What is Charge Cycle?

The charge cycle is when you charge the battery to 100% and then discharge to 0% – this is one charge cycle. But one cycle – it is also a 5 sessions from automotive battery, that take 20% (for example, every day you have turned off the light for a few hours). Your Mac laptop tracks this indicator.

Different models of MacBook designed for different number of charge cycles. After your MacBook reaches the limit, you should replace battery. Modern MacBook models hold up to 1000 cycles, but older models equipped with modest batteries – for example, 300 cycles.

You can find your laptop model in the table and see the maximum number of charge cycles for your laptop:

If you want to check battery on your MacBook, press and hold the keyboard button Option (Alt), and then click on the battery icon in status menu (upper right corner). You will immediately get access to advanced battery menu and will be able to see the status of battery.

“Normal” condition of battery means that there is no problem – it is “healthy” and is not experiencing any difficulties.

What are MacBook battery statuses?

Replace Soon. The battery works fine, but it holds a charge worse than new battery.

Replace Now. The battery works fine, but it holds a charge significantly worse than the new battery of the same type. Please note – you can still use the battery.

Service Battery. If you have a battery status, then you most likely have noticed some problems with your laptop. You have only one solution – replace the battery with a new one. However, if you do not feel inconvenience, you can still use your battery. It is not dangerous to a laptop or owner.

For detailed information about the number of charge cycles can be obtained as follows:

1. Press and hold Option key (Alt), then go to Apple menu (apple in the upper left corner).
2. Select System Information, then -> Power Options.
3. Reed the information in the section Battery Information.

Now you know everything you should know about the battery of your Apple laptop, and you can safely plan future replacement: digging money on new battery, find a good service, etc.

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How did this happen at the MacBook Pro Retina displays?

Earlier this year, the media reported that several owners of laptops MacBook Pro Retina displays detachment faced with the problem of anti-reflective coating on the screen, in place of unsightly stains which were in some cases disturbing work. A few months later, the phenomenon has become a truly large-scale in nature, but Apple does not recognize the defect covered by warranty and refuses to carry out a free replacement of the screen. As a result, activists launched the site Staingate, which urge the public to pay attention to this problem and are counting all the victims of this marriage.

We – a group of Apple customers and paid 2000 dollars / euros for the MacBook Pro Retina displays, which appeared on the screens of the terrible spots. Divorces can start to appear in the first 7 months after purchase. They may look very differently: someone is a small point on the edges of the display while the other is a giant screen in the middle of the divorce. Apple is not talking to greet us and does not solve the problem, referring to the fact that it is a cosmetic defect, the repair is not covered by the warranty. Correcting this defect is worth about 800 dollars / euro, followed by a three-month guarantee, which means further these stains may occur again.

Our demand – the introduction of Free Repair Program to all MacBook, who have this problem, without any additional payment collection. We have paid a lot of money for it and got a defective laptop.

At the time of writing the news on the site are registered 2843 people affected by this problem, and that number continues to grow. It is not known whether Apple will take some action after the issuance of the problem to the public, but a few years ago a similar case was recorded. Then MacBook Pro Retina displays has been found to be defective GPU, but the company did not recognize in him a manufacturing defect and refused to change the device under warranty. Only after Apple was filed on a massive lawsuit in Cupertino, it was decided to satisfy all the requirements of the free repair Macbook. Do you reach in this case the matter to court, and how successful the campaign Staingate – time will tell.

Source: ubergizmo

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What the world if we can not use my laptop at full capacity? What exactly will be discussed? Do you apart from your laptop, there are additional useful device. And these devices need to be connected to your laptop, to work together. Here today, let’s look at one of these useful devices.

If you have an Apple MacBook, then surely this is a great laptop in the modern world. But the MacBook has one small drawback. Namely, the amount of output connector is not enough. However, Apple engineers have provided a laptop computer only one connector USB-C. Not everyone is like minimalism liked.

And in truth, why Apple engineers have decided to go this way, no one is clear. But you do not worry so. Today found a company that has eliminated this disadvantage.

Decided to correct the position of project developers HydraDock. They have created a device that adds the “apple” notebook has 11 ports. Very different and quite useful ports for your personal life.

