Macworld (1-year auto-renewal)

Macworld's glossy monthly has been around for about as long as Apple has been making Macs. I've been a subscriber for most of that time and if I had saved past issues could probably paper Cupertino's main streets with this periodical's pages.

There are a number of magazines devoted to Macs and their unusually devoted users. Macworld is probably the most mainstream and dependable of them.

As with most periodicals dedicated to high-tech fields, there is more in these pages than the casual user can digest. Many of the articles appeal to the MacGroupies subset of MacUsers, those who find the product fascinating in itself rather than merely a boon to productivity dedicated to other ends.

However, even a normal MacUser like myself (since 1987) can enjoy the coverage of all things Apple, including the constant improvements for which the company has become known and the relentless speculation about What Comes Next.

A small tornado of a controversy brews in the pages over whether Macworld should dedicate so much space to iPod and music issues, but Apple seems to have fairly dictated by its sprint in that direction that a magazine dedicated to covering the company's products will need to follow the direction it sets.

There are lots of productivity hints that if followed will keep you increasing your own effectiveness on the machine. The most useful feature for me has been the high-quality discussion of the improvements Apple continues to build into its own operating system(s).

Macworld is the go-to Mac magazine, if that's what you need.

No, I'm not a salesman for Macworld -at least, they're not paying me anything for being one. I only know, as an owner of Apple computers for over 25 years, that Macworld will repeatedly show you how to do things that (1) you always wanted to do on a Mac, and (2) you didn't know you could do on ANY computer.

See, a key reason you're buying a Mac is that it makes it possible to do so very many things easily that a PC either can't do or makes very difficult. Right? Well, as easy as Macs do make most things, there are still a lot of details that can be hard to absorb quickly when you're just trying to make things work. Especially when you feel as though you could erase something vital accidentally with just the push the wrong button.

MACWORLD GETS THAT, and has LOTS of easy-to-undertstand articles on how to reduce your fears, get things done, and even simplify the processes in the long run. Plus, they have a website, where you can look up past and side articles that pertain to exactly what you are trying to do.

In addition, as a new Mac owner, you'll find that there are tons of outside companies -large and small -that make software and peripherals for Macs. Most are very good, but some are so geek-centric that it can be hard to understand whether what they have to offer is beneficial to you or just more on your system. Macworld is very smart about helping you understand which ones to pay attention to and which ones to avoid.

Lastly, I suggest you think of Macworld as you would a guide to your favorite hobby. That is, it's likely to have a lot of information that you know, but it will also constantly update you on aspects that you don't. Plus, since new products come out constantly for the Mac, it will also keep you up-to-date on what's available that may or may not make sense for you.

In the long run, I predict that you'll soon find a Macworld subscription to be one of the cheapest (and most valuable) investments you've ever made. And good luck with your new Mac. Welcome to the fold.

Buy Macworld (1-year auto-renewal) Now

Macworld magazine has helpful information on Macs, software, Apple products and products made by other companies that are used with Macs such as printers, scanners, etc. The articles are not as in-depth as they were in the past. (I have read every issue ever published) The magazine also has less pages than in the past.

They give an overview of hardware and software and some helpful tips plus news about what is happening at Apple Corp.

A few months before your subcription ends, you will receive a renewal notice. You will be surprised to find that the renewal price is about twice as much as the original subscription price. Of course, you can start a new subscription at the lower price. But then you might miss an issue. Or you might get two issues one month and then you will only have 11 magazines from your new subscription.

Macworld should take a lesson from Wired Magazine and realize that it is possible to have a large magazine with lots of in-depth articles and a low subscription price. Hint: It is called advertising space.

Read Best Reviews of Macworld (1-year auto-renewal) Here

Five ESSENTIAL Stars. Macworld Magazine is the one magazine that has it ALL in one convenient place and is absolutely necessary for the Macintosh computer user. Published monthly, it is chock full of articles on and reviews of the latest Macintosh/Apple equipment, software, applications, games, browsers, neat websites, and other essential products and services. From the "FEEDBACK" letters to the editor that have real substance, to an extensive "REVIEWS section covering areas like cameras, camcorders, printers, notebooks, laptops, desktops, CD & DVD recorders, etc.., to the in-depth "SECRETS" covering areas like 'the Working (office or home office) Mac', 'Digital Photo', 'Mobile Mac', 'Geek Factor', the awesome Mac OSX 'Help Desk', and the essential helpmate 'Mac 911', Macworld is the Gold Standard. It even has regular tutorials for the daring Darwin UNIX user, giving the real geeks a literal software tool kit into the inner workings of Steve Job's marvelous computer (only for the most experienced expert user). Even in cases when another magazine has a similar article, Macworld always seems to do it better, probably because it has been at the Mac publishing game longer than any other magazine to my knowledge.

The arrival of Macworld magazine at your home or office each month will cause you to set aside an hour or two to read the magazine from cover to cover, and if you're like me, store it for future use. Some competing Mac magazines come with a monthly CD disk with applications, utilities, and games, but Macworld has an interesting solution in this area: they provide a "Virtual CD", based on a URL, found at the bottom of the table of contents, that leads you to a webpage full of monthly surprises normally found on a monthly disk, eliminating the need for an evergrowing stash of computer magazine CDs. Plus you have access to previous month's articles and columns. Great idea. Five Big "CORE 2 DUO" Stars!!

Want Macworld (1-year auto-renewal) Discount?

MacWorld is required reading for the serious Mac user. It reports the latest changes in Mac software and hardware from both Apple and third-party vendors. Reviews of the latest products are essential so that you can decide when to upgrade your existing system.

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