• el capitan,  mac os x,  macbook pro,  troubleshooting

    Reloading Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan

    August 28, 2022 /
    2012 MacBook Pro with an El Capitan install error

    I was recently given a 2012 MacBook Pro from a family member who asked me to wipe their data and recycle the computer.

    Erasing the hard disk was easy enough – I just connected it to a SATA to USB-A bridge box that I have and reformatted it from my Mac Studio.

    Where I ran into trouble was trying to load a clean install of Mac OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan on the MacBook Pro. I kept running into an error that read, in part:

    "OS X could not be installed on your computer. No packages were eligible for install."

    I tried a couple of variations on reformatting the disk from another MacBook Pro and a Windows 10 PC with no luck.

    With a Jan. 2017 date, my MacBook Pro happily installs El Capitan now

    It turns out that the date needs to be rolled back to 2017 to get the installer to run properly. Here’s how I fixed the problem:

    1. Boot the Mac from your install media. Make sure any network connections (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) are disconnected or disabled.
    2. When the OS X installer screen appears, click Utilities > Terminal.
    3. From the Terminal application, issue the command: date 0115124517
    4. The response from Terminal should be a string that reads something similar to: January 15 12:45:00 2017.
    5. Quit the Terminal app.
    6. Reconnect your network connection.
    7. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your Mac OS X install.

    As you can see, the processed worked for me. The problem related to the El Capitan’s installation certificate has expired. As a result, the installer returns the error message about no eligible packages being available to install. When you disconnect the Mac’s network connections and roll back the date, you are ready to party like it’s 2017 and reinstall El Capitan.

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  • apple,  apple silicon,  big sur,  macbook pro,  macos

    MacBook Pro with M1 Apple Silicon Impressions

    February 7, 2021 /
    Source: Apple, Inc

    A lot has already been said about Apple’s new M1-powered Apple Silicon Macs.  After two months of use, I wanted to share my thoughts on my new 13-inch MacBook Pro laptop with the M1 Apple Silicon chip.

    The M1 CPU is the first processor in the new Apple Silicon line of processors.  The Apple Silicon M1 processor takes over for Intel Core i-series processors that are commonly used in today’s PCs.  After having announced the Intel to Apple Silicon transition at last summer’s WWDC developer conference, the first Macs running M1 have appeared: the 2020 MacBook Air, the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the new 2020 silver Mac mini.

    The selection of the MacBook Air to receive the new M1 CPU caused me to raise an eyebrow.  I was expecting Apple to add the new CPU to a Mac with lower sales volume.  the MacBook Air, because of its low cost, is by far the most popular Mac that Apple sells.  In my opinion, this speaks volumes to Apple’s confidence that the M1 is ready for prime time.  In a November 2020 interview with The Independent’s Andrew Griff, Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President Software Engineering, said:

    “We overshot,” said the exec. “You have these projects where, sometimes you have a goal and you’re like, ‘Well, we got close, that was fine.’ This one, part of what has us all just bouncing off the walls here — just smiling — is that as we brought the pieces together, we’re like, ‘This is working better than we even thought it would.’”

    The move from Intel CPUs to in-house designed M-series CPUs is driven by three key business points.  The first is that Apple wants to be in complete control of all of the key technologies that are used in their products.  In Macs, this means the CPU.  The second key driver has to do with the pace at which Intel has been able to make their CPUs smaller and more power efficient.  (My apologies for the CPU nerds for the oversimplification here.)  The final driver is Apple’s belief that the features on the Macintosh roadmap are simply are not possible with off commodity parts.  Apple is able to ship the features that they do by designing hardware and software together.

    Hardware

    From the outside the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro looks like the last several models of MacBook Pro.  Without close inspection, the 2019 Intel and 2020 M1 13-inch MacBook Pro look identical when placed on a table next to each other.  Anyone hoping for a chassis makeover or the addition of new features like a touch screen, will have to wait for a future model.

    On the inside, however, replacing the Intel CPU with the M1 has three major advantages.  The first is that the entire computer feels zippy.  In the two months that I have been using my MacBook Pro, never once have I yelled out, “Oh, come on!” like I am apt to do with my 2015 27-inch iMac when tasks take longer than I expected.  The second is that the battery just lasts.  Normally, we should roll our eyes at over-the-top vendor claims about battery life, but in this case, Apple’s claim is warranted.  With average usage for personal and business tasks, the battery life is amazing.  In my testing, the biggest battery drain on the battery was a non-optimized version of Microsoft Teams.  In a one-hour meeting, where I had the 720p FaceTime HD camera (Apple, what year is it?) and a hot mic using a wired connection to a pair of Beats Studio headphones, the battery took a 10% hit.  (Shortly after my Teams testing, an M1 optimized version of Teams was released and the battery performance did improve.)

