"MacBook Air Update
This update is recommended for all MacBook Air computers, and addresses issues with video playback and processor core idling.
Third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update.
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5.4

For information on this update, please visit this website:
About MacBook Air Software Update "

(The linked 'about' page has basically the same info as above.) If you update your MacBook Air, let me know if you see any pros or cons. (Apple's Macbook Air forums has a thread on the update with a couple users noting core shutdowns were fixed, although some are still complaining about high fan speeds.)

"Hey Mike, I just received my Psystar Open Computer with OS X 10.5.4 included, that I had them install.
This is a very nice machine, even if it probably resembles a Dell or some other fairly standard PC. The difference is that they gave me a Firewire 400 Card and (upgrade to) 4GB DDR2 800mhz RAM. There are only 2 RAM slots on this inexpensive model, but if you want more you can buy the Open Pro machine or the Gamer machine. At this time 4 Gigs of fast RAM are all I need in this computer and I doubt that any music application I might use would really need more at this time and that's what I'll use it for. I don't know about the earlier versions of these boxes but the fan in mine is whisper quiet.

My configuration includes:

• Intel Dual-Core Pentium/2.0GHz E2180
• 250GB HD 7200RPM SATA (Samsung)
• Room for another hard drive (or more if you wanted to modify the box)
• PCIe GeForce 7200GS 256MB for 2 monitors (8600GT 512MB $110 option)
• 3-Port Firewire 400 PCI card ($50 option)
• 4GB DDR2 800mhz RAM ($70 option over base 2GB)
• 4 rear USB 2.0 inputs, 2 front ports
• Gigabit Ethernet
• DB-25 printer port, DB-9 serial ports
• Audio I/O and Mic mini-jacks
• 2 PCI slots, 1 PCIe 16x slot for the video card and one 1x PCIe slot
• 20X DL DVD +/- RW Drive (LG)
• Room for another Optical Drive
• 350W Power Supply (specs page shows "350W PSU rated at 300W")

All this and OS 10.5.4 for around $675 w/no monitor and no keyboard. - (40+ dollars in shipping charges (to AZ) for a total of $719.00). (Open Computer base system (2GHz/250GB/7200GS/2GB RAM/No FW card) cost is $554.99 currently per their website.)

Here's the interesting part, I was able to use a target mode transfer from my 8-core Mac Pro to install all my apps. I can also use Software Update to install updates. Everything that I can see, other than the start-up, is exactly like a Mac. I will receive a disk from Psystar to enable me to restore my system onto a new disk if I ever need to. (info here)

X-Bench score is from 157 to 160 which compares to some Mac Pros. My Mac Pro 8-core comes in at around 260. Cinebench R10 scores: (Updated with his 2.8GHz 8-Core Mac Pro (w/ATI 2600 card) results in parenthesis.)

• Rendering (Single CPU): 2044 CB-CPU (3247)
• Rendering (Multiple CPU): 3771 CB-CPU (18895)
• Shading (OpenGL Standard): 1334 CB-GFX (5979)

(The OpenGL score seems really low. I asked he check ASP to verify that Core Image is shown as "Hardware Accelerated" (it was) and a repeated run showed appx the same scores. As a FYI here's results from my 2007 AL iMac 2.4GHz C2D w/2600 ATI 256MB graphics running 10.5.4 (plus Safari and Mail running in the background).-Mike)

2007 C2D iMac 2.4GHz/ATI 2600
• Rendering (Single CPU): 2623
• Rendering (Multiple CPU): 4955
• Shading (OpenGL Standard): 4856

I can use Logic Pro or any other audio application that I use on my Mac Pro. My Apogee Duet locks in just fine using Logic. Interesting point, Logic Pro doesn't work well with UAD-1 Cards on the PCIe Mac Pro 8-Cores, but UAD-1 PCI Cards work perfectly with Logic Pro with OS 10.5.4 on the Psystar machine. So, if you have a couple of the older PCI UAD-1 Cards from your G5, stick them in the Open Computer and get full usage from them on the Intel Machine.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars for cost, features, and ease-of-use. Finally, a Mac-like Tower computer sold at the right price...

