The Mac Thread (Apple related Stuff)

[mohgui]

is the DVD drive (hardware) on the new Mac region-free?

 

[2evans]

Just want to know where to buy additional RAM for the iMAC(late 09)? Thanks!

Just got some ram from here, http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

Very fast service and the installed ram is working without any issues.

 

[Numnumball]

price is fixed.

if want cheaper... can purchase via student price or browse for refurbished Macs (if you don't mind older models).

maybe you can try purchasing from the airport... no GST charged. but you need a boarding pass to access the shops inside.

Hmm, anyone got a IMAC in Airport recently?

Was pondering the option of getting one on my way bk from HK in 2 months time..
i assume for 21.5-inch: 3.06GHz priced at $1,788.00 should work out at about $1,662.84(less gst). Am i right? Kindly correct me if i'm wrong.. :think:

 

[+evenstar]

Hmm, anyone got a IMAC in Airport recently?

Was pondering the option of getting one on my way bk from HK in 2 months time..
i assume for 21.5-inch: 3.06GHz priced at $1,788.00 should work out at about $1,662.84(less gst). Am i right? Kindly correct me if i'm wrong.. :think:

goods above a certain value will still be charged GST at customs

 

[adorable]

Mac Tablet where are you? :lovegrin:

 

[noelmac]

Thanks for the input, but i prefer to get it locally.

Just got some ram from here, http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

Very fast service and the installed ram is working without any issues.

 

[noelmac]

It's not region free, you can use an external dvd drive to watch different region of dvd movies.

is the DVD drive (hardware) on the new Mac region-free?

 

[mohgui]

It's not region free, you can use an external dvd drive to watch different region of dvd movies.

darn it... i thought i can use Region X to solve the region problem.

 

[mohgui]

goods above a certain value will still be charged GST at customs

what if you dump the box? will the customs know that it is purchased from the airport?

 

[peterpan1975]

darn it... i thought i can use Region X to solve the region problem.

Don't think its the dvd drive that was being lock rather that iDVD software is the one that does the limitation. I'm using VLC to watch DVD on my macbook with no issue. Just select "read from disk" can lao.

unless you die die have to use iDVD than sorry lor .. its enable 5 time region changes.

 

[David]

Yes, there is some issue where either Snow Leopard has closed the region code gap or VLC isn't working around the region code. Feel lucky, though, because on some systems, you can't watch any coded DVD at all. The grinding sound is annoying and I had to go back to my almost 5 year old PowerBook to play a DVD.

Oh you've experienced the grinding sound too? Didn't sound good huh... like the DVD player going to be spoilt.

Good for you... For me, watching on the iMac is my only way as I don't have a DVD player system at home. And my old PC is now in some corner of my home sleeping almost for good.

Very disappointed actually cos I was looking forward to watching my favorite DVDs on my new iMac using the iDVD. If there's a region code restriction, my iMac as good as useless as far as watching movies is concerned. :cry: I think this is definitely one big minus point about Macs, at least for the newer ones.

noelmac, as peterpan mentioned, I also don't think it's the drive that restricts the region coding. It's the software.

 

[mohgui]

Don't think its the dvd drive that was being lock rather that iDVD software is the one that does the limitation. I'm using VLC to watch DVD on my macbook with no issue. Just select "read from disk" can lao.

unless you die die have to use iDVD than sorry lor .. its enable 5 time region changes.

if that's the case, then Region X should solve the 5 region changes limitation. whenever you max out the 5 changes, you can reset it via Region X and can watch your favorite DVD using the bundled DVD Player.

 

[peterpan1975]

if that's the case, then Region X should solve the 5 region changes limitation. whenever you max out the 5 changes, you can reset it via Region X and can watch your favorite DVD using the bundled DVD Player.

so far never try region X. but i know VLC works for me. haha. i can watch region 3 and 1 lor

 

[noelmac]

in my experience, i put a region 1 disc on the internal drive and iDVD ask for region, but once i put it on my external dvd writer, it just played. And i tried both region 1 & 3 disc on it, it both played without asking to change the region setting.

