| Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard | | | | buy a separate wireless link: every Mac has |
| A Mac's operating system, Mac OS X v10.5 | | | | Apple's AirPort Extreme, which enables you to |
| Leopard, is faster, easier to use, and more reliable | | | | access the net wherever there's a suitable Wi-Fi |
| than Windows. It has built and maintained this | | | | network. |
| position because Apple has based Leopard on a | | | | Viruses |
| principle of constant innovation. You can therefore | | | | Of course, when surfing the net most people are |
| achieve more by doing less. | | | | aware of the ever-present danger of spyware |
| Apple has created the comprehensive applications | | | | and viruses. But Macs don't need special anti-virus |
| that come with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard to give | | | | software because Apple constructs them on a |
| you a fully-rounded computer life at home or in | | | | stable UNIX foundation and ensures security is a |
| the office. Every Mac has iChat, for example. This | | | | key built-in feature. Apple maintains this security |
| enables you to have four-way video chats and | | | | by offering regular free updates and by having |
| conferences, and share the contents of your | | | | the Safari web browser warn you if you're |
| screen. You also receive iLife, software that | | | | downloading a suspect file. |
| beats anything a PC can offer for producing and | | | | Dependability |
| enhancing music, photos, videos and DVDs. | | | | It's a load off your mind to be able to trust a |
| Perhaps the most impressive part of Mac OS X | | | | Mac's resistance to viruses and spyware. Just as |
| v10.5 Leopard, however, is Apple's web browser, | | | | important is the confidence you can have in a |
| Safari. This is the fastest web browser on any | | | | Mac's reliability. Unlike many PC manufacturers, |
| platform in the world with features that are a | | | | Apple creates both the hardware and software |
| pleasure to use. For instance, put a word in the | | | | of each Mac. This results in computers that are |
| "Find" box and Safari highlights the matching text | | | | not a combination of different brands but holistic |
| and dims the surrounding page, making a search | | | | units. |
| even quicker to complete. | | | | The main advantages of this approach are |
| Leopard and Windows | | | | consistent performance and high working speeds. |
| Nonetheless, just because Mac OS X v10.5 | | | | When you switch on a Mac, it comes to life far |
| Leopard is faster and better than Windows | | | | more quickly than a PC, which takes a while to |
| doesn't mean that Apple ignores users who are | | | | check the different aspects of its system. A Mac |
| new to Macs and more familiar with the Microsoft | | | | also crashes or freezes far less often than a PC |
| operating system. To make the transition from | | | | because its components and applications work so |
| PC to Mac as smooth as possible, every Mac has | | | | well together. |
| Boot Camp. This allows you to run Windows just | | | | Peripherals |
| as though you have a PC. | | | | This is not to suggest that you must use Apple |
| If you wish, you can also run Windows side by | | | | brand peripheral devices such as printers, |
| side with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard. First install | | | | cameras, and hard drives. On the contrary: Apple |
| Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMware Fusion | | | | installs hundreds of peripheral drivers in each Mac |
| followed by Windows. You can then switch from | | | | so that it recognises most peripherals the |
| Leopard to Windows as you please. | | | | moment you connect them wirelessly or via the |
| Other software | | | | USB or FireWire ports. This means you speed up |
| Another great feature of Macs is that every | | | | the whole process of using a new device for the |
| major piece of software, including Microsoft | | | | first time and also keep the Mac's hard drive free |
| applications such as Office 2008, is available in a | | | | of additional software. |
| Mac version. This is useful if you want to retain | | | | Ease of use |
| files on a Mac from your former PC. The Mac | | | | Such ease of use is a characteristic cited by |
| equivalent of the software enables you to | | | | owners as one of Mac's chief benefits. Everything |
| continue using these files without having to | | | | about a Mac is coordinated to produce a |
| abandon them. | | | | computer that fulfils a wide-ranging set of tasks in |
| Moving files | | | | as simple a manner as possible, without |
| The process of moving your files from a PC to a | | | | compromising creativity and fun. From the clarity |
| Mac is straightforward. Just download the files to | | | | of the display and ergonomic features of the |
| a USB or FireWire hard drive and then plug this | | | | keyboard, to the most sophisticated graphics |
| into your Mac. Alternatively, use a network, or | | | | software, Apple has made each Mac's hardware |
| ask your Apple shop to do the job for you. | | | | and software simple and accessible. This is why |
| Networks | | | | Macs prove so popular in schools and colleges. |
| There's always a certain amount of pressure to | | | | Environmental concerns |
| conform to the type of computers used on a | | | | These design considerations extend to the |
| network at home or work. Macs, however, can | | | | environmental impact of Macs. Macs are quiet to |
| join any network either wirelessly or with an | | | | run and use the latest electrical developments to |
| Ethernet cable and function perfectly. In fact, as | | | | reduce power consumption. Apple also run a |
| described here, if the other computers use | | | | trade-in and recycling scheme that ensures Macs |
| Windows, you can easily load this and have the | | | | are either refurbished and sold on, or are broken |
| clear advantage of running the Mac OS X v10.5 | | | | up with the least possible harm to the earth. This |
| Leopard system as well. | | | | is yet another advantage of dealing with a |
| Wi-Fi | | | | company that takes its responsibility to you and |
| The Wi-Fi capability for network and Internet | | | | the world at large very seriously. |
| connections applies to all Macs. You don't need to | | | | |