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First Time MBP Owner - Please Recommend Some Apps/Software

I

imnofanboy

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 1, 2010
46
1
I've done a little homework myself, so far I know of:
BestMacSoftware
iStat
Pixelmator
VLC
MPlayer
DragThing
gfxCardStatus
DriveGenius

Is it smart to have a virus scanner? ClamXav?

ClickToFlash

What's the best way to run Windows on your Mac?
VMWare, Parellels?

Please, don't hold back. Anything else you can think of? I want to know every useful utility or app. I'm really anxious to get my hands on OSX and really see what this OS is capable of. You guys are hardcore MacHeads, so your opinion is valued and treasured. I already made wonderful decisions based on my research here, with regards to my new MBP and various accessories. Thank you in advance.

PS - You should really think about making a Sticky with the board recommended Best Mac Software
 
Actually, some more useful advice, Bootcamp is quite good if you want Windows and don't want significant efficiency losses (particularly for gaming, video editing and such).
 
1. Oynx for maintenance
2. Disk Warrior (Best HD repair utility bar none, must be run from external HD as of now until Apple releases data to third parties in regard to boot DVDs. See Alsoft's HP)
3. uTorrent (bit torrent client)
4. Carbon Copy Cloner (for backups, etc.)
6. Easy Find (better than spotlight, IMO)
 
Most of what's on my mind has already been said.

How about iAlertU for fun? And LiquidMac?

I already have ClamXAV, but I haven't had any viruses (I seem to be a virus repellant).

iWork and MS Office are good.
 
If you need to do anything decent with Windows, I suggest just using bootcamp. I have Parallels 5.0 on mine and I have it set to where windows is as powerful as you can possibly make it on my setup which I believe is a 4.9 now cause I took some ram from it and AutoCad runs horrible on it...its set for Crystal so when using AutoCad I have the AutoCad cursor and the Mac cursor so it lags doing that and freezes frequently. I have no experience with VMware but based on the reviews I read that was why I bought Parallels so as soon as I get my new HDD (Seagate Momentus XT - Good hybrid drive btw) im just gonna start running bootcamp because AutoCad is coming to mac :)

As far as software ill try to remember to update this when I am on my mac for ya.
 
lyesbkz said:
SeisMac is entertaining.

People don't seem to realise that MacBooks contain accelerometers (although their main purpose is to protect your hard drive's contents).
Click to expand...

it's actually inside the hard drive but none the less.

I'm surprised no one has recommended perian yet.
 
I've been enjoying the program "Total Finder"...

It allows tabbed browsing between views and sorts with the folders on top. It's currently free right now but when version 1.0 is released the price will be $15.
 
just got my two bottom wisdom teeth out, will be home for a few days, enough time to dig into OSX and some apps. really appreciate all the recommendations, i will check out every one that you guys listed. got anymore? i really think the board should make a sticky in regards to apps and software.
 
Essentials
-Perian
-VLC
-AppTrap
-Onyx

Niceties
-Pixelmator
-OmniFocus
-MercuryMover
-iWork
 
Over 3 years experience :)

Essentials
Spaces (already built into Leopard. USE IT!!)
1password (without a doubt, my #1 most ESSENTIAL application)
Office for Mac (yes this is a long standing debate. But if your work uses M$ Office or you go to school, M$ office is ESSENTIAL. There are too many compatibility issues between iWork and Office- despite what pundits say.)
SuperDuper! Great for cloning and backing up
VMware Fusion 3 If windows is needed for anything other than gaming. (if gaming is what you use windows for, use bootcamp instead for increased speed.)
Things Awesome task manager that syncs with iCal and iPhone, and has the Mac look, feel, and simplicity of use.
iTunes This is of course, a given, but rarely do people really understand how awesome this program is. If you learn how to use it correctly, I don't think anyone would need any other music application.

Extras
Delicious Library
DVD Remaster Pro
Mac DVDripper Pro
ClickToFlash (safari extension) (donate for the cause)
Disk Inventory X(donate for the cause)
HandBrake
iStat
VLC
Mactracker(donate for the cause)

This list isn't exhaustive, but it's a hell of a start. Get the essential ASAP if you can afford them.

And again- seriously- Spaces.;)
 
Excellent ideas..here's my suggestions:

AppCleaner (FREE) When you drag to trash, it will ask to include all related files

Google Chrome (Free) Seems faster and has better extensions than Safari

MoneyWell ($) Financial App-envelope style, but well-written

NetNewsWire (FREE) for your RSS reading pleasure

Adium (Free) for your IM Chats across multiple chat accounts

Picasa (free) for your picture library. I like it over iPhoto because it makes changes directly versus keeping a list of changes that doesn't actually change the picture

NeoOffice (FREE) Office suite. I use iWork '09 for Pages and Keynote, but use NeoOffice since Numbers doesn't do it for me. Office 2008 isn't intuitive and I regret giving M$ my $129 for it.

MacGourmet ($) in case you like to save recipes or need a nutrition database

Unreal Tourment 2004 ($) If you love FPS, this one is well-done on Mac. UT3 is still "in-development"

RightZoom.app (FREE). This is a handy tool that actually full-sizes your programs when you click on the green window expander.
 
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