http://mac.iLounge.com iLounge brings you the best for your Mac. en Copyright 2011 iLounge, Inc. All rights reserved jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) jerrod@ilounge.com (Jerrod Hofferth) http://www.expressionengine.com/ Mac-28381 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/buffalo-airstation-ac1300-n900-gigabit-dual-band-wireless-router-wzr-d1800h/
]]> Rumors (and past history) have strongly suggested that Apple will implement the new and much-improved 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard in its lineup at some point this year. We’re not surprised that this hasn’t happened yet, since the first 802.11ac router has just hit the market. Buffalo’s new—deep breath here—AirStation AC1300 / N900 Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router WZR-D1800H ($180) is spearheading the speedy new standard… Peripherals Nick Guy 2012-05-15T20:02:58+00:00 Mac-28368 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/speck-a-line-for-macbook/
]]> We reviewed Speck’s A-Line Bag for the iPad just shy of a year ago, and were really quite impressed. Known mainly for its rubber and plastic cases, Speck was able to create a really impressive fabric handbag that was also truly functional for tablet carrying. Fast forward a year later and Speck has quietly introduced a 13” version of A-Line ($70), a great choice for users with MacBooks, MacBook Pros, or MacBook Airs. ... Cases Nick Guy 2012-05-14T17:38:36+00:00 Mac-28354 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/airserver-airserver/
]]> Developed by the company of the same name, AirServer ($15) has evolved a lot since its early days. At first it simply turned your Mac into an AirPlay receiver, capable of streaming audio and video from compatible devices. When iOS 5 added AirPlay mirroring, so did AirServer. Now with its update to version 4.3, the app has been refined even further, and the developer is calling it “the game console for the Mac” due to gamer-friendly features.… Apps Nick Guy 2012-05-11T17:16:09+00:00 Mac-28335 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/the-hyperwords-company-liquid-words/
]]> Now that the Internet has brought a world of information to our fingertips, the challenge is to quickly find what you’re looking for. Liquid Words ($1) is a new Mac App Store title from The Hyperwords Company that sets out to do just that. A powerful reference tool, it allows you to drill down into any subject in a matter of a second or two. What makes it so fast compared to a traditional web search? Keyboard shortcuts.  ... Apps Nick Guy 2012-05-10T18:56:39+00:00 Mac-28320 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/bretford-mobilepro-desk-mount-combo/
]]> Having a dual-monitor setup can be a real boon to productivity, and mounting your display may free up some much-needed desk space. So combining the two seems like a good idea, and that’s precisely what Bretford has done with its Apple-exclusive MobilePro Desk Mount Combo ($230). Not only does it get your big screen off the desk, but it lifts up your MacBook Pro, as well, allowing you to position both right where you want them. ... Mounts Nick Guy 2012-05-09T16:11:36+00:00 Mac-28312 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/incipio-macbook-pro-quickcheck-tsa-friendly-nylon-case/
]]> We don’t have to tell you how much of a pain it can be to go through airport security: shoes off, jacket off, empty out your pockets, no liquids. Sure, it’s in the name of national (or international) security, but that doesn’t make it any less bothersome. Thankfully, there’s a step you can skip with the right bag: removing your computer from its carrier. One option is Incipio’s MacBook Pro QuickCheck TSA Friendly Nylon… Cases Nick Guy 2012-05-08T19:52:43+00:00 Mac-28292 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/stm-bags-compass/
]]> The folks over at STM Bags have done it again, rolling out a new canvas laptop bag designed to appeal to women. Available in extra small and small sizes—perfect for an 11” MacBook Air or 13” Air or Pro, respectively—Compass ($100) has a secret hidden inside: in addition to the full oversized purse-like bag, it includes a removable computer sleeve. This isn’t some cheap neoprene afterthought, either, but a heavy duty,… Cases Nick Guy 2012-05-07T19:13:33+00:00 Mac-28276 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/telltale-games-the-walking-dead/
]]> Zombie lovers of the world, rejoice! Following the successful TV adaptation by AMC, Telltale Games is now bringing Richard Kirkman’s ultra-popular comic series The Walking Dead ($25) into the Mac gaming realm. Like many of the developer’s titles, this one is episodic: episode one is available right now, with four more set to be released on a monthly basis, with each additional episode included for the initial asking price. Telltale calls… Apps Nick Guy 2012-05-04T13:46:46+00:00 Mac-28270 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/ken-segall-insanely-simple/
]]> It was his official biography, but Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson wasn’t the last word on Apple’s former CEO or his ability to “think different.” In fact, Jobs’ death seems to have opened the floodgates for behind-the-scenes information about Apple, as new books about the man and the company are now debuting every few months. The most recent is Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple’s Success ($26) by Ken… Extras Nick Guy 2012-05-03T19:22:43+00:00 Mac-28244 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/moshi-iglaze-for-macbook-air/
