Wednesday 10-Nov-10, Apple released Mac OS X 10.6.5, their latest security and maintenance update for Snow Leopard.  However, documentation accompanying the release made no mention of AirPrint, an expected and highly anticipated ingredient.

Apple’s official documentation on the OS update documents a number of enhancements, but the latest version of Snow Leopard was also supposed to enable AirPrint, a wireless printer sharing service for devices running iOS 4.2; but rumors of a delay started hitting the blogosphere last week as well.  Windows users were supposed to get AirPrint as part of iTunes 10.1.

Apple OSX 10.6.5 Snow Leopard is 680.1MB in size; and is available via Software Update. It is recommended for all Snow Leopard users, and includes a number of security fixes.   The full list of goodies includes:

• Improves reliability with Microsoft Exchange servers.
• Addresses performance of some image-processing operations in iPhoto and Aperture.
• Addresses stability and performance of graphics applications and games.
• Resolves a delay between print jobs.
• Addresses a printing issue for some HP printers connected to an AirPort Extreme.
• Resolves an issue when dragging contacts from Address Book to iCal.
• Addresses an issue in which dragging an item from a stack causes the Dock to not automatically hide.
• Resolves an issue in which Wikipedia information may not display correctly in Dictionary.
• Improves performance of MainStage on certain Macs.
• Resolves spacing issues with OpenType fonts.
• Improves reliability with some Bluetooth braille displays.
• Resolves a VoiceOver issue when browsing some websites with Safari 5.
• Improves Bluetooth pairing with Magic Trackpad.
• Resolves performance issues with third-party displays that use InstaPort technology.
• Add SSL support for transferring files with iDisk.
• Resolves an issue when opening 4-up Photo Booth pictures in Preview.
• Addresses keyboard responsiveness issues in the Dock when Spaces is turned on.
• Resolves an issue syncing Address Book with Google.
• Fixes an issue when replying to a Mail message sent by a person whose name contains certain characters such as é or ü.
• Improves performance for users bound to an Active Directory domain.
• Improves reliability of Ethernet connections.
• Systems with a Mac Pro RAID Card (Early 2009) installed can now be put to sleep.
• Improves reliability of fiber channel connections, resolving a potential Xsan volume availability issue.
• Adds RAW image compatibility for additional digital cameras.

Today’s question is whether you find the idea of netbooks tablets more practical for on the go computing?   I can see advantages to both.  The tablet would be practical for the solid device meaning no keyboard to manage, however this also seems the downfall to me.  Data input without a dedicated keyboard is tedious at best for large amounts of text.

What are your thoughts?  Hit the comments below to share them with us!

With my trusty HTC Touch Pro and a netbook running Windows 7, mobile computing is getting better and better for me.  The phone provides the ultimate in portability, while the netbook adds large screen and keyboard comfort.  Together, a very nice pair!

What do you use for portable computing?  Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

So… I just picked up my first netbook, and it’s preloaded with Windows 7 Starter.  While I haven’t played with it much, the research I did on it makes it look like a suitable OS for most of my portable needs.  What have been your experiences with it?   What would I really be gaining if I bumped the RAM to 2 GB and installed 7 Home Premium?

Every once in a while, here at JAMM, we receive a complete unexpected package.  That is how I felt when the Sony Vaio X series laptop showed up on my doorstep not long ago.  I have no record of receiving any information about this one, and could not find a request to review it, but I was perfectly happy to do so.  Sadly, because this was only a two week loaner, I did not have time to really delve into every nook and cranny the way I might have liked.  I did, however, want to share some of my impressions.  So, without further adieux, let’s go ahead and jump right into the Sony Vaio X series.

Right out of the box, you cannot help but notice the size of this device…or lack thereof.  The X series weighs in at a mere half inch thick and 1.6 pounds.  It almost made my iPad feel heavy, and certainly gives Apple’s Macbook Air a run for its money.  Unlike the Air, however, this one is chock full of expansion ports. 

On the left hand side, in addition to the power connection, there are two USB 2.0 ports and a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. 

The right hand side features a VGA output connection and Ethernet port. 

Finally learning their lesson with proprietary media, Sony wisely chose to add a standard SD expansion slot next to the Sony Memory Stick slot on the front of the device.

