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Apple Mac

Apple Mac

The Apple iPhone was the big news at Macworld 2007, but with its debut now made, the focus turns once again to systems and software. New iMacs and MacBooks, plus additional software and Web service features, have already arrived this year. Mac OS X 10.5, aka Leopard, is slated for an October release. Bookmark this page to find the most up-to-date Mac coverage: software and system reviews, news, videos, photos, downloads, tips, and price comparisons.

Apple Mac

Apple blog

Get the latest blogs from News.com on OS X, the iPod, and the Mac. Read more


.Mac upgrades galore

Apple's popular Web services suite boasts new whistles and bells, including an upgraded Web photo gallery, iMovie film showcases, and integration with the iPhone and YouTube. Read more
Apple's popular Web services suite boasts new whistles and bells, including an upgraded Web photo gallery, iMovie film showcases, and integration with the iPhone and YouTube. Read more
Posted By: Josh Lowensohn Aug 7 2007

New iWeb plays nice with Google

Apple's iLife Web-site creation tool allows users to sign up with AdSense from within the application and lets you drag and drop Google Maps. Read more
Apple's iLife Web-site creation tool allows users to sign up with AdSense from within the application and lets you drag and drop Google Maps. Read more
Posted By: Josh Lowensohn Aug 7 2007

Apple Mac news

Taiwan's Elan sues Apple over touchscreen patents

Elan says it owns the rights to technology that allows Apple's products to detect the position of a finger on a touchscreen or touchpad.
(From Reuters) Read more

April 08, 2009

Windows 7: Moving beyond Vista

Microsoft aims to make a much different first impression with Windows 7 than it did with Vista, its oft-maligned predecessor. Read more

March 12, 2009

Google takes you under the sea, out in space

With the latest version of its Google Earth application, Google makes maps of the sea floor and the Martian surface available to all. Here's our roundup of that news. Read more

February 03, 2009

Apple Mac help and support from MacFixIt

Apple Mac downloads

SereneScreen Marine Aquarium 2.6

Turn heads with the screensaver that makes your Mac into a beautiful, realistic-looking aquarium.

GraphicConverter (OS X) 5.9.4

Edit and convert images with this feature-rich image editor.

Quicksilver 1.0b48

This utility lets you quickly find and launch programs using hotkeys.

WingNuts 2 Demo

Blow away 200 different types of planes on the trail of Baron Von Schtopwatch in this arcade game.

VLC Media Player (OS X) 0.8.6

Watch almost any type of media file with this media player.

TextWrangler 2.1.1

Edit text or code your Web site with this free and flexible text editor.

Transmit 3.5.3

Quickly transfer files with this easy-to-use FTP client for Mac.

OmniGraffle 4.1.2

Create colorful graphs and forms using a highly intuitive interface.

Default Folder X 3.0.3b5

Add useful options to your open and save dialog boxes with this utility.

Plasma Tunnel Saver 1.3

Realistic liquid effects and beautiful colors make this free screensaver a must have.

Mac editors' picks from VersionTracker

Apple Mac shopping

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is now available, and it's the first major Mac OS upgrade in more than two years. Thanks to its stunning interface, it even makes mundane tasks such as locating files and backing up your system an eye-candy-heavy show. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard costs $129 out of the box, or $199 for as many as five users. Those who bought Macs after October 1 must pay $9.95 to have Leopard shipped to them. On the hardware front, Apple sells its computers in a tiered structure. At the top of the line is the Mac Pro ($2,499 for the base model), loaded with two dual-core Intel Xeon processors in a fetching aluminum case. One step down from the Mac Pro is the redesigned iMac, available in both 20-inch and 24-inch models. Prices range from $1,199 for the base 20-incher to more than $3,000 for the fully loaded 24-incher. And finally, the tiniest and cheapest of the Macs is the Mac Mini, a real space-saver that will cost you just $799.

Apple Mac OS CNET editors' review

Excellent

8.0

out of 10

The good: Elegant backup via Time Machine; Finder offers powerful navigation tweaks; novel workspace customization through Spaces' virtual desktops; integration with Web data and applications; Cover Flow visualizes file browsing; iChat Theater offers green-screen backgrounds and lets users access each others' desktops; Bootcamp included.

