Apple MacPro 1.1 – Part 3.

So I have a working MacPro, Acer monitor, Apple keyboard and mouse.

Now onto speeding the MacPro up.  I have thought long and hard at what I can do to make an old Mac a bit more snappier, increase the RAM, add an SSD or even change the processor.

First I decided to look at the RAM, as the MacPro only had 1GB in the form of two 512MB sticks. The MacPro ran fine with the 1GB, but I knew I needed a machine with a bit more grunt due to the size of my iTunes library amongst other things.

Now Apple say the MacPro 1.1 can max out at 16GB of RAM, and to be fair this may be enough, however I wanted to push this MacPro to be the best I can get.

So I reviewed the RAM options I had.

eBay was the best source, I found some stupidly cheap RAM which ‘works’ on a MacPro….. Wrong, it didn’t! Luckily I managed to get a full refund!

I then researched the ram a little more and found I needed, specifically, RAM with a large heatsink. So back I went on eBay to find the best deal possible……

If anyone reading this is looking at getting RAM for their MacPro then, make sure you get the following:

PC2-5300F 667 MHz DDR2 Fully Buffered (FB) DIMM RAM

So after a week of searching and watching I found some great bargains, a total of 22GB (2x 1GB, 2x 2GB, 4x 4GB) for £130.00.  Now this may seem expensive, but I assure you, its not compared to some of the RAM I looked at.  Komputerbay had some great deals, but I also picked up the 2x 1GB on eBay for 99p so that was a great saving.

That gives me a grand total of 22GB of RAM and boy does she move!

So that basically is the RAM sorted. I expect I will bump it up a little more, swapping the 2x 1GB and 2x 2GB RAM for 4x 4GB making a total of 32GB RAM.  However the MacPro runs as fast as I need it too and I need to consider other upgrade options like a Solid State Drive (SSD) or swapping out the Graphics card and the internal HDDs.

Let me know if you have any questions or advice.

Ciao

Apple MacPro 1.1 – Part 2.

So this is part 2 of my dream of having a MacPro.

First I started on the screen, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get something fantastic and large like I wanted so I opted for a 24″ Acer S240HLBID Full HD LED screen from PC World.  It was the same price as a other Acer screens but this was the best as far as I could see.  Not only can I use this screen for the Mac, I can also use it for a TV or for a PS3, waterer I decide really.

Bring home the gateway to fantastic entertainment viewing from your PC with the sleek and smart Acer S240HLBID Full HD 24″ LED Monitor.

Beautiful viewing 

This ultra thin LED display offers a Full HD 1080p resolution, so whether you’re working or playing on your PC you can enjoy images packed full of detail. Boasting a fast response time for smooth video and LED technology for a bright and beautiful viewing, you’ll make the most of games, work and videos. It also supports widescreen, making it ideal for enjoying your favourite movies in cinematic style.

Connections

The S240-HLBID is easy to connect it to your PC thanks to the HDMI, VGA and DVI connections; simply choose the connection that suits your PC.

A handy Kensington security lock allows you to secure the monitor and prevent theft.

Eco-conscious

The S240HLBID is environmentally friendly and RoHS compliant thanks to the mercury-free LED backlighting and low power consumption, keeping your costs down.

The Acer S240HLBID Full HD 24″ LED Monitor also comes with a two-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Product code: 057311

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

On-mode power consumption	26.1 W

SCREEN

Screen technology	LED backlit
Screen size	24″
Resolution	1920 x 1080

PICTURE QUALITY

Viewing angle	170° / 160°
Frequency range	– Horizontal: 64 – 83 kHz – Vertical: 50 – 75 Hz
Brightness	250 cd/m²
Response time	5 ms
Dynamic contrast ratio	100000000:1

AUDIO

Speakers	No

CONNECTIVITY

Connections	– HDMI x 1 – VGA x 1 – DVI x 1

FEATURES

Other features	Kensington security lock

GENERAL

Colour	Black
Accessories included	– AC power cable – VGA cable – CD user manual
Dimensions	400.6 x 565 x 166 mm (H x W x D)
Weight	5.36 kg
Manufacturer’s guarantee	2 years

Part 3 to follow……

Ciao

Apple MacPro 1.1 – Part 1.

