First steps

Unpacking and charging

Your MacBook box contains:

• the MacBook
• a 60W MagSafe Power Adaptor
• a power cord

Place your MacBook on a surface close to an electric socket and strip away the protective film from the MagSafe Power Adaptor. Plug the adaptor into the electric socket and attach the other end of the cable to the magnetic MagSafe power port on the side of your MacBook.

If you need to increase the length of the charging cable, pull up the prongs of the adaptor to remove them, and connect the power cord to the socket that lies beneath the prongs. Plug the other end of the power cord into the electric socket.

The MagSafe connector has two indicator lights:

• the amber light shows that your MacBook’s battery is charging
• the green light shows that your MacBook’s battery is fully charged

Basic features

While your MacBook is charging, take the opportunity to become familiar with its basic features. These include:

• the power button at the top right hand corner of the keyboard
• an iSight camera, camera indicator light and microphone above the screen
• stereo speakers at the back
• a trackpad in front of the keyboard
• a slot-loading optical drive on the side
• a sleep indicator light and infrared (IR) receiver on the front edge
• a battery beneath the MacBook

The ports are all on the side opposite the slot-loading optical drive. From left to right, these are:

• the MagSafe power port
• a Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000Base-T port
• a Mini-DVI (video out) port
• a FireWire 400 port
• two USB 2.0 ports
• an audio in/optical digital audio in port
• a headphone out/optical digital audio out port
• a security slot (to buy a cable and lock to use with this slot, see the official Apple store)

Initial set-up

Switching on and setting up

Press the power button.

Setup Assistant starts automatically and guides you through the process of establishing your user, email and Internet accounts.

If you already have a Mac, use Setup Assistant to bring your folders, documents and applications to your new MacBook. If you prefer to wait, use Migration Assistant at a later stage. Find Migration Assistant in the Applications folder by opening Utilities. An option for Migrations Assistant will then appear.

Internet connection

Your MacBook has AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi built in. To help you set up a wireless Internet connection, go to:

• menu bar
• Help > Mac Help
• AirPort

Alternatively, use an Ethernet cable to connect a cable modem, DSL modem, or network to the 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet port on the side of your MacBook.

Trackpad

With the trackpad, you can:

• move the pointer
• scroll up and down
• click
• double click
• drag

The speed you move your finger across the trackpad dictates the distance you can move the pointer.

• If you want to move the pointer a small distance across the screen, move your finger slowly
• If you want the pointer to cover a longer distance, move your finger

To adjust the tracking response speed and other preferences, click:

• Apple > System Preferences
• Keyboard & Mouse
• Trackpad

The options that appear include:

• Two finger scrolling. Select “Use two fingers to scroll” and also “Allow horizontal scrolling”. You can then use two fingers on the trackpad to scroll up, down and sideways.
• Secondary clicking or right clicking. Select “Place two fingers on trackpad and click button for secondary click”. This option allows you to access shortcut menu commands.

Customisation

To customise your MacBook’s Desktop, go to the menu bar and click on Apple > System Preferences. From here you can change most of the MacBook’s settings. Your MacBook also has advice about System Preferences under Mac Help.

Sleep mode or turning off

You can either shut down your MacBook or put it in sleep mode

For short absences from your MacBook, use sleep mode by choosing one of these options:

• close the display
• click Apple > System Preferences followed by Energy Saver, then set the timer
• press your MacBook’s power button and then click Sleep
• go to the menu bar and click Apple > Sleep

Please note: never move your MacBook until the sleep indicator light at the front begins to pulse. If you move the MacBook before the light appears, the hard drive may still be turning, in which case any movement may cause damage.

When you’re ready to wake your MacBook from sleep mode:

• open the display, if it is closed, or
• if the display is open, press the power button or any key

For prolonged absences from your MacBook of a day or more, shut it down by either:

• pressing the power button and clicking Shut Down, or
• clicking Apple > Shut Down on the menu bar

Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard

The operating system of your MacBook is Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard. The MacBook comes with Leopard pre-installed together with all the applications of iLife ’08.

Essentially, Mac OS X Leopard controls your files, applications and devices. Its general principles are similar to Windows.

Basic controls

Navigate your way round Mac OS X Leopard with the keyboard and trackpad. Windows users generally find the process is quicker and more straightforward than they expect.

Central features

Mac OS X Leopard’s icons and layouts are similar from application to application. As well as folders, windows, menus, and shortcuts, there are four main features:

• Desktop
• Dock
• Finder
• Menu Bar

Desktop

Desktop is your starting point. First-time users will see the Macintosh HD (hard drive) icon in the upper right corner. Other icons appear according to your use of the MacBook. To view files and applications, double click on the relevant icon.

Points worth noting include the following:

• - Put files, folders, pictures and documents in Desktop
• - Desktop displays icons for peripheral devices
• - Mac OS X Leopard gives each MacBook user a different Desktop
• - Desktop is always behind the applications you run

Dock

The Dock is the series of icons along the bottom of the screen. Customise the icons to suit your preferences and use them to open applications, files and windows.

Each time a window appears, note that the upper left corner contains three coloured buttons.

• - Red closes the window
• - Yellow minimises the window to the Dock
• - Green maximises and minimises the size of the window

Finder

The Finder is an icon on the far left of the Dock. Use it to open and manage your folders and applications.

Menu Bar

Mac OS X Leopard has one only Menu Bar, which is located at the top of the screen.

The Menu Bar allows you to:

• - view, change and close applications
• - view and change settings
• - check recently completed work
• - log in
• - log out
• - initiate sleep mode
• - restart
• - switch off

The Menu Bar changes according to your application and gives you the most appropriate options.

Connectivity

Your MacBook has a comprehensive range of pre-installed drivers. This means you can connect and immediately use most peripheral devices, such as printers, cameras, joysticks and your iPod, without loading software.

The MacBook connections for peripheral devices are two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 400 port, and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR.

Charging information

To see how much charge is left in your MacBook’s battery:

• turn the MacBook over
• press the button next to the lights
• see how many lights come on

You can also confirm the strength of your battery after you’ve removed it from the MacBook.

If just one light comes on when you press the battery button, you’re almost out of power. If no lights come on, the battery is dead. Connect the MagSafe Power Adaptor straightaway (or install a spare, fully charged battery).

When you intend to use your MacBook for a sustained period, connect it to an electric socket with the MagSafe adaptor. If you must rely solely on your battery, the amount of use you’ll get will depend on the applications, devices and settings you’re running. To save battery power, close unused applications and disconnect devices.

Please note:

• (i) always shut down your MacBook before changing the battery
• (ii) you can recharge the battery if the MacBook is on, off, or in sleep mode
• (iii) the battery charges more slowly when your MacBook is on

For further user information, see Apple’s video tutorials.

Also available with a student discount / as a refurbished product ...