Apple Macbook 13inch Users Guide

							Chapter 1   Getting Started21
 
For more information about these features, see Chapter 3, “Using Your MacBook,” on 
page 53.
¯MagSafe power adapter port
Plug in the included Apple MagSafe 60W Power Adapter to recharge your MacBook 
battery.
GGigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000 Base-T )
Connect to a high-speed Ethernet network or connect to another computer and transfer 
files. The Ethernet port autosensing feature detects other Ethernet devices and doesn’t 
require an Ethernet crossover cable in order to connect.
£Mini-DVI (video out) port
Connect to an external display or projection device that uses a DVI, VGA, composite, or 
S-video connector. Depending on the type of external device you’re connecting to, you 
can use a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, a Mini-DVI to VGA adapter, or a Mini-DVI to Video 
adapter, all sold separately at www.apple.com/store.
HFireWire 400 port
Connect high-speed external devices, such as digital video cameras and external storage 
devices.
dTwo high-speed USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports
Connect additional equipment to your MacBook, such as printers, external storage 
devices, digital cameras, modems, keyboards, and joysticks.
,Audio line in/optical digital audio in port
Connect your MacBook to a line-level microphone or digital audio equipment.
fHeadphone out/optical digital audio out port
Connect external speakers, headphones, or digital audio equipment.
Security slot
Protect your MacBook from theft by connecting a security cable (sold separately). 
						

							22 Chapter 1   Getting Started
 
Putting Your MacBook to Sleep or Shutting It Down
When you finish working with your MacBook, you can put it to sleep or shut it down.
Putting Your MacBook to Sleep
If you’ll be away from your MacBook for only a short time, put it to sleep. When the 
computer is in sleep, you can quickly wake it and bypass the startup process. 
To put the computer to sleep, do one of the following:
ÂClose the display.
ÂChoose Apple () > Sleep from the menu bar.
ÂPress the power (®) button and click Sleep in the dialog that appears.
ÂChoose Apple () > System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and set a sleep timer.
ÂPress and hold the Play/Pause (’) button on the Apple Remote for 3 seconds. 
Warning:  Wait a few seconds until the sleep indicator light starts pulsing (indicating 
that the computer is in sleep and the hard disk has stopped spinning) before you 
move your MacBook. Moving your computer while the hard disk is spinning can 
damage the hard disk, causing loss of data or the inability to start up from the hard 
disk. 
						

							Chapter 1   Getting Started23
 
To wake the computer:
ÂIf the display is closed, simply open it to wake your MacBook.
ÂIf the display is already open, press the power (®) button or any key on the keyboard, 
or any button on the Apple Remote.
Shutting Down Your MacBook
If you aren’t going to use your MacBook for a day or two, it’s best to shut it down. The 
sleep indicator light goes on briefly during the shutdown process.
To shut down your computer, do one of the following:
ÂChoose Apple () > Shut Down from the menu bar.
ÂPress the power (®) button and click Shut Down in the dialog that appears.
If you plan to store your MacBook for an extended period of time, see “Storing Your 
MacBook” on page 107 for information about how to prevent your battery from 
draining completely.
Calibrating Your Battery
To get the longest running time from your battery, calibrate it sometime during the 
first week you have your MacBook and recalibrate occasionally to keep your battery 
functioning at its fullest capacity. 
						

							24 Chapter 1   Getting Started
 
To calibrate your battery:
1Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your MacBook battery until the light on the 
power adapter plug changes to green and the Battery icon in the menu bar indicates 
that the battery is fully charged.
2Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for two hours or longer. You may use 
your computer during this time as long as the adapter is plugged in.
3Disconnect the power adapter with the MacBook on and start running it from the 
battery. You may use your computer during this time. 
When your battery gets low, you’ll see the low battery warning dialog on the screen. 
4Continue to keep your computer turned on until it goes to sleep. Save your work and 
close all applications when the battery gets low and before the system goes to sleep. 
5Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or longer.
6Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged 
again. 
Important:  Repeat the calibration process every two months or so to keep your battery 
fully functioning. If you use your MacBook infrequently, it’s best to recalibrate the 
battery at least once a month.
If you purchased additional batteries, repeat the calibration procedure with those 
batteries as well. For more information, see “Using Your Battery” on page 74. 
						

							Chapter 1   Getting Started25
 
Getting More Information
For more information about your MacBook, check out these resources:
ÂRead Chapter 2, “Getting to Know Your MacBook,” on page 27 for important basics.
ÂIf you’re unfamiliar with Mac OS X, review the Welcome to Tiger booklet that came 
with your computer and open Mac Help to browse the information there. For more 
information, see “Getting Answers Using Mac Help” on page 26.
ÂIf you’re having a problem that prevents you from using your computer, see 
Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting,” on page 89.
ÂCheck out the most commonly asked questions in “Top Ten Questions” on page 123.
ÂFor support information, user discussion boards, and the latest Apple software 
downloads, go to www.apple.com/support.
ÂIf you can’t find the answer to your question in these places, see the AppleCare Service 
and Support Guide that came with your computer for information about contacting 
Apple. 
						

