Mac Tip: Desktop Mode

Here's a quick tutorial for anyone with an Apple laptop with a Mini Display Port out there. It's about how to set up Desktop Mode. If you have a keyboard and mouse, you will be able to use your external display as your main display. I really like using desktop mode because I get more screen real estate, better work flow, and it's better for my work space. I hope this tutorial helped you out and hopefully it was useful if you have a Mac. 

For more content please check out my YouTube channel: ace4vikings

Todolicious Review

As a die-hard user of Things, a task-managing application for OS X, it was really hard for a while to get me to switch to another task managing app (especially since the app is $50, but trust me, if you forget a lot of things, it's worth every penny). However, a few weeks ago, I came across a nifty app called Todolicious, which is a very simple to-do app for the Mac. I was a beta tester for about a week or so, and I've gotta say, it really doesn't get more simple than this. 

Upon opening the app, you'll be greeted with a few stock to-do's in which you can delete. To add a to-do, you simply click the + button and a small window will pop up asking what you want to do. Once you type in what you want and press enter, it will add the to do. Once you completed the To-do, you simply check on it and it will disappear. You can view a full logbook of completed items by clicking the icon on the bottom right corner. Sounds for adding and completing to-dos can also be tweaked in preferences, as well as choosing between three different themes - a light theme, dark theme, and a notebook-like theme (similar to the iOS notes application). 

The app is very simple, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to keep a small list of what they need to do. The app is unobtrusive to your desktop space and works just as it promised. Todolicious is $4.99 in the Mac App Store and is available for download. 

Twitter

Apple Device Combinations

Basic

MacBook Air 11”/13” | Mac Mini | MacBook Pro 13” | iMac 21”

iPhone 

For the computer, all you need is the smallest model if you’re looking for a basic set up, but I would try to at least get the 13" model of the MacBook Air because the 11" model is not very powerful. Also, most people need a cell phone so why not get an iPhone.

Intermediate

MacBook Air 13” | MacBook Pro 13”/15” | iMac 21”/27”

iPhone 

iPad

A MacBook Air 13" will most likely work, but if you can afford it, go for the MacBook Pro and iMac. Also, paying more for a larger screen always pays off. Lastly, an iPhone is portable, but does not work well if you are trying to write a paper. That’s why I suggest you also get an iPad.

Professional 

MacBook Pro 17” | iMac 27” | Mac Pro

MacBook Air 11” | iPad

iPhone 

A top of the line MacBook Pro and iMac will work okay, but if you can afford it, go with a Mac Pro. Also, aMacBook Air 11” is a great second computer, especially if you have an iMac or Mac Pro because they are not portable. If you can’t afford the MacBook Air, then I would get an iPad because it still has a lot of functionality and is portable. Lastly, if you need a phone, get an iPhone.

Leave your favorite Apple device combination in the comments below.

YouTube: http://youtube.com/yourtechzone

Mac App Store Demo

The Mac App store was released January 6, 2011 and was made available to all Snow Leopard users. So, you'll need to get Snow Leopard to have the Mac App Store. The Mac App Store is a lot like the one you'll find on an iPad or iPod touch, but you will find actual Desktop Applications, not just games. I believe the Mac App store will be the way Apple distributes their iWork and iLife updates from now on. The Mac App store is hooked up with your iTunes account, so you won't have to go to a developer's website and pull out a credit card to pay for it. I think the Mac App store is great and it has a lot of potential! 

For more content please check out my YouTube channel: ace4vikings

Twitter for Mac: Initial Thoughts

The day has come, January 6th 2011. Apple has released their Mac App Store, not yet full to the brim, launching with only 1,000 apps. Pretty impressive for a start though. However, there has been one application some Mac users have been boasting about. What is it? The top free app available, Twitter for Mac.

With a elegant user interface, Twitter for Mac is almost like a dream come true. A total redesign of Tweetie, which was owned by Atebits that Twitter bought out in April last year. Although it is free, Twitter for Mac looks so good with sleek transitions between the timeline, @replies, direct messages, lists, your profile and search. The black sidebar complements not only the Twitter for iPhone and iPad apps, but the texture used on the timeline itself. All in all, Twitter for Mac looks like a paid app, still in the wrapper.

Real time updates in the timeline is another new addition that Tweetie didn't have and competes with Echofon and TweetDeck, which both released the feature out in November. 

Although Twitter for Mac has its good side, there is just one negative that strikes me. By default, Twitter for Mac automatically shortens links via t.co, which cannot be turned off, making my personal url shortener useless. Hopefully, Twitter sees this as a problem to some users can changes it in a later update. 

What are your thoughts about the new Twitter for Mac? Are you going to be using it? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Follow me on Twitter: @JonnyRowntree