MacBook® All-in-One For Dummies®

Chapter 2. MacBook Models Compared

In This Chapter

• Choosing a MacBook

• Selecting a MacBook Pro

• Introducing the MacBook Air

Choices, choices! After you've made the decision that a laptop is the right destination, you still need to choose the model that's best suited for your applications and your computing lifestyle. Apple's MacBook line can fit anyone from a student to a digital media professional, so it's important to select the model that best fits your needs and price range.

In this chapter, I outline the differences between each MacBook model.

Your Entry-Level Mac Laptop

In both price and features, Apple's MacBook is designed for students and Mac users with typical needs, including office applications (such as iWork or Microsoft Office), Internet applications, the iLife suite, and the majority of games on the market. The default configuration includes 2GB of RAM, but the MacBook can accept up to 4GB total.

The MacBook is equipped with a 13.3-inch widescreen LCD screen, and the standard hard drive capacity is 160GB. (You can special-order up to 500GB for extra elbow room.) MacBooks come standard with a SuperDrive, so they can read and write DVDs. Of course, AirPort Extreme 802.11n and Bluetooth wireless networking are both built in.

At the time of this writing, the MacBook carries the following ports:

• Gigabit Ethernet: You can connect your MacBook to a wired Ethernet network with ease.

• Mini-DVI: This port allows you to connect your MacBook to an external monitor or flat-panel TV.

• FireWire ...