I was stoked when I read in Mac|Life Magazine that Gears of War would be coming to the Mac. Although I don’t play games as much as I used to when I was younger. It still nice to completely immerse myself in a game. Besides Gears of War, Bioshock is another game I can get lost in.

This past summer I purchased the Gears of War Collectors Edition. I couldn’t wait for the game to come out. It was appealing, and the incredibly hot Clifford Bleszinski aka Cliffy B was part of it. Clifford Bleszinski has his own website, but it doesn’t look like he’s updated it in a little while. Besides, the hotness factor I love his work. The funny thing is I really didn’t have a chance to play it. All right maybe that isn’t funny. However I couldn’t help it. You see crazy things like running my business and spending time with my daughter, getting ready for Figure competition (I do more than stare at the computer screen all day yah know!) seemed to get in the way. Imagine that? Naturally that didn’t give me too much time to play any games.

Anyway, the Gears of War limited edition came in a gorgeous tin box. It included Destroyed Beauty which is the artbook for Gears of War. Although it’s tiny it’s filled with some interesting artwork. I’ve flipped through it numerous times as I secretly longed to play the game without distraction. I don’t play it in front of my daughter she’s only four years old and the game can get violent. Yeah, that’s all I need my daughter having nightmares about one of the Locust’ tearing after her down some abandoned hallway.

Naturally I’m excited that this game is finally making its way to the Mac. Then again, having it on my computer might not be a good thing. I might get wrapped up in the game and forget about doing my work? Nah, that’s not going to happen. As far as I know the release date for Gears of War for the Mac isn’t available; however, this is one title I will be looking forward to with much anticipation. If they would only make Oblivion or Mass Effect available for the Mac?

Technorati Tags: Gears of War, Oblivion, Mass Effect, Mac Games

A few moments ago I was on the iusethis website and found a great deal on Mac software. MacHeist is currently offering 10 Mac applications for $49.

I use the 1Passwd application and I can say that along is worth the price. SnapProX is also on the list and it’s an application that I’ve been wanting to purchase.

I learned about SnapProx last year when I was reading my copy of Mac|Life magazine. To be honest I didn’t have the time to take it for my usual test run. I was too busy. The time lapsed without me working in it at all however for the price of $49 I have no excuse not to purchase this product.

25% Of Your Purchase Donated To Charity

It gets better 25$ of your purchase is donated to the charity of your choice.
Action Against Hunger
Aids Research Alliance
Alliance for Climate Protection
Direct Relief International
Humane Society International
The Nature Conservancy
Save the Children
Save Darfur
Prevent Cancer Foundation
World Wildlife Fund

Technorati Tags: MacBook Pro, Mac software, MacHeist, 1Passwd

MacBook Pro - Swollen Battery

Last week I noticed that my MacBook Pro would shut off at around 30% battery charge. I didn’t think too much about it the first time but when it shut down when I was in the middle of an important document you bet I noticed it shut down at around 60% charge.

I immediately got on the phone and gave Apple Care a call. Their phone number is 1-800-275-2273. After a few moments of holding I was connected with a support staff. The staff member wasn’t much help. He asked for my computer serial number. I gave him the information. He also asked for my batteries serial number. I supplied that. Then he asked me to give him my batteries cycle information. Sure, no problem. After I gave him that information he told me that Apple Care couldn’t help me because the battery was old and this sort of thing happened. I bought my Macbook Pro, from the Apple store, on October 2006.

As I listened to him talk I couldn’t help thinking, “Really, batteries just swell like this for no reason?” I knew he didn’t know what he was talking about but since I didn’t have the time to question him about this or speak with someone in a higher position I quickly got off the phone knowing that I would be calling back or going to my closest Apple store later.

Guess what? “Later” happened yesterday. I was working on my MacBook Pro and noticed that it wasn’t setting flush on my desktop. I picked it up. No, there wasn’t anything under it to make it rock. Hmm… I put my computer back on the desk. This happened a few times before it dawned on me. Check the battery Opal!

Sure enough when I looked at the battery I could see it visibly buckling. I had read that some MacBook Pro’s had faulty batteries during one one of my visits to Apple’s forums. It’s a lithium battery and it’s made by Sony. Dell, has also reported problems with some of their batteries made by the same company.

I removed the battery immediately. I didn’t want that thing exploding. Earlier this week I had planned on taking my MacBook Pro into the local Apple store tomorrow so I could receive a replacement battery; however, I decided to try my luck with Apple Care. I had a lot of deadlines, and traveling to the Towson Mall would take some time. Last week was the first time I’ve ever encountered problems with Apple’s support staff.

This time the representative I spoke to was helpful, and a new battery was shipped. The great thing is I’ll be receiving it today. That’s not bad. I can stay at home and complete my projects, and I don’t have to trek all the way to Towson, MD to get a new battery. Of course, I have to return the old battery within 10 days. Although the replacement battery is free, you still have to give them your credit card number in case you decide to do something such as not return the old battery.