    Using Safari, Microsoft Office, Tweetbot, BBEdit, and several other common apps, do not appear to have an enormous impact on the battery like they did on my 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i7 CPU.  And while I know that the 13-inch MacBook Pro has a fan in it, I have never once heard it.  Maybe it’s my old ears.  Or, maybe, I just can’t push the MacBook Pro hard enough to get the fan to kick on.  This is true even when I am running the pre-release version of Parallels Desktop with the Microsoft Insider build of Windows 10 for ARM CPUs.  Running a Windows 10 Pro virtual machine on my 15-inch MacBook Pro made the fans spin shortly after booting Windows.  I just wanted to run Visio, not launch a Saturn V rocket.

    Software

    Macs with the M1 processor run on the pre-installed macOS 11.0 Big Sur operating system.  Big Sur has been written specifically to run on the M1 hardware.  An Intel version of Big Sur also exists for Macs that have Intel CPUs.  Big Sur has two software modules that help the M1 work so well.  They are Universal Binaries, programs that are able to run on both Intel and M1 Macs, and Rosetta 2, a translation module that converts instructions from Intel-only programs into their M1 equivalent instructions.  I unboxed my M1 MacBook Pro and started using it.  It wasn’t until a few days later did I think to see if any of the apps I was using had been updated for the M1.  In the early days of using M1, many were Intel versions.  Over time, more apps have been updated as Universal apps.  The only indication that I was running an Intel application under Rosetta 2 was a one-time message indicating that I needed to install the Rosetta module.  Requesting users download the Rosetta module is likely due to the complexities of getting new hardware and software out the door – an already complex logistics problem further complicated by a global pandemic.  I would expect that new M1 Macs purchased and delivered in 2021 will ship with this module already installed.

    Rosetta first run module install prompt

    There are two other software modules that allow M1 Macs learn new tricks.  The first is support for iOS and iPadOS apps.  I installed UsTwo Game’s Monument Valley as a test.  iOS and iPadOS games and apps are installed from a special tab in the Mac App Store.  The install worked just like any other app.  The app launched and ran just like the Intel version of Monument Valley that I have installed on my iMac.  The input for Monument Valley is straight forward tap and swipe when the game is running on an iOS device.  On a M1 Mac, that translates into mouse clicks and click and drag mechanics.  Your mileage will vary based on the apps you want to run.  Some iOS app developers have opted their apps out of automatically being made available for M1 Macs. (I’m looking specifically at you, Netflix and Disney+.)

    The fourth and final new module in Big Sur for M1 Macs is the Virtualization module.  This module is specifically designed to allow users to run alternate operating systems.  At the time of this writing, virtualization on M1 is still premature.  I have been able to use the pre-release beta version of Parallels Desktop to install and run the ARM versions of Microsoft Windows 10 ARM Edition, via the Microsoft Windows Insider program, and Debian ARM64 edition for PCs.  Both work well, however, as with all pre-release beta software, there are some bumps in the road.  Again, your milage will vary depending on the hypervisor software and guest operating system software you want to run.  Overtime, support for running guest operating systems will get better.

    If the Parallels Desktop software is a leading indicator, be prepared to have to reinstall your guest OS and application software in your virtual machine.  It is not possible, today, to copy over or convert an existing Intel-based OS to run on the M1.  I have to perform fresh installs of Windows 10 Pro and Debian Linux and reinstall my apps.  For me, this a deal breaker if you need to use Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion to run business apps on your Mac.  For the time being, I will need to continue running Windows 10 Pro x64 in VMware Fusion on my Intel iMac to be able to continue to use Microsoft Project and Visio when working from home.

    Conclusion

    Overall, I like the new 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro with the Apple Silicon M1 CPU.  The Mac boots up quickly and Touch ID is amazingly fast.  macOS Big Sur has been running trouble free, but I do have a few software nits to pick, none of which are serious.  The PC is responsive, and the Mac is waiting for me and not the other way around.  I do prefer the extra Thunderbolt / USB-C ports on the 15-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, but I wanted the new shiny toy, and giving up two ports was worth it for me.  I also miss the larger screen and higher resolution of the larger MacBook Pros.  This particular issue is addressed by connecting the MacBook Pro to a Dell WD19TB dock, which is connected to an old 27-inch Dell UltraSharp monitor.

    Looking forward, I plan on using this MacBook Pro for a couple of years until the second-generation hardware comes out.  In all likelihood, a 2020 Mac with an M1 processor will easily run for many years to come.  Knowing myself, by the time late 2022 rolls around, I’m be looking to upgrade to larger MacBook Pro with a M2 processor in it with four Thunderbolt ports.

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  • apple,  macbook pro,  powerbook,  rumors

    Are the 2021 MacBook Pro Models About to Go Back to the Future?

    January 16, 2021 /
    Source: Pintrest.com

    New porting by Juli Clover for MacRumors.com suggests that the 2021 MacBook Pro models might be picking up design language used by iPhone 12.

    “The new MacBook Pro machines will feature a flat-edged design, which Kuo describes as “similar to the iPhone 12″ with no curves like current models.”

    Clover is reporting on a new investor note written by Ming-Chi Kuo, who has is finger on the pulse of the Apple hardware supply chain.

