Apple has released a software update for the new iMacs that are freezing up. Specifically, the updates are meant for MacBook Pro and iMac models. Separate updates are available for the Leopard and Tiger versions of Mac OS X.

Software Update 1.3 is for Leopard and is recommended for 20-inch and 24-inch iMac models with 2.0, 2.4, or 2.8GHz processors. Software Update 1.2 is for Tiger is meant for 2.2/2.4GHz MacBook Pro Models. Both of them can be downloaded from Apple's website as linked below.

Rumors have been going around recently after website Switch to a Mac speculated that new Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro models should be revealed soon. Some say there's nothing more to it than old tricks of predicting Apple releases, while others believe the idea is feasible.

According to observations, Apple updated the MacBook twice since its May 16, 2006 release with an average of 182 days interval between revisions, so expecting a new Macbook around November 6 would sound like a good bet. If that date is right on the money, the average will remain at 182 days.

However, predictions for a new MacBook Pro also factor in. Apple updated the MacBook Pro for three times since its June 10, 2006 release with 170 days in-between, making November 13 the ideal date. In case this actually happens, the MacBook is expected to get a new model about three weeks earlier.

To further support the wild guess for revised MacBook models, Switch to a Mac added:

Apple's new Leopard operating system has revealed drivers for the Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics chip, a successor to the Intel GMA 950 which is used in current MacBooks. This finding would imply that the next MacBook revision may be upgraded to the Santa Rosa chipset and that a MacBook revision is imminent.

Now, here's something you don't see everyday - one of the fastest rated laptops for this year by PC World is the Apple Macbook Pro 17"...running on a Windows Vista Premium OS.

The the test was undertaken using a combination of the WorldBench 6 Tests, at which the MacBook Pro rated an 88, and by running two-graphics intensive games: Far Cry, and Doom 3.

The Apple machine passed the Doom 3 test with flying colors, thanks in part to its new nVidia GeForce 8600M GT card, which also allowed it to play Far Cry at a staggering 141 frames per second. The video card is bolstered by a 2.4-GHz Core 2 Duo T7700 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. This added up to a machine that the testers say was also light for its screen size - 6.6 pounds, although at the loss of a considerable bit of battery life - 2 hours and 45 minutes.

If you walk down a normally busy street you're sure to end up meeting a couple of people fiddling around with their iPod or other Apple-related product. In fact, there probably isn't a single place in the civilized world that hasn't been been infected by Apple's gadget fever. It's no wonder that it won so many awards during the recent T3 Gadgets Award, with the iPod named the Best Gadget of All Time.

The firm brought home a monumental six awards that night. Asides from the iPod, Apple's other gadgets were bestowed their own prestigious accolades. The iPhone won the Most Anticipated for 2008, while iTunes was named Best Download Service. Apple's MacBook Pro laptop also took the coveted Drop Dead Gorgeous Award.

Of course, it was the iPod that stole the limelight from everyone else as it won other awards asides from the Best Gadget of All Time, including Best Commuter Gadget and Best Music Gadget.

Michael Brook, Editor of T3 Magazine had this to say about Apple after the awards:

Apple really does appear to be an unstoppable force right now. The iPhone and the iPod Touch may have received some mixed press at times, but consumers are salivating over the products and the company is still unshakeable. The iPod is not just a true tech icon but also a huge factor in bringing technology to the mainstream.

FastMac, a company specializing in upgrades for Apple products, announced that it plans on releasing the first 2X Blu-Ray burners for the Powerbook, iBook and MacBook Pro, iMac, and MacMini computers.

The new optical drives can read, write, and re-write to single and dual layer Blu-ray media up to 2x speed. The new component can also read and burn DVDs at 8x speed in single layer and 2.4x speed in dual/double layer modes.

In addition, it can rewrite both DVD-R and DVD+R at 4x speed. If for some reason you need to burn a CD or CD-RW, the new drive can also burn at 8x. Here's a short list of the different systems it is compatible with:

• iBook G4
• iMac G5
• iMac Intel
• MacBook Pro (17-inch)
• Mac mini
• PowerBook G3 Pismo
• PowerBook G4 Titanium (667 Mhz or higher)
• PowerBook G4 Aluminum

If you plan on picking up the FastMac Blu-Ray Drive, it is going for US$ 999.95. It comes with a one year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee. If you want to know more, click on our Read link below.

Microsoft just came out with a sack-load of information about its line of Office suites for Apple platforms. Office 2008 for Macs is the latest installment, allowing for document cross-platform compatibility (the sure-fire way) if you could afford the price. Because for the three offered flavors of Mac-compatible suite, the lowest tag would still cost a student a leg and part of an arm.

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home and Student Edition is the cheapest flavor of the three offered packages, but it asks students to shell out US$ 149.99 for its full retail version. A single purchase allows for three licenses, though it comes with limited features, such as no connectivity to Microsoft Exchange servers and automated workflow tools.

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac is the name of the regular package, though it costs US$ 349.99 for a full license of the retail version. Users can shave off US$ 160 from the price tag if they own a previously licensed version. The package has a good share of features, including most of the core programs of the Office suite: Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Special Media Edition rolls as Microsoft's premiere Office for Mac package, costing up to US$ 499.99 for a full retail version. Users can get up to US$ 200 discount if they own a previously licensed version and decide to get the upgrade version instead. Aside from what the regular package offers, Media Edition carries extra tools and features for digital file management, including annotation and distribution of such content.

