Buying a Mac for School or travel

Macbook Pro

If you’ve got your sights set on a new Mac laptop, here’s what you need to know before heading to the store.

Thinking you might want a laptop PC, desktop PC, Mac desktop or Chromebook instead? Find out which kind of computer is really for you.

Macs used to be the expensive computers that graphic designers and “creative types” used. Now, they’re a serious option for any computer user thanks to their solid construction and easy-to-use operating system.

Of course, they’re still on the expensive side, and there are quite a few options. You want to buy the one that’s right for you the first time. That’s where I can help. Let’s take a look at your options and the pros and cons of each.

MacBook Air

macbook-air

The MacBook Air started as the go-to Mac if you’re a frequent traveler. It then became Apple’s budget laptop option.

The Air comes in two sizes. There’s an 11.6-inch model for those looking for a super small laptop. And there’s a 13.3-inch model for those wanting a bigger screen.

To keep its size down, the Air has a few space-saving features. Perhaps the coolest is the flash storage. That means there’s no physical disc that holds your data. This is a more reliable, quieter and faster method of storing information.

Flash storage also makes booting up, opening programs and browsing through media extremely fast.

All the Air models have a fourth-generation (Haswell), dual-core 1.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM standard. You can upgrade to a 1.7GHz Core i7 processor and 8GB of RAM.

The standard 11.6-inch model with 128GB of storage is $899. There is also a $1,099 11.6-inch model with 256GB storage, which you can upgrade to 512GB. The 11.6-inch model has a claimed nine hours of battery life.

The larger 13.3-inch models start at $$999. For that, you get 128GB of flash storage. For $1,199, you get the 13.3-inch model with 256GB – expandable to 512GB – of storage. Apple claims you get 12 hours of battery life!

Both models come with two USB 3.0 ports and a Thunderbolt port. Thunderbolt is an incredibly fast connection that is rated for 10 gigabits per second.

It can be used for ultra-fast external drives and high-resolution monitors. New adapters add compatibility with Firewire 800 devices and Ethernet networking.

The MacBook Air is compatible with 802.11ac routers. Learn more about the new Wi-Fi standard here.

Both models come with a built-in 720p HD webcams. The 13-inch model also has an SD card slot.

As I said, the MacBook Air is Apple’s budget system, but the latest processor upgrade makes it suitable for most computer uses. The Intel HD Graphics 5000 system built into the Haswell processor is great for media consumption.

The Air still won’t match the MacBook Pro for high-end photo or video editing purposes. However, for basic photo and video editing it should be fine.

The Air doesn’t have an optical drive, so you can’t put your DVDs directly into it. There is a Remote Disc feature included. This lets you use another computer’s optical drive, but you need to be on the same network.

MacBook Pro

macbook-pro

The MacBook Pro with Retina display is definitely the right choice for anyone looking for a powerful laptop. It offers more customization than the Air. Gamers and editors, this is probably the Mac for you.

To begin, the MacBook Pro has two screen sizes: 13-inch and 15-inch. All of the MacBook Pros have an aluminum unibody enclosure. This makes them not only beautiful, but durable as well.

The Retina display offers incredible resolutions. The 13-inch is 2560 by 1600 and the 15-inch is a whopping 2880 by 1800. Apple has upgraded its built-in apps to take advantage of this amazing clarity.

All of the models share a few other features. There is a built-in high-definition webcam and an illuminated keyboard.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro has an amazing nine-hour battery life. The 15-inch model has a respectable eight-hour battery life.

Each model supports the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, and includes USB 3.0 ports and multiple Thunderbolt 2 connections.

Thunderbolt 2 is an incredibly fast connection that is rated for 20 gigabits per second.

It can be used for ultra-fast external drives and high-resolution monitors.

Additionally, the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros have an SD card slot. That will let you plug in your SD memory cards directly. That’s great for photo buffs whose cameras use SD cards.

The computing power of each size is also varied. All of the MacBook Pros use Intel’s Haswell i-series processors. The standard 13-inch model starts at $1,099. It comes with up to 2.8GHz Intel Core i5 Duo processor, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state hard drive. For some extra cash, you can upgrade all of these components.

The larger MacBook Pros are a smart place to start if you’re looking for a serious photo or video editor. These models come with larger hard drives and offer stronger graphics cards.

The standard 15-inch model starts at $1,999. It comes with a 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state hard drive.

It also comes with a dedicated graphics card. The standard unit uses the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750 with2GB of on-board memory. Again, you can upgrade all of these components if you pay more.

Android Wear

All right, that’s virtually no cause to mope, alternatively it is just the Time for you to grab tomorrow by the WRIST and simply run on the way with practically nothing but hope inside our hearts. In the event that subtle suggestions just weren’t enough to guess what we are going to talk about , so what we are actually about to examine is the most recent accessory towards the “smart” engineering, technological and innovation which usually takes its shape just as the smartwatches we now have grown to adore. But you may be wondering what exactly is recognized as a “smart” watch? I recall quite some years back, Casio Wrist watches introduced a series of talking wrist watches that can inform the wearer the time by way of simply a push of a display button. Does that accommodate with the “smartwatch” range? Thankfully, this doesn’t. Probably in the event those wrist watches could send out text messages, make calls, browse e-mails, track our overall health or perhaps count each of our steps, it might be thought about within that group. All kidding apart though, let’s have a glimpse at what is about to head all of our way in the most recent smartwatches news.

