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1 chapter

Learning about Mac Types

Are you ready to learnabout the Mac? Thischapter gets you off to agreat start by showing youthe different types of Macsthat are available. Youlearn about the generalMac types and you learnabout the specific Macmodels and what featuresthey offer.

Macs 101

A Beginner’s

Guide

Macs 101

A Beginner’s

Guide

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Understanding Mac Types ..................................4

Learn about the iMac ..........................................6

Delve into the Mac Mini......................................8

Get to Know the Mac Pro ................................10

Check Out the MacBook Pro............................12

Tour the MacBook Air........................................14

Take a Look at the MacBook ..........................16

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Before you learn about thespecific Mac models Appleoffers, it is a good idea to take astep back and look at the generaltypes of Macs that are available.

Understanding Mac Types

4

Portable MacsA portable Mac is a Macintosh computer that you cantake with you when you leave your home or office. Aportable Mac — also called a notebook Mac — comeswith a keyboard, mouse, and monitor built in, so it iseasy to use in almost any location. A portable Macalso comes with a battery, so you can use it even inplaces where there is no power outlet available.

Desktop MacsA desktop Mac is a Macintosh computer that isdesigned to sit on your desk. In most cases, youconnect the desktop Mac to a separate keyboard,mouse, and monitor. The exception here is the iMacmodel, which comes with a built-in monitor. Also,the Mac Pro model is quite large, so many peopleplace the system unit on the floor.

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Business ClassBusiness Class

4

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5

Intel MacsAll the current Mac models use a CPU made by IntelCorporation. Apple began the transition from PowerPC toIntel in early 2006, and every Mac made since aboutAugust 2006 comes with an Intel CPU. The Intelprocessors are faster and more reliable than thePowerPC chips, and they use less power, which improvesbattery life in portable Macs.

Determine the Mac CPUIf you have a Mac and you do not know whether it has anIntel or PowerPC CPU, you can find out. Start your Mac,click the Apple icon in the top-left corner, and then clickAbout This Mac. In the About This Mac window thatappears, examine the Processor value.

PowerPC MacsFrom about 1994 to early 2006, all Mac models used acentral processing unit (CPU; the “brain” of thecomputer) called the PowerPC, which was made jointlyby IBM and Motorola. Apple no longer uses PowerPCCPUs, but if you are in the market for a used Mac, notethat it may come with the PowerPC chip.

POWERPC!POWERPC!

About This Mac

Mac OS XVersion 10.4.11

Software Update...

More Info...

Processor 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4

Memory 256MB Built-in

Startup Disk Macintosh HD

About This Mac

Mac OS XVersion 10.4.11

Software Update...

More Info...

Processor 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4

Memory 256MB Built-in

Startup Disk Macintosh HD

Learning about Mac Types chapter1

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If you are thinking ofpurchasing an iMac, or just wantto know more about this Macmodel, this section explains theiMac’s features and concepts.

iMac 10

1

A Beginner’s

Guide

Learn about the iMac

6

iMac FeaturesThe iMac uses an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, awidescreen display (20 or 24 inches wide), apowerful graphics card, a built-in iSight camera andmicrophone, wired and wireless networking support,and a CD and DVD burner.

iMac OverviewThe iMac is an “all-in-one” computer that combinesthe system components (the CPU, memory, harddrive, and other internal components) and thescreen in a single unit. However, the resultingconsole is still amazingly thin, so the iMac does nottake up very much room on your desk.

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All in one:CPUMemoryHard driveScreen

All in one:CPUMemoryHard driveScreen

The iMac

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7

The back of the iMac has a generous supply of ports that enable you to connect a wide variety of devices.

Learning about Mac Types chapter1

iMac Ports

Audio Out

You use the audio outport to play music orother audio throughspeakers or headphones.

Audio In

You use the audio in port to bringspeech or other audio into the iMacusing a microphone, musicalinstrument, or audio player.

USB

You use the iMac’s three USB ports toconnect devices that support USB,including keyboards, mice, printers,cameras, external drives, and iPods.

FireWire 400

You use theFireWire 400port to connectdevices thatsupport FireWire400, includingexternal harddrives, externalDVD drives, andvideo cameras.

Video Out

You use the video out port toconnect the iMac to anadditional display, such as asecond monitor, a TV, or a videoprojector.

Network

You use the networkport to connect the iMacto a wired network.

FireWire 800

You use the FireWire 800 portto connect devices thatsupport FireWire 800,including external hard drives,external DVD drives, andvideo cameras.

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If you are thinking ofpurchasing a Mac mini, or justwant to know more about thisMac model, this section explainsthe Mac mini’s features andconcepts.