The bad: Leopard was afflicted in some cases by installation woes and application failures; some new features, such as geotagging, aren't obvious to find; users with older Macs can't run Leopard.

The bottom line: The grace of Leopard's interface enhancements makes productivity more pleasurable with a Mac, as more than 300 functional and fun features top off this update.

Read editors' review

Apple Mac laptops CNET editors' review

Apple MacBook Pro 2008 Edition

Excellent

8.2

out of 10

The good: Updated CPUs, improved battery life, adds touch pad gestures from the MacBook Air.

The bad: Small performance premium over the cheaper 13-inch MacBook; only 90 days of toll-free technical support; still no SD card reader.

The bottom line: A solid, if predictable, upgrade to the MacBook Pro line, but noteworthy for stealing the MacBook Air's best feature--expanded gesture controls for the touch pad.

Read editors' review

Very good

7.7

out of 10

The good: Incredibly thin yet surprisingly sturdy; new trackpad gesture controls are very useful; remote optical drive makes living without a built-in drive much easier.

The bad: Very limited connectivity; slower than other MacBooks; SSD hard-drive option is ridiculously expensive and standard hard drive is small; battery is not user replaceable.

The bottom line: The design is revolutionary, but Apple's MacBook Air will appeal to a smaller, more specialized audience than the standard MacBook, thanks to a stripped-down set of connections and features.

Read editors' review

Excellent

8.3

out of 10

The good: Upgraded CPU for the same price; same great design; Leopard operating system.

The bad: Still no Express card or SD card slots; only more expensive models are available in black.

The bottom line: Apple has been content to issue minor periodic hardware updates to the 13-inch MacBook, but the modest performance gains and new Leopard OS keep it in our top tier of laptop recommendations.

Read editors' review

Apple Mac desktops CNET editors' review

Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)

Excellent

8.2

out of 10

The good: Industry-leading design; best all-in-one overall for its price; strong digital media performance; broad range of connectivity options; easy-to-use operating system.

The bad: Smaller screen than some newer all-in-ones; puny hard drive for its price; disproportionately expensive memory upgrades; lame 90-day phone support.

The bottom line: Apple's smaller-scale iMac remains our favorite all-in-one. And while its looks, its ease of use, and its performance are all selling points, Windows PCs are starting to catch up (at least with the latter). A few components could also stand an update, but in general you'll find the 20-inch iMac a remarkable computer for its price.

Read editors' review

Excellent

8.2

out of 10

The good: Industry-leading design; best all-in-one overall for its price; strong digital media performance; broad range of connectivity options; easy-to-use operating system.

The bad: Smaller screen than some newer all-in-ones; puny hard drive for its price; disproportionately expensive memory upgrades; lame 90-day phone support.

The bottom line: Apple's smaller-scale iMac remains our favorite all-in-one. And while its looks, its ease of use, and its performance are all selling points, Windows PCs are starting to catch up (at least with the latter). A few components could also stand an update, but in general you'll find the 20-inch iMac a remarkable computer for its price.

Read editors' review

Good

6.7

out of 10

The good: Fast new Core 2 Duo processor compares well with competing Windows desktops; useful iLife '08 software; supersmall chassis remains unique in the mainstream desktop market.

The bad: Comparable slim Windows desktops offer more features for the dollar, as well as expandability; no information from Apple on whether you'll have to pay for a Leopard upgrade two months from now; free phone support for only 90 days.

The bottom line: The Mac Mini remains unique as the smallest mainstream desktop, but competition from Dell and HP has narrowed the gap in features while also offering room for expansion, and at a better price. If your goal is saving space, the Mac Mini is a winner. If you'd rather get the best deal, there are better options.

Read editors' review

Excellent

8.2

out of 10

The good: Along with its best-in-class design and solid-feeling, thin keyboard, the new Apple iMac desktop offers more performance and features than many Windows-based PCs; robust iLife '08 digital media suite.

The bad: No word on means of upgrading to Apple's new Leopard OS when it's released; anemic phone support.

The bottom line: With its super-elegant new design and a strong configuration, Apple's new iMac competes with the PC desktop market better than perhaps any previous Mac to date. Unless you're a gamer or an upgrade enthusiast, we can think of very few reasons not to make an iMac your next desktop.

