Mac Mini: Features, Specifications, for Apple’s Affordable Desktop Computer

Mac mini: Apple’s affordable desktop computer

The Mac Mini is Apple's most cost-effective product. However, one often wishes for more possibilities with the equipment. Apple's Mini Mac is a full-fledged computer that can handle most tasks, but there are often special features that Apple can not satisfy, depending on the application. A good example is the basic version of the Mac Mini with 2.5 GHz Core i5 CPU. There is just a basic configuration with 500 gigabytes of hard disk and four gigabytes of memory. The memory can be upgraded itself very easily, but if you need more disk space or even a super-fast SSD want to use, must take the Quadcore model and much deeper into the pocket.

The prices for the Mac Mini start at 499 euros for a i5 processor with 1.4 GHz and two cores as well as 4 GB of memory and a 500 GB hard drive. The price list ends with a Mac mini with i7 CPU and 3 GHz, 16 GB RAM and a SSD with 1 TByte for 2,330 euro. Apple also offers its smallest computer with a FusionDrive for 2 TByte.

The interface is quite generous, so there are two Thunderbolt 2 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI port, one SDXC memory card slot, one Gigabit Ethernet port and one audio port, as well as Bluetooth 4.0 and WLAN 802.11ac.

Even in the latest Mac mini-generation, Apple puts on an Intel Core i5. This is now clocking at 2.6 GHz and scores the best in two of our benchmark tests. In addition, the 8 GB memory is particularly noticeable. Many other manufacturers still use 4 GB of RAM on their devices.

It hurts hardly that the working memory of the Mac mini can not be extended. For everyday tasks in the office and multimedia area, the Mini-PC is enough.

The integrated HDD hard drive with 1 TByte ensures sufficient storage space. In addition, the Apple Mac mini has four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt ports and one SD card, reader. Connect a screen using HDMI. For access to the Internet, a LAN port and WLAN-ac are available. In addition, Apple's OS X 10.10 operating system is preinstalled. Owners of the predecessor model will, however, miss the integrated speakers.

While equipment and performance are convincing, the hardware upgrade mainly affects the energy efficiency. In the test, the Mac Mini consumes 55.3 watts under full load - for a mini PC much too much. In addition, the operating noise is clearly perceptible. All in all, the current Mac mini generation is a good and necessary step forward, but it brings some new problems with it.

Apple Mac mini (MGEN2D / A):

For owners of the previous model of 2015, the Apple Mac mini (MGEM2D / A), an upgrade to the new generation is hardly worthwhile. For all others, the older model is a good and favorable alternative. The equipment is the same as the smaller hard disk (500 GB) with the current Mac Mini identical. Although you have to make some cuts in performance, power consumption and operating noise are much lower. In addition, the Mac Mini 2015 costs around 200 euros less than the current model.

How to Take a Screenshot on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android

Screenshots have turned out to be the most innovative and smartest way to have a record of some important thing or to share information with others. This enables you to get a prove of anything or substantiate your point in no time. There are different methods of taking screenshots on different devices. The different devices include:
Windows Computer – You can easily take a screenshot of the existing screen without having to download any extra tools or software for it. All you need to have is a regular keyboard used in Windows and from that keyboard you just need to tap the print screen button.

This button is generally found on the top right corner of your keyboard and in some cases you also have to press the shift button to bring this function into the active mode. As you tap this button the computer will automatically go for a screenshot of the whole existing screen and will save it to clip board. If you wish to take extra screenshots then you will have to utilize an added program which is known as the Snipping Tool.

After downloading this program, you will have to search and locate your computer for the apt tool and then open the program. Press new and crosshair that enables you to choose the desired area that you intend to capture, as soon as you release the button you will then have to save the file. It is best if you include the Snipping Tool to your Start bar.

Mac – The best known device to feature finest screenshot ability is Mac. In this device you are provided with a short cut that easily selects the portion that you want to take image of. All you need to do is hold the shift and command keys simultaneously and also the number 4 button that will transform your mouse or trackpad into a crosshair. By using crosshair you are required to draw around the area that you want to take a snap of. After this step, your desired image will be protected as a .png file on your desktop.

iOS Devices – Inorder to go for a screenshot on an iOS device, like an iPad or an iPhone all you are required to do is hold on to the home button and the power button that appears on top right side corner of iPhone 6 and on the top of other iPhones issued before this. In this way the snap of your existing screenshot will be taken and will automatically get saved to Photos.

