If you’ve noticed your iPhone’s battery just isn’t cutting it you might be considering a backup battery. These are compact devices, some cases too, that connect to your phone’s dock connector and charge it on-the-go.
There’s actually a surprisingly wide selection out there, and these are some details you should pay attention to when looking for a backup / external battery for your phone.
- Capacity: iPhone’s have about 1200 mAh capacity, so bear in mind how many times you mind want to charge your phone.
- Size/shape: For this to be useful you’ll have to carry it with you. Pick a battery that fits in your bag, case or purse.
- Price: Prices range from about $9-$60. More expensive batteries aren’t necessarily any better. Read on for my suggestion.
I chose the Monoprice iPhone Battery Pack (1900mAh). Its holds enough to charge my phone 1 and 1/2 times, its small enough to slip in my bag and it was super-cheap! $9 + $2 shipping to Canada got this to my door in just under two weeks.
Monoprice is an excellent company; in my experience their products are exceptionally high quality and very reasonably priced. The backup battery was no different-it does exactly waht its supposed to. You charge it with your iPhone cable or dock and pack it away for when its needed. Then when you’re running low on power just plug it in the bottom and the phone starts charging immediatley.
So if you’re thinking about getting the Monoprice device, or any backup battery, go for it. You won’t regret having the security.
Why must Apple build products that are easy on the eyes, but even easier to mar? Not even the aluminum of the MacBook Pro is immune to scuffs and scratches.
So when I got my 15″ Unibody MacBook Pro I decided to get a hardshell case along with it. I travelled to a few local Mac resellers, the Apple Store and various websites, considering what options were available along the way. I asked a couple questions that helped me make a decision:
- How well does this fit and will it make use difficult?
- How effective is it at actually protecting my Mac?
- What’s it going to cost me?
- Will it make my sleek computer look dorky?
Continue reading ‘Incase Hardshell for MacBook Pro’
New and refurb iMac.
Some of you know that I ordered a refurbished 24″ aluminum iMac last August. The ordeal proved to be an exercise is in my patience and sanity, but now that the dust has settled I can make a few conclusions. The biggest problem was the faulty displays that shipped in my first two iMacs. I explained the problem in detail when I got the first machine. The second was slightly better, but had more or less the same problem. Since I was a month behind on some work, I decided to keep the second machine until I was back on track. Generally that means giving up any hope of getting a replacement (within 14 days of purchase). Service was supposed to be my only option. I figured that didn’t matter, since a new refurb unit would probably have the exact same problem.
Continue reading ‘Refurbished iMac: Overall Experience’
UPDATE: Elgato’s Canadian EPG is now out of beta, and purchasers will receive one year of free access with purchase of an EyeTV tuner.
A couple months ago I ordered the Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus from the online Apple Store (free shipping FTW). Technically speaking its a TV tuner, but I bought it for its cassette digitizing abilities – more on that later. I thought that was the only use I’d get out of it too, since Elgato doesn’t offer a Electronic Program Guide (EPG/listings) for Canada. Until now. The past few weeks they’ve been rolling out a beta version of the EyeTV 3 software that includes support for a Canadian EPG.
Continue reading ‘EyeTV in Canada’
As some of you are painfully aware (due to my lack of progress on a few projects) I’m in the process of getting a new computer. I had been using a MacBook as a desktop replacement, but I was starting to feel the lousy integrated graphics, the slow 2.5″ HD and the overall irritation of running a notebook in clamshell mode.
So last Sunday I followed the advice of many veteran Mac users and pulled up the Apple refurbished section. Its stocked with nearly everything in the regular store at a great discount. For the savings you give up the gorgeous retail boxes (refurbs ship in a plain brown box). That’s it, really. The product may have been taken home by another customer, but has since been returned to Apple and reconditioned. This process involves replacement of any internal parts, if necessary, and a thorough cleaning or case replacement. Refurbs arrive in perfect cosmetic condition with no scratches, scuffs or imperfections with brand new keyboards, mice and accessories. They have same warranty as new Macs and are generally better inspected than new machines. Mine apparently fell through the cracks.
Continue reading ‘Refurbished 24″ iMac’