If you are a music lover and you want to buy an iPod, but you can’t afford a new one you can always buy a refurbished iPod. If you buy a refurbished iPod, you will save some money but you have to be careful and you have to watch out for the next things when you purchase one.
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The first thing is the battery – this is the most important thing, because the battery from an iPod can’t be changed or replace by you. Even if it is a used iPod, the battery’s life time should be very good. One option is to ask the retailer about the battery and see if they are able to replace the battery, because some sellers can do that.

The next thing you should watch out for is the screen. If the iPod hasn’t been kept in a protective case, the screen will be scratched. Maybe you are lucky and you won’t find a lot of scratches on the screen, but they can be a pain if you want to watch videos or movies or you want to buy an iPod touch where everything is about the touchscreen.

The next step is the warranty. Try to find retailers that sell refurbished iPods with warranty or extended warranties. You will find warranties for 6 or 12 months and you have the possibility to upgrade the warranty, do it because we are talking about used products that could need repair in the future.

The price is also important; a refurbished iPod may save you between $30 - $60 and you have to know where you can buy it. The fist place you should look for a refurbished iPod is Apple Store. Here you will find many iPods that were fixed and refurbished by the manufacturer. All the refurbished iPods from Apple Store have the same 1-year warranty as the new ones, they have a new battery, a new box, a new outer shell and they come with all manuals and accessories (including brand new earbuds). So if you want to purchase a refurbished iPod this is the place where you can find a lot of quality refurbished iPods.

For example you will find the iPod Classic with 120GB. This refurbished iPod retails at $189.00. This iPod will give you 6 hours of video playback and almost 36 hours of music playback. You will also find refurbished iPod Nano with a price of $119.00 or iPod touch at a price of $189.00.

If you didn’t find the iPod you are looking for, you can always try iPod reseller because many companies that sell new iPods may sell refurbished iPods. You can also try Craigslist or eBay, but be careful because from this websites you can buy a broken iPod thanks to scammer and you will stuck with it and with your money gone.

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad has the following features: 2 USB 2.0 ports, low-profile keys, an extended layout and it is very thin and elegant.
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The low-profile keys give you a very responsive feel when you type and it comes with one-touch key function; this function allows you to launch iMac application or features: open Dashboard or Expose, rewind, fast-forward, play or pause, eject, volume and also the screen brightness.

This keyboard’s extended layout offers you the possibility to navigate down or up in a document, to scroll through a document and to view it in full size.

This nice iMac keyboard with its numeric keypad is perfect for creating applications or spreadsheets. The USB 2.0 ports give you the possibility to connect a mouse or any other USB device, such as a printer, a smartphone or a digital camera.

This iMac keyboard is available for Mac OS X version 10.4 or later and you should have an available USB port on your computer.

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad offer large keys to help you type better and it is very lightweight. You might have some problem with this keyboard if you try to connect your iPod through the USB ports because the ports don’t have enough power to charge the device.

With this iMac keyboard you will get printed documentation and a USB extension cable. You can find it on Apple Store at $49.00.

diNovo Keyboard Mac Edition from Logitech is an expensive keyboard at $160 and it has no numeric keypad.  This iMac keyboard has low profile keys which offer a high tactile response and a nice tactile feel. The all 19 F keys, expect the F6 and the F5 key, have special functions: you can activate Dashboard, launch Expose, control you media playback, change the brightness, activate Quick Look and Cover Flow, open Calculator, Safari, Mail and iTunes, change the Volume up and down, or mute it. You can customize it to your needs using the keyboard’s software.

You don’t need to install this keyboard, because it uses RF wireless technology and all you have to do is to connect the FR receiver to the iMac’s USB port.



The pros of this keyboard are the following: it comes with Mac specific shortcut keys, it has a nice and elegant finish, it provides a comfortable and fast typing and it is easy to install, just plug and play.

The cons of this iMac keyboard are: first is the price, for many of you this keyboard is expensive, doesn’t have integrated USB ports and illuminated keys (backlit keys).

With its low profile, attractive design, 3 –year battery life and programmable F-keys, the diNovo Keyboard Mac Edition from Logitech is one of the best keyboards you can find on the market.

Apple Wireless Keyboard is a nice iMac keyboard that uses the Bluetooth technology to connect with your computer. You can use it anywhere within 30 feet of your computer and it is has a very compact and slim design. This wireless keyboard also has programmable keys which you can use to open Expose, activate Dashboard, to play or pause, to eject, to change the volume or the brightness.

This Apple keyboard uses 2 AA batteries and if you are not using it powers down to conserve the batteries life.

