Selecting Mac Hardware
Tips to help you select Macintosh desktops, laptops, and other popular Apple hardware.
Mac Buying Guide
Seasoned Mac veteran or new Mac user? It really doesn’t matter. When you have the urge to pick up a new Mac, it’s a good idea to find out all you can about the various possibilities before you make a decision.
Seasoned Mac veteran or new Mac user? It really doesn’t matter. When you have the urge to pick up a new Mac, it’s a good idea to find out all you can about the various possibilities before you make a decision.
Buying a MacBook
The MacBook, Apple’s least expensive notebook, has a lot going for it, well beyond its good looks and processing prowess. It delivers a lot of technology in a small package. But packing all those goodies into the small form factor, and keeping the price below the $1000 barrier, meant Apple had to make a few design tradeoffs.
The MacBook, Apple’s least expensive notebook, has a lot going for it, well beyond its good looks and processing prowess. It delivers a lot of technology in a small package. But packing all those goodies into the small form factor, and keeping the price below the $1000 barrier, meant Apple had to make a few design tradeoffs.
Buying a MacBook Pro
Apple’s MacBook Pro line of notebooks is available in 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch models. Designed for the professional who needs power and portability, the MacBook Pro line of notebooks also appeals to a wide range of users beyond the professional user target market.
Apple’s MacBook Pro line of notebooks is available in 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch models. Designed for the professional who needs power and portability, the MacBook Pro line of notebooks also appeals to a wide range of users beyond the professional user target market.
Buying a Mac Pro
A tower of 8-core power, the Mac Pro is nothing if not powerful and expandable. Its elegant design makes adding memory, hard drives, and add-in cards a simpler task than almost any other computer can claim.
A tower of 8-core power, the Mac Pro is nothing if not powerful and expandable. Its elegant design makes adding memory, hard drives, and add-in cards a simpler task than almost any other computer can claim.
Buying an iMac
The iMac is a great desktop Mac, one that works well as the primary computer for many individuals. But there are some tradeoffs to be aware of when considering this all-in-one design from Apple.
The iMac is a great desktop Mac, one that works well as the primary computer for many individuals. But there are some tradeoffs to be aware of when considering this all-in-one design from Apple.
Buying a Mac Mini
Mac Minis are small and inexpensive. They're a good choice for first-time Mac users, for adding to home theater systems, or for serving as very portable desktop computers for college-bound students. But as attractive as they are, Mac Minis are not flawless.
Mac Minis are small and inexpensive. They're a good choice for first-time Mac users, for adding to home theater systems, or for serving as very portable desktop computers for college-bound students. But as attractive as they are, Mac Minis are not flawless.
Buy an iMac
The iMac is a great desktop Mac, one that works well as the primary computer for many individuals. But there are some tradeoffs to be aware of when considering this all-in-one design from Apple.
The iMac is a great desktop Mac, one that works well as the primary computer for many individuals. But there are some tradeoffs to be aware of when considering this all-in-one design from Apple.
Buy a Mac Mini
Small and inexpensive, Mac Minis are a good choice for first-time Mac users, for adding to home theater systems, or for serving as very portable desktop computers for college-bound students. But as attractive as they are, Mac Minis are not flawless.
Small and inexpensive, Mac Minis are a good choice for first-time Mac users, for adding to home theater systems, or for serving as very portable desktop computers for college-bound students. But as attractive as they are, Mac Minis are not flawless.
Buy a Mac Pro
A tower of 8-core power, the Mac Pro is nothing if not powerful and expandable. Its elegant design makes adding memory, hard drives, and add-in cards a simpler task than almost any other computer can claim.
A tower of 8-core power, the Mac Pro is nothing if not powerful and expandable. Its elegant design makes adding memory, hard drives, and add-in cards a simpler task than almost any other computer can claim.
Time Capsule
Time Capsule provides network storage capabilities for home networks, allowing Mac and/or Windows computers to access and share its internal hard drive. Designed for use with Time Machine, the backup service included with OS X 10.5 and later, Time Capsule is an elegant solution to home backup needs.
Time Capsule provides network storage capabilities for home networks, allowing Mac and/or Windows computers to access and share its internal hard drive. Designed for use with Time Machine, the backup service included with OS X 10.5 and later, Time Capsule is an elegant solution to home backup needs.
MacBook Air
Weighing in at 3 lbs., and ranging in height from 0.16" to 0.76", Apple's MacBook Air may not be the lightest sub notebook available for road warriors and other travelers, but it's definitely the thinnest. Don't let the MacBook Air's scant weight and thin size mislead you into thinking that it will leave you squinty-eyed and cramp-fingered. It has a 13.3" display, and a gorgeous, full-size keyboard.
Weighing in at 3 lbs., and ranging in height from 0.16" to 0.76", Apple's MacBook Air may not be the lightest sub notebook available for road warriors and other travelers, but it's definitely the thinnest. Don't let the MacBook Air's scant weight and thin size mislead you into thinking that it will leave you squinty-eyed and cramp-fingered. It has a 13.3" display, and a gorgeous, full-size keyboard.