Apple Macbook 13inch Users Guide

							Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook71
 
If you can’t eject the disc, quit any applications that might be using the disc and try 
again. If that doesn’t work, restart the computer while holding down the trackpad 
button.
Playing DVDs
To play a DVD-Video on your MacBook, insert the DVD disc. DVD Player opens 
automatically. You’ll find DVD Player provides easy-to-use controls for starting, 
stopping, and viewing DVDs.
If your MacBook is connected to a TV so that you can watch a DVD-Video on the TV 
screen, select 720 x 480 NTSC (in the United States) or 720 x 576 PAL (in Europe and 
other regions) in the Displays pane of System Preferences. 
You can easily connect your MacBook to your stereo system. Use a miniplug-to-RCA 
cable (not included) to connect the headphone (f) port on your MacBook to the 
audio input ports on your stereo.
Recording CD-R and CD-RW Discs
Your MacBook can record data to CD-R and CD-RW discs. If you have a SuperDrive, you 
can record your own digital movies on blank recordable DVD±R and DVD±RW discs. 
You can also record other kinds of digital data, such as backing up files onto a 
recordable DVD disc. 
						

							72 Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook
 
To record data on CD-R, CD-RW, DVD±R, or DVD±RW discs:
1Insert a blank recordable CD or DVD (SuperDrive only) disc into the optical drive.
2In the dialog that appears, enter a name for the disc and select the format you want to 
use.
3Double-click the disc icon that appears on your desktop, and then drag files and folders 
to it.
4Click the Burn Disc icon beside the disc name in the Finder sidebar.
You can also record music to CD or DVD discs right from your iTunes library.
To record music from your iTunes library:
1Click the iTunes icon in the Dock.
2Select the playlist or songs you want to record.
3Insert a blank CD or DVD (SuperDrive only) disc.
4At the top of the iTunes window, click Burn CD.
Important:  If your battery runs down when you are burning a CD, the burn can fail and 
you will not be able to use the CD disc again. To prevent this, always use your power 
adapter when burning a CD.
If you have a SuperDrive, you can record your own digital movies on a blank recordable 
DVD disc. You can also record other kinds of digital data. For example, you can back up 
files to recordable DVD discs. With applications like iDVD, you can create your own 
customized digital media project, burn it on a blank recordable DVD disc, and play it 
on most standard DVD players. 
						

							Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook73
 
To burn an iDVD project onto a blank DVD±R or DVD±RW disc:
1Open iDVD and open your iDVD project.
2Click the Burn button.
3When prompted, insert a blank recordable DVD disc into the drive.
4Click the Burn button again.
For more information, open iDVD and choose Help > iDVD Help.
Important:  If your battery runs down when you are burning a DVD, the burn can fail 
and you will not be able to use the DVD disc again. To prevent this, always use your 
power adapter when burning a DVD.
Getting More Information
For more information about DVD Player and iTunes, see these resources:
ÂFor information about how to use DVD Player, choose Help > DVD Player Help from 
within DVD Player.
ÂFor information about how to use iTunes to record music files on a CD or DVD disc, 
choose Help > “iTunes and Music Store Help” from within iTunes. 
						

							74 Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook
 
Understanding Sudden Motion Sensor
Your MacBook has Sudden Motion Sensor technology, which helps protect the hard 
disk from damage if the computer is dropped or shaken.
Sudden Motion Sensor protection doesn’t affect hard disk performance during regular 
MacBook operation. Occasionally, unusually strong vibrations might activate the 
Sudden Motion Sensor technology at a time when your MacBook is writing or reading 
data intensively (such as when playing or recording video or audio). If you notice 
dropped frames or sound elements, make sure that your MacBook is in a stable 
environment without vibration or abrupt movement.
Using Your Battery 
When the external power adapter is not connected, your computer draws power from 
its battery. The length of time that you can run your MacBook varies, depending on the 
applications you use and the external devices connected to your MacBook. Turning off 
features such as AirPort Extreme or Bluetooth wireless technology can help conserve 
battery charge. For more information about using your battery, see “Understanding 
Battery Conservation Tips” on page 77.
You can determine the charge left in your battery by looking at the battery level 
indicator lights on the battery itself. Press the button next to the lights, and the lights 
glow briefly to show how much charge is left in the battery. You can check the charge 
with the battery in or out of the MacBook.
If your battery runs low while you are working, attach your power adapter and let the 
battery recharge. To replace a low battery with a charged one when your computer 
isn’t connected to a power adapter, shut down your computer.  
						

							Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook75
 
Important:  If only one indicator light is on, very little charge is left. If no lights are 
visible, the battery is completely drained and the computer will not start up unless the 
power adapter is connected. Plug in the power adapter to let the battery recharge, or 
replace the drained battery with a fully charged battery (see “Removing the Battery” on 
page 80).
If the battery icon in the Finder menu bar is set to show the percentage of charge, 
sometimes the battery won’t show a full 100 percent charge when the power adapter 
is attached. This is normal behavior; battery life is maximized if charging is not 
continuously cycled on and off when the battery’s charge capacity is between 95 and 
100 percent. When the battery level eventually drops below 95 percent, it will charge 
all the way up to 100 percent. 
Battery  Battery LEDs Button 
¥Á 
						

							76 Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook
 
Removing and Replacing the Battery
For instructions on removing and replacing the battery, see “Removing the Battery” on 
page 80 and “Replacing the Battery” on page 86.
Note:  Dispose of batteries according to your local environmental laws and guidelines. 
For more information, see “Disposal and Recycling Information” on page 132.
Charging a Battery
When the power adapter is connected to your computer, the battery recharges 
whether the computer is off, on, or in sleep. However, the battery recharges more 
quickly if the computer is off or in sleep. When the computer is on, you can monitor 
the battery charge level using the Battery status icon in the menu bar.
The battery charge level displayed is based on the amount of power left in the battery 
with the applications, peripheral devices, and system settings (display brightness, 
Energy Saver settings, and so on) you are currently using. To conserve battery power, 
close applications and disconnect peripheral devices not in use, and adjust your Energy 
Saver settings (see the next section). 
						

							Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook77
 
Understanding Battery Conservation Tips
The amount of work time your MacBook battery can provide before you need to 
recharge depends on the applications and peripheral devices you’re currently using 
and the steps you take to conserve power while you work.
For the best conservation of battery power, do the following:
ÂDisconnect bus-powered USB or FireWire devices when they are not in use.
ÂQuit open applications that you are not using.
ÂTurn off AirPort or Bluetooth when they are not in use. (Use the AirPort and Bluetooth 
status icons in the menu bar. If these icons don’t appear in the menu bar, you can 
turn them on in the Network and Bluetooth panes of System Preferences.) 
ÂRemove CD and DVD discs when they are not in use.
ÂReduce screen brightness using the brightness controls on the MacBook keyboard.
ÂSet the hard disk to spin down after a short time. In the Energy Saver pane of System 
Preferences, select the “Put the hard disk to sleep when possible” option. 
ÂSet your MacBook to sleep after inactivity of five minutes or less.
ÂYour MacBook is preset to automatically reduce its processing speed during periods 
of low processing activity when using battery power, thus reducing power usage. The 
setting that determines this is the Normal option in the Optimization pop-up menu 
of the Energy Saver pane of System Preferences. During periods of high processing 
activity, your computer will automatically switch to a higher processing speed. To 
conserve the most battery life, choose Better Battery Life from the Optimization pop-
up menu. However, choosing this option may affect your computer’s performance. To 
set your computer to use its highest processing speed at all times, choose Better 
Performance. 
						

							78 Chapter 3   Using Your MacBook
 
Getting More Information About Your MacBook Battery
More information is available in Mac Help. Choose Help > Mac Help and search for 
“battery.” You can also find information about extending the life of your battery at 
www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html.
Securing Your MacBook
You can purchase a security cable lock to protect your MacBook. With a lock, you can 
secure your computer to a desk or table. 
Getting More Information About Security Options
More information about the software security features of your MacBook, including 
multiple user passwords and file encryption, is available in Mac Help. Choose Help > 
Mac Help and search for “security” or “multiple users.”
Sample 
locking 
device with 
security cable 
Security slot  
						

							79
4
 
4Adding Memory to Your 
MacBook
This chapter provides information and instructions 
for installing additional memory and for removing 
and replacing the battery in your MacBook.  
Your computer has two memory slots that you access by removing the computer’s 
battery. Your MacBook comes with a minimum of 512 megabytes (MB) of 667 MHz 
Double Data Rate (DDR2) Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM) 
installed. Both memory slots can accept an SDRAM module that meets the following 
specifications:
ÂDouble Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR2 SO-DIMM) format
Â1.25 inch or smaller
Â256 MB, 512 MB, or 1 gigabyte (GB) Warning:  Apple recommends that you have an Apple-certified technician install 
memory. Consult the service and support information that came with your computer 
for instructions on how to contact Apple for service. If you attempt to install memory 
and damage your equipment, such damage is not covered by the limited warranty on 
your computer. 
						

							80 Chapter 4   Adding Memory to Your MacBook
 
Â200-pin
ÂPC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz Type RAM
For best performance, fill both memory slots and install an equal memory module in 
each slot. The maximum amount of memory you can install in your MacBook is 2 GB, 
using one 1 GB DIMM in each memory slot.
Installing Additional Memory
Installing memory involves removing and replacing your battery. The following 
procedure includes instructions for adding memory and replacing your battery.
Step 1:  Removing the Battery 
1Shut down your MacBook. Disconnect the power adapter, Ethernet cable, and any 
other cords connected to the MacBook to prevent damaging the computer.