Resources for Apple User Group Presentations and Newsletters

Haptique Case: Adding Protection with Style

You’ve invested a lot of money and commitment in your MacBook, so you want it to be well-protected everywhere you go. And, you want to look good, perhaps even make a statement about your cherished investment. An attractive case may be just what you are looking for.

The new Uniea Haptique hardcase for the MacBook Aluminum 13” unibody offers complete protection for your new notebook while maintaining easy and convenient access to all ports and full functionality of the display. Its size is 230W x 30H x 330D (mm), weight is 13.7 oz (390 grams), and comes in a variety of colors including white, black, pink, blue, green and orange.

Read the review from the appleJAC Macintosh Users Group.

MacPadd: Innovative Control

“Mouse pad (also mouse•pad): a piece of rigid or slightly resilient material on which a computer mouse is moved.” thanks to Dashboard Dictionary! I have found a new concept in mouse pads which sets this product apart from the many others I’ve used.

Let’s put this topic into context (as described by HandStands). “Who would've even thought of using a mouse pad in the 1970's? Its really not surprising when you think nobody even knew what a mouse was until 1984. It all began with Xerox's legendary PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) where the vision of the mouse first came to light. Later, Apple Computer later took it to the masses when the revolutionary Macintosh was introduced. Microsoft eventually picked up on it with Windows, and we now have a world full of mice . . .”

The story goes on (www.handstands.com/articles/history-mouse-pad.php) about the evolution of the mouse pad from fabric-topped-rubber to memory foam to plastic to leather to ergonomic to gaming to wrist-rest and many more with logos, pictures and such. BUT, have you ever seen or used one made from metal? 

Read the review from the appleJAC Macintosh Users Group.

Software Review: Stellar Phoenix Macintosh

It is said that there are two types of hard drives: those that have failed and those that are going to fail. It is simple math: your hard drive will fail, it’s just a matter of time. Obviously good backups are your first line of defense. Your second line of defense is a data recovery program like Stellar Phoenix. I reviewed their 1.0 product a few years back and the program was extremely rough around the edges and not ready for the general public. The 3.0 version of the software is a welcome revision, but the program still isn’t a truly “Mac friendly” product, often using unix-style prompts rather then standard Mac dialog boxes. The program retails for $129 and has a 30 day money back guarantee.

Read the review from the Lawrence Apple Users Group.

Software Review: Executive Sync

At one point in history, the word “executive” tended to stand for some type of higher-end product, or a product with special features that separated it from the merely ordinary. Unfortunately, today, when we hear “executive” we think of corruption, bribes, and incompetence. Executive Sync tends to use the newer, less appealing meaning of the word. However at $29.99, it won’t wipe out your 401(k) unlike those other “Executives.”

Executive Sync promises to sync files “to servers running Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, and more” as well as “keep your work or personal files up-to-date between home, office, and on the road.” It does…but not really.

Read the review from the Lawrence Apple Users Group.