So, I have seen a bunch of reviews and videos about how difficult it is to remove the Incase and Speck hard shell cases and so I decided to make this video tutorial on an easy method of removal. It shouldn’t take anyone 10, 20, 30 minutes to remove a hard shell. As you can see it takes me 2-3 minutes to remove the case and I do not damage the macbook in the process.
Productivity
Clean your dirty yellow Macbook!
Since I am in the process of refreshing my old white Macbook to factory-like conditions, I have decided to attempt to clean the dirty hand rest. As many of you might already know, the white Macbook’s hand rest yellows and collects dirt over time, and there have been many suggestions out their on how to keep the hand rest clean, so I decided to try it out myself. To be fair, my hand rest is not as dirty as it was once. About 6 months after I bought it, the hand rest was so yellow that I sent it to Apple to have them repair it. They said it was a defect in the hand rest, that it shouldn’t yellow, and they replaced it. It has since been over 2 1/2 years and as you can see in the video, the hand rest is not too bad. However, I really want it to look perfect so I went out and bought the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser because I heard that was the best way to clean the white Macbook.
Now, I would just like to clarify before you watch this video, if you are going to try this at home, it is better to start slow and clean a small area first. This will only work on the hand rest, so don’t try this on the screen or on the track pad or on the glossy casing of your Macbook. I ended up cleaning my hand rest, my keyboard and the frame of my screen (basically any place where that same white matte material is used). When it comes to cleaning the keys, make sure to be very gentle, because I have heard how strong these Erasers are and they could take your lettering off if you are scrubbing to harshly.
DIY Laptop Lap Desk.
When it comes to using my Macbook, I am definitely someone who works AFD, ‘away from desk.’ I follow the theory that a laptop was made to be taken elsewhere and therefor should not be subject to the confines of a desk 24 hours a day. I especially like to use my laptop in bed so that I can surf the net while watching tv, surrounded by pillows and blankets! That is why is it imperative that I use a lap desk. If you are a notebook computer user, you are well aware that sitting your computer down on a pillow or on a comforter can cause the air vents to clog with dust and particles as a pillow doesn’t necessarily get the best ventilation, so having a small lap desk to keep your computer on while working is a necessity. Although you could go out and spend $20-$100 dollars on various styles of lap desks, I prefer to make my own, and so I am going to share with you my tips on how to make a DIY Laptop Lap Desk. Making your own lap desk is easy, but best of all, it is customizable and the directions can be tailored to your specific crafting level.
To make your own DIY Laptop Lap Desk, you will need the following (all of which can be found at a local craft store):
1 Unfinished wooden tray table
1 Piece of sandpaper
1+ bottles of Acrylic crafting paint
2 Pieces of Scrapbook paper (Optional)
1 Jar of Mod Podge (Optional)
1 Can of Acrylic spray sealant
A few foam brushes
Optional Items
Depending on your crafting skill level, you may choose to paint your tray one solid color, multiple colors, or paper mache the desk portion of the tray using scrapbook paper and mod podge. You should think about how you would like your tray to look and what you think you are capable of doing before you begin so that you select the proper paint colors and materials. Using the paper mache tools can be simple, even for a first timer, as long as you take your time and follow the directions properly. This option can also help you to create an even more unique tray table through the use of pretty patterned papers.
Process
Step 1: Prepare your workspace
Before you begin, make sure you have a good amount of space on a table or desk to work on. Remember you will be using paint and glue for this project so you may want to put down newspaper or a disposable table cloth to keep your area clean.
Step 2: Prepare the tray
The first thing you need to do is use the sandpaper to clean up the wooden tray. You want to make the wood as smooth as possible and remove any bumps or splintering sections so that you can apply your paint evenly. This will also prevent you from hurting yourself on a wooden splinter as you work or worse, as you use the desk in the future. After you are done sandpapering the tray, make sure you remove any wooden dust particles from the tray AND your work space- you don’t want the paint on your tray to pick up wood dust as you work.
