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Getting started with your new Mac

It’s the moment no geek forgets. You’ve spent days anxiously tracking your new Mac
as it trudges through the FedEx/UPS/DHL labyrinth. The package arrives. Friends
and family don’t see you for days. The thrill is real, but cutting open the
packing tape brings an unsettling reminder… you’ve… uh… never actually
used one of these things before…

Switching to a Mac can be an frustrating and exhilarating challenge, but it’s
easier with a little guidance. Here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned in my
journey from BSODville to Apple.

1. Establish a budget, especially for laptops.
It’s quite easy to justify the purchase of a new computer based
solely on
the price of the unit itself. Once you start including RAM upgrades,
cases/bags, Bluetooth accessories, etc… the actual price you’re
paying for the computer
can jump quicker than OJ Simpson’s lawyer fees. Make sure that you set
aside
enough money for all these things.

2. Check around for prices on RAM.
Apple knows that they can gouge users with the price of RAM upgrades, so be
sure to hunt around for better deals. Purchasing memory elsewhere and selling
the stock sticks on eBay, you will have saved quite a bit of cash. The exception
to this rule is Mac Pro RAM, which is specialized enough that your safest bet is
to buy from Apple. Third party stores stock it, but the hassle and small savings
make it more prudent to buy directly from Apple. It’s also worth noting that when
I bought my iMac less than a year ago, Apple’s upgrade to 2 GB was competitively
priced… within a few dollars of a Newegg upgrade. The main point here is clear:
shop around.

3. Always buy more RAM when possible.
The more RAM you throw at OS X, the happier you’ll be. 1 GB is the minimum
for casual usage or 2 GB if you’re a power user. This is one of the cheapest
ways to dramatically increase your performance.

4. Don’t overlook eBay.
Ah, eBay - the nirvana of geeks, insomniacs, and closet QVC watchers (you
know who you are). If you’re patient and careful, it’s here that you can find
some amazing deals. Last year I purchased the 2.0 GHz MacBook I’m typing on now
for $1150 (shipped), including 3 year Applecare coverage. That’s a huge savings
over the retail price. The key to eBay is never feeling pressured to buy and
always investigating the seller. My maxim is: Explore early, bid late.

1. Enjoy removing your new Mac from its packaging.
There’s a ritual Mac lovers go through with each Apple product introduction:
waiting until some lucky so-and-so receives the new product and posts pictures
of unpacking his new toy. Why? Because Apple puts considerable effort into
packaging and presentation. Savor each piece of the styrofoam origami you
remove.

2. Don’t worry about an immediate reinstall.
My first action with a new Windows PC was to promptly wipe the hard drive to
remove all the free trials I didn’t need. With OS X,
that’s
not necessary. If you need to remove the preinstalled software, use
AppZapper to cleanse your hard drive. Monolingual will also help reclaim some
hard drive space taken by extra languages you won’t use.

3. Install Apple software updates.
Before getting too carried away installing new applications, install all the
updates found by Software Update. To get there, click on the blue Apple at the
top left of your screen and go to “Software Update.” Install all the recommended
updates. Restart. Go back to Software Update and see if there are any more.
Rinse. Restart. Repeat as necessary.

4. Install essential applications.
Digg is filled with Top 10 lists of “must have OS X applications.”
These lists are inherently subjective, but here’s a list of the first apps I recommend to newcomers.

Essential
AppZapper - Fully deletes
applications
Adium - Great open-source
instant messaging app
iWork - The only
(major) Universal office suite at the moment
Firefox
- My preferred web browser
Path Finder -
Absolutely essential Finder replacement
Quicksilver -
Application launcher and so much more (I’d have its children if I could)
Onyx -
Ultimate tweaking utility for OS X
Toast
Titanium - CD/DVD burning app
Growl - Pleasant messages to
let you know what your Mac is doing

Recommended
Flip4Mac
- Integrates WMV files into Quicktime
Monolingual -
Reclaim hard drive space from default installation
Senuti -
Copy/backup music from your iPod
Jumpcut - Menubar
clipboard collector
Candybar - Change
icons to customize the look of OS X
Parallels
- Enjoy the eery experience of running Windows on your Mac
MenuMeters
- Keep track of your Mac through the Menubar
WeatherDock
- Free (highly customizable) weather app that will keep you well-informed

5. Make the Mac yours.
Take the time to make the computer your own. Change the desktop by using some of
the great images found at
InterfaceLIFT. Swap out
some icons with Candybar. Sort through the System Preferences and customize the
feel of your computer.

One of the first things I do is
change
the drag-and-drop behavior in OS X. It’s a quick fix that makes the
experience what it should be. (I’ll be writing about many other hacks like this
in the upcoming weeks and months)

6. Play.
You deserve it. See how far and how fast your new Mac will take you. I have the
feeling you’ll be impressed.

7. Share.
If you’ve found other great things to do with your new Mac, share them with
others! Join a forum like
InsanelyMac
or leave pithy comments on a blog like this one. I’d love to hear your ideas.

Swad’s note:  This is an updated edition of a guide I wrote last year at InsanelyMac.

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