List of items to check when receive iMac?

[spoon72]

Hi guys can provide a list of items needed to check after on the power? Example thru what apps to know if it work well? What would be the "normal" temperature for hardware inside iMac?what is the must have apps or widget to install?

 

[jedolley]

I got my first Mac almost two weeks ago... I always check for stuck/dead pixels, but from reading here some would recommend checking for "yellow tint" as well. As far normal temp, I don't know. I have read the internal temps run high, but that's normal. I do know my iMac is silent and actually produces less "room heat" than my previous PC.

I pretty much played around with my iMac to get used to the new OS. I think I got some if not most of the basics down.

As for a must have program, my first program to download was Cinch. My immediate first CON about OSX was the manual re-sizing. If you have any experience with Windows 7, then you may be familiar with the ability to drag a window to the side and it will automatically resize to fill that half of the screen, and if you drag it to the top it will automatically maximize the window. Cinch basically brings those features to OSX. The 27" iMac screen is so large I can use half the screen to browse the web and the top half of the other side to watch a video while still leaving space to use another program below that.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cinch/id412529613?mt=12&ls=1

 

[Spike88]

For widgets, do investigate:

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/istatnano.html
- to monitor internal heat, fan RPMs and other details. To me, this should be an included item.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/blogs_forums/mactipsandtricks.html
- To me, this should be included item.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/reference/stickiesplus.html
- to create "stick it" notes. I like floating note ability the best.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/calculate_convert/countdownplus.html
- Reminder of critical dates / times. re: Spouse birthday.

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/16105/iglasses
* Camera setting. Try then Buy it - if you like it.
To me, this should be an included item.

For internal heat question, I'd recommend installing iStat Nano (which is freeware), operate your iMac for 30+ minutes, take a screen shot of its internal temps, then share your iMac internal heat numbers. If wondering, my internal iMac heat numbers are: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/New iMac system/InternalTemps2010-08-30.png

Hope this helps...

 

[Badger^2]

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

looking at the temps is a kind of fools errand.