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How to Create a Bootable OSX Lion Install Disk

npetrik — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:15:19 +0000

OSX Lion is the first operating system to be offered as a full digital download. Initially Apple stated that the only way to get Lion was to download it from the Mac App store, but later decided to offer it on a bootable USB stick that you could purchase.

Although the digital download is a major step forward on how we will be getting our OSs in the future, most people (including myself) wanted an actual physical copy. Lion does create a bootable repair partition in case you need to do a re-install, but this does not solve the problem of a complete hard drive failure. Creating a bootable OSX Lion install disk also will allow you to perform a clean install in case you just want to clean out the cobwebs that may be lurking in the far reaches of your Mac. Just an important reminder that the Lion installer is tied to your Apple ID so you may want to think twice if you plan on sharing your disk with others via torrents, file sharing services, or simply friends.

Re-Downloading OSX Lion

If your like me you couldn't wait to instal Lion. After the download was complete most of us quickly clicked on the app to perform the install. Unfortunately after the OS is upgraded Lion deletes the original install app. Now when you try to re-download it from the Mac App store it is greyed out and it would seem you are not allowed to have access to it again. Fear not, because there is a way. Simply open the Mac App store, and while holding down the "option" key on your keyboard click on the purchases tab on the upper part of the screen. Now when you click on the OSX Lion app you will be able to re-download it with no problems (Don't worry you will not be charged for it again.)

Create the Bootable OSX Lion Disk

I have included some easy to follow instructions with pictures for creating your bootable Lion installer disk:

1. The first thing that you want to do is to copy the "Install Mac OSX Lion" app from your application folder to your desktop.

2. Next you want to command click or right click the "Install Mac OSX Lion" app and choose "show Contents".

3. Inside this package you want to locate the "Shared Support" folder.

4. Copy the “InstallESD.dmg” file to your Desktop.

5. Next open Disk Utility.

6. Click on the Burn Tap in the upper part of Disk Utility and select the “InstallESD.dmg” file that you previously copied to your desktop.

7. Insert a blank DVD and Disk Utility will burn Lion to a bootable DVD.

8. When Disk Utility is done you should have a bootable OSX Lion DVD ready to go. This is what the contents of your DVD should look like.

So there is! See, there is not much to it when it comes to creating a bootable OSX Lion disk. Hopefully these easy to follow steps will help you save a few dollars.

Cleaning your MacBook

npetrik — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:41:49 +0000

You have finally decided to get that shiny new Mac. Everything is so pristine, polished, and shiny. At first you are ever so gentle with your new mac relationship. As time goes by though that extra attention you gave starts to dwindle. No longer do you wipe every little smudge that appears on the screen the instant it appears. Before you know it your MacBook (that hopefully you where able to save some money on) starts to look a little dingy.

Thankfully we here at MacBookWatch can offer up some simple to follow ways to keep that MacBook looking fantastic.

When cleaning the outside of your Macbook, be sure to power off the computer, and unplug the mag-safe power adapter. If you own a MacBook or MacBook Pro with removable battery then be sure to remove the battery. You should use a soft, lint-free cloth that is slightly dampened to polish the outside of your MacBook, making sure to be careful that no moisture gets into any of the openings. Never use any type of aerosol or spray type of cleaner. This same technique can also be used to clean the Macbook display.

Below are some cheap cleaning supplies to keep that MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air looking as great as the day you first met.

Laptop LCD Monitor Plasma Screen Cleaning Kit Cleaner
US $.99

MINI USB VACUUM KEYBOARD CLEANER for PC LAPTOP 9797
US $1.98

MINI USB Vacuum Keyboard Cleaner for PC Laptop Computer
US $.99

Blue Camera Laptop Watch Dust Blower Cleaner Air Pump
US $.02

New MINI USB VACUUM KEYBOARD CLEANER PC LAPTOP COMPUTER
US $.01

iPad Unboxing

npetrik — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:30:03 +0000

CNET's Natali Del Conti gives an unboxing of the just released Apple iPad. For those of you who aren't familiar with an Apple unboxing video, it is something that Apple fans do when a new product is released. If you are an Apple fan then tell us why unboxing videos are so popular in the comment section below.

First iPad CommercialA

npetrik — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:21:51 +0000

Apple released their first iPad commercial during the first break of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. The commercial showed a person going through the different features that will be available on April 3rd. Each application went by in the blink of an eye but from what we were able to see it looks amazing.

You can view the original ad at Apple.com

Apple has finally come through with a cheap alternative to the popular Macbook with a price point starting at $499. You can be sure that when Apple releases the 2nd gen model that we will be listing cheap iPads in the near future.

Apple reveals it’s Newest Creation-The iPad

npetrik — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:10:50 +0000

Apple's Newest Creation-The iPad

On January 27th Steve Jobs took the stage to unveil Apple's newest creation, the iPad. Weighing in at a mere 1.5 pounds it is lighter than any netbook on the market today. The iPad has a 9.7 inch display and sports a 1 GHz Apple built ARM A4 processor.

