MacNotables #823 [29:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Subnotebooks come in all shapes, sizes and flavors, starting with the MacBook Air and going down. Ted Landau has been working with one of the least expensive options, the XO laptop from the “One Laptop per Child” initiative, and discusses how it stacks up to the competition. Ted covers everything from the XO’s operating system to the included applications, comments on the laptop’s communications capabilities and helps you decide whether you should try to track down one of these little gems, or if you should spend more money for more capabilities.

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 MacNotables #820 [53:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus is back to tell us what rock he’s been hiding under and the project that put him there. Bob talks about his latest book, Office 2008 for Mac For Dummies, and gives us his bottom-line assessment of the latest version of the Microsoft productivity suite, and how each of the applications compare to their iWork ‘08 counterparts. Bob also discusses his upcoming Mid-Atlantic Mac User Group Tour, and where you can come to see one of his many presentations if you’re in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or near Washington D.C. The session wraps up with a discussion of what Bob wants to see in the next generation iPhone, and Bob’s most recent product picks.

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 MacNotables #819 [46:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

TidBITS is celebrating 18 years of Mac journalistic excellence, and Adam Engst talks about some of the things that make their publication special and how their style helped set trends in tech journalism. Age and experience changes perspective, and Adam explains how those factors affect what you read in TidBITS, how things have changed, and how they’ve stayed the same. Adam also provides some analysis of Apple’s quarterly financial results, including a discussion of their cash reserves, what could be done with them, and how Apple apparently has moved into the lead in yet another retail statistic. Also, as part of the whole show, Adam and Chuck deliver a live performance review of the Blue Snowflake Compact microphone. Find out how it sounds and whether it suits what you do.
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 MacNotables #815 [38:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tonya Engst is the owner of an Amazon Kindle. Is she a proud owner? Find out as Tonya discusses why she felt this eBook reader was important enough to own, and why her Amazon shopping habit helped make the decision. The Kindle has received mixed reviews, and Tonya shares her perspectives on usability, readability and the superior buying experience awaiting new Kindle owners. She also covers what was left off of this first version of the unit, the ups and downs of putting your own documents on the Kindle, support for audio media, and the evolving mechanics of eBook ownership.

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 MacNotables #763 [48:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus is back after a confluence of simultaneous projects to engage in a spirited discussion with host Chuck Joiner about the iPhone 1.1.1 update controversy, third-party iPhone applications and what the AmazonMP3 music store means for the iTunes Store. Bob gives nod to the iPod nano, is baffled by the iPod touch, and explains why Apple has something for everyone who wants a portable media player. Bob has also learned to love iMovie ‘08 for what it brings to the video editing world, and tells you why you should too.
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 MacNotables #757 [35:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

MacsimumNews boss Dennis Sellers covers a variety of topics in his return to MacNotables after some time off. Find out what Dennis thinks of the New Jersey teen who unlocked his iPhone and why he wouldn’t want one, his hands-on opinion of the new iMac and keyboard, and a utility that helps keep your video clips and projects organized. Dennis also talks about how storage needs have increased for anyone interested in media, and reveals why he is now known as the MacNotables’ version of Spiderman.
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 MacNotables #731: Breakfast with Dr. Mac - Bob LeVitus' Favorite Inexpensive Picks [28:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus is back in an in-person interview at the breakfast table in the middle of his Mid-Atlantic Macintosh User Group Tour for 2007. On Bob’s mind this time are some of his favorite inexpensive software and hardware picks for Mac users of every stripe. From utilities to games, audio to mouse control, Bob’s got it covered.

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 MacNotables #730 - Breakfast with Dr. Mac - Bob LeVitus' Favorite Freeware [35:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We catch up with Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus at the breakfast table in the middle of his Mid-Atlantic Macintosh User Group Tour for 2007. Bob talks about the tour and some of the favorites he’s showing off this time around in his “State of the Mac Address” presentation. Bob talks about the current state of Mac shareware and freeware, offers some advice to shareware and freeware authors on what to produce and how to get noticed, and profiles a few of the free applications that his audiences get to see.

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 MacNotables #724 Dan Frakes on Getting The Best Video from Your Apple TV and iPod [33:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dan Frakes of Macworld is back with a follow-up conversation about the hurdles you may face to getting the best possible video from your Apple TV. Dan discusses the impact of source of content, ripping options, Apple TV-television connections and more on the quality of your picture. Dan and Chuck also discuss the issues with processing your audio and video for optimum enjoyment on both the Apple TV and the iPod and some of the cool extras built into the Apple TV. Dan also talks about his latest project, the Macworld Mobile Mac blog.

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 MacNotables #717 [49:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Mac troubleshooting expert Ted Landau has spent some quality time working with the new Apple TV and gets in-depth on the issues of wireless network speed impact on video performance and the initial set-up, whether you really need a widescreen television, and the similarities to an iPod from a content organization standpoint. Ted talks about the video file formats supported by the Apple TV and their impact on picture quality, the ways that people are already hacking the Apple TV, what the USB port is good for and how the Mac mini compares to it as a home theater option. Ted also goes beyond the video, commenting on the music and photo capabilities of the device. Thinking of buying an Apple TV? This is the interview you want to hear.

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