Oh you've experienced the grinding sound too? Didn't sound good huh... like the DVD player going to be spoilt.

Good for you... For me, watching on the iMac is my only way as I don't have a DVD player system at home. And my old PC is now in some corner of my home sleeping almost for good.

Very disappointed actually cos I was looking forward to watching my favorite DVDs on my new iMac using the iDVD. If there's a region code restriction, my iMac as good as useless as far as watching movies is concerned. :cry: I think this is definitely one big minus point about Macs, at least for the newer ones.

noelmac, as peterpan mentioned, I also don't think it's the drive that restricts the region coding. It's the software.

 

[David]

in my experience, i put a region 1 disc on the internal drive and iDVD ask for region, but once i put it on my external dvd writer, it just played. And i tried both region 1 & 3 disc on it, it both played without asking to change the region setting.

Hmm... really? Thanks noelmac. My bad... I didn't know that. :embrass: Have always thought it was due to the software based on my PC experience.

With an external DVD writer, dos that mean I don't have to install Region X to enjoy region free DVD viewing? Any brand USB DVD player/writer will do for the iMac? Thanks so much.

That means gotta spend more $ for the external player.... :cry: But better than not being able to play different DVDs. If there are loopholes like this, I wonder why they want to torture us with the region thingy....

 

[mohgui]

but frankly speaking... i think 5 region limitation is more than enough right? the most we watch are from regions 1, 3 & 6.

 

[+evenstar]

what if you dump the box? will the customs know that it is purchased from the airport?

lugging a 21" imac without box through customs? the customs officer must've been really slack to miss that :bsmilie:

For those unaware:

If you are a bona fide traveller, other than a person who is a holder of a work permit, employment pass, student pass, dependent pass or long-term pass issued by the Singapore Government, you will be given GST relief on new articles, souvenirs, gifts and food preparations (excluding intoxicating liquors and tobacco) up to the following values, depending on your age and the number of hours you have spent outside of Singapore immediately before your arrival, as specified in the table below:

Period Away From Singapore Below 18 years of age 18 years of age and above
Less than 24 hours No Relief $50
24 to less than 48 hours $50 $150
48 hours and above $100 $300

If the value of your goods exceed the stipulated limits, please declare them at the Red Channel. Goods exceeding your GST relief may be brought in only on payment of GST at the Customs Office. To facilitate payment, please produce your receipts and invoices to the officer.

 

[David]

but frankly speaking... i think 5 region limitation is more than enough right? the most we watch are from regions 1, 3 & 6.

Huh....?

Please correct me if I'm wrong. I thought by region limitation, it means you got only 5 times to switch between regions. And not 5 different regions to choose from. Moreover, there are not many regions to choose anyway.

 

[2evans]

in my experience, i put a region 1 disc on the internal drive and iDVD ask for region, but once i put it on my external dvd writer, it just played. And i tried both region 1 & 3 disc on it, it both played without asking to change the region setting.

Think you need to turn off iDVD from launching when you insert a disc.

 

[peterpan1975]

Huh....?

Please correct me if I'm wrong. I thought by region limitation, it means you got only 5 times to switch between regions. And not 5 different regions to choose from. Moreover, there are not many regions to choose anyway.

Hmm... really? Thanks noelmac. My bad... I didn't know that. :embrass: Have always thought it was due to the software based on my PC experience.

With an external DVD writer, dos that mean I don't have to install Region X to enjoy region free DVD viewing? Any brand USB DVD player/writer will do for the iMac? Thanks so much.

That means gotta spend more $ for the external player.... :cry: But better than not being able to play different DVDs. If there are loopholes like this, I wonder why they want to torture us with the region thingy....

No need to buy external DVD drive lah ... WASTE $$. might as well get a DVD player with LCD screen. Smaller and yet region free. There is always solution for everything. Try all ur option first lah