Apple recently released the first build of the new Mac OS X 10.5.5 software. However, the new release comes with an ominous caveat not to install the software on Macs with integrated graphics chips. The update takes care of numerous bugs noted since the release of the previous OS X version. Find out more about the new 9F5 build in our full article after the jump.

Apple released the update to its ExpressCard. In ExpressCard v1.0, the problem that prevented the system from sleeping when some cards are inserted in the ExpressCard/34 slot has been fixed. ExpressCard v.1.0 system requirement includes Mac OS X  10.4.7 and MacBook Pro. It also supports multiple languages.

Simultaneously Apple released Security Update 2006-004, also for MacBooks. This update  is recommended for all Mac Pro systems running Mac OS X v10.4.7 (build 8K1079), and systems running Mac OS X Server v10.4.7 (Universal). Update 2006-004 improves the security of the following components:

• ImageIO
• OpenSSH

Download: [ExpressCard v1.0 for MacBooks]
Download: [Security Update 2006-004 for MacBooks]

A lot of QJ staff are in love with their dual monitors. Heck, even a certain Crazy Jon is addicted to multiple monitors! I guess some people really find ease at doing computer jobs when faced with multiple monitors; we can't therefore blame Richard Troxel for wanting to use an extra monitor with his 17" MacBook Pro.

Troxel asks, "Is it possible to use both a 30Â? and 23Â? Apple Cinema Display monitors with a 17Â? MacBook Pro?" Macworld's Christopher Breen clues us in on the answer.

Unfortunately for Troxel - and other MacBook Pro users who also want to work with multiple monitors - the answer is no, not for now. Breen explains, "Although you can connect AppleÂ?s 30Â? display to your MacBook you need another video card to drive an additional monitor."

Because Apple replaced the PC Card slot with the faster ExpressCard/34 slot on their new laptops, the task of adding other monitors on a MacBook Pro has becomes impossible as there are a few ExpressCards available and nil ExpressCard video cards.

If you're a PowerBook user though, multiple monitors are a go for you via the PC Card slot - you'd just need a device like VillageTronic's VTBook and Digital Tigers' SideCar, which will soon release an ExpressCard version of such device this fall...so all is not lost to MacBook Pro users.

California hardware company FirmTek, LLC, has announced the release of their highly-anticipated SeriTek/2SM2-E ExpressCard Adapter for the MacBook Pro. This device will allow MacBook users to stream live video directly to their disks, and make the lives of videographers much easier, enabling them to perform most of their work in the field. The ExpressCard Adapter also features "hot-swap" compatibility, simplifying the chore of moving drives and arrays from the MacBook to any FirmTek equipped desktop system. While designed for the Apple, the new device is also compatible with ExpressCard equipped Windows machines.

The SeriTek eliminates the data "bottleneck" caused by the inherent limitations of the stock machine, such as the internal drive and USB ports. While this is wonderful for those who need to work with video files, they can be useful for almost anyone whose work requires them to deal with huge amounts of data.

The SeriTek/2SM2-E ExpressCard will retail for around $120. Additional drive trays will be available for about $23.00 each.