Top Bananas | Tag Archives: Macintosh

The MacBook Air is the Past

Posted on November 4, 2018 by admin Posted in Hardware, User Interface Leave a comment

What it is: Apple recently updated the MacBook Air and the iPad Pro.

In the past, there was a clear distinction between a laptop and a tablet. A laptop was something you used to create content and a tablet was something you used to view content. While you could view content on a laptop and create content on a tablet, laptops were superior for creating content and tablets were superior to viewing content.

After Apple revealed new MacBook Air and iPad Pro models, that line is blurring. The future is no longer the laptop. The iPad Pro offers Apple Pencil support, an optional external keyboard, and a handful of professional applications porting from the PC world to the iPad including Photoshop and AutoCAD.

In addition, the iPad Pro is lighter and less expensive than the MacBook Air. The MacBook Air is simply a stop-gap measure between laptops and tablets. For people who aren’t ready to make the leap to a tablet, a MacBook Air gives them a comfortable alternative. For people who can see the future and don’t mind the current limitations of the tablet, the iPad Pro is clearly the future.

If you’re a developer, focus on iOS. If you’re a consumer, ask yourself what might be better for you. One person might prefer the iPad Pro while another might prefer the MacBook Air. There is no right or wrong answer that universally applies to everyone. If the MacBook Air is better for your needs, then just watch the iPad Pro develop further until it does match your needs. The iPad Pro is getting faster and improving far faster than the MacBook Air or other laptop models from other companies. The laptop is a fairly stagnant device that has its roots in the desktop PC world. Just as desktop PCs are fading in relevance as people opt for laptops, so will laptop PCs fade from relevance as people opt for lighter, faster, less expensive tablets.

The iPad Pro may not meet your needs today, but it will eventually grow powerful enough to get your needs in the future. When that happens, there will be little need for laptops any more.

The iPad is the New Computer

Posted on November 1, 2018 by admin Posted in Hardware, User Interface Leave a comment

What it is: Benchmarks show that the latest iPad Pro is nearly as fast as the latest MacBook Pro.

The evidence is clear. The iPad is getting more powerful faster than laptops and desktops. The latest Geekbench benchmarks found that the latest iPad Pro runs nearly as fast as the latest MacBook Pro. Keep in mind that the MacBook Pro is a professional laptop and you realize that the iPad is getting close to the MacBook Pro’s performance.

Now toss in the fact that Photoshop, AutoCAD, and even gaming companies are porting their console and PC programs to the iPad and pretty soon there will be no difference in power between the iPad and a laptop. If there will be a difference, the iPad will soon be faster, more portable, and less expensive. Given these advantages, why would anyone want a laptop?

Right now people are choosing laptops because they’re currently more versatile and powerful than the iPad. Just looking at trends shows that the day will come when the iPad will be far superior to laptops. When that day comes within the next few years, there will be little reason to use a laptop.

Right now, people are wondering if Apple will try to get the Macintosh to run off their own A-series ARM-based processors by porting macOS to ARM processors from Intel processors. That’s a pointless discussion because why should Apple waste time developing a new Macintosh when the iPad is already becoming the new Macintosh of the future? Microsoft has already wasted time turning Windows into a table operating system, yet despite their efforts, few people buy a tablet that runs Windows. Most people buy a Windows PC to use as a laptop first with its tablet features being a nice feature but one that most people don’t care about. Microsoft is struggling to keep Windows relevant in the mobile computer age. This strategy is working now, but when the iPad starts offering vastly superior performance to a laptop, then the trend will simply shift to the iPad and leave laptops behind except for professional users who need and want the additional versatility of Windows, Linux, or macOS.

Today the iPad is close to matching a laptop. Tomorrow it will exceed it. Beyond tomorrow, it will replace it. The trend is clear and no amount of arguing will change this trend.

The Future is the iPad

Posted on October 30, 2018 by admin Posted in Hardware Leave a comment

What it is: Console and PC programs are coming to the iPad and that defines the future.

At one time, mainframe and minicomputer users derided PCs as “toys” because they weren’t as powerful as the big computes. Then PCs gradually got more powerful until they reached a point where they were far more useful and versatile than mainframe and minicomputers, even if they weren’t as powerful. PCs became popular because they were cheap and easy to put on the desks of people who needed them. Eventually PCs did become more powerful than mainframe and minicomputers, so that’s why you don’t see mainframe and minicomputers around except in rare cases.

