Aluminum Starter Brick.
The currently smallest aluminum MacBook with 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo, 160 GB HDD and without keyboard lighting in review. Does the economical configuration suffice or should you dig considerably deeper in your pocket for the 2.4 GHz version?
Business Alternative from Asus.
The Taiwanese manufacturer Asus should be a name for many who are interested in computers. Mainboards, graphic cards, EeePC and gaming notebooks are only a few fields with which the name is connected. The Asus B80A presents itself to us, untypically and therefore exotic, as a born-and-bred business notebook in a dying out 14.1″ format. Can the newbie take it up with the established competition from Lenovo, HP and Dell or has Asus overtaken themselves in this area and won’t find the link despite all effort?
Asus doesn’t offer a big variety of configuration options. Only one arrangement is available at the moment and relieves interested customers from the usual option of choice already in the forefront. Therefore it’s more important that the available version has an opulence on components, which satisfies the ambitioned corporate. And Asus has quite a bit to offer.
An LED-lit and splash-proof keyboard, fingerprint reader and webcam with face recognition and extension options via an optional docking station. Above that, our model had an Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 (2×2.0Ghz) CPU, 3 GB DDR2 RAM, 250 GB hard disk, Intel GMA 4500 MHD graphic with an HDMI-out and a matt 14.1″ WXGA display in 16:10 format. You have to pass on the basically available, but not offered in this country, faster processors, hard disks, other operating systems or a 9 cell battery. A disadvantage which the current “1-model-policy” brings about. Continue reading »
A good, cheap alternative, or maybe just cheap?
Eee PC & Co have proved many critics wrong with their current netbook boom. Apparently, these mini laptops, with their long battery life and modest performance, are not only selling well, they are also stealing potential buyers from other notebook sections. The low-end models of laptop producers have not remained immune to this drastic change. The producers are trying not to lose their hold in the market by aggressively reducing the price of their above-mentioned models. The HP Compaq 6735s belongs to this group, as it is not only cheap, but also has a good combination of ports.
Our test model is available with many different AMD processors, such as: Sempron, Athlon 64 X2, Turion X2, and Turion X2 Ultra. The system of our test model is based on AMD’s Puma-platform, which uses the integrated ATI HD3200 graphics chip. Unfortunately for the HP 6735s, the competition is high. It must fight against the netbook faction and the Intel dominance of the market for control over sales, and, as if that were not enough, it has to compete against it’s own sister model, the Intel based HP 6730s. Continue reading »
Unibody
The MacBook Pro boasts Apple’s new Mac computer design concept: the unibody. The unibody is a laptop casing manufactured with incredible precision from a block of aluminium. The result is not only a laptop that looks fantastic with its brushed finish and smooth edges; it’s also more than capable of absorbing the rough and tumble of life on the move.
Furthermore, the unibody has enabled Apple to make the MacBook Pro lighter and thinner. This powerful, feature-packed laptop now weighs just 2.49 kg (5.5 pounds), and at its thickest point is 2.41 cm (0.95 inch).
The monitor
The MacBook Pro’s 15.4 inch monitor is still an LED backlit glossy widescreen with 1,440 x 900 pixel resolution. The fact that these specs haven’t changed is certainly no cause for concern because the quality is first-rate. Apple has managed to enhance it, however, with a glass front that stretches across the whole of the interior surface and does away with a metal frame. The glass looks better, is tougher and lasts longer. It’s also free from arsenic, a toxin released when glass is recycled.
Multi-Touch trackpad
Another striking feature of the MacBook Pro is the larger, more versatile trackpad. The smooth etched glass of the trackpad now has a surface area 39% greater than before. This gives you plenty of room for your fingers to make every trackpad signal.
These signals have also developed, and now incorporate some useful extras. Apple has introduced a four finger swipe, for example, that takes full advantage of the trackpad’s size increase. Swipe four fingers to the right or left, and you trigger Application Switcher. This allows you to view all your open applications. Swipe four fingers up or down, and you prompt Exposé to show desktop or all your open windows.
