The First Steps
Once you have taken your Macbook Pro out from its box, you’ll have to power it on by pressing the power button section at the top right area of the keyboard. The first bootup will take a bit longer than normal, as the OS (OS X Mountain Lion) is setting itself up and gathering information about its user (and that is you). Here are a couple of things to consider during this process:
You will be prompted to create an Apple ID. This is the identification login that will be your new name for everything dealing with Apple, including iCloud. You will also be asked to create a login. For safety precautions, this will be asked of you for accessing certain changes in the system preferences. Not all Macs have to be password-protected though, so doing this doesn’t mean that will occur. It’s only for accessing settings and possibly for new downloads. Ensure that you have an Internet connection of some form readily available before you begin the process to prevent any unexpected disappointment.
Get Your MacBook Pro In-Sync (iCloud and Time Machine)
After your new gem is fully set up, you will be asked to sign up for iCloud during the process. iCloud is the service that allows you to have a central sign-in for accessing everything from applications you downloaded to music purchased. On the Mac, applications are downloaded in the Mac App Store. You will be prompted to sign in with this iCloud address each time you make a purchase or download. Using iCloud is a great way to easily transfer your iTunes library seamlessly as well. iCloud also goes further in that you are able to easily have all of your other Apple gadgets connected. For example, when I got my iPhone 5 a few weeks ago, I were able to sync my address book, calendar events and more that were stored in iCloud to my phone. You will want to use Time Machine as a way of loading all of your data from your old computer from your external hard drive. Time Machine works by allowing you to set times of when you want to have your hard drive automatically transfer data. Time Machine will also automatically transfer when it notices new data that should be saved.
Is Your MacBook Pro Up-To-Date?
One easily-ignored tip is to ensure that your MacBook Pro is up-to-date when you first get it. A common misconception is that when it comes out of the box, it is already the most up-to-date and automatically ready for you to dive in. In reality, the updates, big and small, come out randomly. Unless they are OS X updates, they can sometimes go under the radar. With the possibility that a security update, for example, was released on the day you broke the plastic, it’s always wise to check and see. To check for update, you can click the Apple symbol at the top left corner of the MacBook Pro’s screen. Then, click Software Update and it will check and see if it has the latest software available. This is important in ensuring that you are using the safest and most security-forward software around.
Feel More At Home
The things you can’t change about Mac will begin to become familiar with you as time passes. However, there are a couple of things you can do now to ensure that you feel the most acquainted with your MacBook Pro as possible. One way can be the scrolling orientation. On most Windows computers, the scrolling direction is always set and it is an afterthought for you. The System Preferences (under the Hardware section, click “Trackpad”) will be your best friend as you make trackpad and other system changes. There are other preferences options, but we won’t spoil it for you; take a look around and enjoy the scavenger hunt for everything from adding new accounts for email and Facebook to changing your desktop background. This is a great way to get accustomed to the MacBook Pro features.
