MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.
Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/798
28 MacDirectory
DEPARTMENT
Q > I need to turn a disk image (.dmg)
file into a CD. Do I need a special
application like Toast? Jim Fayette, Ohio
A > Actually, all you need is Disk Utility
(located in the Utilities folder within your
Applications folder). Launch Disk Utility,
click on the Burn icon at the top of the
window and use the resulting navigation
window to select the .dmg that you want
to convert. Insert a CD at the prompt and
off you go.
In case you are interested, you can also do
the reverse. Just pop in a CD, launch Disk
Utility, click on the New Image icon,
specify the desired size, and hit the okay
button. After the image file (the white CD
drive icon) appears on the desktop, drag
the contents of the CD onto the image
file. After the copying is complete, eject
the image file and save, copy, attach, or
do whatever you like with the .dmg.
Q > I plan on tossing my ancient G4
iBook in favor of a MacBook but I am not
sure whether I should buy a consumer
laptop or a MacBook Pro.
B. Hilt, California
A > An old-timer, huh? Unless you have
the cash for a top of the line 17" MacBook
Pro, there is obviously no one-size-fits-all
solution. If you are into sleek, moderately
powered and somewhat expensive, check
out the standard model of the MacBook
Air, but you might want to buy an
external SuperDrive with it. The standard
MacBook line is actually quite nice. The
video out now supports an expanded
desktop as well as mirroring and the
performance is sufficient for most tasks
short of high-end video rendering. The
2.4 GHz white version costs $200 more
than the 2.1 GHz / 1 GB model, is 14%
faster, has a double-layer SuperDrive,
twice the RAM, and an additional 40 GB of
hard drive space. The black version gives
you 250 GB of drive space for an
additional $200. If you are a power user
who needs lots of RAM, serious video
processing power, a larger screen and an
assortment of bells and whistles, there are
three MacBook Pro versions from which to
choose. With a range of internal options
running from $1,099 up to $4,049, the
question is not one of which is best, but
which is best for you.
One more thing: as you know, the Intel
Macs do not support classic mode, so be
sure to leave room in your bank account
for the cost of upgrading any old PowerPC
software you may still have.
Q > What is your advice on external
storage? R. Wills, Utah
A > It really depends on your needs.
Some folks prefer a USB or FireWire
solution. Others prefer a standalone
network drive. Others take an older
machine, beef up its storage and turn it
into a drive sharing server. There are many
competing external drives out there, most
of which weigh in at about 50 cents a Gig.
Just make sure that you are comfortable
with the warranty, that the enclosure
features the type of connectors you need
and that the mechanism stays cool
enough to ensure some semblance of
longevity. If you are looking for a wireless
solution, consider Apple's Time Capsule. It
comes in 500 GB and 1 TB sizes ($299 and
$499), features a 802.11n wireless hub
that is compatible with AppleTV, iPhone,
iPod Touch and other devices, has a port
for broadband Internet, and it has three
Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Q > I need access to stock photography
that is of good quality and inexpensive.
Do you any ideas where I can find some?
Bob Easley, Nebraska
A > Unlike in years past, there are now
many sources for inexpensive royalty-free
stock images. These include budget-
minded clip art /photo CD sets and a
variety of online sources where you can
download photos for as little as $1 a pop.
Not to play favorites by any means, but
the first examples of both that come to
mind are the Art Explosion CD/DVD series
from Nova Development