If you’re more used to right-hand clicking, the trackpad gives you the chance to do this by tapping with two fingers. It’s also possible to arrange for the trackpad to give you a specific right-hand click zone.
Current Mac owners will spot the lack of a button lying along the bottom of the trackpad. Apple has replaced this by simply turning the whole trackpad into a button. In other words, you can click the trackpad anywhere on its surface.
Mini DisplayPort
The new Mini DisplayPort connector on the MacBook Pro is a tenth of the size of a normal DVI port. It provides a fast, no-nonsense method of connecting the 24 inch Apple Cinema Display, or peripherals such as projection systems. Various Mini DisplayPort adaptors also enable you to connect VGA, DVI, and dual-link DVI monitors.
Cinema Display
Apple’s 24 inch LED backlit Cinema Display is the perfect complement to the new MacBook Pro. It’s just what you need if you’re making a presentation, or you just want the advantages conferred by a larger screen. Apple has also designed the Cinema Display so that you can connect and use the MacBook Pro as simply as possible. Similarly, you can disconnect with ease and walk away with the MacBook Pro at short notice.
The Cinema Display’s cable, for instance, branches into three connectors. One of these goes into the new MacBook Pro’s Mini DisplayPort; another plugs into a USB port; and the third is a MagSafe that you connect to the MacBook Pro’s Power Port. In other words, you can display your images on both the MacBook Pro and the Cinema Display; use the Cinema Display’s iSight camera, microphone, and speakers; and charge the MacBook Pro via an adaptor built into the Cinema Display.
NVIDIA graphics
Apple has teamed up with NVIDIA to produce an integrated graphics processor that’s ideal for professional applications and advanced games. The NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics processor comes with dual-link DVI support and, for the 2.4GHz 15 inch MacBook Pro, has 256MB of GDDR3 memory. The memory capacity doubles to 512MB on the 2.53GHz and 2.8GHz MacBook Pro models.
This isn’t the only graphics processor in the new MacBook Pro, however. Recognising that users will sometimes require less intensive power, Apple also installs the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with the main memory. This means you can save battery power by opting for the 9400M whenever you’re working on your day-to-day applications.
Storage
Storage on the new MacBook Pro has increased to 250GB on the 2.4GHz model, and 320GB on the 2.53GHz. Both of these hard drives run at 5,400 rpm, but you can opt to increase the speed to 7,200 rpm if you choose. There’s also a 128GB solid-state drive available.
The environment
Apple’s innovations continue with the MacBook Pro’s environmental credentials. Traditionally, laptop manufacturers have used brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in logic boards; PVC in cables; arsenic in glass components; and mercury in the CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) backlights of LCD monitors. Apple has successfully eliminated these toxins from the new MacBook Pro.
Apple has also worked hard to ensure every aspect of the design and manufacturing process considers environmental impact. As a result, the new MacBook Pro reaches the gold standard of EPEAT (electronic product environmental assessment tool). EPEAT measures the way in which a product affects the environment; the amount of energy it consumes; and the ability to recycle its parts. A gold rating is proof of Apple’s ecological commitment.
The new MacBook Pro also meets the exacting standards required to give it Energy Star status. In fact, the MacBook Pro uses just 33% of the electricity needed for one light bulb.
A high calibre product
The new 15 inch MacBook Pro has a range of exceptional features as well as industry-leading improvements in technology and green standards. With the unibody, it also has a remarkable design concept. Put all these innovations together, and you have a truly superior laptop.
The addition of the new generation of Apple notebooks to Mac computers is here. This time, however, the “new generation” tag doesn’t just refer to upgrades – it heralds outstanding changes to design and technology.
Design
To construct the casing for a standard laptop, you need a lot of different parts. In the process, you increase the weight, the size, and the potential for problems. To address these points, Apple set itself the challenge of building the casing from just one part.
