Pimpin Mac

I replace my laptop every 2-3 years.  Just got my new one yesterday (12/18/2009).  I purposefully do not use the tools to just copy all my stuff from my old laptop to my new one.  I’d rather re-install and copy what I know I still need and use to keep my new machine as lean and mean as possible.

Not just to brag, but more to help newcomers to the mac pimp your own macs, I’m going to write what I install and in what order.

First my new hardware: MacBook Pro 17″ with 2.8 GHz Duo, 500 GB 7200 rpm HD, 4 GB RAM.  Merry Christmas to me, right? Rest is old: Apple Cinema HD Display 30″.  Bluetooth keyboard.  Mighty Mouse.  Bose Computer Speakers. HP Color LaserJet CM1312nfi MFP. (Unfortunately no scanner driver for this all-in-one printer for Snow Leopard so my old InkJet is still around just for scanning.)

Here’s the software.  Just getting started.

Firefox – Although I prefer Safari in some ways, plugins make Firefox the winner for me.

Xcode – this is an optional install on the Snow Leopard Install DVD that comes with your mac.

Gmail – While not technically installing software, it is adding an important SaaS tool – and it’s free!  Just deleted the default me.com account in Apple Mail and added gmail as an IMAP account (but I configure it to use my own domain name, of course).

Apple iPhone SDK – Have to register to get this but its free to register.

More to follow.  If you have any questions on any of this just leave a comment and I will elaborate.