New MBP and New to Mac Advice

Hi All...just bought our first ever mac (always used pcs). Is there anything I should do/update before using it the first time? thanks.

Welcome to Mac's
It's worth checking Software Update (in System Preferences) to make sure you have the latest OS and software versions installed, there's also an SMC and Firmware update for MacBook Pro's that won't show up in there. They may say you don't need to apply them, but best to check. SMC Update and Firmware Update

Similar Messages

  • Still Have v. 10.4.11 but am configuring a new MBP and I need some advice..

    hey-
    I am replacing my 3 year-old MBP which never made it to the Leopard stage, because I was chicken. This one is going to be cleaned up and given to a family next door from a real poor area of Mexico and until they saw this had never seen a notebook. So I am excited about this.
    anyway, I am configuring a new MBP together and I have a few questions that are probably pretty basic, but still questions. I should have thought of this before, but is getting a new MBP with Snow Leopard installed on the machine (and I was old by the support guy who helped me with the configuration since it will be used for a graduate school of architecture, planing, and preservation program too.
    any feeling on jumping from 10.4.11 (which I guess is Tiger OS X) to Snow Leopard and totally bypassing Leopard? It sounds like Snow Leopard is pretty much a major "update" to Leopard, but that is probably wrong. (Just a side questions, what does the Operating System OS X mean and do all of the operating system have OS X or did it start at OS 1 and will keep going up?)
    Is there a time when a person who wants to try and focus on school or other important things can pretty much be sure that a new OS has had sufficient time for the major bugs to be worked out and most likely can feel safer about making the purchase than if they had not waited and did not really care-thinking that Apple would get them fixed and the updates would fix the problems? I do not tend to think this way, but in this situation I am going out a bit from my usual "way" and living or should I saying hoping that this has happened and is true? Does that make sense? So, any feeling if SL has been out long enough now that Apple has had a chance to make sure it is doing well and has pretty much been integrated into the hardware and properly functioning of the notebook as a "single unit?"
    thanks in advance for any feedback and I apologize if the wording was incorrect or I did not explain myself clear enough.

    You should not find it hard to jump from using Tiger (Mac OS 10.4) directly to using Snow Leopard (Mac OS 10.6). Some things are a little different, including a few changes to system preferences & how the Finder handles changing views from one folder to the next, but it is fundamentally the same from a user interface standpoint. In fact, there are very few interface differences you would notice between using Leopard (Mac OS 10.5) & Snow Leopard.
    What you will most likely notice the most when going from a 3 year old MBP to a new one is that its response is substantially quicker: startup is quicker, apps open faster, Finder tasks complete in less time, etc. This is due both to the more powerful CPU & other components in the new machine & to the new OS, which is more efficient than previous ones.
    "Mac OS" is the generic name for Apple's proprietary operating system that runs Macintosh computers. There were versions 1 through 9 of this operating system, starting with the one developed by Apple for the first Mac that appeared in 1984, but the first version to get the "Mac OS" designator was Mac OS 8, released in 1997. It was followed by Mac OS 9, released in 1999. All of these versions can be considered decedents of the first one, with strong family resemblances both in their internal structures & graphic user interfaces. Mac OS X is much different internally, incorporating many components of the venerable UNIX operating system first developed in 1969 at AT&T's Bell lab, plus a graphic user interface update (named "Aqua") more suited to its greatly improved capabilities. It is not a "pure" UNIX variant but instead a synthesis of UNIX & Apple's old & current technologies.
    Each major revision of Mac OS X has had a cat name & a "point number" like Cheetah for 10.0 or Tiger for 10.4. Each revision has brought new features to the OS as well as under-the-hood improvements. Unfortunately, these improvements come at a cost in terms of legacy support. Some applications require revisions to work with each new major version, as do some of the drivers for external hardware. Generally speaking, fairly current apps & hardware drivers have gotten or will get revised for Snow Leopard if needed, but there are no guarantees that all ever will.
    There are also bugs in every major OS release from every OS maker. Generally, these are obscure, affect few users significantly, & are eliminated in updates released after the first major version, but even the updates can introduce new bugs. Snow Leopard appears to be more bug free than any prior Mac OS major release, but the possibility exists that some bug will affect you in some critical way.
    That said, the chances of this are low, & you should not read too much into reports here of problems unless they are widespread & describe very closely the same problem. Keep in mind that there are already several million copies of Snow Leopard in use; any really widespread problems would result in tens of thousands of complaints & probably make the evening news as well.

