Matters involving physical computer components, circuitry and parts, as opposed to matters of software or computer programming
22
votes
4answers
1k views
How does an iOS device keep time when it is out of power?
My iPhone is always running out of battery. However, when I power it back up, the time is still in perfect synchronization. This begs the question: "How does it keep time when it is out of battery?"
...
22
votes
6answers
5k views
What are the best practices for battery longevity?
How do you maximize the cycle count of your battery?
There seems to be a debate between:
Leave plugged in 24/7 but do a full cycle once a month
Charge to ~100%, drain to ~10%, repeat.
NOTE: ...
18
votes
3answers
1k views
What is this button on my MacBook?
I have a 2011 MacBook. Along the left edge (looking at it from the normal typing position), near the front, there is a small silver button which is flush with the rest of the case. When pressed, a ...
11
votes
7answers
5k views
What is the difference between Intel and PPC?
What is the hardware and software differences between Intel and PPC Macs?
11
votes
5answers
6k views
Can a hobbyist or individual apply for Apple's MFi program?
I found that Apple has the MFi program to help develop a hardware for iPad/iPhone/iPod, but it looks like that only a company can apply for this program.
Can a hobbyist or an individual apply for ...
11
votes
3answers
4k views
Why does my Mac Pro have two ethernet ports on the back of the computer?
I'm curious as to how or why I might want to take advantage of two ethernet ports on the back of the tower?
10
votes
4answers
463 views
What's the trivial difference between the 15“ and 17” versions of the MacBook Pro?
What can I ask on the phone to a Mac user who has a MacBook Pro (Alu), but doesn't know if it's a 15 or a 17 one (and don't have a tool to measure the screen)
What can I ask him to look at to tell me ...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I find the serial number on a mac programmatically from the terminal?
What command can I use to retrieve the system's serial number from the unix command line? As uname will output some information about the software and hardware, I would like to retrieve the serial ...
9
votes
5answers
5k views
Are there headset adapters usable for MacBook Pros?
I bought a headset, and it has a (obviously) male headphone input and microphone output. Problem is, MacBook Pros don't have a microphone input. Instead, they have an audio line in.
However, ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
What happens at the Mac OS level when the SSD finally wears out?
I have been reading up on SSD technology and don't know of any first hand reports on what happens when an SSD eventually fails due to over use. I am most interested in the SSD that apple includes as a ...
9
votes
5answers
5k views
Differentiating Apple products by their MAC addresses
Apple has registered a ton of MAC address ranges for its products. Does anyone know whether it's feasible to reliably identify which Apple product (particularly iPad, iPod, iPhone, and MacBooks) a ...
8
votes
11answers
4k views
What's the advantage of buying an iMac over building a Hackintosh?
I'm not looking for a flame war or anything like that.
I am looking at (once I have some money, the hardest part) buying a iMac. Let's just assume one could build a fully working Hackintosh with ...
8
votes
4answers
27k views
Locking an iPhone if button is broken?
My friend's iPhone's sleep/wake button no longer works. Is there any way to turn off the screen besides setting up auto-lock and waiting a few minutes?
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Does AppleCare cover physical wear on MacBook Pros?
I have a Mid-2010 MacBook Pro with AppleCare. I've had a few minor/cosmetic hardware issues:
My power cord recently started coming apart. The rubber/plastic coating around the MagSafe end of the ...
8
votes
5answers
811 views
Two external displays without Thunderbolt
I need to buy a new laptop (Mac) for work and the top priority for me is having at least two displays.
Unfortunately, due to budget limitations I cannot buy Apple Thunderbolt Displays. Now, and ...
8
votes
3answers
749 views
Are Apple keyboards multi-key rollover?
I'm just curious if Apple keyboards are multi-key rollover or not?
And if yes then which models (or how to determine that in OS X)?
7
votes
1answer
639 views
What is the MacBook Pro's infrared port used for?
I know my macbook has an infrared port, but I don't know what it's used for.
6
votes
5answers
4k views
How can I avoid my MacBook Pro giving me minor shocks?
