How to calibrate your MacBook battery

We've covered this topic before but the battery calibration for any model of MacBook or MacBook Pro (and the PowerBook G4 15-inch Double-Layer SD) has been updated because of a new battery released with this computer. Here's the new procedure:

  1. Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook's battery until the light ring or LED on the power adapter plug changes to green and the onscreen meter in the menu bar indicates that the battery is fully charged.
  2. Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for at least two hours. You may use your computer during this time as long as the adapter is plugged in.
  3. Disconnect the power adapter with the computer still on and start running the computer off battery power. You may use your computer during this time. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen.
  4. Continue to keep your computer on until it goes to sleep. Save all your work and close all applications when the battery gets very low, before the computer goes to sleep.
  5. Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or more.
  6. Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the batter is fully charged again.


For full details go to Apple's knowledge base article.

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DIY MacBook hard drive replacement guide

If you're running out of space on your MacBook hard drive, why not put in a bigger one yourself?

If you're remotely handy it's easy to do with the guidance of this new 9 page Apple guide. Imaginatively titled 'MacBook (13 inch) Hard Drive Replacement Instructions (Do it yourself Manual)' it's a well-illustrated 9 page PDF that will guide you every step of the way, including:

  • Backing up your data
  • Tools required
  • Opening the computer
  • Removing the Hard Drive
  • Replacing the Hard Drive
  • Closing the computer
  • Reinstalling the software

It's free, too! Download the MacBook Hard Drive Replacement Manual here (1.1MB).

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Faster cheaper 256GB SSD for MacBook Air?

Over at AppleInsider they have news of the new Samsung 256GB solid-state drive that might suit the MacBook Air down to the ground. Apparently it's twice as fast and twice as big as previous SSDs - and cheaper, to boot (boom boom!)

According to AS:

"...the Serial ATA drive reads in-order data at 200MB per second, or double the rate of Samsung's past 128GB drive. It also boosts write speeds, often a bottleneck on solid-state drives, from 70MB per second to 160MB."

Not only that,

"...it has a new approach to multi-level cell storage that allegedly solves the problems of the format. The technology allows data to be much more densely packed, but has traditionally been slow and short-lived."

Sounds like it would be great for any MacBook, not just the MacBook Air. No prices mentioned but, as an extension of Moore's Law, SSD drives will get cheaper.

For more details on the Samsung SSD go to appleinsider.com.

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Apple’s new 2008 MacBook Nano sub-notebook

As MacWorld approaches, the rumors continue to fly about the new 2008 compact MacBook with lots of conjecture about its possible features and configuration.

There have been whispers for a while about a sub-notebook MacBook but Apple's amazing ability to keep new products under wraps until launch time means there's been little substance to the rumors. As usual, they're an enteraining mixture of sober deduction, hopeful prognostication and plain wishful thinking.

It's a safe bet that the current MacBook models will have their specs boosted somewhat. It's probably also reasonable to hope that Apple will enter the sub-notebook market and/or fill the gap in the MacBook Pro product line that was left when they canned the 12 inch PowerBook. But what will it be?

Looking around, stuff.tv has a nice concept pic of the MacBook Nano which look like an expanded iPhone. They also report a 'photo' of a new ultra slim MacBook model with wide trackpad posted on MacRumors forum (post #83) but suggest it might be a bit of Photoshoppery.

Popular Mechanics predicts the MacBook Plus Tablet. Senior tech editor Glenn Derene has come up with his own concept (illustrated with a natty animated video) of a laptop that morphs into a free-standing mode or tablet mode with desktop dock. Very ingenious!

Apple's patent filing for a notebook docking station reported by appleinsider.com has fueled more rumors and appleinsider go so far as to suggest a likely price ($1500) for the new MacBook.

Well, we'll know soon enough, it's only ten more sleeps!

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How to instal Ubuntu on your Macbook

Are you tired of Tiger, weary of Windows? Why not install Ubuntu on your MacBook?

What's Ubuntu? There are two answers to that:

Ubuntu is a social and spiritual philosophy that serves as a framework for African society. Its essential meaning is conveyed in the Zulu maxim “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”— in essence, “a person is a person through other persons.”

or

Ubuntu is a community developed, linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

In the truest spirit of ubuntu, Christer Edwards has written a tutorial on installing Ubuntu on a MacBook. You can find it, and other Ubuntu tutorials at ubuntu-tutorials.com.

Jambo!

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