Starting up a new MBP the first time

[Luis Ortega]

I just got my MBP but I don't know anything about Macs.
At home, my PC is connected to my broadband (Virgin UK) via an ethernet cable from a wireless router. The PC laptops we have use wireless adapters and it all works OK.
My question is, when I first turn on the MBP, will its airport or bluetooth automatically try to connect to the network?
I would prefer to not deal with that at first and not have the airport or bluetooth active when I first turn on the machine.
Are these things on by default on a new MBP? If so, can I cancel any automatic attempts to connect to the network and turn off the airport for the time being?
Eventually, I will try to set up my email accounts and start to surf the web on it, but not now.
Thanks a lot for any advice.

 

[kolax]

It searches for local wireless networks and asks you if you want to join one. Just skip that part.

Why do you not want the wireless active? It isn't Windows - it won't get filled with spyware the minute you turn the web on without any protection!

You make it sound like it is a very tough procedure by not wanting to get the internet setup on your MacBook Pro. It's not - all you have to do is select your wireless router name from the list it finds, enter your password and that's it. All working.

You can also disable Bluetooth and Airport once logged into your Mac if you don't want them running for whatever reason.

 

[Luis Ortega]

Thanks for your help.
I did let it set up automatically and it was very easy.
It wanted to start downloading a ton of updates but I cancelled that for the moment.
I will set up the email account later on.
Do you know if it's possible to just paste in the contents of my favorites folder from my PC so that I can use them and not have to visit every website I want to bookmark from scratch?
If I don't need bluetooth, should I disable it for any sort of security reasons?
I noticed that only Safari is available. Would some other browser like Firefox be better?

 

[kolax]

Safari is a great browser. You'll mind most Mac users use it.

As for security - having Bluetooth enabled doesn't offer much of a threat; just make sure file sharing is turned off. But if you don't use it, then there is no harm in turning it off. I use Bluetooth all the time for syncing with my mobile phone, and using Address Book to send text messages via my mobile from Bluetooth.

You should download all the latest updates by the way - they updated and gave out security updates for a reason.

Airport will connect to your favourited wireless router by default for convenince. But disable Airport if you won't want the internet on your MacBook Pro.

As for copying and pasting all your favourites - Safari lets you import bookmarks, try exporting bookmarks on your PC (or a similar option). I'm not sure if IE7 offers this though.

 

[majordude]

Safari is a great browser. You'll mind most Mac users use it.

I must be the only one in MacLand that despises the thing. I use Camino and Firefox... and have removed Safari from the launch pad.

There's just something about it I don't like.

And frankly, if Opera would accept plugins that would be the killer app. As it is, I find it too limiting.

 

[kolax]

I must be the only one in MacLand that despises the thing. I use Camino and Firefox... and have removed Safari from the launch pad.

That's why I said most, not all

I used to use Firefox, but Safari is slicker.

 

[Habakuk]

That's why I said most, not all I used to use Firefox, but Safari is slicker.

Safari is great for me too. But for a recent (three months) switcher like me all the advantages were a little bit - let's say: hidden. You'll need some days to get used to it if you were customized to IE. In fact there is nothing missing in Safari that I could do with IE but furthermore. Safari is more stable and easier to handle.

 

[majordude]

Safari is more stable and easier to handle.

The one that came with OSX (version 2?) is stable. Maybe the beta version is stable now as well but the one I tried was slow and nearly locked up on me. You guys have convinced me to try it again once it goes gold.