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New to Mac and need some tips

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xymoza

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 16, 2009
11
0
Hi, I ordered Alu MB 2.4Ghz from amazon and will be arriving anytime today. I just want to ask you some tips and the things that I need to install or download from net. Sorry for the very general question, this would be my first MAC ever and I only know very little about this machine/OS. Thanks in advance.

Edit: Could you also please tell the things I need to check to make sure that I got a good unit?
 
There are many many threads for 'which utility is essential', but why not just start by using the Mac for a while. Get acquainted with the system, find out how it works, and see what you feel is missing and then look for stuff.
 
As for software try these for starters:
Growl
iStatMenus

You'll find you won't need much though, as OS X has it covered
 
xymoza said:
Hi, I ordered Alu MB 2.4Ghz from amazon and will be arriving anytime today. I just want to ask you some tips and the things that I need to install or download from net. Sorry for the very general question, this would be my first MAC ever and I only know very little about this machine/OS. Thanks in advance.

Edit: Could you also please tell the things I need to check to make sure that I got a good unit?
Click to expand...

I had to download a batch file naming program, I was use to windows and just selecting all, right click, rename, and bam there it was, apparently you can't do that on a Mac, so I DL'd A Better File Renamer, it works pretty well and was $20
 
One common mistake made by most new-to-Mac/windows-converts is that the new user believes he must protect his machine from viruses and load up with maintenance routines; so, they begin the search for multiple utility applications. After all, the windows experience has taught them that something like 50% of the time this is what you do with a computer. (slight exaggeration... maybe?)

Don't fall into this trap. You really don't need any of this stuff. Your new Mac is going to be much more of a tool for you then you a tool for it.

Enjoy! -GDF
 
When I made the move to mac, I was so used to the windows ways, that I had a hard time letting go. Don't try to make your mac work like a windows machine -- macs are so much simpler and cleaner. Let the software do the heavy lifting for you -- that's what they are meant to do. Try the apps (give them a GOOD try) and then see what you think you might need. Pretty much everything you need comes with your mac, and what doesn't come with it is oftentimes free. For example, there is no need to shell out big bucks for MS Office/Word. The free NeoOffice will do everything Word will do. So look for those apps when you determine what you need.

Relax, let the good of macs wash over you and enjoy! Welcome aboard! :D
 
forget anything about windows, macs work in a completely different way, after a few days you will get used to it and everything will be so easy and effortless. Neo Office is great alternative to MS office, i personally use iworks 09 and find it to be fantastic! some free apps i would recommend you google would be quicksilver, eigenclock, caffine, and i would also advise safari 4 if you dont already have it

enjoy!
 
Watching the tutorial videos on Apple website would be a very good start in learning Leopard.
 
Here's my list:

Firefox 3

Transmission (a bittorrent client)

Adium (a chatting program that covers multiple clients like MSN, AOL, and even Facebook chat)

ClamXav (a freeware antivirus scanner) (I use it from time to time just be be sure...nomatter what anyone tells you, OS X isn't perfectly safe)

smcFanControl (a program that shows your CPU temp and fan RPM and you can even setup how much your fan should run)

Perian (provides a lot of codecs for Quicktime)

Flip4Mac (provides compatibility for windows media video files in Quicktime)

Secrets (an excellent program to tweak OS X...just don't mess with it unless you know what you're doing)

X-Slimmer (a program that removes Power PC code from your Mac applications. This program can save you a LOT of space...again, only use if you know what you're doing)

There are a lot more handy apps, but these are some off the top of my head. Go to YouTube and you'll get a lot of questions answered on how to run these apps. Best of luck with your Mac.
 
congratulations on your new machine you will love it.
1. Check for any scratches or blemishes.
2. Do a clean install of the OS with out the additional languages etc.
3. istat menu
and the rest of the good stuff people have recommended.
 
shoppy said:
congratulations on your new machine you will love it.
1. Check for any scratches or blemishes.
2. Do a clean install of the OS with out the additional languages etc.
3. istat menu
and the rest of the good stuff people have recommended.
Click to expand...

man, I wish i would have done this last week before i went through and personalized everything...

Do you think it's worth it to start over and do it?
 
chrislaw said:
man, I wish i would have done this last week before i went through and personalized everything...

Do you think it's worth it to start over and do it?
Click to expand...

When I did it, I didnt really notice the difference. Only saved about 400mb, so its up to you..
 
HazRutter said:
When I did it, I didnt really notice the difference. Only saved about 400mb, so its up to you..
Click to expand...

Ok thanks. I actually downloaded the demo of CleanMyMac and it showed me how much I could clean up but then would only let me clear out 200 mb so I deleted other stuff since the languages took up around 290
 
After a few days of using my macbook, I am slowly getting used to its environment. My problem is I always compare it with Windows and always trying to look for the equivalent functions of the two.

I'll try the apps the you are suggesting here. Thanks.
 
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