Just got my macbook!

So I was in Comp USA (which is closing) and they had the black Macbook (with leopard, new) for $150 off and the 3 year applecare warranty was half off as well. I walked out with both for about $1500 including tax. So anyways, I just started this thing up and I am so excited, it runs beautifully.

I am a new Mac user, does anyone have any tips for me? Any software I should download? Also, how does "mail" work, it seems very confusing to me (mail in different colors and what not). Lastly, I downloaded AOL and it seems to crash whenever I go to system preferences. Anyone else have this same problem?

Thanks!!!

 

AIM crashes or the Macbook crashes?

Congrats on your purchase! You got a great deal there .

 

Download all the media players so you won't have issues when visiting media centric websites.

Flip4Mac. Plays your wmv files within your browser.

VLC. Plays everything outside the browser.

Perian. Plays everything inside the browser that Flip4Mac won't play.

Silverlight. Plays those wonderful "Owned by Microsoft" files on such websites as MLB.

Mail in my experience is not only the easiest to set up but the extras really sweeten the pot. You'll definitely get more support if you use Apple's Mail.

If you are using AOL's mail only then don't bother with their buggy software. AOL is so yesterday.

You can pick up those files from Versiontracker. www.versiontracker.com

They are all free.

 

there are 2 stickie in the forum you might want to see.

 

Welcome to the mac family.
By aol do you mean instant messenger?
If so there is a messenger that connects to all if not most messengers and it is
called Adium. just google it and download it.

 

Congrats on your new purchase! Umm as far as AOL goes I'm assuming you're talking about AIM just use iChat it works beautifully with your AIM profile and you'll love the interface I know I do!

 

Congrats on your purchase, dolfan32323!

Here's two links worth checking out, for new switchers:

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101

 

Congrats on the new Macbook!

I made the PC-Mac switch a month ago. At first, I was lost, looking for settings and applications, but I quickly realized that a Mac is by far more user-friendly than a PC!

for my e-mails, I use Entourage (comes with Mac Office).

 

For your AOL problem, I assume your talking about the AIM application? If so, there is a very nice application that works with the AIM service called Adium. It also allows you to chat with people on the Gmail chat and one other service that I can't remember (maybe its Hotmail)...

 

Thank you all!

I was actually referring to the AOL software (from AOL.com) iChat runs perfectly and the cpu has not crashed. I just have to learn how to use mail and I'll be fine. Thanks for the links and all the help. It is MUCH MUCH appreciated. I hope to become a regular here now

 

I believe that Mail colour codes your incoming mail...
blue = e-mail from contacts in your Address Book
orange = tagged as SPAM

 

Congrats on your new mac; you're going to love it.

I presume you're coming from Windows? If so, you're going to want to activate the two-finger right-click function - it's great.

The one thing I missed from windows that I had a tough time getting is MSN Messenger. The mac version from MSFT lacks audio/video chat (seriously! lol). The only one that I was able to get audio/video chat working in OSX is aMSN.

It's just like MSN Messenger, free and works well and has full interactivity with Hotmail. The only downside is that it's slow to load initially. It takes a good 5-10 seconds for some reason.

Get used to apps not shutting down when you click the red x. They disappear from the screen but are still running. A good short cut to remember and you'll use often is command-q.

There's so much new stuff I'll let you find out about them yourself - why spoil the joys?

Enjoy you new mac.

 

Welcome. Just like ATC said, aMSN is a solution for the messenger, because messenger for Mac can not do the video chatting. I would suggest using skype, because of better video quality.

 

Isn't there an option to DL AIM for mac on the AIM page?

 

I wouldn't go for it. AIM for Mac is outdated, just use iChat, it works fine and is even better!

 

check out the invisibleshield skins. i just got the one that covers just the wrist wrest and its nice.

 

For great open source software for the mac, I am going to refer you to this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=210442

 

Congrates dolfan enjoy your new Mac

Lynn

 

Thanks all, some helpful links I am sure to check out now.