Read editors' review

Apple Mac features

Leopard vs. Vista

Mac or PC? Leopard or Vista? If you're in the market for a new computer, the choices may seem endless and limiting all at once. Read more

Inside Mac OS X Leopard

Take a look at Apple's new OS before plopping down $129 for it. We've got a photo gallery of its features right here. Read more

Desktop design: Apple vs. Sony

Forget what's under the hood for a few minutes. Matthew Elliott examines the hot looks of the latest machines from Apple and Sony. Read more

The Mac Minute

CNET Download.com's blog covers the latest and greatest Mac news and software. Read more

Mac tips and tricks

Make your Mac a complete home-entertainment and work center with our DIY tips for your Mac desktop or laptop. We have how-tos, video projects, tips, free online classes, forums, and more. Read more

Apple Mac tips and tricks

Make Automator do your repetitive tasks

If you find yourself doing the same tasks over and over on your Mac, Automator can make your life a little easier. Read more

Put your favorite photo on a T-shirt

Veronica Belmont shows you how to use your Mac to make a lovely keepsake from your favorite digital photo. Read more

Capture video from the Internet

When it comes to inexpensive video capture, two programs rule the arena: SnagIt for Windows and SnapzPro X 2 for Macs. Read more

Stream music through AirPort Express

Using AirPort Express, you can stream music from your computer to anywhere within your house (within 150 feet), share a USB printer, and extend your Apple AirPort network. Read more

User opinions for Apple Mac

Average User Rating

Learn about Apple Mac

Mac OS
The wait is over. Apple's next generation of its operating system, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, has hit the ground running. Are you ready for it? We'll help you get prepared. You can read all the details in our full review of Leopard. The quick rundown is that the grace of Leopard's interface enhancements makes productivity more pleasurable with a Mac, and more than 300 functional and fun features top off this update. The outstanding Finder looks exactly as it does in Tiger. And you can once again change the grid spacing, restoring a long-lost piece of functionality last seen in Mac OS 9. Also giving old-time Mac users reasons to be happy are the addition of spring-loaded folders on the Dock, easier widget construction, intuitive switching between desktops and apps, and a cosmetic makeover for the Finder Help menu.

Mac laptops
In 2006, the big news for Mac notebooks was the addition of Intel processors; by the end of the year, MacBooks upgraded to Intel's latest Core 2 Duo CPUs. We've been impressed by the mix of Apple's lauded industrial design and user-friendly operating system with the kind of high-end hardware usually seen only on the PC side--not to mention the ability to run Windows XP through Boot Camp. You can get the high-end MacBook Pro in two sizes, 15 or 17 inches. The 17-inch MacBook Pro adds some hard drive space and screen real estate over the 15-inch MacBook Pro, boosting the base price by $300. The $2,799 system (our $3,374 review unit was tricked out with extra RAM) is very light for a 17-inch laptop, and it's a good choice for anyone needing an easily transportable big-screen laptop, although most users will be just as happy with the excellent 15-inch version. While the Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro significantly outperforms the older Core Duo version, the performance of the 15- and 17-inch Core 2 Duo models was essentially identical--which is to be expected, as they share identical processors, RAM, and hard drives (although the default configurations call for a smaller hard drive in the 15-inch model).

Users looking for a more consumer-friendly laptop can opt for the MacBook line, which also features Intel Core 2 Duo processors. There are three MacBook models, one with a 1.83GHz CPU and two with 2.0GHz CPUs. The MacBook starts at a mere $1,099, but our 2.0GHz MacBook review unit is the most tricked-out of the three, offering the faster CPU and a larger hard drive for a still palatable $1,499--we've awarded it our Editors' Choice. These 13.3-inch notebooks, available in the standard Apple colors of black and white, are nearly as powerful as their 15- and 17-inch Pro cousins, and they include a lot of the same features, such as the built-in iSight camera and Front Row remote. If the handful of compromises vs. the Pro model, such as the screen size and the lack of discrete graphics, isn't a deal breaker, the MacBook is a no-brainer for anyone who wants to step up to an Apple laptop or upgrade their older MacBook.

