Apple Laptop Buying Guide
Overview
I think we can all agree that Apple 
products are pretty swank pieces of consumer technology. Whether you're jamming out with your iPod, yammering away on your iPhone or perusing the Internet on your Mac Mini, there's something about using an Apple product that just makes a person feel special, often times resulting in a serious case of the "warm 'n' fuzzies." Maybe you like the intuitive interface. Perhaps you dig the slick presentation. Not all technology is heartless. No matter the reason, Apple computers and devices have come to define this generation's sense of what's cool. But what happens when you're away from home, on-the-go, and you just need to be on the internet? What about when you just have to take advantage of that free airport terminal or not-as-free Starbucks wi-fi? This, ladies and gentleman, is why we have laptops. Apple's Macbook range combines the top-notch design that they are known for with the functionality and ease of use of Mac OS X. Plus, with different models set at different price points, affording this piece of high tech nirvana is not outside the realm of possibility.
Apple Macbook
 | The brand-spanking new Apple Macbook is, quite simply, a pretty swank looking machine. Ditching the old multi-part polycarbonate construction of last generation's Macbooks, Apple has instead opted for the chassis to be built out of a single piece of durable anodized aluminium. This building method makes the new Macbook super-thin, measuring only 2.41 cm. thick and incredibly light, weighing just 2.04 kg. The new Macbook also has an instant-on LED lit 13.3" LCD display, which consumes less power than standard LCDs.
Also new to the Macbook line is what Apple is touting as the "Multi-Touch track pad." There is no button on the Macbook's mousing surface; rather, the entire rectangle of smooth, wear-resistant etched glass acts as a button. Apple has also intregrated multi-touch mouse gestures into the new Macbook line, similar to the functionality found on the iPhone and iPod Touch. The Macbook also includes a new NVIDIA GeForce 9400M mobile graphics chip for faster graphics performance and an 802.11n wireless chipset, the latest and greatest in wireless technology.
Beyond that, the Macbook still has all the features you've grown to love from previous generation; a blazing fast Intel Core 2 Duo processor at up to 2.4 GHz, a built-in iSight camera, backlit keyboard (only on the 2.4 GHz model), integrated Bluetooth capability, gigabit Ethernet, and an 8x SuperDrive.
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Macbook Pro
If you're looking for a more powerful portable solution, then you might need to go Pro. The Macbook Pro is like the Macbook's stronger, more talented cousin (although they're both equally good looking). It's the perfect machine for those who the ability to edit video, photos or other intensive media on-the-go.
The Pro contains all the same feature upgrades as it's cousin; the LED lit display, the unibody construction and the multi-touch track pad. However, it also sports a larger 15.4" LCD screen, capable of a maximum resolution of 1440x900. The Macbook Pro also contains a more powerful Intel Core 2 Duo processor right out of the box at 2.4 GHz, and can be upgraded to 2.53GHz or 2.8 GHz. These upgraded processors also have double the onboard L2 cache, expanded from 3MB to 6.
Finally, the Macbook Pro's graphic chipset can also be upgraded to the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, allowing for quality graphics on all of the latest Mac-compatible games as well as faster encoding for photo editing and digital video software. |  |
Macbook Air
 | The ultra-slim, ultra-light Macbook Air marks Apple's first foray into the burgeoning ultra-portable laptop market. At just 1.94 cm. thick at it's thickest point, and weighing a scant 1.36 kg., the Air is the smallest Apple laptop to date. However, unlike most ultra-portables, it doesn't skimp on full-size features (well, it does, but in other areas). It has a standard-size 13.3" LED-lit LCD screen with a maximum resolution of 1280x800, a relatively large 120GB serial-ATA hard drive (upgradable to a 128GB solid-state drive), a full-size, backlit keyboard and Apple's patented multi-touch track pad. The Air runs on a 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (upgradable to 1.86 GHz) and the NVIDIA 9400M integrated graphics processor. The Air also includes the standard Bluetooth networking and iSight camera offered on other Apple laptops.
Now for the bad news. Being an ultra-portable, Apple decided to remove the presence of an optical drive for the Air. This means that in order to install software from a disc-based medium, you will have to purchase an external USB SuperDrive or utilize the included Remote Disc software, which will let you wirelessly stream software installation from another computer's disc drive. The Macbook Air also lacks a wired Ethernet port, meaning that to get online, you'll have to be in range of an 802.11b, g or N wireless network. Finally, the price point on the Macbook Air is fairly high, considering all the features that you don't get compared to a standard laptop. |
Related Products
External Links
- Apple.com: A quick and dirty way to compare the features and specs of each Apple desktop, courtesy of the Apple website.
- AppleInsider.com: All the news, reviews and more about your favourite Apple products.
- MacRumors.com: Less news, more gossip, this site keeps you updated on future Apple releases and possible product timelines.
