Just got the new Macbook today

styfle · 12-04-2008, 02:54 AM

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 · 12-04-2008, 03:18 AM

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 · 12-04-2008, 04:14 AM

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 · 12-04-2008, 04:17 AM

simply the best advice ive heard "just play with it"

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 · 12-04-2008, 09:06 AM

*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

macgirl · 12-04-2008, 09:37 AM

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 (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 · 12-04-2008, 11:30 AM

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.

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 · 12-04-2008, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 12-04-2008, 10:53 PM

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 · 12-04-2008, 10:59 PM

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. It's a great tool for changing the stock OSX icons and it's very easy to use.