What should I install?

[Trichotillo]

Hi all, new Macbook owner here (white Penryn 2.4). I've been a Windows sufferer for a long time and I finally saw the light. Anyway, what essential applications do you suggest I put on my MacBook?

 

[Eraserhead]

Perian, Flip4Mac for media playback.

 

[makismagoo99]

Quicksilver (app launcher)
Adium (AIM/gchat client)
Firefox
VLC (media player)
Flip4MacWMV

 

[lwcoffer2]

SMC Fan Control
Tinker Tool
Caffeine
iStat

 

[lazydesi]

Firefox

VLC

Quicksilver

Transmission (torrent)

flip4mac

Perian

 

[DaBrain]

Hi all, new Macbook owner here (white Penryn 2.4). I've been a Windows sufferer for a long time and I finally saw the light. Anyway, what essential applications do you suggest I put on my MacBook?

Other than what others wrote:
Menu Meters, AppZapper, Hand Brake for ripping stuff,RSS Owl, License Keeper, Pastor,and I prefer Apples Safari web browser, Safari AdBlock or better yet Pith Helmet.

 

[krye]

I always find these posts silly, like everyone uses their computers for the same things, but here goes.

What you really need to do is make a list of what you used your Win PC for. Write down all the applications you used. Then come back here with the list and ask people to give you a Mac alternative.

Also, you can look at places like http://osx.iusethis.com/ for things you might think are "handy".

 

[smooth]

I've found that Firefox is better than Safari (even with the new Safari update). Also, I suggest MonoLingual. You can get rid of all the languages that you don't need on your computer. It freed up about 5GB on my MacBook.

 

[Kalafut]

I've found that Firefox is better than Safari (even with the new Safari update).

WORDS OF FALSIFICATION!!!!

naw jk i just like safari, although Firefox is a very good browser (hell of a lot better than IE7)

 

[heatmiser]

The best way to keep your Mac from becoming cluttered like your Windows PC is to install lots of random programs suggested by strangers on the internet who won't have to use your computer.

 

[Cyroceon]

Here is my current application list:

A52 Universal Sound Codec (For use with AC3 sound encoded videos)
Adobe Photoshop CS3 - You know
Azureus - Torrents
Crossover - Run Steam and a couple other windows apps
Firefox - In case I can't run something with Safari
Handbrake - Conversion from DVD to MP4 etc...
InsomniaX - Keeps your screen on when you close lid
Limewire - P2P
MactheRipper - Ripping from DVD to Video_TS folder
MS Office 2008 - You know
Perian 1.1 - All in one video codec
Roxio Toast Titanium 8 - Burning software to burn ISOs, Bins, etc.
Skype - Video Conference
Turbo Tax - Taxes
UnRarX - Zip/Rar utility
Visual Hub - Any type video conversion (ex. avi to mp4, mp4 to avi, etc..)
VMWare Fusion - Virtual Machine Emulation for Windows
Wavepad - Good basic sound editor
WM Components (Flip4Mac) - Codec for .wmv and a few other extensions
XBench - Simple benchmarking program

 

[smooth]

WORDS OF FALSIFICATION!!!!

naw jk i just like safari, although Firefox is a very good browser (hell of a lot better than IE7)

I should have clarified. I don't think there's a browser I don't like. For what I use the internet for, any browser would work for me. I like Safari and I don't mind IE. However, what I've found is that Firefox loads the fastest - so that is the sole factor on which browser I use.