This goal may have appeared far-fetched at first, but Apple was convinced the effort was worth the trouble. The result is the new MacBook’s unibody, a casing created from just one piece of solid aluminium.
The unibody has transformed the look of the MacBook. More than ever, it gives the impression of a sophisticated and brilliantly engineered laptop. The unibody also feels incredibly robust. Furthermore, the use of aluminium helps the new MacBook weigh in at 0.23 kg (0.5 pounds) less than the previous model, and shave 0.34 cm (0.13 inches) from its height.
Different manufacturing techniques
Moulding such a casing, as you would with plastic, is a thing of the past. Instead, Apple makes the unibody by milling it with computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
These machines are some of the most accurate manufacturing tools on the planet. Apple has grasped their potential and employed them to the fullest extent. The sleep indicator light on the new MacBook, for example, appears to shine from behind the aluminium. Apple has achieved this by thinning the metal and drilling tiny holes through it.
Environmental standards
The new MacBook will last for years, but it’s good to know the aluminium unibody is recyclable. This reflects the seriousness with which Apple views its environmental responsibility. The company has applied stringent standards to every aspect of the new MacBook, insisting that manufacturing techniques go hand in hand with the most demanding eco principles.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are absent from all the internal components of the new MacBook; none of the internal cables have PVC; the glass of the screen doesn’t contain any arsenic; and the display behind it is mercury-free. The new MacBook is setting a benchmark for the complete removal of toxins from computers.
In terms of energy efficiency, the new MacBook has a double victory to celebrate. Not only does it meet Energy Star requirements as previously, it has also acquired an EPEAT gold rating. EPEAT is the foremost environmental evaluation system for desktops, laptops, and monitors. To obtain a gold rating is a significant achievement.
Other features
Further outstanding features of the new MacBook are the trackpad, the screen, and the Mini DisplayPort. The trackpad immediately catches the eye because it’s almost 40% larger than before. When you start to use it, you also appreciate its extra functions. The trackpad now has full Multi-Touch capability that includes pinching to zoom in and out; three and four finger swiping; creating a right click area for shortcuts; and using any part of the trackpad’s surface as a button.
The new MacBook’s screen has changed to a thinner LED backlit display that provides full brightness the moment the MacBook comes on. A frameless glass front complements this and makes the widescreen appear larger than its 13.3 inches.
A Mini DisplayPort replaces the Mini DVI and FireWire 400 ports. The Mini DisplayPort provides an easy, plug-and-play connection for an Apple LED Cinema Display, and can show images on both the MacBook and the Cinema Display at the same time. Mini DisplayPort adaptors for VGA, DVI and dual-link DVI connections are available should you need them.
The 2.4GHz MacBook also has another bonus. It now boasts the illuminated keyboard so admired on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Technology
The new aluminium MacBook is available in two models, the 2.0GHz and the 2.4GHz. Both processors use Intel Core 2 Duo technology with 3MB on-chip shared L2 cache.
The standard models of the previous generation were 2.1GHz and 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duos with the same L2 cache. Both new versions, however, have a 1066MHz system bus, compared to 800MHz. In addition, 2GB of memory is now a standard feature (with the capacity to accept 4GB if you prefer). The hard drives are 160GB Serial ATA at 5,400 rpm for the 2.0GHz, and 250GB for the 2.4GHz. You can increase storage to 320GB or 350GB, and there’s an option of a 128GB solid-state drive.
As for the optical drive, the new MacBooks no longer offer a Combo. Apple has passed this over in favour of the superior 8x slot-loading SuperDrive on both models.
Graphics
The features and technology of the new MacBook all deserve your attention, but one in particular is creating both interest and excitement.
The old MacBook had an Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with the main memory. The new MacBook has an integrated processor that provides up to five times better performance. This graphics powerhouse, the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, is the result of development work between Apple and NVIDIA. It has 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM, and contains 16 parallel processing cores. The result is 3D images that are fast, responsive, and more detailed. The MacBook is now a highly desirable laptop for game players.