The same trend is now happening with the iPad and laptops. Apple claims the latest iPad Pro with an A12x Bionic processor is faster than 92% of all laptops currently being sold. That means in one more generation, the iPad’s processor will likely be faster than nearly all laptops. So while the performance of the iPad keeps improving rapidly, the performance of the laptop grows much slower. Soon the iPad will be more powerful than laptops and less expensive too.

Now combine the fact that Adobe is releasing a real version of Photoshop on the iPad while AutoDesk is releasing a real version of AutoCAD on the iPad as well. Game developers are prompting their console and PC games to the iPad because the iPad is finally powerful enough to run them. That means within the next year or two, the iPad will be at least as powerful as the average laptop if not more powerful. Then win a few more generations, the iPad will be drastically more powerful than a laptop, so what will that mean for laptops? Essentially it means that laptops will fade in popularity.

After all, why pay more for a laptop when an iPad can run all your favorite programs while being lighter, less expensive, and faster to boot? That spells the end of the laptop and shows that the future is strictly the iPad. When more programs migrate from PCs to the iPad, then the iPad won’t have any disadvantages while laptops will be more expensive, heavier, and offering less battery life. Why would anyone choose a laptop when that situation becomes common? Laptops are dead.

That’s why Apple is betting more on the iPad and less on the Macintosh. Even though more people are using the Macintosh, it’s clear that the iPad is the future computer for the masses. With an optional keyboard, the iPad can be an excellent tablet and a decent laptop. In comparison, Microsoft’s Surface is an excellent laptop and a mediocre tablet. Microsoft is trying to keep Windows relevant as long as possible, but when the iPad is faster, less expensive, and capable of running every program that a Windows PC can run, what will be the point of buying a Windows PC? There won’t be one because the iPad will be far more popular.

Of course, the Macintosh and Windows PCs will still be around, but for mobile use, the iPad will dominate. The Macintosh and Windows PCs will be fine for running older programs or more complicated software like Linux, but the masses of people will opt for an iPad for ease of use and lower expense. Professional computer users will need more powerful and versatile tools (Windows PCs and the Macintosh) but the general public will be happier with the iPad.

The iPad is the future of general computing. Just compare the cost, weight, and advantages between an iPad and the newly released MacBook Air and it’s getting harder to tell which one might be a better choice, and that alone should make laptop enthusiasts nervous.

To learn more about the latest iPad Pro, click here.

Apple’s October 30th Event

Posted on October 19, 2018 by admin Posted in Hardware Leave a comment

What it is: Apple is holding a product announcement on October 30th that will likely focus on the new iPad models.

Apple just recently announced new iPhone and Apple Watch models. Now Apple plans to release new iPad models and possible other products such as new Macintosh models.

The new iPad models are to be expected, and with Adobe porting Photoshop to iOS, you can expect to see the full version of Photoshop available on iOS. The significance of this is that more professional apps will move from macOS to iOS, making iOS far more lucrative and important than macOS. In other words, macOS is slowly dying but will likely linger for years as the world shifts to iOS.

The new iPad models are rumored to use FaceID along with USB-C ports instead of Apple’s proprietary Lightning port. By standardizing on USB-C ports, the iPad will then be able to accept numerous third-party accessories such as a keyboard or an external hard disk.

So new iPad models with USB-C support and Photoshop is to be expected. What’s also likely is that the new iPad Pro models will come in the standard 12.9 and 10.5-inch sizes. That also likely means a new version of the Apple Pencil too.

Beyond the iPad, expect new Macintosh models. Apple will likely introduce lower cost laptops similar to the aging MacBook Air. The goal will be to offer a low-cost laptop for the Christmas season. The only question is whether Apple will update the MacBook Air design or come out with a newer version of the MacBook, which starts at a much higher price of $1,299 compared to the MacBook Air price of $999. Whatever Macintosh laptop Apple introduces, it will likely target the low-end consumer market.

A new iPad and new Macintosh laptop will be expected. What might also arrive will be Apple’s Mac mini or iMac Pro model. These desktop Macintosh models should come with improved specifications, but the Mac mini might be interesting because it’s rumored to be modular for professional users to upgrade later.

If you’re in the market for a new iPad, October 30th should meet your expectations. If you’re in the market for a low cost Macintosh laptop, you should also be happy on October 30th. If you’re a desktop Macintosh user, you may or may not be happy with any announcements coming October 30th because Apple may not have updated Mac mini or iMac Pro models ready for sale.

