First time Mac owner.... Loving it !!!!

Unboxing Video

macfan74318

 

From a productivity standpoint, install Pages, Numbers and Keynote. Lion's version's and auto-saving works well. Pixelmator is a great app is well for photo / graphics work.. Then take a look at iCloud functionality - needs a delete function for photo's which is imminent I believe..

I have a 2011 2.2 15 Pro - use it for gaming as well as productivity (BootCamp) although I never get the time. My SSD is 128GB, way too small really but so quiet and performs well..

What will you be using your Mac for?

 

Be careful, it's addictive. You'll want more of it.

 

It depends on what's important to you. A small computer is much like any other if you're surfing the internet, sending emails, ummm, surfing the internet.
If you're playing games, you'll probably need a console.
If you're producing photography or film or music you'll probably want a larger screen for starters.
The number one thing I'd do if I was new to Macs would be to get everything (music) from my iTunes library onto iTunes match and then watch some movies in bed. Have a look at the Mac App store and download some stuff. Also, start up a savings account for when you inevitably have to pay for stuff that you want to 'improve' your magical Mac experience.
That's pretty much all there is to it, really.

 

Office is preferable...

iCloud and its "documents" capability is still in its infancy. iCloud itself is too unsophisticated for more than basic email/contacts/calendar syncing usage. Dropbox is still the gold standard.

An SSD helps, but there are still no perfect SSDs out there. A 256gb drive for $256 dollars that performs well and doesn't have fatal crashing problems is what we're still waiting for. A 750gb Seagate Momentus is a decent solution until then, but what it really needs is a 32gb version that can store the entire OS on the SSD portion.

Must have apps:

Bettersnaptool
Sparrow
Evernote
ATMonitor

I also use HandBrake on my iMac, but I don't bother with my Quad Core i7 MBP because it's still a little too slow. MindNode, Snapheal, VLC, are also good apps to have.

 

^^ This.

To the OP - congratulations. I bought our first MBP in 2008 to replace the windows box that the wife & kids used, which I ended up re-imaging every 3 months or so. Today the only windows box left is one of the multi boot partitions on my home lab box.

 

I'd agree with that to be honest but, as a new user, iCloud is interesting as it's part of the Apple strategy moving forward and as it's free I'd at least give it a go..

I prefer Pages to Word - it's more user friendly but I guess it depends on how much expertise you have.

 

I feel the same way. It did take me a little while to figure it out and and adjust to something I am comfortable with (mainly finder) but now I love it. I learn something new every day on this machine.

 

Again, from a Productivity point of view install Pages, Keynote, Numbers for general work. I highly recommend all 3 programmes however if you want to stay with Windows, the basic package of Mac is around £79 here in the UK.

I use Evernote all the time, cracking app. I also recommend FlipTab Facebook and Twitter.

In terms of games, Asphalt Adrenaline is a must. Quality racing game. Angry birds and COD4 are my other favourites.

 

Be afraid, be very afraid....Very soon you will have a collection like mine...one is good, then you get two and the whole thing spirals out of control...( see my profile) Welcome to Mac!

 

First time Mac user..! Welcome!

I remember my early days after spending decades on windows machines. Here are some things to do:

1. Enjoy the fresh and fun world of using a Mac! Play around with the software that comes with it. I remember when I got mine I had a good time just looking at everything

2. If you want to use the Mac mail client for your gmail or yahoo mail or whatever you have, set that up. Works really well.

3. If you don't have an iTunes account, set one up

4. Browse the App Store. There is are so many cool apps out there! To download you need an iTunes account so that is why step #3 (aside from the obvious desire to have your music on your new mac)

5. Download Angry Birds and enjoy playing it on your new Mac!

6. If you have software that only runs in Windows, that you need to use (Such as Microsoft Project for example), get your win 7 license and a copy of parallels. Parallels creates a virtual windows machine on your desktop, that you can fire up any time you want to and run your windows programs while you are still booted up in OSX. I have been using it for a couple of years and it is awesome. Not great for gaming (if you want to do windows gaming I advise bootcamp) but for normal productivity apps that run on windows, its great. I have mine set up this way, so my Macbook is versatile and can run windows stuff when I need it to.

7. Get an external HD, and set up time machine to do backups of your HD. And make sure you do it regularly

8. Find another friend with a Mac and do your first FaceTime call. FaceTime is very cool!

9. Practice your OSX Lion gestures for your multitouch pad. You will be surprised how easy it is to learn and is a great way to navigate.

10. Sit back and smile, life just got a bit better for you with a new Mac.