"Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that I posted a brief on getting Source engine games (Half-Life 2, CounterStrike: Source, etc) up and running on a MacBook via CrossOver. (CrossOver Mac Public Beta, run Windows apps w/o Windows-Mike) The experience is a world better (& easier to get running, methinks) on a MacBook Pro... but I don't have one... see below. =) http://www.codeweavers.com/beta/cxmac/forum/?t=4;msg=1142

If you've never played Half-Life 2, which in my opinion is the perfect first-person game ever (right up there with the Marathon series in terms of story depth), this is a great - albeit not-as-pretty-as-it-should-be, way to go. Especially with the low prices the game is going for on Amazon and other online retailers.

Don't judge the game when it's running via this method - it's a lot, lot prettier and smoother when running under a proper DirectX version. As it is, it's missing... some features.
Hopefully the final release of CrossOver will incorporate the recent DirectX 8 and 9 features that were rolled into the WINE CVS builds - since the GMA 950 is technically DirectX 9 compatible, these WINE feature additions should seriously spruce up the graphics.

(Having said that - if any kind, giving souls feel like hooking me up with a MacBook Pro with the 256MB ATI card in it (a rich CounterStrike addict, perhaps?), I'm making it a pet project of mine to deliver a great Source engine experience to Intel Mac users. CrossOver is a great product, but you'll still have to wrestle with performance, resolution and graphics issues. I'm thinking something as simple as pre-configured config files (blah!), or as extensive as a dedicated Source installer (woot!) - you buy the PC Half-Life 2, throw it in the Mac, and run this little app - it installs Steam and your application, populates it with a special config file based on your machine's specs, and you're off - no mucking around with launch flags or tweak guides. Unfortunately, I cant even get the ball rolling without hardware that can run HL2 in currently available ways, with the proper bells and whistles. Here's hoping!)
Regards,
Justin D'Onofrio
Freeverse Software "

"The NewerTech miniStack FireWire+USB2 Solution features up to 750GBs of 7200RPM performance storage with up to a 16MB Cache + integrated FireWire and USB2 Hubs. Only 6.5" x 6.5" x 1.5". Given top marks in all critical reviews, this product has also been rated as 'Top Product' in MacWorld and Editor's Choice in MacAddict when compared to similar products.
Up to 750GBs of storage along with the integrated hubs make this the perfect companion for any Mac (or PC). It's perfect for Audio/Video, Backup, General Data needs, Music, and supports both USB2 and FireWire booting.
All of NewerTech miniStack V2 solutions include: FireWire connecting Cable, USB2 Connecting Cable, EMC Retrospect Backup(Mac & PC), Intech HD Speedtools Utility Suite, Intelligent thermal monitoring, Auto Power On/Off function with manual override, Built-In 3 Port USB2 and 2 Port FireWire Powered Hubs for connection of additional devices. A full 2 year NewerTech Warranty applies to all complete solutions + up to an additional 3yrs of warranty (for a total up to 5 years) applies to HD mechanism inside these solutions.
Current Pricing as of Oct. 3rd:
80GB 7200RPM *Now with 8MB Buffer (was 2MB)* $119.99
160GB 7200RPM w/8MB Buffer remains $139.99
250GB 7200RPM w/16MB Buffer remains $159.99
320GB 7200RPM w/16MB Buffer remains $189.99
400GB 7200RPM w/16MB Buffer was $269.99, now $259.99
500GB 7200RPM w/16MB Buffer was $295.00, now $279.00
750GB 7200RPM w/16MB Buffer was $499.99, now $495.00
The NewerTech miniStack is also available without a hard drive, 0GB-Add Your Own Hard Drive Kit, now for $74.99."

"I upgraded my Mac Mini to a Merom T7200 2.0GHz 4MB L2 Core 2 Duo (that's a lot to type) today and posted some early benchmarks and experiences. Regular applications are slightly faster, but I haven't done anything hardcore such as encoding HDTV to h.264 or any video editing yet.
Fan noise is definitely a bigger issue now than it was before, but I don't know how much is due to cramming in a 20% faster CPU with more transistors and how much is due to the 10.4.8 OS upgrade.

The article with some preliminary benchmarks is available at this page with a solicitation for other tests to try.
Thanks! Art. "

Here's some previous news page posts on Intel CPU swaps in Mac Minis:

• 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo CPU Swap in Mac Mini (Sept. 19th news)
• Core 2 Duo (2.16GHz ) Mac Mini CPU swap, Benchmarks (June 12th, 2006)
• Core 2 Duo (2.16GHz) CPU swap in Mac Mini (June 8th, 2006)
• Mac Mini Core Duo (2.16GHz) CPU Upgrade How-To/Illustrated Guide (May 5th, 2006)

The Intel CPU iMacs also have a socketed CPU, has anyone upgraded their Intel iMac to a Core2 Duo? (If so let me know.)

• Firefox 'flaw' revealed at a hacker conference over the weekend was a joke
• IBM improves the power efficiency on 750CL and 970GX processors
• Arcadrome (Demo available)
• Poker Superstars II 1.0.12
• Maxtor brand to live on as Seagate's value line
• Exploit released for Mac OS X flaw (a fix said to be in recent apple updates)
• Price Launches BestDeal.com
• Day Against DRM - 4Flix.Net offers complimentary videos throughout October
• Apple and Wal-Mart rumored in talks over iTunes prepaid vouchers
• Zune and iPod 80GB Comparison (comparing dimensions, screens, etc.)
• 10 iPod vs. Zune Myths
• Zune wireless worthless (for now)
• VisioVoice 1.0.1 improves access to Mac OS X for vision impaired users
• Groupcal 3 released
• Apple Silencing Wireless Hackers? Controversy erupts over weekend ToorCon no show
• LCD Monitor Guide - Are Higher Contrast And Brightness Better?