How the MacBook Works

Many of the basic specs of the MacBook remained unchanged over the four years it was produced. The first MacBook was 13 inches (33 centimeters) wide, had a 1280 x 800 resolution screen, sported a plastic (polycarbonate) body and was available in two colors: black and white. The final 2010 version also had those same specs. The only major body change came in 2008, when the aluminum unibody model was released. However, in 2009 the aluminum unibody version was rebranded as the 13-inch MacBook Pro [source:Apple].

The internal hardware, on the other hand, was upgraded over time. In May of 2006 there were three versions of the MacBook available. The first had a 1.83 GHz Core Duo processor and a 60 GBhard drive. The second two were slightly more powerful, with a 2.0 GHz processor and an 80 GB hard drive. All three versions had 512 MB ofmemory. In mid-July, however, Intel unveiled its new Core 2 Duo processor, and the November 2006 MacBook offerings reflected that change. All three released that month sported the new Core 2 Duo processor (in 1.83 and 2.0 GHz). Another big change by the end of 2006 was that the top tier MacBook now had a 120 GB hard drive and 1 GB of memory -- twice as much storage space as its first tier model [source:EveryMac].

在未来四年苹果笔记本电脑上的所有规格continued to improve. By the time the computer was phased out in 2010, the offerings had increased tremendously -- a 2.4 GHz processor, a 250 GB hard drive and 2 GB of memory -- not far from what the 13-inch MacBook Pro was offering at the time.

The MacBook also featured a touchpad (or trackpad) mouse that sat right in front of the keyboard and a built-in camera right above the monitor. The 2006 model could get 6 hours ofbatterylife from its lithium-polymer battery, and by 2010 the battery could last for 10 hours. The MacBook also had several ports to allow you to hook up with other devices. All versions of the MacBook featured an Ethernet port, two USB ports, a mini DisplayPort (to connect to a TV or computer monitor), a FireWire port (to hook into a computer network) and a DVD drive. Some early versions had separate in and out audio ports, but the later versions combined these into one [sources:Apple,Apple].

Appleis known for putting great quality software on all its computers. One of the highlights has always been the Mac operating system. Distinctly different from the Windowsoperating systemfound on most PCs, the Mac OS has been applauded for its simplicity, high quality and ease of use. In 2006 the standard operating system on the MacBook was Mac OS X Tiger -- which included a bunch of useful tools like Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, QuickTime, Address Book and DVD Player. The 2006 MacBook also came with iLife (which included iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb and Garage Band) and Front Row, a media application [source:Apple].

It's clear that Apple found a winning combination with the MacBook's standard software, because by 2010 not much had changed. The operating system had gone through two iterations -- Leopard in 2007 and then Snow Leopard in 2009. Snow Leopard featured upgraded versions of the programs available with Tiger and Leopard, and a few additional features including Time Machine (a backup tool) [source:Apple]. It also offered iLife, which was made up of all the same programs as the 2006 version, except for iTunes (which is now available as a free download online).

While MacBooks already come with a great suite of software to make work and life easier, Apple offers a ton of extra software you can use to upgrade your system. One of the most popular software compilations is iWork, Apple's equivalent of Microsoft Office that includes page layout and design software, a spreadsheet program and presentation software. You can still get Microsoft Office for Mac, however, and Apple's version has file types that are compatible with the Microsoft version.

Another popular program for the MacBook is Logic Studio, which lets you record, mix and edit music. If you're a professional or amateur photographer, the Aperture software lets you edit and organize your photos. Final Cut Pro, another popular software, lets you edit video and other media using professional editing tools. With so many design and media tools, it's not surprising that Apple's software is used and loved by at-home experimenters and industry professionals alike.

The standard accessory you'll get with a MacBook is a power cord -- which is good because even though MacBooks have a long battery life, alaptopis useless without a power source. Everything else, however, must be purchased separately.

Apple offers a wide variety of MacBook accessories for sale; many improve the functionality of your MacBook, making it easier to use. A mouse and keyboard -- either with a USB cord or wireless -- are great if you spend a lot of time on the computer or use the MacBook for work. The mouse is especially helpful because the MacBook's fingertip trackpad can be difficult to use for extended periods of time. You can also buy a variety of adapters, such as cords to hook the computer to a television or even to covert the power supply so you can use your computer in other countries. Other functional add-ons include a stand, a smart card reader and a projector [source:苹果商店].

Some accessories you can purchase make the MacBook more fun to use. For example, if you like listening to music you might want to buy headphones orspeakers. On the other hand, if you like creating music, Apple offers several types of DJ controllers so you can mix your own music, a guitar input so you can hook up your guitar to the computer, a microphone and even a music keyboard. If you use your computer for watching movies, purchasing a remote control would allow you to control the video playback from a comfy place on the couch. You can also get a webcam for chatting or business.

Sure the MacBook is fun and functional, but it’s not exactly cheap. If you buy one, you’ll probably want to protect your investment by making sure the MacBook is safe from theft or damage. For that purpose, Apple offers locks so you can stop your computer from walking away, and screen and keyboard protectors to defend against scratches and spills. If you’re worried about losing the information stored on your computer, you can buy Time Capsule, which is an external data backup device that ensures you won’t lose any files if something goes wrong.

To learn more about Macs, browse the links on the next page.