When showing the iPad to the crowd Jobs was quoted as saying "It looks like our leak!". The iPad can run all iPhone applications in full screen with a tap of the finger. Movies will be a dream to watch on it as the battery has a 10 hour battery life for watching video and an amazing one month standby time. The iPad's internal storage will come with a 16GB or 64GB flash storage.

Here are the full specifications:

9.7 inch IPS display
0.5 inches thin
1.5 pounds
Full capacitive multi-touch interface
16-64GB of Flash memory storage
1 GHz Apple-branded A4 chip (developed in-house)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
802.11n WiFi
Built-in Speaker
Built-in Microphone
Accelerometer & Compass
30-pin Dock connector (same as iPod and iPhone)
10-hours of battery life (Over one month standby time)
Runs all iPhone apps
App Store application included

iSlate January 27, 2010

npetrik — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:05:28 +0000

the rumored "iSlate"

On a report from Reuters there are rumors that Apple's highly anticipated tablet computer is already in the manufacturing stage and the production of the touchscreen device's casing will be in aluminum.

With the upcoming Apple event scheduled for January 27, 2010 the Apple Tablet rumor mill is in high gear. Many think the device will be named the "iSlate" but with the announcement of the hp Slate recently it is hard to tell if Apple would still use any name that involved "slate" in the title. Other rumored names are the iTablet, iPad, and macbook touch.

Used Macbooks for Christmas

npetrik — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:11:13 +0000

The Christmas season is upon us! Perhaps you or a loved one has had their eye on a Macbook this Holiday but don't want to spend full retail on a new one.

Buying a used Macbook may just be the solution you are looking for. You can find some great deals year round and especially around the Holidays as people buy new Macbooks and are wanting to sell their Macbook for cheap.

One of the best places to pick up a used Macbook is on eBay. You can find cheap Macbooks on sale all the time and purchase with confidence.

Looking for a cheap Aluminum 13" Macbook pro? How about a cheap Macbook Pro? Perhaps you want the portability of a Macbook Air or go all out and get a cheap 17" Macbook? Below are just a sample of the great deals you can find on eBay for cheap used Macbooks this Holiday season.

Apple MacBook 133 Laptop MB4100C1B00 2008
US $442.50

Apple MacBook 133 Laptop MC516LL A May 2010 Latest Model
US $472.00

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 216 GHz 133 Notebook 2007 MB062LL A 1GB 120GB c
US $249.99

APPLE MACBOOK 133 BLACK 22GHZ 2GB 250GB BT WIFI 8XSUPERDRIVE MB063LL B
US $499.99

Apple MacBook Core Duo 183GHz 133 MA254LL A Notebook 60GB c
US $249.99

APPLE MACBOOK 133 BLACK 22GHZ 2GB 250GB BT WIFI 8XSUPERDRIVE MB063LL B
US $499.99

MacBook Core 2 Duo 216 GHz 133 Black Notebook MB063LL A 2GB 160GB c
US $299.99

MacBook 13inch Widescreen notebook
US $361.00

Apple MacBook 133 Laptop MB467LL A October 2008 Good Condition
US $525.00

The Cheap Macbook gets an update

npetrik — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:09:40 +0000

Last Fall Apple released the Aluminum Unibody Macbook and left the low end white cheap Macbook wanting. This year Apple decided to revamp the entry level laptop by redesigning the shell using the same technology that made the Aluminum Unibody Macbooks a success.

Included with the new unibody construction is the following:

the thinner, lighter, more rigid construction
a new built-in battery that lasts much longer
the removal of all flaps and levers and covers (it now takes a screwdriver to open the back panel)
a new multitouch glass trackpad
new Mini DisplayPort video output (rather than mini-DVI)
combined audio input and output ports (rather than separate audio in and out jacks)

Although we had hoped for a lower price point it seems Apple is content with the $999 price-tag.

Macmall has a lower starting price and sometimes includes a MacMall Preferred Account: No Payments for 6 Months on purchases over $500. BillMeLater: No Payments for 90 Days on purchases
of $250.

Apple’s sub $1000 portable computers

npetrik — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:48:02 +0000

Appleinsider had an interesting picture of some price points that may be available from Apple by the 1st quarter of 2010. Of interest is the rumored Apple tablet that has been raging around the net like wildfire. Apple still denies that they are developing said itablet but they are also notorious about secrecy and it would be no surprise if an announcement would come soon.

Also it has been rumored that Apple will finally release a cheap macbook under $1000. Sure the white Macbook sells for a dollar under but it is most likely that Apple will release at least a couple of options for the sub $1000 macbook line up. This was evident with the 13" aluminum macbook being bumped up to the prestigious title of Macbook Pro.

from appleinsider

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is hereS

npetrik — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:49:52 +0000

OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

While searching for a cheap macbook keep in mind that you can speed up your new macbook simply by installing Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.