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Geekbench by Primate Labs helps test the speed of your Mac

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For anyone curious about whether their Mac is performing as well as it should, an excellent place to turn is to Primate Labs and their popular Geekbench app. Geekbench is an extremely user-friendly application that benchmark tests your Mac’s processing abilities. Its scoring system is clearly laid out and differentiates between single-core and multi-core performance.

One particularly great aspect that sets Geekbench apart from other benchmark programs is its ability to test your computer with workloads that mimic real-life usage, not just lab standards. As a result, Geekbench doesn’t just tell you where your computer performance is at and where it should be. It determines your computer’s ability to handle the tasks and run the applications you actually use it for.

The latest iteration of Primate Labs’ application, Geekbench 3, runs several different stress tests as well as processor benchmark testing on your Mac. Stress tests determine the stability of your computer against small bugs, allowing you to weed them out and make any necessary repairs before they become big issues.

Geekbench is suitable for both 32-bit and 64-bit computers. It is also multi-core aware. Consequently, it’s helpful for all Mac owners, whether you’re looking to tweak your older dual-core iMac and get some more use out of it or keep your new quad-core Mac in peak condition. It can even handle computers as vast as 32-core servers, testing each core individually. With such a range in ability, it’ll even be prepared for the release of the revolutionary new Mac Pro.

Intuitive testing abilities aside, Geekbench is particularly useful for its ability to check a range of devices. Not just for your MacBook, it can be used to benchmark test smartphones, too. Furthermore, it’s accessible across different platforms. So if you like to mix up devices for whatever reason, your Geekbench account can handle your Apple devices one moment and your Android gadgets the next. It differentiates between mobile and desktop hardware and operating systems, making a subscription a worthwhile investment.

For those who aren’t satisfied just knowing their computer is up to snuff, Geekbench also loads all your testing results into a personalized results browser. Once you create an account, all your test results will be available within its dashboard for ease of reference. And for anyone eager to “geek out” and earn bragging rights over just how quick their system is, test results can be shared amongst users.

Benchmark testing is about far more than just boasting about computer speed, and it’s not just for extreme enthusiasts keen to tweak and modify every aspect of their computing experience. It’s a valuable idea for all computer users and can help determine if your system is experiencing any problems you may not immediately detect. By catching little hiccups before they become major issues you can potentially prevent issues before they happen and have the most efficient computing experience possible.

Benchmark testing, much like backing up your data and running anti-virus software, is another smart step in protecting your investment. Programs like Geekbench make it a little easier and less intimidating to do so.

Storage

Improve the speed of your Mac with the Samsung 840 Pro SSD

Image 10/05/2013 Macmint 3 Comments

How can you improve the speed of your mac? For those looking for the ultimate in computer performance, upgrading from a traditional hard disc drive to a solid-state drive is essential. The Samsung 840 Pro SSD Drive has become a premier choice for many people making the switch. Available in 128GB, 256 GB and 512 GB options, it comes at a reasonable starting price of approximately $133.00.

If you’re not yet sure that you’d be well served by upgrading from your HDD to SDD, or you’re keen to do so but don’t know where to start, the Samsung 840 may be worth considering.

Speed, security and efficiency are three of this drive’s biggest selling points. Samsung claims that installing the 840 Pro will enable you to start up your computer in as little as 10 to 15 seconds. Once you’re up and running, you’ll notice a marked improvement over your old HDD in upload speeds, as well as increased performance when using disc-intensive programs or managing a heavy workload.

What about security of your Mac?

If you’re concerned about the security of sensitive data on your hard drive, switching to a solid-state drive like the 840 Pro may also be particularly appealing to you. Boasting AES 256-bit full-disc encryption, you can breathe a little easier knowing that your important files are offered some of the best protection available to consumers.

What about energy efficiency?

Furthermore, the Samsung 840 Pro is popular with many people due to its energy efficiency. Once you make the switch from your traditional hard disc drive, you can expect extended battery life of up to 50 minutes thanks to the intelligent design of this SSD. It will effectively enable you to be a little more “green” and conservative with your power usage while not sacrificing performance.

samsung-ssd — Samsung 840 Pro SSD Packaging

Another key feature of the 840 Pro is the stability it offers. Corrupted drives are a headache, even if you’re fastidious about backing up your data. While nothing can guarantee a problem-free computing experience, solid-state drives are more stable by design. Furthermore, this product’s brushed metal case blocks against dust and corrosion, and Samsung’s design offers excellent shock protection. Accordingly, the likelihood of experiencing a corrupted or damaged drive is significantly reduced.

