Suggestions for a New Mac Owner

[WayneRash]

I'm looking for suggestions of apps to install on my first Mac that I actually own. I've been using computers, including Macs, for decades, but those have always been test devices, so I was limited as to what I could do with them. But now I went out and bought my very own Mac. So I'd like to hear about some apps that really use the capabilities of the Mac, that might not be obvious to someone who hasn't been part of the Mac universe (although I've been with iOS for years). I already have licenses for most normal productivity apps like MS Office and similar work software. I'm looking for interesting stuff that's uniquely Mac. Your suggestions please. This is a computer with Apple silicon.

 

[russell_314]

If you’re using both a trackpad and mouse something like scroll reverser so you don’t have to choose between a backwards scroll wheel or a backwards trackpad. If you’re just using one or the other it’s not necessary.

 

[BrianBaughn]

I can't think of any application for macOS that would do something that can't be done on one, or even most, of the other operating systems.

 

[gregmac19]

You will find good suggestions in this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-are-your-essential-macos-apps.2370397/

 

[Fishrrman]

My advice:
Just use it.

... and keep reading the forums here, and a few other places.

TidBITS Talk

Comments on TidBITS articles, and general discussions about Apple

talk.tidbits.com

is a good place, as well.

 

[jlc1978]

Checkout Setapp. While it is subscription based, it has a number of very useful apps and overall, for me at least, it's cheaper than subscribing or buying all the apps I use individually.

 

[auxbuss]

Of the little apps I use, the one I would keep if only one were allowed would be PopClip.

Also, after many years of waiting in vain for Apple to develop Spotlight, I recently installed Launchbar. ime, Spotlight has got quite a bit worse, not better, and I'm very happy with the move.