MacBook

Give your Retina Mac’s screen more real estate with scaling options

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated March 12, 2018

Macs that comes with retina displays allow the user to configure their own resolution scaling options.

These scaling options can be taken advantage of to give your Mac more screen space and gives you the illusion that your screen is bigger than it really is. With that in mind, you can run more windows side-by-side and be more productive.

In this tutorial, we'll be showing you how you can create more space on your screen for additional windows on your Retina display Mac – this includes the new MacBook, some MacBook Pro models, and even some iMac models.

Recent OS X security update has disabled Ethernet port on some iMacs and MacBook Pros

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 17, 2024

In squashing software bugs, you inevitably introduce new ones—that's a fact of life. According to a thread on Reddit, Apple's recent OS X security update has inadvertently disabled the Ethernet port for some owners of Apple's all-in-one desktop and the MacBook Pro notebook.

Making matter worse is the fact that Apple pushed this security update via the silent updating mechanism, according to a poster on Reddit who probably enabled the option in System Preferences → App Store that prompts OS X to automatically install system data files and security updates.

The different Mac startup tones and the problems they indicate

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated October 4, 2018

The infamous startup tone that the Mac is known for when you turn it on isn't just a sound, but is actually a very important part of your Mac's boot up process.

Unless your volume is turned all the way down, not hearing your startup tone at the time you power on your Mac may indicate a problem with your machine. Additionally, unusual startup tone sequences are also indicative of a problem with your Mac and will require troubleshooting to resolve.

In this piece, we'll attempt to outline what all the different scenarios of the Mac startup sounds mean to give you better understanding of what to do should you ever end up in a situation where your Mac's startup tone doesn't sound right.

Apple will repair 2011-2013 MacBook Pros with video issues until December 31, 2016

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2016

Apple has extended a repair program to fix MacBook Pro notebooks that are plagued with video issue until December 31, 2016, reveals an updated support document on the company's website. The MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues, as it's officially referred to as, was originally scheduled to expire on February 27, 2016.

A small percentage of 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro models sold between February 2011 and February 2013 may display distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen, show no video on the inbuilt screen or external display or the machine may restart unexpectedly.

Apple launches worldwide USB-C cable replacement program

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 12, 2016

Apple on Friday announced a worldwide replacement program for a limited number of USB-C charging cables that were shipped with 12-inch MacBook with retina display units or sold separately through June of 2015. A design flaw in these cables may cause unexpected premature failure.

As a part of the program, anyone with an affected cable is eligible to gain a free replacement through Apple.

Griffin’s new USB-C power cable brings MagSafe charging to 12-inch MacBook

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Apple's twelve-inch MacBook is one hell of a laptop in terms of portability, build quality and features, but some people are fretting over its limited expandability. With just one USB-C port, folks who wish to connect more than one accessory to the notebook must buy pricey USB-C adapters.

Sadly, the adoption of USB-C on the one-port MacBook has also meant nixing Apple's tremendously popular MagSafe adapter.

If you're concerned about sending your notebook flying by accidentally tripping over its USB-C charging cable, Griffin has a solution for you in the form of a newly announced charging cable that brings MagSafe-like technology to the new MacBook.

Save $200+ on a 12″ MacBook with 512GB of storage

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

B&H Photo is running a sale on select 12" Macbook's with 512GB of storage. As you know, the base-model MacBooks only come with 256GB of storage, so these machines are a step up from the entry level versions of Apple's super-slim laptop.

Normally, you would expect to pay $1599 for the 12" MacBook with 512GB of storage, but B&H is selling the Space Grey model for $200 off. Best of all, if you live outside of New York, you can get the 12" MacBook for $1399 out the door with no tax.

OS wars in education: Chromebooks take lead in US classrooms

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 4, 2017

Chromebooks, a family of inexpensive, Internet-dependent notebooks powered by Google's Chrome OS software, have taken the lead in the lucrative education technology market, reports CNBC.

These notebooks accounted for more than half of all classroom devices sold in the third quarter in the US.

According to a Futuresource Consulting survey, that's a huge increase for Chrome OS-driven machines that accounted for just one percent of K-12 sales in 2012.

Rumor: major MacBook Air redesign due in 2016, new 15″ model in tow

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 5, 2016

Apple's MacBook Air notebook is rumored to receive a thorough redesign next year alongside a brand new fifteen-inch model introduction, according to a report Monday by Economic Daily News.

The thinner, faster machine is thought to be up for an official introduction at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in the summer of 2016.

If true, it will mark the first major facelift of Apple's MacBook Air notebook since its debut eight years ago.

Tim Cook on why making converged Mac and iPad doesn’t make sense

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 16, 2015

Apple CEO Tim Cook sat down with The Independent to talk the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple's latest addition to the iPad lineup.

Asked to shed more light on his statement to The Daily Telegraph last week that most mainstream consumers might no longer be interested in buying a PC, Cook reiterated that “We don’t regard Macs and PCs to be the same” and argued that people “are not really looking for a converged Mac and iPad”.

Apple’s marketing honcho discusses pursuit of perfection, intense team collaboration and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 28, 2015

Phil Schiller, 55, is a man of many superlatives, not least of which is the famous 'can't innovate anymore, my ass' message to Apple haters during the unveiling of the radically revamped Mac Pro workstation.

And as a guy who oversees Apple's marketing initiatives across the globe and acts as the steward of the company's relationship with developers, it's his nature and his job to promote collaboration between engineers, designers and executives.

In a rare and interesting interview with Mashable editor-at-large Lance Ulanoff (Mashable? This is the new Apple, get used to it), Schiller talks in detail about internal collaboration that makes radical products like the new 12-inch MacBook possible.

He and John Terns, who is Vice President of Mac and iPad engineering, also touch on a bunch of topics that are dear to the hearts of Apple's many fans, including an upcoming flying saucer-shaped campus, hybrid computing devices, Apple's design processes and much more.

Apple posts an update improving FaceTime camera compatibility on Windows for Boot Camp users

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 29, 2015

If you use Apple's Boot Camp software to run Windows and OS X in a dual-boot configuration, you're advised to install the company's new driver update for the FaceTime camera on 2015 MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

The FaceTime Camera Driver Update, a manual download from Apple's website, improves FaceTime camera compatibility with Windows. This update is recommended for all Boot Camp users.