NYC Mac Blog

Greetings MACximize Fans! Just thought I’d give you a bit of a heads up with regard to some updates that came out from Apple the first week of February.

If you are on Lion, Apple has updated it to version 10.7.3. But as usual, I don’t suggest updating using the Apple Software Update. Rather, it is our procedure to do some routine maintenance prior to the upgrade, then we restart in a safe boot mode then finally upgrade using our Apple provided Combo upgrade rather than the delta upgrade.

Also, if you are still on 10.6, Apple threw you a curve ball. On the one hand, they provided a Security Update; on the other hand it broke the ability to print in Rosetta apps like Microsoft Office 2004 and Quicken 2007! We have the fixed update, so no worries.

If all this is foreign to you, let me just say, “That’s why we’re here!” It’s probably time for a little MACximize Maintenance. So give us a call and we’ll check out your software. And we’ll give you the updates that won’t break your computer.

Maybe it’s time to check your backup strategy. If you’re looking to compliment your local backup, why not check out Dolly Drive (http://www.dollydrive.com/). It’s cloud (& Clone) backup for the rest of us. We’ve partnered with Dolly because of their use of Time Machine’s “set it & forget it” auto-archiving and easy restoring options in the cloud. As long as you’re connected, you’re always backing up – at home, in the library, at the coffee shop, or Gate 11.

That’s what’s new so far this year. Remember to MACximize Your Mac™ by calling David @ 212.330.6789 or emailing MACximize@aol.com ☺.

This is just funny! Need help with iCloud or Lion? Give MACximize a call. 212.330.6789.

“Here’s to the crazy ones…” A true visionary. His illness shows that money can’t buy good health. His work experience shows that being fired is not always the worst thing that can happen. Steve came back stronger after being fired from Apple.

He is irreplaceable.

I am proud to be an Apple consultant.

I will miss him.

Well Apple’s 5th phone is called iPhone 4S. And just like the 3GS, the “S” stands for SPEED and now speech recognition! Apple’s newest smartphone, is a world phone (meaning it is compatible with both CDMA and GSM networks. Apple will not need to build two different models to be compatible with different carriers like AT&T and Verizon in the U.S., and Sprint has also been officially added as a carrier partner). It’s powered by the speedy A5 processor, and features a new antenna design that can allow file transfers up to twice as fast as its predecessor, as well as voice recognition functionality for a new handsfree experience.

Apple has also expanded the iPhone lineup with a new 64GB model on the high-end, selling for $399 with a service contract. The 32GB and 16GB models remain priced at $299 and $199, respectively.

There’s a lot a great news in this announcement, too much to go into detail here. But click this chart below for more details. And call MACximize to help you make “the right call!”

From the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/technology/personaltech/tips-for-avoiding-user-errors-with-computers.html?_r=1&nl=technology&emc=ctb1″ title=”Make Sure the Problem Is Not in Your Chair

This is an excellent article telling the public what I’ve been telling my clients for years. Read to avoid Picnic (Problem in Chair Not in Computer) or ID-10t (idiot) errors!

How do the Apple faithful celebrate the Jewish New Year?

OS 10.7 “Lion” is here! Are you ready, skee-daddy?

Well, if you want to continue using Microsoft Office 2004 or Quicken 2007, don’t even think of going to Lion. These programs will not work in Lion — you must upgrade to Office 2011 and Quicken Essentials for Mac. Rosetta is no longer available in Lion, which means Lion no longer supports PowerPC applications, like the above. (And sorry, be forewarned. Quicken Essentials [spoiler alert] sucks! But you have no good choice. Call me to discuss your options.)

And did you make a complete backup of your system using Time Machine and an external hard drive? How about a bootable backup of the entire system? Could be helpful if things go sour. You should definitely have MACximize come in to check out your system before you do anything this major to your computer. That’s why we’re here.

And hey, who shouldn’t upgrade to Lion? Well, of course if you’ve got a Power PC Mac, you’re not even invited to the party. Heck, if you don’t have 10.6.8, you can’t upgrade. (We’ll see after tomorrow!) Below are the:

System Requirements
• x86-64 processor (Macs with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, or Xeon processor.)
• At least 2GB of RAM
• Latest version of Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8), with the Mac App Store installed
• At least 4GB of free disk space for downloading.
• Like Snow Leopard, Lion does not support PowerPC-based Macs (e.g., Power Macs, PowerBooks, iBooks, iMacs (G3-G5), eMacs).
• Furthermore, Lion does not support 32-bit Intel Core Duo or Core Solo based Macs.

But as with every other system upgrade, if you’ve got some important work in the next few weeks where you can’t be down, can’t not be able to print, can’t afford to have to deal with upgrade headaches, by all means, let those who must be on the bleeding edge be the first. Heck, are you a pioneer or a follower? I’ve been using a Mac since 1985. My mother advised me to take up Windows 95 in the 90s so I’d be able to feed my family “just in case” Apple went under. I’ve got Apple flowing thru my veins, so yeah, I’ll be upgrading. Well maybe after the weekend!

With the unofficial start of summer past us, it reminds me that it’s also the start of summer homes, vacations, and camp. Many of you may need a tune up on that travel Mac. Or maybe you’d like to have access to your files when you’re away from your home or office. And don’t forget, we all need a reliable backup!

MACximize Consulting can help with all this and more. And if a new Mac is in your plans, Apple gives all my clients a discount.

So give us a call. ☺

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David Sternlicht
President, MACximize Consulting™
NYC Apple Champion
 Premier Member, Apple Consultants Network
(212) 330-6789 || http://www.macximize.com
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With all the terrible events that have been happening around the world, like the earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan, or the tornadoes in the Midwest, you might be considering your disaster recovery (“DR”) plan.

Whether you’re an IT manager of an organization or just a home user, a well thought out DR plan is time and money well spent. And MACximize can help you with strategies, procurement of hardware & setup of software.

So while we always hope for the best, let us help you plan for the worst insuring you stay in business after the emergency has passed.

Although you wouldn’t know it from the weather, spring is here. And for a computer consultant, that means Spring Cleaning! So if you’ve been waiting to MACximize Your Macintosh, the time has come.

Sluggish performance, security vulnerabilities, out with the old — in with the new updates; that’s what I’m talking about.

And remember, if it’s just time for a new Mac, all my clients get a discount from Apple. So call or email MACximize today. Don’t let the snow fool ya, Spring has Sprung!