One recent analysis compared the new $1499 24-inch iMac to all-in-one offerings from Dell and HP. The iMac was less expensive, had a faster processor and RAM, had a bigger hard drive and faster video. With bundled iLife and Mac OS X Leopard the value is striking.

I organized a selection of my photos from Tanzania. If you are interested in taking a look you can surf over to my personal website at: http://www.donmayer.org/Don_Mayer/Tanzania.html

It was Town Meeting week here in Vermont. Each town held meetings, schools were closed and towns voted on their budgets, elected town officials and voted on numerous resolutions. About 40 towns in Vermont had resolutions regarding our aging nuclear plant in Vernon. All but a couple passed resolutions urging the legislature to not permit the relicensing of the plant for another 20 years beyond its design life.

I am also pleased to announce that Small Dog Electronics has received two prestigious awards. We were selected as one of ten companies as The Best Places to Work in Vermont. The rankings will come out in a couple of weeks, but we are very honored to be included. In addition, I learned yesterday that the Vermont Retail Association has selected us as one of two companies for their Greentailer of the Year award. This annual award recognizes the Vermont retailer that best exemplifies overall environmental excellence in its business practices.

We’ve been seeing very strong interest in iWork ’09 since it was released in January. Many people seem to be considering iWork ’09 over Microsoft Office. Both are great programs, and I recommend both. However, over the past year I’ve used Office two or three times, but use iWork daily. Numbers is fulfilling my Excel needs, Pages, my Word needs, and Keynote, my presentation needs.

iWork is normally $79.99 and the Home and Student version of Office is $149.99. While the Home and Student version of Office can legally be installed on up to three machines, the lower price (and powerful features) of iWork ’09 is probably helping to drive demand.

We wanted to remind everyone that, until April 20, there is a $30 mail-in rebate on iWork ’09 when purchased with any new Mac. This brings the final cost to $49.99 (and even less when purchased as part of one of our bundles).

You can read more and download the rebate “by clicking here.”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag18756/

Here’s a bundle with iWork and an upgraded version of the most popular MacBook we’re selling: it’s an aluminum MacBook 2.0GHz 4GB RAM, 160GB hard drive, Incase Sleeve, iWork ’09 ($30 rebate on iWork ’09). We charge $1489.99 with free shipping and no sales tax on orders that ship out of Vermont. After the rebate, the final cost is $1459.99!

View specials while on-hand supplies last. Please note that some specials may not be available in our retail stores; check for availability.

See all specials on our “Specials Page.”:http://www.smalldog.com/specials