Getting started with Mac OS can be smooth if you follow some tips.
Getting started with Mac OS can be smooth if you follow some tips.
So for background, last evening I purchased a Macbook Pro 14" (2021 M1 Pro) to swap out my Thinkpad L13. Due to several factors—primarily the constant need to utilize the full 8GB of RAM and the noticeable decline in battery performance over the past months—I was evaluating an upgrade for my everyday laptop. While browsing Facebook Marketplace, I stumbled upon a model that seemed reasonably priced, so I decided to take it. I’d already acquired an M1 Air for my mother a few months prior; she appreciated it and its endurance, so I thought upgrading would be more than sufficient for my needs (coding, homelab oversight, YouTube, replying here, etc.). Thus far, the experience has been mostly positive. Technically, the build quality is outstanding—the display is exceptional, the keyboard matches my old Thinkpad in feel, and overall it feels near perfect. The main hurdle remains adapting to Mac OS and understanding its unique features, plus figuring out equivalent software for some familiar tools. Having used Linux on my machines for years, I expected a smooth transition since both are Unix-based. However, it turns out there are differences. My initial difficulty lies in managing windows and virtual desktops. For context, my preferred Linux setup was Fedora with minimal Gnome add-ons (just dash2dock, vitals, etc.), placing me somewhere in the 'uncanny valley' where familiar gestures like dragging Windows between desktops or snapping windows to halves don’t translate well. The virtual desktop functionality I’m learning is functional but feels a bit off—moving windows between desktops and snapping them precisely isn’t quite the same as on Linux. On the other hand, handling windows is straightforward now; I’m creating dedicated virtual desktops by simply dragging them to the top or placing others adjacent, which saves time. I’ve explored tools like BetterSnapTool and Rectangles, but they don’t fully resolve the issues. I’m still trying rectangles, though it took me five minutes to get it to auto-start after a reboot (possibly my mistake) and it struggles with multiple windows, only shifting individual windows rather than handling transitions smoothly. I’ve also looked into hardware monitoring alternatives—replacing Task Manager and hwinfo—but I’m not sure what options are reliable or effective. Other minor frustrations include the absence of standard delete, home, and end keys (maybe a keybind fix is pending), the removal of the keyboard backlight shortcut, Finder’s somewhat clunky interface, Snap to grid disabled by default, settings that vary per folder, and a few other quirks I’ve noticed in just 24 hours. Overall, it’s mostly just small annoyances that don’t hinder productivity much, though they do slightly reduce my efficiency compared to before. I’m hoping to regain the same level of performance and comfort. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ahead!
Key applications to know: Magnet or Better Snap Tool – offers a Windows-style window manager with unique key shortcuts, zones, etc. I prefer Better Snap Tool; it feels dated but stable, so it depends on you. MacsFanControl – mainly used for checking temperatures in the menu bar and controlling fans during gaming or rendering. Activity Monitor (OS included) acts like a task manager, though macOS displays resource stats differently from Windows. Disk Utility (OS included) handles disks, RAID, and drives; it’s powerful and worth exploring its features. Finder (OS included) is handy for organizing files—pin folders to the sidebar saves time. Adjust view options via Finder Settings. Thumbnail size changes can be done by right-clicking empty space, showing options, and adjusting sliders. Commands like cmd + i reveal folder properties. Terminal (OS included) provides a command-line interface with customizable themes—black background, green text works well. Time Machine (OS included) is Apple’s backup solution; it restores Macs seamlessly and retains version history for common file types. Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, Garageband are free productivity tools; Pages and Keynote stand out. Preview.app (included) offers advanced PDF editing. QuickTime.app (included) is the default video player with audio recording and screen recording features—requires OBS and a third-party driver for desktop audio. Shift+cmd+5 opens the screenshot toolbar. Transmission is the top torrent client for macOS, ideal for downloading Linux images. Parallels is essential for running Windows virtual machines effectively. Graphics drivers and scaling support are top-notch.
I will examine these options. The primary concern is avoiding spending $10 on something I’ll try once and then discard, losing $10 without benefit. I’ll check if a free trial exists to test it before committing. I’m open to a complimentary version if possible. I’m also looking for a direct alternative to what I currently use—something similar to DiskPart for Windows but tailored for Linux.
I learned a few things, though I still think it falls short of my expectations. I managed to set auto-snap to grid, but the text-based file location bar is frustrating. It only shows folder names and requires a right-click to access deeper paths. There’s a keyboard shortcut for opening a “go to file” window, but that should be standard now.