(After I asked about the very low OpenGL CB scores, he later wrote)
ASP shows the Core Image has Hardware Acceleration. (ASP screenshot attached.) I don't know why that test is so slow. I do have a RAM problem though - they sent me one 667Mhz Dimm and one 800Mhz Dimm. I've contacted Psystar and I will be receiving the correct RAM soon.
-Jman"

He sent some photos (internals, etc. - from the pix appears to be a Gigabyte motherboard) that I'll post later. (Standard/low-cost PC/ATX case as at this price nothing fancy like the Mac Pro's quad HD bays of course.) I guess the Apple lawsuit hasn't stopped them from shipping systems, but it will be interesting to see what the final ruling is. (An article on the lawsuit mentioned the Apple OS X EULA states "You agree not to install, use or run the Apple software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so". I never noticed that before but most users I suspect never read the EULA fully, IMHO for software I paid for, I should not be arbitrarily limited to installing it on a specific brand of computer. I guess some have other ideas about "Fair Use") The Psystar FAQ has answers to many questions on their systems.

"OK here's one for you with Tiger and the Early 2008 iMac to add to the list. First off I installed the workstation with NetRestore (www.bombich.com). I developed the Image on the late 2007 iMac running 10.4.11. Everything is just fine except for SOUND and, nothing I can do brings the sound back! (audio/midi utility settings look correct? trashed any Audio related prefs? (creating a new user acct and logging in as the new user is a way to test for problems related to the current user acct/home folder. Preferential Treatment is a freeware prefs scanner, although some other OS X utils include that feature.) If that fails have you tried Clearing the kext (driver) cache? (manually or via utils like cache cleaner)-Mike)
In doing a little digging into the audio hardware this is what I have been able to find out;

Early 2008 IMac Audio
Device ID - 0x106B00A0
Audio ID - 60

Late 2007 IMac Audio
Device ID - 0x106B00A0
Audio ID - 48
(FYI - on my 2007 AL iMac (running Leopard) the Audio ID is 50 per ASP device info ("Intel High Definition Audio" entry). Under ASP Extensions, are the Audio drivers loading in Tiger? (I see AudioIPCDriver and SM56KUSBAudioFamily loaded in leopard. -Mike)

Any more information you could post about the chipset changes/ revisions would be greatly appreciated.
Sam N."

(Another reader suggested doing an archive and install from a Tiger install disc.) I didn't know they had changed anything audio-wise in the 2008 iMac (which has better graphics, faster bus/memory, CPU, etc.). I don't know if it would work, but I asked if he tried installing the 2008 iMac's Leopard audio driver/files under Tiger. (The ID may not be a factor (my gut says it isn't), but that note reminded me back in 2003 I edited the Airport Extreme extension pkg to change the ID's to match a (Broadcom chip) MS 802.11g PCI card - that worked to enable native support for it, but I ditched the card later for one that didn't require that, as every Airport2 (802.11g) extension update would have overwritten the edits.)
There's basic support for USB Audio devices (since Panther/Core audio IIRC) but preferably there's a way to get the onboard Audio working.
If anyone has another suggestion or has installed Tiger on a 2008 iMac w/o this problem let me know. Thanks.

• eMac 1GHz at 1.27GHz (Overclocking report)
  
  (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked at the G4 upgrade reviews and G3 upgrade reviews pages. Intel-CPU chip swaps (i.e socketed Mac Mini) and OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, send a review with your experience (performance/stability/installation, etc.), Mac Model/Upgrade brand info and overall rating (1= worst to 10=best). If you can, please run some tests with the original CPU vs the upgrade (for example time some tests with your favorite app, game, etc. - see full reviews here for example tests with common apps/games/benchmarks.)

• Leopard Cache Cleaner 4.0.15
• RapidWeaver 4.1.1
• Songbird Beta: Like iTunes, But it Goes to 11
• Why Diss Jessica Smith for Suing Apple Over the iPhone 3G?
• Metro 6.4.5 (Pro audio, MIDI and video sequencer)
• TabletDraw 1.2
• HoudahGeo 1.4.13
• Silo 3D Modeling and Design 2.1.1
• SilverFast SE Plus 6.6r2 (scanner software)
• Apple's MobileMe (browser access) Lacks Key Security Feature
• Data Guardian 1.5.1
• More Cores, Bigger Cache Give Boost to Dunnington (Intels 6 core CPU for servers)
• Nokia Admits Security Flaws in Series 40 OS
• Mobileme/.Mac an easy target for spammers
• Chrysler's In-Car WiFi Won't Change Where You Surf ... Yet
• Contracts even with unlocked phones: Or, why I bought an iPhone
• Intel chip: Direct access to memory (embedding memory controller in the CPU, ala AMD)