A great idea on the part of developers HydraDock. Yes, and 11 ports for a variety of devices in your life. This is an important position to which it was necessary to the manufacturer seeks to Apple. But as you can see, all is not well. And we have a separate company to invent all the amenities for the people. And it’s just not a difficult task, which is able to correct a lot of inconvenience.

What ports offered by HydraDock?

New device offers owners MacBook: Two USB-C, card slot SDXC, four USB 3.0, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet and 3.5-mm headphone output.

Of course, now you can feel yourself a real man. Multiple ports for different devices in your life ease your work and your ability.

Adequate invention that fully makes sense.

Now the authors of the idea of raising money to start mass production. If the action is successful, HydraDock release in June 2015.

Price of new novelty – $ 129. You can pre-order on Kickstarter.

In short we can say that a new device is really important in our lives. But for those people who really need to work your laptop interacting with other device in your life.

Source: KickStarter

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Appearance MacBook is hardly a bad thing. On the contrary, in terms of design, “apple” Soup is very self-sufficient. Although certain minimalism is present.

Said forcing some users to decorate laptops Apple. For example – vinyl stickers. Cute, but then remove them difficult.

Jolt Team offers a different approach. The company came up with an unusual case Brik Case. Accessory not only looks original. It perfectly protects the notebook from a variety of “shocks”.

New increases resistance to shock, shock, or other hazards. Suitable for MacBook Pro and Air (starting with the 2013 model year).

The main “trick” Brik Case – Case can be used as a platform for popular designers. Like K’NEX Bricks, PixelBlocks, KRE-O, Mega Blok and LEGO.

Design options get a great variety. Would be a fantasy.

Curious idea. How Brik Case Worth? For the base case, developers are asking $ 30. Another 10 USD – for a set of “cubes”.

Pre-orders are made on the website Kickstarter. Deliveries will begin in August.

Source: Geeky-Gadgets

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Apple care about our health, futuristic laptop with a single port and the announcement of hours that everyone and everything are known – Raqwe brings detailed results of the event called Spring Forward.

Six months ago, everything went very quickly: in the second minute premiere of Tim Cook brought to the screen slide with iPhone and iPhone 6 6 Plus, then briefly talked about what they are wonderful and went to the Apple Watch. Something similar was expected now, but everyone who waited for this day only due to clever hours, had to miss almost an hour.

Presentation developing quite slowly – in the best traditions of Apple. At first we were pleased about the history of the Apple TV, which became cheaper by $ 30 ($ 69 instead of 99). Naturally,  bosses could not bind a discount to any event. Now this event was an agreement with HBO (provider, with the most popular series – for example, “Game of Thrones”): the owners will be able to set-top boxes for $ 15 a month to get access to a solid base of video content. Russian users, this will not affect (we have our own “Mediate”), but taking into account the value of the dollar, the price of the new Apple TV looks good.

Also in the opening Spring Forward Apple has traditionally appealed to the figures: we were told to sell 700 million iPhone (in total – all generations for 8 years) and rapid growth of institutions where supported by Apple Pay (in the US such points already 700 thousand). By year end, Coca-Cola equips the gauge to its vending machines for drinks, and then the system will add another 100 thousand units. Another important aspect of policy Apple – access to the Chinese market, where the Americans compete with local brands. Center for the Arts Yerba Buena Tim Cook reported on 21 official stores in China (around the world their 453, and for the last quarter in all Apple Stores was visited 120 million people).

Health

Duty Cook on topic and CarPlay HomeKit does not make any impression. Apple CEO just confirmed that all major car brands (without names) have already agreed to integrate into their products system CarPlay, and HomeKit (smart home) is already changing people’s lives for the better. How exactly – is not yet known.

After that, it seemed, it was time to stand on stage clock, but the spotlight was Apple’s vice president Jeff Williams, who talked about health and medicine. Jeff agreed that research in the field of serious diseases is very slow: according to a top manager, it is partly due to the reluctance of people (volunteers) to take part in the diagnosis.

Now, using the system ResearchKit, iPhone transformed into a medical device. Ordinary smartphone (plus, as appropriate, Bluetooth-accessories) help to identify at an early stage Parkinson’s disease, breast cancer, and other complex diseases. However, the mechanism for determining Parkinson’s disease, demonstrated at the presentation, makes one think about the measurement error. All diagnostics occurs directly with the iPhone in the form of answers to questions, so it is obvious that the verdict will be true not 100 per cent. All data are stored on the server (by itself, confidential – even Apple can not see them) and iPhone owners have contributed to the invention of drugs for serious diseases.

