pro

Never fear, Europe: Mac Pro likely will get update soon

A Mac Pro update may be in the works for this spring, according to a couple of France-based online publications.

Mac4Ever and MacGeneration say France Systemes, an Apple authorized reseller, sent a newsletter to customers that mentioned the launch of the new Mac Pro to replace older systems that will be banned in the European Union as of March 1. The letter said Apple informed the company that a new Mac Pro line will be released this spring.

Apple last week told retailers and distributors in most European countries that it will stop selling the Mac Pro on March 1 … Read more

Dueling disks: Apple's 128GB response to Surface Pro

With the 128GB iPad, Apple is obviously trying to steal thunder from Microsoft's Saturday roll out of the Surface Pro. But that doesn't mean you can equate the iPad's disk performance with the Surface Pro's.

Apple's carefully-timed release of the 128GB iPad ostensibly puts the iPad's storage on par with Microsoft's 128GB Surface Pro, which will go on sale Saturday.

Well, not quite.

Apple is using a flash drive optimized for power efficiency, while Microsoft's solid-state drive favors speed -- the same kind of drive used in ultrabooks. (And Apple's MacBooks, … Read more

The 404 1,201: Where REL comes out of the dungeon (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Google Glass to use bone conduction instead of traditional headphones.

- Google searches expose racial bias, says study of names.

- Vampire Weekend announces new album details in the NY Times Classifieds section.… Read more

Convert your videos with ease with MyVideoConverter Pro

Video converters tend to fall into one of two camps. The first is simple freeware for converting files from one or more video formats to another. The advantage of such tools (other than being free) is simplicity; the disadvantage is limited capabilities, not to mention the fact that you may need to keep a collection of them just to handle all your file types. The second type of video converter costs money. That's often the only disadvantage, since the premium converters usually handle many more file types and offer preset profiles that automatically convert files to just the right … Read more

Surface Pro lands at Microsoft Store

Update: This post was updated on February 4 and February 5 with additional commentary and videos.

LOS ANGELES -- The Surface Pro has arrived early at Microsoft stores.

Locations, such as the store near Beverly Hills, Calif., now have the Pro -- slated for sale this Saturday -- on display and available for anyone to use.

So, I spent about an hour with Pro and came away impressed. More impressed than I was initially with Surface RT.

In a word, smooth. In the very limited time I used it, I experienced no lag or stuttering on graphics-intensive sites and videos. … Read more

Microsoft's Surface Pro pops on Best Buy

Microsoft's Surface Pro has made its first appearance on a retailer's site other than Microsoft's.

That would be big box retailer Best Buy, which is already boasting that the new Microsoft tablet will go on sale at midnight February 8 at a store in Union Square in New York City.

Best Buy lists the two available models, 64GB and 128GB, priced at $899 and $999, respectively. Neither product comes with the $129 Type Cover, which is a 5.75 mm-thick mechanical keyboard.

Microsoft is also offering a $119 Touch Cover pressure-response keyboard.

The tablet comes with 4GB … Read more

Rarefied Retina MacBook Pros get priced closer to earth

MacBook Pros equipped with a Retina display are not exactly priced to move. Best Buy and Amazon are trying to change that.

Best Buy, for example, is now selling the 128GB version (model MC975LL/A) of the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro Retina for $1,549.99, $150 off the regular $1,699.99 price.

Need 256GB of solid-state storage with that gorgeous Retina screen? That model (MD213LL/A) is now $1,799.99, $200 off the regular price of $1,999.99.

The pricier 15.4-inch models with 256GB and 512GB solid-state drives (MC975LL/A and MC976LL/A, respectively), also … Read more

Create custom ringtones with Ringtone Maker Pro

With the vast amount of functionality that comes with an advanced smartphone, users enjoy customizable options. With Ringtone Maker Pro the user can edit any MP3 file that is on their device and select a specific section for the ringtone. The finished ringtone can then be assigned to a contact. If customization is important to the user, then this app is definitely worth the time to explore.

Download and installation of Ringtone Maker Pro go smooth enough. Once the program has been installed, the user is permitted to begin a project immediately. The main menu is modern, concise and easy … Read more

Apple to stop Mac Pro sales in much of Europe on March 1

Apple today told retailers and distributors in most European countries that it will stop selling the Mac Pro on March 1 because the desktop system doesn't meet electrical regulations.

The Mac Pro's ports and fans don't comply with a new amendment -- which goes into effect at the beginning of March -- addressing safety and electrical standards for electronics, according to Macworld.

An Apple spokesman confirmed the decision to CNET. The regulation affects the 27 countries of the European Union, which includes the U.K., Germany and France, and the four countries in the European Free Trade Association (… Read more