    I enjoy using my iPhone 12 Pro Max and I love the way the flat sides feel in the hand. I am reminded daily of the classic look and feel of the iPhone 5-series. When I think of a MacBook Pro with flat sides around body and display, I don’t think of iPhone 12, iPhone 5, or even iPhone 4. No, as a long time Mac nerd, I harken back to the Mac that could have possibly inspired the flat side design of the iPhone 4, namely, the 2001 Titanium PowerBook G4.

    Source: John Tso, YouTube.com

    Compared with the black plastic PowerBook G3 released in 2000, the “TiBook” as fans call it, traded in the curves for clean straight lines and a much thinner design. In the Apple press release, Steve Jobs remarked:

    “The all new Titanium PowerBook G4 is the most revolutionary portable computer ever created. Its a ‘supercomputer to go’ in terms of performance, yet it’s thinner and sexier than the best subnotebooks.”

    Writing for MacWorld back in 2015, Christopher Phin, has a delightful retro comparison of the then current MacBook Air with a PowerBook G4. It’s worth taking a look at the photos in his article. They show off what a flat edge MacBook Pro in 2021 might look relative to recent Apple Silicon and Intel-powered MacBook Pro designs.

    Packed into TiBook’s 1-inch thick body was all the connectivity that a Mac power user would ever want, including Ethernet, USB, FireWire, VGA, and S-Video – all without the need for adapters. Imagine being a MacBook user in 2021 without having to make an expensive trip to Dongle Town.

    Could Apple be looking to the 2001 PowerBook G4 as inspiration for a new professional Apple Silicon M1 powered 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro? I hope so.

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  • apple,  mac os x,  macbook,  macbook air,  macbook pro,  macintosh

    Oh, for “F”s Sake!

    November 30, 2019 /

    With the introduction of the 2016 MacBook Pro line, Apple introduced a number of new features, including an all USB-C port configuration, the Butterfly Keyboard, and the Touch Bar with Touch ID sensor. The Butterfly Keyboard is ok, but I preferred the Magic Keyboard from the iMac. I don’t use many USB peripherals, so USB Dongle Town to convert USB-C to the popular USB-A wasn’t too bad. The Touch ID sensor has been a great addition to the MacBook Pro. However, the Touch Bar has been seen by many Mac users as a so-so addition.

    The default Finder Touch Bar configuration on a 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro

    The Touch Bar replaced the standard Function Key (F Keys) row that sat above the number row of keys on the standard MacBook Pro keyboard. To be sure, the technology behind the Touch Bar is impressive, featuring a Retina Display with touch input. The whole thing is driven by the secure T1 chip which is running a stripped down version of watchOS.

    While I like using the Touch Bar for things like activating Siri, adjusting the brightness and volume controls, and media keys in the Music/iTunes app. In my opinion, the Touch Bar never realized the excitement that Apple had hoped. It is cool, but I can live with out it.

    The Touch Bar configuration when holding down the ‘fn’ key on the MacBook Pro keyboard

    Meghan, who has a 2019 13-inch MacBook Pro, recently complained to me that her Mac didn’t have the F Keys that her fellow engineering program classmates have on their Windows PCs. In typical Apple fashion where a “clean” design is valued over user functionality, holding down the “fn” key on the MacBook Pro’s keyboard changes the default Mac Touch Bar keys into Windows/Unix-style F Keys.

    Constantly pressing the fn key to bring up the F Keys can get old quickly if you are working on an exercise in class or a homework assignment. Fortunately, you can setup a macOS shortcut for the Touch Bar that flips the behavior around. Here’s how to set up a Touch Bar F Key shortcut by application.

    Configuring the MacBook Pro Touch Bar To Show Function Keys By Default Per app

    The Function Keys Keyboard Shortcuts allows you to toggle the F-Keys on when an app on the right is launch, in this case, Microsoft Excel
    1. Open the Settings app in macOS.
    2. Navigate to or search for the Keyboard control panel.
    3. In Keyboard control panel, click the Shortcuts tab.
    4. On the Shortcuts tab, select Function Keys from the left window pane.
    5. On the Shortcuts tab, click the plus icon to add the app(s) you want to default to the F keys configuration.
    6. Repeat this process for all of the apps you wish to add.
    7. When done, click the red close window button in the top left of the Settings window.
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  • apple,  apple store,  ipad pro,  iphone,  macbook pro,  macintosh,  retail

    Apple Danbury Reopens with New Design Language

    July 8, 2017 /


    Apple is getting ready to launch their newly redesigned Danbury Fair Mall location with the new design language that has already debuted in other retail locations, such as the Union Square store in San Francisco.

    As I arrived this morning, the prep teams were still putting the finishing touches on the store: setting up chairs at the newly designed tables, arranging the milk crate seats in front of the video wall in The Forum, and obsessively, and I do mean obsessively, wiping away every smudge and fingerprint on the massive sliding glass panels that make up the enterance to the store.

    The new retail store format is the work of Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s SVP of Retail and Online Store, and Jonathan Ivy, Apple Chief Design Officer.

    The store looks absolutely great! It is instantly recognizable as an iconic Apple store, and still offers a clean modern look that makes you want to just come in and hang out.  The Forum video wall looks really nice! Coming to the store for the new Apple Today sessions is going to be really great fun.