							26 Chapter 1   Getting Started
 
Getting Answers Using Mac Help
Most of the information about using your Macintosh is available on your computer in 
Mac Help.
To get Mac Help:
1Click the Finder icon in the Dock (the bar of icons at the bottom of the screen).
2Choose Help > Mac Help (click the Help menu in the menu bar and choose Mac Help).
3Click in the Search field, type a question, and press Return on your keyboard.
Search field 
						

							27
2
 
2Getting to Know Your 
MacBook
This chapter introduces important basics about your 
MacBook. 
Whenever you stop using your MacBook, wait a few moments to let the hard disk and 
any optical disc (such as a CD or DVD) in your drive stop spinning before you transport 
the computer. Avoid jostling or bumping your MacBook while discs are spinning.
Note:  Your MacBook uses Sudden Motion Sensor technology to help protect the hard 
disk if the computer is dropped or shaken. See “Understanding Sudden Motion Sensor” 
on page 74 for more information.
When you use your MacBook or charge its battery, it is normal for the bottom of the 
case to get warm. For prolonged use, place your MacBook on a flat, stable surface. The 
bottom of the case is raised slightly to allow airflow that keeps the unit within normal 
operating temperatures.
You might hear system sounds during startup and when using your hard disk and 
optical drive. After the MacBook runs for some time, a small fan might turn on to cool 
it, producing a faint sound. System sounds such as these are part of the computer’s 
normal functioning. 
						

							28 Chapter 2   Getting to Know Your MacBook
 
For more safety instructions about handling and using your MacBook in various 
locations, make sure to read Appendix B, “Safety, Use, and Care Information,” on 
page 103.
The rest of this chapter includes sections about using components of your MacBook, 
such as the display, power adapter, trackpad, keyboard, built-in iSight camera, and 
Apple Remote. You’ll also find information about Mac OS X, Mac Help, applications, and 
connecting to peripheral devices.
Adjusting Your Display
After you begin working with your new MacBook, you might need to adjust the 
brightness of your display so that the screen is easier to see. Use the F1 and F2 keys 
labeled with the brightness (¤) icon to adjust screen brightness.
To set preferences for your display that optimize battery use:
1Open System Preferences and click Energy Saver.
2In the “Settings for” pop-up menu, choose Battery and click Options.
3Deselect “Reduce the brightness of the built-in display when using this power source” 
if you don’t want your display to dim to save on battery consumption.
When this feature is enabled, your display dims a small amount when you go from 
using the power adapter with your MacBook to using battery power. When you plug in 
the power adapter again, your display returns to its previous level of brightness.
Deselect “Automatically reduce the brightness of the display before display sleep” if you 
don’t want the display to dim before the MacBook sleeps. 
						

							Chapter 2   Getting to Know Your MacBook29
 
Changing the Size of Images on the Screen
Your MacBook has a 13.3-inch widescreen display with a default resolution of 1280 x 
800. You can change the size of images on your display by changing the screen 
resolution. 
You can choose a lower resolution in the Displays pane of System Preferences. When 
you switch to a lower resolution, items on the screen appear larger, making them 
easier to see. However, lower resolutions might not be as sharp as the display’s default 
resolution.
With some resolutions, a black band appears on each side of the display. If you don’t 
want to see the bands, you can choose a “stretched” version of the resolution to have 
the image cover the entire screen and eliminate the bands.
To change the resolution on your display:
mChoose Apple () > System Preferences from the menu bar. Open the Displays pane of 
System Preferences. 
To change your screen resolution using the Displays status menu in the menu bar, click 
“Show displays in menu bar.” 
						

							30 Chapter 2   Getting to Know Your MacBook
 
Using Your Power Adapter
Plugging in the power adapter provides AC power to the MacBook and recharges the 
computer’s battery.
Important:  For optimal performance, use only the power adapter that came with your 
computer, or purchase an additional Apple MagSafe 60W Power Adapter.
When you first connect the power adapter to your computer, an indicator light on the 
power adapter plug starts to glow. An amber light indicates that power is going to the 
battery. A green light indicates that no power is going to the battery, which can mean 
the battery is fully charged, is not installed, or has a problem. If you don’t see a light, 
your plug probably isn’t seated correctly. Check for any debris and remove it. You can 
monitor the battery level using the Battery status menu in the menu bar or by 
checking the battery level indicator lights on the bottom of the battery (see page 74).
To extend the reach of your power adapter, first pull the AC plug up to remove it from 
the adapter. Attach the included AC cord to the adapter, making sure it is seated firmly. 
Plug the other end into a power outlet. The AC power cord provides a grounded 
connection. Warning:  The MacBook power adapter port contains a magnet that can erase data on 
a credit card, iPod, or other device. To preserve your data, keep these and other 
magnetic media away from the power adapter port.