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Archive for » February, 2011 «

MacBook Pro Early 2011 Upgrades & Benchmark Results

Monday, February 28th, 2011 | Author: OWC Michael

After only a few short days since Apple released their new lineup of computers, the OWC Test Lab has completed our benchmarking of upgrades for the new 2011 MacBook Pro models.

First off, considering Apple upgraded the MacBook Pro modes to use the same memory as the 2010 iMac line, we confirmed that compatible OWC memory was immediately available.

Then we started testing on the Data Doubler. Luckily no major architectural changes occurred, so the fit was perfect. In checking over the machines, we found that Apple made several impressive firsts with these new models. One change being the jump from a SATA 3Gb/s  to SATA 6Gb/s bus speed. As the Data Doubler is simply an interface adapter, it will perform at the faster internal speeds as well. We’ll be sure to have plenty of drives on hand to take advantage of the faster bus speeds as they become available.

3/1/11 Correction: The optical bus on the new MBP’s remains 3Gb/s, only the main hard drive bay was bumped to 6Gb/s. We apologize for any confusion.

Speaking of future availability and another first for Apple…the next items up for testing were all of our mini DisplayPort adapters and cables. We’re proud to announce that Article Continues…

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Category: Benchmarking/Performance
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Elite-AL mini Price Drops – Save up for a new MacBook!

Friday, February 25th, 2011 | Author: OWC Chris S.

It’s Friday and—even with all the hullaballoo about the new MacBook Pros and their spiffy new Thunderbolt connectors—we’ve got something great for everybody, not just the lucky folks who can afford the latest and greatest Apple has to offer. We’ve got some nice price drops on the OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro mini storage solutions.

The OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro mini is a smaller, portable, bus-powered version of our best selling and award winning Mercury Elite-AL Pro line of desktop solutions. Designed for performance, flexibility, reliability and portability, the Elite-AL mini features FireWire 800/400, USB 2.0 and eSATA interfaces, measures in at only 5.5″ x 3.8″ x 1.1″ and provides up to 1.5TB of high-performance portable capacity!

Other key features include:

  • Performance Oxford-based bridge solution
  • Two 1394B 9 pin, One USB 2.0, and One eSATA interface ports
  • Fully bootable, ideal for applications, A/V, backup (Time Machine, etc), photos, music, etc.
  • Single cable bus-powerable via FireWire or USB 2.0
  • Bus-Power via FireWire (or AC Adapter) for high-performance eSATA interface use.
  • Attractive & compact shock resistant Aluminum design
  • FireWire 800, USB 2.0, and eSATA flex cables ALL included!
  • Fully Mac & PC compatible
  • Intech Hard Disk Speed Tools suite and Carbon Copy Cloner included
  • Full retail versions of Prosoft DataBackup 3 for OS X (a $59.95 retail value) and NovaStor NovaBACKUP® for Windows (a $49.95 retail value).
  • Industry leading three year solution warranty

These storage solutions are the great even if you don’t have a brand new MacBook Pro, and these great new prices will make saving up for one even easier! Article Continues…

This post has 6 comments.
Category: New @ OWC, Press Releases, Product Spotlight

OWC Announces Memory Upgrades For New 2011 MacBook Pro Models

Thursday, February 24th, 2011 | Author: OWC NewsFeed

Other World Computing announced today OWC DDR3 1333MHz Memory Upgrades up to 8GB for the new MacBook Pro 13“, 15″, and 17″ models announced by Apple today. OWC Memory upgrades offer owners of the newest MacBook Pro models savings of up 55% versus the factory installed 8GB option as well as a 6GB total memory upgrade option not available from the factory.

OWC Memory Upgrades for 2011 MacBook Pro 13“, 15″, and 17″ models:

Replaces an existing 2GB factory installed module for 6GB of total memory.

Not available as factory memory upgrade option

$111 lower cost than factory installed 8GB memory upgrade.

Visit OWC for full product and ordering information for OWC Memory Article Continues…

This post has 10 comments.
Category: Fresh from Apple, New @ OWC, Press Releases
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New MacBook Pro 2011 Model Unboxing and First Looks!

Thursday, February 24th, 2011 | Author: OWC Michael

All seven models released today have arrived at OWC! As we feverishly begin our compatibility testing, here are some unboxing photos of all three models to enjoy:

This post has 24 comments.
Category: Fresh from Apple, New @ OWC
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Apple Store Down – Light Peak, iPad 2, MacBook Pros?

