Firstly, congratulations on your new Mac or your second-hand purchase.
Below are some tips and things to consider when you first start using your Mac.
You are thinking of switching or upgrading.
If you are about to switch from a PC or you are upgrading from an older one, please consider the following for a smoother transition.
Keep the Mac in its box until the tech arrives on site. We know this is a very tall ask, but it is hands down the best way to make sure your transition goes well. If the Mac is opened and set up with email and you’ve already written the first two chapters of your life story before we have started the transfer, it can be a little tricky.
Have you purchased a backup solution? Whether it be an external hard disk or a Time Capsule backup, it is very important. If you purchase your backup solution before the tech arrives, we can set it up at the same time for maximum security.
Please have all your passwords ready. Nothing stops an install faster than a lost password. Some commonly needed passwords are:
- Internet username and password
- Wireless network password
- Password for the account on your old Mac or PC
- AppleID and/ or iCloud
If you are buying a laptop or an iPad, do you have a wireless network?
You just bought your first Mac.
THE BOX IT CAME IN
If you can, keep the box and all the bags and cable ties. In this age of eBay, you’ll find that a computer marked ‘in box’ sells very well.
GET IT ON THE WEB
Someone once said that the internet is 50% of any computer, and in more than a few ways, they are right. Call up your local ISP (Internet Service Provider) and get the best deal that suits your needs. Don’t be put off if they say “we don’t support Macs” because nine times out of ten, they don’t even need to know what kind of computer you are using. It is just their way of saying “we don’t have anyone on staff who knows anything about Macs.”
A GOOD BOOK TO HAVE ON HAND
Mac for Dummies from most bookstores
Don’t be put off by the title… they really are very good.
WEB SITES TO VISIT
Some of the most useful sites on the web for Mac users are:
www.macservicesact.com.au (well, you knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?)
www.apple.com/au/support/switch101/
DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH STORAGE?
Most modern Macs come with 16GB of RAM, and this is plenty in most cases; however, a lot of people make the mistake of ordering a Mac with a smaller internal hard disk than they need. Before buying, have a look at how much the old Mac holds and consider getting the same-sized hard disk in your new Mac.
How do you know how much storage you have…
1. Look in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
2. Click on the Apple icon.
3. Choose About this Mac. (If you see a Storage tab, click on that; otherwise, go to the next step.)
4. Then click on More Info…, the General, and finally Storage.
SOFTWARE TO DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL
The Mac comes with almost everything you’ll ever need… but there are a couple of things that make using a Mac in a Windows world just a little more bearable.
APPZapper
Remove applications and all their settings files. – Shareware
LibreOffice/Pages and Numbers
LibreOffice is a fine alternative to Microsoft Office if you don’t want to buy the real thing. – Free
Your new Mac comes with Pages and Numbers, and we think this is all you’ll need.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Yes. Experiment. Have fun. Play and make mistakes. Help is only an email or phone call (0422397979) away, and there is no better way to learn than to get down and dirty.
ONE LAST THING…
PLEASE BACK UP REGULARLY.