For the cautious business shopper, there could be another one of those "60-day trial" bundles for new Macs just like Office 2007, but no official word on that has been revealed by the company.

Rumor has it that the entire MacBook line is going to be redesigned. The new units are said to be slimmer, faster, and generally better than its predecessors. Let's take a look at what Apple is said to be working on.

The standard MacBook's casing will be constructed from black and silver aluminum. The keyboards will be the standard Apple keyboards and will include a Biometric fingerprint reader for security. The track pad will be larger than previous models and is said to contain various "unusual" features. The best part of this whole deal is the fact that its price will be lowered so it can compete with the PC laptops.

Power users who opt to pick up the MacBook Pro will be treated to the same Black and Silver construction found in the MacBook. The units will come with the redesigned keyboards (backlit, of course), better battery life, and a 17-inch LED screen. Powering this monster will be Core 2 Extreme Mobile processors at 2.8 GHZ. If that's not enough, this laptop is said to also be sporting an NVIDIA GeForce 8600m GT at either 256 MB or 512 MB.

After looking at the specs, it really sounds too good to be true. But then, knowing Apple, it wouldn't be beyond them to be developing something as awesome as this under the radar. Hopefully, this rumor is true, because this blogger is already looking to replace his aging three year old laptop.

As former laptop market leader Dell continues to struggle, its rivals increase their momentum. Apple, in particular, has taken the initiative and is establishing itself as the likely new ruler of a growing industry.

Sales have continued to increase through the months as a 12 percent spike was noted in June. Reports from last month bring in more good news as a growth of 17 percent was observed.

"These results are great news for Apple, and they serve as powerful evidence that the 'halo effect' is indeed translating into real world Mac computer sales for Steve Jobs and company," says ChangeWare Research founder Tobin Smith.

In a survey of 3,665 respondents conducted by Smith's group, it was revealed that 28 percent of those who were planning to buy a PC within the next three months said that they'll get a Mac. Even more amazing is the fact that 23 percent said that they'll get a desktop Mac.

Smith says this spells a very bright future for Apple as it establishes itself as a more viable alternative to the PC. He also says that the iPhone can be a great tool to spruce up the "halo effect" that the company is enjoying.

In addition, the poll also showed that 86 percent of all people who purchased a Mac system in the past 90 days said that they were "very satisfied" with the product, in contrast to high dissatisfaction ratings for other manufacturers.

Talk about extreme tests of endurance: a MacBook Pro survived after getting run over by a car. The Macbook got "left behind" after stuff was being loaded into a car and, well, it was probably the sickening squeal of grinding metal that signalled what happened.
  
Endurance tests usually only focus on extreme temperature changes, but running over a laptop? That takes the cake. It still works too. The screen's cracked to smithereenies but it's still working.

The story ends with the guy looking for the busted parts in eBay after finding out that repairs will cost US$ 900. Maybe he should go at it with a sledgehammer and Apple will replace it for him like they did for Sledgehammer guy.

With StrmnNrmn's most recent Nintendo 64 Daedalus R12 emulator released just a little over a month ago, everything's been pretty quite lately - well, excluding the whole misinformation and identity theft issue, at least. Wondering what's been up with the homebrew developer? QJ readers Tyler Dickinson and blackrave tipped us off (a million thanks, guys!), saying that StrmnNrmn's updated his blog.

Seems like StrmnNrmn's had a break since the release of R12, wanting to sit back a while and recharge his batteries. You can't blame him; R12 was quite a burden with all the dynarec bugs and fragment simulation going on. So, to summarize the things StrmnNrmn's been up to for the previous few weeks:

• a trip to Spain
• his Xbox 360 getting hit by the Red Ring of Death
• moving into a new flat in Guilford
• getting a 17" MacBook Pro

Interesting. For one, I wonder what he's been playing on his 360 for it to have gotten RROD'ed. But on a more Daedalus-related note, that MacBook Pro of his just might save everyone's lives. StrmnNrmn said that he's now compiling Daedalus with it, instead of his year old desktop PC. The switch to Mac OS X, he says, allows him to compile Daedalus much faster. Not a big surprise - that MacBook Pro's quite a beast with its tech specs.

This imposes a couple of good things for all parties concerned:

1. StrmnNrmn has an easier and faster time working on Daedalus,
2. We can hear more about his Daedalus progress via his blog, and
   
3. You could find Daedalus R13 on your lap as soon as tomorrow (a bit of a stretch, but hey!, we can dream too)

Well, StrmnNrmn did mention that he can now start working on Daedalus R13 - what with being able to recharge and level up to MacBook Pro status (for the Mac Junkies, StrmnNrmn will "have some details and tutorials about compiling Daedalus PSP under OS X in the near future"). He leaves us with what we can expect on R13 though. Here's what' he's looking at for the next couple of weeks:

I'd like to continue working on speeding up the emulator to try and improve the framerate for titles that are already working. [...] There are a number of different areas I can investigate to help improve performance. The two main possibilities I want to investigate are working on further dynarec improvements, and looking at making use the Media Engine.

He says that, based on your comments, these are what you guys are most interested in seeing for R13. So, to get the ball rolling, StrmnNrmn's going to investigate these areas to tweak and will soon have details to update us with soon enough.