How Do I Know Whether My Battery Was Received?
Log onto Apple Support and check the status of your battery. That’s it.

Since I’ve had Apple I’ve only had to use Apple Care support twice. The first time was my fault I accidentally wiped out a system file, and the kicker is I knew as soon as I emptied the trash that I had erased a folder instead of the file, dooh!

I didn’t blame Apple because of my first experience regarding this situation. I know that you will have some workers regardless of the companies they work for that need to improve their customer service skills, and yes I did report him.

Technorati Tags: AppleCare, MacBook Pro, Battery, Warped Battery, swollen battery

Apple has wowed me again. The newest computer to grace their lineup is the MacBook Air. The MacBook Air is the hottest new computer that’s being released by Apple. Weighing three pounds the MacBook Air is the world’s thinnest computer. Currently there is only one size available the 13.3 screen.

Multi-Touch Trackpad

Adopting some of the principles that have made iPhone’s popular you’ll be able to pinch, rotate, and move forward to backward with your trackpad. If you are using its big sister, the MacBook Pro, hold on tight Apple will be adding this feature to the new line of MacBook Pro’s.

Slimmer Battery

The battery has lost some weight but it hasn’t lost it’s power you can access the internet wirelessly for up to five hours.

Remote Disc

Another feature that has me drooling is the ability to access the CD or DVD drive of a nearby computers. How cool is that?

With something this small you cannot expect MacBook Air to have everything that it’s big sister has. If you want to play a disc you will need to purchase a superdrive which will run about $99. Get this it will only work with the MacBook Air. You’ll have to purchase the USB ethernet adapter also. That will cost you another $29.

How Much is the MacBook Air?

Prices start at $1,799 and go up to over $3,000. Currently the MacBook Air is available for preorder. MacBook Air’s will start shipping in 2-3 weeks. Personally I’ll be interested in what people have to say about it when they receive them.

This news has me excited I cannot wait to see how they wow me with the new MacBook Pro’s.

This Will Not Replace Your MacBook Pro

Once the MacBook Air hits, the Apple store I’ll be sure to pop in and check it out for myself. If you’re looking to replace your MacBook Pro you’ll have to wait a while longer. This is not a replacement. It’s an ultra portable device and does not include a lot of the extras that I’ve grown to love with my MacBook Pro. Personally I’ll hold out and wait until they add some of these features to the new line of MacBook Pro’s.

Technorati Tags: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Remote Disc, Multi-Touch Trackpad

In my prior post, I wrote about MarsEdit 2 and how much I’m enjoying the software this morning something told me to go back to Daniel Jalkut’s website, Red Sweater. Guess what? I found another cool program. It’s called FlexTime. I installed it set a timer. I had an article that I needed to complete for one of my freelance writing gigs.

I’m a business owner and a freelance writer. I had searched for an application similar to this before but for sme reason I couldn’t find anything. I downloaded FlexTime this morning, and like MarsEdit you can try the product out for thirty days. It’s fully functional. I know I won’t be waiting thirty days before I purchase either product. I’m really enjoying the applications.

What’s fabulous is that I was able to complete two articles. Did FlexTime make me complete them? In a way, yes. No, it didn’t give me an electric shock if I stepped away from my MacBook Pro. Although that would be an incentive to get a project completed quickly. Subconsciously I thought about the tasks that I needed to complete, and I knew I was being tracked so I focused on getting the articles finished. Yes, it’s a mind thing however schedules work for me. I’m extremely busy. When I have a chance to play with it some more I’ll write a quick review but now I got to get to the gym and when I get back I have three more articles to finish. I stay extremely busy so a virtual timer is much appreciated.

If you listen to some of my friends and family they think that I must have all the time in the world since I work at home, Ha! I’m busier now than when I worked out of the home; however, it doesn’t feel like work because I love my job.

Thankfully MarsEdit is actually getting me back into blogging. At least on my websites that have become a virtual ghost town. The Mac Diva was tossed aside (oh the guilt), but I’m happily reviving it. MarsEdit has made blogging easier simply because I can work offline. With the amount of websites I have I was finding it hard to update them all; however, Sunday I was able to update six websites using MarsEdit. It definitely cut down my writing time. I was completed in an hour.

In a few months, I’ll have more time to devote to this blog. I’m hiring writers for a few websites that should give me time to focus on my favorites. There is so much I want to do with The Mac Diva I just haven’t had the time.

Excellent product and great customer service from the owner. I’m always impressed when I see that. It’s something I do with my own business and naturally I appreciate when others do it. The Mac DIva doesn’t get as much traffic as Vegan Momma so when I do write my full reviews I’ll be sure to post a review over their.

Technorati Tags: freelance writing, MarsEdit, FlexTime, Daniel Jalkut, Apple Mac software