Just got the new Macbook today

[styfle]

As an early christmas present/late graduation present I got my first ever mac: the new Macbook 2.0GHz aluminum glass whatever you call it.
Its amazing. Any tips for a newbie mac user? I've been using windows XP for way too long and I had ubuntu on my old laptop for a few months.

[kenneth]

congrats on your new decision. I just made the switch and I do not regret it at all. The only things that I really am dissapointed with are you cant jailbreak your phones because the new macbooks have an issue with putting the phone into DFU mode. Also a lot of people are having to buy apple ram because there is a firmware issue with most 3 rd party ram. Try searching google for top mac applications and so forth.

[gotzaiPhone]

I also too recently got the new macbook 2.4ghz and i did an online order so i could get the 4GB of ram and i was also a windows only user before, but.... The best thing i can tell you is to just play with it, get to know where the apps are, your download folder is, your documents folder is, how to use the dock, how to use the menu bar (that "x"ing out of an app, doesn't close it, you have to use the menu bar or right click the icon to close the app) and stuff like that.

I would also recommend too, turning on the tap to select function on the glass pad because its a lot like the iphone then and i'm assuming you're used to that already.

finally: STOP THINKING WINDOWS-COMPLICATED!!!! The mac is so easy to use that if you keep thinking windows, you'll drive yourself mad!

[kenneth]

simply the best advice ive heard "just play with it":tounge: Just go through every setting and every page and you will get to know your way around. One of my favorite things is being able to drag and drop things where i want them to go. The single thing I like most about my Macbook though is being able to scroll down and up by using the track pad. Its a simple feature but I cant live without it now.

[raxelsen]

*drool*

I am VERY tempted to get one myself. Have always been PC, but after getting an iPhone I feel moRE and mORE drawn towards a new Macbook Pro :D

[macgirl]

Congratulations, Styfle! Welcome to the Mac family! ;)

I use keyboard shortcuts a lot and some are different than what you find on a PC. There's a good list of them here (http://www.danrodney.com/mac/index.html) (I don't know this guy, just found his list useful) - hopefully they'll help you work more quickly and efficiently on your new Mac. :)

[chris]

Tip #1: Do not buy anti-virus software and stop worrying about spyware.
Tip #2: Download Firefox. It'll give you a nice choice between browsers.
Tip #3: If you miss any old PC programs that are not available for Mac, pick up VMWare Fusion. You can find an OEM copy of XP on eBay for $90. This will give you the best of both worlds. Well, at least the best and the other world if you need it.

And finally, Tip #4: Don't beat yourself up too much over waiting this long to switch.:tounge:

Congrats and enjoy your new MacBook. I just picked up one for my wife for Christmas, despite her telling me she didn't need or want one. She currently has the 12" Powerbook. A great machine, but I think she's going to appreciate all the enhancements on the MacBook. Not to mention, thumbs up to Apple for making the Macbook line more like the MacBook Pro line. It made my purchase decision that much easier. No offense to the previous generation owners, but I probably wouldn't have pulled the trigger if these were not aluminum.

-Chris

[pjw]

congrats on your new decision. I just made the switch and I do not regret it at all. The only things that I really am dissapointed with are you cant jailbreak your phones because the new macbooks have an issue with putting the phone into DFU mode. Also a lot of people are having to buy apple ram because there is a firmware issue with most 3 rd party ram. Try searching google for top mac applications and so forth.
I jailbroke my 2.2 iphone with the new alum, it went fine.
I think you just cant do an initial JB with it.

[freakydeaky dutch bastard]

Consider using Quicksilver. I couldn't live without it. So handy and free.

I use it pretty much just to open apps, the download folder, movies folder, and any other folder, really.. I keep my dock hidden and almost never have to use it, or the finder for that matter.. quicksilver is badass.

Oh and "spaces" is awesome for a macbook with limited screen space!

Here's a video for Quicksilver..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBvFUhTqKK4

[Youngbinks]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the Mac world.

I think the link macgirl posted will start you in the right direction. If you want to customize your icons and such as you do on the iPhone, I would suggest looking into Candybar (http://www.panic.com/candybar/). It's a great tool for changing the stock OSX icons and it's very easy to use.