Android Devices – Taking screenshots on most of the Android devices is almost similar to the one’s we take on iOS devices. With the developed version of androids, the way to take screenshots have become even more easier, as you just need to hold on to the volume down and power button simultaneously. After the screenshot have been taken a quick options of animation will appear and your captured image will be saved to the Photos app in the screenshot section.

Parallels Can Help You Put Windows on Your Apple Mac

Loved Windows and wish if someone can bring it in your Mac laptop? Now there is a company, which is listening to your wishes, and it has brought brand new software, which will offer such exquisite features. Parallels had recently announced its new version of software, which can effectively bring the most loved features of the Windows 10 Os on the Mac devices. This software has been named Parallels 11 and it comes loaded with the capability of running full version of Windows OS on the Mac computers without the need of any rebooting.

Features of Parallel 11

The earlier versions of the Parallels had supported the Windows 10 but this one brings a whole range of new features. Parallel 11 signature feature is the Coherence mode wherein Mac users can easily run the elements of the Windows OS alongside the Apple’s OSX. This wasn’t possible in the earlier versions and this feature is aimed at providing the best of features of both the OS on a single platform in a redefined manner.

Apple’s Siri is only limited to its range of iPhone and iPad devices and it has yet to make its appearance on the Mac series of laptops. But Microsoft had already brought its Cortana digital assistant onto the Windows laptop from along with the Windows Phone platform. Parrallel 11 best feature is the bringing of Cortana on the Mac laptops. This voice controlled assistant can be brought alive wither by going through the Windows taskbar or by just saying “Hey Cortana” on the Mac.

Cortana woks amazingly on Mac

On putting Cortana under limited test in the Mac laptop, this feature happened to work amazingly well without any glitches. Users can easily call up the Cortana and conduct searches, set reminders, check out the weather and traffic conditions as well as hearing some jokes , all of it on their Mac. As usual, the response wasn’t completely perfect as it gives on the Windows laptops but it was extremely good for most of the normal tasks.

Parallels brings huge improvement in software with new version

Parallels latest version of its software is well defined and subtle with the aim of making the task of switching between the two major computer OS i.e. Windows and OSX a breeze. Parallel 11 allows the users to see both the Windows Action Center as well as the Apple’s Notification Center at same time without any hindrance. Users will be surprise to find how well both the Os are working in coherence by just looking in the Apple dock, which will be listing out all the open Windows programs and the Windows taskbar.

Furthermore, Parallels also brought the Mac’s “Quick Look” feature, which allows users to preview by just hitting the spacebar in the Windows mode. One small feature, which is worth mentioning is that right-click on the file resulting in opening of file in Mac works well in the Windows also. Parallels 11 will be made available at a price of just $80 and it will also support the upcoming Apple’s OS called El Captain.

Watch Out for These Serious Mac Attacks

Apple’s esteemed line of Mac devices are about to go through troubled times with the emergence of new age advanced bugs and glaring loopholes in Apple’s operating system. Security researchers had unearthed a new kind of vulnerability in the Mac devices, which allows the hackers install devious ad-wares like VSearch without even requiring the password. VSearch is a notorious malware, which infects the Mac devices with numerous pop-up ads and redirects the users to different search engine whenever they try to use Google.

VSearch bug reported earlier by vigilant security researcher

A German security researcher named Stefan Esser had made this bug public earlier this week. It should be noted that the generally accepted protocol is to inform Apple about the new bug discoveries not to disclose it to the public and cause a furor. Some of the hackers had already taken advantage of this bug found by the German researcher. They had actively used this newfound vulnerability to attack Macs devices as said by a security company named MalwareBytes in their blogpost.

How this bug works and how it can be neutralized?

This bug is designed to effectively take advantage of the Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) features that determines which programs are allowed to make changes on the computer without the need of password. Yosemite makes a list of those programs and keeps it hidden in a file named Sudoers. However, this bug allows the malware to get listed in the Sudoers file which simply means that the malware gets the capability to install any in any part of the OS without users approval via password.

Esser had provided a fix to solve this malware issue. It should also be noted that next patch for the Yosemite will include the bug fix because even Apple about this vulnerability for a while.