    All of the Apple managers and staff that I have talked to this morning, like me, are really excited for the new store and the format. This store, just like the products that are sold here, is just incredible!


    With less than an hour to go before the Danbury store relaunched, the employees are marking the last checks on everything.

    As the 10:00am launch our draws near, the crew gets in a group photo.

    After the doors opened, the group of enthusiastic customers that had gathered in the mall flooded in!

    [Updated with new photos.]

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  • apple,  macbook pro,  review

    Apple 2016 15-Inch MacBook Pro Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Impressions

    June 28, 2017 /

    apple_macintosh_macbook_pro_15_w_TouchBar

    Back in April, I purchased a (then) new 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro.  I have been using this laptop side-by-side with my late-2015 5K iMac with Retina display.  So why am I writing an impressions post now given that earlier this month, at WWDC 2017, Apple replaced the model I purchased?  By and large, the differences between the late 2016 15-inch USB-C MacBook Pro and at the mid-2017 15-inch USB-C MacBook Pro are spec bumps, so I feel that the impressions will by and large be the same.

    I am comparing this MacBook Pro with my now “legacy” classified and beloved 2009-era 17-inch MacBook Pro and my work issued Dell Latitude E7440.

    Exterior Hardware

    Just looking at the three laptops next to each other on a desk, the 17-inch MacBook Pro is comically large.  I purchased it at the time because I wanted a large screen, at the highest resolution possible, at home and while on the go.  With the 15-inch MacBook Pro, the Retina screen looks amazing, and at the scaled resolution of 1920 x 1200, everything looks sharp and crisp.  In practical terms, I am able to fit two Word documents, two Safari windows, or some other combination of app windows side-by-side, and still not feel constrained.  I still really like working on the 5K iMac’s scaled 3200 x 1800 display, where I can easily fit more app windows side-by-side, but when I’m out of the house, the 15-inch MacBook Pro is a great fit.  I prefer it over using Split View on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

    Apple’s obsession over thin and light continues with the current generations of MacBook Pros.  Lots of people have been talking about the jettison of ports and the keyboard on the MacBook Pro.  I do miss the ports and SD card slot on older MacBook Pro notebooks, but I don’t feel constrained by having a USB-C only notebook.  As it turns out, I don’t use many USB devices.  I did purchase two dongles (USB-C to USB-A and the USB-C Digital AV Multiport adapters), but I infrequently need them.  My two external USB-A hard drives are permanently connected to my iMac, which I feel is the reason for my infrequent use. The dongles live in my laptop bag.  As far as the keyboard is concerned, I like it.  It is fine.  In my opinion, there is no need to pull out the pitch forks and torches to storm Apple Park.  With the late 2016 MacBook Pro models, Apple tweaked the keyboard design so that the keys feel better when you type on them.  My Dad has a first generation 12-inch MacBook and I much prefer the keyboard on the 15-inch MacBook Pro keyboard.  The key caps are a bit louder than they keys on my 17-inch MacBook Pro and Dell Latitude E7440, but not any worse than how it sounds when I type on the Apple Smart Keyboard for my 12.9-inch iPad Pro.  In my real-life experience, I don’t find the keyboard “clickiness” to be disruptive when used in meetings.  In my opinion, the new MacBook Pro keyboards are not anywhere as loud as the beloved Apple Extended II keyboard that I still use with my iMac on occasion (read: when my 2006 Apple Wireless Keyboard batteries die unexpectedly).  I can go on about Apple keyboards, but I want to save that for a future post.

    The weight on the 15-inch Apple laptop is nice.  Weighing it on the FedEx scale in the office, it comes out to exactly 4.0 pounds.  My Dell Latitude E7440? 3.7 pounds.  I was hoping that the MacBook would weigh less than the Latitude, but no dice there.  As far as the build quality, in my opinion, the MacBook wins hands down.  From the aluminum body, to the solid feel of the keyboard, the gigantic track pad, and the Retina screen, there is no comparison to the Dell.  Don’t get me wrong, the Latitude line of notebooks are fine business class machines, but I just feel that the Mac will always have my style over run-of-the-mill business machines.  The MacBook Pros are now available in colors, well two options anyway: the traditional silver and the new Space Grey option.  I chose to go with the Space Grey option over my fears that any scratch or scuff to the body will easily show the light-colored aluminum body.  I really baby my Apple hardware, and so far, there have been no scratches to the finishing.  After having used the 17-inch MacBook Pro, the Space Grey option, in my opinion, just looks a lot nicer and it fits in with my matte black iPhone 7 and my personal Space Grey iPad.

