Is Apple Halloween 2016 Trick or Treat?

That's the question to ask if you're considering ordering the new MacBook Pro unveiled last week or wondering whether or not to cancel an already placed purchase before it ships. For fervent fanboys who drink Apple Kool-Aid like water, "treat" can be the only answer. But for the thinking public, the response depends on several factors, such as budget and whether or not buyers believe that the fruit-logo company advocates a rational design ethic. Let's start with the latter. Apple is finger-obsessed and has been since before the first Mac shipped, as I explained in March 2010 post: "What 1984 Macintosh marketing reveals… [Continue Reading]

Bodhi Linux 4.0.0 Ubuntu-based distro now available with Moksha 0.2.1 environment

Finding the perfect Linux-based operating system or desktop environment can be a very long journey. Hell, some folks chase the dream forever, sometimes never settling on just one. This is because there are just too many wonderful choices. Even though I love GNOME, for instance, I sometimes find myself tempted by something different. A Linux distro that always interests me is Bodhi. This Ubuntu-based operating systems is designed to be lightweight, meaning even those with old hardware can have a solid experience. Much of this is thanks to the use of the Moksha desktop environment, which is a fork of the… [Continue Reading]

MacBook Pro (2016) disappointment pushes some Apple loyalists to Ubuntu Linux

The new Apple MacBook Pro looks to be a wonderful laptop, but understandably, not everyone is impressed. The "Pro" moniker literally means "professional", and there are some concerns from that segment. Some photographers, for instance, will be very hurt and disgusted by the lack of an SD card slot. More importantly, the computer maxes out at 16GB of RAM -- many pro users want 32GB or more, which is not possible on the new machine, sadly. While you might expect some of these disappointed Apple loyalists to turn to a Windows machine -- and I'm sure some will -- some… [Continue Reading]

Trade in your MacBook and Microsoft could give you $650 off a Surface

Apple is clearly hoping you'll spend your hard-earned cash on making your next laptop a new MacBook Pro, but Microsoft has other ideas. If the lure of the Touch Bar is not enough to convince you to buy from Apple, Microsoft is dangling a carrot to sway you towards a Surface. As the company has done before, Microsoft is offering a trade-in program for anyone willing to ditch their old MacBook in favor of a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book. If you're ready to make the switch, you could save up to $650. The offer is only valid until… [Continue Reading]

Demand for Microsoft's Surface Studio pushes delivery to 2017

If you were hoping to get your hands on a Surface Studio, you're going to have a bit of a wait on your hands. When the new all-in-one was announced, pre-orders opened straight away with shipping due in mid-December. But demand has been such that Microsoft will now not be shipping newly ordered devices until early in the New Year. There's no word on precise details of availability, but all three Surface Studio models have now had their delivery dates pushed back. With the cheapest Surface Studio featuring a $2,999 price tag, this is not a system that many people… [Continue Reading]

Facebook wants you to vote online for your favorite US election candidate

There is just over a week to go until the most important US election in living memory is over. On 8 November voters will hit booths to indicate their preference for Trump, Clinton, or one of the various independents. Facebook is getting in on the action, looking to let users know about the candidates and to encourage voting. While the new Facebook feature lets you vote for candidates by favoriting them on the new site, the social network is quick to point out that this is not online voting -- votes placed on the site will not count towards the… [Continue Reading]

Apple wants to limit how the new MacBook Pro (2016) Touch Bar can be used

When Apple unveiled the latest MacBook Pro, it was the Touch Bar that stole the show. But if you were expecting this touchscreen addition to the keyboard to become an all-singing, all-dancing fun parade, you may be disappointed. Apple -- loving, as it does, to remain firmly in control of everything -- has issued developers strict guidelines that restrict how the Touch Bar can (or should...) be used. The company is very keen for the Touch Bar to be seen as an extension of, or addition to, the keyboard, and not the screen. As such, Apple is keen to avoid… [Continue Reading]