  • New MBP and One to One advice sought

    Im purchasing my first Mac this week, a Macbook Pro. I consider mys efl an expert on PC's and want to know if the One to One is worth the money? From looking at the classes offered at my local Apple Store, not much of them are restricted to One to One members.
    I realize this is slightly off topic, just trying to make an informed decision.
    chaz

    See the following:
    Apple - Support - Switch 101
    Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts
    Keyboard shortcuts for Shut down, restart, and sleep
    At amazon.com get a decent book about OS X with Unix, David Pogue's The Mac Bible, and maybe OS X - The Missing Manual.
    I can't imagine needing more than the above if you're already a computer literate person. If you know your way around Windows it shouldn't be a stretch to learn your way around OS X.
    In simple words, "Save your money."

  • Got a new MBP and old external hard drive is too full for backup

    I just got a new MBP and got all my data migrated and everything. I plugged my external hard drive in to run a backup, and it apparently is too full to run a backup of the new computer.  Even though all the files are the same (mostly), I guess it's not going to overwrite anything because it's a new computer.  Should I just get a new backup drive and start fresh for this computer.  Should I reformat my old backup drive (and if so, how?)?  Advice?

    You should always have two backups of all vital data in any regard. A good 1TB Toshiba USB is $65
    If there is NOTHING on the external HD you cant lose, format in disk utility > erase > format MAC OSX extended journaled.
    then apply a Time Machine backup to the old HD of your new computer. That will free of a great deal of space.
    However you should still have a 2nd backup of data.  2 backups is 1, and 1 is none.

  • New MBP and existing network

    Hello All,
    I've just migrated from a G4 PB 1.5 to a new MBP and, while I can log into the existing WiFi, I can't see any of the other nodes on the network. I have my wife's MP Black and a Mini acting as a HTPC/Server. I just migrated through using the assistant and didn't change any of the settings yet.
    The Mini is sitting headless downstairs so I used to log in remotely using Chicken of the Sea VNC. Now it no longer is visible, nor do the computers show up via network.
    It's been a while since I set this network up and I know that 10.4.8 has altered some of the security. What do I need to tweak??
    Cheers,
    JC

    A router separates two LAN networks and creates two broadcast domains. The standard Microsoft workgroup browsing will only list what is inside your LAN and never something outside or across a router.
    If you want to access what is on the other side you must manually enter the share with its IP address. If the computer you want to access has IP address 192.168.100.12 then you enter \\192.168.100.10\share.
    But as you want to be able to share freely inside your LAN anyway, I would suggest you set up the WRT as wireless simple access point. That way, you only have a single LAN and a single broadcast domain and thus you can find all other computers if you check for other workgroup computers. Instructions how to set it up as access point are here.

  • Help with new MBP and iTunes

    I need some help fast. I bought my wife a new MBP and in setting everything up we inadvertently setup a new and wrong iTunes account. We haven't transferred anything yet, I want to get this account off her computer before I bring everything from her Win 7 machine.
    Can't find any specific instructions, can somebody help me out?
    Thanks!
    Mark

    It's late so this will be rather short:
    1.  Make sure you update the older version of iTunes to the latest version
    2.  Go into iTunes Settings and Authorize iTunes with your Apple ID and Password
    3.  In settings, turn off Automatice sync
    4.  Connect your iPad and once recognized, right click the device from the left side of the the iTunes screen
    5.  Transfer purchases
    6.  You can then sync
    A lot to digest and I don't have the time to walk you through every step.  If you need to, google the points and you'll find lot's of information on where to find these in iTunes.

  • Help!  Brand new MBP and Mid '04 23" Cinema Display cable issue!

    Just got a new MBP, and I can't figure out which adapter I need to use my trusty 23" display. The mini display port to dual-link DVI adapter doesn't look right, and I already know the mini display port to DVI adapter doesn't work.
    Will the dual-link version work? If not, what do I do?
    Thank you kindly in advance!