android wear app

We are all aware and most likely have a practical know-how, that google android platform is gradually consuming the universe wrapped in elegant tech toys. The most recent addition to that seemingly endless list is the google android television system (but let’s leave that for a different day). Once Google was not contented with just infecting mobile phones using their magic, they ventured into wrist watches and simply created a system among the best devices the earth will most likely see for many years; smartwatches . Appropriately designated as Google android Wear for obvious causes, smartwatches began popping up around the world throughout numerous major mobile phone brands. Now, an Android Wear upgrade gives these types of wrist watches a makeover just like never before. In the beginning when brought to the general public, Google did not want to scare the purchasers away by having a challenging user interface which usually led to reasonably uninteresting, humdrum wrist watches but as the requirement for cutting-edge grew, and whole lot more capable gadgets progressed, so the perception of the developers.

android wear setup

The most recent update right now provides three faces to the wrist watches: Bits, Together and simply Under Armor. The “Bits” face provides circles which usually display a number of particular things like unread text messages as well as , email messages, missed phone calls, weather conditions forecast and simply scheduled events which can be perfectly positioned throughout the digital-analog wrist watch. “Together” switches the display screen of the wrist watch directly into your personal drawing board where you could share pictures, paintings and simple emoji’s. The “Under Armor” face turn the smartwatch to your own personal trainer and don’t anticipate that it will go easy on you. This enables the user to organized workout sessions for exercises and simply calculates the length travelled, the amount of steps employed or the calorie consumption that were burned up when actively taking part in these actions. The most notable three Google android smartwatches available in the market at this time are the LG ELECTRONICS Urbane, the Moto 360 as well as the Samsung Gear 2 with no precise order of overall performance.

Christmas Tech Gifts

Christmas season is really fast approaching. Perhaps you have considered what gifts to grant to the most significant person in your personal life? If you’re not, the information here is likely to provide you with wonderful suggestions on Christmas gifts for you special person in your life.

Most of men are technology enthusiasts. Men are often up-to-date on the most recent stuff on computer systems, mobile phones, video gaming devices, cameras, and so forth. In case your dad, friend, boyfriend, or perhaps brother enjoys hi-tech gizmos as well as, anything about the latest trend in technology, you may want to provide them with awesome gadgets and essential accessories!

Laptop Case

Laptop Case

Today, most people have a laptop computer. This product isn’t only a fashion equipment; it is also an essential equipment. Among the nicest things you can provide to your friends as well as, relatives is actually a laptop computer case. Regardless of how amazing and sophisticated your amazing laptop computer is it will look awfully ugly and simply low-class in case you will use an unattractive casing. Notebook cases differ in colors, designs, and simply the materials from which it was made. Select the one which provides long lasting fabric or protector. You will find a lot of stylish laptop cases available in shops today.

Portable Speakers

bluetooth speaker

Males have a passion for beats. In the event the guy you’re providing a present that Christmas can be described as music fan and he has an iPod or maybe MP3 player, perhaps you should provide him portable loudspeakers? There are a wide selection of brands designed for light and portable loudspeakers. These types of cool accessories are perfect for travelers, college students, as well as, professional men just who cannot live while not listening to their exclusive tracks. Portable loudspeakers range in price levels. You will discover less expensive ones in case you are within a strict budget. Search for loudspeakers that come with standard rechargeable electric batteries therefore there’s a non-stop beats magical journey almost everywhere he will go.

Floor Standing Tripod

tripod

Floor standing tripods are wonderful Christmas present for guys who also are fanatic of digital photography. Men who wish to turn into professional photographer utilize expensive digital cameras. In the event that your boyfriend loves taking photos, the very best present you are able to provide this gentleman is actually a floor standing high-end camera tripod. It can work not merely for that bulky DIGITAL SLR but also for regular digital camera models. Be sure to identify the video camera he utilizes so that you can choose the best tripod that will fit your boyfriend’s device.

Video Games

ps4 star wars

Many men are actually video game enthusiasts. Perhaps you should provide him the latest edition of the video gaming he wants to have fun playing? You may also provide him some collection items designed for his preferred video games.

E-book readers

kindle

E-book readers have actually flourished because people like to read. Nevertheless carrying around heavy text books at all times is silly. With such gadgets a person might save reading materials and after that reading through it on the display screen. It is a great way to possess a large number of books along with you wherever you go. While you are vacationing, awaiting the dental professional, or maybe on your own lunch rest at your workplace you can read and simply relax.

Bluetooth headphones

bose headphones

Nowadays it would appear that almost everyone including kids have mobile phone. They are inexpensive and also have a large number of benefits within. They are undoubtedly among the list of cool gadgets to choose from. However, it does need to go well further than that with the wireless Bluetooth headphones that are offered. They enable you to place and grab calls while both hands are free. Forget about trying to contact someone when you are driving or perhaps struggling with your baggage throughout the airport terminal.

Digital cameras

digital camera

Having the ability to freeze and maintain a specific point in time permanently is the reason why digital cameras need to be one of the awesome technology gadgets in existence. They are really tiny as well as, slim in the present day as compared to in the past. Nevertheless they take considerably better photographs, have numerous adjustments option, and permit you to capture short video clips too. You are going to love having the ability to preserve time in your images and also you get to determine if you want to print some of them, keep them on your pc, or perhaps both of those option.

Voice recorders

voice recorder Voice recorders very useful equipment which can be awesome. You are able to hold one around to be able to track record things to help remind yourself at a later time. By way of example you may notice an advertising campaign for something you liked then you are able to say the internet site address into the recorder after which look it over later on when you are on-line.

You possibly can make yourself some check-lists too such as the tasks you need to run or perhaps merchandise you have to pick up at the retail store. This is the way to reduce those occasions when you have a memory lapse and also to help you save amount of time in the long term. Most of Technology tools such as this are a fantastic useful resource whereas others are for 100 % pure entertainment intentions.