Another deadly bug, which take over the control of Mac device

Another group of security researchers had found a more threatening bug, which has the ability to take permanent control of the Mac device. Users can effectively get rid of most vicious malwares by reinstalling the operating system but this new vulnerability in Mac devices turn the game away from the users. Using this particular vulnerability hacker can easily install the malware directly in the computer’s firmware, which is responsible for booting up the computer.

A team of researchers had developed this worm and named it Thunderstrike 2 which can easily take the advantage of this security flaw in Mac deices.

This worm can be installed on the computer just like any other malware where people happen to click on wrong links or fails to the ploy of phishing scam. Once installed this malware takes a nastier turn and keeps looking for the devices connected to Mac in order to load them with worm. Other users when uses the same infected Ethernet adapter happens to get their Mac devices infected too. This bug has not been fixed till now by the Apple.

Google to Offer Mac-Friendly Version of Chrome

Much after people reduced the use of old-school Microsoft Internet Explorer and chose the most beloved browser Google Chrome, Google finally announced Mac friendly version of the web browser, which will consume less battery and will offer better performance. It was high time for US tech giant Google to spread their wing into iMacs and Mac OS, as the company now expects the Chrome to work with its full potential in Mac computers. According to tech pundits, Google have placed a well-planned and firm bet by releasing Mac-friendly Chrome, only to triumph Apple’s own web browser, Safari. Though Safari works just perfectly as a web browser on Apple systems and offers lot additives, Google officials and developers are confident enough to beat the likes of Safari and to claim the favourite spot for Mac-freaks.

The news got proper shape when Senior chrome engineer Peter Kasting recently announced an update to Google chrome with some intelligent tweaks are coming very soon. Though Google have not announced any launch date, but the update details are coming from trusted official sources. According to official sources, Google developers’ team is currently testing the latest tweaks, which are expected to reduce the load by chrome on the processor and also promises for longer battery life and enhanced performance.

What is coming with Mac-friendly Chrome! 

Last week Casting posted on Google+ about the Chrome update for Mac users and stated that the new Chrome version will change how it processes the idle tabs, which are not in use at that point of time. In technical words, the new chrome will render the tabs differently and the unused tabs will be less prioritised further. The tests conducted have showed better browsing performance, better idle wake up time and also showed less battery consumption, which have been always a great concern on Mac systems. Google have also integrated some intelligent moves with new Chrome, like waking up from low-power mode to check necessary tasks and it will reduce idle wake time.

For Mac systems, some of the biggest problems reported for Chrome are huge battery consumption, high memory acquisition. Google tech team have been preparing Chrome for this launch for a long time now and stated that the team has been restless during this time as they could not allow their users are having issues with their product. Also the newer version of Chrome is coming with stable enabled flash service.

Vs Safari

According to the technology experts, Google Chrome is going for a direct assault with Safari by matching their performance graph on Mac systems. Certain quality check tests have been conducted and showed significant boost in performance level. For example, a test showed the consumption of processing power by new version of Chrome reduced to 0.1 percent from 0.3 percent.

According to the official source, Google will be releasing the new version of Chrome through its beta channel in a while and the final version will be launched in next month or so.

Run Windows on Your Mac smoothly

Steve Jobs in the year 2005 gave the most unbelievable piece of information that was a jaw dropping situation for everyone. He stated that the company who has been using the IBM or Motorola chips in their Mac computers from past 21 years will now switch over to Intel processors.

Even though many were shocked over this decision but; this switchover turned Mac into a completely new computer. All the Mac programs were expected to be rewritten or atleast they would have to start working on the classic windows. The OS X, Mac operating system would also require to be rewritten, but sources claimed that the rewriting of the operating system has already been done by Apple secretly.

But many techies were thinking that if the Mac comes with an Intel chip inside then it will become easy for hackers to run windows through it. There are four categories of people who will be willing to do this:

• Fans of computers programs like Microsoft, QuickBooks and Quicken, who are more advanced and rich in terms of their windows version.
• People, who rely on programs which are currently unavailable in Mac computers, like IE, AutoCAD, SAP- corporate social planning, and other custom apps of corporations.
• This can be done by people who like to write software and WebPages. Through this they will be able to test their work in different operating systems, while still working on a single computer or laptop.
• People who are looking for safety can switch from windows to Mac and then switch back to Mac whenever they find a need to do that.