Step 3: Prepare your materials
If you choose to use just paint for your project, make sure you have a protected surface off to the side to put your paint on. This surface can be as simple as a piece of cardboard or as advanced as a painters palette, but you will need something to dip your foam brush into that is NOT directly into the bottle of paint.
If you choose to paint AND paper mache, this is the point where you should size out your paper to fit the interior of your tray. Take your time, mark, and slowly cut your paper to fit the flat desk portion of your tray before you begin. Remember, the rule of thumb is to measure twice and cut once!
Step 4: Paint
Depending on your level of skill, you may choose to paint the sides of your tray different colors, or simply paint it one solid color. Take your time and make sure to work off of a palette of some sort, and most of all make sure you are using one foam brush per color and cleaning the brushes off in between layers of paint. You will most likely need only 2 layers of paint, but you can apply more or less layers depending on the color you are using and the color result you are looking for. It is best to let the paint dry a little between layers so that you can get an accurate idea of the outcome color of each layer.
If you choose to work with the Mod Podge and scrapbook paper to paper mache the desk portion of your tray, you will want to avoid applying paint to the desk area. If you do get some paint on the desk, don’t worry, it will not hurt your project, and it is common to get paint on the edges of the desk as you paint the interior sides of the tray.
Step 5: Applying the Paper Mache
If you have chosen to work with the paper mache supplies to create a unique desk area, you should wait until the paint has dried on the tray before you begin. Once it is dry you will use another clean foam brush to apply the mod podge to the desk area. To do this, you may dip your foam brush directly inside the bottle of mod podge, but be careful as the mod podge is a glue and you may get run off as you take your brush out of the jar. Slowly and carefully apply an even layer of glue to the wood. You don’t want to apply to little of the glue that your paper won’t solidly stick to it, but you also do not want to apply so much glue that the layer will soak through your paper. Use your best judgement and apply a nice even layer.
Step 6: Apply the paper
After you have applied a nice even layer of glue to the desk, you must quickly put down your paper. I suggest starting from one edge of the tray and working to the next, laying the paper down and smoothing it to the surface of the desk. It is important to note, the paper may appear to have bubbles underneath it or what appears to be “veins” but if you have applied an even layer and have slowly applied the paper and smoothed it down as you went, you will be fine. Depending on the thickness of your chosen paper, as it gets wet during the application it will crinkle the way wet paper does, however, if you have made sure to smooth it down it will dry flat.
Step 7: Apply glue to the top of the paper
Once the paper has been applied to the desk of the tray, you must also add a layer of glue to the top of the paper. Much like you applied it to the desk, you will apply another even layer on top of the paper to seal it. Again, when you do this the paper may appear to crinkle more and more “air bubbles” or “veins” may appear on the paper, but these will disappear as the tray dries as long as you have applied an even layer of glue and made sure to carefully smooth down the paper in step 6.
Step 8: Let it dry
It is best to let the tray dry overnight before you move onto the final part of the project. This way you will give the glue plenty of time to harden and you will see that most, if not all, of the bubbles have dried flat.
Step 9: Apply the spray sealant
After you have given your project time to dry overnight, you may now apply the spray sealant. Make sure you take your project outside to do this, as the fumes of the spray can be harmful indoors and you need proper ventilation. Following the directions on the spray can, apply an even coat to the tray. If your tray has legs make sure to keep those open and have your tray standing so that the whole tray is being sealed. Let the first layer dry for about 10-15 minutes, and if you choose, apply a second coat.
Step 10: Let it dry
After you have applied the spray sealant to the tray, leave it in a nice, well ventilated spot to dry overnight (like in your garage or out on a deck. The spray sealant may say it dries in just a few minutes or hours, but it is best to let the tray dry overnight again before use so that you have aired it out properly and let it set.
Ladies on the Go.
It’s not just the men who get to have all the fun when it comes to tech! The working woman too requires the right gadgets and gear to keep her going, even when her work takes her on the move. So what exactly does a stylish woman use when she is out and about with her tech? Let this simple guide show you the right tools to keep productive on the go!
Getting the IT Bag, as in, information technology.
The Executive Treatment
Violet May’s Kydd Laptop Tote is the perfect bag for the 1st class look. With an embossed snakeskin finish and a colorful yet studry interior perfect for your laptop and accessories, this chic power tote can go from the boardroom, to business dinners and seals the deal every time! Price: $841.50 US.
The Minimalist
If all you are looking for out of a great laptop brief is a slim and minimalist design, look no further than Toffee’s Brief bag. The perfect size for your laptop inside and a few exterior pockets is all you need to get the job done, anywhere! Price: $139.95 US.
The Carry-All
Need to carry your laptop, documents, gadgets and accessories with you at all times? Then Knomo’s Toyah bag is just for you. This slim, yet expandable, brief has room for your laptop, cables, documents, gadgets and much more without sacrificing on style or quality! Price: $235 US.
Backing up is easy to do.
Stylish
Who knew an external hard drive could be considered stylish until now? With the LaCie Little Disk, you get the power and portability of a high quality external hard drive mixed with the elegance of a glossy enclosure and an all-in-one body design. To think, people avoid backing up! Price: $89.99 US for 250GB model.
Light as Air
So, you bought that ultra-portable laptop and now you’re worried your external hard drive is weighing you down? Not so with Iomega’s eGo Helium. Designed to compliment the slim design of a Macbook Air, this portable drive is sleek and powerful, just like your Mac! Price: $109.99 US for 320GB model.
Faithful Companion
If all you are looking for is a good design and a dependable drive, Western Digital’s My Passport Essential is all you need. This small but sturdy drive comes in a myriad of colors and drive capacities, and since it is made by Western Digital you know you are getting the best money can buy; peace of mind! Price: $99 US for 250 GB model.
The Must-Have Accessories.
Digital Camera
Although their are many digital cameras on the market right now, the best reviews and one of the best designs is Canon’s PowerShot SD780 IS. With 12.1 mega pixels, HD video quality and all the best features available today, this camera has it all! Price: $279.99 US.
Portable Power
Everyone could use a little extra power now and again, especially while they are on the road with little access to outlet power. While you could choose to buy a backup power source for each of your gadgets, that could get costly, not to mention cumbersome to carry, very quickly. So, if you have multiple gadgets to power up, go with the HyperMac external battery. This small battery can power your laptop and gadgets all at once, no need for separate batteries! Price: $199.95 for 10 extra hours of power.
Power Protection
Although you may be lucky enough to be working on the road at a location with outlet power, more often than not you will find yourself in the position of having too few accessible outlets. If you need to plug in your laptop, phone, ipod, and anything else, it might be good to have the outlet space for it, as well as surge protection. That’s where Belkin’s Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger comes in handy. It gives you extra outlet space, surge protection and 2 USB charging ports for your cell phone or ipods! Price: $24.99 US.
Wifi Anywhere
It is always great to be working with a high speed internet connection, but sometimes you just want the option to go wireless. So, with Apple’s Airport Express Base Station, all you need is a high speed internet connection and a power outlet, and viola, instant wifi! Price: $99 US.
Hyper Drive.
One of the big drawbacks to having a laptop is the lack of a continuous power source to keep your machine running for hours and hours. Despite the improved technology in laptop battery life, our portable machines are still only able to push out maybe 3-5 hours of battery on a charge, which is a good amount, but too often it is not enough. Well, if you to suffer from this problem, there might be a solution: the HyperMac External Macbook Power source. Coming in 4 different models, this compact power source is the size of an external hard drive (the smallest model) and can power your laptop for an extra 9-13 hours (smallest model) or up to 32 hours (the largest model). These guys come at a heavy price tag though, $199 for the small model and up to $499 for the largest. I guess this is worth it for some people, and I am seriously thinking about the small model for my own use. I don’t need 32 hours of backup power, but an extra 10 would be pretty nice!
Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger.
This weekend I finally bought the Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger! I found it on sale at Circuit City for $20.99 down from the usually $24.99 so I thought I should get it while it was on the cheap. I have been scoping this out for a while because not only is it a mini portable surge protector, it also includes 2 USB outlets and a USB to Mini USB cable for charging devices. I don’t have a wall charger for my iPods, so this is perfect for me! Plus it covers up to $75,000 in damages if it is defective, which is pretty spectacular. I have been using it for the past few days and I, of course, love it. There is not much more to say other than it has a 360 degree rotating head that comes in handy. Oh, but one small flaw that I discovered– when I tried to charge my iPod and my cell phone via the USB ports, the charge flow was interrupted and kept cutting in and out. I haven’t tried to charge two things simultaneously again, but if it keeps happening that is a major flaw because there is no reason to have two USB ports if it doesn’t actually charge two things at once. Other than that, I love the fact that it is a portable surge protector that also acts as a charger for my USB devices especially my iPods.
{This has been reposted from blackalligator.blogspot.com}
Coolest Moleskine Ever!
I know that Moleskine notebooks are part of the analog word and might seem to have no place on this technology blog, but this is a horse of a different color! This customized “Geekster Moleskine” as it is called by its creator, is actually an 80 GB external hard drive casing. Now, I don’t know about you, but I love the look and feel of a Moleskine notebook, so this hard drive speaks to my personal interests very much and I have to say, I sorta want one! I know I have more external hard drives than I need right now, but what is one more? This Moleskine hack was created using a laptop hard drive, something I do happen to have an extra of, so perhaps I might be able to create my own custom Moleskine drive using the directions written up by the creator of this hack! Hmm, this is totally moving the wheels inside my mind! You can take a look at more pictures of the project here, and see the work in progress here. Enjoy!
New Macbook Battery.
As a proud Macbook owner for over two years now, I have continually been impressed by the durability of this machine and the quality of Apple’s computers. I know I have had a few bumps in the road regarding certain hardware, specifically my optical drive that needs to be replaced yearly apparently! But my Apple Care coverage has taken care of all my issues, and I have had my machine upgraded with very little cost to myself. I upgraded the hard drive from 60 to 120 GB, I took my ram up from 2 512MB cards to 2 1GB cards, and now I have finally upgraded the final element lacking in my 2 year old Macbook: the battery.
If you have ever owned a Macbook, or if you currently own one, you know that the Macbook battery doesn’t last very long. I know laptop batteries in general are short lived, and in most cases, the Macbook’s battery is said to last from about 1 1/2 years to 2 years. Well, I have had mine for over two years now, and this is my first replacement battery, so I think I did well. Apple sells a replacement battery for $129, which is probably a small price to pay depending on how often you use your laptop wireless, but I really didn’t want to spend $129, so I do what I always do, shop around. I found alternate Mac product dealers that sold a new battery for less, bringing the price down to about $115 or even $100.
Then, I decided to check eBay for deals, and there I hit the jackpot. EBay is notorious for great deals, and I always try to find a great buy it now price. My goal initially was to find a battery for under $100, and I got more than I expected. While I was searching the Internet for new batteries, I completely forgot about the option to buy refurbished, which I know can be tricky with things like batteries, but if you find a good deal, you can get a great product for a low price, and that is exactly what I found. I found a refurbished Macbook battery for $44 plus free shipping.
Now, when I say refurbished, basically, the casing of this battery is used, you can tell, it looks used like my old battery, but the metal inside and underneath the white plastic is brand new. It appears to be a completely new cell. On top of that, I charged it up and tested it out- while I am connected to wifi, with multiple programs running (Safari pages, Mail, Calendar, Aim) I am getting 3.5 hours on a full charge! That is a tremendous amount of time for online usage! My old battery didn’t last 5 minutes on a web page before I replaced it, so 3.5 hours for $44 is a jackpot for me. Now, I didn’t check to see what the offline time was for the battery, but I am assuming it is something like 5-6 hours if I disconnect from the Internet. So this is basically a new battery in old battery clothing! A fabulous deal I would say!
{This has been reposted from blackalligator.blogspot.com}
Disinfect Your Tech.
With all the thought we put into insuring the safety and security of our digital devices through cases, covers and secure lock boxes, I think too often we forget some other important security measures we should be taking with our tech– cleaning and disinfecting! I mean, how often do you disinfect your frequently used devices with antibacterial cleaners? Well, in case you are someone who does so infrequently, I have made up a sort of how- to guide for cleaning your everyday tech devices so that you keep them clean and bacterial free, securing your health from your favorite toys!
iPod Earbuds
I think ipods might be one of the most popular tech toys on the market today, but I bet there are few of us who take the time to disinfect those iconic white ear buds of ours. You know, those little guys go from our bags, to our ears, to our pockets, back to our ears, to a friends ear and then settle again in a dark pocket or bag, collecting dirt, dust and bacteria and then allowing it to multiply- yuk! So, it is very important that we keep those things clean for our own sake- I mean, hello, they go in our ears!! Luckily, cleaning ear buds is super easy. Just use a q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide or alcohol and rub all over the little guys until you are sure you have sufficiently covered them with enough liquid to kill the germs, but not so much that you’re going to cause them damage. Definitely don’t dip your ear buds into any liquid or use any of those antibacterial gels to clean them! Make sure to dry off any excess liquid with a napkin or tissue, and viola- clean ear buds!
Mouse
As someone who owns an Apple Mighty Mouse, I know how important it is to keep your peripherals clean in order for them to function properly. For those of you know do not understand this reference, what I am suggesting is that the Mighty Mouse, because of the small rubber scrolling ball in the center, frequently stops working because it essentially becomes clogged with dirt and debris. So, basically, I am used to cleaning my mouse from time to time, as we all must, however, do we just clean off the visible dirt or do we take the time to disinfect. Luckily, cleaning a mouse is a bit easier than cleaning a delicate piece of tech such as ear buds. Basically, you can do one of two things to disinfect your mouse; 1) spray it with a disinfectant such as Lysol or 2) use a disinfectant wipe or soapy paper towel to wipe it clean. Because mice are usually made of thick plastic, rubber, or metal they can hold up to a bit more moisture, so you don’t need to worry about liquid seeping into small crevices and causing electrical issues with your device, which is particularly useful because we put our dirty hands all over those mice day in and day out!
Keyboard
Our computer keyboards are another piece of tech that we have our hands on A LOT! I think everyone has heard the horrible and disgusting facts about how much bacteria is on the human hands daily and we are just constantly moving that bacteria to our keyboards. Now, keyboards are another piece of tech that I would deem a little too delicate for copious amounts of disinfecting liquids or sprays, but a disinfecting wipe should be just enough moisture to clean the keys and keyboard area without causing drainage into the innards of the device. Keyboards are one of those things that can really be ruined by too much liquid, but a little can go a long way in terms of cleaning and removing bacteria without causing circuit board issues or eroding electrical parts!
{This has been reposted from blackalligator.blogspot.com}
Macbook Magnets.
I am definitely one of those people who is always the last to know about everything, so it comes as no surprise that I just discovered a new amazing solution to the problem of my apple earbuds always hanging off my desk while plugged into my mac. So, basically, there is a magnet inside the earbuds and inside the screen of my macbook, and when you put them together, they stick! No more hanging earbuds that tangle up, or worse, risk the wrath of my curious puppy! I know this might be a minor solution for anyone with the same problem, but I hope this helps. I have even included a picture for your viewing pleasure!
Oh, and by the way, this doesn’t mess anything up on either your earbuds or your macbook. I made sure to look into that with a mac genius buddy of mine!
{This has been reposted from blackalligator.blogspot.com}