Apple MacBook 13" Review

I was converted to Macs by my now-husband back in 2003. It is probably one of the reasons why I married him! I have owned and used all the successive models of MacBooks (including the Pro and the Air), and this is the best one yet. Everything is easy to use, intuitive, and visually based. I am a visual person - I like to watch things work and know what is happening to my documents, pictures, etc. In addition to never seeing the "blue screen of death," I can transfer files from one place to another - I just pick them us (as I would in real life) and put it in the new place. Other competitive products (which I am sure I don't have to name) make you go through a "click and pick" method - opening several new screens to accomplish this task, and then pray to the God of Computing that your file actually went where you wanted it to.  Frequently, files that are being moved get thrown in random folders that you can't find.  Nothing is worse than losing stuff that you just worked on, telling your coworkers where it is (allegedly) and then finding out it is not there. I could go on and on about all of the problems I have had with the "other" laptops and desktops in just the past 6 months, but I don't want to give them anymore bandwidth.

The MacBook not only looks good, but comes with actual programs that really work - not just 30-day trial copies of software like you-know-who. All the applications work together very well - just load the program, unzip it, and go to it, even ones not produced by Apple.  I think the integration of all programs is the feature I like the best. Items/files/pictures can be used in all the other apps without any conversion processes. Long gone is the myth of incompatibility - all Microsoft products easily transfer to the Mac. Oh - one thing though - the Mac has NEWER and much improved software than is available for PCs, so if a doc is created on a Mac, you have to save it as a older version of Word. Macs work with all wireless systems, printers, and peripherals (again, unlike the other computers, but without all the extra cards,programs and disks that are needed just to make the new hardware work).

The 13" screeen that is "dissed" in commercials is actually much larger than the PC 13" screens.  The screen literally takes up the entire cover (save for about 1/16" on all sides - the glass has to have some protection! And the nifty thing - there is no glare on this glass. How do they do that!? The screen is LED backlit - which saves battery power!  The keyboard is backlit - and knows when it needs to light up! The webcam is a teeny-tiny little hole in the lid - you wouldn't even notice it if you were not told it was there. The quality of the pictures are good enough to use as passport photos - which is what I have done! No more fiddling with clip-on, clunky add-on cameras. The new model does not have any click buttons on the extra large track-pad - none are needded.  The "clicking" is seemlessly accomplished by some new type of technology (way to go Apple)!!! The power cord is not a plug-in  - it is attched cleverly with a magnet. No more tripping over the cord and sending your brand new computer crashing to the floor. The CD/DVD slot is just that - a slot in the side of the computer - no dorkey tray that can double as a drink holder on this machine! All controls for screen and keyboard brightness and volume are on the half-sized function keys.

It is blazing fast, and has a mega 250G hard drive.  This is one of those times where size IS important, as I am a more-than-amateur photographer, and I do all my editing and storage on my 13" Mac Book. If you don't need a big hard drive, then the 80G MacAir (another supurb product - my hubby owns one) is more than appropriate.

Bonus - the built-in screen saver is composed of beautiful ever-changing fractal-like patterns! Way cool!

If youo think the price s too much - then head to the Apple website and see if they have any "refurbs." These are guaranteed just like completely new ones are. Just throw on Apple Care (just like you should with ANY Apple purhase) and if any problems come up - then you are all set!

Well, that is ablout all I can say - I know the editors of this site want 900 word reviews - but heck - I like to be succinct and concise.