For some time there were instructions circulated all over the internet on how to switch from windows to Mac and vice versa. The later on Bootcamp was introduced by Apple, which was the most authorized way for installing windows on Mac computers. But the drawback of Bootcamp was that one can either run windows or Mac operating system at one time. The system will need to be restarted every time you are looking to change operating system.

Another option that was put forth was virtualization programs which include VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop. These virtual programs will allow the users to run windows in window even though you are in Mac computer. You will be able to run both the operating system at the same time and can even copy data from one operating system to another.

According to reports parallel operating system will allow the users to run the Microsoft office application 50 times faster than before and also save upto 30% of the battery life. So now Mac has become one of the most prominent choice for millions of users around the world.

Top 10 Precaution Tips To Open RAR Files in Mac

Most of the Mac users are well known about the fact that many formats are not supported in Mac. One among them is the “.rar” file. These files are the compressed otherwise zipped files whereas the user needs to decompress it in order to access the file present inside it. In apple devices if you try to make it down you will be failed. Here in this article we will discuss briefly about why apple devices are not supporting the “.rar” files. What are the major reasons for it?

Phishing rar 

The main reason for the not supporting of rar files in the apple devices is easily this can be infiltrated. It will not be secured and safe like the earlier WinZip files. So you should be aware of the phishing rar files. These file will ask you to check some specific website before you open it. And the corresponding website will ask you to sign up and once you did, then you will be screwed.

Malicious rar 

More or less this malicious rar is also similar to that of the phishing rars. But here we can’t directly mean it as a phish. It is the thing which may be a virus or malicious software or adware and etc. Here may be your online accounts will be hacked and take you to any kind of troubles regarding it.

Corrupted rar 

On the other side there are corrupted rars here is not necessary to be a virus or adware or a malware. Here the rar file will be shown as it can be perfectly works but in reality some of the significant file to open it will be missed from it and hence you cannot open it. Without that awareness many users are wasting their time in attempting to open such files.

Virus rar 

While we are comparing all the above reasons with this one it seems nothing on them. These are the files which are programmed to destroy the things whatever getting connects to them. It is difficult for you to identify the virus in a rar file. You can analysis it by, it will kept on asking you to unrar even you made it already for number of times.

Virus converters 

If you are going to download a rar converter for your apple devices, you need to be aware of those programs because many programs are particularly developed for destroying your Mac devices. These are the things which may contain some unwanted files that which are not supposed to remove from your system.

Broken rar 

It is also similar to that of the corrupted files but the difference is here you are advised fix the issue by clicking over the fix this file option but if you try it you will be failed because in reality the rar file will not be broken ever.

Unstable 

In practical the rar files are not taken into any main streams of the software technology. It is very easy for anybody to penetrate your systems if they know the computer basics and virus making technology. So it is very unstable to have it in your device.

Risks 

Since this article begins we were discussing about the various risks about the rars. But here in the name of risk what I would like to say is this rars can simply corrupt your Mac systems what you have never expected. It makes you hate your computer and even the internet so be aware while you are handling these stuffs.

Waste of time 

Now you will know that, even trying to work with a rar file is itself totally a waste of time. Yes not only this, if you are tried in any of those unwanted things and made your system ruined you need to take it for a service by wasting your time and money.

Not supporting 

After looking the above stated reasons you have to decide that, this rar files are never supported in your Mac devises. Though you are trying hard in many ways to achieve it,

These are the top reasons that should be known to, why the rar files are not supporting in the apple devices. The best solution for you to use the rar file is just downloading the “rar converter for Mac” which is available in the apple app store.

Top 10 Burning Software for Mac

In Mac, you can burn the audios, videos on DVD by using the burning software. In addition to this, burning software offers some useful features too. If you want to share any music files, pictures, to back up files, you can use burning software.

1. Toast 11 Titanium software
 
Toast 11 Titanium software is the best burning program for Mac. Though it is expensive software, it has awesome features. It costs about 79.99$. Regardless of burning data’s it also used to copy the files. It will help you to publish the videos on Facebook, YouTube like social networking websites. If you have an internet connection, copy the files like music, video is very easy. It can help you to save the converted files in various formats.