The aluminum Macbook Pro gives a mild shock when connected to a wall socket and charging. It only happens when I'm, for example, not wearing shoes or slippers and my feet are resting on the ground ...
6
votes
5answers
3k views
Can I use a non-Apple keyboard with OS X?
Recently I've been thinking about the idea of migrating from PC to Mac, specifically Mac Mini. The biggest issue however is hardware, since I'm not sure what will and what won't work on OS X.
First ...
6
votes
4answers
217 views
Can I just swap the hard drives of two macbook pros (different years)?
I'd like to swap the hard drives of two Macbook Pros. One is a Core 2 duo model from 2010, the other a 2011 i5 model. Will this work? I just want to save time and not go through a lengthy data copying ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Is it okay to install OS X on an external drive, and then install that drive as an internal drive?
My internal drive is suffering hardware failure, so I bought OS X Snow Leopard (to upgrade my iMac from Leopard), a new drive, and a cheap external USB 2.0 enclosure. My plan is to install a clean ...
6
votes
6answers
3k views
Switch internal monitor off by software (script/terminal/shortcut/…)
I’m using my MacBook Pro (OS X 10.6) standing in a shelf with an external screen on my desk so I don’t use and need the internal screen. But if the internal one is on it’s shown in spaces.
It is ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Can auto glass chip repair kits fix cracked iOS device screens?
Can auto glass chip repair kits such as this item repair cracked iOS device screens? If so, what should I watch out for?
6
votes
2answers
2k views
How long will an Apple SSD last?
Like all tools, an SSD will wear out from use and eventually fail. Are there data on roughly how long the SSD's that Apple ships in it's portable line last?
From my research, it seems that the ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Did Apple degrade the accuracy of the iPhone 4S GPS compared to the iPhone 4
I have done some extensive testing of my iPhone 4S compared to my iPhone 4 and found GPS accuracy has suffered substantially.
I've been using the 4 for about a year, riding a bicycle on a 3 mile loop ...
6
votes
2answers
7k views
How do I clean out dust in the fans of my MacBook Pro?
How do I clean out the dust in the fans of my MacBook Pro? (I'm perfectly comfortable with opening my MacBook Pro up (Unibody 2008 edition with removable battery cover), but I'm not exactly sure how I ...
6
votes
1answer
255 views
Mac display won't turn on
I have an Apple HD display that has been in our IT depart for a few months now. It was working fine until recently (the past month or two). I can turn it on and it will work for a few days, but then ...
6
votes
1answer
133 views
iPhone switches to speakerphone when away from my face
Since this morning I think, when I'm on a call and move my iPhone away from my face a bit, it seems to automatically switch to Speakerphone (the voice can be heard out loud) and it shows the number ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I change the flash storage in my iPhone 4?
I saw a super deal where I could get an iPhone 4 8GB for such a small amount that I couldn't resist.
Does someone know if it's possible to change the flash storage for a 16GB or 32GB ?
Would iTunes ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I open the 2011 MacBook Air without damaging the screws?
I would like to open the MBA, i don't have the screwdriver that fits this:
Is there a way to remove the screws without the 5 points pentalobe required?
The ideal solution would be to do this ...
5
votes
1answer
173 views
How can I check the model of my Apple computer?
Is there a way that I check the model number of my Apple computer? (For example, iMac9,1.)
5
votes
2answers
132 views
current leakage of mbp?
I can feel current leakage on my mbp when it is being charged. And it seems a lot of people in my country report the same problem.
Is this because of the voltage(220V) we use?
What's the solution?
...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
How I can get OSX to recognize Canon MP560 Scanner again?
I have a Cannon MP560 that kept having communications errors. One of the suggestions I read was to remove the printer from the print & scan menu and re-add it. Once I did that the scanner ...
5
votes
4answers
349 views
Is it okay for a brand new 13" MacBook Pro Retina to not sit flat?
So I've got this new 13" MacBook Pro Retina... a beautiful machine by all accounts! Here's the thing though: It doesn't sit flat. As in, if you put it down on a flat surface, all four of the rubber ...
5
votes
1answer
5k views
How to disable the built-in MacBook keyboard?
