O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: desktop

  • Apple posts $83.4 billion in revenues, $20.5 billion profit for Q4 2021

    Apple posts $83.4 billion in revenues, $20.5 billion profit for Q4 2021

    Apple posted $83.4 billion in revenue for its fourth quarter of 2021, leading to a $20.5 billion profit, missing Wall Street expectations, but still showing strong growth along its assorted product categories.

    The company published its Q4 2021 earnings on Thursday shortly before a call with investors. Apple’s $83.4 billion in revenue represents year-over-year growth of 29 percent for the period ending in September, with this quarter’s earnings per share calculated at $1.24.

    Analysts were expecting Apple to report revenue of $85 billion and earnings-per-share of $1.23.

    Apple’s gross margins have grown to 42.2 percent, up from 38.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020.

    Revenue from iPhone sales reached $38.9 billion in Q4, a hefty increase from the $26.4 billion it earned in 2020. The tech giant’s iPad revenue has also risen 21 percent to $8.3 billion. Mac revenue was nearly flat, but managed to eke out an all-time record of $9.2 billion for the fourth quarter.

    Services reached a new peak, hitting $8.8 billion in revenue, and representing 26 percent year-over-year growth. The Wearables, Home, and Accessories segment rose 11 percent from Q4 2020, reaching $8.8 billion.

    Full year sales hit $365.8 billion, up 33 percent from 2019’s $274.5 billion.

    As has been the case since the pandemic, it is unknown if Apple beat its own expectations, since it didn’t provide guidance for the fourth quarter. Guidance for the first quarter of 2022 is not expected, though CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will likely offer commentary on the coming period during today’s earning conference call.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider

  • Parallels Desktop updated to version 17.1, offers Windows 11 support under macOS Monterey

    Parallels Desktop updated to version 17.1, offers Windows 11 support under macOS Monterey

    In spite of your Mac’s hardware, Parallels Desktop has reached version 17.1 and can apparently run Windows 11 with full macOS Monterey support.

    Parallels Desktop previously became an Apple Silicon native app with version 17, but there remained issues over running Windows 11 on it. Microsoft’s OS had certain minimum specifications, and key amongst those was the requirement for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM).

    Specifically, Microsoft has announced that it requires TPM 2.0 hardware to install and run Windows 11. This isn’t something that all Macs have, albeit Parallels has stated that it has created a virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM) to address the issue.

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    “Knowing that Parallels Desktop plays a critical role in enabling users to run the latest versions of Windows on their favorite Mac device today,” said Parallels Vice President for Engineering, Elena Koryakina, “we’ve developed a simple solution to help all users upgrade to Windows 11 with the enablement of vTPMs by default on all Mac devices.”

    Parallels has previously used vTPMs, but only on specific, professional versions of its Desktop software. The new version offers vTPM support in the Standard, Pro, and Business versions.

    Parallels Desktop 17 is a subscription app, starting at $80 per year for the Standard Edition. The Pro and Business Editions are available for $99.99 per year. Those who purchased a perpetual license for a previous version of Parallels Desktop can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 17 for $49.99.

    If you’ve tried Parallels Desktop 17.1 and Windows 11 on it, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via AppleInsider and parallels.com

  • Apple announces “Unleashed” media event for Tuesday, October 18

    Apple announces “Unleashed” media event for Tuesday, October 18

    The next Apple media event has been announced.

    The company announced on Tuesday that it will hold its “Unleashed” event on Monday, October 18. The remote event will be broadcast at 1 PM EDT/10 AM PST.

    Rumors have hinted as to new MacBook Pro notebooks and iMacs at the event, and there’s also talk of a new Mac mini. Other rumors have centered around the next generation of Apple Silicon processors, which could include the M1X or M2 chip, which could be unveiled then, as well as the release date for the upcoming macOS Monterey operating system.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer

  • Rumor: Apple to release updated, M1X-based Mac mini with additional ports over the next several months

    Rumor: Apple to release updated, M1X-based Mac mini with additional ports over the next several months

    Per the mighty Mark Gurman, Apple’s Mac mini is rumored to be receiving a significant redesign in the next few months.

    The desktop was among the first Apple products to receive the M1 processor in 2020, with no major changes being made to its overall design.

    According to Gurman, the forthcoming generation of the desktop is expected to receive an M1X processor, will have an updated design, and more ports than the current model.

    Per noted YouTuber Jon Prosser, the upcoming M1X-powered Mac mini will also introduce a new generation of industrial design for Apple’s standalone Mac. According to him, the 2021 Mac mini will feature a new external chassis with a “plexiglass-like” reflective surface on the top, in an otherwise aluminum enclosure.

    The M1X chip will enable Apple to offer a full lineup of ports once more, including four USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-A, Ethernet, and HDMI out.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac, Bloomberg, and Jon Prosser

  • Apple releases Touch ID-equipped Magic Keyboard as separate accessory

    Apple releases Touch ID-equipped Magic Keyboard as separate accessory

    It’s taken a few months, but users can now snag Apple’s new, Touch ID-equipped Magic Keyboard for $149 for the standard version and $179 for a full-sized model with a number pad.

    The Touch ID keyboard was introduced alongside the M1 iMac earlier this year, but at the time, the only way to get one was to buy a new computer. Now, though, anyone can buy one of the new keyboards, albeit with one key caveat: the standalone models are only available in Apple’s usual white/aluminum color scheme, instead of the more colorful models that come with the brightly hued iMacs.

    Apple has also begun selling the Magic Trackpad for $129, complete with more rounded corners.

    The devices still use Lightning ports to charge, and include a woven Lightning to USB-C cable. 

    As was the case with the Magic Keyboard model that shipped with the M1 iMac, the standalone Touch ID keyboards still will only let you use the biometric sensor with an M1 Mac — a list that includes Apple’s recent MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and iMac models. 

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Verge and MacRumors