Connecting Point Computers

Apple posts new online seminars

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:14:48 -0500

No worries about gas costs or making a seminar at any specific time. These online seminars are free and available whenever you are. Visit Apple's Seminar website and pick from a nice host of seminars. Registration is required. Use your .Mac or iTunes account info if you want.

Microsoft (finally) releases Mac Office converters

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:16:38 -0500

Microsoft is notorious for delaying product release dates. So when they promised Open XML file format converters for Office 2004, we knew we had a waiting period ahead of us. Now they have finally been released. Open XML Converter allows you to convert Open XML files that were created in Office 2008 for Mac or Office 2007 for Windows so that you can open, edit, and save them in earlier versions of Office for Mac.

M-Audio Keystation 49e at $79.95

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:04:54 -0500

We now have a stack of these keyboards at an unbelievable price. Originally priced at $129.95, the Keystation 49e is now only $79.95 at Connecting Point Computers.

The Keystation 49e is the perfect USB MIDI controller keyboard for getting started with music on your Mac. Despite its simplicity, the Keystation 49e includes a 49-note full- size, velocity-sensitive keyboard for authentic playing experience, as well as built-in MIDI interface, pitch and modulation wheels, and sustain pedal input. This sleek, compact keyboard is USB bus- powered, requiring no external power supply. Compatible with most educational and studio software, the affordable Keystation 49e is the perfect companion with which to begin your musical journey.

Get them while they last.

MacBook Air with 24k Gold and Swarovski Crystal

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:57:47 -0500

The world's thinnest laptop, MacBook Air is a work of art as much as it is a phenomenal notebook computer. Priced at only $1799, it wows a lot of people specifically because of its size. But a company decided to make this work of art their canvas and the outcome is a MacBook Air covered in 24k gold and a wealth of Swarovski crystals. So many, in fact, that this customized MacBook Air will set you back a mere 20,000 GBP (about $39,000). Only 20 of them were made so get your orders in early.

10.5.3 Has Arrived!

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:06:30 -0500

Great News! The log awaited 10.5.3 has just been released along with a host of other fresh updates from Apple. Designed to fix a wealth of bugs in the Leopard OS, 10.5.3 updates iCal, Safari, Time Machine, Mail, Address Book... it seems to touch on all main spots on the Leopard Operating System including a new option to privatize iCal appointments.

Leopard Server, Security Updates, Logic Express, and some RAW updates for iPhoto and Aperture are among the other new updates released today. Run the software update on your computer or visit Apple's download page to obtain these files.

Get a Mac Sad Song Commercial: Long Version

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:52:44 -0500

Way back in 2006, Apple decided to finally throw the gauntlet down and produce some of the most memorable "I'm a Mac and I'm a PC" commercials. Two years later they are still coming out with new versions. The latest one has PC playing the Vista Blues while Mac listens on. Apple has produced an extended version of this commercial. Watch it here.

.Mac Helped Retrieve Stolen Laptop

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:40:13 -0500

There are more than a handful of reasons to be a .Mac (pronounced "Dot Mac") member, many of which are quite appealing. None of them come close, however, to the wicked feature of potentially catching the criminals who pilfered your laptop. That possibility became a reality when two thieves stole an Apple laptop in New York. The owner used the Back to My Mac feature allowing her to access her laptop and the built-in iSight video camera. She then took a snapshot of one of the thieves before he could look away. The suspects were later caught.

Don't have .Mac yet or coming time to renew your .Mac membership. Connecting Point has deals on new memberships and membership renewals so you never have to pay full price on these amazing online tools that work seamlessly with iLife and Mac OS X.

Unfamiliar with the amazing .Mac features? Ask one of our Apple Product Professionals and you will get a personal overview on .Mac and how it can heighten your Mac experience.

Boot Camp 2.1 Released.

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:03:21 -0500

With the upcoming release of Windows XP Service Pack 3, many beta testers have seen Apple's Boot Camp technology not work with it. Today, Apple has released their solution with the 2.1 Boot Camp update. Weighing in at well over 200MB, there are three different updates to choose from: One for Windows XP which is required for SP3, one for Vista 32-bit versions, and one for Vista 64-bit versions.

New Parking Lot!

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:49:26 -0500

I would like to apologize beforehand for the couple of days of disruption for customer parking at our store. We are in the process of putting in a new parking lot and you will see this process underway today and tomorrow. Our store will be open during normal hours during this construction so don't let this deter you from your Apple Store! The end result will be one smooth parking lot for our customers.

Cheers!

Clearance: iPods

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:48:39 -0500

Connecting Point Computer Center has added various iPods to the famous Clearance Rack, including the amazing iPod touch.

Get them while they last!

Safari 3 Tip

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:00:12 -0500

If you have the latest version of Safari, have tabbing enabled, and want to quickly open a new tab... you can now double click in the open space in the tab area.

Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac now Available

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:29:19 -0500

It's been quite some time since Adobe updated their Photoshop Elements for the Mac platform (version 5 was even skipped over and never existed). I believe one of the more truthful reviews comes from Ars Technica who touches on Elements' system requirements (somewhat hefty), new layout (more Windows-esque), and features (if you want to see what's new, go here).

Price is $89 which is a paltry amount compared to its alternative Photoshop ($649) and is available at Connecting Point.

This is a phenomenal add-on for anyone using iPhoto!

