Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • Apple Updates MacBook Pro Line

    Apple has updated the MacBook Pro line with increases in processor speed, hard drive capacity and graphics processing power. Pricing on the MacBook Pro line has not changed from the previous generation. Here is a run-down of the updates:

    * The entry-level *13″ MacBook Pro*, priced at $1199.99, now has a 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (up from 2.3GHz) and a 500GB 5400-rpm hard drive (up from 320GB). The $1499.99 13″ MacBook Pro’s dual-core i7 processor now runs at 2.8GHz (up from 2.7) GHz and the 5400-rpm hard drive now starts at 750GB (up from 500GB). The graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000) and RAM configurations (4GB standard, upgradable to 8GB) of these 13″ MacBook Pro base models remain unchanged. “*Click here*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/MacBook_Pro_13in/ to view the 13″ models.

    * The entry-level *15″ MacBook Pro*, priced at $1799.99, now sports a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (up from 2.0GHz), while the $2199.99 model now has a 2.4GHz quad-core i7 processor (up from 2.2GHz). The hard drives on the base models of the 17″ MacBook Pro remain at 500GB 5400-rpm and 750GB 5400-rpm, respectively. RAM configurations have also not changed, with 4GB coming standard (upgradable to 8GB). Graphics have been updated on both base models: integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 and discrete AMD Radeon HD 6750M (up from 6490M) on the entry-level model and integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 and discrete AMD Radeon HD 6770M (up from 6750M) on the 2.4GHz model. “*Click here*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/MacBook_Pro_15in/ to view the 15″ models.

    * The base model *17″ MacBook Pro*, priced at $2499.99, now includes a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor (up from 2.2Ghz) as well as integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 and discrete AMD Radeon HD 6770M (up from 6750M). Standard hard drive capacity remains 750GB @5400-rpm. As with the previous generation, the 17″ base model MacBook Pro comes with 4GB RAM (upgradable to 8GB). “*Click here*”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/Apple/MacBook_Pro_17in/ to view the 17″ models.

    Custom configurations are available for all MacBook Pro models.

    While these upgrades are more subtle than the updates to the line in February, they do bring significant increases in speed, storage and power. Students will be excited about the hard drive upgrade on the 13″ models, and gamers and designers will love the processor and graphics upgrades in the 15″ and 17″ models!

    Apple has also updated the polyurethane Smart Cover for iPad 2 line. “*Click here*”:http://blog.smalldog.com/article/apple-updates-smart-covers-for-ipad-2/ to read about the changes on our blog.

  • Happy Tuesday,

    I spent the past five days housesitting in Buels Gore, up on Stark Mountain, with an amazing view and four crazy dogs while my friends Jon and Renee enjoyed a long weekend in Las Vegas. There’s a brook, a huge pond and miles of trails, and each day when I took the dogs for a hike through the rustling leaves and a swim in the pond, neighbors’ pups would come running after a few minutes.

    The commute from Buels Gore to Small Dog headquarters in Waitsfield takes me up and over Stark Mountain on Route 17, a steep and twisty road that draws thousands of motorcyclists from all over the place in the warmer months. The top provides some of the best views around. Art drives this road every day, even in the middle of winter.

    The commute to Burlington takes me on Main Road, through valleys, Huntington and farmland. It’s another great drive that I particularly enjoyed last night during sunset.

    I’ll miss the dogs and the amenities, but it’s great to be home.

    Thanks for reading, and stay in touch!

    Matt
    “*matt@smalldog.com*”:mailto:matt@smalldog.com

  • Apple Updates Smart Cover for iPad 2

    Apple has tweaked its polyurethane Smart Cover for iPad 2 line, increasing the vibrancy of the colors and replacing the gray liners that…

  • Apple Updates MacBook Pro Line

    Apple has updated the MacBook Pro line with increases in processor speed, hard drive capacity and graphics processing power. Pricing on the MacBook…

  • !http://blog.smalldog.com/images/2627.jpg!:http://www.smalldog.com/category/iPad_Accessories/Cases_and_Sleeves/iPad_2/Booq_Clearance

    *Save 50% on all Booq cases for iPad and iPad 2 with coupon code booqdeal.*

    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.

