News Archive for: Friday, May 5th, 2006
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Another Mac Mini Core Duo CPU Upgrade (Swap) Guide (2.16GHz Core Duo)
There's been several articles on Intel Mini CPU swaps (up to 2.16GHz) in the last few months (some not in english though). Today a reader (Tommy) sent a note he's posted an Mac Mini Intel Core Duo 2.16GHz CPU Upgrade Guide with step-by-step photos. (Linked page in English, but top of page has link to a copy in Italian.)
Granted current costs of the 2.16GHz CPU are nearly (US) $700, so most wouldn't put that much $$$ into a Mini, but over time prices will fall. (I hope Apple doesn't stop socketing the Intel based Mini and iMac CPUs in the future...)
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Formac Studio software v3.5.0 Universal Binary (vs Vidi)
(In reply to the earlier post on (free) Vidi universal binary)

" I just saw the post on Vidi 0.4.6 being Universal Binary. I have been using that version for a few days and it works wonderfully.
I checked on Formac's website to see what they had to say about Intel compatibility and to my surprise they have a Universal Binary version (3.5.0) of their Formac Studio TVR application.
It seems there were no changes to the application other than this, and CPU usage is still higher than Vidi, among some other annoyances, so I think I'll stick with Vidi for now.
Thanks, Will "

I checked Formac's site and here's a link to the Support/Software page that has v3.5.0 software download link. Although in the past others have also said they preferred using Vidi.

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New 750GB Elite-AL Pro FW800/400 Drives and lower pricing
(from site sponsor OWC)

" The First EVER 750GB Single bay external Solution! Like all the Elite-AL models, the OWC FireWire 800/400 Mercury Elite-AL Pro 800/400 can stand vertically or be placed horizontally and has dimensions of only 9.0 x 2.1 x 5.8 Inches! High Performance, High Reliability - in an amazingly small physical space.
80GB w/2MB Data Buffer remains $139.99
160GB w/8MB Data Buffer was $169.99, now $159.99
250GB w/8MB Data Buffer was $199.99, now $189.99
320GB w/8MB Data Buffer was $229.99, now $209.99
400GB w/8MB Data Buffer was $319.99, now $299.99
500GB w/8MB Data Buffer was $449.99, now $409.99
**750GB** w/16MB Data Buffer - Brand New Capacity - $589.99
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/800/
UPS Ground is $2.95 for any of the above solutions. 2nd Day Air is also available within the USA for $7.95 or less.
OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FireWire 800/400 models utilize the Oxford 912 Chipset and the best hard disk mechanisms to provide reliable, high performance storage. Elite-AL models are EMC/Dantz Backup Certified, Supported for High Demand Audio-Video, and include FireWire 800 Cable, FireWire 400 Cable, Dantz/EMC Retrospect Backup, Intech HD Speedtools utility suite, a 2 Year Warranty and more.
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing"
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Temperature Monitor/Hardware Monitor 3.6 updates (w/speedit support for Intel CPU temperature reporting)
As promised in Wednesday's news, Marcel has posted an update (v3.6) to Temperature Monitor (Free) and Hardware Monitor which includes support for the SpeedIt kernel extension for Intel CPU temperature reporting. (If you missed it, see Wednesday's news for notes on SpeedIt.)
Here's a clip from the version history page for Temp/Hardware Monitor which includes a couple other changes:

" Release 3.6 (Build 060504)
By request of many interested customers, this update is published earlier than initially intended. You only need to update from 3.5 if you like to use one of the following modifications:
  • Due to very high demand, this version adds support for the third-party software "SpeedIt" by InCrew Software, Spain. SpeedIt is a kernel extension for Mac OS X which grants user applications permission to access the on-chip CPU temperature sensor of Intel-based Macintosh systems. The monitoring application will automatically detect if SpeedIt is running on the system. If yes, the features of SpeedIt will be used to acquire readings from the CPU. For additional information, please see the FAQ chapter of the reference manual.
  • Enhanced support for the first generation iBook G4, where temperature sensors of the type Analog Devices ADT7460 did not deliver their readouts fast enough with specific Mac OS X versions, causing intermittent display of zero values.
  • Corrected a problem where temperature sensors controlled by the G4 version of the Apple System Management Unit were displayed as being disconnected.
  • "

    There's also updates to Temperature Monitor Widget (v1.6), Hardware Monitor Widget (v1.6) and Hardware Monitor Remote (v3.6).
    Uli sent a note that there's another GUI available now that uses the Speedit extension for CPU temp. reporting also at http://macbricol.free.fr/coreduotemp/.

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    Universal binary version of Vidi (app to view/record video on FW devices like Formac Studio)
    " Dear xlr8yourmac,
    I thought you might want to tell your readers that Vidi 0.4.6 was released this Sunday. This is the first release of Vidi as a Universal application, and to the best of my knowledge, Vidi is currently the only application for controlling Formac's Studio DV, DV/ TV and TVR devices that runs natively on Intel-based Macs.
    Vidi is freeware.
    For download and more information see http://mitzpettel.com/software/vidi.php
    Regards,
    Mitz P. "
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    Vesa Display (Piggy-Back) Mounts for Mac Mini and iSight
    Late yesterday Compuwave sent a note they're offering a shell to allow Mac Minis to be mounted on the back of displays that have vesa mtg holes.

    "The New MiniHitch & CamHitch allows you to mount your Mac Mini and your iSight camera on the back of your monitor, by making use of the VESA pattern mounting holes found on the back of many LCD monitors.
    Stylish design as well as practical, maximizes desk space, as well as protects the Mac Mini from scratches.
    The MiniHitch's versatile design also allows it to be used as a stand-alone protective shell for the Mac Mini. "

    See the website for photos and more info.

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    Other Net News/Misc. Software Updates
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    Recent Reviews and Articles:
    Listing/links to recent articles and reviews you may have missed.
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    CPU Upgrades


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