Kibbles & Bytes Blog

  • Boot Camp

    When Apple switched from PowerPC processors to Intel Core Duo, they gave their systems the ability to run Microsoft Windows as well as Mac OS X. This was considered to be a big deal–people who were still on the fence about switching, or those who were still dependent on custom Windows applications, could have the best of both worlds. Almost immediately, two companies released products that could let you run Windows inside of OS X: Parallels and VMware. However, Apple gave its users a third option at no extra charge. Boot Camp allows you to create a partition on your hard drive and install Windows, just as you could on a Dell or HP machine.

    Inside the Utilities folder (under Applications) there is a program called Boot Camp Assistant. With it, you can download the driver disc to support your hardware, then create a partition on your hard drive for Windows. Boot Camp Assistant will then prompt you for the Windows DVD and reboot your system to start Windows Setup. Once Windows is installed, you will be prompted for the driver disc, so all the features of your Mac–Bluetooth, AirPort, iSight, etc.–will now work in Windows as well. Once this is done, you can use your Mac to run Windows applications just as you would on any other Windows system.

    In order to do this, there are a few things that you need to know. First, and foremost, make sure you have the latest version of all Mac software, including firmware and Boot Camp support. These will be downloaded automatically when you run Software Update. Second, make sure you have a licensed copy of Windows that is capable of running on your system–early model Intel Mac systems can run Windows XP or Vista, but if you have a more recent system you will need Windows 7. Some systems, like the MacBook Air or any system running OS X 10.7 “Lion,” will only support Windows 7; there is no driver support for XP and Vista. Third, remember that until you have the Windows drivers installed, some of your hardware features will not work. This includes Bluetooth, so if you have a wireless mouse and keyboard, they will not work during the Windows installation phase.

    You will need a USB keyboard and mouse to install Windows; once the drivers are in place for Bluetooth support, you can use your keyboard and mouse. This also means that the eject button on your keyboard won’t work, so when you’re prompted for the driver disc, you won’t be able to eject the Windows disc. Simply reboot your system and hold down the Option key until you get a boot menu. Now you can hit eject to remove the Windows DVD, then select the Windows volume (it may be called WINDOWS, BOOTCAMP, or “Untitled”) to reload Windows so you can insert the driver disc. Once the drivers are installed, the eject button and everything else about your Mac will work.

    For more details, as well as troubleshooting information in case you run into problems, go to Apple’s Boot Camp Support page “here”:http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/. As always, we recommend you perform a full backup of your hard drive prior to installing a new OS.

  • Happy Tuesday,

    It’s vacation season, and more customers than ever are dropping off their computers for repair while they’re away. I’m a firm believer that one should be disconnected while on vacation, and every year around this time I smile that so many of you, our valued customers, are enjoying time away from email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and the like to be with family, friends or your own thoughts to recharge during this beautiful time of year.

    With the new school year approaching quickly, consider bringing your Mac to us for a checkup. We’ll run diagnostics on your computer and can install any type of upgrade–even Lion–for you. If you don’t have a backup system in place, we’d be happy to recommend and set up a solution for you. Remember, it’s a matter of when, not if, your hard drive will fail, taking all of your photos, documents and other files with it.

    As always, thanks for reading, and keep in touch.

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

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  • iPhone is #1!

    International Data Corporation (IDC), a technology market research firm with over 1,000 analysts in 50 countries, has released its quarterly report on global…

  • I am going to do some work on Hapy’s and my pick-up truck this weekend. It still has the remnants of mud season in the form of mud and rocks caked on the wheels, so I will take them off and pressure wash them. (That is, in between motorcycle rides and playing with my grandchildren who will be spending some time up on Prickly Mountain.)

    I hope you have an awesome summer weekend! Thank you for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes Team,
    _Don, Kali & Stephanie_

  • Mac to School Preview

    It’s that time of year again! Now that we’ve entered August, it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming school year. Never fear, Small Dog has all your Apple needs covered.

    Our “*Mac to School special*”:http://www.smalldog.com/mactoschool is in full swing, and next week we’ll bring you a special back-to-school edition of Kibbles & Bytes!

  • SPECIAL: Jan's Favorite Armband

    Recently, my good friend Dawn was visiting from New York and came into our Waitsfield store to buy a new iPod touch. Dawn works out regularly, so I bought her a “*PDO Sporteer Armband*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76392/pdo-sporteer-armband-for-iphone-4-iphone-3g-ipod-touch-black/at_kb to hold her iPod while she exercises so she can listen to her favorite tunes.