    The big features that Apple is heavily promoting on the new MacBook Pros are the Touch Bar and Touch ID.  I knew that if I was going to buy a new MacBook, it had to have those two features.  Sure, I tried to convince myself that I could get by with a 13-ich MacBook Escape (the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a standard keyboard that includes function keys), but I knew I would regret that decision almost instantly.  Touch ID is my favorite feature. It works super-fast to unlock my Mac.  Much faster than unlocking my iMac with my my Apple Watch.  Apps like AgileBits 1Password are a breeze to use now that I don’t have to type in a strong pass phrase.  And using Apple Pay is also a lot nicer on the MacBook Pro verses authenticating and Apple Pay purchase on my iMac and Apple Watch.  The Touch Bar is OK, but I haven’t found a killer use of it yet.  Sure, it feels really nice when I slide my finger across it to adjust the screen brightness or volume, but when I am writing in Microsoft Word 2016, I find myself using keyboard shutouts or menu items before I look down at the Touch Bar.  The virtual Esc key located in the first position on the Touch Bar has been fine to use, in my opinion.  I think that part of that is because as of right now, only the new MacBook Pros have the Touch Bar and I move between the MacBook Pro, the iMac, and the Latitude that I can’t get invested in the Touch Bar because it is missing from two-thirds of the PCs that I use, not to mention the physical keyboard for my 12.9-inch iPad Pro.  Touch Bar is clearly a nice to have, but I don’t think it would be a deal breaker for anyone who is looking to buy a 12 or 13-inch MacBook or iPad Pro that doesn’t have it.

    The track pad on the MacBook Pro is a joy to use.  I really like it.  It’s massive when compared to the track pads on my older MacBook Pro and Latitude.  I have never had a problem with cursor jumps from my palms resting on that track pad like I have experienced with the Latitude.  This is an area that I think Mac users take for granted.  I almost always use an external wireless mouse when using my Latitude out of its docking station.  The track pad is just that bad with false tap registers.  This my my first force touch track pad and I find clicking to be as satisfying as it was on older Apple laptops.  Like the Touch Bar, I don’t find myself using many of the pressure sensitive features of the track pad, such as selecting and hard pressing on a highlighted word to fetch its definition.  I do use the back swipe feature.  Most of the time it does work well, but I have run into some issues with incorrectly registering my mousing around and accidentally triggering the move back gesture in Safari.  For example, I have accidentally triggered the Safari back command three times while writing this review. Depending on what you are doing, and how frequently data is saved, this problem could be more than troublesome for some users.  Thankfully, I have not been burned too badly by it.  Hopefully, this is something that Apple can improve with future versions of the track pad or macOS.

    Internal Hardware

    I purchased what I call a middle of the road configuration 15-inch MacBook Pro for two reasons: I wanted to get it “now” and I didn’t want to break the bank with a top of the line model.  I opted for an Intel Core i7 Skylake CPU, 16GB of RAM, built-in Intel HD 530 graphics, and 256GB SSD.  The 2017 MacBook Pros now include the newest Intel Core “Kabylake” CPUs that other Widows PCs have had for a while now.

    My advice to anyone who is looking to purchase a MacBook Pro is to push the specs to the maximum that your wallet can accept.  If money was no object, I would have bumped the SSD up to a terabyte.  After I installed all of my software and synchronized the data that I needed from OneDrive, about 60% of my SSD was full.  As a result, I am very conscience of the data that I keep on SSD verses what stays in OneDrive and iCloud.  This is a little problematic if I forget to sync a file that I need ahead of time.  If I do forget something, I pull down a copy of the file from Backblaze, which I use to backup my iMac, and move it back to iMac when I get home.  With a larger capacity SSD, I could have avoided this minor pain point.  For the most part, syncing data across my MacBook Pro, iMac, and Latitude E7440 works well, and most of the time this isn’t a problem for me.  Your experiences will vary.

    When the 2016 MacBook Pro was released, you might recall “Batterygate”.  For what I’m doing, writing in Word, surfing with Safari or Firefox (my Macs are a Google Chrome no-fly zone), playing music in iTunes, and a few other light use applications, battery life has been fine for me.  I did purchase an open box 87-watt USB-C power adapter and cable for the office – just in case.

    In daily use, I have not pushed the envelope on my MacBook Pro.  It hasn’t gotten hot to the touch or warmed up so much that the fans started screaming.  But, then again, I haven’t run a Windows 7/8.1/10 or Windows Server 2012 R2 virtual machine in VMware Fusion yet either.  As with the battery, heat and performance mileage will vary by use.  The more you push the i7 CPU, the hotter the laptop will run and the battery will drain faster.

    General Considerations

    My MacBook Pro feels zippy.  It feels just as fast as my Intel Core i5 iMac, and is on par with my i7 Latitude E7440.  The machine boots up and is ready to work fast.  There is no power button on the new MacBook Pros.  Just open the lid and get going.  The experience is very iPad-like without trying to be iOS or an iPad.

    I do wish the split screen feature of macOS Sierra worked more like the screen snapping window features of Windows 7/8.1/10.  It is the one features that I miss when I use a Mac.  At work, I snap windows side-by-side with a left or right-edge mouse drag or keyboard shortcut, that I often have a “duh” moment at home.  But that’s neither here nor there for MacBook Pro hardware.

    Having two USB-C ports on either side of the MacBook Pro is nice.  I can move around without having to worry about how to situate the power cable.  Left or right of the desk or table, it isn’t a problem because there is a power port on both sides.

