Apple MacBook MA254LL/A 13.3" Laptop Review
Apple MacBook MA254LL/A 13.3" Laptop Review from katyroadpink. average user review, I’m not a computer expert, so this review is for average users like myself.
This is my first time using Apple, but it was easy to get up and on the Internet. I found out that the delete key will let you page backwards. If you click the apple on the toolbar you can tweak some settings under “systems preferences”. I changed the trackpad settings under “keyboard and mouse” to add dragging and took off “ignore accidental trackpad input”. I had to change them back because my cursor would jump around when I was writing emails. I did add clicking to the trackpad input with no problems.
I easily added 2 gig of ram. I bought it from new egg for $176 gskill brand 20-231-066. I used a precision screwdriver size 00 to loosen the 3 phillips head screws. You don’t remove the screws from the L-shaped bracket, just loosen them. When you push the memory in far enough (and it takes a little force) the levers will have some resistance. When replacing the bracket, there is a notch on the short side so put it in first. When you’ve done that, click the Apple on the toolbar and click “about this Mac” and your new memory should show up.
I then downloaded Aspyr’s game agent to find out what games my system can play. To my surprise, the game agent says that I have 256 mb of video memory, not the 64 that I expected to see. I checked Intel’s website to read up on the GMA 950 and wasn’t enlightened much, but it did seem like the GMA 950 could increase the memory if resources were available. It also said that it’s upgradeable. Perhaps someone more sophisticated in computers can explain this in a later review! The game agent also said it wasn’t sure which games would run with an Intel chip, so I will just read the game reviews to find out what works. Aspyr also said I have 37gb available on the hard drive. I haven’t added any other programs yet, so I guess the operating system must take quite a bit. If I ever need more, I’ll probably just get something external.
I’m in my 40′s and was afraid that the 13.3 inch screen would be too small for me to read. All I had to do was to increase the font size. To do this, click on “View” on the toolbar and click on “make text bigger”. Most websites still look good that way. Since I also have vision problems I was afraid the bright screen would have too much glare. I did adjust the brightness down some and there is no problem with glare or reflections.
After 12 years of using Windows, I’m still feeling my way around with this, but I think I’ll like it. It was nice not having to take AOL and a lot of other junk off for once and that made this a 5 star computer!
Update 12/30/2006
Dang, I love this thing! It’s got all my pictures in it now. I thought I’d never use Itunes, but I just bought a Shuffle (Gen 2) and now it’s got all my favorite music in it, too. I’ve never had to send it for repairs, because Apple fixed minor problems with their updates as they occurred. I can relax on the sofa, while I’m using this, and it even keeps me warm on these frosty nights! ; )
This is so easy and fun to use that I’m using it for much more than just browsing the web. I love it, love it, love it!
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