Recently, Apple changed its performance measurement period for designating PSPs from 6-months to 12 months. As of this morning, Lapin is proud to announce that we have again been named an Apple Premium Service Provider (one of only two in the Chicagoland area), this time for all of 2013!

At Lapin, we are determined to give you the best, fastest, and most honest service available for all of your Mac repair and support needs. We have a long track record of exemplary service and solid customer relationships. Apple recognizes this, and we hope you’ll give us the chance to prove it. Give us a call any time and let us know how we can help!

While solid-state drives (SSDs) are becoming more popular (Apple is leading the way by including SSD-based storage in many new laptops), traditional platter-based hard drives are still shipping in a majority of computers. These types of drives are slow, unreliable, and especially in recent years, have a high rate of failure. We often tell people that it’s not a matter of “if” a hard drive will fail, it’s just “when”. This is the main reason we push backup as the most important routine task for anyone interested in preserving their years’ worth of critical data.

Solid-state drives are a game-changer in the data storage world. Instead of having moving parts which create heat and multiple points of failure, think of an SSD as a faster, larger version of a a USB flash drive. The drive, while on the outside can look very much like a traditional hard drive, contains a simple logic board inside with memory chips soldered directly to it. This means that you not only get enhanced reliability due to the simpler design and cooler operation of the device, but a VERY noticeable speed increase over a platter-based drive because traditional “seeking” (waiting for the platter to spin around to the requested point(s)) is not necessary. If you’ve ever seen a piece of RAM, you can think of an SSD as its bigger brother, which stores data over the long term vs. short term.

Apple recently started shipping all MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Retina Display models with integrated (although proprietary) solid-state drives. The performance bonus is quite welcome, and because these machines use a proprietary chip design, it has allowed Apple to make the machines much thinner and cooler than ever before. Even Apple’s new iMacs contain solid-state storage technology, though it appears as part of a hybrid-style drive which blends both the new technology and the old for increased storage as well as performance. More about Apple’s “Fusion Drive” technology can be found here:

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/apple-fusion-drive-wait-what-how-does-this-work/

For those computers that shipped with standard, platter-based hard drive, an SSD upgrade may be just the thing to give new life or enhance performance. There are several options for upgrading, including replacing the original drive or adding an SSD in addition to the existing drive. Some MacBook Pro models even support removing the optical drive and replacing it with a special bracket that supports an additional hard drive.

If you are interested in having an SSD installed in your computer, or simply have questions about what options you have with your existing computer, please get in touch with us! We are happy to make recommendations and advise on making the jump.

Solid State Drive vs. Traditional platter-based hard drives

PROS

• MUCH faster
• Cooler operation
• Enhanced reliability
• ZERO noise (no moving parts)

CONS (These will most likely ease as the tech comes of age)

• More expensive per GB
• Smaller available sizes
• In rare cases of failure, data recovery can be more difficult if no backup exists

Considering Apple is the highest-valued company in the world today, this is a great step in the right direction and could conceivably create tens of thousands of jobs in the long term based on the size and complexity of Apple’s manufacturing, supply, and delivery chains. Apple is setting an example here having been criticized in the past for outsourcing manufacturing jobs to Asia to support their exponential growth since the iPhone and iPad were introduced. Hopefully other technology leaders will follow suit and get America back on track to become the manufacturing powerhouse it once was.

For the full story tune into “Rock Center with Brian Williams” on Thursday, December 6 or watch part of the interview here:

http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/06/15708290-apple-ceo-tim-cook-announces-plans-to-manufacture-mac-computers-in-usa?lite

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

DON’T FRET! This is an additional location and our Evanston store will remain fully operational and continue to serve your Mac needs with no interruption in service.

For years customers have inquired about and requested an additional location that is closer to the heart of Chicago so they could experience the same great Mac service, friendly staff, and fast turnaround times WITHOUT the travel. Lapin is the destination for premium Mac service and our customer base spans the entirety of Chicagoland and the surrounding metro area. We selected the new location based on its proximity to public transportation (we are within blocks of the red, purple, and brown CTA “El” lines), its high population density and extremely high saturation of Mac users, and its convenient position in relation to the Lincoln Park Apple Retail Store (a mere 3 blocks away).

Our new location is outfitted with the same tools and knowledgeable technical staff as our Evanston store so starting Monday, November 26th, feel free to visit us at the most convenient location for you! We are always happy to take care of your repair, upgrade, Apple warranty, and data recovery needs with friendly and fast service.

We would like to thank all of our customers for their support and for helping to make our dreams of a Chicago location come true.

LapinSystems Chicago
1547 N Larrabee
Chicago, IL 60610
312-328-9945
chicago-help@lapin.com

Forstall’s other responsibilities will be divided between the rest of the management team, including Eddy Cue, Bob Mansfield, and Craig Federighi.

There are various rumors on the web speculating why Forstall was shown the door, so it’s hard to know for sure what happened. The general consensus is that the rest of the Apple management team was uncomfortable with the direction he was taking interface design (i.e. the “skeuomorphic” faux-leather interface on the new “Contacts” and “Calendar” apps) as well as being upset with the fallout from the iOS 6 Maps debacle.

Normally I’d be upset when a veteran Apple leader suddenly leaves the company after playing such an integral part in Apple’s recent success. This is different. Knowing that Jonathan Ive, who is undeniably one of the greatest and most successful industrial designers of our time, will be taking over human interface design in addition to his hardware duties, makes me hopeful and excited for the future of Mac OS X and iOS.

Official Apple Press Release:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/10/29Apple-Announces-Changes-to-Increase-Collaboration-Across-Hardware-Software-Services.html

And the usual intelligent analysis from John Gruber at Daring Fireball:
http://daringfireball.net/2012/10/forstall_out

This was a massive refresh event, event by Apple’s standards

Take a few minutes and check out the new gear!

The full scoop:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/23/3543248/apple-ipad-mini-event-news

New iMac:
http://www.apple.com/imac/

New 13″ MacBook Pro w/ Retina Display:
http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/

Updated Mac mini:
http://www.apple.com/mac-mini/

New iPad 4th Generation with LTE connectivity:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/overview/

New iPad mini with 7.9″ Display!
http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/

The new device includes, among other things, the new “Lightning” connector for faster and easier connections, new camera, LTE data support, a faster processor, and a larger, more colorful retina display!

Apple’s official iPhone 5 page:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/

The iPhone 5 intro/launch video:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/#video

TheVerge has a great update and spec summary here:

http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/12/3321568/apples-iphone-5-event-heres-everything-that-happened

What do you think? Is it worth the upgrade?

From Apple:

“Your service location has demonstrated its commitment to premium service and technical excellence during January – June 2012, Apple is pleased to recognize Lapin Systems as an Premium Service Provider.”

photo credit: ifixit

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/06/retina-macbook-pro-full-of-air-style-proprietary-parts/

March 1, 2012: Lapin Systems, Inc. has been designated an Apple Premium Service Provider (PSP) by Apple Computer!

The Premium Service Provider designation is proof of Lapin’s commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and fast, high-quality repairs and upgrades.

Apple products are now more popular than ever. For all your Mac needs, choose Lapin, and please spread the word!