Battery
With all these extras to cope with, particularly the graphics processor, you might expect the MacBook’s battery to suffer. On the contrary: the official life of the battery has increased from four and a half to five hours.
Apple has accomplished this by keeping the principle of energy efficiency to the forefront of its thinking. From the MacBook’s screen to the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M processor, the design has incorporated the lowest energy use possible.
Innovation
The developments the MacBook represents are profound. This is a laptop that introduces impressive design, manufacturing, performance, and environmental innovations. It also throws down a gauntlet for other companies to pick up if they choose. In the meantime, the MacBook remains exceptional.
Girls are girls, and girls love something pink and blue with a splash of white or something floral. May it be buying watches or bags girls love to buy something distinctive; something which serves the purpose yet doesn’t deprive them from their most-sought-after feminine macbook accessories. 13 inch Apple macbook sleeves are now available in passion vine style. Like the name rightly suggests, ladies are in for some sweet, classic looking macbook sleeve made from 100% polyester Sherpa fleece and protective enough to tackle all the daily humdrum.
If you wish to gift apple macbook sleeves to your girlfriend or secretary, you can choose the special ladies apple macbook sleeve. Girls love to be included in the supposedly masculine domain of technology and tech accessories. Laptop accessories, macbook accessories, iPod accessories have come across to be common gift items for many ladies today. The apple macbook sleeves particularly work great for this women entrepreneur who is a ladies club member. She uses macbook sleeves along with her laptop tote bag or even her everyday use briefcase. Looks quite snazzy and trendy to be very honest!
Ladies Apple macbook sleeves are ideal for protecting Core 2 Duo and Core Duo. They are well-stitched and tailored after considering the dimensions of the 13” macbook. This fits the macbook perfectly. Plus, the Velcro macbook sleeve saves you from the trouble of fiddling with buttons and zips. The 6 inches of Velcro holds the macbook securely and gives you easy access. You can simply use it by itself or team the macbook sleeve with a backpack, briefcase, bag. The front pocket on the macbook sleeve has ample space for your cds, adapters, DVDs, usbs, or even your iPods.
Coming back to the material used for girly apple macbook sleeve, if you wish to have something soft and comfortable for your macbook sleeve, the passion vine macbook sleeve is perfect! Apart from the soft colors used for the outer casing, apple macbook is the “just what the doctor ordered” computer sleeve for your apple macbook. Use it for safeguarding your investment. 13 inch Apple macbook sleeve gives the reassurance and security needed for macbook users. Padded macbook sleeve cushions your macbook no matter how bumpy the road may be or how roughly the macbook is handled.
CD cases have cd sleeves, some come in plastic sleeve, laptop computers have laptop sleeves but when it comes to the Apple macbook, Apple macbook sleeves and apple macbook sleeves go hand in hand. In fact, apple macbook sleeves are on the first notebook protection accessories that can be used as iBook Sleeve, Powerbook sleeve as well as an Apple macbook sleeve and in every case, they aren’t bulky, too big or too small for your laptop computer. Gone are the days when you had to use bubble pak envelopes for storing items for shipping, travelling or moving. Gift ladies macbook sleeves to someone dear to you, they will love it for sure. Dress macbook in macbook sleeve and you will see how secure it looks. Businesswoman would love to dress macbook in macbook sleeves as much as housewives who might need to keep their macbook away from dust.
1) First steps (a) Unpacking
Remove your Mac Book Pro from the box and place it on a firm surface near an electric socket. In the box, you should also have
an 85W MagSafe Power Adaptor
a power cord
a DVI to VGA adaptor
(b) Charging
Strip the plastic film from the 85W MagSafe Power Adaptor. Ensure the plug sits properly in the Power Adaptor and place it in the electric socket. Take the other end of the Power Adaptor lead and connect it to the magnetic MagSafe power port on the left-hand side of your MacBook Pro.