    The PDO Sporteer Armband is such a great product. It features super-durable neoprene with reflective inserts for use at night and a screen protector that allows for easy touch screen navigation, and it’s adjustable to fit most arm sizes. All those features for only $14.99! When I asked Dawn how it was working out for her (no pun intended), she said she uses it everyday and absolutely loves it.

    She also shared her favorite features: “It even has a slot in the back for a credit card or cash, so picking up sushi or yogurt after exercising is a breeze!” Dawn is so pleased with her armband that I’m offering free shipping to Kibbles & Bytes readers this week only when they buy the PDO Sporteer Armband!

  • SPECIAL: A Sound Deal

    Looking for a great deal on earbuds? We’re offering brand new but unpackaged white “*Apple earbuds*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76912/apple-earbuds-no-packaging-white–the style that come standard with the iPod–for $9.99. These Apple earbuds feature a sleeker design than previous models, delivering great sound while fitting comfortably in your ears. A favorite with iPod users, Apple earbuds are both stylish and functional–a prefect combination!

    Kibbles & Bytes subscribers get free shipping on these great earbuds this week only by using code *kbbuds* in the cart!

    “*Click here to view details*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/76912/apple-earbuds-no-packaging-white–$9.99 with free shipping (with code *kbbuds*).

  • Product Review: Booq Taipan Spacesuit for iPad

    A great device deserves a great case, and lately I’ve been outfitting my first-generation iPad in the “*black Booq Taipan Spacesuit for iPad.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/78115/booq-taipan-spacesuit-xs-sleeve-for-ipad-2-black/at_kb The futuristic look of the slightly shimmery neoprene case blends well with the sleek aesthetic of the iPad.

    I love the snug but not overly tight fit of the case; my iPad slides in easily without my needing to stretch the case over the iPad. I prefer a sleeve-style case that will fully protect my iPad when it’s in my bag, so the Spacesuit’s full coverage and durable zipper were a major draw for me. As an added bonus to the durability of the case, the Spacesuit manages to be slim and light while providing a nice cushion due to the textured material.

    Available in black, silver or berry, the Booq Taipan Spacesuit for iPad fits either the first-generation iPad or iPad 2 (with or without an Apple Smart Cover). The Spacesuit is currently on sale for $21.99 (regularly $29.99) and “*available here*.”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=spacesuit

  • iCloud Develops

    Now that Apple has unleashed OS 10.7 Lion, all eyes are on the other major OS release announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June: “*iOS 5*”:http://www.apple.com/ios/ios5/, the new operating system for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch launching this fall. One of the most anticipated features of iOS 5 is iCloud, which will provide online storage for users’ music, documents, contacts, calendars, apps and more as well as replace MobileMe as the service for updating data across users’ iOS devices and computers. Earlier this week iCloud.com went live for developers, who can now begin preparing their apps for service in iCloud.

    Also this week, Apple announced the pricing for iCloud storage upgrade options. iCloud users get 5GB of storage for free; however, purchased music, apps and books don’t count against the 5GB of free storage, nor does “*Photo Stream*.”:http://www.apple.com/icloud/features/photo-stream.html Users who need more than 5GB of storage for their mail, documents, photos and other data can upgrade to 10GB, 20GB or 50GB for $20, $40 or $100/year, respectively.

    While we still have to wait a bit longer for the iCloud to fully roll in, beta versions of two great iCloud features–automatic downloading of new music and past music and TV shows purchased from iTunes to iOS devices that meet system requirements–are currently available in “*iTunes*.”:http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

  • MAC TREAT #160: Get That Conversation Going

    One of the great things about Mail in Lion is the layout. I am a huge fan of the left-to-right format that was made so popular by iOS. This way, I get to read the first couple of lines of those “enhancement” emails without opening them! Score!

    Seriously though, aside from the content preview benefit, one can now view Mail threads as “Conversations” (taking a cue from–and one-upping–Google… nice job). What I found, though, was that when I viewed my inbox conversations, I only could see what was actually in my inbox–i.e. responses __to__ me. The fix? Click the “Show Related Messages” button in the Toolbar and you’ll see your own sent mail neatly in order.

    Mac Treat #159 Update: Since this was featured in “last week’s Kibbles & Bytes,”:http://blog.smalldog.com/kibbles/kb734/ I received a few responses which pointed out that if one does not have a Trackpad (either no laptop or no Apple Trackpad), the Trackpad preferences will not be visible. To that I say, you’re right! If you don’t have a Trackpad attached, you’ll find the same option in the Mouse preferences.