Just Got My FIRST MACBOOK / Apple Computer!

I am 57 years old, been playing with, using computers since 1997, ALWAYS a Windows based unit, usually a Dell of some stripe. Current operating system is Windows 7.
ALWAYS wanted an Apple computer, but they are usually so much more expensive, have always heard really good things about them, especially that they are not as prone to getting virus infections, HOPE THIS IS TRUE.
Anyway, last night, been ill, taking Vicodin and got to feeling much better I guess, because I purchased the following;
Apple MacBook Core2Duo 2.13Ghz 2GB RAM 160GB HD 13" MC240LL/A
Not a bad price, $329.99 and free shipping.
Model:
MC240LL/A
Description:
MacBook 13.3inch
CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz
RAM:
2GB
Hard Drive:
160GB SATA 5400-rpm Hard Drive
Optical Drive:
Super Drive
Networking:
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector); Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on an IEEE 802.11n specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible;
Operating System:
OSx Leopard (10.5) Installed
Video:
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors (1280 x 800)
I am taking it for granted, that I can use my regular wireless router in my home with it, that I can download at least some of the programs I am accustomed to using (my present computer, had it for 4 years, bought it used, it starting to act flaky, last time this happened, within 3 months the thing died,) that the GENERAL / OVERALL way you use a Mac is at least similar to using a Windows based unit? What I am hoping for is taking it out of the box, plugging it up and "clicking" on icons to navigate around?
Any advice for a brand new user?
Thanks!

You have the model 5,2 Mid 2009 MacBook http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook/specs/macbook-core-2-duo-2.13-whit e-13-mid-2009-nvidia-specs.html It can run OS 10.9 Mavericks.
The 10.6 Snow Leopard DVD is in the Apple online store. You can get it for $19.99. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard After you’ve installed that then download the 10.6.8 combo updater to finish it off. http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399 You will need to be running 10.6.8 to access the App Store to order Lion, Mountain Lion or Mavericks which are downloads only.
System Requirements for 10.6:
Mac computer with an Intel processor
1GB of memory
5GB of available disk space
DVD drive for installation
Some features require a compatible internet service provider: fees may apply.
The model 5,2 (Mid 2009, 2.13GHz Model Only) can use 6gb of 200 pin 800mhz PC2-6400 RAM. These are good online stores for Mac compatible RAM
OWC - http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook/White/2.13GHz - They offer Mac tested RAM at very good prices.
Crucial Memory http://www.crucial.com/ - good place to buy RAM from all over the world. They also have an excellent memory selector that allows you to choose memory based on your computer's model
Data Memory Systems http://www.datamemorysystems.com/apple-memory.asp - another good, cheap place to buying RAM if you live in the U.S.
Here are instructions on replacing RAM in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://homeoffice.consumerelectronicsnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=44404

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-Should I let the charge run all the way down or is there a good percentage to plug it in at?
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Also any general user tips to get used to my macbook and learn the tricks would be helpful! I did read the manual it came with by the way. I just want to take the best possible care of it because it was definitely an investment.

Proper understanding of a battery charge cycle
A charge cycle means using all of the battery’s power, whether that is at once, or over several shorter battery discharges and recharges.
Two examples for clarification:
As a first example, where one fully charged battery is discharged down to 10%, then fully recharged, then using 10% of that full charge, this counts as 1 cycle since the total of both discharges is 100% of a full charge of use.
In the second example, where one fully charged battery is discharged down to 40%, then fully recharged, then using 40% of that full charge, this also counts as 1 cycle since the total of both discharges is 100% of a full charge of use.
While both examples are that of a single charge cycle, the first example is more aggressive against the lithium battery chemistry than is the second example. In short, collective overall gentle shallow or mid-range draining of your lithium battery is a better use condition than is the first example of deep-draining of the battery. While both are quantitatively identical as a single charging cycle, they are wholly different qualitatively on the battery chemistry, which is directly related to its ultimate longevity and health.
In short, it is the near and mid-term life of the battery as relates to its proper care (or lack thereof) that is to be looked after.
Priorities in order of decreasing importance for battery care are:
1. Avoiding deep discharges of the battery.
2. Avoiding having your battery constantly on charge or on charge and in sleep mode.
3. When playing graphics intense games, use your notebook plugged in when possible.
4. Reduction of battery cycles by plugging into power when on the go, or when accessible.
A person who has, for example, 300 charge cycles on their battery and is recharging at say 40% remaining of a 100% charge has a better battery condition state than, say, another person who has 300 charge cycles on their battery and is recharging at say 10-15% remaining on a 100% charge. DoD (depth of discharge) is vitally important on the wear and tear on your Macbook’s battery, much more so than is the counting of charge cycles. There is no set “mile” or wear from a charge cycle in specific. Frequent high depth of discharge rates (draining the battery very low) on a Lithium battery will greatly hasten the lowering of maximum battery capacity.
Understand that a charge cycle is a general parameter of use, but is not directly related to the short-term or mid-term abuse of the battery, which can rapidly hasten a shorter lifespan, regardless of what the actual cycle count on the battery indicates.
Proper considerations for near-term care of the battery is of utmost importance. Abuse of the battery is entirely avoidable, long-term eventual old age deterioration of the battery is entirely unavoidable.
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A lot of battery experts call the use of Lithium-Ion cells the "80% Rule", meaning use 80% of the full charge or so, then recharge them for longer overall life. The main quantified damage done in the use of Lithium Ion batteries are instances where the internal notebook battery is “often drained very low”, this is bad general use of your notebook battery.
All batteries in any device are a consumable meant to be replaced eventually after much time, even under perfect use conditions.
If the massive amount of data that exists on lithium batteries were to be condensed into a simplex, helpful, and memorable bit of information it would be:
1. While realistically a bit impractical during normal everyday use, a lithium battery's longevity and its chemistry's health is most happy swinging back and forth between 20% and 85% charge roughly.
2. Do not purposefully drain your battery very low (10% and less), and do not keep them charged often or always high (100%).
3. Lithium batteries do not like the following:
A: Deep discharges, as meaning roughly 10% or less. Avoid this in all instances if you can. This is hard on your battery.
B: Rapid discharges as referring to energy intensive gaming on battery on a frequent basis (in which case while gaming, if possible, do same on power rather than battery).
C: Constant inflation, as meaning always or most often on charge, and certainly not both in sleep mode and on charge always or often.
From Apple on batteries:
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1446
"Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time."
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Do not make any hard bends or folds in your charging cable, or wind it tightly, always make either circles or loose loops when winding your cord up for storage. Also do not, as many people have seen, unroll your charger block from the magsafe end by letting the charger drop and unroll itself like a yo-yo, this is both hard on the charger and its connection points at both ends.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1630

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