Delve into the Mac Mini

8

Mac Mini FeaturesThe Mac mini uses an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an80GB or 120GB hard drive, wired and wirelessnetworking support, a CD and DVD burner, andnumerous ports (see the next page). You need tosupply your own keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Mac Mini OverviewThe Mac mini is a scaled-down version of a Macthat includes all the standard components — CPU,memory, hard drive, video card, and DVD drive — ina unit that measures only about 6.5 inches square(and about 2 inches tall). This makes the Mac miniperfect for a work area that does not have verymuch room.

Mac mini

keyboard

mouse

monitor

+

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9

Learning about Mac Types chapter1

The back of the Mac mini has a number of ports that enable you to connect a wide variety of devices.

Mac Mini Ports

Network

You use the networkport to connect the Macmini to a wired network.

FireWire 400

You use the FireWire 400 port to connect devicesthat support FireWire 400, including external harddrives, external DVD drives, and video cameras.

Video Out

You use thevideo out portto connect theMac mini to acomputermonitor, TV, orother display.

USB

You use theMac mini’s fourUSB ports toconnect devicesthat supportUSB, includingkeyboards,mice, printers,cameras,external drives,and iPods.

Audio Out

You use the audio out port to playmusic or other audio throughspeakers or headphones.

Audio In

You use the audio in port to bring speech or otheraudio into the Mac mini using a microphone, musicalinstrument, or audio player.

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If you are thinking ofpurchasing a Mac Pro, or justwant to know more about thisMac model, this section explainsthe Mac Pro’s features andconcepts.

Get to Know the Mac Pro

10

Mac Pro FeaturesThe Mac Pro uses one or two Intel Xeon quad coreprocessors, which gives the Mac Pro the power of upto eight individual CPUs. It also comes with 2GB ofmemory, a 320GB hard drive, wired and wirelessnetworking support, a CD and DVD burner, andnumerous ports. You can upgrade the Mac Pro with afaster CPU, more memory, and multiple hard drives.

Mac Pro OverviewThe Mac Pro is the fastest and most powerful of allthe Mac models. With a fast CPU, lots of memory, alarge hard drive, powerful graphics, and a widevariety of expansion options, the Mac Pro isdesigned for power users who need maximumperformance.

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11

Learning about Mac Types chapter1Mac Pro Ports

opticalaudio

in out

The back of the Mac Pro has a number of ports that enable you to connect a wide variety of devices.Note, too, that the Mac Pro also has several ports on the front.

Video Out

You use a video out port to connect the Mac Proto a computer monitor, TV, or other display.

Audio In

You use the audio in port to bring speech or otheraudio into the Mac Pro using a microphone, musicalinstrument, or audio player.

FireWire 800

You use the FireWire 800 port to connect devicesthat support FireWire 800, including external harddrives, external DVD drives, and video cameras.

FireWire 400

You use the FireWire 400 port to connect devicesthat support FireWire 400, including external harddrives, external DVD drives, and video cameras.

USB

You use the Mac Pro’s three USB ports to connectdevices that support USB, including keyboards, mice,printers, cameras, external drives, and iPods.

Optical Audio Out

You use the optical audio out port to send digitalaudio from the Mac Pro to digital audio devicesthat support optical connections.

Optical Audio In

You use the optical audio in port to bring digitalaudio into the Mac Pro using digital audio devicesthat support optical connections.

Audio Out

You use the audio out portto play music or other audiothrough speakers orheadphones.

Network

You use a networkport to connect theMac Pro to a wirednetwork.

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If you are thinking ofpurchasing a MacBook Pro, orjust want to know more aboutthis Mac model, this sectionexplains the MacBook Pro’sfeatures and concepts.

Check Out the MacBook Pro

12

MacBook Pro FeaturesThe MacBook Pro uses an Intel Core 2 Duo processor,a widescreen display (15.4 or 17 inches measureddiagonally), 2GB of memory, a 200GB or 250GB harddrive, a built-in iSight camera and microphone, wiredand wireless networking support, and a CD and DVDburner.

MacBook Pro OverviewThe MacBook Pro is a portable computer thatcombines the monitor and keyboard into a singleunit. Instead of a mouse, the MacBook Pro uses atrackpad where you move the pointer by slidingyour finger along the pad. The latest MacBook Promodels use multi-touch trackpads, where you usegestures to scroll, rotate, and zoom screen objects.

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Learning about Mac Types chapter1

The sides of the MacBook Pro have a number of ports that enable you to connect a wide variety of devices.

