Friday, May 4, 2012

MacBook Pro 17 inch for sale

At least for the next few days, the listing of my MacBook Pro 17" can be found at Craigslist here: http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/sys/2988429768.html The listing will expire in 2 or 3 days, I think. If I can, I will update it online to reflect a drop in the price. New reduced asking price is $1600. In addition to it being a super machine and its like-new condition, it also has Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac installed and included. That alone is a $200 item.

If you are at all interested in a MacBook Pro 17", please give this one a look on Craigslist, and write me if you have any questions, either thru the Craigslist ad if it is still there, or at pcdoc@brpcdoc.com. Thanks.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Dell Launches Ivy Bridge-powered Desktops, Laptops

I publish this mostly for myself! What? Yes, it's true, and it's true because I would love one of these machines. I think Dell is a good name, and I think the new Intel Ivy Bridge technology is the cat's meow. So, if I could just find a buyer for my Apple MacBook Pro 17" laptop, fully loaded, I would be a very happy man with a new Dell desktop PC powered by the new Intel technology. Sigh. If only.

This comes from maximumpc.com.

"Having begun the week with the launch of Ivy Bridge-powered Alienware gaming notebooks, Dell on Wednesday added four more Ivy Bridge systems to its portfolio. Among these new PCs are the vendor’s first desktops with 3rd generation Intel Core i processors. Hit the jump for more.

The XPS 8500 and Vostro 470 mini-tower desktops are now available with 3rd generation Intel Core i processors, the company announced on Wednesday. The most basic XPS 8500 model features a Core i5-3450 (3.10GHz to 3.50GHz) processor and has a price tag of $749. All the other models contain the much more capable Core i7-3770 (3.40GHz to 3.90GHz) chip. Other key specs include Windows 7 Home Premium, up to 16GB RAM, a maximum of 2TB HDD with 256GB SSD, and up to AMD Radeon HD 7770 graphics with 2GB GDDR5 video memory."

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Source Says Documents Reveal “Something Big Is About to Happen” With Apple

Okay, I don't usually post rumors, and I don't think I ever have, but,....here's one!

"An administrative assistant at a top U.S. brokerage firm that handles Intel and Apple’s ocean/air accounts has informed the iPhone 5 News Blog that “something big is about to happen.” The source provided me with the address and telephone number of where she works, and I was able to call and verify her employment at the brokerage firm.
“Recently my team and I have been getting A LOT of protocol from Apple lately, and I can tell you there is something big getting ready to happen. Whether or not it’s the iPhone I’m not at liberty to say, but the paperwork has definately beefed up, and I’m positive it’s not MacBooks or iPads. Nothing has been flown out, but they are definately getting everything in order for customs and the FCC, I can tell you that.”"
I found this (and much more here):


The comments are fun to read!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Flashback malware exposes big gaps in Apple security response

I agree with the title of this post, "Flashback malware exposes big gaps in Apple security response". I was not impressed with Apple's response. The good news is, however, that Avast has come forward with a quality anti-virus for Mac, and it's free. I have already installed this on my MacBook Pro laptop.


From zdnet.com:


"Summary: A pair of high-profile malware attacks have given Apple a crash course in security response. Based on recent actions, 70 million current Mac owners have a right to expect much more from Apple than they’re getting today."

Monday, April 30, 2012

Free Antivirus You Can Trust

I just had to post this article! How could I not when it's about free anti-virus programs?

The writer, Nick Mediati, PCWorld, doesn't rank my recommended anti-virus (Microsoft Security Essentials - MSE) very high, but it is on his list of the best programs. Besides, the differences that make MSE # 5 on his list are so small that there isn't all that much difference as you go down the list.

I manage just fine with MSE, and have not had an issue with it ever. Do keep in mind that my recommended security suite includes several other free programs. See http://pcdocsblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/security-baseline.html to see what the other programs are. I run this suite of programs on all of my PCs, but of course not on my MacBook Pro. Good news for Mac owners is that Avast, also ranked in the subject article, now has a free anti-virus program for Macs.

So here is today's feature article. I hope all of you are using one of the top-rated free anti-virus programs ranked herein!