This innovation (already added in iOS five medical applications, and complete work on ResearchKit starts in April) Apple gained a lot of whilst: observers and analysts pointed out that the company cares not only about its own profits and sales, but also about the future of humanity. It is not surprising that right during the presentation, Apple shares promptly flew up.

MacBook. Just MacBook

Roller with a new 12-inch laptop appeared on screen in San Francisco at the very moment when the talk about health a little fed up. Go get a sudden: more minute ago, we broadcast a Bluetooth-dose inhalers for determining asthma, and now video spinning the sexiest laptop on the planet. Soon the protagonist of the evening was on the scene – of course, in the safe hands of Tim Cook. The new MacBook looks so stunning that even before the end of the presentation on the Russian twitter started walking the meme: photograph with the caption – “Carry your money.”

Rumors about the 12-inch MacBook began his walk across the network more year and a half ago were even talks that the screen on such a device will certainly touch. The truth became clear only at the beginning of this year. Major changes compared to the previous rulers MacBook (Air and Pro) exactly two. First – there is so broad framework around the perimeter of the display and keyboard. The second – in 12-inch laptop, is only two inputs for headphones and for everything else.

At the March ceremony all confirmed. Traditional silver was replaced by three (like the iPhone – dark gray, silver, gold), and an apple on the lid forever extinguished (it’s sad for those who like to sit in a coffee shop with a MacBook and soulful face). With broad framework, we said goodbye, with connectors for USB and memory card – too. Went to the cemetery and magnetic input for charging (MagSafe). Instead of just that – a single connector USB Type-C on the side face. Apple insists that soon everything will be wireless, and we did not notice the loss, but the adapter (standard USB) for $ 80 at the Apple Store appeared immediately after the presentation. In The Verge noted absolutely true: it is a notebook of the future, not the present.

Keypad and other changes

The new MacBook got a different keyboard than previous generations. The mechanism responsible for key presses, made by technology “butterfly” and not on the technology “scissors”. In practice, this means a clear course of keys, but journalists have already tested a novelty, complained that the recruitment is done slightly unusual. But there is clearly a useful change – LED-illumination for each key: the light is distributed much more evenly.

In touchpad added technology Force Touch, senses the force pressing. With it, you can rewind the video, just pushing the touchpad is a little harder. Other highlights – a gesture Force Click, in fact replaces pressing the right mouse button. By the way, Apple so imbued with the idea Force, which modernized the touchpad and in the “old» MacBook Pro, giving them at the same time processors Core i5 / i7 5th generation.

The third key feature – the screen. He became predictable “retinoic” received permission 2304h1440 points. The thickness of the display – just 0.88 millimeters, and the power consumption is 30% less than the previous model. Although, in fact, no “previous” models do not exist – we compare with the MacBook Air, which is, nevertheless, a slightly different product. For example, the thickness of the shell in the new MacBook is 24% lower than that of Air: 13,1 mm (with a weight of 900 grams) to 17 mm (with a weight of 1080 grams). Johnny Ive also noted that the 12-inch (diagonal no other will not) MacBook for the first time no plastic, only metal: from the same Air, for example, there was an entire strip of plastic.

CPU, RAM, battery

For the first time in the history of Apple MacBook presented without cooler: on Twitter and Facebook are already burning debate about whether the new cool. The main board is almost no space inside the case: almost all the space given to the batteries, the shape of which now follows the curve of the laptop. Responsible for the performance processor Intel Core M (accelerates from 1.3 GHz to 2.9 GHz), and the amount of RAM is 8 GB without the possibility of an upgrade.

According to the autonomy of the 12-inch MacBook closer to the iPad, than to the MacBook Pro: to 9 hours of surfing the Web, and 10 – in the video playback. In any case, for such a phenomenal rate dimensions: not in vain in the slides switched pictures of people who simply took MacBook to any place, laid out on his knees and continued to work / fun. Perhaps this is the promise of Apple wanted to convey that the 12-inch gadget mobile as a tablet, but functional as a laptop.

