So you want the best deal on a new Macbook Air - out of pocket in California?

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That means, no tax, free shipping, and lowest price, and available right now.  For this example, I will be using the 13" macbook air base model.

 

Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Core 2 Duo 1.86GHz 2GB 128GB Flash nVidia 320M $1249 w/FS - no tax charged for Californians.

I recommend SquareTrade Warranties for your new Macbook Air. Cover against failures for about 10% of item price.  That can include accidental coverage as well, and they feature a 5 day turn-around-time.

Total estimated: $1373 (with better warranty coverage).

vs:

Apple Store MacBook Air: $1299 + tax = $1425.65

Applecare: $249

Total: $1674.65

iFixit has the new Apple TV and shows you the insides

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iFixit in typical fashion has got their hands on the latest Apple TV and have fully dissected it in full detail.  

What you find is not surprising based on all the already leaked news about using the same A4 processor and chips, but what is really awesome is that its the most eco-friendly set top box ever!

I like the high repair-ability factor too!  (8/10)

Have you got one?  Are you getting one?  

Profile of Foxconn's (manufacturer of Apple devices) founder Terry Gou of Taiwan

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Terry has been called the devil by many disgruntled Chinese families and Taiwanese family members who have lost loved ones in the string of Foxconn suicides.  I experienced this first hand in Taiwan at Compudex.

While any suicide for any reason is a tragedy, I think the reparations his company provides for loss of life while working at his company almost encourage it.  (Foxconn gives something to the equivalent of 10 years of salary to the loss one's family.)

To many though he is a hero.  He is my hero because of what he's accomplished from scratch and for being the only manufacturer in the world capable of producing the iPhone 4 (at an astonishing rate of 90 per minute) to Steve Job's and Apple's exacting standards.

Read more about his relationship with Apple at MacRumours.

AT&T has revamped their data plans - most make out on top, but unlimited plans now extinct

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I had high hopes on getting an iPad 3G and signing up for the $29.99 monthly, no contract, unlimited data plan.  However it seems it's going to be no more - now the best you can get is a $25 for 2 GB data plan.

Read the details here on ZDnet.

I'm going to have to reconsider the benefits of getting a 3G iPad now with this latest announcement.  

iPhone tethering is going to be an extra $20 on top of your data plan per month.  

iPad!

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Steve Jobs has announced the iPad this morning.  For the love of god, how did they come up with such a bad name when they have such awesome names for their Mac OS versions?!

Gizmodo has live coverage that is funny to read and informative here.

They've recently posted video from the introduction and are currently posting pictures taken minutes after they are shown.

From what I can tell its supposed to have around extended netbook battery life (around 8 hours +), runs on modified iPhone OS (also runs your iPhone apps), but with more features available with new SDK, revamped homescreen/interface, has a 9.7" screen that isn't quite HD perspective but not 4:3, has an onscreen keyboard, plays games, functions as ebook reader (with iBooks), up to 64 GB of flash memory and I want one!

 

Mac OS X Snow Leopard is coming!

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I'm a PC.

I don't use Macs, have never owned one and never saw a need.

However, I do use a lot of Apple products, starting with the 1st generation iPod all the way to my iPhone.

According to the statistics or advertising, I should have a natural affinity with Macs right?

Apple OS X Snow Leopard may just be the final update that gets me to get a Mac Notebook.  It will now support Exchange, allow people to enter Chinese characters through the touchpad, and chances are that soon I will need to support even more Macs in the workplace.

Apple should be applauded for the reasonably priced OS, and OS upgrade (only $49 for up to 4 family Macs!).  Compare that with Microsoft Windows 7!