iMac for beginners

Associate
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
397
Hi all, my girlfriend is going to get an iMac but has never used a mac (got an iPad & iPhone) any advice on any good books / web sites to help her get use to it.

Thanks

Stu
 
Caporegime
Joined
1 Nov 2003
Posts
35,691
Location
Lisbon, Portugal
I would just recommend sitting down with her and just finding your nose through it to be completely frank.

All else fails, the Dummies books are always good.

Jake
 
Soldato
Joined
4 Oct 2008
Posts
6,693
Location
London
I recently switched to a Mac and it isn't too difficult. The things you really need to learn are the basic workflow, and shortcuts and how to navigate around the OS. Things like cmd+w to close windows/tabs and cmd+q to close the app, how to use spotlight, spaces, expose. Most other things just work the same.
 
Soldato
Joined
17 Jan 2007
Posts
8,944
Location
Manchester
If she's used a computer before it's not really difficult. The main thing is going to be dealing with the odd OSX quirk, for which a web search should get you a quick answer.

Is the mighty mouse still garbage? I've not used one for a while, I had to replace mine with a decent PC mouse it was that bad. Your mileage may vary but it's something consider from a usability standpoint.
 
Soldato
Joined
17 Sep 2007
Posts
11,095
Location
West Yorkshire / Market Bosworth
Is the mighty mouse still garbage? I've not used one for a while, I had to replace mine with a decent PC mouse it was that bad. Your mileage may vary but it's something consider from a usability standpoint.

It's the Magic Mouse now. Mighty Mouse wasn't that good. The newer Magic Mouse I found okay and scrolling/gestures on it are nice but I still think a decent PC mouse is all round better like you said.

Personally I use the Magic Trackpad on my iMac, though I don't do anything major on it, but IMO it can't be beaten for web browsing/casual use. It behaves very similar to the MacBooks trackpad.
 
Soldato
Joined
17 Jan 2007
Posts
8,944
Location
Manchester
Yep, Mac trackpads are best in class. The mouses not so much.

By all means give the bundled mouse a try, but I really couldn't deal with it and I'm not the only one.
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
15,711
Location
North Wales
I made the leap in June having barely touched a Mac before. Still learning a few bits and pieces, but it's mainly things like keyboard shortcuts and navigation that are different. It felt completely alien at first, but after a couple of weeks I'd gotten used to it.
 
Associate
Joined
6 Jan 2009
Posts
1,191
Most casual users won't care about keyboard shortcuts etc, so they really aren't needed.

Just spend some time with the machine, you'll soon work it out.

IMO the Magic Trackpad is fantastic, gestures become second nature and really improve the speed in which you can interact with the OS. Perhaps look at swapping the mouse for a trackpad on your order, and then pick up a mouse if she doesn't get on with it.
 
Associate
OP
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
397
thanks all, went and got the iMac yesterday, she's had a bit of a play and like you all say its not that difficult

thanks again

stu
 
Back
Top Bottom