Prices and impressions

Naive dreams of 999 dollars for a minimal version was far from life. The standard version will cost in 1299 dollars (100 thousand) and a top (with 512 GB of internal memory) – in 1599 dollars (123 thousand). Release date – April 10. On the same day can be pre-ordered Apple Watch, to get them two weeks later, on April 24. Russia, of course, the list of countries “first wave” was not included.

This MacBook was created in order to give rise to debate. On the one hand – an excellent design, outstanding screen, unprecedented compactness and a very good autonomy. On the other – not the most powerful processor, the inability to add another 8 GB of RAM, and (most importantly!) The only port USB-C. Use of an adapter destroys the beauty and sends us straight to the year 2009, so you should think hard before buying this seductive device.

Apple Watch. We never knew

Hours of Cupertino considered the most anticipated in 2015: this is the status and killed the whole affair. We previously knew that Tim Cook will remember their favorite adjectives (unbelievable and incredible), which must appear on the stage somebody from the outside and that the main focus will be on software for smart hours. As a result, a moment of glory was the top model named Christy Turlington, ran a half-marathon (21 kilometers) from Apple Watch on wrist watch functions were limited to fixing the parameters of the organism. Christie will now be blogging on the site Apple (wondering whether it will be popular). Curiously, the conversation Turlington and Cook The Verge called a failure in the spirit of Samsung: all replicas were too formulaic and well-rehearsed, so the dialog was artificial.

On the possibilities of Apple Watch, Tim Cook told consistently enough. He showed the audience dials (Mickey Mouse all applauded), boasted the ability to send mini figure other holders Watch (it is not clear why this is necessary), and enthusiastically shared his childhood dream. It was found that the age of 5 Cook dreamed of having his watches has become a means of communication in the spy style. A dream come true: a Watch is quite possible to answer calls.

Then he came on the scene, Kevin Lynch with a detailed report to the developers. Kevin brought to a terminal, shop hours (thanks, Apple Pay), then stopped on social networks (Twitter feed and Instagram thumbed through without incident) and focused on other applications. For example, owners can enjoy hours of taxi Uber, without taking the smartphone, open the door to the hotel via NFC and recognize music mini-version of Shazam. At the premiere, it all looked like something auxiliary and optional: no one has explained why the watch is more convenient than a smartphone if the smartphone comes with more functions.

Probably, the answer recently voiced respondents publication TechCrunch: getting used to the clock, you are distracted only important notifications and much less likely to remove the iPhone from his pocket. If you believe the insider information, the developers were asked to reduce the number of notifications to a minimum to allow users a real time saver, not continually distracted by the vibration of hours.

With fitness functionality too full order: You can choose a sport to measure the pulse on the go and even pick up his training program. Last trick works like this: Monday Watch analyzes your activity in the previous week and make a plan to burn calories / distance traveled. Undoubtedly, with the release of smart watches on sale worth waiting for a sharp rise in popularity of sports applications. Interestingly, all the programs installed on Watch through the App Store with iPhone: it could be called a disadvantage, but the minus is not critical – all the same accessory and so is permanently connected to the smartphone.

Prices and impressions

March 9, we received an answer to only one of the two main questions about Apple Watch. 18 hours – so much will keep the charge of this gadget. More Cook said nothing: so charging times of standby time remains a mystery. Alas, about whether it is possible to swim in the Apple Watch, we have not notified. The inscription «Water Resistant» on the official website indicates that the shower is allowed to walk in hours, but in the pool – no.

Variation in prices by the standards of Apple truly unprecedented. The simplest version of the Watch Sport (aluminum, 38 mm) will cost $ 349 while the most expensive watches put a price tag of close to 17 thousand dollars. Generally, the value of gold Watch starts with a mark of 10 thousand dollars, and many are already predicting the emergence of a new kind of jewelry business transformation hours cheap premium. The most optimal version Watch – Regular Edition, made of steel. For the version with the body 42 millimeters, Apple is asking $ 599 (38 millimeters – less than $ 50). For each option, Johnny I’ve presented at the two-minute video about just how durable and reliable material housing trends (and steel, and aluminum, and even gold). Naturally, gold Watch will be sold only in select stores Apple.

