Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • MagSafe Replacement

    We get a lot of customers bringing in their MagSafe adapter because it won’t charge their laptop anymore. In most cases, the cable is damaged on either end due to over-flexing. Apple has acknowledged this issue and has a replacement program in effect.

    Apple describes the issue as “Fraying, melting, straining, sparking, weakening, discoloration, bubbling or overheating.” If your charging adapter is showing symptoms similar to this, you should bring it to any of our stores. In order to get a replacement, we do need to check the adapter in. *We will also need the serial number of the computer the adapter came with.*

    It typically takes 3 to 5 days to get a new adapter. In order to file a claim, we have to submit pictures of the damaged adapter so Apple can approve the replacement. There needs to be melting or burning on at least one end of the adapter. If there are any signs of accidental damage (such as if your pet chewed it) we are __not__ able to get the adapter replaced at no cost.

    We understand that when you are without an adapter, it can be very frustrating–stop by the store and we will see what we can do for you!

  • Used Apple MacBook

    Love it or hate it, Apple does not manufacture a notebook that is priced below $1000. Though many consumers will agree, Apple’s quality of materials used, warranty, and software are well worth their cost. Unfortunately not everyone wants to spend $1000 or more on a notebook, but there is a solution.

    For just $699.99 a used MacBook is a perfect answer for customers who are in search of a computer that can be used for basic, everyday use. Powered by two gigabytes of RAM, a 160 gigabyte hard drive, and OSX Snow Leopard MacBook is a very capable machine that will excel at web browsing, emailing, document creating and casual iLife usage.

    When it comes to extras if you are looking for little boost in speed an additional $70 would upgrade the RAM to four gigabytes and provide the computer with the means to handle OSX Lion. For peace of mind, our used MacBooks come with a 90 day Small Dog warranty that can be extended with our Mack Worldwide warranty plans.

    My final thought on the MacBook is that in its prime this computer was cutting edge. Now nearly six years from its original release, this iteration of the MacBook is still alive and kicking. If you are looking for a way to migrate to Apple and not spend the big bucks a used MacBook is the perfect entry level computer for you.

  • Keeping Windows "Afloat"

    I’ve spoken with a few customers who were media-multitaskers, not unlike myself, and like to have a few different windows and media applications running while doing other typical computing on their Mac.

    The most common grouping of media that they, as well as I, enjoyed was watching videos while performing other tasks on their computer, like reading (or writing!) blogs (or maybe something related to their work). It’s nice to have any type of video playing while doing any other task that could possibly be considered “plain” or “unexciting.” To put it simply, it spices up the experience.

    The issue: unless you have a massive screen (read: 30-inch Cinema Display) where you can easily plop multiple applications on different areas of the screen without ever interfering with each other, how do you keep other apps/tasks out of the way of the video? It’s generally impossible, and the user ends up constantly moving and resizing different windows.

    I have found what I consider to be a very pleasant solution. It’s an application called “Afloat.”:http://infinite-labs.net/afloat/ Install it, and it seamlessly integrates itself into most applications as a plugin. As an example, I can open up a video on YouTube in Safari, click on the “Window” menu option in the menu bar, and I see a few different Afloat options for keeping that window always on top of any other window.

    You can now resize the window, so that it’s not covering everything else up on your computer screen. I also like to tweak the transparency settings, making the video slightly transparent.

    Afloat is available from Infinite Labs as a free download “here.”:http://infinite-labs.net/afloat/

  • Mack Worldwide 3-Year Warranty

    Have you ever been skeptical about purchasing a used “MacBook”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/MacBook/ or an “iPad”:http://www.smalldog.com/ipads?sort=conditiondesc?

    Usually the first question we get asked is, “what kind of warranty does this item have?” The Small Dog warranty is all well and good, but what happens when 90 days pass and the Small Dog warranty period is over?

    I have some good news for you. Small Dog Electronics is working with “Mack Worldwide”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=mack&page=1&refinecat=Services_and_Warranties|Third_Party to provide extended warranty coverage for all of your Apple devices (iPods, iPads, even iMacs and MacBooks). With this coverage, you get three (3!) years of support for parts, labor, manufacturer defects, and mechanical malfunctions. All of which are the main concerns that a customer would have when purchasing a used device.