MacBook Pro Ports

USB

You use the MacBook Pro’s USB ports toconnect devices that support USB, includingkeyboards, mice, printers, cameras, externaldrives, and iPods.

FireWire 400

You use the FireWire 400 port to connect devices thatsupport FireWire 400, including external hard drives,external DVD drives, and video cameras.

FireWire 800

You use theFireWire 800port to connectdevices thatsupportFireWire 800,includingexternal harddrives, externalDVD drives, andvideo cameras.

Network

You use the networkport to connect theMacBook Pro to a wirednetwork.

Audio Out

You use the audio outport to play music orother audio throughspeakers or headphones.

Audio In

You use the audio inport to bring speech orother audio into theMacBook Pro using amicrophone, musicalinstrument, or audioplayer.

Video Out

You use the video outport to connect theMacBook Pro to anadditional display, suchas a second monitor, aTV, or a video projector.

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If you are thinking ofpurchasing a MacBook Air, orjust want to know more aboutthis Mac model, this sectionexplains the MacBook Air’sfeatures and concepts.

MacBook Air

Tour the MacBook Air

14

MacBook Air FeaturesThe MacBook Air uses an Intel Core 2 Duo processor,a 13.3-inch widescreen display (measureddiagonally), 2GB of memory, an 80GB hard drive, abuilt-in iSight camera and microphone, and wirelessnetworking support. Note that the MacBook Air doesnot come with wired networking support or a CD orDVD drive.

MacBook Air OverviewThe MacBook Air is a portable computer thatcombines the monitor and keyboard into a singleunit. Instead of a mouse, the MacBook Air uses amulti-touch trackpad where you move the pointerby sliding your finger along the pad, and where youuse gestures to scroll, rotate, and zoom screenobjects. With a height of just 0.76 inches, theMacBook Air is the world’s thinnest notebookcomputer.

-

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15

Learning about Mac Types chapter1The sides of the MacBook Air have a number of ports that enable you to connect a wide variety of devices.

MacBook Air Ports

Audio Out

You use the audioout port to playmusic or otheraudio throughspeakers orheadphones.

USB

You use the MacBook Air’s USB port to connect a devicethat supports USB, including a keyboard, mouse, printer,camera, external drive, and iPod.

Video Out

You use the video out port to connect theMacBook Air to an additional display, such as asecond monitor, a TV, or a video projector.

MacBook Air SuperDriveThe MacBook Air does not come with a built-in CDor DVD drive, but you can attach the externalMacBook Air SuperDrive to the USB port. TheMacBook Air SuperDrive can read and write DVDsand CDs, and weighs just 0.71 pounds.

USB Ethernet AdapterThe MacBook Air does not offer a port for a wirednetwork connection. If you need a faster networkconnection than the MacBook Air’s built-in wirelessnetworking, or if your local network offers only wiredconnections, you can attach the USB NetworkAdapter to the computer’s USB port.

MacBook Air Accessories

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If you are thinking ofpurchasing a MacBook, or justwant to know more about thisMac model, this section explainsthe MacBook’s features andconcepts.

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Take a Look at the MacBook

16

MacBook FeaturesThe MacBook uses an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a13.3-inch widescreen display (measured diagonally),1GB or 2GB of memory, a 120GB or 160GB harddrive, a built-in iSight camera and microphone, wiredand wireless networking support, and a CD and DVDburner.

MacBook OverviewThe MacBook is a portable computer that combinesthe monitor and keyboard into a single unit. Insteadof a mouse, the MacBook uses a trackpad whereyou move the pointer by sliding your finger alongthe pad.

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Intel Core 2 Duo processor

13.3” widescreen display

1GB or 2GB of memory

120GB or 160GB hard driveCD & DVD burnerWired & wireless network

support

iSight camera & microphone

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17

Learning about Mac Types chapter1

The sides of the MacBook have a number of ports that enable you to connect a wide variety of devices.

MacBook Ports

Network

You use the network port toconnect the MacBook to a wirednetwork.

Video Out

You use the video out port to connect theMacBook to an additional display, such as asecond monitor, a TV, or a video projector.

FireWire 400

You use theFireWire 400 portto connectdevices thatsupport FireWire400, includingexternal harddrives, externalDVD drives, andvideo cameras.

USB

You use theMacBook’s USBports to connectdevices thatsupport USB,includingkeyboards, mice,printers, cameras,external drives,and iPods.

Audio Out

You use the audio out port to playmusic or other audio throughspeakers or headphones.

Audio In

You use the audio in port to bring speech orother audio into the MacBook using amicrophone, musical instrument, or audioplayer.

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