Apple Awards Connecting Point Commitment To Excellence Award

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:02:50 -0500

We are ecstatic to announce that Apple has awarded Connecting Point Computer Center's Apple Service Team the Commitment To Excellence Award. Only the top 5% of the thousands of Apple Authorized Service Providers in the United States and Canada combined have earned this achievement. It feels good to have Apple acknowledge the hard work of our Service Department. I personally would like to thank Joe Dehoff and the rest of the team for a job well done.

Airport Express... Now Five Times Faster

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:15:39 -0500

Ever since its introduction years ago, the über small Airport Express Base Station has never seen any significant upgrade. Apple has finally boosted its speed and range by throwing in 802.11n into it on lucky St. Patrick's Day. Now, the new Airport Express Base Station is up to five times faster and offers twice the range as its previous model and still costing only $99.

With AirTunes Built-in, The Airport Express allows you to hook up virtually any stereo system for wireless music playback through iTunes. The USB port also allows you to share a pinter. The early Intel Macs require the 802.11n enabler which is included in the box. Reserve one today!

Connecting Point still has the recently discontinued Airport Express Base Station on our famous Clearance Rack at only $69. Get them while they last.

Aperture Test Drive National Tour Coming to Bloomington

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:23:53 -0500

Connecting Point Computers has teamed up with Apple to bring their free national Aperture tour to Bloomington, Illinois. We will be hosting two Aperture Seminars on Tuesday, April 1st. It is free to attend, but you must register.

Description:

Apple is hosting a new national tour to showcase Aperture 2, the third major release of Apple's all-in-one post-production tool for photographers. Experience first hand how Aperture 2 provides workflow efficiency from start to finish – dramatically shortening the time between shooting and client delivery.

- Overview
This is a three-hour seminar conducted by an Apple Pro. It will allow you to get hands-on with the newly released Aperture 2. Come take a Test Drive.

- What you will Learn
• Discover some of the over 100 new features added to Aperture 2 including: a new Streamlined Interface, Accelerated Performance, Enhanced Image Processing Tools, Tethered Shooting Support, Integrated iPhoto Browser, Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts and how to Distribute Master Images via your .Mac Web Gallery
• Discover how Aperture 2 delivers a solid and secure platform, and how it enables you to deliver your best work on deadline.
• See how Aperture 2 makes RAW as easy as JPEG.
• Learn more about the innovative use of non-destructive image processing which allows you to be more creative and flexible.
• Find out how Aperture’s easy-to-use output tools allow you to get your work in front of customers more quickly.

- Featured Solutions
Aperture 2
MacBook Pro

- Who Should Attend
If you DO NOT own Aperture 1.5 or Aperture 2 yet and would like to take a Test Drive before you purchase, this is an event for you.
Whatever kind of photography you do – fashion, wedding, sport, portrait, fine art, commercial, editorial – even if you are a budding amateur this test drive is an ideal opportunity for you to see Aperture in Action. If you work with RAW, JPEG, or TIFF formats and if you’re seeking the next level of integrated workflow management with hundreds or thousands of photos, this seminar will be of particular interest to you.

M-Audio intros two new digital pianos

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:19:13 -0500

Set to start shipping the second Quarter of 2008, M-Audio's new pianos, the ProKeys Sono 61 and ProKeys Sono 88, will cost $449.95 and $549.95, respectively.

(Really) Stunning Desktop Wallpapers

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:16:09 -0500

Personally, I love a clean desktop. It makes your system faster, is reduces stress, and it makes whatever desktop picture you have more visible. The Downloads folder is a new edition to Mac OSX Leopard and with its efficient pop-up feature in the Dock (I use the Grid view as opposed to the fan view) I have moved all of my desktop files to this folder. I even removed the hard drive from my desktop (Finder...Preferences...General...Uncheck Hard Disks).

Once you have a clean desktop, it's time to have at least one amazing desktop picture. This article shows some pretty creative desktops for you to use.

There are many ways to organize your desktop photos. Two common methods are creating an events folder or photo album in iPhoto, or creating a Desktop Photos folder in the Photo folder of your user folder. Where ever you store these images, you can open up System Preferences, select Desktop & Screen Saver, and click on this new album or folder (if it's not shown, click the plus button under the folder listing and add it). Here you can also have the computer change the desktop picture when you wake from sleep, every day, or even to an insane every 5 seconds. You can also have the computer randomize these photos. If you did not know it, Apple has included some stunning desktop images of their own and this is where they are found.

Weather you have a MacBook or a 24-inch iMac or the stunning 30-inch Apple Cinema Display, it feels good turning your Mac on and be greeted by a desktop that helps you through the day.

25 Great Mac Set ups

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 12:01:20 -0500

Being a certified Apple service center, we have seen some pretty amazing setups on our trips to service calls. The creative geniuses in Central Illinois who own stunning-looking Macs have equally stunning working environments their Macs are situated in. Although these are not from our customers, we hope you enjoy 25 Great Mac Set ups. After looking at these, take a look at your Mac environment and see if it needs an overhaul.

Clearance Rack Overhaul

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:31:46 -0600

Our Clearance Rack is growing! A quiet head's up that new items are being posted to our famous Clearance Rack over the next two days and certain prices of items already on the list are being reduced. This will probably be our biggest list to date and, as always with our clearance items, first come first serve.

Every new Apple Portable in stock

bryanj@connectingpoint.com — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:27:04 -0600

Faster processors, better graphics, more hard drive space makes the latest MacBook and MacBook Pros the best laptops ever. And Connecting Point Computers has every model in stock. We can also customize the laptops with any upgrade option available from Apple and even more that are not. Our 6-months same-as-cash promotion is still running so there has never been a better time to buy an Apple laptop!