    My main driver for getting a new MacBook Pro comes down to what I’m doing with my Mac hardware.  I am doing a lot of writing for school work.  A lot.  So much so, that I there are a lot of times when I just need to get away from my home office and get a chance of scene.  I could be like that guy who brings his iMac to a coffee shop, but bringing a MacBook Pro to Starbucks or my favorite 24-hour diner is a lot easier.  I could use my work issued Latitude, but I can’t run OmniGraffle or OmniPlan on Windows.  I have found that there are still a good amount of quarks passing Microsoft Project and Visio files between Windows and macOS Sierra that I prefer to have the Mac OS-only software everywhere I need it (iMac/MacBook Pro/iPad Pro).  And for this need, the MacBook Pro really fits the bill for me.

    Great, but…

    As you might have guessed by now, I am happy with my MacBook Pro purchase.  That really shouldn’t be surprising considering how old my MacBook Pro 17-inch model is.  I was hoping to have a flagship MacBook Pro for a little longer than I did, but I am really glad to see Apple updating hardware again.  (If you have not yet watched the 2017 WWDC keynote address, you should.  Apple released or announced a slew of Mac hardware updates.)

    There are a few things I wish were different.  The previously mentioned Safari back gesture on the touch pad is at the top of my list.  That problem will burn me if I am not careful moving my index finger around the track pad.  I also feel that Apple is overcharging for larger capacity SSDs and discrete GPU options.  The new 2017 15-inch MacBook Pros now come stock with 512GB SSDs, so that’s good news.  And, finally, I really wished that there was a way to upgrade the SSD in my MacBook Pro.  Down the road, I would have liked to upgrade to a 512GB or 1.0TB SSD.  Apple’s decision to integrate the SSD storage module to the motherboard prevents that upgrade from ever happening.  (The same is true for the memory configuration.)  I would like to have the extra space for Final Cut Pro X and Logic, but with storage space at such a premium, that will have to be an iMac only install when I get around to buying them.

    I also wish that Apple included the AC adapter extension cable that was included for no additional charge in the past.  If you don’t already have an extra extension cable hanging around, and I do, it is an extra $19 to buy one from Apple.  To me, that just feels like gouging your customers.  It isn’t a deal breaker, but for this longtime Apple user, I feel it should have been in the box.  Speaking of which, let’s have a moment of silence for the passing of Mag Safe power connectors. USB-C is nice and all, but there is no way that a USB-C power cable is going to disconnect as gracefully as Mag Safe did.  Be super careful if you are using your MacBook Pro plugged in while working in a high traffic area.  Or if you or your kids are a klutz, like I can be.

    And that brings us to USB-C and dongles.  I purchased a pair of USB-C to USB-A adapters back in November when Apple’s USB-C accessories price drop was on, knowing that there was a real chance that I would eventually need them sooner or later. One’s in my bag.  The other is in my office.  I wasn’t crazy about paying $69 to get an HDMI out port so I could connect a projector to my Mac, but I also wanted a high-quality product that I knew would work.  Still, $69.  Ugh.  I would have been happier paying $49.

    Conclusion

    If you are in the market for a new MacBook Pro, now is a great time to make a move.  The 2017 hardware spec bumps add more value to the 2016 MacBook Pro line up.  Knowing what my needs were going to be while making my purchase decision helped me select the best option for me.  In practical terms, it helped me know the correct balance of features and options verses price.

    I really like this MacBook Pro.  I feel that the screen is superior to the other two notebooks I am comparing it against.  The performance of the hardware and software is good.  Battery life has not been an issue for me.  And there is no comparison when it comes to industrial design and polish.

    My wife, whom I love, just doesn’t understand my “need” for yet another Apple something-or-other, but we make it work.  She knew I was an Apple nerd going in.

     

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  • accessories,  apple,  macbook pro

    Apple USB-C Multiport Adapter Update 1.0

    June 28, 2017 /

    As some of you know, I purchased a Late 2016 Apple MacBook Pro.  I recently had the need to purchase a HDMI video out adapter.  So, naturally, I went for the more expensive route, and purchased the $69 Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.

    What I found interesting the first time I plugged it in was an alert in macOS Sierra to update the firmware on the dongle.  The update is a minuscule 204kb.  In today’s world, that is super small.  As you can see from the images I captured below, Update 1.0 is a “compatibility and reliability” update.  Since this was the first time I used the adapter, I did not notice any problems.

    adapter updateusb-c av dongle update 1usb-c av dongle update 2

    In my daily usage, these kinds of updates are fairly infrequent.  The last accessory update that I recall seeing was for the Apple Smart Keyboard for my first generation 12.9″ iPad Pro.  Before that, a minor update to the firmware on my PowerBeats Bluetooth earbuds.  I like to think that these kinds of minor updates are not generally required because everything “just works”, but I am glad that Apple issues these updates to fix issues and generally improve the user experience.

     

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  • apple,  apple tv,  apple watch,  ios 10,  ipad,  iphone,  mac,  mac os x,  macbook pro

    Apple Software Update Monday [Updated]

    January 23, 2017 /

    Update: iTunes 12.5.5 was also released today.

