All MacBook computers are ready to go right out of the box. Upon opening the package, you'll find your MacBook computer, power adapter and cord, install/restore DVDs, and the printed and electronic documentation. The Pro and Air models include a cleaning cloth to wipe your screen, and the Air model includes a USB Ethernet adapter for connecting to the Internet.
If you've never used a laptop before or never used an Apple computer before, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basic features and functions, such as how to turn it on and off, how to connect it to a power source, and how to insert and eject CDs or DVDs. You'll especially want to know what the various ports on the side of the computer are used for and how to attach external components like your digital camera or speakers.
MacBooks come with a built-in iSight camera and microphone, and all but the MacBook Air come with a CD/DVD optical drive. Available ports that vary by model include FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort, audio in/optical digital audio in, headphone out/optical digital audio out, and USB version 2.0 ports.
Ports are those little slots that are on the side and sometimes back of your computer. If you take a look, you'll see that these slots vary in size and shape to prevent you from inserting the wrong type of connector into the wrong port. The most common type of port is the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. USB ports are used to connect a variety of components to your computer, like a mouse, digital camera, or printer. These ports come in two speeds: 1.1 and 2.0. Version 2.0 is much faster than version 1.1, and is backward compatible.
This means that you can have an older, 1.1-version scanner and it will work with a 2.0 port just fine USB 3.0, a significantly faster upgrade to USB 2.0 (theoretically ten times faster), was recently announced. No current MacBook models use 3.0 as of this writing but it is coming. Look for USB 3.0 in your next computer purchase, especially if you do a lot of data transfer to external drives or from a video camera to your computer.
Another type of port that you can use to connect peripherals to your computer is the FireWire port. FireWire is an extremely fast connection type used primarily for connecting digital video cameras and external hard drives. There are currently two speeds of FireWire: FireWire 400 and FireWire 800. While the FireWire port may look similar to USB, you'll notice that the shape is slightly different and one will not fit in the other.
If you aren't connecting wirelessly, you'll need to use your computer's Ethernet port. This is what you use to connect a Mac to the Internet or your home network. The Ethernet port looks similar to a phone jack but is wider. Ethernet cables have the appropriate connector that will fit, connecting your computer to a modem, switch, hub, or router. The other ports you'll see are for headphones, external speakers, and a microphone.
There's no difference between models when it comes to what software is included. All versions are loaded with the most recent version of the Snow Leopard operating system (Mac OS X), which includes programs for a variety of uses:
Communication - Mail, iChat, Safari, and Address Book are just some of the applications included to help you stay in touch with friends and family around the world.
Entertainment - Watch DVDs with the DVD player or surf the Web with Safari. You can play chess, watch video clips in QuickTime, and watch slideshows of your photos in iPhoto.
Creativity - Create your own playable DVDs with iDVD. Record and edit your own movies and music with iMovie and GarageBand. Your MacBook will help you become your creative best.
Productivity - Use the simple text editor or upgrade to iWork to use Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for your word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.
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10272010
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