Archive for the 'Laptops' Category

Leopard Installation Issues!

Published by admin on November 11, 2007 in Apple Inc. and Laptops. 3 Comments

We were able to get our hands on the latest Mac OS 10.5 code named Leopard. According to Apple, Leopard carries 300 new features. To unleash all Leopard has to deliver, we decided to give it a try on a Macbook (white, 2.0 Ghz, 512mb ram, 60gb hd etc.)

Leopard, just like its predecessors (panther, tiger etc.) gives you 3 install options:

  1. Upgrade:
    Install the new OS on top of current used OS, which is in majority of cases will be Tiger.
  2. Archive & Install
    Apple’s preferred method in which previous settings are kept in an archive
  3. Clean Install
    Our preferred method, which makes sure that a Fresh OS is installed leaving behind any issues to worry about

Which ever method you chose, precursor to Installation activity should be “Backup”. Backup all and everything which you worry about. Check Apple support site to read about this topic in detail. We Backed-up the following data:

Mac OS X User Profile

Thats pretty much everything about you. If you store data in folders on Mac HD, you should definitely also backup that data. Backup, Backup all and everything before venturing into the actual installation process.

Also, upgrade your Firmware before heading for installation. Majority of bad installations were caused due to old firmwares.

Hard Disk condition is also a big issue. Check through Disk Utility, placed in Applications > Utility section for an updated review of your Hard Disk.

The installation process takes about 45 minutes approx. to finish off smoothly. Following is a list of known bugs, which are the first to hit any major OS launch.

  • Faulty Media/Disk:
    Before installation process kicks-off, the Disk is checked for consistency. Under NO circumstances Skip the process, its better to check the media before bumping in middle of the install (We faced this error big time)
  • BSOD (Blue Screen of Death):
    This one makes Windows crowd proud. After a complete install, the OS appears to be prone to errors like windows. Apple support have number of reasons mentioned for this error.
  • OS Login Screen Stall:
    Either the Grey Screen before Login or the Blue Screen after Login”Stalls”. Apple has listed many reasons for it in the support section

We think that many of the errors mentioned above are due to usual Upgrade method chose. If we were to select, Clean Install is the best option.
As usual, feel free to email us on support@shophive.com your questions / queries and we’ll dig in answers for you.

Filterize - Buy your next Laptop in Style!

Published by admin on November 4, 2007 in Laptops, New features! and Official. 0 Comments

The Shophive team is happy to announce a very innovative new feature in our website, Filterize! We are rolling it out for the Laptop section to see consumer reaction and get feedback. Please email all your comments on support@shophive.com

Please click on Here to get the page or on the homepage click on the banner.

Step 1:

The user is provided with multiple selection choices to select from. These are intelligent selections i.e., on selecting lets say Processor type, the whole data will be refreshed and all other selection boxes will only provide available possible selections.

Select_features_shophive

Data refresh in action:

Data_refresh_shophive

Step 2:

The user is provided with the available models based on the choices made i.e., possible models available against lets say selection of Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo, Ram: 1GB etc.

Available_model_shophive

Finally, the user has the perfect laptop against his selection choices. We just can’t control the prices yet :)

I hope you enjoy this feature and we do strongly recommend its usage and feedback. Based on user feedback we will roll it out for all categories.

The shophive team!

Definitive Guide for installing HP 1020 on Mac OS X

Published by admin on October 23, 2007 in Apple Inc., Guides and Laptops. 1 Comment

HP 1020

The HP LaserJet 1020 Printer, an excellent laser printer for the cost-conscious user, delivers high-quality LaserJet printing in a compact size, and at a price you can afford (at the time of writing this post Rs. 7990/-). The CD which comes in the box DOES NOT contain drivers for Mac OS X. On looking up for drivers at HP site, one comes to know that the printer is NOT supported by Mac OS X. But we made it working :)

Goolging the topic came up with many results, but Macworld forum provided the best support.The relevant portion is pasted below:

Heres a recap for everyone to Install HP LaserJet 1020 on Mac OSX.

1) Download; http://www.narc.ca/1601-LJ_1022_Series_OSX.dmg (Old version)
2) If you have anything for the HP 1020 in “/Library/Reciepts” delete it.
3) Delete anything for the HP 1020 in Printer in “Printer Setup Utility”
4) Add new printer in “Printer Setup Utility”, select HP LaserJet 1020, driver should come up, click ADD

Basically, the trick is we are installing HP 1022 drivers which are available for Mac OS X. Steps 2 and 3 are required if you have unsuccessfully tried to install anything from the CD.

The above method though worked like a charm on one macbook, but failed to even Install on another machine. After trying for few hours, we finally copy pasted the files which were installed on the first machine.

HP 1020 Installed driver

Paste this file under the folder tree as shown in the picture. For clarity, Under your Username, select library, open Printers folder. If you have not previously installed any driver, it will be empty.

HP 1020

Copy this Folder in the folder location as shown in the image above. The location is Macintosh HD > Library > Printers > HP > LaserJet > here!

This work around is pretty solid, but we do suggest to always purchase equipment which is Made to Run on Mac.

Shophive Laptop Buyer’s Guide

Published by Salmanmunir on October 9, 2007 in Guides and Laptops. 1 Comment

Thinking of buying a laptop? We know that this can be a tough decision to make. Selecting between the stylish Vaio, Business ready HP, durable Dells, Industry standard IBM and Apple - the Laptop from the heavens - we try to help you make the right decision.

There are numerous resources available on the web making our decision easier. We think the following 3 resources are most helpful.

CNET Laptop Buyers Guide

Geek.com Buyers Guide

Laptop Mag Buyers Guide

Few observations which we think must be shared with all consumers and laptop enthusiasts.

Speed:
It doesn’t make sense if you are on road with your new machine and its not able to crunch numbers as you desire. A good combination of processor speed & RAM will make it a perfect fit. Don’t go for the latest, just released processor, do your research on your requirements.

Memory:
With ever increasing memory demand by applications and Microsoft new Vista OS, memory greater than 1 gig should be your starting point. Make sure Laptop has the capability to intake RAM according to your need.

Graphics:
If you are a gaming freak or a 3D artist, then definitely a dedicated Graphic Card is must. Otherwise, shared memory on board graphics can serve pretty well for movie playback, decent games and photoshop trickery.

Screen Size:
Screen size directly corresponds to weight and features such as Drives, Ports etc. Select a size which best suites your need.

Size & Weight:
Size does matter. No doubt the desktop replacement do look stunning but they are a load to carry. Laptops should be Light, friendly and carry-able.

Inputs & Outputs:
It depends and standards change. Today S-Video is required, tomorrow you would be asking for DVI Output. Buy a laptop, which is compatible with your current devices or the ones you intend to buy. With the ease of Video Recording, making Home movies is on the rise requiring a Firewire input. The more USB 2.0 you’ll have the better they would serve you on the road. Otherwise USB extenders and port converters would be your first buy.

Data Backups and Media
We have Super drives, Multi layer capable drives and then CD drives. Select the one which you require.

Warranty, Warranty, Warranty!
Most consumers are unable to distinguish this important fact about Laptops. The market is filled with Grey / smuggled items, which carry an “International Warranty” with them. These devices are as good as there Channel brothers, but are without proper support and warranty. We advice our consumers to select products which are covered by Local Warranties and have local support.

…So what about those Mac’s
Please read our post on the topic Switch to Mac

Please visit our laptop section for our current product listing.