Apple Macbook 13inch Users Guide

							Chapter 2   Getting to Know Your MacBook51
 
ÂIf you register for a .Mac account from Apple (fees apply), you can use it to transfer 
files. With a .Mac account, you get an iDisk, which provides Internet space for backing 
up and storing files, so other computers can access the files you transfer there. 
ÂUsing a recordable optical drive, you can record files for transfer on a CD or DVD disc.
ÂIf you connect your computer to a network using Ethernet, you can exchange files 
with other computers on the network. You can access a server or another computer 
by clicking Network in the Finder sidebar, or by choosing Go > Connect to Server 
from the menu bar.
ÂYou can create a small Ethernet network by connecting an Ethernet cable from your 
MacBook to another computer’s Ethernet port. After you’re connected, you can 
transfer files directly from one computer to the other. For more information, open 
Mac Help and search for “connecting two computers.”
ÂYou can connect to an AirPort Extreme wireless network to transfer files. For more 
information, see “How AirPort Provides Wireless Internet Access” on page 61.
ÂIf you have access to devices that communicate using Bluetooth® wireless 
technology, you can transfer files to other Bluetooth equipped devices. For more 
information, see “Using Bluetooth Wireless Technology” on page 62.
For general information about transferring files and documents, open Mac Help and 
search for “transferring” or for the type of connection you need. 
						

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3
 
3Using Your MacBook
Your MacBook has many built-in features and 
connection capabilities. 
These include the following:
ÂUniversal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 ports for connecting equipment such as iPods, printers, 
scanners, and other devices. See “Using Universal Serial Bus (USB) Devices” on 
page 54.
ÂA FireWire 400 port for connecting high-speed equipment such as digital video 
cameras and external hard disk drives. See “Connecting with FireWire” on page 57.
ÂBluetooth wireless connectivity, AirPort Extreme wireless networking capability, and 
Gigabit Ethernet networking capability. See “Using Bluetooth Wireless Technology” 
on page 62, “How AirPort Provides Wireless Internet Access” on page 61, and 
“Connecting with Ethernet” on page 64.
ÂAn audio line in/optical digital audio in port and a headphone/optical digital audio 
out port for connecting headphones, speakers, and digital audio equipment. See 
“Connecting Speakers and Other Audio Devices” on page 68. 
						

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ÂA mini-DVI video out port for connecting your MacBook to an external display by 
using a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter or a Mini-DVI to VGA adapter. Use a Mini-DVI to Video 
adapter to connect a video device that requires a composite or S-video connection. 
All adapters are sold separately. See “Using External Video Support” on page 65.
ÂA slot-loading optical drive for playing CDs and DVDs and burning CDs. If you have a 
SuperDrive, you can burn DVDs as well. See “Using Your Optical Drive” on page 69.
ÂSudden Motion Sensor technology that helps protect the internal hard disk if your 
MacBook is dropped or shaken. See “Understanding Sudden Motion Sensor” on 
page 74.
ÂA MacBook battery that provides convenient, at-a-glance battery status. See “Using 
Your Battery” on page 74.
ÂA security slot so that you can make sure your MacBook stays where it should. See 
“Securing Your MacBook” on page 78.
Using Universal Serial Bus (USB) Devices
Your MacBook comes with two USB 2.0 (d) ports, also referred to as high-speed USB, 
which you can use to connect many types of external devices, including iPods, printers, 
scanners, digital cameras, game pads, joysticks, keyboards, and floppy disk drives. Your 
USB 2.0 ports are compatible with earlier USB devices. In most cases, you can connect 
and disconnect a USB device while the computer is running. After you connect the 
device, it is ready to use. You don’t need to restart or reconfigure your computer. 
						

							Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook55
 
To use a USB device with your computer, connect the device to the computer. Your 
computer automatically detects newly connected devices and loads the correct 
software to work with the device. 
Note:  If your MacBook can’t find the correct software when you connect a USB device, 
you can either install the software that came with the device or go to the website of 
the device manufacturer to locate and install the correct software.
Understanding USB Devices and Battery Power
You can use USB devices, such as joysticks and keyboards, that are powered by the 
MacBook USB connection instead of by a separate power adapter. However, these 
types of USB devices can cause your MacBook battery to be depleted faster. If the 
device will be connected for an extended period, it is a good idea to connect the 
MacBook power adapter. 
						

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Using Multiple USB Devices at the Same Time
You can purchase a USB hub to connect multiple USB devices to your computer. The 
USB hub connects to an open USB port on your computer and provides additional USB 
ports (usually four or seven). High-speed hubs can support USB 2.0 high-speed devices 
as well as USB 1.1 compatible devices. USB 1.1 hubs don’t allow high-speed USB devices 
to operate at their maximum data speed. Most USB hubs have a power adapter and 
should be plugged into an outlet.
Note:  If you are using a chain of USB devices and hubs, some USB devices might not 
work when connected through a combination of USB 2.0 high-speed hubs and USB 1.1 
full-speed or low-speed hubs. For example, you might not see an external USB hard 
disk on your desktop. To avoid this problem, don’t connect USB devices with different 
speeds together. Connect your high-speed hub directly to your computer and connect 
high-speed devices to it. Connect a full-speed or low-speed hub directly to your 
computer and connect similar speed devices to it.
USB hub  
						

							Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook57
 
Getting More Information About USB
More information about USB is available in Mac Help. Choose Help > Mac Help in the 
menu bar and search for “USB.” You can also find information on the Apple USB website 
at www.apple.com/usb. For information about USB devices available for your computer, 
check the Macintosh Products Guide at www.apple.com/guide.
Connecting with FireWire
Your computer has one FireWire 400 (H) port. With FireWire, you can easily connect 
and disconnect external high-speed devices—such as high definition video (HDV ) or 
digital video (DV ) cameras and hard disks—without restarting your computer. 
You can connect a standard 6-pin FireWire device directly to the FireWire 400 (H) port. 
The port provides power to connected devices, so the devices don’t need a separate 
power plug.  
						

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These are some of the things you can do with FireWire:
ÂConnect an HDV or DV camera and capture, transfer, and edit high-quality video 
directly on your computer using video-editing software such as iMovie HD, Final Cut 
Express, or Final Cut Studio (sold separately).
ÂConnect an external FireWire hard disk drive and use it to back up data or 
transfer files. 
ÂStart up from an external FireWire hard disk. Connect an external FireWire hard disk 
drive (with Mac OS X v10.4.6 or later installed on it), open the Startup Disk pane of 
System Preferences, and click the FireWire hard disk icon. Restart your computer.
ÂTransfer files between your MacBook and another FireWire-equipped computer using 
FireWire Target Disk Mode. See “Connecting Your MacBook to Another Computer 
Using FireWire” on page 59 for more information.
Using FireWire Devices
To use a FireWire device with your computer, connect the device to the computer and 
install any software that came with the device. Your computer automatically detects 
newly connected devices.
Note:  If your MacBook can’t find the correct software when you connect a FireWire 
device, you can either install the software that came with the device or go to the 
website of the device manufacturer to locate and install the correct software. 
						

							Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook59
 
Understanding FireWire Devices and Battery Power
You can use FireWire devices, such as certain external hard disk drives, that are 
powered by the MacBook FireWire connection instead of by a separate power adapter. 
However, these FireWire devices can cause your MacBook battery to be depleted faster. 
If a device will be connected for an extended period, it is a good idea to connect the 
MacBook power adapter.
Note:  The FireWire (H) port is designed to support power for FireWire devices (up to 
7 watts maximum). You can connect multiple devices to each other and connect the 
chain of devices to the FireWire port on your computer, but only one device should get 
power from the computer. The rest of the devices in the chain should be powered by 
separate power adapters. Connecting more than one FireWire device that gets power 
from the port can cause problems. If a problem occurs, shut down the computer, 
disconnect the FireWire devices, and restart your computer.
Connecting Your MacBook to Another Computer Using FireWire
If you want to transfer files between your MacBook and another FireWire-equipped 
computer, or if you have a problem that prevents your computer from starting up, you 
can use FireWire Target Disk Mode to connect to another computer. When you start up 
your MacBook in FireWire Target Disk Mode, the other computer can access your 
MacBook as if it were an external hard disk.
Note:  When using FireWire Target Disk Mode, it’s a good idea to connect your power 
adapter to the MacBook. 
						

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To connect your MacBook to another computer in FireWire Target Disk Mode:
1Make sure that your MacBook is shut down.
2Use a FireWire cable to connect your MacBook to another FireWire-equipped computer. 
3Start up your MacBook and immediately hold down the T key. 
Your MacBook display will show the FireWire logo. The other computer’s display shows 
the MacBook internal hard disk icon. You can now drag and drop files between the 
computers.
4When you finish transferring files, drag the MacBook hard disk icon to the Trash (Eject 
icon).
5Press the power (®) button on the MacBook to shut it down, and then disconnect the 
FireWire cable.
Getting More Information About FireWire
More information about FireWire is available in Mac Help. Choose Help > Mac Help in 
the Finder menu bar and search for “FireWire.” You can also find information on the 
Apple FireWire website at www.apple.com/firewire.