Tips/good practices?

[DukeDevlin]

Hello,

Knowing that I will soon receive my new computer: The 16-inch Macbook Pro, I would like to know all your tips / best practices guide to get off to a healthy start on my new computer. What are the essentials? The tips to do to keep a healthy machine over time? I've heard about Mac Fan Control. What are the settings to adopt on this machine? I'm waiting for all your recommendations. Thank you.

 

[0128672]

A good backup plan mix.

 

[06tb06]

Invest in a good case or hardshell to prevent scratching and blemishes from daily use, especially if you plan on taking it on the go.

 

[glenthompson]

As mentioned, start with a good backup/disaster recovery plan. As a minimum 3 backups, something like Time Machine, a clone drive, and an off site solution like Backblaze.

Next depends on your familiarity with macOS. If you’re fairly new to it then learn how the system works before adding 3rd party software. Too often I see people loading up on apps that are easily handled in the OS itself.

 

[DukeDevlin]

As mentioned, start with a good backup/disaster recovery plan. As a minimum 3 backups, something like Time Machine, a clone drive, and an off site solution like Backblaze.

Next depends on your familiarity with macOS. If you’re fairly new to it then learn how the system works before adding 3rd party software. Too often I see people loading up on apps that are easily handled in the OS itself.

I had an Air model before. I can add directly the new back-up on Time machine?

How does work this app to avoid overheating?

 

[Longkeg]

So you seem pretty focused on a third party app that lets you monkey around with the Macs cooling system. Here’s a best practice for you: DON’T.

As has been previously mentioned here, don’t go loading up your shiny new computer with excess apps until you have completely mastered the basics of the Mac OS. Apple machines are well engineered and take advantage of the fact that a single entity (Apple) has designed the hardware to work seamlessly with the software. What makes you think your Mac will overheat? What do you think changing fan settings may do to battery life on a MBP? I had to google the app you mentioned as I’d never heard of it. Seems like a solution in search of a problem to me.

 

[DukeDevlin]

So you seem pretty focused on a third party app that lets you monkey around with the Macs cooling system. Here’s a best practice for you: DON’T.

As has been previously mentioned here, don’t go loading up your shiny new computer with excess apps until you have completely mastered the basics of the Mac OS. Apple machines are well engineered and take advantage of the fact that a single entity (Apple) has designed the hardware to work seamlessly with the software. What makes you think your Mac will overheat? What do you think changing fan settings may do to battery life on a MBP? I had to google the app you mentioned as I’d never heard of it. Seems like a solution in search of a problem to me.

Thanks! Some people advice me to install this app because there are some overheating issue with this model.

 

[throAU]

Thanks! Some people advice me to install this app because there are some overheating issue with this model.

Nah, the machine doesn't overheat, some people just have a different noise/performance trade-off to what Apple decided.

I second the above, also:

• backups: have at least 3 copies of your data: the one you have on the laptop, a backup you update regularly (e.g., time machine backup) and a second (or more) copy of your backup OFF SITE. As in at work, a friend's place, etc. that you can swap out with your regular backup once a month or so. houses burn down, get broken into, etc. If both your Mac and your backup is stolen from the same place, you're screwed
• Refrain from installing third party software unless you really need it (same goes for windows)
• If something requires that you need to turn off SIP/gatekeeper (system protection) then think twice about whether you really need it. SIP does prevent some things from doing low-level access type things on your Mac. This is generally a good thing. It does prevent some low level system software from third parties from running, but it stops a lot of bad stuff/malware from working too. Try to leave SIP/gatekeeper turned on.
• If software is available on both the App Store and somewhere else - the App Store version is probably "safer". It will update automatically (no third party updater needed), it has been vetted by apple and must meet their store requirements (sandboxed execution, etc.).

 

[DukeDevlin]

Nah, the machine doesn't overheat, some people just have a different noise/performance trade-off to what Apple decided.

I second the above, also:

• backups: have at least 3 copies of your data: the one you have on the laptop, a backup you update regularly (e.g., time machine backup) and a second (or more) copy of your backup OFF SITE. As in at work, a friend's place, etc. that you can swap out with your regular backup once a month or so. houses burn down, get broken into, etc. If both your Mac and your backup is stolen from the same place, you're screwed
• Refrain from installing third party software unless you really need it (same goes for windows)
• If something requires that you need to turn off SIP/gatekeeper (system protection) then think twice about whether you really need it. SIP does prevent some things from doing low-level access type things on your Mac. This is generally a good thing. It does prevent some low level system software from third parties from running, but it stops a lot of bad stuff/malware from working too. Try to leave SIP/gatekeeper turned on.
• If software is available on both the App Store and somewhere else - the App Store version is probably "safer". It will update automatically (no third party updater needed), it has been vetted by apple and must meet their store requirements (sandboxed execution, etc.).

Thanks for all these precisions!