Hardware Articles on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

MacBook Pro with Retina display tops Windows 8 laptops, Chromebook in battery test

by Michael Grothaus (Mar 11th, 2013)

Mac users who need power, portability and battery longevity can rest easy knowing the latest MacBook Pro outlasts the latest Windows 8 laptops and at least one Chromebook model in battery tests. UK consumer reports magazine Which? tested the battery life of 18 Windows 8 laptops against the ...

MacBook Pro with Retina users report fan issue

by Michael Grothaus (Mar 11th, 2013)

A number of early 2013 Retina MacBook Pro owners are reporting fan speed issues, according to plenty of reports around the web including on Apple's own discussion forums. Specifically the issue is about the laptop's fans kicking on when there is no need to. Users report only stressing the ...

Latest Apple TVs have smaller A5 chip

by Michael Grothaus (Mar 11th, 2013)

When Apple tweaked its third-generation Apple TV earlier this year, rumors suggested it might use Apple's A5X chip instead of the A5 chip. However it's now been confirmed that the tweaked Apple TV uses an A5 chip, although it's slightly smaller than the A5 chip found in the previous ...

SpotLite 2.0 GPS pet collar lets you monitor your pet with an iPhone

by Dave Caolo (Mar 7th, 2013)

Securus, Inc. makes mobile security and safety devices, like the SpotLite GPS pet collar. This clever device attaches to your pet's collar and lets you monitor his or her whereabouts, which is perfect for those pups who like to wander. Not only does this durable, waterproof device offer 24-hour, ...

Logitech Ultrathin is a good, but cramped, keyboard for the iPad mini

by Megan Lavey-Heaton (Mar 5th, 2013)

One of the things I never thought I would miss when I made the switch to an iPad mini is my keyboard case. I loved using my Jot Writer 2 Plus with my iPad 2, and the friend who subsequently inherited that iPad also loves the case. I never thought I would need or want a keyboard to go with the ...

White House announces support for unlocking cell phones

by Mike Schramm (Mar 4th, 2013)

A petition on the White House's website to work for a new law universally allowing the unlocking of cell phones recently raised more than 100,000 signatures from the public, and the White House has now officially responded to the idea, stating its support. The petition refers to Section 1201 of ...

Mac Pro no longer available from European Apple online stores

by Michael Grothaus (Feb 19th, 2013)

Time is quickly running out for European shoppers who hope to grab a Mac Pro from Apple. Back in January Apple announced that it would stop selling the Mac Pro on March 1st in Europe due to new regulations regarding the unit's power supply. It looks like Apple has now started the withdrawal of ...

Apple's place in the next generation of gaming

by Mike Schramm (Feb 18th, 2013)

Sony is holding an event this Wednesday in New York, where the company is expected to announce the next version of its popular PlayStation console, essentially kicking off the next generation of video gaming (Nintendo actually did this last year with the launch of its Wii U console, but sales ...

An iPad mini with Retina display could cost $12 more to build

by Mike Schramm (Feb 18th, 2013)

Hardware market research firm iSuppli has released a new report that claims the cost-per-device of an iPad mini sporting a Retina display screen could be fairly high: as much as $12 or more. Even if all of the other parts stay the same price, just adding a Retina display in the iPad mini's ...

Photoshop 1.0 source code now available from the Computer History Museum

by Mike Schramm (Feb 15th, 2013)

The Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif. (home of Google, and just a few miles from Apple's HQ in Cupertino) has a new display up, featuring none other than the source code to Photoshop 1.0, the very first version of Adobe's powerhouse photo-editing software. The exhibit features ...

Review: RHA MA150 low cost, high quality earphones

by Matt Tinsley (Feb 15th, 2013)

I use my iPhone a lot to listen to music when I'm out and about. And I have a really great pair of earphones to use for this purpose. However, they are high-end in-ear monitors. And while they sound amazing, they are not always practical for day to day tasks like going for a run or shoving them ...

New pererro device for iOS offers switch access to the disabled

by Dave Caolo (Feb 6th, 2013)

UK-based RSLSteeper makes assistive technology for use in the classroom and at home, for all age groups and a wide variety of needs. It has recently released the "pererro," which provides switch access to iOS devices for those with fine- and gross-motor control issues. At 30 × 28 ...

Logitech reveals iPad mini keyboard cover

by Dave Caolo (Feb 5th, 2013)

Logitech has revealed a slim, new keyboard case for the iPad mini. Similar to its full-sized sibling, Logitech® Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, the new Logitech® Ultrathin Keyboard mini perfectly accommodates Apple's smaller device. The Bluetooth keyboard maintains a standard layout and key ...

hipKey Proximity Sensor helps find your lost keys, children

by Michael Grothaus (Jan 23rd, 2013)

Ever lose your keys? I know, stupid question. Everyone loses their keys from time to time. It's maddening when you know they are just "somewhere right around here." Or worse, have you ever lost your iPad? Or a purse? If any of this is familiar to you, the hipKey proximity sensor might just be ...

Beta test reveals Logitech planning to support OS X

by Mike Schramm (Jan 22nd, 2013)

OnlineBeta.com lists callouts for beta testers. A recent listing has revealed that accessory maker Logitech is planning to expand its support for OS X. In the listing, Logitech asks for help testing out its various gaming keyboards and mice on OS X, offering up public software for more ...