When that new 24-inch iMac arrives, you don’t need anybody or something getting in your means as you unpack it and set it up. It’s an thrilling second, so go forward, go for it! However (or course, there’s a “however”) after you’re carried out inserting it completely in your desk, plugging it in, turning it on, after which sitting again to gaze upon it admiringly, take a little bit break. Pause for bit, as a result of now it’s time to arrange your Mac for the work you wish to get carried out.
To get essentially the most out of your Mac expertise, there are some things it's best to do first earlier than doing the rest. Many of those duties are the sort it's good to do solely as soon as, and when they're set, you'll hardly ever want to handle them once more and you'll give attention to working or creating in your Mac.
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Determine which adapters you want
When you arrange the iMac, you might have seen the ports on the again. The iMac has just one sort of connector, which is formed like a USB-C plug. The 24-inch iMac comes with a pair of those ports, and the expertise behind these ports is Thunderbolt/USB 4, which means that you should use these ports with Thunderbolt and USB gadgets. (The $1,499 and $1,699 include two extra ports which can be USB-C solely. Most Thunderbolt gadgets received’t work with these ports despite the fact that the cable appears the identical. It’s complicated, we all know.)
The catch is that the gadgets you wish to connect with your new iMac—onerous drive, printer, digicam, etcetera—in all probability use a cable that has a special connector. So to attach your previous gadgets to your new iMac, it's good to purchase adapters.
You’ll in all probability want Apple’s USB-C to USB adapter (left) and Thunderbolt (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (proper).
Apple
Chances are high, the gadget you wish to join makes use of a USB-A connector, essentially the most broadly used model of USB. So the adapter you'll need is a USB-C to USB adapter. Apple has one for $19 (Amazon hyperlink), however you could find third-party variations for a little bit cheaper. In case you have a tool that makes use of a special model of Thunderbolt, you want an adapter like Apple’s $49 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (Amazon hyperlink). Now we have a full information that can assist you discover the adapter you want.
In case you have lots of gadgets you wish to join, take into account investing in a Thunderbolt dock. It is a field that gives a set of various connectors you may plug into. There are a selection of docks accessible with totally different port choices. We lately reviewed the OWC Thunderbolt Hub ($149) and favored it. We additionally reviewed the WD_Black D50, a dock with a built-in 1TB onerous drive for $449. That tough drive can be useful for the subsequent step listed under.
Arrange a Time Machine backup
The Mac working system (known as macOS) has a built-in characteristic for making backups of your knowledge. It’s known as Time Machine, and it’s very easy to arrange and use. Although it hardly ever occurs, if you happen to use your laptop sufficient, there'll come a time whenever you a file you’re engaged on goes unhealthy, otherwise you lose it, otherwise you wish to revert to a beforehand saved model. Time Machine can assist you recuperate that file.
You want an exterior onerous drive to make use of Time Machine. Join the drive to your iMac after which go to the Apple menu and open System Preferences. Click on on Time Machine and you'll set it up. You possibly can have Time Machine carry out backups routinely so long as the drive is linked to the iMac.
It takes only a few minutes to arrange Time Machine—time nicely spent, particularly when the time comes when it's good to recuperate a file.
Apple
Configure iCloud Drive
iCloud is Apple’s on-line service that gives a technique to sync your knowledge between your Macs, iPhones, and iPads. It additionally has electronic mail, Discover My, and different companies. While you arrange a brand new iMac, you’ll be requested to arrange an iCloud account or log into one if you have already got it. However as soon as your Mac is up and working, it's best to go a step additional and configure iCloud Drive, the web storage that iCloud offers.
In System Preferences, click on in your Apple ID on the high to get to the iCloud settings. Then click on on iCloud within the left column, and within the field to the best labeled “Apps on this Mac utilizing iCloud,” verify the iCloud Drive if you wish to use it. Then click on on the Choices button, and a window will pop up that reveals the apps that may retailer knowledge on iCloud Drive.
Turning on Desktop & Paperwork will let you entry recordsdata in these folders on any gadget.
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In case you verify Desktop and Paperwork, it will let you entry any recordsdata saved to the Desktop or Paperwork folder on some other Mac, iPhone, or iPad that you simply use. In case you don’t wish to have this sort of entry, uncheck the Desktop and Paperwork field. Study extra about Desktop and Paperwork on iCloud Drive.
Examine for macOS and app updates
Whereas Apple does a superb job of delivery its Macs with the most recent model of macOS, typically updates get launched whereas your iMac is shipped to you. It’s a good suggestion to verify for the most recent model of macOS earlier than you begin as a result of it fixes bugs, patches safety holes, and introduces new options. (The most recent model is 11.3, although it’s potential your iMac already has macOS 11.4.)
If you wish to verify, listed below are the steps to replace macOS:
- Click on on the Apple menu.
- Choose About this Mac.
- Within the window that seems, go to the Overview tab if it’s not already open.
- Click on on the Software program Replace button. This can open the Software program Replace system choice.
- You possibly can click on the Extra information hyperlink if you wish to study extra in regards to the replace.
- When you find yourself prepared to put in, click on on the Replace Now button. Set up takes a number of minutes, relying on the velocity of the web connection.
Examine the Mac App Retailer for app updates.
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You may also verify for updates for the apps you employ. In case you purchase apps within the Mac App Retailer, you may launch the App Retailer app and click on Updates on the backside of the left column. For apps that you simply didn’t purchase within the App Retailer, you’ll should verify with the developer’s web site to see if any updates can be found.
Arrange Contact ID
In case you purchased a $1,499 or $1,699 24-inch iMac or paid further for the $1,299 mannequin, the keyboard is provided with a Contact ID sensor, Apple’s safety characteristic that makes use of a fingerprint scanner. While you first arrange your iMac, you’ll undergo the Contact ID setup, however you may add a few different fingers to your profile. You are able to do that within the Contact ID system preferences.
Contact ID comes with the $1,499 and $1,699 iMacs. The Contact ID button is positioned on the higher proper nook of the keyboard.
Apple
That’s all carried out, so clear up your mess
We’ve all carried out it: after establishing your new iMac, you begin utilizing it to do issues, like verify electronic mail, go to a number of web sites, work on a presentation in Keynote, edit a video in iMovie—the checklist goes on. However go searching. You in all probability have the iMac field laying there, you moved issues round to make room for the iMac, perhaps you even have your previous Mac sitting proper subsequent to you on the ground. Quite a few research say that you're extra productive when your workspace is tidy, so take a break from new iMac (I do know, it’s onerous), and clear up after your self. You then’ll be capable of use your iMac with none distractions.