I bought an iMac about 8 years ago and I said at the time I would own a MacPro as I loved them…. Finally, I managed to get my dirty mits on one! All be it a 2006 model, I still got one!

I picked the MacPro up cheap, but it was completely standard which is as follows –

• Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors
• 1GB (two 512MB) of 667MHz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMM
• NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB (single-link DVI and dual-link DVI)
• 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s; 7200 rpm; 8MB cache
• 16x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

As you can see, its not much and PCs/Macs today are more than likely better.  However this wasn’t a purchase to get the best Mac I could, this was a purchase to make my own dream come true.

So I had to start somewhere.

Unfortunately I haven’t got time to detail everything now so I will post different parts.

If anyone has any hints or tips please let me know.

Ciao

 

Samsung PS43F4900 43 Inch HD Ready 3D Plasma TV.

So it’s time of year where we are all stressed out and depressed. What better to spend some money, if you have any after Christmas that is.

So on my list of wants is a new telly, I wanted a bigger one and newer as I had a 32 inch Sony Bravia circa 2006. Don’t get me wrong there was now wrong with the Sony, however with a bigger house and bigger front room there should be a bigger TV.

So hence the purchase of my new Samsung TV.

I wanted a 42 inch TV and there were lots to choose from so I looked at the 50 inch TVs and I loved a LG 50 inch TV but then I saw the TV above, as it was 3D too that sold it for me.

Obviously I researched the hell out of it first and it was a bargain, one drawback and that is that it’s not full HD. Just HD ready.

Some spec and reviews below:-

Immerse yourself in stunning true 3D visuals with this Samsung Plasma TV featuring auto noise-removal. Experience ultra-realistic HD Ready viewing and see vibrant colours and amazing detail. The F4900 also delivers smoother motion during even fast-moving scenes, thanks to advanced subfield motion technology.

Television picture quality:

HD Ready display resolution.
Active 3D TV with optional 2D to 3D conversion.
Includes 2 pairs of 3D glasses.
Screen size: 43in (128.72cm).
Resolution 1024 x 768 pixels.
Motion rate 600Hz.
Connectivity:

1 SCART socket, 1 USB port and 2 HDMI sockets.
Component video socket.
Composite.
Optical connection.
Requires Wi-Fi dongle (sold separately).
DLNA compatibility.
Sound quality:

Dolby Digital Plus sound system.
10 x 2 watts RMS power output.
Digital features:

Freeview digital tuner.
Saorview digital tuner (Saorview can only be received in the Republic of Ireland).
8 day electronic programme guide (EPG).
CI+ slot.
Additional features:

Sleep timer.
Child lock.
Size of TV H61.8, W101, D5.6cm.
Weight of TV 13.6kg (unpackaged).
Size of TV with stand: H69.2, W101, D30.5cm.
Weight of TV with stand: 18kg.
Suitable for wall mounting 200 x 200 bracket.
Energy efficiency information:

Energy efficiency rating: B.
On mode power consumption 90 watts.
Off mode power consumption 63 watts.
Annual power consumption 131kWh.
Standby power consumption 0.3 watt.

Reviews:-

5.0 out of 5 stars
Best screen I’ve had, 29 July 2013
By N1mbleFinger5 (UK)

This review is from: Samsung PS43F4900 43-inch Widescreen HD Ready 3D Plasma TV with Freeview and 2 Pairs of 3D Glasses (Electronics)
Picture quality is amazing along with the active 3d which makes blu ray’s such as titanic 3d come to life, also of note is that it has Freeview HD where most in this price range only have basic freeview and are normally rebadged Vestel stuff.