    What if you’re a customer who has purchased a new machine? Can you benefit from the Mack Worldwide coverage as well? For new machines and devices, we have the Diamond plan. This plan gives you three years of coverage for parts, labor, mechanical malfunctions, abnormal wear and tear, accidental damage, liquid damage and power surge failure. That is essentially protection for every aspect of your new Apple product, giving you peace of mind because you know your devices are covered.

    You might be wondering why you would choose “AppleCare”:http://www.smalldog.com/applecare over Mack. The truth is that both have their benefits. AppleCare offers exceptional phone support with experienced technicians you can count on to solve your software problems. However, AppleCare does not yet cover accidental damage. This is where Mack shines–it gives you protection against those unforeseen incidents.

    For ultimate support and coverage, I would recommend purchasing both AppleCare and Mack’s Diamond service on new machines. But what if the cost is toppling over your budget? The answer is simple. Purchase the Mack Diamond service. Why? Well, for starters, you can only buy it within 30 days of purchasing a new machine. AppleCare, on the other hand, gives you an entire year to add their extended coverage, so you can always opt to purchase it in that window. (Do keep in mind that your phone support through Apple expires after 90 days from the original date of purchase, though.)

    With both of these services covering your Apple product ,you will be worry-free for the next three years!

  • Mack Worldwide Warranty

    Have you ever been skeptical about purchasing a used “MacBook”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/MacBook/ or an “iPad”:http://www.smalldog.com/ipads?sort=conditiondesc?

    Usually the first question we get asked is, “what kind of warranty does this item have?” The Small Dog warranty is all well and good, but what happens when 90 days pass and the Small Dog warranty period is over?

    I have some good news for you. Small Dog Electronics is working with “Mack Worldwide”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=mack&page=1&refinecat=Services_and_Warranties|Third_Party to provide extended warranty coverage for all of your Apple devices (iPods, iPads, even iMacs and MacBooks). With this coverage, you get three (3!) years of support for parts, labor, manufacturer defects, and mechanical malfunctions. All of which are the main concerns that a customer would have when purchasing a used device.

    What if you’re a customer who has purchased a new machine? Can you benefit from the Mack Worldwide coverage as well? For new machines and devices, we have the Diamond plan. This plan gives you three years of coverage for parts, labor, mechanical malfunctions, abnormal wear and tear, accidental damage, liquid damage and power surge failure. That is essentially protection for every aspect of your new Apple product, giving you peace of mind because you know your devices are covered.

    You might be wondering why you would choose “AppleCare”:http://www.smalldog.com/applecare over Mack. The truth is that both have their benefits. AppleCare offers exceptional phone support with experienced technicians you can count on to solve your software problems. However, AppleCare does not yet cover accidental damage. This is where Mack shines–it gives you protection against those unforeseen incidents.

    For ultimate support and coverage, I would recommend purchasing both AppleCare and Mack’s Diamond service on new machines. But what if the cost is toppling over your budget? The answer is simple. Purchase the Mack Diamond service. Why? Well, for starters, you can only buy it within 30 days of purchasing a new machine. AppleCare, on the other hand, gives you an entire year to add their extended coverage, so you can always opt to purchase it in that window. (Do keep in mind that your phone support through Apple expires after 90 days from the original date of purchase, though.)

    With both of these services covering your Apple product ,you will be worry-free for the next three years!

  • New Hammerhead Capo Case

    Let’s talk “Capo!”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?search=capo&refinecat=Hammerhead I don’t know about anybody else, but when a new “iPad”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/iPad/iPad_3rd_Gen/ case comes into my store, I’m all over that like maple sugar on snow. For that reason, I was more than eager to purchase a new Capo case from our friendly Hammerhead line to protect my super-awesome new iPad. I got the case as an interim while I waited for my Hello Kitty case to come in the mail, but I ended up liking it so much that Kitty has been shelved.

    So what is a Capo case? It’s a sleek, hard black plastic shell, very solidly manufactured, with a sweet velvet interior to clean and protect your iPad’s screen with every open and close. The Capo comes in “orange,”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/80116/hammerhead-capo-case-for-ipad-orange/at_bis “blue”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/80115/hammerhead-capo-case-for-ipad-blue/at_bis, “white”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/80114/hammerhead-capo-case-for-ipad-white/at_bis, “red”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/80113/hammerhead-capo-case-for-ipad-red/at_bis, and, my favorite, “black.”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/80112/hammerhead-capo-case-for-ipad-black/at_bis However, unlike its predecessor, the Hard Shell, the color is only on the leather panels on the front and back. Not only does it look snazzy, it does a good job of protecting my iPad, and it has the same open-close wake-sleep feature that the “Apple Smart Covers”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=Apple%20Smart%20Cover&page=1&refinecat=Apple do, adding extra value and convenience. It’s a perfect fit for my new iPad, and my “Hammerhead screen protector”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=Hammerhead%20screen%20protector&page=1&refinecat=Hammerhead (lovingly applied by yours truly) isn’t impacted at all by the case.

