MacBook
for Dummies
Reviewed
by Dr. Eric Flescher
Author: Mark L. Chamber
Publisher: Wiley
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047004859X.html
Released: August, 2006
Pages: 384
$22
USA, $26 CND, £15 UK
ISBN: 978-0-470-04859-7
Novice/Intermediate
Strengths: The book includes a very introduction. Good
screenshots and illustrations including the pointers to specific areas within
the illustrations. Five icons help pinpoint helpful information along the
way. Chapter 23 “ Top Ten Things to Avoid like the Plague “ is quite good as
well as Chapter 22 “Top Ten Laptop Rules to Follow” (which is insightful and
well written). Good price, well written and readable. |
|
Weaknesses: Chapters like the ones with iDVD and Imovie have
minimal amounts of information. Really these and some of the sections just
have the basics. To know and learn more, books that detail more information
regarding specific applications should be found besides these basics, the
iLife applications, you might want to turn elsewhere. Users who read about
“movies”, “projects”, “video clips”, may find the information in this book
not well defined, especially concerning when and how the media can be
imported, exported and utilized.
|
Introduction
There
are several books on the market dealing with MacBook. Several include not only
information about MacBook but MacBook Pro. This is one includes both. I wanted
to see what the author had to offer in this MacDummies series related to these
laptops. I found the author of this book has previously published the Mac OSX
All-In-One desk Reference for Dummies and completed thirty computer books. My
wife bought a MacBook so I decided to research this book to see what it could
tell me.
The
book covers 366 pages and spans 23 chapters with seven part/ sections. The
first part of the book includes a very nice introduction that gives the reader
a nice prelude to learning about the laptops but more. As the author says, “ he
started with no assumption “ regarding knowledge of the laptop. The book starts
“from the ground up” and launches into some interesting ideas that relate to
more then the “hardware”. It is nice that in this beginning section, the
author pinpoints information about “switchers,” those computer users who are
moving into the Macintosh realm from the PC/windows usage (particularly
targeting Windows XP users). He also nicely mentions that if you are new to
Macintosh and the Apple world, most of the software is in the computer and does
not have to be purchased. This is a great tip that probably many PC people
still don’t know about even though many Apple users already are mindful about.
While
many of the Dummies books vary in their versatility, breadth and depth of the
instructional content, this one is solid. While the illustrations are only
black and white, the screen shots are readable. Several include pointers to
various sections within the illustrations that zone in on the information talked
about. This takes away the annoying quess work that I have found in some books
that I have read in which “hunting” within the illustrations was a regular and
recurring point. There are also five icons that are placed throughout the
pages. These (Tip; Mark’s Maxim; Technical stuff; Warning!; Remember) serve to
include precise additional information that assists along the way regarding the
instructions.
The
Part 1 includes information pertaining to Mac laptops, turning on and starting
with the system and computer. Part focus in on the OSX and operating system
while Part 3 launches into the world of connecting and communicating. Part 4
focuses on the iLife applications (introductory instruction and while the text
takes you through each application starting up and using, if you want more
in-depth information other books will be needed). Part 5 is sharing access and
information while Part 6 deals with important troubleshooting, upgrading
information and maintaining your laptop.
Part
7 is called the Parts of Tens. This includes Chapter 22 “ Top Ten Laptop Rules
to Follow (insightful and well written) and Chapter 23 “Top Ten Things to Avoid
like the Plague” (useful for many reasons in your encounter with the internet,
applications, hardware and more).
Conclusion
All
in all I liked the book and what it had “to say.” Novice and intermediate
laptop users might like it not only for its good price but also the information
it provides. Readable and you gain insights throughout the book. But
especially if you already have a Macbook or Pro and have worked with it and
want more information (concerning the iLife applications), you might want to
turn elsewhere. Users who read about “movies,” “projects.” “video clips,” may
find the information not well defined, especially concerning when and how the
media can be imported, exported and utilized.
