New to Mac. Could do with a hand!

[`Kris]

Hi All,

I'm going to be purchasing the new MBP (I'm not asking when it comes out!)

And as I'm new to Mac's i was wondering what i should be purchasing with it to get the full use out of it.

I'm not a musician or a video editor, but I just want some tips on what would be worth buying, Hardware or Software.

Thanks for any advice you can give me,

`Kris.

 

[VaderMonkey]

You'll need to elaborate a little more on what and how you're going to be using it to get some decent help.

If you're going to travel with it, maybe a bag or travel power adaptor?

Maybe you'll want a bigger screen when working at home? You could get an external monitor or an adapter to plug it in to your tv (assuming your tv can accept PC input)?

Wireless keyboard and mouse?

What are you actually going to be using it for?

 

[`Kris]

Not using it for anything in particular, I've just had enough of poorly built laptops, so I'm switching.

Just wondering if there was any software that i should pick up, apart from my iphone (which is the single best item I've ever bought) I have no experience with a mac.

 

[Cretmeister]

Not using it for anything in particular, I've just had enough of poorly built laptops, so I'm switching.

Just wondering if there was any software that i should pick up, apart from my iphone (which is the single best item I've ever bought) I have no experience with a mac.

Might want to pick up a display adapter cable for hooking it up to a larger monitor. Just to give you a bit more desktop space, really. Apart from that, it's mostly all there in the box for what you plan on doing.
Probably.

 

[RudyGrow]

I would buy a case and Microsoft Office...

 

[craig1410]

How about buying a MobileMe subscription to link your iPhone up with your desktop email?

 

[dXTC]

I would buy a case and Microsoft Office...

I second the carrying case.

I can't readily second MS Office for Mac, though. You may want to check out OpenOffice, a free open-source office suite. If it does what you need, then you've saved money. If you don't like OpenOffice, then try MS Office or iWork, Apple's answer to MS Office. Your MBP will most likely have a 30-day trial of iWork installed.

 

[Corrosive vinyl]

Third for the carrying case.
Also, check out free software at Mac Update. I recommend getting VLC media player. Also, check out the Gimp for photo editing and iStat pro (a widget) at islayer's site. Welcome to macs, may your computing experience be easier.

 

[`Kris]

Ok thanks all!

Looks like its a carry case for now.

 

[JNB]

Best Skins Ever - keeps it looking new and reduces those nasty scratches.

Incase sleeves & bags. This one is mine, and I swear by it.

Skitch. So you can amaze and impress everybody with annotated screen captures showing them how to improve their Mac experience!

SuperDuper! or CarbonCopyCloner. Backup. 'Nuff said.

 

[atomic johnson]

What I use my computer for is likely to be very different from what you use yours for... but the first few things I install after I get a new Mac or reinstall my OS are VoodooPad (http://flyingmeat.com/voodoopad/), OmniOutliner [Pro in my case] (http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnioutliner/), and OmniGraffle (http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnigraffle/).

Seashore is a nice graphics editor (http://seashore.sourceforge.net/) if you do that kind of thing, and TextWrangler (http://www.barebones.com/products/textwrangler/) if you need some pretty powerful editing of plain-text files.

Since you're getting a laptop, check out CoconutBattery (http://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/index.html) to keep an eye on your battery's health, too.

 

[waynechriss]

Good (free) applications you can start off with:

Evernote: Best note taking program i've ever used.
Skype: Webcam and talk to people
Perian (video codecs for Quicktime)
VLC: Plays many different types of videos
Handbrake: Rip DVDs with ease
Gimp: Free for picture editing

I advocate for a case too. I have a over-the-shoulder carrying case and its works wonders because i don't have to stuff my laptop in my backpack with my books.

 

[iWoz]

Not using it for anything in particular, I've just had enough of poorly built laptops, so I'm switching.

Just wondering if there was any software that i should pick up, apart from my iphone (which is the single best item I've ever bought) I have no experience with a mac.

Mobileme?

 

[GGJstudios]