What Is a Macbook?

Macbook is the current generation of Apple notebook computers available on the market. They are the cheapest of any computer in the Mac line, except the Mac Mini, and they uphold the quality and reliability of the Apple brand. However, there have been a few changes in Macbooks over the years.

History

Macbooks replaced Apple's former notebook computers, the iBook and Powerbooks, in the spring of 2006.

The new Macbooks are slimmer than their predecessors, but also wider. That is, they aren't as thick as the old iBooks but they do take up more space in width.

Since their initial release, there have been eight variations of the Macbook. The first Macbooks came in black and white, but black has been fazed out. In 2008 Apple released an aluminum Macbook, which now the white Macbook has replaced.

Types

Macbooks come in two types, Macbook and Macbook Pro.

Macbooks are the most popular computers in Apple's line-up, and they are affordable, usually starting at $999. The Macbook is cheaper than the Macbook Pro, but also has less power, no SD card slot and a shorter battery life. In the past, Macbooks had less RAM and slower graphic cards than the Macbook Pro, but that is no longer the case. (See Reference 2.)

The Macbook is now usually made of while polycarbonate, and the Macbook Pro is made of aluminum.

Function and Upgrade

Macbooks come with several of Apple's premier software programs already installed, such as iPhoto and iMovie. (See Reference 1.)

You can upgrade your Macbook if you desire. The upgrades include up to 500 GB hard drive and up to 8 GB of memory. (See Reference 2.) The 500 GB of hard drive gives the Macbook a lot more space, meaning it can hold more software, photos and music.

Features

All Macbooks come with the following specifications in their hardware: two USB ports, one Firewire port, a built-in iSight camera, Mini DVI output, built-in Airport for wireless connectivity, and built-in Bluetooth.

The Macbook Pros have an SD card slot.

The Macbook's battery life is up to five hours, and the Macbook Pro's is seven hours. (See Reference 2.)

Considerations

Macbooks are a great investment, but they aren't for everyone. Personal computers still dominate in computer gaming as well as most Office software suites. Macbooks can run Windows if you install Bootcamp, but you must partition your hard drive to do so.

However, Macs are still the best computers for graphic arts, because of the UNIX system they run on and the ease of use associated with the graphic arts programs found on the Macbook. Plus, Macbooks come loaded with a number of graphic arts programs already installed.

References

• MacBook
• Compare Macbooks

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Apple Store: Macbook