If you’ve just bought your first Mac you may be expecting the same hours-long experience you had when buying a new Windows computer, with a huge number of updates to run, and the tedious removal of bloatware from the machine.
Well, guess what? It’s not going to be anywhere near that painful, or take that long. Here’s what you can expect after taking your new Mac out of its box and switching it on…
Be sure to have an available Wi-Fi connection. Your new Mac will need a Wi-Fi connection to the Internet to complete some of the setup steps. If the network requires a password, have the password ready.
When first turning on your new machine, it’s OK to have an external keyboard and trackpad or mouse plugged in. And, if you’re using an external display, go ahead and plug it in and turn it on as well, but don’t connect any other peripherals just yet.
Some newer model of Mac notebooks will automatically start up when you connect the computer to power or open its lid. Other Macs will require you to press the power button to start them up.
Once your new machine starts up, you’ll be asked for some information, such as your Apple ID. This is probably the same as your iTunes login info. Or, if you already have an iPhone or iPad, use the same Apple ID on your Mac.
Apple recommends letting the setup assistant turn on FileVault, iCloud Keychain, and Find My Mac. While you’re here, you can also transfer information from another computer or a Time Machine backup. (Or, you can do that later, using Migration Assistant.)
Now, your Mac will ask you to create the name and password of your computer account. This information will allow you to log in to your computer, change settings, and install software.
UGH! Here’s the part I always dreaded when setting up a new Windows machine, but on a Mac it’s relatively painless. When the setup assistant finishes setting up your new machine, you’ll be taken to your new Mac’s desktop. Here, you’ll see the Finder menu bar, and the Dock. Click the App Store icon in the Dock, and allow it to search for any needed updates. Don’t worry, it won’t take hours. Definitely less than an hour. 😉
After the updates have all been installed, you can go ahead and connect any printers, drawing tablets, external drives, or other peripherals you plan on using with your new computer.
For more tips and tricks on how to make better use of your Mac, iOS device, Apple Watch, or Apple TV, be sure to visit the “How To” section of our website.
(Original information via the Apple Support Website.)