Thursday, February 24th, 2011 | Author: OWC Michael

This morning, the online Apple Store has been taken down temporarily stating “We are busy updating the store for you and will be back shortly.” This action usually indicates a new product being released or updated.

Is Apple updating the Mac Book Pro lineup? Could the iPad 2 be released for sale today? Are we going to see Light Peak on new models? Did Apple make the move to the Sandy Bridge chipset?

We’ll have the details for you here on the OWC Blog as soon as we know. Stay tuned.

UPDATE 8:45am:

While the store is still down, Apple has updated their website to announce the new MacBook Pro!

Looks like the 13″, 15″ and 17″ models all were refreshed. The mini DisplayPort now doubles as a Thunderbolt port (utilizing intel Light Peak technology).

Here’s the new models:
MacBook Pro 13″ Early 2011 2.3GHz i5 and 2.7GHz i7
MacBook Pro 15″ Early 2011 2.0GHz, 2.2GHz and 2.3GHz i7
MacBook Pro 17″ Early 2011 2.2GHz and 2.3GHz i7

As the machines still use the same 1333MHz DDR3 memory with support of up to 8GB, OWC has the memory, hard drives, and solid state drives you need to upgrade these machines available immediately.

UPDATE 9:15am

Apple Store is back up! Here’s a screenshot of the lineup change:

This post has 6 comments.
Category: Fresh from Apple
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NewerTech Announces Seven Piece Toolkit For DIY Servicing Of iPhone 4

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 | Author: OWC NewsFeed

Newer Technology, Inc. announced today the NewerTech Seven Piece Toolkit for iPhone 4 to provide Do It Yourself servicing of the iPhone 4. Featuring varying sized, non-marring case opening pry tools, a suction cup display puller, and a magnetized driver set to either access Apple’s proprietary TS1 ‘Pentalobe’ screws or the included replacement Phillips screws, the $9.99 MSRP NewerTech Seven Piece Toolkit for iPhone is a complete iPhone 4 service access solution.

Complete Solution For Quick And Easy iPhone 4 Access

The NewerTech Seven Piece Toolkit for iPhone 4 includes the following tools for easy DIY iPhone 4 servicing: Article Continues…

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Category: New @ OWC, Press Releases
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OWC YouTube Channel Reaches 1 Million Views

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 | Author: OWC Chris S.

The OWC YouTube channel, where you can find all our instructional videos, SSD shootouts, promotional pieces and other bits of video goodness, topped over one million views late Monday. Of course, that number doesn’t include views from our Tech Center or from iTunes. If you take those two into account as well, we’re probably already closing in on the two million mark.

Our Instructional Series shows you, step-by-step, how to install the most popular upgrades in most modern Macs. Also popular are our SSD shootouts where we show how much an OWC SSD can improve your computer’s performance. They’re just one way we try to make upgrading with OWC the best experience possible.

We’re not resting on our laurels, though. We’ve got more great content in the pipeline, including:

  • in-depth looks at some of our products
  • more shootouts showing performance gains from upgrading
  • more of our highly-acclaimed Instructional Series of videos
  • various other fun little tidbits from the OWC Video Staff

To get the latest, join the over 1000 subscribers to our YouTube channel and keep an eye here on the OWC Blog!

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Category: Installation Videos
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Light Peak, iPad 2, MacBook Pros – The Rumor Mill is in Full Effect.

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011 | Author: OWC Chris S.

There’s just something about Apple products that gets the tech crowd gossiping like little old ladies at a church social. Sometimes it’s something as simple as a product refresh. Sometimes it’s something revolutionary. Sometimes it’s a big disappointment. Sometimes, it’s just hype. Whatever the case, as soon as there’s a hint of something new coming from Apple, the rumblings begin.

Apple really doesn’t help the problem. They know that the eyes of the tech industry are on them, so they use it to their advantage. Rumors of DARPA-level security, vague press “invitations”, and the occasional “leaked” photos or specs just fuel the hype machine. Sometimes it’s something revolutionary; sometimes it’s a big disappointment.

This time around, there seem to be three major topics people are talking about. Article Continues…

This post has 15 comments.
Category: Fresh from Apple, Random Thoughts & Topics
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