You just slid a gleaming Mac out of its box. Congratulations — that warm first-boot thrill is a rare, good thing. Before you dive into folders and widgets, spend 20–30 minutes doing a few setup chores and one or two smart purchases that repay you in convenience and fewer headaches down the road.

Start smart: the quick security and backup checklist

Don’t skip this. Set these up first and you’ll thank yourself if anything goes wrong.

  • Sign into your Apple ID and enable iCloud. It keeps passwords, Photos, and Notes synced and makes recovery easier.
  • Turn on Touch ID (if available) and register more than one finger. It’s the fastest, safest way to unlock the machine and authorize purchases.
  • Enable FileVault in System Settings > Privacy & Security to encrypt your drive. Pick iCloud recovery or print a recovery key and store it somewhere safe.
  • Hook up an external drive and set up Time Machine (System Settings > General > Time Machine). Backups are boring until you need one.
  • Switch on automatic updates for macOS and App Store apps so critical security patches install themselves.

    • Make it yours — personalization that actually helps

    A few minutes of customization makes your Mac feel like yours and saves time every day. Change your wallpaper and desktop folder icons, tidy the Dock, and set the Dock to auto-hide if you like a minimal workspace. If you’re running a recent macOS, drag widgets onto the desktop for calendar, clock, or quick shortcuts — they’re surprisingly useful for day-to-day work.

    Learn a couple of trackpad gestures and enable the hidden ones in System Settings > Trackpad (look under More Gestures). Once you master a handful — three-finger drag, App Exposé — you’ll be breezing through windows.

    Prevent frustration: app and file hygiene

    Decide where you’ll get apps from. If you install apps from the web, set System Settings > Privacy & Security to allow App Store & Known Developers so things launch smoothly. Then:

  • Install your essentials: browser, password manager, your preferred editor, and any creative apps you need.
  • Set default apps for email and browser in System Settings so files open the way you expect.

    • If you prefer bargain-hunting before buying, keep an eye on seasonal discounts — there have been notable MacBook Air deals recently that make upgrading more palatable.

    Tweak battery, display and privacy settings

    Head to Battery and enable Optimized Battery Charging and Low Power Mode options that suit your routine. In Displays, turn on “Automatically adjust brightness” and schedule Night Shift to reduce eye strain. Finally, audit Privacy & Security to control which apps get access to the camera, microphone, and location.

    Try Apple Intelligence (and how Siri is changing)

    If your Mac supports Apple Intelligence, enable it in System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. It can summarize emails, rewrite text, and even generate images in Image Playground. Apple’s work building a smarter Siri — including partnerships to power future versions — means this area is evolving quickly; it’s worth experimenting early to see which features actually help your workflow. For background on Apple’s AI moves, see the recent coverage about Apple partnering on Gemini for Siri (/news/apple-google-gemini-siri).

    Accessories that make a difference (not just shelf candy)

    You don’t need every gadget from the catalog. Pick 2–3 items that remove friction from your day.

  • A single-cable dock or Thunderbolt hub turns your laptop into a desktop in seconds. Plug in one cable; get monitors, Ethernet, and drives.
  • A compact, trusted mouse and an external keyboard with Touch ID make long editing sessions nicer. If you do a lot at a desk, a trackpad alongside a mouse gives you gesture power and precise control.
  • A sturdy laptop stand (vertical or open) improves airflow and keeps your main screen at eye level.

    • If you’re shopping, the Mac itself is an obvious place to start — the MacBook is available on Amazon — and a well-made keyboard or Magic accessories are worth considering; you can shop Apple accessories here.

    Small extras with big returns

  • A quality desk mat makes your workspace feel intentional and protects surfaces.
  • A multi-port GaN charger keeps everything topped off without a nest of bricks.
  • Ambient lighting (HomeKit strips or a Hue Play bar) reduces eye fatigue and elevates mood during long nights.

When to be conservative and when to splurge

Conserve: don’t spend on every “must-have” accessory the first week. Wait until a work pattern emerges — you’ll know whether you want a second monitor, an audio interface, or a premium mouse.

Splurge: buy one thing that improves posture or reduces friction — a good stand, a keyboard you enjoy typing on, or a fast Thunderbolt dock. Those investments pay back daily.

If you’ve just upgraded or are deciding whether to, remember that the point of accessories and settings is to remove friction. Make the Mac faster to use, safer to store data on, and more comfortable for long sessions. Tweak a bit, work with it for a week, then refine. That’s the quiet pleasure of a Mac that’s truly yours.

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