    For me, the nicest thing about my Capo case is the high typing angle it affords me. There are three angles you can tilt your iPad up at to watch whatever your heart desires, too, which makes it perfect for any situation. In fact, it’s my favorite case right now! A+, would buy again.

  • Multi-Touch Update

    Thanks to Ben B. for pointing out that I neglected to mention in “last week’s article”:http://blog.smalldog.com/techtails/tt816/ that you need to turn on Gestures before they’re going to work.

    To do this, go to *Settings > General,* then scroll down a bit and turn on Multi-Tasking Gestures. Simple as that!

  • Greetings Small Dog Patrons!

    With spring now finally underway, I am happy to see so many more people outside enjoying the sunshine. It is a great time to get out there and be active. For those of you with Apple products on-the-go, we have some great solutions for keeping your devices protected.

    The new “iPad”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/iPad/iPad_3rd_Gen/ rolled out in mid-March and our new line of cases for it shortly followed. Now we have ways to protect your investment from mobile wear and tear and the great news is that these cases also fit the iPad 2.

    Speaking of protection, we have partnered with a company by the name of “Mack Worldwide”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=mack&page=1&refinecat=Services_and_Warranties|Third_Party to fill in the gaps that “AppleCare”:http://www.smalldog.com/applecare doesn’t cover. It also does a fantastic job of protecting any used Mac devices purchased from us at Small Dog. Lonnie writes more about it below.

    Of course, I can’t forget about those used “MacBooks”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/MacBook/ we have for sale. What a great way to ease into the Apple world without breaking the bank!

    All-in-all, it is shaping up to be a great spring. Come on down to Small Dog Electronics and pick up those new devices (or accessories for them) and get out there to enjoy the nice weather!

  • Hard to believe that another month has passed. Seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating 2012, watching Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark at Times Square. We’ll miss you, Dick. Thanks for rocking in the new year with us.

    Of course the big news this week is the Apple/Samsung settlements. Apple and Samsung have been suing each other for the past year over patents and product copying (you may recall that the interface on some of Samsung’s smart phones looked almost exactly like iOS on an iPhone.)

    They are scheduled to sit down and hash it all out later this month, but this is probably not something they will be able to work out in one sitting. Then there’s Motorola, HTC, and “a new patent lawsuit from Potter Voice Technologies.”:http://www.tuaw.com/2012/04/26/potter-voice-technologies-sues-apple-google-over-voice-patent/ Everyone wants a bite of the Apple, it seems…

    This week, we have articles on MagSafe replacement, how to stay Afloat, and information about our new warranty coverage from Mack.

    Thanks for reading!

    Glenn
    “glenn@smalldog.com”:mailto:glenn@smalldog.com

  • !http://blog.smalldog.com/images/2884.gif!:http://www.smalldog.com/wag21324/at_dr

    *Save $15 off a brand new (no retail packaging) Apple Magic Mouse + free Keyboard Shortcuts mousepad and get free ground shipping. $54.99!*

    __*Note that this mouse is *brand new*–it just comes without retail packaging.__

    Because we want to give you the best deals AND stay in business, Deal Retriever deals are valid for one week only. Quantities are limited; offers good while supplies last.

  • Can you believe that May is right around the corner? Mother’s Day is coming up, and we’ll have some great ideas for your moms in the next few issues.

    Don’s back next week, so we’ll see you then. Thanks for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    _Kali, Dawn & Glenn_

  • SPECIAL: PDO'd

    Need some gadgets for your iPhone or iPod?

    The PDO CarFM is one of our best-selling auto accessories because of its all-in-one design. This week, *save $20* on it–$39.99–exclusively for Kibbles & Bytes readers.

    The UNO Mobile Power Pack is a portable external iPhone/iPod battery pack designed for road warriors, and includes an integrated cable so you can recharge from your laptop or any USB power source. This week, *save $10* for the low price of $14.99!