About to take delivery of my 1st ever Apple Computer (27" i5 iMac)

[Azzin]

Hi gurus!

I have this morning, ordered myself a quad core, 27" iMac with an i5 CPU from the Apple refurb store.

I'm now getting a little excited as I just checked and delivery will be tomorrow or Thursday.

Anyway, I thought I'd try and collate some info in here.

What I really want to know is what I should be "aware of" as a Mac n00b?

For example, what about anti-virus/spyware software?

Also, I believe the system ships with OS X, so should I be thinking about putting Lion on it (and if so, what's the best method)?

The other thing I was told I can do is take an image of the current Windows 7 install on my PC and use it in a dual boot environment on the iMac, so is there an idiot's guide to this somewhere?

Also, I have an iPhone 4 and an iPad, that are currently sync'd to my PC-how will I go about transferring that to the iMac, without having to set them up as new devices?

You see where I'm coming from, I need a newcomers to iMac guide!

Thanks.

 

[GGJstudios]

What I really want to know is what I should be "aware of" as a Mac n00b?

Helpful Information for Any Mac User

For example, what about anti-virus/spyware software?

You don't need any 3rd party antivirus app to keep your Mac malware-free. Macs are not immune to malware, but no true viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any since it was released 10 years ago. You cannot infect your Mac simply by visiting a website, unzipping a file, opening an email attachment or joining a network. The only malware in the wild that can affect Mac OS X is a handful of trojans, which cannot infect your Mac unless you actively install them, and they can be easily avoided with some basic education, common sense and care in what software you install. Also, Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Lion have anti-malware protection built in, further reducing the need for 3rd party antivirus apps.

Mac Virus/Malware FAQ​

Also, I believe the system ships with OS X, so should I be thinking about putting Lion on it (and if so, what's the best method)?

If you just bought it new from Apple, it comes with Lion preinstalled. Lion is the most current version of Mac OS X.

The other thing I was told I can do is take an image of the current Windows 7 install on my PC and use it in a dual boot environment on the iMac, so is there an idiot's guide to this somewhere?

To run Windows apps on your Mac, you need to install Windows via Boot Camp or use Parallels or VMware Fusion.

You see where I'm coming from, I need a newcomers to iMac guide!

The first link I posted should get you pretty far down the road.

 

[Azzin]

If you just bought it new from Apple, it comes with Lion preinstalled. Lion is the most current version of Mac OS X.

I ordered it from the Apple refurb store.

Excellent info, I'm off to have a read, thanks!

 

[GGJstudios]

I ordered it from the Apple refurb store.

Refurb models usually come preloaded with the Mac OS X version that originally shipped with that computer. If it shipped with Snow Leopard, this will give you info about upgrading to Lion:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/how-to-buy/

 

[Azzin]

Refurb models usually come preloaded with the Mac OS X version that originally shipped with that computer. If it shipped with Snow Leopard, this will give you info about upgrading to Lion:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/how-to-buy/

Thanks, I also found this: http://www.apple.com/uk/macosx/uptodate/

Customers who purchase a qualifying new Mac Computer or an Apple Certified Refurbished computer from the Apple Online Store on or after 21 July 2011 that does not include OS X Lion can upgrade to OS X Lion for free.

I'm not sure what "Qualifying" means, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks, I also found this: http://www.apple.com/uk/macosx/uptodate/



I'm not sure what "Qualifying" means, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

If you click the link where it says that, it will tell you what "qualifying" means.

Customers who purchase a qualifying new Mac Computer or an Apple Certified Refurbished computer from the Apple Online Store on or after 21 July 2011 that does not include OS X Lion can upgrade to OS X Lion for free.

http://www.apple.com/uk/macosx/uptodate/systems.html

 

[Azzin]

If you click the link where it says that, it will tell you what "qualifying" means.
http://www.apple.com/uk/macosx/uptodate/systems.html

Yep, it looks like I may well qualify as mine is an iMac 27" 2.7 GHz Quad Core/4GB.:thumbsup:

 

[Unkei]

Hi gurus!

I have this morning, ordered myself a quad core, 27" iMac with an i5 CPU from the Apple refurb store.

I'm now getting a little excited as I just checked and delivery will be tomorrow or Thursday.

Anyway, I thought I'd try and collate some info in here.

What I really want to know is what I should be "aware of" as a Mac n00b?

For example, what about anti-virus/spyware software?

Also, I believe the system ships with OS X, so should I be thinking about putting Lion on it (and if so, what's the best method)?

The other thing I was told I can do is take an image of the current Windows 7 install on my PC and use it in a dual boot environment on the iMac, so is there an idiot's guide to this somewhere?

Also, I have an iPhone 4 and an iPad, that are currently sync'd to my PC-how will I go about transferring that to the iMac, without having to set them up as new devices?

You see where I'm coming from, I need a newcomers to iMac guide!

Thanks.

Hi Azzin,
I'm a mac newbie too. New 21.5 iMac just two weeks old. I got a book at B&N the night before I bought the iMac. It has a lot of useful info. The title is Teach Yourself Visually iMac and was $29.99.
The book is worth it". As is this great forum! I was a PC guy for 30 years, and I am so happy with the iMac.
Unkei

 

[GGJstudios]

You see where I'm coming from, I need a newcomers to iMac guide!

Helpful Information for Any Mac User
iMac Fast Start: The new user's guide to iMac