Month: September 2013

I get a lot of customers asking if their Macs and Apple laptops need security software. And they always seemed surprised when I say no. Here’s it explained, why Macs don’t need security software.

Cybercriminal gangs are focused exclusively on Windows because there are more Windows users, yes, but also because Windows is still easier to hack. As a Unix-based operating system OS X is by its very nature sandboxed. It’s like having a series of fire doors – even if malware gains access to your Mac, it is unable to spread to the heart of the machine. Macs are not un-hackable, but they are more difficult to exploit than Windows PCs.

OS X 10.8 takes it even further. It includes a gatekeeper function that by default prevents Mac users from installing anything other than Apple-approved software.

There are exceptions, however. If you are running a business with a fleet of Macs, or a network of both Macs and Windows PCs, I’d suggest getting in some protection. It’s a belt and braces approach that may not be necessary, but if you have a lot to lose it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

You may also consider using antivirus on your Mac if for some reason you could be targeted individually – if you have access to sensitive or high-value data, for instance.

Fall, or as we know it, Autumn, marks the transition from Summer to Winter. It’s that time of year when the leaves start going a rusty brown, the days start getting shorter and as it gets colder we all start to wish we were bears able to hibernate.

It is also the time of the year that as Apple fans we’ve all been waiting for. Fall is when Apple normally release all their new products. When we were at Apple’s WWDC everything was to be released in the Fall. So now the Fall is coming when are these dates? Autumn officially starts on September 22^nd.

To our luck, Apple’s fall starts on the 10^th of September when they will release the iPhone 5s, the iPhone 5c and a potentially upgraded Apple TV. Also we should be getting the all new flat design on iOS 7 will also be released.

But what about the new Mac Pro? At the WWDC in June this was one of Apple’s major announcements and cinema teaser campaigns in the US have been promising its arrival in the Fall. So we reckon we might actually have to wait until next month and for the fall to arrive properly before we get this new gem and OS X Mavericks.

A question that a lot of customers pose to us is that they really want a Mac but they run software that can only operate on a Windows platform, such as Sage Accounting. Likewise many of our creative clients love their Macs but need to test their websites on Internet Explorer.

A simple solution for both of these problems is to install Parallels Desktop that enables you to run Windows 7 or 8 on your Apple Mac without any issues.  Parallels allow you to switch from Windows or Mac based programmes with ease all without the need for a long winded system reboot.

The system reboot or “Boot Camp” as Apple referred to it was always Apple’s preferred route but recently they have been seen to embrace the Parallels route. As Apple’s customer base moves from just being creative and into the offices of accountants and solicitors the market demand for a solution that allowed people to have a Mac that ran Windows has increased dramatically.

With any of our Macs the addition of Parallels and Windows 7/8 Professional adds just £1.50 + VAT per week to the lease.  Such a cost effective solution allows many of our customers to realise their wish of owning a Mac whilst still operating Windows.

Every ‘fall’ Apple releases their new iPads, and this fall we’ll have two to choose from.  We’re most likely to see an iPad mini with Retina-screen, plus a thinner, smaller iPad 5 – similar to an enlarged iPad mini.

These releases are conjuring quite a dilemma with most people. Many folks have ditched their iPad for the mini, mainly due to convenience. But what if the iPad 5 is small enough to compete with the mini? To add to the dilemma, the prediction of the iPad mini with a Retina-screen – what is the difference other than a couple of cm between the two?!

The iPad mini can be used for everything: reading, writing, email, video, web-browsing, and photo-editing. That’s not to say the iPad mini is good at all these things, it is just good enough. It being tiny and lightweight allows it to be used for longer lengths of time.

The iPad is great watching movies, partly for the bigger screen, and partly because HD video looks amazing on that Retina display. In fact the only time the iPad is preferred over the mini is for looking at photos or watching movies.

When the mini was launched, it was up against the huge, fat iPad 3, a monster that was actually thicker and heavier than its predecessor. However, if the iPad 5 will be lighter and thinner and almost like the mini, then the boundaries blur. No longer is it “big and heavy and Retina” vs. “small and almost weightless but low-res.” The whole choice comes down to screen size.

Which would you chose? Give us a call on 0121 285 0098 or have a look at our range of iPads here…