Do you feel it, too? The lure of freedom? The open road?
Since the early days of the so-called "portable" computer — which was easily the size of a modern carry-on suitcase — some computer owners have lived the mobile lifestyle. Back then, a mobile computer was generally considered to be too expensive, with far fewer features than a desktop computer. Only those business travelers and on-site professionals that really needed a mobile computer would possibly buy one, and they'd pay top dollar for it. The mantra was simple: a real computer is tied to your desk; a portable computer is practically a toy.
Those portable computers were just the beginning, of course — today's laptops are easily carried to a coffee shop, a meeting room, or out in the middle of the ocean! (Just keep it below decks.) An Apple MacBook offers the same processing power, holds the same RAM, and has the same hard drive capacity as one of Apple's desktop iMac systems. A MacBook hums contentedly as you run Apple's latest operating system, Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Heck, you can even connect the same external devices and access the same networks as a desktop!
So now, the mantra has changed irrevocably from the old days: The important thing is to compute (and if you're in range of a wireless network, to communicate) wherever you want to work today! In fact, I've written a good chunk of this book from my backyard, using my MacBook Pro ...while flinging bread crumbs at our resident cardinals.
The book that you hold in your hands uses the classic For Dummies design; it provides you with the step-by-step instruction (plenty of which my editors grudgingly agree is somewhat humorous) on every major feature of both your MacBook and Mac OS X Snow Leopard. It also goes a step further from time to time, delving into why something works the way that it does or what's going on behind the scenes. You can chalk that up to my sincere admiration for everyone in Cupertino and what they've perfected.
What you won't find in this All-in-One is wasted space. Your MacBook is covered from front to back, including the latest hardware that Apple has added to the MacBook line. Snow Leopard's new features are here too, including improvements to Apple Mail, Safari, the latest versions of all the "iApps '09" (including iWeb), and the new incarnation of iWork '09. Everything's explained from the ground up, just in case you've never touched a MacBook before. By the time you reach the final pages, you'll have covered advanced topics, such as networking, AppleScript, Internet security ...and yes, even an introduction to the powerful world of UNIX that exists underneath.
I sincerely hope that you enjoy this book and that it will act as your guide while you discover all the wonderful features of the MacBook and Mac OS X Snow Leopard that I use every day. Remember, if a Windows-enslaved acquaintance still titters about your Mac laptop, I'll understand if you're tempted to drop this weighty tome on his foot. (Of course, because you're using an Intel-based MacBook, you can also boot into Windows and watch him turn purple.)
Tip
The official name of the latest version of your operating system is (portentous pause here, please) Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard. But who wants to spit out that mouthful every time? Throughout this book, I refer to the operating system as Mac OS X, and when I discuss something that's particular to the latest version, I call it Snow Leopard.
If you have a MacBook that's either running Mac OS X version 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or is ready to be upgraded to it, you're set to go. Despite what you might have heard, you won't require any of the following:
A degree in computer science: Apple designed the MacBook for regular people, and I designed this book for people of every experience level. Even if you've never used a Mac before, you'll find no hostile waters here.
A fortune in software: I do describe additional software that you can buy to expand the functionality of your MacBook; however, that section is only a few pages long. Everything else covered in this book is included with Mac OS X Snow Leopard — and by the size of this volume, you get a rough idea of just how complete Mac OS X is! Heck, many folks buy Macs just because of the free software you get, such as iMovie and iPhoto. (Tough cookies to the vast Unwashed Windows Horde.)
An Internet connection: Granted, you're not going to do much with Apple Mail without an Internet connection, but computers did exist before the Internet (and not every spot on Earth has wireless network access yet). You can still be productive with your MacBook and Mac OS X without the Internet.
Oh, you will need a Mac OS X version 10.6 installation disc, unless Snow Leopard came pre-installed on your MacBook. Go figure.
Although this book is an All-in-One, you can also read it in a linear fashion (straight through) — probably not in one session, mind you. (Then again, Diet Coke is cheap, so it is possible.) The material is divided into nine minibooks, each of which covers an entire area of MacBook or Mac OS X knowledge. For example, you'll find minibooks on upgrading your hardware, networking, the Apple Digital Hub suite of applications known as iLife, Apple's iWork office productivity suite, customizing your Desktop, and Internet-related applications.
Each self-contained chapter discusses a specific feature, application, connection, or cool thing about either your MacBook or Mac OS X. Feel free to begin reading anywhere or skip chapters at will. For example, if you're already using an Internet connection, you won't need the chapter on adding an Internet connection. However, I recommend that you read this book from the front to the back, as you do any good mystery novel. (Spoiler alert: For those who want to know right now, Bill Gates did it.)
Even For Dummies books have to get technical from time to time, usually involving commands that you have to type and menu items that you have to click. If you've read any of my other For Dummies books, you know that a helpful set of conventions is used to indicate what needs to be done or what you see on-screen.
When I ask you to type a command or enter something in a text field (such as your name or phone number), the text appears like this: Type me.
Press the Return key to process the command or enter the text.
When I give you a specific set of menu commands to use, they appear in the following format: Edit
In this example, you should click the Edit menu and then choose the Copy menu item.
If I mention a specific message that you see on your screen, it looks like this on the page: This is a message displayed by an application.
