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Apple announced their redesigned iMac’s at the end of October and everyone seems thrilled with the idea of a slimmer machine with an updated display and all round quicker performance. The arrival of the machines were stipulated as November for the 21.5″ and December for the 27″
We are very excited to have received word from our suppliers that the 21.5″ iMac will begin shipping the end of this week. Anyone who has preordered a machine should expect a call soon.
Anyone else out there who is intertersted in ordering don’t hesitate to contact us as supplies are short.
A quick recap of the iMac:
The Apple iMac is a desktop computer that allows the user to do basically anything. With a huge LED-backlit display, everything is visible and easily accessible. A built in FaceTime HD camera allows you to talk to friends across the world, or even ones that are only a few blocks away. All is crystal clear.
iMacs come with the latest version of Mountain Lion, as well as the iLife bundle (iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie and Garageband). Giving the user programs that are able to be used as soon as the mac is turned on.
The base 21.5-inch iMac comes with a 2.7 Gigahertz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 1TB Harddrive and a Nvidia GeForce GT 640M graphics card will cost $1429.
The 21.5″ iMac with a slightly faster 2.9 GHz quad-core Core i5, and slighly better GeForce GT 650M card (same RAM and HDD) will sell for $1698.
Custom options include a 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz) CPU and a 1TB Fusion Drive in the high end model and 16GB of RAM in both models.
Please note that the 21.5″ iMacs do not have user accesible RAM so it is recommended to consider a RAM upgrade at the time of purchase – this may extend the wait time by a few weeks but may be worth it in the end.
We’ll be sure to advise you all when the 27″ iMacs are available but if you want an email or call at the first signs of availability, then drop us a line.
As always, feel free to contact us for any queries.
We’re having a good month – not only have we added two more staff to the roster but we have been accepted as an iPad reseller.
Staff
At the beginning of November Sergio returned from his overseas jaunt and wedding celebrations, and more recently we have brought Liza on to fill the part time accounts role.
We’re very happy to be growing at this time of the year, and feel we’re in the position to offer Service, Support and Solutions to prospective and existing clients.
We’ll be sure to include a cheesy photo of us all next time round.
iPads
We all love them, we all want them, and now Mac Aid sell them.
iPads now come in two sizes, the 7.9″ iPad mini and the 9.7″ iPad 4th gen.
The iPad mini, the latest addition to the iPad family, weighs 53% lighter than the iPad, and is 23% thinner than iPad. It’s easy to pack away into your smallest bag, so it’s always on hand when you need it. And with a 10 hour battery life, it’s sure to last you the day. A 5 megapixel iSight camera is built in, allowing you to take beautiful photos wherever you are.
You’ll find the latest update of iOS 6 on the iPad mini, as well as iCloud.
iPad mini’s start at $369 inc GST
The 9.7″ Retina display iPad (4th gen) features a 2048-by-1536 resolution, rich color saturation, and an amazing 3.1 million pixels. That’s four times the number of pixels in iPad 2 and a million more than an HDTV. Everything is crystal clear with a retina display.
With a built in 5 megapixel iSight camera, any picture you take will look amazing on the retina display screen.
The battery life in this iPad lasts for about 10 hours. So you can do what you want, for as long as you please.
iPads start at $539 inc GST
Contact Mac Aid if you have any questions or would like to place and order.
You may have seen one of the Mac Aid cars, signage and all, screaming down a road somewhere (depending on the driver). These cars are great for grabbing peoples attention but also making sure that our technicians are able to get onsite to help you, our valued customer.
Statistically the likelyhood of spotting one of these cars has increased as, in the last month, we have had three cars join the rest in proudly bearing the Red, Black and White Mac Aid logo.
Wendy’s new Hybrid vehicle
Jimmy’s new wheels
We’ll be sure to do a stunner line up shot of all our branded wheels next time (Paul’s push bike not included).
Apple released a number of updates last week at their Keynote.
Not only was the iPad Mini announced but there were significant updates made to the Mac line up also. Read below for a brief account of the most recent updates and their respective availability.
iPad mini; the 7.9 inch version of the iPad. Same resolution as the iPad 2 in a smaller, lighter frame that looks great for reading books etc but while retaining all of functionality of the larger models.
iPad 4th generation; an update to the existing form factor that is mentioned to be 2x as powerful.
MacBook Pro Retina 13″ would be best described as the smaller brother to the Macbook Pro Retina 15″ released in June as it offers the same flash storage, and portability with a very high resolution display. The machine also features a HDMI port, USB 3.0, and SD card slot like the 15-inch Retina.