Samsung markets this SSD as being ideal for professionals (think: designers, photographers and anyone else who work with large amounts of data and requires high transfer rates) and most of their target users seem to be impressed with the quality and performance of the 840 Pro. However, it’s worth noting that in real-world usage there were a few concerns, albeit minor ones.

So is it worthwhile?

Some users have reported that since upgrading from the 830 to the 840, they didn’t notice a significant difference in performance. Therefore, switching from another solid-state drive to this one may not be worthwhile. However, the same consumers who made that point were also quick to say that anyone upgrading from a traditional hard disc drive is sure to notice a marked improvement.

128gb-samsung-ssd — Samsung 840 Pro Series

It has also been noted that after several weeks of heavy usage with the Samsung 840 Pro and a fresh operating system installation, the drive was still doing remarkably well, although it did require a few BIOS tweaks to get the most out of the hardware initially.

Overall, the Samsung 840 Pro solid-state drive is a popular and fairly priced product that is made with multi-tasking, demanding computer users in mind. Criticisms of the drive are minor, with the vast majority of consumers being pleased with it.

Storage

Apple Fusion Drive vs Solid State Drive

Image 10/01/2013 Macmint Leave a comment

Apple Fusion Drive or Solid State Drive, what is the difference? While there is a lot of buzz in the tech world about the new Apple Fusion drive, there is also a fair amount of confusion. Just what is this revolutionary new development? Is it possibly a better option than solid-state drives? And if so, just how does the technology work?

For those who need a high-capacity and high-speed drive, Fusion may be the answer. It partners the large storage capacity of a traditional hard drive with the excellent performance of a flash drive, making it a popular choice for photographers, designers and anyone else who needs to upload large amounts of data in an efficient manner.

Traditionally disc-intensive tasks, which range from starting up your system to uploading high-resolution photographs, are more efficient with the intelligent Fusion drive. That’s because it “fuses” traditional and flash drive technology together. The more you use it, the more the system detects what your needs are and adapts to suit them – frequently used programs are kept in flash storage while anything you access less often is kept in the traditional hard drive.

Furthermore, on Mac computers that are equipped with the Fusion drive, file transfers take place in the background, ensuring that your computing experience isn’t spoiled by lagging or other hindrances typically associated with uploading.

While the Fusion drive offers more than enough power and storage space for the average computer user, and is still up to the task of handling file transfers for heavy users, Apple does offer additional options for those who require an exceptional level of storage capacity and transfer speeds. New iMacs can now be configured with 1 TB of flash storage that is 50% faster than previous models, ensuring even extraordinary amounts of data can be uploaded and stored in an efficient manner.

So, why pick the Fusion drive over a solid-state drive or even a regular hard drive? The two most common deciding factors are speed and price. While there are those who far prefer Fusion to solid state drives, there is no doubt that SSD is the purest, fastest option on the market right now. Those who have worked with SSD drives in their Mac computers swear they’ll never go back to a traditional hard drive.

However, the downside is the cost. You get what you pay for, and a 1 TB Fusion drive is an affordable $250.00 option for your new Mac computer, compared to spending up to $1300.00 on a similar solid-state drive. If you’re willing and able to potentially double the cost of your new MacBook or iMac, then solid state is the way to go. By comparison, a new Fusion drive is affordable and still provides transfer speeds and storage capacity sure to “wow” anyone transitioning from a traditional hard drive.

The Fusion drive is also an excellent option for anyone who’s still using a Mac with a hard disc drive. Should you be after increased performance, but not to the extent of someone who needs to spend a considerable amount on SSD, the Fusion drive is an affordable choice. Better than just a “middle of the road” option, it provides the best of both worlds – lightning fast flash performance when you need it, with the large capacity of HDD.

News

iTunes Festival returns to London with free live music on your Apple device

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Imagine: an entire month of free concerts in one of the greatest cities in the world! Since 2007, it’s been an annual reality thanks to Apple. The beloved computer and smartphone manufacturer has delighted a countless number of people with their iTunes Festival, held in London each September. They’re currently at the end of the series, and once again it’s proving to be exciting, memorable and incredibly fun.

The iTunes Festival is sponsored by Apple, who make free tickets available to all UK residents through a series of online and in-app prize draws leading up to the event. For those who aren’t lucky enough to attend, each performance is streamed live online and available to view again afterwards on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Mac computers and on television via Apple TV.