The system requirements for this Apple Wireless Keyboard are the following: a Mac with Bluetooth connection, you should have an existing mouse or keyboard for setup and Mac OS X version 10.5.8 or better. With this keyboard you will also get printed documentation and 2 AA batteries.



Macally iceKey USB Slim Keyboard is a very slim keyboard for your iMac. The keys provide responsive and sensitive touch and it has USB ports on both sides. The keys are very solid with a nice feeling and respond very quickly. You can find this Mac keyboard on Amazon at a price of $39.99 with 3 years warranty.

Kensington 64366 SlimType Standard Keyboard for Mac provides a responsive touch typing thanks to its laptop-style keys which let you type better and faster. The keyboard comes with hot keys that give you the possibility to launch the calculator mode, to launch the sleep mode and to control your computer’s multimedia.

Kensington 64366 SlimType Standard Keyboard for Mac comes with 5 years warranty and it works right out the box – all you have to do is connect it to your computer’s USB port, therefore you don’t have to install it

If you want to buy this iMac keyboard, you should know that it doesn’t have a USB port for the mouse. You have to use an USB port from your computer or you have to buy a wireless mouse. You will find this keyboard on Amazon at a price of $38.99.

Mecally IKEY5 USB Slim Keyboard is another great keyboard for Mac users. It is very slim and it weights only 1.7 pounds. The key has a power button and you can Shut Down, Sleep or Restart your computer with this button. Overall this is a nice and a very comfortable keyboard at a price of $29.99. If you want to buy it, you can find it on amazon.com.

As you can see, you have a lot to choose from when it comes to iMac keyboards. You can choose wireless keyboards, USB keyboards or keyboard that run on Bluetooth technology. The main thing a keyboard should offers is a comfortable and fast typing experience and if it has some hot keys, it is perfect.

One way to customize your MacBook, beside skins, cases and sleeves you can try shells. These offer a lot more protection for your laptop than the skin or just a simple case with a beautiful color.
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The first we are presenting is the soft touch hard shell case for MacBook Aluminum Unibody 15-inch from Speck. The exterior of this great shell is rubberized with a soft feeling. This shell offers great protection against scratches and scrapes. This hard shell gives your macbook a semi-translucent finish. This SeeThru Satin shell offers you access to all plugs and ports and you can easily put it in your backpack. It is easy to take off and put on without any adhesive. You can find it in 5 different colors: black, yellow, pink, red and purple.

From Macally we present you the BookShellB – a shell for your macbook. This shell is made from two pieces and it is specially designed for Macbook. This great shell is made from leather and allows you to have access to the DVD/CD port and all other ports. To prevent your macbook from overheating this shell has a ventilated rear which allows an optimized air flow. For macbook is safe against scratches thanks to its suede inner lining that offers great protection. This type of shell is available in 2 colors: red and black. If you put it in your backpack of bag you will notice that the shell seems to stick to the surface inside of your backpack or bag therefore is doesn’t slide out when you open them. Even if you accidentally drop down your laptop, it will be protected thanks this shell. It is one of the best investments you can make for your macbook’s great look and protection.



Aqua mCover hard shell made from high-quality polycarbonate material that will protect your macbook thanks to its shatter-proof feature. This shell allows your macbook to stay cool thanks to its retractable feet on the rear side, this feature also helps you type more comfortably. Your macbook won’t slip on a smooth surface because this hard shell has rubber feet on the front side to keep the macbook in place. This great shell is available in 9 colors: purple, red, green, orange, blue, pink, aqua, clear and black. You have access to the charging port and all ports. The shell is made from 2 pieces and it is very easy to put in on and take it off. The Apple logo is not hidden under the shell and everyone can see it, this makes the shell more stylish.



The next case makes your macbook look very cool and in the same time it will protect it from scratches. This shell allows you to use your laptop without removing it form the shell. It stays secure on your precious laptop and if you want to remove it, you can snap it off very easy. It is specially made from Macbook Air and you can have it with $19.49.



The next cool shell is from Speck, this one has a special design that allows you to open your laptop all the way. You have access to all connections and ports while you protect it against scrapes and scratches. You can have if for $40.67.


The next shell is from Incipio, this is made from very strong polymer but is also ultra light. This product is compatible with MacBook Unibody 13-inch and MacBook Pro 13-inch. Is has a matte finish that provides a soft touch and it comes with a micro suede pouch.



Techshell Inc. manufactures great shells form hard plastic that protects your macbook without any adhesives. These shells keep your macbook free from scratched and dust. You can find them with a rubberized exterior or without this feature, but all of them provide you full acces to all your macbook’s ports. These cases are available for 12-inch PowerBook, 13-inch MacBook, 15-inch MacBook Pro and 17-inch MacBook Pro.