In two presentations very difficult to make global conclusions about the long-awaited accessory, but overall prospect sees Apple Watch this: if people adapt to new conditions and stop studded screens in smartphones, you can congratulate Corporation of Cupertino with the next revolution – first we chose freedom and given the dependence on gadgets, and now we’ll straighten your back and only occasionally glancing at his watch and exercise regularly. If this scenario comes true, Watch remembered as a nice clock with an unusual interface, a weak battery, and a high price. No doubt only that in 2015 will clearly Watch the best selling smart watches on the planet.

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If you try to compare the functionality of the Chromebook and Macbook, the result will certainly be known. The reality is that at the moment Chrome OS can not be compared with OS X, or from Windows over the spectrum of tasks. However, announced on the eve of Acer Chromebook 13 may well compete with Apple’s laptop by other parameters.

The new device from the Taiwanese partner Google Chromebook-available in two variations: the youngest model has 13-inch screen with a resolution of 1366 x 767 pixels, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage; the eldest is increased screen resolution up to Full-HD, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage for user data. And since we are talking about differences, for sleek model Amazon asks $ 279, and for more complete with – 379 dollars.

But what’s important: both devices are on the chip Nvidia Tegra K1, proven in the gaming tablet Nvidia Shield . This chip, in turn, not only provides a good performance and decent graphics, but also excellent endurance. Let us not beat around the bush: for a younger model claimed 13 hours on a single charge, and for the older – 11 hours. Recall that the 13-inch Macbook Air work without recharging for up to 12 hours.

In addition, the new Chromebook device looks quite nice, though not made of precious aluminum, but from a practical plastic. The thickness of the device is about 1.8 cm compared to 1.7 cm in Air, and weight it also loses slightly – about 1.5 kg vs. 1.35 kg in “apple.”

Of course, this is not a substitute for full kupertinovskomu laptop, but I’m sure that for many users Full-HD-resolution screen, the relative autonomy and a significantly lower price will play a role.

Pre-order the Acer Chromebook 13 on Amazon opened yesterday, August 12, 2014. Later, the device should go on sale in European countries such as England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, as well as in South Africa and, most importantly.

In addition, the question “Will there be a version with a touch screen?” NVIDIA representatives have winked and said, “It’s an interesting idea.” By the way, in the video presentation also focuses on the possibility of touch-control.

For a long time I want to change my laptop, and then straight intrigued. And you?

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Most laptops with built-in webcams feature an important element responsible for the privacy practices, – an activity indicator that lights up when it is turned on and remains on at all times while operating the camera. However, as the case with Cassidy Wolf, recently won the title of Miss Teen USA, in some cases, the indicator may not light up.

Recall this summer Cassidy Wolf was one of the victims of 19-year-old U.S. citizen James Jared Abrams, who photographed unsuspecting girls on their own webcams to blackmail.

A little earlier, Marcus Thomas, former deputy director of technology division Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), told The Washington Post , that bureau agents have long been able to remotely turn on the webcam on the user’s computer without activating the indicator light.

Currently, the network has a new study on the subject. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have shown that it is possible in fact. Despite the fact that the study appear older models of MacBook and iMac (up to the year 2008), the researchers claim that they have developed methods can work on more advanced computer models, a wide range of suppliers.

Professor of Computer Science and graduate student Stephen Chekveyu Broker Matthew Johns Hopkins University managed to reprogram the microcontroller in the camera iSight, which is responsible for blocking software, including the camera without activating the indicator light. In an article titled ” iSeeYou: Disabling the MacBook Webcam LED Indicator “they describe in detail how to reprogram the microcontroller in the camera iSight.

As proof of the existence of such software, researchers provided the video below.

According to a former NSA analyst United States (NSA) Charlie Miller, like malware can be aimed and microcontrollers in batteries and keyboards. In the first case under the most favorable circumstances, it can be used for the rapid discharge of the battery, the second – to track user activity on the web.

By the way, Jared James Abrams used against Cassidy Woolf some variant software Remote Administration Tool (RAT).

It seems that a similar model MacBook figured in an incident in 2008, which took place at a university in Pennsylvania. There administrators with a similar remote access tools and embedded webcams illegally occupied more than 56 thousand images of students.

An expert in security matters Morgan Marquis Bora from the University of Toronto in Canada notes that cheap RAT, which was used in Pennsylvania, could not completely turn off the activity indicator. At the same time, he stressed that at the moment there are more complex, such as FinFisher, which, according to documents on WikiLeaks , can be used for surveillance via the microphone or webcam.

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