New 2018 mini; I've typically been in the PC world for 3 decades but this weekend got fed up with updating drivers and other problems with Dell desktop. Have iPhone and old iPad so not totally new to Apple.
1) Should I make recovery plan for new mini before installing other apps? In PC world, I would make a bootable thumb drive with other essential Windows OS files on it; then make a backup/image of the virgin hard drive, before installing any apps. Is that something that one does for a new Apple such as the mini. Purpose is to be able to deal with a hardware failure and other disastrous scenarios. Most people in PC world wold not go through that kind of planning, but is always better safe than sorry - so seek suggestion from someone in Apple realm who doesn't just naively think that Apple doesn't need that kind of thing (perhaps that is true). I do not live near an Apple store but there is one authorized reseller in town so I do have a local resource in the unlikely event that something horrible happens down the line.
2) Thoughts on sequence? I tentatively plan on installing antivirus software first, then Backup software; then core office type apps; then VPN app so I can work remotely on office computer; and finally any suggested Mac utilities.
3) Any other suggestions on optimizing a mini? I will be using a PC key board and will remap the Windows key and some others so that it more closely mimics an Apple key board layout.
FYI, plan to primarily use internal HD (256GB) for programs, and external HD for data. I no longer do any particularly intensive computing such as photo and movie editing, or 3D design rendering, so I expect that the Mac mini will be more than adequate, and hopefully the way Mac updates OS will simplify my life. Will gradually transition from using PC mouse to using a Mac trackpad.
Thanks for helping me cut my learning curve.
1) Should I make recovery plan for new mini before installing other apps? In PC world, I would make a bootable thumb drive with other essential Windows OS files on it; then make a backup/image of the virgin hard drive, before installing any apps. Is that something that one does for a new Apple such as the mini. Purpose is to be able to deal with a hardware failure and other disastrous scenarios. Most people in PC world wold not go through that kind of planning, but is always better safe than sorry - so seek suggestion from someone in Apple realm who doesn't just naively think that Apple doesn't need that kind of thing (perhaps that is true). I do not live near an Apple store but there is one authorized reseller in town so I do have a local resource in the unlikely event that something horrible happens down the line.
2) Thoughts on sequence? I tentatively plan on installing antivirus software first, then Backup software; then core office type apps; then VPN app so I can work remotely on office computer; and finally any suggested Mac utilities.
3) Any other suggestions on optimizing a mini? I will be using a PC key board and will remap the Windows key and some others so that it more closely mimics an Apple key board layout.
FYI, plan to primarily use internal HD (256GB) for programs, and external HD for data. I no longer do any particularly intensive computing such as photo and movie editing, or 3D design rendering, so I expect that the Mac mini will be more than adequate, and hopefully the way Mac updates OS will simplify my life. Will gradually transition from using PC mouse to using a Mac trackpad.
Thanks for helping me cut my learning curve.