If the Power Adaptor lead won’t stretch to your nearest electric socket, remove the plug from the adaptor by pulling it up. Beneath the plug is a socket. Insert one end of the power cord into the adaptor socket and the other into the electric socket.
Please note: always disconnect your MacBook Pro from the electricity by pulling the plugs and not the leads.
An amber light on the MagSafe connector at the power port tells you the MacBook Pro battery is charging. When a green light appears, the battery is fully charged. If no light appears, check the connections and make sure you’ve switched on the electric socket.
(c) Basic features
When you open your MacBook Pro, you’ll find
an iSight camera and camera indicator light at the top of the screen
stereo speakers either side of the keyboard
a power button on the right of the keyboard
a microphone to the left of the keyboard
a trackpad and a trackpad button
From left to right along the front edge of the MacBook Pro are
an infrared (IR) receiver
a sleep mode indicator light
a display release button
a slot-loading SuperDrive
From left to right on the left-hand side of your MacBook Pro are
a MagSafe power port
one USB 2.0 port (15 inch model); two USB 2.0 ports (17 inch model)
an audio line in/optical digital audio in port
a headphone out/optical digital audio out port
an ExpressCard/34 slot
From left to right on the right-hand side of your MacBook Pro are
a security slot for a cable and lock
a USB 2.0 port
a FireWire 400 port
a FireWire 800 port
a Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000Base-T)
a DVI port
Underneath your MacBook Pro is the battery. The battery has a row of indicator lights and a button.
2) Initial set-up (a) Setup Assistant
Switch on your MacBook Pro by pressing the power button. Setup Assistant will come up on the screen.
Setup Assistant takes you through the process of establishing your user account and your email and Internet details. If you have another Mac and want to carry files and applications from it to your MacBook Pro, Setup Assistant will show you how. If you want to transfer such information at a later date, use Migration Assistant instead.
Select the Applications folder
Open Utilities
Double-click Migration Assistant
If you have another Mac you don’t intend to use in the future, and you’ve bought music, audiobooks, films or TV shows with iTunes, de-authorise the computer. For more details, go to the iTunes Help menu and select iTunes Help.
(b) Internet connection
You can connect wirelessly to the Internet using your MacBook Pro’s built-in AirPort Extreme facility. For more information
go to the Menu Bar
select Help>Mac Help
search for “AirPort”
Alternatively, connect an Ethernet cable to the port on the right-hand side of your MacBook Pro. Place the other end in a cable modem, DSL modem or network.
For a dial-up Internet connection
buy an external Apple USB Modem
place it in one of your MacBook Pro’s USB ports
connect a phone lead from a phone jack to the modem
(c) Sleep mode
Use the sleep mode on your MacBook Pro if you stop work for a short period. To start the sleep mode, you have the following choices:
select Apple>Sleep on the Menu Bar
close the screen
press the power button and select sleep in the dialogue box
select Apple>System Preferences; choose Energy Saver; set the timer
Please note: don’t move your MacBook Pro until the sleep indicator light on the front edge comes on. This tells you the hard disc has stopped. If you move the MacBook Pro with the disc still spinning, you can damage the disc and lose data.
To wake your MacBook Pro from sleep mode:
open the screen if you closed it, or
if the screen is open, press any key or the power button
(d) Shut down
If you’ve finished work on your MacBook Pro for the day, shut it down by either
selecting Apple>Shut Down on the Menu Bar, or
pressing the power button and selecting Shut Down in the dialogue box
3) Using the trackpad
With the trackpad, you can:
scroll
Click
double-click
drag
move the pointer
To control the distance you send the pointer across the screen, adjust the speed of your finger on the trackpad:
Move your finger slowly to send the pointer a short distance
Move your finger fast to send the pointer further
Other features of the trackpad include the following:
Two finger scrolling. Scroll in any direction by making the same movements with two fingers on the trackpad.