    Apple gave us four updates for our iDevices and Macs today.

    apple_macosx_sierra_10_12_3_20170123

    Earlier this afternoon, MacOS Sierra 10.12.3 arrived offering graphics improvements for the October 2016 edition MacBook Pros.  The Sierra 10.12.3 update closed up a hole in Preview that was mucking with searching scanned PDF files.

    apple_itunes_1255_20170123

    iTunes 12.5.5 was also released for MacOS (and Windows PC) adding “minor app and performance improvements”.

    apple_ios_10-2-1_20170123

    Also arriving today was 10.2.1, a minor security and bug fix update for iPhone and iPad.  watchOS 3.1.3 tagged along to give Apple Watch owners a small tune up also.

    apple_watchos_3_1_3_20170123.png

    And, last, but not least, Apple TV got a minor bump up to tvOS 10.1.1 from 10.1.

    apple_tvos_10_1_1_20170123

    All of today’s updates are minor security and bug fixes, with no major features or new functionality added.

    Look for the iOS 10.3 beta releases to start arriving any day now.

     

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  • airport,  apple watch,  appletv,  imac,  ipad,  iphone,  macbook pro

    2017 Apple Hardware Purchasing Plans

    January 2, 2017 /

    apple_product_family_2015

    Just a few days ago, I was talking about my accidental trip into the Amazon ecosystem.  Today, I want to evaluate where I am going with Apple hardware.  What follows is what I think I will be my Apple hardware purchasing plans for 2017 with a little bit of commentary thrown in for fun.

    2017 iPhone

    Rumors about the 2017 iPhone have been circulating since before the iPhone 7 launch.  What we do know is that the 2017 iPhone, regardless of whether Apple acknowledges it in any meaningful way, will be the tenth anniversary iPhone.  We know that the 2017 iPhone will have a new system on a chip, probably called the A11.  Maybe more RAM.  Personally, I would like to see the return of the squared off sides, like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 series, but I don’t think that will happen.  What I do think will happen is that we will get a curved iPhone display just like the one used on the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.  With all of this in mind, I do plan on buying a new 2017 iPhone Plus.  We don’t know if the 2017 iPhone will be an ‘S’ year or not.  I feel that if Apple gives us a dramatic form factor redesign in 2017, they should call it the iPhone 8.  If there is more than one ‘large’ model, I will likely get the largest screen/best camera model.

    Purchasing Probability – Yes, please!

    2017 iPad

    I use my iPad Air (October 2013) and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (November 2015) every day and I love them.  For me, the iPad has taken a central role in my daily computing.  Reading the news?  Surfing my favorite websites?  Catching up on Twitter?  Reading ebooks?  Watching TV shows and movies? Checking and replying to email? Yup.  All of this gets done on my iPads.  The iPad Pro covers work-work and ebook reading for class.  The iPad Air takes care of my personal needs.  In 2017, I am hopeful that Apple will release new iPad Pros.  Screen sizes are up for debate.  I don’t expect to replace my work-issued iPad Pro.  Cost is the main reason here.  I would hope that Apple releases an updated 12.9-inch iPad Pro that brings it up to parity with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.  The way I use my iPad Air, it is still working well for me.  I do not expect to upgrade my personal 9.7-inch iPad in 2017.  I do think that 2017, with iOS 11, will be the last year for my beloved Air.  Check back with me in 2018 to see if there is a new 9.7-inch iPad in my future.

    Purchasing Probability – Not likely.

    Macintosh

    The Macintosh is still an important product for me.  Maybe because I have bene an Apple user and fan for so long.  Maybe because I prefer Mac OS over Windows and Linux  I know I am in the minority here, but it’s the way I feel.

    In 2016, I purchased a new 5k iMac and I love it!  I chose to go with the 2TB Fusion drive and a 3.3GHz Intel Core i5 CPU.  Thankfully, Apple still allows customers to upgrade the RAM on the iMac, so I stuffed it full of 8GB DIMMs and maxed it out with 32GB of RAM.  There’s no SSD – they are still too expensive for a 1.0TB or larger drive – and I didn’t get a Core i7 CPU either.  And that’s fine.  I think my iMac is super-fast, considering my upgrade from a 2009 17-inch MacBook Pro.  So, I don’t plan on getting a new iMac in 2017.

    I’m on the fence about the 2016 MacBook Pro.  I miss having a MacBook for the times I want to do work away from my iMac and home office.  Still, the frustration with the MacBook Pro’s inconsistent battery life, 16GB memory limit, and the use of an older Intel Core CPU are tugging on logical side of my brain, and is disrupting the famous Apple reality distortion field.  See the Ars Technical 13-inch MacBook Pro review for more details.

    On the go writing with Microsoft Word and surfing with Safari can easily be done with my iPad Pro.  BBEdit on the Mac and Coda on the iPad Pro are a good match.  But not having OmniGraffle (or Visio), XCode, or Eclipse on the iPad hurts a bit.  I know I can spend another $100 to get OmniGraffle for iOS, but if I am being honest, I don’t use it enough to justify the cost.  I don’t expect there to be new MacBook Pro notebooks in 2017, so I am leaning toward a 2016 MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar and Touch ID.  I would get the 16GB RAM upgrade, however, the aforementioned battery issues, are keeping me from spending the money to upgrade to a 512GB SSD and an i7 CPU.  So, no new iMac and there is still a 50/50 chance for a new MacBook Pro.