]]> Obviously people love the MacBook Air for a lot of reasons, but the thickness—or thinness, rather—is chief among them. That’s not to say it can’t benefit from some added protection, though; after all, this is an Apple product we’re talking about. Moshi is ready to join the MacBook case party with the imminent release of iGlaze ($TBD). This super-thin shell may be just the thing to prevent dents and scratches while still… Cases Nick Guy 2012-05-02T18:17:33+00:00 Mac-28225 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/3m-privacy-filter/
]]> We’re not about to judge you for what you’re looking at on your MacBook—we understand the need for privacy when you’re out and about. Rather than hiding in a remote corner at the coffee shop, you might want to check out 3M’s Privacy Filter ($30-$60) instead. Now available in versions for each of the current MacBook Airs and Pros, this easy to apply screen film offers quite some truly nice features at prices comparable… Extras Nick Guy 2012-05-01T16:54:27+00:00 Mac-28213 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/feral-interactive-deus-ex-human-revolution-ultimate-edition/
]]> The gap’s shrinking between the release dates of big console/PC games and Mac versions, as demonstrated by Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Ultimate Edition ($50), published by Feral Interactive. First released in August 2011, the prequel to the popular series has now landed in the Mac App Store, and is ready to be downloaded by anyone who meets the—admittedly high—minimum specs. ... Apps Nick Guy 2012-04-30T19:20:57+00:00 Mac-28190 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/yantouch-black-diamond-lamp/
]]> Having gone through a fairly major feature evolution since it was originally conceived as an iPhone dock, Yantouch’s new Black Diamond Lamp ($29) has become a cool little decor item for Mac users: a color-shifting LED lamp that connects to your Mac’s USB port or a wall for power, offering a pass-through USB port to charge your iPod, iPhone, or iPad while it beautifies your room. Capable of shifting through 1,500 different colors or maintaining… Decor Jeremy Horwitz 2012-04-27T17:11:50+00:00 Mac-28168 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/macphun-color-splash-studio/
]]> Selective saturation can be an awesome photo effect when it’s done right — and MacPhun’s Color Splash Studio ($4) makes doing it right easy. Thanks to specialized tools and high-end algorithms, it can take even the most mundane photo looks great in a snap. ... Apps Charles Starrett 2012-04-26T18:21:33+00:00 Mac-28072 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/luxa2-metropolitan-slim-envelope-case/
]]> Looking for a no-frills case that can carry your MacBook Air with class? The Luxa2 Metropolitan Slim Envelope Case ($TBA) is a fine choice, assuming that you’re carrying the 13-inch flavor. ... Cases Charles Starrett 2012-04-24T18:49:34+00:00 Mac-28038 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/adobe-creative-suite-6/
]]> If you’re in a creative field, odds are you’ve got at least one piece of Adobe’s Creative Suite installed on your machine — and if so, it’ll soon be time to upgrade. Adobe Creative Suite 6 ($1,300-$2,600) includes all new versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Prelude, and Audition, among other applications. ... Apps Charles Starrett 2012-04-23T17:53:26+00:00 Mac-28025 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/mw3d-solutions-cheetah3d/
]]> In the Apple world, there are plenty of things you can buy for a hundred bucks: an iPhone 4 or an Apple TV, for example. Believe it or not, 3D modeling software is on that list too. Cheetah3D ($100) from MW3D-Solutions costs the same as a pair of iPod shuffles, but it’s no slouch. This Mac App Store title, designed specifically for OS X, is made to be easy to learn and to use but is a full and powerful CGI solution. ... Apps Nick Guy 2012-04-20T14:17:09+00:00 Mac-28019 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/owc-mercury-accelsior-pci-express-ssd/
]]> If the success of the MacBook Air is any indication, there’s little doubt Apple intends to switch over to SSDs as quickly as it can. Solid state drives are incredibly fast and more reliable than spinning hard drives, although they still ring up at a higher price per gigabyte. OWC has been at the forefront of bringing these drives to Macs that don’t already have them, and is now expanding its lineup with Mercury Accelsior PCI Express SSD… Peripherals Nick Guy 2012-04-19T18:38:19+00:00 Mac-28001 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/matrox-dualhead2go-digital-me/
]]> As of today, most Macs support a single external monitor—only the 15”/17” MacBook Pros can daisy chain two Apple Thunderbolt Displays at once with their built-in hardware, and iMacs can add a Thunderbolt Display to match their own screens. Since many users would prefer not to spend two grand for twin monitors, say nothing of possibly having to replace their Macs, Matrox has come up with a different solution: DualHead2Go Digital… Peripherals Nick Guy 2012-04-18T15:43:19+00:00 Mac-27986 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/apc-back-ups-pro/
]]> If you’re an iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro user, you’ve probably been through this before: a power outage that prevents you from doing some critical work on your computer. Our recommended solution is APC’s Back-UPS Pro family ($140-$250), which provides a variety of safe alternatives for emergency battery-fueled electricity. “UPS” stands for “uninterruptible power supply,” and the Pro family includes four models… Extras Jeremy Horwitz 2012-04-17T16:01:27+00:00