Most customization options seem to focus on appearance rather than core features. I’m not particularly interested in visual changes like color or thumbnail size; what matters is being able to quickly navigate files and move them efficiently. If there’s no major functionality missing, I’ll likely need a third-party solution. I can’t envision myself becoming comfortable with manual file entry or quick edits.
I’m considering alternatives for Mac OS, such as Thunar or 7zip, but haven’t explored them much yet. I’ve used homebrew on my Mac before and have experience with terminal-based tools. I’m used to a drop-down terminal on Linux, so an alternative would be helpful.
This wasn’t high on my list initially, but backup settings to the server and custom shares were priorities. I’ve already installed Garage Band and don’t plan to modify it much. For others, I prefer familiar MS Office or Davinci Resolve equivalents, though I’m open to learning new tools if they’re more convenient.
I discovered BlackHole is needed for OBS on desktop audio, which could save time later when recording my screen. I might switch from QuickTime to VLC eventually.
First, I searched online and realized I need a different approach. I’ll review the alternatives and see if any better fit my needs.
Here’s a clear version of your request:
To view the file path on a Mac, follow these steps from Tom’s Guide.
It's acceptable as is, though it doesn't fully meet your needs. You can't modify the file path directly because of how I organize my directories, which is a key feature you rely on.
It's different from Windows; you need to paste the file path as text and adjust it accordingly. Additionally, a handy tip: when saving a document and Finder suggests a location, it often chooses a recently used or popular folder. If another Finder window is open in the desired directory, simply select a file there and drag it into the save dialog, which will then direct the save to that folder.
Spotlight is a useful tool I rely on frequently. Pressing the command key and the space bar together brings it up. You can also find it by clicking the magnifying glass in the menu bar. It’s my go-to method for launching apps 95% of the time. Using CMD + space, you type the initial letters of the app name and hit enter. It also lets you search online quickly and performs calculations or conversions. It’s not overly complicated, but it’s a convenient shortcut I use often. Everyone should agree with this. It’s installed on all my Macs, including my two M1 MacBooks. For fan control, the 14" M1 Pro MBP doesn’t require much use, though it can help lower temperatures during charging. The palmrest on my 16" M1 Max gets warm when charging at 140W via MagSafe—warm enough to trigger fans at their lowest speed automatically. Sometimes I increase fan speed a bit to keep things cooler while charging.
Absolutely, it feels much smoother compared to the Linux and Windows options I was using before. I'm still getting accustomed to that specific shortcut, and I often switch back to pressing CMD just to see why a search bar isn't appearing. Eventually, I think I'll get used to it. It's reassuring to know about the fans that come with a charging adapter. Right now, I'm using the 65W model they provided, which keeps the laptop cool, but I'll keep this in mind if I upgrade later.
My recommendations - iTerm2 is the killer app for dev work on a Mac, specifically its tmux integration - ssh into a remote box, run "tmux -CC", and the windows will feel local. Too many other features to go into, but it does have the dropdown terminal you were missing. Try the free 7 days SetApp gives you, the following apps on there might address some of your pain points: iStat Menus, BetterTouchTool, Mosaic (draggable window manager), uBar, and Path Finder (finder alternative, Forklift seems to be more popular.) I'd also try Bartender (OSS: Dozer) and Paste (OSS: Maccy) from there as well. Highly recommend getting either Raycast (free) or Alfred (pricey but with other nice features) as a Spotlight replacement. Other nice apps: Deliveries, iina (OSS mpv-like app), xbar (OSS), Fantastical (apparently $5/mo now and probably not worth it, but nice), fsnotes (OSS, note taking), rewind.ai, Hammerspoon (OSS, can do window management, key mapping, and much more), skhd (OSS, simple key mapping), karabiner-elements (OSS, use the caps lock -> hyperkey mapping from https://github.com/Vonng/Capslock .) My setup for window management is just: bring up Spotify with hyper+s, then snap it to the left side of my screen with hyper+left. I'd install these through "brew install --cask" when you can for ease of upgrading. Macs use some Emacs shortcuts, so the home/end buttons are ctrl+a and ctrl+e, and others exist, like ctrl+k which deletes to the end of the line. fn+delete to delete rightwards. Anything you don't like, just remap. In addition to using Hammerspoon/skhd/Alfred, you can map any menu item to a key through System Settings->Keyboard->Keyboard shortcuts->App shortcuts. Hopefully that list wasn't too scattershot to be useful. There's a pretty vast ecosystem of apps out there. Check out https://github.com/ggerganov/llama.cpp too for one of the neater reasons to own a Macbook M1/M2 right now, since it sounds like you've got one with a decent amount of RAM.