Each night in September features both an emerging artist, who takes the stage at 8:00pm and a veteran headlining act, who comes on at 9:00pm. The inaugural performance, in 2007, was held at the renowned ICA, an arts and cultural centre near Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. One of the first artists to perform was Amy Winehouse, who was at the peak of her success and dazzled the audience with her unique vocals.

In 2008, the festival moved to KOKO, in London’s Camden Town neighborhood. And since 2009, it has found a comfortable home at the venerable Roundhouse, also in Camden. Over the last weekend, the festival also coincided with multiple concerts, benefits and celebrations held around London and centered in Camden Town to mark what would be the thirtieth birthday of the late Amy Winehouse and benefit the charitable foundation established in her name.

This year’s iTunes Festival features up and coming artists like Drenge and Palma Violets as well as superstars such as Jack Johnson and legendary bands like Pixies. As in previous years, it seems that the artists are doing their best to live up to Apple’s promise of an epic, unexpected and unforgettable festival. Reports indicated that they’re getting creative and having fun with their performances, and reviews have overall been extremely positive. A great example of this is 2013’s festival opener, Lady Gaga, who debuted a performance of entirely new and previously unheard material.

With Apple being the smartphone, tablet and computer brand of choice for millions of consumers worldwide, their success has increased exponentially over the past few years. Cynics may be quick to write the iTunes Festival off as a marketing tactic designed to encourage the public to buy their products, and it’s true that Apple will of course benefit from sponsoring this series of events.

However, it is also a prime example of how the company does things a little differently. The annual iTunes Festival is creative and innovative. This massive event doesn’t just feature popular mainstream artists. It contributes to Camden Town’s rich musical and artistic culture and offers incredibly good exposure to new and lesser-known musicians. Furthermore, it’s a nice way of giving a little something back to those who are so loyal to the Apple brand.

iPhone

Overview of the new iPhone 5s from Apple

Image 09/29/2013 Macmint Leave a comment

After months of rumors circulating online, in early September Apple finally made the official announcement about the iPhone 5s and which features it will contain. Now the first wave of the buzz-worthy smartphones are being released in the United States, and Apple fanatics can’t wait to be amongst the first to own one or even get their name on a waiting list with their wireless provider.

So what is it that makes this phone so great? There are many updates, big and small. Here are a few of the top features of the iPhone 5s:

Amazing new A7 chip

By including it in the 5s, Apple has become the first smartphone manufacturer in the world to offer a mobile device with 64-bit architecture. As a result, the CPU and graphics performance of the iPhone 5s is up to two times faster than the previous iPhone – desktop-computer quality technology in a device that fits in the palm of your hand.

Incredible M7 chip

Able to measure data from an accelerometer, gyroscope and compass, it saves the 5s from constantly relying on the A7 chip for everything. Perhaps the best feature of the M7 chip is the fact that it can differentiate between walking, running and even vehicle motion. This makes it practical in small but convenient ways, such as not asking you about joining the Wi-Fi network of your local coffee shop when you happen to be driving by it. Furthermore, the M7 chip can detect when your iPhone is idle or you’re asleep and will reduce network pinging to save on battery life.

Touch ID fingerprint sensor

Centered on the iPhone 5s home button, which is made of sapphire crystal, it reads the ridges and patterns in your print and functions accordingly, providing an unprecedented level of security for locking and unlocking your device. Touch ID technology can also be used in place of a traditional password to make purchases through iTunes, iBooks and the Mac App Store. Fingerprint data stored within the iPhone 5s is encrypted and saved securely in the A7 chip, where it is locked away from everything but the touch sensor itself.

Improved iSight camera

With 8 megapixels plus additional 1.5-micron pixels, Apple has centered the iPhone 5s camera on people who want to take great photos, not become expert photographers. They know that much of their target audience simply wants to take awesome shots on the go that they can upload to their social networks. The camera in the 5s has True Tone flash for still photographs and videos, automatic image stabilization, burst mode and slow motion video features.

Stunning graphics

If you were amazed by retina display, the graphics in the new 5s will surely impress you. Set at the standard of quality Mac computers, they highlight textures and shadows in an incredibly true-to-life fashion and even visualize sun reflecting off water. Whether you like to play games, watch Netflix or look at photos on your iPhone, the 5s sets a new standard for providing impressive visuals.

The iPhone 5s is equipped with a wealth of other new features, such as LTE wireless capability, improved energy efficiency and even a sleeker, lighter body. You can also discover all the differences between the 5s and 5c in our detailed comparison post.