The iMac has arrived... Let the fun begin

[Beccad]

The refurbished iMac 21.5" I ordered last week arrived today. So far, so good. The display is beautiful, it looks great on my desk, and I definitely like the magic mouse -- not sure about the keyboard yet.

So far, I loaded software updates, moved my iTunes music to the iMac, set up Time Machine and backed up to an external HD, downloaded Dropbox and KeePass plus a few visual changes. Tomorrow I hope to move photos over and also set up the AirPort Extreme (my current Linksys has been dropping connections regularly).

No questions right now -- just but any tips for a new Mac setup would be appreciated

 

[SidewaysTakumi]

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Wow we are in the same boat. I just ordered mine and am waiting anxiously for it. Will be going through the same steps and will even buy an airport extreme next month and retire my linksys. Lol.

I can't wait. Want to hear more of your happiness. Pics?

 

[vodouman]

I have also ordered an iMac with custom specs. To the OP: How long did it take to get to your door between time of order and the delivery.

To the other poster in this thread: What is your estimated delivery date

Mine isn't supposed to be delivered to me (UK) till next Tuesday, 18th. Sad times

 

[SidewaysTakumi]

I ordered mine on the 11th and it is supposed to arrive on the 15th...although I'm somewhat skeptical.

But mine is a refurb shipping from CA

 

[Beccad]

I ordered on the 5th; it arrived on the 12th. (Shipping from California to Ohio). Apple processed the shipment quickly; I got a tracking number less than four hours after I placed the order.

I really wish work wasn't so busy; I'd take a day off to finish getting everything transferred and set up so I can just start getting really familiar with the Mac OS! It seems like I've been fiddling with computers for months now. Wireless router problems, new laptop (Windows) that died three weeks after I bought it, researching a new desktop, and now setting up the new iMac.

I'm trying to use this opportunity, though, to streamline my computing experience. I partitioned a 1.5 TB external hd so I can back up both the iMac and my laptop -- I'll network it via the airport extreme. I also started using Dropbox so I can keep files synced. Still researching other opportunities to simplify!

 

[keaide]

If you are new to the Mac (as I am) Mac Life has a nice article about what you can do with your new iMac. You can find it >>here<<.

But I wonder if there first thing to do should be creating a user account that is separated from the standard admin account...


You can find many useful tutorials via iTunes (video podcasts) by searching for Apple and "find out how".

Or check out these links >>here<< in another thread (especially of you switch from a PC).

There's plenty to learn...

 

[RichardI]

Do yourself a favour - go to the App store and purchase and download a copy of a little game called "Angry Birds". Have a ball

Rich

 

[SidewaysTakumi]

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But I wonder if there first thing to do should be creating a user account that is separated from the standard admin account...

Why is it important to create a user account separate from the admin account?

 

[normwood]

New to iMac today as well. I cheated though and picked one up at Bestbuy. Waiting for Migration Assistant to do it's thing as I type this post. Very anxious for it finishes so I can begin the fun. Will need to take some time to move iPhoto library back off my external drive. Had run out od room on my the 120 gig drive on my MacBook.

Steve

 

[Buck987]

Picked up a base 21.5 at the nearby apple store to go with my 13" macbook pro and ipads.

The apple store priced match the local microcenter so I saved $100 bucks.

Not a power user but I have taken some classes on the different iLife programs at the apple store and hope to do some more advanced photo and video work.

Screen is perfect. Very happy with it.

 

[InsanelyApple]

I don't know why you need tips, unlike Windows you can learn the Mac OS within a day or two. I didn't read any manuals or tip guides online when I got my iMac, I just went with it and figured everything out within a few days. Abide I did have some experience since the high school has some iMacs and MacBooks in the computer classes that I learned some stuff on.

So yeah, give yourself a week and you'll never want to go back to Windows again. I still don't like logging in to the school's Windows computers when I have to. Windows XP is bleh.

 

[keaide]

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Why is it important to create a user account separate from the admin account?

I don't know for Macs, but at least on all Unix/Linux systems that I've worked, you did not need armin priveliges for daily work. Admin can do everything, so apart from rendering your Mac unusable by accident, it also seriously compromises security. I'd be surprised if Mac OS would require you to work as admin (root). I would expect that you work with a normal user account and are asked for a password if you want to do any admin work (install system-wide apps, change firewall settings etc.). But my first Mac will only arrive next week, so I can only deduce from my previous IUnix/Linux experience. Maybe some of the experienced Mac users here can comment on that...