No one expects a book in the For Dummies series to contain techno-jargon or ridiculous computer science semantics — especially a book about the MacBook! (Horrible pun unavoidable.) Apple has always strived for simplicity and user friendliness. I hereby promise that I've done my absolute best to avoid unnecessary techno-talk. For those who are interested in what's happening under the hood, I provide sidebars that explain a little more about what's doing what to whom. If you'd rather just have fun and ignore the digital dirty work, please feel free to disregard these additions (but don't tear sidebars out of the book, because there's likely to be important stuff on the opposite side of the page).
I've done my best to emulate the elegant design of your laptop by organizing this book into nine minibooks, with cross-references where appropriate.
Book I: Say Hello to Your MacBook
This minibook is an introduction to your Mac laptop — even if you need a little convincing about actually buying a new MacBook! I compare desktop Macs to the MacBook line and provide you with a hardware overview of just what exactly resides beneath your MacBook's sleek exterior. If you're comparing the different MacBook models before deciding on which to buy, you'll find the chapter that discusses each of the three MacBook models useful. Also in this minibook, I provide tips on unpacking and setting up your new laptop and a guide to maintaining your MacBook in tip-top shape. You'll also find a chapter on additional stuff that most MacBook owners covet. (You can even buy most of it before Apple ships your new Mac!)
Book II: Using Mac OS X with Your MacBook
This minibook begins with an invigorating chapter explaining exactly why you should be so happy to be a Mac OS X owner. Then I provide an introduction to the basic tasks that you'll perform — copying files, running programs, and the like. You also find coverage of Snow Leopard's Spotlight search engine, tips on using your MacBook's built-in camera, a guide to normal Mac OS X maintenance and troubleshooting, and instructions on using the Mac OS X Help system.
Book III: MacBook Customizing and Sharing
Who wants to stick with the defaults? The material in this minibook leads you through the steps that you need to customize both your MacBook and Snow Leopard to your specific needs and desires ...everything from a tweak to your background or screen saver to a description of how to set up and administer multiple accounts on a single MacBook. You also find comprehensive coverage of the different settings you can change in System Preferences, which is an important place in Mac OS X — including the MacBook-specific settings that only laptop owners can use. Finally, I discuss tips and important rules you should follow to help keep your MacBook and your private information safe online.
Book IV: Going Mobile with iLife
Sweet! This minibook jumps right in among the crown jewels of the Digital Hub: iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, iWeb, GarageBand, QuickTime Player, and the DVD Player. Taken as a suite, those first six applications make up iLife '09, and they allow you to plug in and use all sorts of electronic gadgets while you're on the road, including digital cameras, digital video (DV) camcorders, and MP3 players. Plus, you can edit or create your own DVDs, audio CDs, and movies — from the comfort of your favorite coffee shop!
Book V: iWork for the Road Warrior
iWork '09 is rapidly becoming the favorite office productivity suite among the Apple Faithful, and the suite runs beautifully on a MacBook — I recommend a bench at the park! You'll find a chapter devoted to each application: Pages for desktop publishing, Numbers for spreadsheets, and Keynote for presentation projects. Who needs that other productivity suite? (I forget the name.)
Book VI: The Typical Internet Stuff
This minibook contains just what it says. But then again, it's easy to get enthusiastic about Apple Mail, the latest version of Apple's instant messaging application (iChat), and the online storage provided by iDisk. I also cover Safari, Apple's hot-rod Web browser. Finally, you discover more about the built-in Internet firewall and how you can use it to safeguard your MacBook from Internet undesirables.
Book VII: Networking in Mac OS X
Wired and wireless Ethernet lurk in this minibook. I explain them step by step, in language that a normal human being can understand. Find out how to use wireless networks such as AirPort Extreme from Apple as well as how to share an Internet connection with other computers in a local network.
Book VIII: Expanding Your System
Time to take things up a notch. In this minibook, I discuss the hardware and software that you can add to your MacBook and why you might (or might not) need such toys. Memory (RAM), hard drives, printers, USB, and FireWire 800 ...they're all discussed here in detail. Consider this a banquet of expansion information.
Book IX: Advanced Mac OS X
I know that I told you earlier that I was going to avoid techno-talk whenever possible, yet I also mentioned the advanced things that you find in this minibook, such as using UNIX within Mac OS X and using Automator to build your own custom workflow applications that handle repetitive tasks. If you don't mind immersing yourself in all that's technical, read here for the skinny on communicating with Mac OS X by using your voice and your handwriting.
The icons in this book are more than just attractive — they're also important visual cues for stuff that you don't want to miss.
Note
Mark's Maxims represent way-important stuff, so I call your attention to these nuggets in bold, like this:
Something Really Important Is Being Said that will likely affect your person in the near future. Pay attention, commit those Maxims to memory, and you'll avoid the pitfalls that the rest of us have hit along the way.
Tip
The Tip icons flag snippets of information that will save you time or trouble (and, in some cases, even cash).
Note
These icons highlight optional technical information for folks like me. If you also used to disassemble alarm clocks for fun when you were six years old, you'll love this stuff.
Warning
Always read the information next to this icon first! Something looms ahead that could put your hardware or software at risk.
Note
Look to the Remember icons for those tidbits that you need to file away in your mind. Just remember to remember.