New Mac owner

[jerzdawg]

Finally getting my feet wet with a Mac.  Just picked this up from a co-worker for $500 (I've been told this was a fair price).

 

21" 2011 i5 2.6ghz iMac.

[devHead]

That would be pretty sad if a computer with an i5 processor at 2.6 Ghz and 8 GB of RAM didn't run blazingly fast.  I would play around with it first.  It really should be fine. 

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

First off: You don't really need to install Windows - you can do anything on OS X you're doing on Windows.

 

I'd suggest downloading the Office for Mac preview from https://products.office.com/en-us/mac/mac-preview - the current stable version is heavily outdated.

 

Try which web browser suits you best. I'm using Safari myself; your mileage may vary.

 

Many of the popular Windows apps (Skype, Spotify, Steam, VLC) are also available on OS X.

 

If you're an IRC user, I'd suggest Textual (see Mac App Store). It costs a few bucks, but is worth it.

 

And if you have any further questions, ask here or on Neowin IRC.

[TAZMINATOR]

You can dual boot with Windows with Boot Camp which located in Launchpad (as you see rocket icon) on the dock.  Then find Boot Camp Assistant.

 

Or you can get VM installed with Windows .... such as Parallels (http://parallels.com)  

 

You can install Office preview on it if you want.

 

RAM, You can upgrade to 16... nothing more. Unless you have newer Mac which allows you to upgrade 32 or more depends on model.

[jerzdawg]

 

I'd suggest downloading the Office for Mac preview from https://products.office.com/en-us/mac/mac-preview - the current stable version is heavily outdated.

 

 

And if you have any further questions, ask here or on Neowin IRC.

Thanks.. I'd assume my company will eventually add the newest version to the program so Ill check out the preview until then.  I'll def try Safari but Im a chrome user at work (just for adblock) so not sure how long ill last without it.  Ill def jump on the IRC tonight once I get it up and running.

[shockz]

Thanks.. I'd assume my company will eventually add the newest version to the program so Ill check out the preview until then.  I'll def try Safari but Im a chrome user at work (just for adblock) so not sure how long ill last without it.  Ill def jump on the IRC tonight once I get it up and running.

Safari has addon support, AdBlock Plus works fine with it.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

There is a version of Adblock for Safari as well. It's easy enough to find (no direct link, as the powers that be on here aren't too happy with adblockers).

[shockz]

There is a version of Adblock for Safari as well. It's easy enough to find (no direct link, as the powers that be on here aren't too happy with adblockers).

https://adblockplus.org/category/adblock-plus-safari/

[jerzdawg]

Safari has addon support, AdBlock Plus works fine with it.

 

 

There is a version of Adblock for Safari as well. It's easy enough to find (no direct link, as the powers that be on here aren't too happy with adblockers).

Even better.. the less things I have installed the easier it is for my wife to use.  And no worries Frank, Neowin gets the whitelist for me.

[#Michael]

Up the ram that computer will run like it is brand new.  Yosmite will run like butter on it.

[jerzdawg]

Up the ram that computer will run like it is brand new.  Yosmite will run like butter on it.

Without opening it up.. how can I look to see if its 1x8 or 2x4 in there currently...  I'll order one ASAP 

[TAZMINATOR]

Without opening it up.. how can I look to see if its 1x8 or 2x4 in there currently...  I'll order one ASAP 

 

I think it's located at the bottom of your iMac.

 

Edit:

 

Here you go:

[#Michael]

That model can actually handle 32GB of ram.

[jerzdawg]

Up and running, so far so good.  It really is a whole new world when it comes to transitioning.  I def have no clue how to use Finder (I assume that is the equivalent to Explorer?).  I tried mapping a drive from my NAS but the best I can do so far is I have the folder saved in Favorites.  I need to find a youtube video for first time mac users..   Thanks everyone for your help so far!

[TAZMINATOR]

Up and running, so far so good.  It really is a whole new world when it comes to transitioning.  I def have no clue how to use Finder (I assume that is the equivalent to Explorer?).  I tried mapping a drive from my NAS but the best I can do so far is I have the folder saved in Favorites.  I need to find a youtube video for first time mac users..   Thanks everyone for your help so far!