 

[Beccad]

If you are new to the Mac (as I am) Mac Life has a nice article about what you can do with your new iMac. You can find it >>here<<.

But I wonder if there first thing to do should be creating a user account that is separated from the standard admin account...


You can find many useful tutorials via iTunes (video podcasts) by searching for Apple and "find out how".

Or check out these links >>here<< in another thread (especially of you switch from a PC).

There's plenty to learn...

Thanks for these links -- though I've been able to figure out everything I've needed to do so far, I'm looking forward to figuring out all the ins and outs of the Mac OS.

Do yourself a favour - go to the App store and purchase and download a copy of a little game called "Angry Birds". Have a ball

Rich

I have this game on my iPhone -- the grandkids love it! I've only played a few times... may have to give it a try on the "big" screen.

 

[David085]

Congrats on your purchase ftw.

 

[Beccad]

Today I managed to get the airport extreme set up, including attaching a new airprint-capable printer and an external HD I partitioned so I can back up both the iMac and my Windows 7 laptop. And, everything is working just the way it should. I love it when a plan comes together!

 

[mrsir2009]

Do yourself a favour - go to the App store and purchase and download a copy of a little game called "Angry Birds". Have a ball

Rich

Why is that game so popular? Isn't it just another one of those "Crush the castle" games that you can pay online for free, except you have to download it and it costs $6? From what I see the concept it pretty much the same...

 

[santaliqueur]

Why is that game so popular? Isn't it just another one of those "Crush the castle" games that you can pay online for free, except you have to download it and it costs $6? From what I see the concept it pretty much the same...

You mean $5, right?

It's popular because it is polished, provides excellent replay value, and is very fun. It's been at the top of the iPhone app store rankings for months, so if you don't like it, you are likely in the minority.

 

[binarydev]

I don't know for Macs, but at least on all Unix/Linux systems that I've worked, you did not need armin priveliges for daily work. Admin can do everything, so apart from rendering your Mac unusable by accident, it also seriously compromises security. I'd be surprised if Mac OS would require you to work as admin (root). I would expect that you work with a normal user account and are asked for a password if you want to do any admin work (install system-wide apps, change firewall settings etc.). But my first Mac will only arrive next week, so I can only deduce from my previous IUnix/Linux experience. Maybe some of the experienced Mac users here can comment on that...

Every Mac I have ever owned with OSX has required the user to enter their password for things requiring admin privileges, just like you would with a sudo command. In fact, a user without admin privileges is not allowed to enter their credentials to make changes, such as installing system-wide apps, etc.

 

[mrsir2009]

You mean $5, right?

It's popular because it is polished, provides excellent replay value, and is very fun. It's been at the top of the iPhone app store rankings for months, so if you don't like it, you are likely in the minority.

Yes if I owned an iOS device I'd probably buy it. I'm not saying its not fun, its just that on the Mac OSX platform there are so many other free options unlike the iOS platform. Also it is funner to play those sort of games on mobile phones

 

[thekb]

I don't know for Macs, but at least on all Unix/Linux systems that I've worked, you did not need armin priveliges for daily work. Admin can do everything, so apart from rendering your Mac unusable by accident, it also seriously compromises security. I'd be surprised if Mac OS would require you to work as admin (root). I would expect that you work with a normal user account and are asked for a password if you want to do any admin work (install system-wide apps, change firewall settings etc.). But my first Mac will only arrive next week, so I can only deduce from my previous IUnix/Linux experience. Maybe some of the experienced Mac users here can comment on that...

Forgive my ignorance, but is an admin account the same thing as "root". I thought there was a difference. I messed up my wife's macbook once and had to try to change her user name ... the one that shows up as the name of the computer in Finder. I had to go through a very long series of instructions that I think involved using Terminal. I thought I had to do some elaborate steps to sign in as "root". Am I mistaken? Are Admin and Root the same thing?

Power users, is there any advantage to using a regular user account everyday rather than Admin? I am all for being as secure as possible, so should I be using a non-Admin account?

 

[keaide]

Every Mac I have ever owned with OSX has required the user to enter their password for things requiring admin privileges, just like you would with a sudo command. In fact, a user without admin privileges is not allowed to enter their credentials to make changes, such as installing system-wide apps, etc.

If it works like sudo, then that's great.