InCase provides you high quality hard shells for you macbook. These hard shells are available for: Macbook Air, 13-inch white Macbook, 13-inch unibody MacBook, 13-inch MacBook Pro, 15-inch MacBook Pro and 17-inch MacBook Pro. They have a hardsheel exterior, raised feet, soft feeling when you touch them, thermal vents and give you access to all your macbook’s ports. They are very discrete hard shells with injection-molded construction that offers a lot of protection and excellent laptop coverage. It is easy to use and simple to clean.



The ION Carbon Shell is a great product with a clean style and design. The shell stays put and fits like a glove to your macbook. This shell comes with a circle cut in the middle of the fabric to allow the Apple logo to show trough. It is easy to get in onto your laptop, simply snap the top half and the bottom half and the job is done. It is made from polyurethane which is crafted on the plastic fiber made from high durable Polycarbonate. These materials offer great protection for your macbook and a rich and organic feel. The ION Carbon Shell protects against dirt, scratches and minor spills. The bottom of the shell offers great ventilation so your macbook will not overheat. Is a great shell available for MacBook Pro 13-inch and 15-inch and MacBook 13-inch and 15-inch. You can find it at the ION website (www.ion-factory.com) at $99.89.

A lot of great shells out there, but the most important thing when you buy a shell is to make sure that it is providing great ventilation and allows your macbook to cool down. Other aspect is the port access that is very important, because if you must take the shell off every time you want to access a port then is not worth it. The material must be something more than a very cheap plastic, it should feel soft and rich when you touch it.

The best macbook case has to protect your macbook without adding a lot of bulk, it must leave the ventilation area unblocked and it can’t interfere with the connections and the ports. The main idea of a god macbook case is that it has to be strong, it can’t bend, disfigure, melt or wrap from the heat that your macbook is dispersing while is working.
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In the next lines we will present you a lot of great macbook cases for you to choose from.

MacBook Transparent Dark Smoke is a great macbook case that gives your macbook a unique and sleek look and in the same time it protects it against scratches. This case will not change or ruin the macbooks original look, style and shape.



The MacBook Transparent Dark Smoke case is made from Dura-Flex plastic. This material is offers your macbook a shinny look but also a great protection. Dura-Flex is a material made from poly-carbonated material which is a malleable in any size and shape and this is the material used in bullet-proof protective glass production. This material offers your macbook a hard great shell protection and it gives it a sleek and fit look.

You don’t have to remove the case when you open your macbook because 2-piece shell allows you do to that when you close or open your macbook.



All the holes, the disc drives, plugs and holes have cut-outs therefore you have access to all the ports you need without removing the case. The case also has rubber feet – for great stability on any surface and ventilation slots – to keep your macbook safe from overheating and allowing the internal cooling system to work very well and in safe conditions.

The MacBook Transparent Dark Smoke case is lightweight therefore it doesn’t add any weight to your macbook. This case is easy to dry and wash.

It is easy to install: the first thing you need to do is to have your macbook close when you put it on. The next step is to set your macbook the half bottom of the case. Then you have to snap on the back “hooks” and the corners. The next step is to put on the top of your macbook the top half of the case and then span on the corners. And finally you have to open your macbook, pop off the back and pull off the front corners.



You must know that this case will not be able to protect your macbook if you drop it.

You will find this type of case in many colors like: pink, red, blue, white, silver, brown and many more.

The next great macbook case is only compatible with macbook 13 –inch display unibody. This macbook model was released in Octomber.This macbook case is transparent clear and will offer the protection your macbook needs it. It offer access to all the ports and you don’t have to take it of unless you want to wash it. It is lightweight and it offers ventilations slot, so your macbook is safe from overheating.

Cover Mac Book is a great case made from total steel molding, therefore is has a lot of strength. You can choose from different colors and designs, so instead of just one color you can personalize your macbook with a lot of pictures and designs. It gives you access to everything you need on your macbook and it very stylish.



The next case is a special macbook case because is made from wood. The wooden laptop case is has leather inside and it has a magnetic enclosure. It looks great and it is for macbook 15’-inch display and for Macbook Pro. The leather inside prevent your macbook from getting scratched and the magnetic clasp keeps you macbook secure inside the case. It is a great case that protects your macbook even if you drop it down by accident.

Speck SeeThru case is made from translucent hard plastic and gives your macbook a great look. If offers a lot of protections, a dose of shine and a hint of color. You have access to all the ports without removing the case. You have 7 colors to choose from and to now you can express your own style through your macbook. The case has rubber feet for better support and you can personalize even more your macbook by placing business cards, pictures or other cool things underneath the SeeThru case. It is made from polycarbonate plastic that gives the case protection for your macbook. The case allows your macbook to have proper ventilation thanks to its 74 ventilation slots.



