Just bought a macbook - how do I use it?????

samtheman_2

Hi there - just bought a macbook and have had a quick look around - doesn't appear to be as easy as I'd imagined. Is there any good say video podcasts or tutorials on how to use one of these things?

much appreciated!

seaweasel

Depends what you want to do, most everyday things are pretty straight forward. For video podcasts, there are various ways of fetching and viewing them, probably the easiest is subscribing to the podcast you want in iTunes.

seaweasel

Sorry, misread your post. Join macosx.com, a very good Mac forum. Google is also your friend. "Using one of these things" is a bit vague, what are you wanting to do? You'll have at least one web browser and iLife installed so they're a good start.

Strangled

All I can say is......just play with it. You cannot break it,OSX is a lot better than Windoze xp/vista. Look at various forums like https://www.macformat.co.uk or https://www.macuser.co.uk , and even buy the magazines.
Thats all I did, and we now have 5 Macs in the household :-)

Have fun.....and welcome to 'proper' computing :beer: :j :rotfl: :T

Blacksheep1979

Its just sad that people see macs as proper computing - the fact that you are so hidden from all of the underlying details and 'can't break it' almost by deffinition means that its not proper computing.

But yes as everyone says join a decent forum - usually v helpful.

Moneymaker

I didn't make my money by wasting time with Windows. Macs just work for me. No malware and very few crashes. No lost files and very little hassle.

Samtheman, you're already one step ahead of the great unwashed because you can afford a Mac. You'll soon get accustomed to using it.

There's a forum offering help to windows -> Mac switchers:
http://www.macosx.com/forums/

gotan

Most of that tech forum is in Klingon, unless you are a serious techie.

ABH_3

gotan wrote: »

Most of that tech forum is in Klingon, unless you are a serious techie.

It's not that bad. Before you enter such forums, go get a cup of tea or coffee and whilst you have this mini break preparing your favourite beverage, get your thoughts in order.

1) PC's are the *worst* invention ever!
2) Mac Rulez! Period, no mistake there, if anyone says differently. They are *wrong*!
3) Become as judgemental as you can ie: Damn rubbish men never put the lids back on the dustbins, they must be morons. Milkman never closes the gate, they must all be idiots.
4) Steve Jobbs is *the best*, better than Elvis, Better than any mortal man or woman!
5) Steve Jobbs should have my children!
6) Steve Jobbs says I should upgrade my Mac, I agree.

There, now once you've developed this superior attitude. It should all become clear that where you're going wrong is that you're sat infront of a PC (how dare you!?) correct that mistake asap and buy a Mac!

Once you've done this, goto any of the mac forums announce you're a 'switcher' and experience the warm fuzzy glow of returning to the right side of the tracks, oh yes and it will all become clear as to what their talking about. Think Mac! Think correctly!

If you read through enough of the forums, you might come accross some amusing stories, like those that purchased their mac's, only to turn them on not to be confronted with the usual 'pretty graphics' or GUI but some strange text. They then returned their machines to the local Apple store, picked it up a week later, only to get home and find their machine still broken. Because the 'black background and white text when I boot up is still there'. That black background and white text was the operating system, but Apple afficianados don't see that, only the GUI so it must be broken

There's more, but I don't want to ruin your fun.

Happy reading!

seaweasel

Can we have ONE thread about Macs without starting a flame war? macosx.com is very friendly and the tone ranges from noobs and switchers to more hardcore stuff because it covers a lot of ground. They also do free tech support (I used to be a volunteer tech there).

As I also said, there are loads of tutorials around, have a Google.

I've been a Mac user for along time but I also use Windows and have a lot of tech savvy friends who have PCs (or both). Most of us with any experience of the two platforms know about their pros and cons, and it's very unconstructive to bash either on a forum with a lot of inexperienced computer users.

I know that some people get irritated by Mac zealots, but "MACs r teh suxxx0r, get a real comp!!!!! lolzxzz" comments are just as bad. In fact considering that Windows has been getting steadily better since 2000/XP, and that the Intel Macs can run Windows as well, these arguments are getting more and more redundant.

To the zealots of either platform, get a life. The OP appears to have ditched this thread but if they or anyone else need any Mac help, I'm happy to offer it, as are many other people.

neilwoods

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/

Is also a good place to look at. Lots of helpful people there, very few zealots ( mac & pc ).

I am a Mac artworker, use the mac everyday and then use a PC at home.

There will allways be pros & cons for any kind of computer.

Cons
Macs - costly to buy & upgrade, not as much software as a pc (but getting better all time). Unistalling software can be a pain. Intel mac and Adobe CS2 are the worst of enemy's

Pc - crashes loads, virus & spyware ridden, vista is like big brother is watching you. Doesnt hold there price

Pros
Mac - virus and spyware free, drag and drop install, smoother running, Plus macs allways hold there price.

Pc - cheap to buy & uprgade, plenty of software about.

So at end of day OP, ignore the idiots who say mac are best or pc are best.

I am sure you will enjoy your macbook greatly, but will be times when you want to throw it through the nearest window.

niccy

Hi, all

I'm seriously thinking about getting a Mac,although i had a G4 for a few months (and did not hit it off at all, i found it quite hard to use,and also the internet seemed to be not as accessible)
I wondered if anyone used this http://www.apple.com/getamac/windows.html