    I feel sorry for Mac Pro and Mac mini fans.  They are long overdue for some new hardware. Hopefully, 2017 will be their year.

    Purchasing Probability – Looking favorable for a 13-inch, Space Grey MacBook Pro.

    Apple Watch

    The Watch is a good product.  I’m glad I have it over a Fitbit or a Nike+ Fuelband.  I owned both, but I feel that the Apple Watch offers more utility then those other devices.  I love having important to me notifications on my wrist.  I should exercise more, and hey, who shouldn’t, but in day-to-day usage, I just don’t use the fitness features of the Watch over tracking my walks.  With that said, I don’t see myself upgrading to a Series 2 Watch anytime soon.  My original, aka Series 0, Watch Sport model with watchOS 3 is good enough for me.

    Purchasing Probability – Not likely.

    Apple TV

    I do not expect that Apple will refresh the Apple TV in 2017.  I have a 32GB fourth generation Apple TV.  I use it often to watch Netflix and some movies and TV shows purchased from iTunes.  But I don’t use it every day.  I am not a big apps user.  I don’t expect to buy a new Apple TV.  I would buy a new Siri Remote if Apple released one, but I don’t expect any new remote to appear in 2017.

    Purchasing Probability – Not likely.

    Apple Accessories

    In 2016, Apple exited the monitor business.  In place of the Cinema Displays, Apple co-designed a new 5K display with LG called the UltraFine 5K Display.  My iMac doesn’t have USB-C, so I don’t see myself buying a second monitor.  In all honesty, I like the cleanliness of a single monitor on my desk.

    Apple is also rumored to be out of the router and Wi-Fi business.  As I recently wrote, this means the end of the line for AirPort networking equipment.  I just purchased my last refurbished AirPort Express.  I wish Apple would stay in this business, because they are very reliable and very easy to setup.

    With Apple exiting both of those businesses, I don’t see myself buying the LG display or another AirPort.  If I find myself needing a second monitor in 2017, I need a second monitor or new networking equipment, I see myself getting the Dell UltraSharp 27 Ultra HD 5K UP2715K and an eero mesh Wi-Fi network 3-pack.

    My iMac came with a new Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2.  I don’t expect to replace them in 2017.  Mostly because I still like using my Apple Wireless Keyboard (2006) and my Apple Extended II keyboard (1995).  I have gotten better with typing on the Magic Keyboard, but I prefer the key travel of it’s larger format cousins.  I would get a new wireless Magic Keyboard if it included all of the function keys of the Bluetooth Apple Wireless Keyboard (2006), but we all know that Jony Ive won’t allow such a monstrosity to be created.  Maybe if the Magic Keyboard was released with the same amount of key travel and included the Touch Bar and Touch ID I might spring for it.  After all, I’m not above spending $200 for a great Apple keyboard.

    Purchasing Probability – Unlikely, without the release of an iMac compatible Touch Bar and Touch ID Magic Keyboard.

    Closing Thoughts

    So, there are my plans for Apple hardware in 2017.  I don’t think that there are going to be any surprises for me.  New releases of Mac OS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS are surely going to be welcomed and will delight customers.  I think I am most excited about a new iPhone.  I feel that a new MacBook Pro would be helpful with my school work, primarily with my upcoming programming classes this year.  I wish I had the option of upgrading to 32GB of memory, but there are still issues to be worked out there.

    Image credit: MacWorld.com, 2015.

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  • apple,  apple store,  el capitan,  imac,  mac,  mac os x,  macbook pro

    My New Apple iMac 27-inch with 5K Retina Display

    March 26, 2016 /

    Today, I purchased a new Apple iMac 27-inch with 5K Retina display!  This is my first new Mac since I purchased my beloved Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch.

    My daughter Kaitlyn and my Dad where with me at the Trumbull, Connecticut Apple Store for the big day.  Thanks, guys!  (Katie also picked up three new iPhone 6/6s cases too.  Thanks, Daddy!)

    The following pictures are of my unboxing and initial setup.  I hope you enjoy them.

    I love that years later, Apple is still printing “Macintosh Think Different” on their boxes.  “Think Different” was the slogan from their iconic ad campaign from the 1990s.  Today’s Macs don’t look anything like their beige box siblings, and are insanely more powerful, but “Think Different” still inspires me to always do my best.

    I will be upgrading my new iMac to 32GB of RAM from the stock 8GB as soon as all of the software setup and Time Machine restores are done.

    Waiting is the hardest part of setting up a new Mac.

    While I wait, I decided to try and figure out which keyboard I wanted to use with my new iMac.  From top to bottom, the Apple Magic Keyboard (2015), Apple Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard (2005) and the Apple Extended Keyboard II (1990).  Yes, that last one uses Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) connectors.  You can still find ADB-to-USB adapters on eBay.
    My MacBook Pro 17-inch – still working hard while my 27-inch iMac is still goofing off while it’s Time Machine restore continues to run while I write this blog post.
    Thanks Steve.
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