New MacBook Pro (M1) Issues & Advice

[butterwm]

I bought my wife the new MacBook Pro M1 for Christmas. I have had some issues and looking for advice before I take it back to the store for help.

1. When we were setting it up there is the point where you enter your iTunes user name and password and then it pings your other Apple devices to allow the new computer and gives you the 6 digit code. When we typed in the code on the new computer it sat with the spinning wheel for 5+ minutes before it finally took. Tried it twice and was the same result.

2. Once it was setup, there was the latest IOS update (11.1) to install. It downloaded OK and it said preparing update and the timer showed 15 minutes. It took the computer over an hour until it was ready to install.

3. Some of the websites she visits (and visits without problems on her previous other Apple products) causes Safari to lockup and requires a force quit.

4. Microsoft Office has installed but gives an error when trying to install updates.

Honestly we haven’t done much beyond this because I am not sure if something just isn’t right. Any thoughts or advice before I take it back in to see what Apple recommends?

 

[Quackers]

I'm afraid I can't help directly but I presume you've got the 60 days (I think it is now) free Apple Support by virtue of the fact that you've bought one.
I'd try them as a first port of call.
Be aware though that M1 Macs are not the same as previous Macs. They use a different computer chip architecture called ARM and not everything that used to run will still run.
Support may be able to tell you more. Maybe

 

[Clausewitz]

I bought my wife the new MacBook Pro M1 for Christmas. I have had some issues and looking for advice before I take it back to the store for help.

1. When we were setting it up there is the point where you enter your iTunes user name and password and then it pings your other Apple devices to allow the new computer and gives you the 6 digit code. When we typed in the code on the new computer it sat with the spinning wheel for 5+ minutes before it finally took. Tried it twice and was the same result.

2. Once it was setup, there was the latest IOS update (11.1) to install. It downloaded OK and it said preparing update and the timer showed 15 minutes. It took the computer over an hour until it was ready to install.

3. Some of the websites she visits (and visits without problems on her previous other Apple products) causes Safari to lockup and requires a force quit.

4. Microsoft Office has installed but gives an error when trying to install updates.

Honestly we haven’t done much beyond this because I am not sure if something just isn’t right. Any thoughts or advice before I take it back in to see what Apple recommends?

Seems like your problem started from the go (setup). So, no apps can be held accountable for this.

macOS Big Sur 11.1 does take its time to download and install but certainly not an hour.

I think you are right to take it back to Apple store.

 

[Apple_Robert]

In regards to Office, is it the MAS installed version or the Microsoft website version? If the later, that may be the cause of some of the delay.

In sounds like something didn't get sorted 100% with the update install. As @Quackers suggested, Apple store would be the right place to get it running like it should for you, unless you feel comfortable working in terminal. I am no newbie when it comes to Macs and I did a clean install last night on my new M1 for a perceived problem with the 11.1 update. I was a little nervous about screwing it up but got through it ok. Reinstalling the OS is a little different with the M1. Once you and your wife get comfortable with the M1, it shouldn't be a problem to do a clean install later on if needed.

The Apple store can do a clean install of 11.1 for you and have you on your way in no time.

 

[Wolff Weber]

I bought my wife the new MacBook Pro M1 for Christmas. I have had some issues and looking for advice before I take it back to the store for help.

1. When we were setting it up there is the point where you enter your iTunes user name and password and then it pings your other Apple devices to allow the new computer and gives you the 6 digit code. When we typed in the code on the new computer it sat with the spinning wheel for 5+ minutes before it finally took. Tried it twice and was the same result.

2. Once it was setup, there was the latest IOS update (11.1) to install. It downloaded OK and it said preparing update and the timer showed 15 minutes. It took the computer over an hour until it was ready to install.

3. Some of the websites she visits (and visits without problems on her previous other Apple products) causes Safari to lockup and requires a force quit.

4. Microsoft Office has installed but gives an error when trying to install updates.

Honestly we haven’t done much beyond this because I am not sure if something just isn’t right. Any thoughts or advice before I take it back in to see what Apple recommends?

Seems that You should check the internet speed on Yours new Mac. Some connection problems?

 

[jdb8167]

I bought my wife the new MacBook Pro M1 for Christmas. I have had some issues and looking for advice before I take it back to the store for help.

1. When we were setting it up there is the point where you enter your iTunes user name and password and then it pings your other Apple devices to allow the new computer and gives you the 6 digit code. When we typed in the code on the new computer it sat with the spinning wheel for 5+ minutes before it finally took. Tried it twice and was the same result.

2. Once it was setup, there was the latest IOS update (11.1) to install. It downloaded OK and it said preparing update and the timer showed 15 minutes. It took the computer over an hour until it was ready to install.

3. Some of the websites she visits (and visits without problems on her previous other Apple products) causes Safari to lockup and requires a force quit.

4. Microsoft Office has installed but gives an error when trying to install updates.

Honestly we haven’t done much beyond this because I am not sure if something just isn’t right. Any thoughts or advice before I take it back in to see what Apple recommends?

Apple has been having some problems with iCloud over the last day or so. I'm pretty sure that explains your first problem.

I haven't paid much attention to Apple's recent estimates on the preparing stage. I've never noticed it to be particularly accurate but over an hour on preparing is pretty long. Much longer than I would expect.

The Safari problem is troubling. I've not encountered any sites that cause my M1 MacBook Air to have problems. This is what would prompt me to want to reinstall Big Sur.

Edit: Can you list any of problematic sites?

I don't know anything about Microsoft Office. If you don't have the Universal version though, I would delete and redownload to make sure you get the M1 native version. You can check on Universal by selecting one of the office apps, let's say Word, and doing a command-I Get Info menu item in the Finder.

 

[Wolff Weber]

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9to5mac.com