The sure news is that the iPad will become more of a portable computer that will be nearly as fast as today’s laptops running Intel processors. That means next year’s generation of the iPad should be even faster and more powerful, which means the age of Intel processors is coming to an end.

When the iPad Pro can beat a PC laptop, then you’ll know the conquest of iOS will be nearly complete.

To learn more about Apple’s October 30th event, click here.

The ARM-Based Macintosh

Posted on October 17, 2018 by admin Posted in Hardware Leave a comment

What it is: Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, claims Apple will introduced an ARM-based Macintosh in 2020.

For the past few years, Apple has let their Macintosh lineup lag. The Mac mini hasn’t been updated in four years and the Mac Pro “trashcan” design hasn’t been updated since it was introduced. Many people wonder if Apple is simply ignoring the Macintosh but another reason might be because Apple is planning to shift the Macintosh from Intel processors to ARM-based processors.

Apple’s own A12 Bionic processor used in the latest iPhone is nearly as powerful as a standard Intel processor. With each new generation of the A-series processor, Apple keeps improving the speed and power of their processor far faster than Intel has been able to improve their processors. If this trend continues, then it’s only a matter of time before the A-series processors will be more powerful than Intel processors while also using less power too.

The rumor is that Apple will shift the Macintosh to their own ARM-based processors to lower costs, maximize efficiency, and differentiate the Macintosh from Intel-based PCs. The big question is how will these new ARM-based Macintoshes work?

One theory says that Apple will port macOS to ARM processors. This would require an emulation feature to allow tuning today’s Intel-based macOS apps. In addition, this would also limit the appeal of the Macintosh that can run both Windows and macOS software because they share an Intel processor.

A second theory says that Apple will eventually abandon macOS and focus on a Macintosh running iOS. This would greatly simplify software development since developers could focus on a single operating system (iOS) instead of dual operating systems (iOS and macOS). This option would have the drawback of completing eliminating Windows compatibility though.

Since Apple created a software framework to make it easy to transition iOS apps to run on macOS, it seems far more likely an ARM-based Macintosh will run macOS. That means Apple could sell various ARM-based Macintosh models to satisfy the needs of different consumers.

For most people, an ARM-based Macintosh will run Intel-based programs in emulation mode, much like Apple did with their Rosetta software that allowed PowerPC programs to run on Intel-based Macintoshes. For people who absolutely need Windows compatibility, Apple could sell a professional Macintosh version that uses Intel processors.

Eventually as ARM-based Macintoshes become more popular and more powerful, Apple could drop the Intel-based Macintosh models. Then the shift to ARM processors will be complete with a minimum of hassle.

ARM-based Macintosh computers are coming sooner than later. The only question is how will Apple make this transition smooth for its customers?

The Fruitfly Malware for the Macintosh

Posted on September 30, 2018 by admin Posted in Software Leave a comment

What it is: The Fruitfly malware targeted Macintosh computers through open ports.

Malware mostly targets Windows because Windows has been the most common operating system for decades. However as the popularity of the Macintosh and even Linux grows, malware creators are focusing on these targets as well. For the Macintosh, one common malware is known as the Fruitfly.

Typically, malware spreads through email or booby-trapped websites. The Fruitfly malware was different in that it spread through a hacker technique known as port scanning.

To communicate with the outside world, every computer needs ports that allow certain type of communication in and out of the computer. One port might be used solely for email and another port might be used by web pages. To connect to a network, every computer must use ports and keep them open.

The Fruitfly malware simply scanned the ports of Macintosh computers on the Internet and when it found one with open ports, it infected that computer. Thus you could get infected by doing nothing more than plugging your Macintosh to the Internet.

The way to guard against malware infecting your computer through open ports is by shutting down all pots. Of course, you can’t shut down all ports or else your computer won’t be able to communicate with any network including the Internet. So the next best option is to shut down all open ports except for the ones you absolutely need. Then watch those open ports for suspicious behavior.

Visit a site like Shields Up and you can test the security of your computer. Shields Up, and similar sites, check to see if your computer has unnecessary open ports and then informs you of this fact. Then it’s up to you to shut those ports down or monitor them.

Shutting down ports or monitoring them may be beyond the capabilities of novices, but just scanning your ports can show how vulnerable your Macintosh might be.

The general idea is that the more secure you can make your Macintosh, the less likely you’ll get infected by malware. There’s no guarantee you can protect a computer from all malware but you can take steps to guard your computer to minimize your chances of infection.

Malware can hit any computer. Just make sure you take precautions now.