FEATURED SPECIAL | 03/06/09 – 03/13/09

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*

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

The Mac mini was also updated on Tuesday. It had been over 600 days since the Mac mini’s last update, and there was some expectation that it would be discontinued by Apple.

I’m glad Apple is keeping the Mac mini in production, as it fills an important niche in the sub-$1000 desktop category. It’s a great option for switchers, people who need a reliable, affordable Mac for their office, and people who want a mac-based home media server.

The new Mac mini offers OS 10.5 Leopard and iLife ’09 in a robust package with a few well-considered extras.

Apple has updated the Mac mini’s graphics processor to the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. This should be 5x faster graphics than on the previous Mac minis. This will be noticeable when working with high-res photos and video. The 9400M NVIDIA graphics will also improve gaming on the Mac mini.

Apple has expanded the ports on the Mac mini. It now features a FireWire 800 port, for superfast data backup (as well as backwards compatibility with FireWire 400 devices such as camcorders). It also features five USB 2.0 ports, a fast Gigabit ethernet port, and two video ports: miniDVI and MiniDisplay Port. With the use of adapters, both video ports can easily be adapted to work with almost any type of monitor.

You can now connect up to two different monitors to the Mac mini–before it only supported a single display. The MiniDisplay Port allows the Mac mini to connect to Apple’s excellent 24-inch LED display. And you can connect monitors, projectors, LCDs, or HD displays to Mac mini using adapters designed specifically for the Mini DisplayPort.

The Mac mini continues the idea of BYKMM (bring your own keyboard, monitor, mouse). As Apple says, “Plug them in. Turn it on. And there you have it: an instant Mac desktop.” This makes setting a Mac mini up easy, affordable, and familiar for people who have already invested in peripherals and monitors. Of course, if Mac mini is your first computer, or you simply don’t like your old gear, it’s easy to set up a Mac mini with an Apple Mighty Mouse, Apple keyboard, and Apple LED monitor.

Standard Mac mini specifications:

“2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 120GB, 1GB memory, 120GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI, five USB Ports and one FireWire 800 Port – $599.99.”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73299

“2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 320GB, 2GB memory, 8x double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI, five USB Ports and one FireWire 800 Port- $799.99.”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/73300

The new Mac mini supports up to 4GB of RAM (as two 2GB RAM chips), and can be ordered with up to a 320GB hard drive.

It’s sad but true: there are still many conference centers, hotels, and office buildings that lack Wi-Fi. However, many of these do offer hardwired internet access via Ethernet or (egads) a dial-up connection. If you’re solo, this is only a minor inconvenience. However, if you’re traveling or working with other people, a single wired connection can be a major productivity block.

Fortunately, Mac OS X makes it easy to share a single wired internet connection over a Mac’s built-in AirPort wireless card, to other computers that also have wireless capabilities. Except for the Mac Pro, every Mac released since early 2006 has featured a built-in AirPort card (which is what Apple calls its brand of wireless card).

This tip works best from a wired Ethernet internet connection, but I’ve read that it will also work with a cellular internet connection, such as those provided by Verizon, Sprint, etc.

To share an internet connection via a Mac’s Wi-Fi, first connect the Ethernet cable to the Mac that will be serving as the base station.

Next, navigate to that Mac’s System Preferences panel (found under the Apple in the upper left corner of the screen) and select *Sharing*. When the Sharing panel opens, select *Internet Sharing* (note that you won’t be able to check the Internet Sharing box until other options are configured). Next, make sure *”Share your connection from: Ethernet”* is selected in the drop-down list.

Since we want to share our Mac’s connection wirelessly, click *AirPort* in the “To Computers using:” box. Finally, click the *AirPort Options* button to give your new network a name and password. When you have everything the way you like it, turn Internet sharing on.

The Mac serving as base station will still be able to surf the web while others piggyback on its internet connection. Any device with Wi-Fi (including the iPhone and iPod touch) will be able to share this connection.

New Mac Pros were announced this morning, and boy, are they hot. Here’s a rundown of the new features: New Intel Processors Intel’s…

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