[styfle]

Thanks for all the replies guys/girls. One of the first things I did was install firefox. For some reason I couldn't get used to safari. That quicksilver thing looks cool. I'm gonna have to try that out

[freakydeaky dutch bastard]

yea.. I can't praise it enough, it is so quick. I can have anything open in seconds.. anything (apps, bookmarks, folders, you name it).

As and example, for me to pull up this forum (bookmarked) all I have to do is type:

command + space (my key combo choice for envoking quicksilver) then type the letters "ev" (the first two l letters of the name everythingicafe), hit enter, and boom, I'm here.

Actually, now that I think about it, I use key combos way more often than I use the trackpad on my macbook. That is the one really cool thing I've gotten used to and started using more often since installing quicksilver. Keys, keys, keys.. errything is literally at your fingertips. You just have to familiarize yourself with em.

Here are a couple of stock mac key combos I use religiously:

command + tab to shuffle through open items

command + Q to quit or close an item, and if you use command tab to shuffle, which ever item is highlighted when you shuffle through, as long as you keep the command button pressed you can quit it by hitting Q. This is really nice because OSX keeps errything open even if you close the "window" the app is actually still running. That's one thing you'll have to get used to.

Command + T for a new tab in Safari, not sure if it's the same in Firefox ( I actually like safari, it's not too bad). And of course command x, c, & v for cut copy and paste.

[kenneth]

I really like using key commands as well. I'm still trying to remember most of them.

[styfle]

its command + t for a new tab in firefox

but yeah this macbook is so fast opening things for the first time. most PCs take forever to open a program for the first time. this only takes seconds to open up firefox or itunes and opening itunes for the first time on my PC took like 15 seconds
its got to be the core 2 duo

[styfle]

just a heads up...i took me so long to figure out what this pop noise was but i found the answer: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=613232&highlight=Popping+noise

just for anyone who is a noob like me

[kenneth]

What "pop" noise are you reffering to?

[llrickman]

Im getting my 2.4 Macbook the day after Xmas. We are going to Albuqueruqe and i will get it at the Apple store at ABQ Uptown.


I want mine with 4gb ram also. This wont be a problem buy at the store instead of online will it?

[kenneth]

Yea it will be fine just make sure that you buy it then and get it for $150 because if you wait they will charge you$300. I couldn't wait untill I picked mine up. I have to do something to it everyday. Let us know when you pick it up.

[projectdarkside]

I really need to start saving up for a MacBook :(

[kenneth]

^^^
yes you do.

[projectdarkside]

I went on eBay and even the older models are still as averagely(is that a word lol?) priced as the new MacBooks at the Apple Store :(

[runner7395]

I got a new MB for Christmas.....this thing is sweet!

[kenneth]

^^^
I bought myself one and lovin it!

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I went on eBay and even the older models are still as averagely(is that a word lol?)

When did you ever start worrying about that? :laugh2:

[projectdarkside]

When did you ever start worrying about that? :laugh2:You know why lol!:tounge:
-Supposedly the forum thinks I need to improve my spelling and grammar:tounge:

[Saverino]

You know why lol!:tounge:
-Supposedly the forum thinks I need to improve my spelling and grammar:tounge:

You do! :tounge:

[projectdarkside]

Hey **** you sav:tounge:

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Hey **** you sav:tounge:

A little punctuation would have helped that, PDS.

[Ramesh]

Here's on thing that annoyed the piss out of me. If you minimize (command M) a program, it'll go to the right side of the dock. You can't Command + Tab the program out - at least I didn't know how. If you Command+tab to highlight the program, hold the option key down before you let go of anything (command or tab) and that will "un-minimize" the program.

[Ramesh]

Try this thread. TONS of good info.

http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum/macbook-pro/cool-mac-tricks-27782.html

[Classick]

I just got a Macbook too, on Christmas Eve. The very first thing I did was take it on a trip to visit my family. On the ride over I tethered my LG Vu to it and had unlimited free (but not fast) internet.

[projectdarkside]

I just got a Macbook too, on Christmas Eve. The very first thing I did was take it on a trip to visit my family. On the ride over I tethered my LG Vu to it and had unlimited free (but not fast) internet.What was that ya say?:tounge:

[Classick]

I guess I should've said "I tethered it to my touch screen phone that has MMS." :)

[projectdarkside]

Haha thats better :tounge: