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Laptops are small sized portable computers that can sit on someone’s lap. Since you place the computer on top of your lap, the term laptop has been coined. Often, Apple laptops my go under the name of notebooks due to its size and to a lesser extent its functions. These portable computers serve the same purpose of regular computers but they are convenient to carry around and travel with. In the case of Apple made laptops, they are referred to as iBooks or simply the MacBooks. The Mac is short for Macintosh, which is Apple’s brand name for their computers.

Apple computers can vary drastically from other laptops on the market. One of the primary differences is that they come equipped with Apple operating systems instead of Microsoft based operating systems. However, the ability to run other operating systems on Apple laptops can be done. If your laptop comes with Mac OS X Leopard and you are used to using Windows XP, this can require some knowledge of Mac products. This in itself isn’t a problem but trying to find computer software that’s compatible with Apple may be. Nevertheless, graphic design artist and musicians often prefer Apple based laptops over competitors. This is because Apple clearly has the upper hand in several key points of computer technology. Over the last couple of years, students have left their standard laptop models and have switched to Apple in large numbers. Here are some popular Apple laptops detailing some of there many features.

Apple iBook G3
integrated ethernet/Apple G3 800MHz processor/256 MB of RAM/Mac OS 10 pre-installed/30 GB hard drive/56K modem/airport wireless card/Cdrom drive ready to access media/12.1-inch TFT LCD

Apple Powerbook G4
60GB Ultra ATA 100 hard driveAirPort Extreme wireless networking and internal Bluetooth/DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support/Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive/two USB 2.0 ports and FireWire 400/256MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM

Prices for Apple laptops are consistent with other brands that are out. Prices can range from a little over one thousand dollars all the way up to three thousand dollars for new Apple laptops. It’s roughly the same for other models as well. Below are other models out that can be customized to your liking by interchanging parts.

Other Apple laptop models
Apple MacBook Air
Apple MacBook
Apple MacBook Pro
Apple iBook G4

Apple laptops parts
OEM Batteries/Hard Drive Caddies/Internal Drives/CPU’s/Circuit Boards/Keyboards/Cooling Fans/Miscellaneous Items/Inverters/OEM AC Adapters/DC Power Jacks/OEM Memory/Cables/Hard Drive Adapters/LCD Displays/Plastic Case

Not all laptop parts will work with Apple computers. Research should be done beforehand to determine if problems that may arise can be fixed in your area. This is because not all computer technicians are familiar with Apple products since Microsoft based computers dominate the market. Finding parts and people to install them may be very limited.

Conclusion
Ultimately what it all comes down to is your own personal taste. All laptops work primarily the same and have the same parts but things such as speed, weight and look are often the main areas laptop buyers look into when trying to decide on a laptop. Price and feature wise, Apple laptops are well worth the price. However, as I mentioned earlier, Microsoft, Windows users will need to prepare to get acquainted with the Apple based applications before they make the switch.

A great way to get discount iPods and cheap Macs is to buy them on clearance.  This works best when you’re in the market for an iPod or a Mac and aren’t in a big hurry to get one (don’t worry, there’s a way to get a great deal if you are in a hurry too).  You can find really good deals this way, especially if you’re a bargain hunter.

Product Refreshes

Whenever Apple introduces a new Mac or iPod, your local stores need to sell their old models.  The best part is that Apple gives them strict orders to sell their merchandise at a discount.  Lucky for us!

I got my dream machine, a Power Mac Dual G5, this way a few years ago.  I knew the Intel-based Macs were about to come out so I checked the electronics stores near me that sold Macs.  Sure enough, a few dozen were marked down.  A couple of weeks later Apple introduced the first Macs using Intel processors.

Display Models

The computer I actually bought was also a display model.  Because of that I was able to talk the salespeople down to an even lower price.  It still carried the original Apple warranty but I probably would only do this for a desktop computer.  Laptops take more abuse in the store but, other than the keyboard and mouse, a desktop just sort of sits there untouched.  I’m very happy with my purchase and it still runs great.

Apple’s Online Store

Are you looking to buy another Mac or iPod soon?  Does haggling with a sales clerk and running from store to store just sound like too much work?  Then buying  directly from Apple might be the best way to find a clearance Mac or iPod.  The Special Deals section of Apple’s online store also includes clearance items and gets updated regularly.  What could be easier than that!

Apple makes such fabulous products that everyone wants an iPod or a Mac. But where do you go for the best deals? One of the most overlooked sources of discount iPods and cheap Macs is Apple’s online store. You’ve heard of a certified pre-owned Lexus right? Well, there’s something even better at the online store.

Apple Refurbished iPods and Macs

What is a refurbished Mac or iPod? It’s one that was sent back to Apple for whatever reason. Whether someone just ordered the wrong color or it needed a little fixing, Apple spruces them up and sells them at a big, big discount. You can trust the quality and safety because Apple certifies each item just like their new products. These also carry a full 1-year warranty so it’s like they say on their site “Apple Certified. Good as New.”

How Cheap Are They?

You don’t have to look long to find a 33% discount or even 50% discount. That can really add up. Who wouldn’t want $50 off an iPod nano? Or a few hundred dollars off a Mac? Me, me, me! Actually, we started buying refurbished from Apple a few years ago and don’t plan to ever stop.

What’s The Catch?

So what’s the downside to getting such an awesome deal? There are three very minor problems with buying a refurbished product from Apple.

All of the items listed reflect the current inventory. So if no one returns the exact Mac you want then you can’t get a refurbished model. That isn’t usually a problem unless you want something super customized though. You’ll want to watch the site more closely since it updates each day.
It takes a little while for some of the newer products to show up. They have to get through the whole certification process so it usually takes several months before the refurbished models are available.
These don’t ship in the normal, pretty boxes that you see your the local Apple store. They come in a plainer, boring box instead. Don’t laugh. Some people love to save their pretty boxes!

Sign Me Up!

You just need to find the Special Deals section of Apple’s online store. There you’ll see links like Refurbished Mac, Refurbished iPod, and Refurbished iPhone (yes, even the iPhone). Then it’s just like ordering anything else from Apple. Except that you’re saving a ton of money!