    You need the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
    <http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MjkyNjI0MQ>
    If the display has ADC
    <http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:YpgpqSJmIIBI1M:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/AppleDisplayConnector.jpg>
    you will also need a DVI to ADC adapter
    <http://store.apple.com/us/product/M8661LL/B?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MjE0NTg4NA>

  • Brand new MBP and the user directory is corrupt?

    hi, i just installd my new MBP and did a sync of my G5 settings (all except bookmarks) added a few things to my desktop and when i rebooted the desktop was cleared and the home directory was missing "Movies" "Music" "Pictures" in the left most column. all that is left is "Applications" and my user home symbol.
    i tried to create a new user and when i did so was given a message that the "home" folder could not be located. weird.
    anyway. i also installed a canon IP4300 driver. can anyone tell me what may be going on? do i need to erase the drive and do a fresh install?
    UPDATE: i see what happened! the User directory somehow got into the Applications folder! no idea how. but i can't seem to get it out. can anyone help me out?
    thx
    Message was edited by: Frank Jacob

    Open the Applications folder and drag the Users folder inside to the top level of the hard disk; you may need to press the Command key when dragging the item and/or provide an administrator username and password. When done, log out and back in. If only the home folder is present in the Applications folder, move it to the Users folder. Rename existing items as needed.
    (25013)

  • A new iPad and new Express, but no Mac - can't set up network!

    Here's a puzzler (for me at least) --
    Mom bought a new iPad and new Airport Express. She has no Mac, so no iTunes and no syncing. Her iPad does NOT have Airport Utility. She's starting from scratch.
    Her Express is connected to her Cox Cable Cisco modem, shich shows steady green for good internet connection. The express flashes amber, I assume becuase there's no network set up.
    Her iPad sees the Express -- Wi-Fi in the Settings menu has "Apple ..." where the network name appears -- and the wireless signal 'fan' shows strong in the top bar.
    In iPad > Settings > Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi shows 'on', no editable network shows, and no "create network" option shows.
    She can't get Airport Utility without internet or syncing to a Mac, and she can't see any way to create a network, or see any existing network that she can forget or manage.
    Is this simple Cox Cable > Cisco modem > Express wireless > iPad a workable setup?
    Is there any way to create the wireless network without Airport Utility?
    Thanks!
    Otto
    P.S. The iPad isn't pristine connection-wise. It was temporarily connected to a public Wi-Fi to complete setting up an iCloud account, and so get to the home screen for the first time. BUT, my mom is ancient and fearful, and I don't want to send her out to find public Wi-Fi to set up a a credit card account so she can use the app store to get utility if I don't have to. Help.

    Thanks CRMDVM -- ...which means, I think, that she will need to go out into the wide world to find public wireless. Makes me wish Airport Utility was one of the stock apps that came with the iPad.
    Any other ideas? Any way to manually configure on an iPad? Anything? Thanks.
    Otto

  • I have just purchased Logic Pro X and it doesn't seem to want to work with my Tascam us-122L sound card. Do i need to purchase a new one and if so, any advice on a reasonable priced one?

    I have just purchased Logic Pro X and it doesn't seem to want to work with my Tascam us-122L sound card. Do i need to purchase a new one and if so, any advice on a reasonable priced one?

    What OS do you have? Have you tried the latest drivers?
    http://tascam.com/product/us-122l/downloads/
    alternatives: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Presonus Audiobox.

  • Airport Express with a MBP and a Mini Mac

    Hey Apple Community.
    Im think about buying a Mini Mac, witch i would use as my main entertainmentcenter, connected to my livingroom TV and my TV in the kitchen.
    But i have some questions before buying a Mini Mac.
    1# Its it possible to use AirPlay from the Mini Mac on the same Airport Express, that i use with my MBP to hear music over AirPlay....? And if both of them are turned on, will i be able to control iTunes from both of them. Meaning being able to fx. change music number from one to another number, if i move from the office, where i have my MBP to the kitchen, where i would like to have a screen, wireless mouse and wireless keyboard, connected to the Mini Mac.
    2# Is it possible to share the same iTunes libary on both my MBP and the Mini Mac...?
    3# Is it possible to synch data between the two, so they are identical in setup and in data..?
    "so when i change something on either my MBP or the Mini, it also changes on the other one, through the wireless connection"
    So all in all, i would like my MBP and the Mini to act as one "unite", when the both of them are turned on.
    Is this possible...?
    I would really apreciate any help i could get on this issue.