Shadow MacBook case is made from leather and carbon fiber and is available for macbook 13-inch and macbook 15- inch display. It has a removable Plexiglas window that gives you the possibility to display or not the Apple logo on the case. The Shadow MacBook case has plush material inside for your macbooks protection and a soft feeling outside. Keeps all the slots available, so you don’t have to remove it and it offers a better protection to your macbook than other cases offer thanks the materials is made from: carbon fiber, plush and leather. Is not a cheap case, it cost $70 but is a great looking case and if you can afford it, you should buy it because it’s worth the money.

As you can see you have a lot of macbook cases to choose from, that come in a lot of colors and that are made from a lot of materials.

You want to buy yourself a laptop, but what type should it be: an Apple macbook or notebook pc that has a Windows operating system?
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In the next lines we will present to the cons and pros for each one so that you will the best choice for you.

There are many myths surrounding both of them and the first myth is that a macbook is not able to do the things a notebook pc can. Well this is not entirely true, because nowadays macbooks can support almost the same application as notebooks can. Let’s take, for example, Microsoft Office, this software can be used on a notebook but also on a macbook. Thanks to the Intel Core Duo or Intel Core 2 Duo processor you can find on a macbook, you can use your favorite applications on your macbook. Some voices say that the macbooks have an operating system that is more intuitive than notebooks operating system and because of this feature macbooks are easy to use and more intuitive while notebooks are less intuitive and have a complicated way to work. This aspect is a matter choice because not everyone is looking for an intuitive computer and some of you like a challenge. If you like a challenge and you don’t like an intuitive environment than you should have a notebook pc.

The operating systems are very different. The macbooks operating system comes with everything your computer needs to work well: all the basic applications are already installed so you don’t have to install them, the web camera is installed that means when you fist turn on your macbook you can chat online with your friends. At notebooks is not that easy, you have to install a lot of divers for a lot of application if you want your computer to work: the hard drive software, the webcam’s software, software for the wireless recognition (if you want to have a wireless connections to the Internet) and many more.

The macbook are save form the Internet viruses while notebook pc’s aren’t. If you want to be safe while browsing the Internet and you have a notebook you have to find an antivirus software and install it on your computer, but sometimes even this antivirus won’t keep your notebook safe from the malware aimed at it.



Both computes use the same universal file formats: MP3, PDF, AVI, WAV etc. and by using similar programs we can say that they work in the same way at this aspect. The price between them is not the same; the notebook pc’s cost more than macbooks even if they have the same features, applications and can do the same things like surf the Internet, basic business functions and more. But if you want to write a document on Microsoft Word or to open a PDF file you should buy the software because notebooks don’t come with these applications and a lot more.

Buying a macbook or a notebook is a matter of choice because both support a lot of new applications and new technologies. The notebook pc is a lot easier to use than a macbook but the macbook has a better operating system than the notebook has.

The macbooks and pc’s market in a free one in terms of design, software and hardware, so if you want to buy a macbooks you have the possibility to choose what type of software will be in it, what kind of hardware, you can choose the display, the memory, the brand and the design. Apple doesn’t allow you to do that and you only have a few options to choose from when you want to buy a macbook.

The Mac is based on Darwin, NetBSB and FreeBSD which makes the macbooks user-friendly and a lot more flexible than the notebook.



At aesthetics department many of you tend to believe that macbooks win, because they are more appealing than notebooks and have a great look. If you search the market you will find a lot of notebooks that look better than the macbooks, let’s take for example Sony Vaio Nebula, Ailenware or Dell Latitude Z, all of these notebooks look great.

At software upgrades the macbooks win because the Apple OS software upgrades are a lot cheaper than the software upgrades on notebooks and Windows.

The notebook pc’s have a life time of about 5 years and in this 5 years the costs of the software you are going to use will add up over time but when you buy it, you can buy it with a lot less money than a macbook. For example the cheapest macbook an Apple Store is $999 but not anyone can afford it and if you don’t have that money you can always buy a notebook that will cost you around $500.



Macbook vs notebook pc’s are a matter of debate and they will be for a long time even if they got closer and closer in matter of the applications they have and support, the hardware they use, the design and the cost of them. The only think that separates them a lot is their operating systems that are very different and will continue to stay this way.

Doesn’t matter what type of laptop (macbook or notebook) you buy, if you get one that will be able to help you a lot with your job or your hobbies. The most important thing for a laptop is to be able to do the things which it was programmed to do.