Secondary or right clicking. Use shortcut menu commands by placing two fingers on the trackpad and clicking the trackpad button.
Some trackpad features apply to certain applications:
Two finger rotating. By rotating two fingers on the trackpad, you can turn images and text.
Two finger pinching. By pinching together and pushing apart two fingers on the trackpad, you can zoom in or out.
Three finger swiping. Flick through a series of images or the pages of a document by swiping three fingers on the trackpad.
If you want to fine-tune and set trackpad options
select Apple>System Preferences
click Keyboard & Mouse
click Trackpad
For more information
select Help>Mac Help
click Trackpad
4) Quick Mac OS X guide (a) Introduction
Your MacBook Pro has the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system. This controls your applications, files and peripheral devices, and works in a similar fashion to Windows.
(b) The basics
Your basic controls are the keyboard and trackpad. Windows users find they have to use the keyboard and trackpad fewer times on the MacBook Pro to achieve comparable results.
(c) Main features
To help you manage and navigate everything successfully on your MacBook Pro, there are four main features:
Desktop
Dock
Finder
Menu bar
Desktop
Desktop is your starting point each time you use your MacBook Pro. It stores items such as files and images.
The first icon you’ll come across on Desktop is the Macintosh HD (hard drive). Other icons appear when you use the various functions of your MacBook Pro. To view an icon’s files and applications, double-click it.
Also note that
if you connect a device to your MacBook Pro, an icon appears on the Desktop
if you allow other users on your MacBook Pro, each one can have a Desktop
when you run applications, Desktop always lies behind them
Dock
The Dock is a row of icons lying at the bottom of your MacBook Pro screen. Click on an icon to reach the files and applications it contains.
When a window appears on the screen, it has three buttons in the top left corner.
The red button closes the window
The yellow button minimises the window to the Dock
The green button maximises and minimises the window’s size
Finder
The icon on the far left of the Dock is the Finder. Use the Finder to navigate and manage your MacBook Pro’s files and applications.
Menu Bar
The Menu Bar is a line at the top of the MacBook Pro’s screen.
With the Menu Bar, you can
see recent work
view and adjust settings and applications
end applications
interact with a programme
log in and out
put the MacBook Pro into sleep mode
begin restart
switch off your MacBook Pro
Customising desktop
To customise Desktop, select the System Preferences icon in the Dock or Apple>System Preferences on the Menu Bar. For more details of what you can do, select Mac Help and search for System Preferences or for the item you want to change.
5) Connectivity
Your MacBook Pro has a comprehensive range of ports for printers, phones, iPods, cameras, joysticks, hard drives and so on. As well as USB 2.0 ports, you have a FireWire 400 and a FireWire 800. These are ideal for connecting high speed devices such as video cameras.
The DVI port allows you to connect a monitor, TV or projector. If you have a VGA device, then simply use the supplied DVI/VGA adaptor.
Use the audio line in/optical digital audio in port to connect digital audio equipment or a microphone. Use the headphone out/optical digital audio out port for audio equipment, headphones or speakers.
The ExpressCard/34 slot accepts all standard 34mm ExpressCards. Please note that when you want to remove a card, push it gently first.
6) Battery
When you use the MacBook Pro without the MagSafe Power Adaptor, the time you can run the computer depends on your applications and the peripheral devices that are draining the battery’s power. You can save battery energy by removing unnecessary devices and by switching off your AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth® features when you’re not using them.
Press the button on the battery to check the energy level. The lights at the side of the button tell you how much charge you have left, if any. You can also inspect the battery level by simply checking the battery status icon in the Menu Bar.
The battery can be charged at any time. You’ll find you can charge it more quickly, however, when your MacBook Pro is in sleep mode or switched off.
If you want to replace a failing battery with a full charged one, always shut down your MacBook Pro first.
