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Just bought my first Mac. Any tips for noobs?

N

Nistilian

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 14, 2009
25
0
I just bought the College deal: iPod Touch, printer, and of course, the Mac: the entry level 13" MBP bumped to 4GB RAM.

I've needed a new computer for a long time. I was all set to buy a Dell XPS 13" laptop, when a friend suggested I give Apple a try. Did some research and became interested--wanted a 13" uMB, but didn't like the screen quality. Apple did a silent panel upgrade, but then forum members here said to wait for WWDC; and I'm glad I did.

Since I purchased online from Apple, I have maybe a week before I get it. Where should I start? Just turn it on and go? I recall a post somewhere on here saying that a new MBP should have its battery synced or something like that so that it will display accurate life/time remaining.

Any other tips or tricks for a new Mac user? :D
 
At the top of this page in the link, there is a plethora of information. Sure, you don't have to read it all, but it is a handy resource IMO.

Also, back up your hard-drive; if your college work with it is pretty important, then keeping an external drive or huge flash disc of your important documents is a good idea; remember to not delete anything on your backups! One never knows when they will need data again (hence the term). If you are worried about the hard drive failing, make a weekly clone to an external one - Intel OSX allows boot from external devices (somebody correct me if I am wrong)

At anyrate, in terms of batteries, it is always recommended that if you have the opprotunity with any laptop to plug it into a wall instead of using the battery, go for it. Increases lifespan (number of recharges is limited). In a sense, yes, you should fully charge the battery before you actually take it anywhere. Another thing to do (if you really want to) is after a month or so, check the battery to see if it looks normal (i.e., no swelling or "interesting" crusts); then its time to call AppleCare. As a chemistry major, I know that a lot of those solutions are pretty hazardous.
 
Congrats on the purchase!

My #1 recommendation is to visit macrumors more often. I learnt so much here over the years...
 
jessica. said:
Use time machine.
Click to expand...

Best advice you can get...

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
jessica. said:
Use time machine.
Click to expand...

I second that motion. Get an external HD and time machine once a week or so. You have no idea how helpful this is at recovering old data, files, or just phone numbers. If you want a new Mac, hook up your external and all your files, settings, and info gets transfered. Easily one of the best things about having a Mac running OS X. Read this too. Majorly helpful. I found this earlier this week but found out most of them on my own after months of usage. :D Have fun with it.
 
Install (google the App names):
-Perian so you can playback DivX media in Quicktime,
-Xee. If you want a really cool / fast image viewer,
-Transmission. If you torrent,
-Tweetie. Ad Supported if you use Twitter,
-Otis. Good time wasting game,
-iStat Menu's from islayer.com,
-AppCleaner, to get uninstall Apps you don't want anymore,
-Burn. Really good CD/DVD burning software,
-MacTubes. Easy way to get YouTube content onto your Mac or iPod.
Just some Apps I can't live without. :D
 
MacAndy74 said:
Install (google the App names):
-Perian so you can playback DivX media in Quicktime,
-Xee. If you want a really cool / fast image viewer,
-Transmission. If you torrent,
-Tweetie. Ad Supported if you use Twitter,
-Otis. Good time wasting game,
-iStat Menu's from islayer.com,
-AppCleaner, to get uninstall Apps you don't want anymore,
-Burn. Really good CD/DVD burning software,

Just some Apps I can't live without. :D
Click to expand...

Don't forget Mactheripper and Handbrake.
 
niuniu said:
iSquint !
Click to expand...

In the past years ive been through many apple computers.
This is what i install first right off the bat -
Caffeine for mac - Never lets your screen go dim. Very useful if you read things
Vuze - Awesome torrent downloader
Quicksilver - takes awhile to learn, but go educate yourself
Perian - you can watch different formats in quicktime.

These are just a few. You can find many more on the web. Just google it.
 
Congrats! :)

Here is my list of apps:
- Adium IM
- Adobe Lightroom ($)
- Adobe Photoshop ($)
- Billable ($)
- CSSEdit ($)
- Fetch
- Firefox
- Google Earth
- Google Quick Search Box
- Growl
- Handbrake
- iShowU HD
- iWork '09
- Microsoft Messenger
- Microsoft Office 2008 ($)
- Navicat ($)
- Oxygen XML Editor ($)
- Paparazzi!
- Parallels (with Windows XP and CentOS) ($)
- Pathfinder ($)
- Quicksilver
- SmartSVN ($)
- Subethaedit ($)
- Textmate ($)
- TweetDeck
- VirtualBox (with CentOS 5)
 
Thank you all! I will look into these apps/programs. I'll definitely use the keyboard shortcuts.

I'll do some MacRumors searches for best browser. I'm using Firefox now. I hope my MBP gets here before the holiday weekend. :D
 
It came a day early! :D This is my first post, with my first Mac, which is also my first notebook.

I ran a bunch of software updates, and the firmware update as well. Now it's time to play and look into some of the things you all suggested.

I vaguely recall something about the delete key; it acts like backspace. Is there an option to make it function as a delete key? Yes, I'll try a search. Kind of thinking/typing out loud. Just giving the keyboard a workout.

LOVING the trackpad gestures BTW. :D

EDIT: Found it. fn+del This forum is so helpful.
 
Nistilian said:
It came a day early! :D This is my first post, with my first Mac, which is also my first notebook.

I ran a bunch of software updates, and the firmware update as well. Now it's time to play and look into some of the things you all suggested.

I vaguely recall something about the delete key; it acts like backspace. Is there an option to make it function as a delete key? Yes, I'll try a search. Kind of thinking/typing out loud. Just giving the keyboard a workout.

LOVING the trackpad gestures BTW. :D

EDIT: Found it. fn+del This forum is so helpful.
Click to expand...

Congratulations on your new MBP and enjoy it; may you both live long and prosper together. My advice would be to give yourself time to get used to the differences between Apple and the world of Windows; it took me a while, thus I'd recommend that you have a list of MacUser tips and keep it on your desktop or in a handy place where you can easily check it.

I also got Office for Mac; many Mac users stress how much better iWork is and I don't doubt them, but the world I live in and work in uses Word and I found I simply had to have it.

Cheers and good luck
 
Hey Nistilian,

Just a little over a month with my first mac, and I love it. I'm sure you won't be disappointed either. A few things I haven't seen listed so far but are worthy of a look are...

OpenOffice (Open source Office replacement)
Switch (Audio file converter)
Gimp (Open source graphic solution)
VLC (Plays almost any video format)
Audacity (Audio editor)
MacSword (Bible study)
Skype (Cross platform video conference)
Frozen-Bubble (For fun)
 
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