  • iPad Apps for Comics Fans

    People who get to know me notice two things about me immediately: that I love gadgets of all kinds and that I love…

  • I have lots of chores to catch up on this weekend but Sunday seems like a good day to hop on the motorcycle, so I am planning on riding up to Brunswick Springs in Northeast Vermont.

    This is the site of seven mineral springs that are considered sacred by Native Americans. There is an amazing story around these springs that you can read by “*clicking here*.”:http://www.vermonter.com/brunswick-springs.asp

    Thank you for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes team,
    _Don, Kali & Stephanie_

  • Special: Pink iPod touch (4G) & iPhone 4/4S (AT&T) Accessories Bundles

    October is National Breast Cancer awareness month, so we’ve put together two special bundles this week for Kibbles & Bytes readers. Save $20 when you purchase a Pink Diamond Aura Case for iPod touch (4G) or Purple Aura Case for iPhone 4/4S (AT&T) plus a set of Pink Chill Pill Mobile Speakers and ROXY by JBL Reference 230 Earbud Headphones in Orange/Pink–$45.99 + $4.99 shipping! $1 from the sale of each bundle will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which funds breast cancer research and awareness projects around the world.

  • SPECIAL: Everything's Better in Black and White

    Class it up with the Canon imageCLASS LBP-6000 Monochrome Laser Printer. Honestly, I think laser printers are awesome. I use one at home to quickly (and cheaply) print out drafts and other papers that don’t need color.

    The imageCLASS LBP-6000 Monochrome Laser Printer is on special this week–for one week only as an exclusive for Kibbles & Bytes readers–so check it out. Grab one for just $99.99 with a free USB cable. You’ll save $20, and shipping is just $4.99!

  • Apple Users & Charitable Giving

    Last week, “*Razoo,*”:http://www.razoo.com/ an online fundraising portal, released an “*infographic of recent study results*”:http://social.razoo.com/2011/10/apple-users-are-more-generous-than-pc-users/ showing that Apple users gave more in charitable donations through their site than Android and PC users.

    The infographic is broken down into average donation by operating system, mobile device and medium (email and social media sites) as well as conversion rates for donations from email, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and StumbleUpon. While we enjoyed seeing these results, and while we know there are a number of factors driving them, we were not surprised by Razoo’s findings because we witness the generosity of Apple enthusiasts on a daily basis.

    As Don and Jan have discussed in “*previous issues of Kibbles & Bytes*,”:http://blog.smalldog.com/kibbles community involvement through charitable giving is an important part of Small Dog Electronics’ triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. Charitable giving at Small Dog Electronics happens three primary ways: through donation matching, direct donations and employee volunteerism.

    *Donation Matching:* If you’ve made a purchase on our website, you’ve probably noticed the option to add a charitable donation in increments of $10.00 in the “*shopping cart*.”:https://checkout.smalldog.com/cart The Small Dog Electronics Charitable Giving Committee reviews and selects charitable organizations for which Small Dog Electronics will match customers’ donations up to $200 per customer and up to our set annual level of charitable giving. Our “pet charities” to which we match customer donations include “*Amnesty International*,”:http://www.amnesty.org/ the “*Vermont Foodbank*,”:http://www.vtfoodbank.org/ “*Puppymillrescue*”:http://www.puppymillrescue.com/ and more. Through matching our customers’ donations, Small Dog Electronics contributes over $10,000 each year to charitable organizations.

    *Direct Donations:* Small Dog Electronics also provides direct donations to requests from charitable organizations whose missions meet the following criteria:

    * Involved with work to improve the environment
    * Provide support for gay/lesbian/transgender issues including AIDS research
    * Provide support for children’s and women’s issues including protecting the rights of reproductive freedom
    * Work for human rights, especially in Third World countries
    * Animal rescue groups

    In addition, Small Dog Electronics supports a number of Vermont-based non-profit organizations via direct donations.

    *Employee Volunteerism:* Each Small Dog Electronics employee is encouraged to work one paid day a year in their community providing service. Recent employee service includes clearing trails with the Catamount Trail Association, playing bingo with residents at a local nursing home and helping area residents and businesses clean up post-Tropical Storm Irene.

    Charitable giving–whether it be of money or time–is a central part of Small Dog Electronics’ mission and culture, and we are grateful that so many of our customers join us in this commitment by generously contributing to our pet charities.

    “*Click here*”:http://www.smalldog.com/charity for more information on Small Dog Electronics’ Charitable Giving program and pet charities.