Found this online.  Enjoy!!

Soluto has ranked a few different brands of Windows laptops based on their performance against trouble and crashes, and here’s a fun twist: Apple topped the heap. That’s right, on a list of laptops that included Acer and Dell, an Apple MacBook Pro running Windows via Boot Camp got Soluto’s best rating, the lowest score based on “a combination of crashes, hangs, BSoDs, boot and background processes.”

Soluto says the reason Apple scored so well is probably because this was a “clean” Windows installation, which means that it didn’t have any of the crapware that PC manufacturers usually have to install on their sold devices to try and turn a profit (buying a computer with something installed on it that you don’t want — can you imagine?). But Soluto also says there are obvious issues with running Windows on a Mac, first and foremost that drivers for any accessories (customized keyboards or mice) may not work correctly. Still, if you want a trouble-free Windows experience, Soluto says running it on a Mac is the way to go.

Apple showed up on the list twice, once for the 13-inch MacBook Pro and also for the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. The 15-inch model boasted slightly more crashes than the smaller model — maybe because of the display? At any rate, it’s a sad situation for PC manufacturers when Apple claims two of the industry’s most trouble-free spots.

Source: TUAW

Found this online. Enjoy!!

If you have an iTunes account for your children and are looking for an easy way to keep their balance replenished, look no further than the loose change sitting on your counter. It only takes a trip to your local grocery store and a few minutes of your time to turn your change into an iTunes gift certificate.

You are probably familiar with the coin-counting service Coinstar, which offers cash in exchange for your loose coins. Instead of receiving a cash voucher next time you turn in change, select an iTunes gift certificate and you will receive a receipt with an iTunes redemption code.

The funds will be added to your Apple ID and you can use it to buy iOS Apps, OS X apps, music, movies and books. Coinstar waives the coin-counting fee with these gift certificates, so you will walk away with your full balance. The coin-counting service occasionally offers an iTunes promotion that’ll give you an extra $10 when you redeem a minimum amount (usually $40). You can find promotions on Coinstar’s Special Offers webpage or be alerted via email when you sign up for a Coinstar account.

There is one small restriction with the gift certificate — you must have a minimum of $5 in change or cash. Also, not all Coinstar machines offer iTunes gift certificates. You can use the search feature on Coinstar’s website to find a supported machine.

Put your change in a money jar and you will be surprised at how much you can accrue over the course of a month. We redeem about $20 to $30 each month in change, which goes a long way to help purchase educational apps, games, music, movies and books for our children.

You can find out more about the iTunes gift certificate by visiting Coinstar’s website.

Hands up, all of you still using your first-generation iPads. Although it was only three years ago, the iPad has progressed quite a bit since its introduction (which was in January — Apple didn’t specify a release date at the time). Codenamed K48, the iPad was in development before the iPhone, but obviously the iPhone took design cues from the iPad and would set the smartphone standard for several years.

In fact, three years ago today you could only buy the Wi-Fi version, as the cellular version (Wi-Fi+3G) wouldn’t debut until the end of the month. Still, my local Apple store had over 50 people waiting in line to buy one. Mine is still in great condition, aside from a few scratches on the screen — I blame my cats.

These days the iPad 1 is a homebound device used when guests come over, or when Kid 1 is using the iPad 3 or as a supplemental entertainment device. My dock reflects this, with these apps in it: Music, Calcbot, Khan Academy, Safari, TangoRemote and a folder with more music apps and remotes (like Airfoil Speakers).

How are you using your iPad 1?

Source TUAW

Apple is expected to unveil iOS 7 at WWDC this year, and anticipation is high for the next version of Apple’s mobile OS. With the departure of former iOS chief Scott Forstall and the transition of iOS into the hands of Jony Ive, everyone is excited by the potential changes that may be in store for iPhone and iPad owners.

In a recent conversation on Branch, John Gruber of Daring Fireball claims that “iOS 7 is running behind, and engineers have been pulled from OS X 10.9 to work on it.” Clayton Morris of FOX News adds that he has also heard from engineers who were moved from “non-profit generating projects” to high-priority software projects.

Part of the reason for this scramble with iOS is allegedly a “system-wide UI overhaul” that Gruber says has prompted engineers to put polarizing filters on their iPhone displays so other people can’t see what they are developing. Rene Ritchie corroborates what Gruber has heard and adds that “Ive’s work is apparently making many people really happy, but will also apparently make rich-texture-loving designers sad.”

There are also some rumblings about an April or May event to announce a new iPad. Supposedly, this tablet event will be distinct from WWDC, which will focus on iOS 7. The launch window for the next iPhone also is still up in the air with dates of July and August being tossed around.

[Via Daring Fireball]