MacBook Air Portable Genius Review

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(More customer reviews)If you've used any kind of MacBook, you probably won't learn anything from this book that previous experience, the Help menu, and intuition already know. But if you'd like the security of a book devoted to the MacBook Air (my personal favorite of all Apple's products, with the possible exception of the iPod Touch 4th generation), it's important not to error in matching your Air with the appropriate book.
Any book published before August 2011 is NOT going to address any of the changes (admittedly minor) that have been made to the hardware as well as the OS (now Lion) of both Airs (11" and 13") that were released for the first time in late July of 2011.
Any book published before November of 2010 will NOT address the specific changes Apple made to the machine released during October 2010 (when the company first supplemented the 13" with an 11" model).
Books published before November 2010 will deal only with the 1st generation 13" Air (we're now at Generation 3), and they also should explain some subtle but crucial differences between the conventional hard drive model and the solid state model (in October 2010 Apple went exclusively to solid state machines in their Air line). Some experts and even certified technicians will tell you that a first generation Air with a broken hinge (caused by a defective design) cannot be repaired. Untrue. (But you may need to consult a number of repair services and be prepared to pay a price approaching the original cost of a new machine.)
The pictured book, incidentally, deals with the 2nd generation 13" model and the 1st generation 11" model, but it was published before the current versions of either Macbook Air. Its audience is necessarily directed at those consumers who acted within the 9-month time window when the previous generation of Airs (without Lion) were being sold.

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Get the most from Apple's ultracool new MacBook Air
Apple's newest MacBook Air is smaller, lighter, and more powerful than ever. And this convenient little book is loaded with tips and techniques for everything from getting started with your MacBook Air to maximizing power and battery life. Learn innovative ways to accomplish a task more efficiently, master the new features of the MacBook Air, and take advantage of all the remote features and accessories. Fun, hip, and portable, this guide has what every Mac fan needs to know about the MacBook Air.
The new MacBook Air features flash storage, longer battery life, a full-sized keyboard with multitouch trackpad, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and extreme portability
This convenient, portable guide explains popular new features and how to make the most of them
Covers all the key skills, tools, and shortcuts to make you a more efficient MacBook user
Includes plenty of hip tips for configuring the multitouch trackpad, maximizing power, streamlining common tasks, and more

As cool as the MacBook Air itself, this book has what you need to maximize your portable computer.

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Upgrading and Fixing Computers Do-it-Yourself For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)I first owned a PC when I was 14 and when my mom bought it for me I didn't know the difference between Windows and DOS and didn't even know what RAM or a CPU was. When I bought this I didn't really have any experience with using a PC, so after learning how to use one for awhile I purchased this book and read it.
This taught me a lot about repairing computers and installing new hardware. Anyone who doesnt have a ton of Knowledge about computers and is just starting out with Computers should check this book out if you want to learn more about them. I know for me it helped out a lot. If you've been a computer user for years and already know how to install a Hard Drive, Motherboard, Video Card and Memory etc, then I would skip this one. It's not very technical at all and is obviously for people that don't know much about computers at all. It's really just a good place to start.
I'm now 21 and have worked as a Computer Technician for about 3 years now. I definitely think that this book helped out a ton, it was definitely a good place to start. I believe there are to many people out there are afraid to upgrade/fix their own PC, maybe they are afraid they'll break it. That's all a part of the learning process and you'll never get anywhere if you don't take a risk and attempt to work on them. Most everything I've learned when it comes to upgrading computers is all Trial and Error. If one thing doesn't work out one way, just try it again some other way.
I also have to mention that any of the For Dummies books are worth checking out. Believe it or not, for learning DOS I read DOS For Dummies. For being a Computer Technician DOS is one of the most useful things I've learned. If you don't know it I don't see how anyone could be a very good Technician.

