In effect, the MacBook Pro builds on the basic equipment provided with an entry-level MacBook Air, providing serious users with faster performance and storage capacity. The MacBook Pro is meant for those using processor-intensive behemoths such as Photoshop and Final Cut Pro X (think digital media professionals), as well as computer users who want to play the latest games or run the most demanding applications.
To support the faster processors in the MacBook Pro, Apple also provides 4GB of RAM as a standard; the laptop can accept a maximum of 8GB. The MacBook Pro also sports a backlit keyboard, which glows in a darkened room or airplane to allow you to continue working while everyone around you snoozes (lucky you!).
From MacBook For Dummies, 7th Edition. Your MacBook keyboard puts efficiency at your fingertips. Startup keys, shortcut key combinations, and special function keys invite you to perform different tasks with a single touch — from turning up the sound volume to deleting selected text. About the Author. Chambers has been an author, computer consultant, BBS sysop, programmer, and hardware technician for over 30 years. Mark has written more than thirty computer books including Macs For Seniors For Dummies, 3rd Edition, and iMac For Dummies, 9th Edition. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MacBook for Dummies by Mark L. Chambers (2012, Paperback) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Let’s get started. Press the power button to start up your MacBook Pro, and Setup Assistant guides you through a few simple steps to get you up and running quickly. It walks you through connecting to your Wi-Fi network and creating a user account for your Mac.
Currently, your MacBook Pro can be ordered with three different LED screen sizes: 13.3 inches, 15.4 inches, and the super-glorious 17-inch display (all in widescreen format). Storage capacity maxes out at 750GB for the traditional magnetic Serial ATA hard drive, or you can opt for up to 512GB of solid-state storage.
A SuperDrive, AirPort Extreme 802.11n, and Bluetooth wireless networking are all on board. The MacBook’s FaceTime HD camera, built-in microphone, and stereo speakers are also included. (Check this out: The speakers on all MacBook Pro models include built-in subwoofers. Score!)
The MacBook Pro naturally offers a wider range of ports and connectors than a MacBook. The ports include:
The least-expensive 13.3-inch MacBook Pro runs $1,199, which is a steal for the computing professional who needs a laptop on the road with the same processing power as a desktop Mac.
Every computer, including your MacBook will benefit from more memory — and no, there’s no however stuck on the end! For once, there’s no exception, no matter what type of computer you own.
Macbook Pro For Dummies
Period. End of statement. No matter what type of computer you own, how old it is, or what operating system you use, adding more memory to your system significantly improves the performance of your operating system.
Memory maximizes the power of your computer. The more memory you have, the less data your laptop has to temporarily store on its drive. Without getting into virtual memory and other techno-gunk, just consider that extra memory as extra elbowroom for your applications and your documents. OS X and Windows 7 and 8 efficiently make use of every kilobyte of memory that you can provide.
Owners of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Retina can skip this, because these models can’t be upgraded. (These laptops are sealed units — literally — and you must visit your local Apple hardware technician if your laptop’s memory malfunctions and needs replacing. The same is true for both the Air’s and the Retina’s battery.)
If you have a MacBook Pro (or if you’re using an older MacBook with upgradeable memory), read on!
How much memory do you have on your MacBook?
To see how much memory you have in your computer, click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. In the dialog that appears, click the More Info button, and then click the Memory toolbar button.
Click the Memory Upgrade Instructions link at the bottom of the dialog, and OS X Mountain Lion automatically opens a Safari browser window with online instructions on how to upgrade the RAM in your specific MacBook model.
While you’re within the confines of the About This Mac dialog, click the Overview toolbar button to display both the machine speed (processor speed) and the common identifier that Apple uses to refer to your specific model. Write these two figures down — we’re starting a handy-dandy list to help you while ordering your memory!
Note that the default 4GB of memory is certainly acceptable for running applications from the iLife and iWork suites as well as any of the applications bundled with Mountain Lion. With that said, these applications will run significantly faster with 8GB instead!
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If your primary applications include video editing, game playing, or image editing, you can use all the memory your laptop can hold.
Unfortunately, Apple’s prices for upgrade RAM are, well, outrageous. Therefore, consider one of these online sources that cater to Mac owners:
How to install memory modules on a MacBook
Adding extra memory to your system is one of the easiest internal upgrades that you can perform. Therefore, you can add memory yourself unless you simply don’t want to mess with your laptop’s internal organs. Your local Apple service specialist will be happy to install new RAM modules for you.
Laptops simply aren’t meant to be disassembled. Internal expansion in your MacBook Pro is severely limited. Basically, you can add extra memory and swap out your drive. Adding memory is easy, but swapping out your hard drive requires more work and considerable preparation. And you can’t make any internal modifications to the MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro Retina, which are sealed units.
Therefore, you should always seek professional servicing when you need to repair your laptop. If you make a mistake when trying to fix something deep in the bowels of your laptop, you might end up causing more damage than you repair.
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To add memory modules to a MacBook Pro, follow these steps:
Congratulations! To verify that all is well with your road warrior, boot the computer, click the Apple menu, and choose About This Mac. Your laptop should report the additional memory.
Follow one cardinal rule when the unguarded insides of any computer are in easy reach: Always ground yourself before you touch anything! Your body can carry enough static electricity to damage the circuitry and chips that make up the brains of your MacBook Pro, and touching those parts without grounding yourself is an invitation for disaster.
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Grounding yourself is easy to do: Just touch a conductive metal surface around your workplace for a few seconds before you dig in. After you ground yourself, you can then safely handle both the internal components of your laptop and any new hardware components that you might be installing.
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