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First time using a Macbook

A

AaronLUFC

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 15, 2014
24
0
United Kingdom
Hi, I have a Macbook Pro on the way and was wondering if anyone has any tips for a user, different settings etc, what apps to install, can be anything. I've done a search but most threads seem to be a little dated so I apologise if this thread is similar to previous ones.

I think the hardest thing will be getting used to a new interface and different command shortcuts as I use them heavily currently with Windows.

Oh, and does anyone have suggestions for the best anti-glare screen protector? Never been a fan of a glossy finish so I will have to see when my Macbook arrives but would be nice to have an option of buying one straight away if I feel I need one. Thanks.

One more question, when fully charged is it best to run the Mac from the battery rather than leaved the charger plugged in?
 
Last edited:
Get Pages, Numers, Keynote, Garage Band, iMovies becuae they are nice and for free.
It then depends on your needs what apps to get. What are you using your macbook for?

Also get into settings and adjust the trackpad.
Enable 'tap for click' and put the mouse speed to max. The default speed is hindering and slow.

For the battery question: http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

Enjoy. :)
 
Getting a Retina? Figure out which resolution scale works for you. The default on 15" is 1680x1050 and the default on 13" is 1280x800. For some people, they prefer 1080p on 15" and 1680 on the 13". Play with them to see which works best.

Go into System Preferences and look around. There's things like hot corners where putting the mouse to a corner does things like sleep, opening Mission Control or Exposé. After setting those up, I didn't need four finger gestures which are a little difficult for me.

Also go into the Trackpad settings and look at the video example of each gesture to get a feel for what you can do with it.

The Trackpad gestures is one of the top reasons switchers from Windows claim to never switch back. (Myself included)

Set up an iTunes account and go on the App Store. There's a lot of very useful applications like iStats Pro and also Flux.x for adjusting brightness and tint based on the time of day. If you find an app you like but can't afford, Google it because there's a chance the developer has the DMG file free but only charges on App Store to recoup App Store tax.

Download VLC for your videos because it's just that much better.

Oh and buy a keyboard cover. Water is ultimate destroyer of MacBooks. A fingernail amount of water can fry your logic board and they can cost anywhere from $650 for a non Retina to as much as $1300 for a Retina to replace (labor NOT included).
 
AaronLUFC said:
Hi, I have a Macbook Pro on the way and was wondering if anyone has any tips for a user, different settings etc, what apps to install, can be anything. I've done a search but most threads seem to be a little dated so I apologise if this thread is similar to previous ones.

I think the hardest thing will be getting used to a new interface and different command shortcuts as I use them heavily currently with Windows.

Oh, and does anyone have suggestions for the best anti-glare screen protector? Never been a fan of a glossy finish so I will have to see when my Macbook arrives but would be nice to have an option of buying one straight away if I feel I need one. Thanks.

One more question, when fully charged is it best to run the Mac from the battery rather than leaved the charger plugged in?
Click to expand...
Whatever you do, don't put a film on the screen, it wrecks havoc on colours, plus it usually looks like crap within a month.
 
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