One thing that i found confusing in looking at this product is that in some places iit states it has a LAN port and in others it does, i can confirm this one foes have a LAN port so it can play content via a DLNA server or Samsung Allshare.

For the price I would take this screen any day over a basic 42″ HD 3D led with passive that costs about the same and also as usual Samsung are on the ball with quality and even though this is only HD Ready with the image enhancements I could not notice any loss of quality.

The only gripe I could say is the remote feels a bit small and clunky but other than that it’s a big thumbs up.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing quality at a bargain price, 13 Dec 2013
By M. Daniels

This review is from: Samsung PS43F4900 43-inch Widescreen HD Ready 3D Plasma TV with Freeview and 2 Pairs of 3D Glasses (Electronics)
This set is fantastic. It looks stylish and the picture quality is fantastic. The 3d is stunning with a 3d blu ray player and I just can’t help but marvel at the price tag – what a bargain!! I paid £349 for this and was frankly ready to spend £750.

Why is such good value you may well ask? Simple really it isn’t ‘smart’ which is to say it doesn’t have the interface of a computer, however it still has all the functionality of a computer through the LAN connection. Besides I spend most my day staring at a computer screen and would rather not face a huge one at home! Secondly and this may be the deal breaker for some, it isn’t LED it is Plasma.

Most people accept that Plasma gives a much better picture quality but currently it is out of favour hence the fantastic value for money.I have ‘shown off’ this TV to a couple of friends and the are all amazed at the quality. If I had one gripe it would be the sound quality, while not bad it is just a little on the quiet side with minimal base but this is easily remedied with a sound bar or similar, resulting in excellent sound.
All in all, this is a great set which I while heartedly recommend.

Obviously there are bad reviews and this one made me chuckle, how long does he waffle?

Basically I didn’t find much wrong with the TV so suffice to say I bought it and I LOVE it. I am no TV guru but I know a bit about technology and even though it’s not full HD it’s still a great picture. Also the 3D picture is good, not great but if I want cinema quality 3D I would go to the movies.

Highly recommended!! I would however read all the reviews and make your decision.

Ciao

Sennheiser HD 218 Headphones

I have been looking at headphones for a while, ever since I busted my old Sony phones and the one day I wasn’t I found these Sennheiser ones.  I liked the look of these and thankfully they were on sale (thanks HMV) so I grabbed a bargain.

Sennheiser HD 218

I tell you now, what a bargain indeed!!

Ok, so when unboxing (you need scissors) you will notice straight away that the 3.5mm jack is not gold plated, and there are no mic’s, or any other buttons on the thin wiring casing.  You may also notice that these pair of earphones dont feel well made and feel fairly flimsy and almost too lightweight in the hand, however, don’t be fooled, its better that headphones are too lightweight, rather than too heavy  (there are also non other accessories)  Ok, the most important part of the review, the sound quality…. Now I’m no audiophile (well, i like to think that I am), but these headphones are a warming welcoming to my ears, with a nicely balanced sound which is tilted towards bass more than the higher frequencies (not too much so that its a problem).  I do get a feeling though that the sound is slightly “artificial” but at £15 i’m not complaining!!  Although these cans are “closed” at higher volumes, where you really feel a punch from the bass, they leak sound noticeably, although to give credit to Sennheiser where credit is due, they have tried their best to stop as much sound leakage (I definitely would feel uncomfortable listening to “Aqua: barbie girl” on a train).  For comfort of the headphones, you will always notice that they’re on your head, as the HD 218’s (slightly) squeeze your head/ears to create an OK seal on your ears.  When playing music though, you are left with a feeling of, “if there was a tighter seal, i would be getting a more punchier sound quality” …

Yes, its not the best headphones in the world, but as said before, £15 (I’m not complaining).

On a final note though, the earphone jack I found on my pair of headphones may be a problem for some people who have a mediocre headphone socket. I don’t always get a good connection, and when my mp3 is in my pocket, music does break up a bit, which i’ve never had before on other earphone jack’s.

My rating is 4/5