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Step 1
Go to the Low End Mac website (see Resources below). Despite its name, this website has specifications and other details about every Mac back to the beginning with the Mac Portable in 1989 right through the latest Macbook Pros. A typical entry will feature a bit of background and history of the particular model followed by the specifications and warnings of any problems that occurred in the Mac. After the Mac Portable, Apple started producing a long line of what it termed Powerbooks. So many of these were called just "Powerbook," in fact, that aficionados of the Mac laptop took to calling them by their internal Apple designation. For example, when Apple first started using the G3 processor in 1997, the first Powerbook became known as the Kanga, followed by the Wallstreet, Wallstreet II, Lombard and Pismo.
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Step 2
Go to "Macworld," either the magazine or the online version. For many years, "Macworld" has provided extensive reviews of all Macs as they come out. For example, the latest Macbook Pros are reviewed usually by the time they are available for purchase. "Macworld" uses a multiple mouse rating system with five mice being the highest rating, one the lowest.
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Step 3
Go to CNET. While it primarily is a general computer website, it does have reviews of most computer hardware, including Macbooks and Macbook Pros. CNET has a star rating system, but differs from other review sites or magazines in that it also has a user rating system. CNET also gives quick snapshots of what's good and what's bad in each laptop.
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Step 4
Try Mac user forums. While the people on the forums are not usually pros, they can give you the nitty-gritty of actual use of any Mac laptop. For example, Low End Mac's Macbook List has nearly 300 members who discuss all aspects, pros and cons, and other details of the Macbook laptop computers.
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Step 5
Try back issues of magazines such as "MacUser," "Macintosh-Aided Design," "MacWEEK," "Publish" and other magazines for older reviews of Mac laptops. Sometimes these are available on eBay or other online sites. Longtime Mac users may also be able to provide you copies or at least photocopies for your use.