 

Yes... You can find apps under 'Applications' in Finder...   Other way is to get to the apps is go to Launchpad (rocket icon on dock)

 

You can look at system files in finder just like Explorer.

[TAZMINATOR]

Up and running, so far so good.  It really is a whole new world when it comes to transitioning.  I def have no clue how to use Finder (I assume that is the equivalent to Explorer?).  I tried mapping a drive from my NAS but the best I can do so far is I have the folder saved in Favorites.  I need to find a youtube video for first time mac users..   Thanks everyone for your help so far!

 

Up to you to get this add-on for your Finder which it will have tabs, options, etc.

 

It might be useful to you..

 

Enjoy your iMac.

[#Michael]

Up and running, so far so good.  It really is a whole new world when it comes to transitioning.  I def have no clue how to use Finder (I assume that is the equivalent to Explorer?).  I tried mapping a drive from my NAS but the best I can do so far is I have the folder saved in Favorites.  I need to find a youtube video for first time mac users..   Thanks everyone for your help so far!

 

Mapping a network drive in os x is very easy (easier than windows).

 

Just do Finder>Go>connect to server or "command+k" Then enter in the server address using either 'smb' or 'afp' and choose 'connect'.  Couldn't be any simpler. 

[jerzdawg]

Mapping a network drive in os x is very easy (easier than windows).

 

Just do Finder>Go>connect to server or "command+k" Then enter in the server address using either 'smb' or 'afp' and choose 'connect'.  Couldn't be any simpler. 

 

Ok I think I got it.  Last question for the night...   is there anyway I can add my photos (stored in my Photos folder) on my Synology NAS.  Only option I see is import which I assume will end up copying from my NAS to the mac hd.. 

[+virtorio MVC]

Ok I think I got it.  Last question for the night...   is there anyway I can add my photos (stored in my Photos folder) on my Synology NAS.  Only option I see is import which I assume will end up copying from my NAS to the mac hd.. 

You can change the location of your Photos library (Photos (menu) -> Preferences -> General -> Library Location), but I can't guarantee how well it's going to work over a network.

[TAZMINATOR]

Ok I think I got it.  Last question for the night...   is there anyway I can add my photos (stored in my Photos folder) on my Synology NAS.  Only option I see is import which I assume will end up copying from my NAS to the mac hd.. 

 

Since Aperture is no longer in App Store. It was replaced with Photos app...  Apple is so lame for this.

 

So you will have to use Pixelmater which you can see it in App Store.   You can use NAS folder instead of Mac to find photos to open with.

 

You can find alternative editor if you don't like Pixelmater.

 

You can view photos in Finder. Which you can change thumbnail size in the Finder settings.

[jerzdawg]

Hmm I moved the photo library over to the folder with the photos but nothing happened .... Going to bed and hope tomorrow is a better day

[#Michael]

Ok I think I got it.  Last question for the night...   is there anyway I can add my photos (stored in my Photos folder) on my Synology NAS.  Only option I see is import which I assume will end up copying from my NAS to the mac hd.. 

 

I am not a huge 'storing my photos on my local computer' person.  Mine are synced to onedrive (yes I know that means they are on my computer).  I do also have them backed up using time machine.

Up to you to get this add-on for your Finder which it will have tabs, options, etc.

 

It might be useful to you..

 

Enjoy your iMac.

 

Not sure why you would need that.  Finder has had those options natively for a while now.

[jerzdawg]

I am not a huge 'storing my photos on my local computer' person.  Mine are synced to onedrive (yes I know that means they are on my computer).  I do also have them backed up using time machine.

 

they are not stored on my computer.. they are stored on the NAS.  I am trying to "see" the pictures/files in Photos app.  I moved the library to the photo folder on my NAS but I am still missing a step as the Photo app is still showing 0 pictures.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

In the Photos app, go to File -> Import and select the desired folder. That'll do the trick.

[TAZMINATOR]

Not sure why you would need that.  Finder has had those options natively for a while now.

 

You are missing the point!

 

The add-on has tabs, options, other features that app doesn't have that add-on has.

 

Take a look