So I'm buying....

[Doobie]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8024601724

A Macbook around Christmas time. I have heard things like Mac's don't get viruses and they are more stable then other computers. I'm keeping my current laptop only to download music and porn basically. My new laptop, I'm interested in everything it comes with, plus I've been using my friends mac lately and i love it. Above is the laptop I am buying. My question is, what are all these things, I don't really understand computer language that well. Can someone explain these please?

# Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor
1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 graphics
120GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
#
# Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" preinstalled

Also, I'm buying this laptop as my main computer, I will mostly be on AIM, browse the web, use garageband, and do school work on it. I will travel with it at times, and I'm wondering about the battery life and wireless internet. Thank you

[mvpshaq32]

1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM

All I know is that that means the amount of memory it has and 1GB is not a lot, but should be satisfactory for what you're using the laptop for. I've been looking for a new laptop recently too and the only thing I know about the Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor is that it made a $100 difference between that laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor and one with a different processor.
Also, can anyone recommend a good laptop that is mainly used for schoolwork and internet browsing, but can handle games like CoD and NBA 2k9 on the side? My budget's around $700.

[Oznogrd]

# Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor
1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 graphics
120GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
#
# Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" preinstalled

Also, I'm buying this laptop as my main computer, I will mostly be on AIM, browse the web, use garageband, and do school work on it. I will travel with it at times, and I'm wondering about the battery life and wireless internet. Thank you

I love my Mac as does Joe' although alot of the board wont agree....1 GB of RAM isnt bad at all as long as you're not trying to do like 20 things at once that should be more than enough. The 120 GB of space isnt really alot though: you may end up needing more space soon. Wireless net on mine works amazingly and the battery life is about 3 hours on max brightness: between 5 and 6 for low brightness...but you have a little bit older system i think so that may not apply

[Joe']

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MB4 ... 299&sr=1-9

Faster processor (2.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz,) an extra gig of memory and 40 GB more of HD space for the same price (after rebate) + free shipping.

The only thing missing from the old MacBook (other than a good graphics card) is a FireWire 800 port. It should do more than fine for what you're gonna use it for. Be sure to buy an external hard drive or just don't fill up your HD more than 60-65% otherwise GarageBand, iMovie, Aperture and a few other apps could get a little choppy (nothing major though, but still, it's better to keep the HD half empty.)

The built-in AirPort Extreme wireless card is amazing. I have my iMac and two other (Windoze) computers running on my wireless network and it's never failed me.

Needless to say, you're not gonna be able to play videogames on this computer (other than Age of Empires III maybe,) or do extensive work on Aperture, Final Cut, After Effects, etc. or even iMovie but Photoshop and the Microsoft Office suite (or iWork or whatever you use for school stuff) should run more than fine. Congrats on the switch .

[Doobie]

Thanks a lot for the link Joe. I really can't wait for it, this computer is slowing down tremendously, and its hard to take anywhere since the battery life is LESS THAN AN HOUR. I currently have an IBM x30 or something... I'm not planning on downloading too many things on my mac. Most of my music will be on this current laptop. I will only rip CD's into my mac, but thats all.

And does it come with wireless internet inside it already? I just saw a video and the guy said something about buying airport express or something else for wi-fi...

[Joe']

It has a built-in 802.11n wireless card so you're good to go. If you have a router and a wireless connection set up at home (for your current laptop,) all you have to do is set up an AirPort connection on your MacBook. It'll show you a list of all the currently available wireless networks. Just click on your network, enter the WEP/WPA pass and that's it. Same procedure when you're at work, school, etc.

AirPort Express is a wireless router. If you don't already have a wireless router at home, I strongly suggest you get it. It's $99.00 and works seamlessly with Macs as well as iPhones, iPod Touches, stereos and wireless printers (up to ten devices simultaneously.)

[cyanide]

You'll really enjoy Leopard. If you're doing everything but play graphic-extensive games, then it should be fine for you. I'd also highly recommend getting the 2GB RAM version that Joe mentioned instead of the Best Buy one, or if you want, the newer MacBook with 2GB of RAM. A lot of people don't like the black border, but the look is growing on me.

[Joe']

The black border is disgusting. I'll admit it doesn't look that bad on iMacs but the MacBook Pros and Cinema Displays used to be so beautiful... I just can't believe they raped that design putting a black retro border on them. The new MacBook isn't worth the twelve hundred they're charging for it.

Also not a big fan of the new keyboard (both on desktops and laptops.) I know I was excited at first but after a few months the keys just got way too sticky, and I haven't spilled anything on the keyboard. I got the old Apple keyboard a few weeks ago and it's just much better. For me at least.

Okay, rambling... Tip for Doobie, if you're planning to buy your MacBook directly from Apple, don't request the extra RAM, buy it from Newegg or Amazon and install it yourself. It's effortless and it'll save you a good $50.

[Doobie]

I'm thinking about best buy because I have a friend who works there and he gets discounts. I'm not sure if he can on a laptop though. Like I said I'm not planning on using it for any extreme activities either, so I don't need extra RAM or anything.. I have a budget of around 1000$ as well. Most importantly, the thing I'm most excited for is garageband, since I like making beats and stuff in my spare time. Right now I use the fruity loops 8 demo, which I can't save my songs with it, but I've made some pretty decent stuff.

[Joe']

GarageBand is great. I too enjoy using it in my spare time. You should look into Logic Studio and Logic Express if you're serious about making music, though, as GarageBand can be limiting sometimes.

[Cloudy]

I've been pondering about getting a MBP for a long time. Joe and Cy, do you guys recommend this new MBP... I am taking design classes and I also wish to be able to play 2k9 on it. Is the new MB enough to play or is MBP better?

[Joe']

You won't be able to play any new games on the new MacBook since it's got an integrated graphics card. You'll be more than fine with the new MacBook Pro, though, since it's got a GeForce 9600 GT.

Just be sure to get 512 MB of VRAM. 256 MB just doesn't seem enough for heavy work on the heavy design applications (i.e After Effects, Fireworks,) though my card, which is also 256 MB, seemed to handle it well...

[Cloudy]

Looks like I'll go with the 256 one, 512 is a little too pricey for me. Thanks Joe.

[Doobie]

Okay I got my macbook as a gift. Finally using it and I love it. Just wondering any must have apps I need for this. I got adium and quiksilver. Any other freeware apps for the mac? It's a regular macbook I don't know how to check the specs since I got it used.

[cyanide]

To check your specs, click on the Apple icon on your top left corner and select "About this Mac." For more details, just click on the "More Info" button.

Other than the apps that already come with OS X, the must-have apps:
Linotype FontExplorer X (to manage your fonts)
Anxiety (to-do list)
VLC (video player, if QuickTime isn't enough)
Transmission (torrent client)
Cyberduck (FTP program)
Adium (chat client for MSN, Gmail, etc.)
Colloquy (IRC client)
Acquisition (music downloads)
NeoOffice (if you don't have MS Office)