That brings us back around to the front of the device, and the very nice 11.1 inch screen.  I am now convinced that there is a sweet spot for portability which lies somewhere between 10 and 12 inches.  Larger than that and the device just gets too large and heavy to lug around.  Smaller and you simply cannot read the screen.  This 11.1 inch screen is right in the middle of this sweet spot, and it looks fantastic.  Add to that the fact that this may be one of the most durable screens I have used (it is completely scratch resistant) and this is adding up to one nice package (it would have been nice if there had been a touch screen in there, but we can’t all have everything).

In front of the screen is the keyboard.  I really liked the feel of this one.  The keys are well spaced with a gap between each key, making it easy to reach and find the letters.  I also really liked the fact that this is a standard six row keyboard, rather than a more cramped keyboard with four or five rows of keys.

Along with the keyboard, of course, is a touchpad, allowing you to control the cursor on the screen.  I am just going to come right out and say this.  I hate touchpads.  They range between overly sensitive to barely sensitive, but they never quite find that happy medium of sensitivity.  Frankly, I have just never found one that actually does what I ask, and Sony’s was no different.  It was just not nearly as responsive as I wanted.  That being said, the touchpad does feature multi-touch controls.  While there may be a bit of a learning curve with this, it really does add some pretty cool functionality, especially when using it to control media or photos.  The other problem here is that the touchpad sits in front of the keyboard, creating a massive dead zone between the keyboard and the edge of the computer.  I really wanted the keyboard to sit much closer to the edge in order for me to use it comfortably.

That brings us to the part you really want to hear about, battery life.  The standard battery (left) did not do great.  I give it an average rating, clocking in at around two hours of use.  Good, but not great.  Fortunately, Sony included an extended battery (right)in the package, which really goes the distance.  Play your cards right, and this thing will give you a whopping 12 hours of use.  Then again, the extended battery does not come without a price of its own. 

Get ready for the extended battery to just about double the size and weight of your computer.  You can see how it covers the entire bottom of the device, and protrudes extensively.  I was pretty frustrated by this.  It really seems to defeat the purpose of getting an uber-skinny computer when the battery is so large and heavy.

Even worse, though is the power cord.  This is the standard two part AC adaptor, which converts the DC power in your computer into an AC power cord which can plug into your wall.  You know, the kind that laptop computers have been using for decades, with the huge, heavy black box in the holding the two cords together.  Seriously, Sony, the computer weights 1.6 pounds, but the extended battery weighs about three pounds, and the power cord feels like five.  Maybe I am just spoiled by the iPad, but Apple has proven that you can power a computer with a much smaller power cord.  The iPad uses the same USB adaptor as the iPad.  Computer companies like Sony need to find a way to emulate Apple’s example and make devices which can use USB style power adaptors, which not only cut down the hefty size and weight, but also are far more TSA friendly for travelers.

In terms of software, the Vaio X series comes preloaded with windows 7, which I absolutely love.  The 2Ghz Intel processor with 533 Mhz front side bus speed is significantly faster and more powerful than the Atom processor used in most net books.  This ensures that you will have no problem running all of your favorite programs.

Complimenting that blazing fast processor is a 128 GB solid state hard drive.  This solid state drive means to spinning disk or moving parts.  In other words, it will wake up from sleep mode almost instantly.  I was amazed by the difference in speed between my net book and the Vaio X series when I tried starting them side-by-side from the same state.

Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the wireless connections available on this one.  In addition to the standard Bluetooth, you also have Wifi access.  What is nice here is that the Wifi has a hard switch, giving you complete control over the Wifi radio.  Additionally, the Vaio X includes a built in Verizon 3G radio.  Sure, you will need to sign up for service, but it is nice to know that this is built in and ready to go if you need it.

I was amazed by the size of the Sony Vaio X series computer.  I have always been a fan of the thin, light, Macbook Air.  So, to find a comparable computer running windows 7 and powered by a massive 2Ghz  processor…needless to say, I was impressed.  My only disappointment was the power on this thing.  In need a beast of a battery, which life, you would need a beast of a battery, which weighed more than the laptop itself. 

The Sony Vaio X series starts at $1299.99 and goes up from there.  Like many Sony products, this seemed just a bit steep to me.  To put this into perspective.  You could buy the highest priced iPad (64 GB with the 3G connection), along with the wireless keyboard and camera kit, and still have enough money left over to buy the new iPhone 4.  Considering the trend of low priced net books we have been seeing, it is difficult to understand exactly what niche this one is trying to fill at this price point.

You can design and build your own Sony Vaio X series computer at the Sony Style website.