Week 1 with my new MacBook Pro...

When I first got my new Unibody MacBook Pro last week, I'd decided NOT to install Windows on it at all to force myself to actually user OS X. I actually tried to not install any 3rd party at all (you know the "it just works" thing) but that fell apart quickly. There is no Google Toolbar for Safari and the fact that it doesn't maximize irritates me - so I installed Firefox the very first day along with my twitter apps and yahoo messenger. Then I needed to edit my resume and couldn't so I installed OpenOffice. The list kept growing from there.

Every mac fanboy (er person?) I've spoken to has touted the quickness with which a mac can be unboxed, turned on and be ready for use when you first take it home. Not true. The setup is just as quick on any Windows PC that you buy from a retailer (vs clean installing yourself). After the OS is setup, you also spend an equal amount of time installing the software you need. In fact, I was surprised to find that, just like Windows, there were already software updates that needed to be installed as soon as I turned on the UMBP. Anyway, I think that's one mac myth debunked.

One of the things I'm most disappointed with is the fact that the UMBP still gets SO hot! I guess it's the aluminum material but it gets too hot to handle sometimes. I don't know about you but i expect to be able to use my laptop on my lap! I ended up installing the smcFanControl utility again (like I had to do with the older MBP) to keep my lap & wrists comfortable.

Now on to the stuff I've found to be TRUE (to hype), cool, or a little neat:

• PRETTY/COOL/STYLISH - Apple has always dominated the market for pretty packaging both in their computers, ipods, AND the physical packaging/boxes they come in. I love the fact that the new UMBP now has the nice, flat, spaced out keyboard that were originally found on the MBs only. It gives the laptop a nice, clean and crisp look.
  

• EXPOSE - This continues to be my favorite feature of OS X. In fact, I got so attached to it the last time I was on a mac that I found a vista clone to run on my desktop.

• SPACES - I like the concept of having separate spaces for different things but when I actually used it I forgot about the stuff that I put into the other spaces. LOL out of sight, out of mind.
  

• DOCK - again pretty and slick. I especially love the bouncy icons when a program needs your attention.

• WIDGETS - again, like the concept but why do they have to be hidden. And yes, I know there is a hack to keep them out but then they stay on top of all your windows all the time. I prefer the vista side bar.
  

• MAIL/iCAL/ADDRESS BOOK - I like how all sync with google and the RSS reader is so simple that I like it better than Google Reader for straightforward RSS viewing. It would really be cool if all three were viewable in one window. It's no Outlook but it's workable.
  

• EVERNOTE - ok this isn't actually a OS X thing but I found it because I was looking for OneNote alternatives for macs. It is like OneNote on steroids and is so much better. The @evernote guys describe it as a 2nd, "external brain" to help you "remember everything." It's simply awesome and will get it's own post later. For now check their website for more info and give it a try.
  

For a whole week I was able to keep my want for the familiarity of Windows at bay and do everything that I needed to on OS X. However, I've come across a few things that REQUIRE Windows like Ceedo, some tech support type questions I've been asked and certain websites that I've needed to visit while looking for work. So today, I went ahead and installed Windows Vista via Bootcamp so that I could boot to it when needed. However, I fully intend to using OS X as much as possible and will keep it as my primary OS ... for now.

QUESTIONS FOR YOU: Are there any mac users out there? Any tips or must try apps you can share with a newbie? How about Windows users - any questions or things you've always wanted to try on a mac? Leave a comment or @ me on twitter.