iMac Help

[lgtw]

Originally posted on Apple.com at 3:08 AM Fri August 6.

Hello, I recently purchased a 21.5" 1TB iMac from October 2009 2 days ago after a store in my area had them on clearence for the newest models. All I would like to know is: what is the appropriate area for the computer? brightness levels? sleep and other modes like that? how hot the computer should be after about an hour into casual browsing and rendering a movie? and other things you think I should know about my new iMac. I just switched over from Windows Vista and can't even imagine looking back!

I just recently felt my computer and it was pretty hot, I scaled it around 104, is this just because the aluminum gets a hotter feel at earlier temps because of the metal?

Thanks for the replies and help if you do post! I hope to see some posts and maybe even make some new Mac & Apple friends here! :)

*Please answer all questions if you can.



iMac 21.5" 3.06 GHZ 1TB October 2009 Mac OS X (10.6.4) ATI Radeon 4700 HD

[spinnerlys]

what is the appropriate area for the computer?
Desk, or what do you mean by area?


brightness levels?
Whatever feels comfortable, if full brightness hurts your eyes, bring it down to a level of your liking.


sleep and other modes like that?
If you want an instant access in the morning, sleep is quite fine.


how hot the computer should be after about an hour into casual browsing and rendering a movie?
Between 40° and 80° C (10° - 176° F) is normal for normal and heavier use, unless your room is hot too.


I just recently felt my computer and it was pretty hot, I scaled it around 104, is this just because the aluminum gets a hotter feel at earlier temps because of the metal?
Yes, aluminium conducts heat better than plastic, thus the warm back is normal.


Also have a look at the following links, as the information presented there might be helpful in your future endeavours into Mac OS X and could clear up initial confusion and may even prevent harm to your system or your files.

Mac OS X Basics

Switch 101 (http://www.apple.com/support/switch101) - guide with articles made by Apple on how to accustom yourself, after you switched to Mac OS X from Windows

Mac 101 (http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/) - How to get started with Mac OS X

Find out how (http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/) - tutorial videos made by Apple on how to do certain thing in Mac OS X

Pro tips (http://www.apple.com/pro/tips/) - tips made available by Apple for easier ways of doing certain tasks

Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcuts (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343) - Learn about common Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts.

Mac OS X Beginner's Guide by MacRumors (http://guides.macrumors.com/Mac_Beginner%27s_Guide) - learn about software, media players, shortcuts and some useful tips, tricks and hints

Mac Guides (http://guides.macrumors.com/) - tutorials, product guides and more
Mac Guides - Finding Mac Software (http://guides.macrumors.com/Finding_Mac_Software)

MRoogle (http://mroogle.edesignuk.com/) - a very effective tool to search these fora using Google and made available by edesignuk (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=4465), introductory threads: 1 (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=122361), 2 (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=512274) and 3 (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=604760)

"How to maximise your MacRumors troubleshooting experience" (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=205018) created by mad jew in 2006

[lgtw]

[QUOTE=spinnerlys;10765582]Desk, or what do you mean by area?

By that I meant like, what's the best place to have an iMac at home, like keyboard stuff, and mouse, and other things to keep me at my highest comfort when browsing, I was just curious how other people's were, that way I could try it, as we all have different levels of comfortableness.