2. Express Burn software
 
Express burn software has both free and paid versions. For noncommercial use, use the free version. You just need to drag and drop the files need to be burn. Even a Blu-Ray print can be burnt. It can able to burn mp3, wav and AAC formats. Track volume is normalized. It supports almost all the formats to be burnt. Copying of the one disk content to another is also possible.

3. LiquidCD software
 
LiquidCD software is free software. The process done here is very simple. Simply you need to drag and drop the files that are to be burnt. It will get sorted automatically based on the alphabets. It made to search the files easier. You can erase the files also. it is possible in this program. When you download the software, install the latest version. Because of the bugs in the earlier version are resolved in the latest version.

4. BurnAgain FS software

BurnAgain FS software costs about 22$. But it is worth to pay that money. It has those much useful features. Once you burn the files to the CD or DVD, it is not easy to edit or rewrite the files. But this issue is overcome in BurnAgain FS software. There is no need to use any further software to do convert or other things. This software itself does that kind of stuffs.

5. SimplyBurns software
 
SimplyBurns software is free software. It burns data and audio files. Rip and copy of the disc is also possible here. ISO9660, UDF, Joliet and HFS+ are the file systems are supported in this software.

6. Popcorn software
 
Popcorn software costs about 49.99$. It will copy and burn the content to the disc. You can convert the video formats as you want. Using the extract feature of the Popcorn, you save the specific part of the music.

7. BurnX Free software
 
BurnX software is free software. It is simple software. If you burn the disc at first time, it is not a difficult task. You just need to do drag and drop files that you want to burn which includes music, video etc. If you want to remove the content from the CD/DVD is also possible using this software.

8. Disco software
 
Disco software is used for the effective burning of the files. The rewritten files also can be deleted using this software. It has additional features too. For example, if you want to burn the large file which is exceeded the size of the disc, the Disco software will divide the files and it will intimate you how many discs are needed.

9. Burn software
 
Burn software is free software. It does the same process only like other softwaredoes. If you want to copy the content only in the disc, burn software will do it automatically. According to the device, you can select the data format too. If the audio files are not supported by the device, it can convert to the compatible format.

10. Disc Burner software
 
Disc burner software is invented by Centromedia, which is simple software. And it is easy to use. It is available in free of cost. You can do the background process, while the files are burning into the disc.
Procedure for burning:

v Install the Disc burner
v Insert the blank CD/DVD
v Unveil the Disc burner
v Select the directory file that you want to burn
v Finally select burn CD

The top 50 free applications for iPad - IV

PlayerXtreme Nano

What is the biggest flaw of the video player of the iPad? He does not read any format of videos. Fortunately many applications replace this major feature of the tablet. PlayerXtreme is not only free but it has the quality to play almost all standard video formats. 3gp, asf, avi, divx, flv, mkv, mov, mp4, mpeg, mpeg1, mpeg2, mpeg4, mpg, wmv ... The list is long. And it works beautifully!

The Great Surprises - Part 1

The young American designer Joey Roth seems to appreciate most of all natural materials and minimalism. In 2010 after designing a pair of mini speakers ceramic, which had already caused a stir, this time he designed a prototype mouse that looks like out of another time. The Felt Mouse is made of wool felt, teak and aluminum. And fit in perfectly with your MacBook Pro, casually resting on an old wooden table campaign.

Steve jobs - the real show man

Of all the business of Apple, Steve Jobs was by far the best! In these traditional press conferences, keynotes, art of the stage allowed him to get the audience in the pocket every time. The shows were carefully repeated: denim-basket, Steve Jobs was addressing the public in the manner of an evangelist. Away from the formal presentation, Steve Jobs featured his message with clips, demonstrations or videos.

Charging by induction

Obviously the question of power amplified speakers that are powerful enough with 2 x 6 W RMS. DEA has solved this problem very elegantly because food is by batteries with a battery life of four hours and recharge, simply stand on the pedestal. The load is done by induction. So it's a sham assured when the neighbor comes to visit. And the builder also did not stop in so good way, because the station is also capable of reproducing music from a PC or Mac wirelessly using a USB dongle provided.

The Universal Wireless Speakers

Libratone markets three different speakers: Beat, Live and Lounge. The Beat is the first model to be available in France and is one we have had the opportunity to try for this article. It comes in the form of a triangular section tower with speakers that radiate 360 degrees according to the method Full Room brand specific and aims to broaden the sound stage to give a feeling of space.