Apple 13.3" Macbook Notebook

Not Much RAM for Multitasking The more RAM your laptop has, the faster programs will run and the greater number of windows you can work in at one time.
If your needs are simple and you rarely do more than two
things at once on your PC, the relatively modest amount of
memory that comes installed in inexpensive laptops will be enough.
Today the standard amount of RAM shipped in most PCs is 2GB.
If you like to multitask--say, you want to launch a search for a file
and start backing up data to a disc while you watch a news video--
you need more memory. Suited for Commuting and Other Short Trips Because of its midsize screen and other middle-of-the-road
characteristics, this notebook qualifies as an all-purpose portable.
Though it might not have the biggest hard drive or all the latest
card slots, its features--and accordingly, its price--are a good fit for
most people who need to get work done in mainstream applications.
On this laptop, you'll be able to compute comfortably in word
processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and browser applications, and enjoy music or a DVD movie with headphones. This laptop, lighter and easier to carry than a desktop replacement, is also a better choice for commuting and other short trips. Underpowered Video Hardware Not Suited for Serious Gamers A video chip set (also called integrated video or Intel video) built into this laptop's motherboard handles the graphics. Relatively speaking, this video hardware is underpowered. Since the laptop lacks a dedicated graphics card, the integrated chip set has to borrow video memory (an arrangement known as dynamic memory or shared memory) from the main system memory to make images look good. If you play only online trailers or 2D games, integrated video is fine. As long as the laptop has a fairly fast processor, such as a dual-core Intel CPU, even movies should look good and play smoothly. But laptops with integrated video can't render 3D well and handle sophisticated effects properly. Games will skip, lose details, or stop altogether if the video hardware can't manage at least 30 frames per second. If gaming is important to you, ante up for a laptop with a dedicated card. Supports DVD Burning
This laptop is equipped with a DVD burner, a slightly older type of optical drive.
If you don't need the ultrahigh recording capacity of a new Blu-ray optical drive, and you don't care about watching high-definition movies on your laptop, a DVD burner should suit you fine. It can read and burn data, music, or video
discs up to 8.5GB in capacity. A DVD burner is, of course, backward-compatible with CDs, but it cannot play the newer Blu-ray media because the two types of optical-disc technology use different lasers. In a couple of years, Blu-ray will completely replace the DVD disc format. Handle Heavy Loads of Streaming Data with Fire wire
Many laptops have one built-in FireWire port, also known as an IEEE 1394 (the name of the official standard) or i.Link (Sony’s name for it) port.
This connection comes in handy if you download massive video files.
Even though USB ports have caught up to FireWire in speed—attaining 480 megabits per second to the latter's 400 mbps--FireWire is still better at handling heavy loads of streaming data. Unlike USB, FireWire can even quickly transfer data between devices (such as printers and scanners) without a PC. The new FireWire 800 standard, IEEE 1394b, is twice as fast as standard FireWire 400 or 1394a, but it hasn't caught on with mainstream users; it's available mainly as an add-in card for power users. Connect Peripherals With Bluetooth Technology.
This short-range wireless technology is everywhere.
Whether you activate it on a laptop by way of an external on/off switch or through software, the small internal Bluetooth card automatically detects other Bluetooth-equipped devices within 30 feet and sends and receives radio signals over an ad-hoc "piconet," or personal wireless network.
Bluetooth is an especially convenient way to add external peripherals or partner the laptop with other devices, such as a cell phone, printer, or digital camera. Bluetooth works only over short distances to connect devices around your home or office, sending small chunks of data at a leisurely 1 megabit per second. Connect to the Net Via Ethernet Port Even though Wi-Fi is all the rage, an ethernet connection for wired networking is still a nice thing to have. Ethernet jacks allow for instant connections to
the Internet, e-mail, and applications over a fast, secure wired network.
Ethernet comes in three speeds: the all-but-obsolete traditional ethernet, limited to 10 megabits per second; fast ethernet, which works at up to 100 megabits per second; and gigabit ethernet, which operates at up to a gigabit per second. If your laptop is equipped with the still-common fast ethernet, it won't be able to take full advantage of the performance that a gigabit-ethernet network has to offer. But more and more laptops now come with gigabit ethernet, in which case you're covered for access to the fastest type of wired network.
Mac OS Although Apple computers account for a small percentage of machines sold every year, the graphical look of the Mac operating system was the inspiration for Windows. Mac aficionados praise its clean design and powerful multimedia tools. However, since the Mac versions of Microsoft programs such as Word and Excel are not as full featured, many users opt to add Windows to their Apple system and flip between the two OSs.
The newest Mac OS, Leopard, features a revamped interface
highlighted by a row of customizable "stacks" of frequently used files at the bottom of the screen. The new file-preview function, Cover Flow, allows you to flip through a document's pages without opening it.
Spotlight lets you search across a network of Macs and PCs, and a smart backup system called Time Machine graphically rolls back changes made to a folder so you can find a lost file. Be Wary of Battery Life Specs
Take the battery life you see advertised for any laptop with a grain of salt.
Why? A few vendors till use unrealistic testing parameters in order to report the longest battery life possible. For example, a "tested" laptop simply might be turned on, with the screen brightness lowered to the darkest level, and allowed to run down without anyone touching it.
When the laptop undergoes typical, everyday use--say, with the screen brightness turned up to a readable level and with the user working in several applications or playing a CD or DVD movie--its battery life could be much shorter than a vendor's claims. User Reviews for Apple 13.3" Macbook Notebook
Reviewed by: GTEvo8
timestamp(1204012800000,'dateTime') Feb 26, 2008 1:00 pm Duration of ownership: Strengths: Apple OS, small size and it looks good Weaknesses: None so far.. Overall Evaluation: During my research of this item, the MacBook
Air was released, and I was torn between the two. I however decided on this one as I thought the compromises needed were too great.
This is a classy looking machine, has a wonderful feel to it and a wonderful intuitive OS. The keyboard is very nice to use. I also like the in-built camera, rather than having an external one and its wiring in the way! I like the idea of the built-in DVD superdrive and the battery life is excellent. Overall, so far, I have been very pleased with my purchase! Reviewed by: iframeit timestamp(1201680000000,'dateTime')
Jan 30, 2008 1:00 pm Duration of ownership: Strengths: Small size, lightweight, speedier than ever, Leopard is awesome Weaknesses: Keyboard a little cheaper looking than other Macs Overall Evaluation: I recently bought a macbook and absolutely love it.
The new software, Leopard, is exceptionally easy to use. i can make
professional-looking presentations and movies quickly and with ease.
The computer completes tasks rapidly, but best of all is the mail application that recognizes dates and times so that i can automatically add events into my calendar. The size is perfect for commuting and the drive speed is exceptional.
The Intel duo works with lightening speed. This is the perfect computer for a student. Every thing sets up and works easily with it - iPod, iTunes, Airport (wireless base station), my printer, scanner. Every thing sets up automatically with through the Set-Up Assistant. You don't have to be a technical guru to be set-up and running in minutes.
The price is a bit higher than other manufacturers.
The keyboard is a bit cheaper looking than other Macs or past
Macs.
Buy the AppleCare though, and you won't have to worry about
maintenance for 3 years. Besides, the Apple Bar Geniuses all know what they are doing and help is easy to get. Try getting support from a kid in
Best Buy about your Dell !!!!