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My MacBook (Lion Edition) (2nd Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)The title of this book and the editorial description are both lame. This is not a book about using (just) your MacBook - but, rather, a Snow Leopard-specific introduction to using any Mac. The only thing that is really MacBook specific - vs iMac or Mac Pro - is the brief illustration that shows what the various ports are.
This book is only for you if you have an Intel Mac running Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6).
Note, too, that every Mac comes with iLife, yet this book does not make mention of any of the iLife applications.
While beautifully laid out and illustrated with screen captures, the editorial content of the book seems to have not been reviewed by a Mac expert, as there are numerous issues throughout that are either awkward, or not appropriate for a typical user.
In the first pages, the author notes the use of context menus via clicking a right mouse button, but does not note that with certain Apple mice, the right button must be enabled in the System Preferences first. He then talks about control-clicking (the way to get a secondary click with a single / left mouse button) on the trackpad - and does not mention the more convenient trackpad methods until much later in Chapter 8.
He notes that folders can be dragged to the dock, but does not point out that they can only be dragged to the right side of the dock only. This is unfortunately typical of the almost-correct instructions throughout the book that a knowledgeable reviewer / editor might have helped smooth out.
On page 23, in a sidebar box called "Remember your Gestures!", Ray talks about four-finger swipe, etc., on the trackpad - but he does not introduce these until pages 213-214 in Chapter 8. Even there, they are not adequately described. Sort of hard to "remember" them on page 23 if you don't see it for another 200 pages.
Chapter 2 contains way too much information on extremely unusual network situations, breaking the flow of the whole book. Most of the content of this chapter belongs in an Appendix in my opinion. Much later, on page 150, Ray talks about sharing an internet connection in a way that most users would not understand ... or require.
Chapter 10 describes MobileMe backup before the more fundamental Time Machine backup.
The description of the keychain, which saves passwords, does not mention the importance of a secure login password to protect the (login) keychain. Describing Address Book, Ray implies that a name can only be a member of one group, not describing dragging into multiple groups and opt-clicking on a name to see which groups it belongs to. The description of displaying calendars in iCal is incorrect - suggesting that selecting a calendar displays its content, rather than checking the checkbox next to it.
The section on external monitors does not describe the designed-for-MacBook 24" Apple display or how to operate with the laptop lid closed and with the external monitor as the only active monitor.
The Time Machine pages do not describe at all how to restore files - or how Time Machine can intelligently recognize certain applications, such as Mail, iCal or Address Book and restore individual mail messages, addresses, etc.
So, after not describing fully or correctly many of the basics of using Snow Leopard, Ray then goes into describing how to access the LaunchDaemon lists to delete services, something that most users should stay far away from.
The description of installing a new hard drive (to replace the existing one) is unrealistic unless the drive is dead - suggesting that one reinstall Snow Leopard from the original installation disks. There is no mention of the more normal choices of (1) boot from the install disk and do a full restore from your Time Machine backup disk, or (2) attach the new disk via a USB or firewire cable and clone the old disk onto the new one before physical installation.
There is nothing in the book on how to burn data onto a CD or DVD via a Finder Burn Folder. There is no mention of how to create a zip file (via the Compress command in the file context menu).
In summary, a lot of good content that is beautifully displayed, however there are also a lot of errors and omissions and inappropriate material.

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Step-by-step instructions with callouts to MacBook photos that show you exactly what to do.Help when you run into MacBook or OS X Lion problems or limitations.Tips and Notes to help you get the most from your MacBook.Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping your MacBook working just the way you want. The tasks include:• Managing and arranging your desktop• Creating and navigating virtual workspaces in Mission Control• Opening and organizing applications in Launchpad• Accessing the Internet through wired, wireless, and cellular networks• Communicating via email, instant message, audio, and video chat• Troubleshooting system problems• Entertaining with music and videos• Keeping in touch and on-time with Calendars and Contacts• Downloading and managing software from the App Store and other sources• Sharing files, printers, and even scanners over your network connection• Expanding your capabilities with peripheral devices• Protecting and securing your data• Recording video and publishing it instantly online

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The Laptop Repair Workbook: An Introduction to Troubleshooting and Repairing Laptop Computers Review

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(More customer reviews)I just finished reading this book, cover to cover. Just couldn't stop reading it, as Morris keeps it interesting. Moreover, it's an amazing resource for laptop troubleshooting and repair. In fact, the best I've ever read. Much better then Mueller's in terms of troubleshooting and the depth and scope of repairs - and it only has 191 pages. Armed with this book and the laptop's service manual, you are set to attack most of the problems you'll run into with laptops. Like Morris says in the front of the book, you'll notice we don't talk about the razzle-dazzle technology of computer components in this book." It's about fixing them and getting them back into working order. I highly recommend this book.

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Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance, Revised Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Handy flowcharts with accompaning detailed descriptions. Very logically organized and layed out. It provides you with a structured process for tracking down pc problems. Highly recommended.
Having a little troubleshooting experience would be helpful, but not absolutely necessary. A fair number of pc problems have very simple solutions. The author does not overlook the obvious(is it plugged in? are all the mute buttons unchecked?) on way to making a proper diagnosis.
If you are at all serious about providing your own tech support (or support to friends and family), get this book. Money well spent.

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The updated edition of the classic visual manual for troubleshooting PC hardware problems. Morris Rosenthal creates a visual expert system for diagnosing component failure and identifying conflicts. The seventeen diagnostic flowcharts at the core of this book are intended for the intermediate to advanced hobbyist, or the beginning technician. Following a structured approach to troubleshooting hardware reduces the false diagnoses and parts wastage typical of the "swap 'till you drop" school of thought. Flowcharts include: Power Supply Failure, Video Failure, Video Performance, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Failure, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Performance, IDE Drive Failure, Hard Drive Boot and Performance, CD or DVD Playback, CD or DVD Recording Problem, Modem Failure, Modem Performance, Sound Failure, Sound and Game Controller Performance, Network Failure, Peripheral Failure, SCSI Failure and Conflict Resolution.Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts is used as a classroom text in colleges and technical schools andby the U.S. government for training forensic technicians. It's also a favorite reference with consumers and technicians all over the world.

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