Mac desktops
Apple sells three different Mac desktops, each of which features a different Intel processor. From its perch at the top of the line, the professional-grade Mac Pro puts a pair of dual-core Xeon chips--that's four processing cores, if you're scoring at home--to good use inside its hulking, brushed-aluminum chassis. You'll need some serious graphics work ahead of you to justify the cost, but if you are a design professional or a committed photo or video hobbyist, you'll notice that the Mac Pro's price is competitive with those of high-end PCs and workstations. In the middle of the line sits Apple's all-in-one PC, the iMac. Apple eliminated the 17-inch iMac when it redesigned the line earlier this year. Now you can get only 20-inch and 24-inch models, ranging from $1,199 for the baseline 20-inch, to $3,000 or more for the highest-end 24-incher. The Intel Core 2 Extreme chip on the higher-end of the line is probably best suited for professional photo editors and others who can justify that much CPU power in a nongaming system. Pair either the 20-inch or 24-inch models with a more reasonable Core 2 Duo chip, and the iMac competes fairly well in cost, features, and performance against similarly priced Windows PCs.

On a budget? Like your tech small and compact? Then the a la carte Mac Mini is your pick. The Mac Mini can't quite keep pace performance-wise with its higher-end siblings, but it's the cheapest way to obtain Apple's excellent iLife software and Mac OS. Its small size, its bundled remote control, and Apple's Front Row software make it a viable alternative to a full-fledged living room PC.



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Apple Mac pictures

Photos: Apple iMac

Photos: Inside Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

Leopard has a slicker, more reflective look than previous versions of Mac OS X.

Photos: Apple iMac

Photos: Apple iMac

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor flooded NY subways could keep the Apple iMac from showing up on our doorstep this morning. Let's open the box, shall we?

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard preview

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard preview

At the Worldwide Developers Conference 2006 in San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs gave the public and developers the first public look at Leopard, also known as Mac OS X 10.5--the next version of the Apple operating system, which will be available in spring 2007.

Mac Tiger OS

Mac Tiger OS

Apple has released its latest iteration of the Mac OS X series 10.4, aka Tiger. The biggest and perhaps most publicized enhancement is its native ability to search your hard drive from the desktop--something Windows still can't do.

Apple Mac videos

Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)

First Look at Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

The new Mac OS has a ton of new features that will keep Mac lovers happy.

Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)

Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)

Apple's takes its already compelling iMac and beefs up the design and updates the under-the-hood components. The result is the best-looking PC on the market, one that compares very favorably to its Windows-based competition.

Quick Tips: MacBook and MacBook Pro trackpad tips

Quick Tips: MacBook and MacBook Pro trackpad tips

Make life easier with your new Apple laptop! Here are some tips for getting the most out of your trackpad.

Quick Tips: OS X screenshot tips

Quick Tips: OS X screenshot tips

OS X provides several ways of taking screenshots. Veronica Belmont shows you how in this Quick Tip.

Quick Tips: OS X shortcut keys

Quick Tips: OS X shortcut keys

OS X has some easy shortcuts, just as Windows does! Veronica Belmont walks you through in this Quick Tip.

Must-have desktop: Apple iMac Core 2 Duo (24-inch, 2.16GHz)

Must-have desktop: Apple iMac Core 2 Duo (24-inch, 2.16GHz)

It may be hard to get used to a Mac with Intel inside, but Rich DeMuro shows why the new iMac rocks.

Apple Mac Mini Core Duo

Apple Mac Mini Core Duo

If you want a small, innocuous computer for sending or receiving media or other files between rooms, no other computer offers the deal that Apple has with the Mac Mini Core Duo.

Security Bites: Macs face Wi-Fi hijack risks

Security Bites: Macs face Wi-Fi hijack risks

A month-and-a-half ago, Apple Computer dismissed claims that MacBooks could be hijacked via Wi-Fi. This week, however, the Cupertino, Calif., company released security updates for a trio of flaws in Mac OS X that could be exploited to do just that. CNET News.com's Joris Evers and CNET.com's Robert Vamosi chime in.

Apple Mac Pro

Apple Mac Pro

Apple's Mac Pro has design innovations that we hope will cross over to other systems. Its performance is as strong as you'd expect for a system in its class, and it's priced right, too.

Apple MacBook

Apple MacBook

Get a first look from the Labs at the new Apple MacBook.

Apple Boot Camp (beta)

Apple Boot Camp (beta)

Get a first look at the free Apple download that lets you install Windows XP on a Mac.