    Thanks Gino, that really helped.
    The main thing for me is to be able to control iTunes from both Macs, like starting a music number on my MBP in the office and then switching number in the kitchen with the Mini. I can always manually move the media files from one to the other Mac, when thats nessesary.
    And since the Mini mainly will be used for entatainment, then it issint very importent that they are identical in every way.......just thought i could be cool if it was possible.
    This: "You can however use an iCloud account to sync data such as calendar and address book and a mail account using the IMAP protocol will also be synced across both computers. iCloud mail accounts use IMAP as well as Google Mail and some others."
    Is really great news, since i then will be able to acces these things in the livingroom as well, not having to open up my MBP in the office every time i want to check a mail or calender thingy.
    "The only other way to get them to act close to being one computer is to install a Mac OS X server and use a network Home folder. That way both computers access the same home folder that is stored on the server and changes performed on one computer will be reflected on the other when the other logs in."
    When you say "install a Mac OS X server" do you mean getting that Mac Mini with Lion Server..? Or do you mean i shall install a server program on the "normal" Mini, so it acts as a server...?
    If its the last one.....will i then be able to use it as a "normal" Mac, surfing and stuff...while it acts like a server..?
    Again...really, really apriciate your help.

  • New Ipod and new computer-how to transfer

    I just got the new ipod video and had the 20gb. I now have a new computer and new ipod. How do I transfer my songs to my new ipod and computer?
    any help would be appreciated.
    D

    If you transfer your library from the PC to the Mac, and then plug in your new ipod to the new Mac, a question will pop up asking you whether you want this computer's library to be transferred to the iPod. Click Yes, and it will start synching with whatever is in the library.
    You can also use some programs, like "Senuti" (for mac, freeware) to rip off the contents FROM your iPod TO your new Mac. I personally like Senuti since it has an iTunes-like interface except in reverse.

  • New computer and new skype user, new norton user -...

    new computer and new skype user, new norton user-Norton keeps asking me if I want to allow all these different computers-all I have is a list of numbers so I dont know who they are or what it is about. I let one in to experiement but there doesnt seem to be anyone trying to call me .Who are these people/computers? What happens if I allow/dont allow them.? Its happenning frequently and I'm worried it might be hackers. Its probably something obvious but I'd appreciate advice.

    Hi Kevin,
    You can download Acrobat from: Free Acrobat XI Pro | Download Adobe Acrobat XI Pro free trial
    and use your Adobe ID (email address) to license the software.
    Please use the same email that you used to purchase the subscription.
    Regards,
    Rave

  • New home and new WIFI sluggishness

    I recently moved in with my girlfriend. At my last location, I quit using wifi, was connected directly via ethernet to my cable internet modem. I was also Airport sharing the connection for my kids' iMac.
    Now in her new place (and new wifi), I can connect with full bars via Airport, but many sites do not load the first time. I need to refresh the browser several times to get many sites to load.
    I have turned off the internet connection sharing as well. Is it some type of DNS problem?
    clueless... assuming it has something to do with the move.

    HI greengrass,
    There is no real procedure for you as a customer.  You can place an order for broadband and phoneline simultaneously.  BT will take care of the rest.
    If there a line in the new place then it might need an engineer call out in order to get it up and going but this will be made clear whenever your order is placed. 
    TX
    Craig
    BTCare Community Mod
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  • New songs and new audio book from Audible will not sync from my computer.  Any idea why?

    I updated my 4S to OS7.  I am now unable to sync new songs and new audiobook from Audible from my computer.  Any idea why?

    Might be incompatible with iOS 7.
    Keep in mind, Audible is not Apple software and Apple is not responsible for third party software compatibility.
    Check the Audibile website for iOS 7 support.

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