POLL: Fresh install of SL when the iMac gets here?

[Kuski]

I've read many threads about doing a fresh install of SL as soon as the iMac arrives. I haven't really seen a final decision on this. I've read about the boot time being much faster after a fresh install, but also that there are other ways to do it without having to completely reinstalling SL.

Should I:

-Do a fresh install?
-Leave it as is?
-Change certain options to get the same effect?
-Other option you post about?

 

[TheMechanic]

It's not like it would take hours to do a fresh install of SL, especially not on a brand new iMac with no data on it at all.
Just pop in the install disk, choose your preferred options and there you go. It takes maybe half an hour.

 

[Kuski]

It's not like it would take hours to do a fresh install of SL, especially not on a brand new iMac with no data on it at all.
Just pop in the install disk, choose your preferred options and there you go. It takes maybe half an hour.

My question is more or less, is it worth doing it that way, or can I just turn off different options a different way.

 

[wesleyh]

I did a fresh install, didn't make much if any difference.. (except saving a few gigs in printer drivers / languages)

 

[53x12]

This was debated just this week: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/820264/

Basically all the info you need is there, not sure a poll will help you. Basically fresh install is from the days of Windows, however many Apple users still do based on habit. Will it make a huge difference? Probably not but it can't hurt. If you don't mind spending the time, do it. Don't have much to loose except the ~1hr or so to reinstall and do all the updates.

 

[Kuski]

I did a fresh install, didn't make much if any difference.. (except saving a few gigs in printer drivers / languages)

No difference in boot time? I'm not worried about saving a few gigs, I ordered it with the 2TB HDD

 

[wesleyh]

Well, I didn't time it or anything. Just feels about the same.

 

[300D]

The data installed from the DVD is EXACTLY whats already on the hard drive when you get the iMac. Total, complete, 100%, absolute waste of time. Removing the printer and language drivers can be done with several free utilities found on the web.

Go into the "Startup Disk" button of the System Preferences, click on the hard drive and restart. Problem solved.

 

[Kuski]

The data installed from the DVD is EXACTLY whats already on the hard drive when you get the iMac. Total, complete, 100%, absolute waste of time. Removing the printer and language drivers can be done with several free utilities found on the web.

Go into the "Startup Disk" button of the System Preferences, click on the hard drive and restart. Problem solved.

Sounds much easier to me.

 

[Kronie]

It's not like it would take hours to do a fresh install of SL, especially not on a brand new iMac with no data on it at all.
Just pop in the install disk, choose your preferred options and there you go. It takes maybe half an hour.

I timed mine. 21 minutes from start to finish.

 

[HLdan]

I always do a fresh install of the OS on a new Mac. I don't like having to use Slimmer tools and other bloatware to remove stuff. An hour of your time and you will have your install the way I want it. No iWeb, no language packs, no Garageband loops. Some people want them all, some people don't.

 

[SOLLERBOY]

I noticed things weren't so smooth on my new i5 so did a clean install just now, everything is working much better.

 

[TheMechanic]

I timed mine. 21 minutes from start to finish.

Wow, that's fast! My SL installation took 35 minutes or so, but I have a late-2007 MacBook. And before I could install I had to backup all my data, just in case...

My point is that an installation time of slightly more than 20 minutes is not a big hassle. Discussing to do it or not to do it will probably take you more time.
If you feel better with a fresh install go ahead and do it!

For my part I know that a fresh install is not necessary on a brand new Mac. But every time I get a new one the first thing I do is wipe the harddrive and start over even though I know it's a waste of time. Can't help myself but I always want to play with my new toys!!!

 

[peteyD]

Huh?

you will have your install the way I want it

Can't I have it the way I want it?

 

[Kuski]

Can't I have it the way I want it?

Flame grilled please.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the info. I will most likely do a fresh install. It seems like the people that have done it mostly do it because they are OCD or do it by habit...I see myself in this category.

 

[peteyD]

Flame grilled please.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the info. I will most likely do a fresh install. It seems like the people that have done it mostly do it because they are OCD or do it by habit...I see myself in this category.

This was a good question. My i5 should arrive soon and I am also OCD about fresh installs. Just my experience, but occassional clean reinstalls have always improved my Macs, PowerPC and Intel, Tiger and Leopard. Not reinstalled SL yet.

Yes, I am also a Windows user, so mebbe this is one "virus" that infects OS X.

When you buy a Dell, for example, it has the Windows OS installed with all the right drivers installed in all the right order. No problem with OS X there. Controlled hardware means reinstallation is easy and not one driver to worry about (okay, excluding printers, scanners etc). But Dell also package bloatware such as an AOL trial, Office trial etc.

Are new Macs preconfigured with and additional setting or software, or are they exactly as per a DVD reinstall?

 

[Freis968]

I have never heard of doing such a thing until reading this thread.

I don't see the point in it myself, but what do I know I am just an 800lb gorilla...

 

[Jalada]

I was going to do a fresh install when my iMac arrived. But then read about selecting the correct startup disk. I did that, and my bootup was a lot faster.

Don't see any other point of doing a fresh install. Seems pretty 'fresh' to me.