It was revealed that the new Retina MacBook Pro’s 13.3-inch screen has a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. The 15-inch Retina sports a 2880×1800 display.
Base configuration is a 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5, 128GB Flash Storage with 8GB of 1600MHz memory is $1899 inc GST RRP
MacBook Pro Retina 13″ models are available locally currently as are the 15″ versions – for any enquiries, feel free to contact us.
iMac 21.5 and 27; the iMacs have undergone a large change in design and internal workings. They are 80% thinner that their predecessors, have a less reflective display, and though they come with with standard harddrives they are configurable SSD drives or Apple’s new Fusion drive which is a combination of SSD and standard HDD that looks very promising. These iMac’s join the Macbook Air’s and Macbook Pro Retina in having no optical drive – another way to save space internally.
It pays to note that the 21.5″ version doesn’t have user upgradeable RAM, so please buy up initially as later updates to the memory may not be possible. The 27″ will have 4 user accesible bays for future upgrades.
The 21.5-inch iMac starts at $1429 inc GST and has a vague shipping date of November. The 27-inch won’t ship until December.
Let us know if you’re interested and we ensure that you are advised as soon as they are available to order.
Mac Mini including server; the current form factor remain but all units receive noteworthy speed and storage bumps. The Server in particular receives a very welcome 2x 1TB harddrives.
The base configuration comes with a 2.5Ghz daul-core intel Core i%, 4GB memory and 500GB hard drive, the higher end model sports a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 4GB memory and a 1TB hard drive. Servers are as the higher end model but with two harddrives running a software raid and remain at $1099 inc GST.
Starting at $699 inc GST, the Mac Mini’s are in stock locally and available to order.
It pays to note that there are currently some superb prices on now previous generation Mac’s also so any enquires or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
The below tip is demonstrated on an iPhone but will work all iOS devices.
You have a current back up of your iOS device correct?
Well if you dont, then you really should!!
Not only is a backup of your iOS device the only way to recover information and application data that lives solitarily on that device but it’s actually very easy to set up. Furthermore, thanks to Apple’s iCloud, you don’t have to connect directly to a computer to do it either however its probably not necessary to have everything backed up in the cloud.
Following the steps below not only will you be able to manage what does and does not get backed up on the device you’re on but get an idea what other devices are taking also. You can manage them too but only directly on that device.
If you dont have an iCloud account, then click here learn how to set one up…
You can do this all on your device either when you first set it up or when convenient.
To enable iCloud tap Settings, the iCloud and enter your Apple ID.
From here the first thing to do is to check what services are enabled for iCloud eg Mail, Contacts, Calendars etc. It is preference have this data backed up somewhere. If you’re using IMAP or a similar mail service then your Mail is safe on the mail server. POP is not one of these safe options.
You may even sync your contacts with your Mac, in which case they’re on the two devices, however a cloud based option for such data is the preference again.
However, particular Application data such as your Angry Birds high score, or more important data such as notes and memos aren’t brought up to the cloud until one turns on the back up as per the below instructions.
On your iOS device go to Settings, then iCloud, scroll down and select Storage and Backup.
From here you can see details on your account, manage your storage, and Enable or Disable the iCloud Backup.
After turning the iCloud Backup on, it may think for a while.
I ran into a wall with my first backup as, surprise surprise, my 5GB account wasn’t able to house all my phones data. If you want to have more storage then click the Change Storage Plan and explore the options.
If you get the above message, click on Settings or otherwise click on Manage Storage as shown below to see the list of devices on your iCloud account, their respective data usage and other such documents and data below that.
Clicking the Device brings you to the info screen for that device, confirms when the latest backup occurred and the Backup size. Below this is you where you can select which apps do and do not back up to iCloud and easily reduce the size of the overall backup.
Some judgement is required as to what not to include, for example I turned off Evernote and Dropbox as they are both online services and will sync with their respective servers to regain lost data. Likewise with Mail and Calendars- I’m using IMAP so all is well but if you are using POP you should backup.
My viewing history on the TED app? Who cares.
However photos, notes, and other misc application data (ie my Angry Birds high scores) all represent high value and not all that much sizable data so they remain on and secure in the cloud.
Your iOS device will then automatically backup this data and settings when it is plugged in, locked and connected to Wi-Fi.
You check the date of your latest backup when convenient within the Manage Storage page as demonstrated above.
For more info, read Apple’s iCloud set up guide for all devices.
http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/