Is it possible to completely disable the built-in keyboard on a MacBook? No input should be possible from that keyboard when I connect an external keyboard. This is sort of possible with the trackpad ...
5
votes
1answer
5k views
Can I upgrade my 2008 Mac Pro completely?
Hey everyone, I have a 2008 Mac Pro/2.83hzXEON(8)/8800GT512mb.
Is it possible for me to upgrade this machine to newer hardware, since it is Intel based? What would it entail to put a newer processor, ...
5
votes
3answers
688 views
Is the i7 2.2GHz MacBook Pro worth the price difference with respect to the 2.0GHz model?
I am a software developer and I'm considering getting a 15" MBP as my development machine.
I would mostly use that laptop to code with Java and I probably won't be playing much on it, so having the ...
5
votes
2answers
478 views
CD doesn't eject
I have a problem with ejecting a CD. It happened twice in the past few days, CD drive disappears from the list of devices in a Finder and I can't eject a CD that sits inside my laptop. I tried Disk ...
5
votes
1answer
4k views
Life of iPhone 4 LED flash?
How many hours can the iPhone 4's camera flash last before it burns out? Have there been any studies done / reports published, or is it just assumed that you probably will need a new iPhone before the ...
5
votes
2answers
434 views
Mac Pro upgrade path
I'm considering a Mac Pro purchase but cannot afford the one I really want.
The question is this; Can the cheapest Mac Pro 5,1 single quad-core Nehalem 2.8 GHz be upgraded to the dual six-core ...
5
votes
1answer
165 views
Best document / book for Mac hardware?
stackexchange.com
I am asking here for the sake of completeness. I've had fun asking this on various sites, each time having it closed, following peoples' recommendations, having it closed... It's ...
5
votes
1answer
146 views
USB Port of Macbook frequently stop working
One of the two USB ports of my Macbook Pro stop working frequently.
Once I reboot the computer, then two USB ports work well.
But one of them (always the same one makes the problem) stops working.
I ...
5
votes
1answer
351 views
Xserve shuts itself off and boots at will
Okay, there's a lot of smart Mac guys here, so lets see if any of you can figure out this stumper.
Our Xserve G4 (RackMac1,1) went incommunicado a few years ago was left in this state until I pulled ...
4
votes
7answers
7k views
Why is my MacBook Pro's screen going black for a second?
I have a new MacBook Pro, when I'm using it the screen goes suddenly blank for a second and comes back, it feels like as if someone unplugged my screen and plugged it back immediately.. why does this ...
4
votes
3answers
763 views
What causes a Mac to lose its serial number?
I upgrade my brand new late 2012 Mac Mini's drive to an SSD and changed the RAM. Now when looking up the serial number in "About this mac" or System Profiler it just says "System serial#" :
The ...
4
votes
4answers
8k views
Front facing camera stopped working on the iPhone 4s
Attempted to use the Camera App today and was presented with a closed shutter screen in the Camera app as pictured below. No tramma or anything happend to the phone no recent OS update, just not ...
4
votes
3answers
359 views
Where can I purchase repair parts for Apple products?
I have an old iMac G4 that's well beyond being supported in any capacity by Apple. Two years ago, when taking it apart to upgrade the hard drive and CD drive, I accidentally severed the connector on ...
4
votes
1answer
452 views
iMac WiFi issue
I leave my iMac (24') on almost 24/7, putting it to sleep while not in use. Sometimes when I resume from sleep I encounter the following:
WiFi shows full signal
Loading web page in Safari loads ...
4
votes
1answer
214 views
What purpose does this broken plastic clip serve in the MacBook Pro?
Yesterday I opened my mid 2010 15" i7 MPB (model 6,2) in order to replace its HDD. Everything went perfectly fine. Except that I noticed a broken little piece of plastic a little above the battery, ...
4
votes
2answers
976 views
Squeaky Retina Macbook Pro
I just got my new Retina MBP that I ordered online. I noticed a minor squeaky/creaky sound whenever I apply some pressure on the bottom right corner and beside the right speaker. The sound also ...
