iMac For Dummies. Mark L. Chambers
Чтение книги онлайн.
Читать онлайн книгу iMac For Dummies - Mark L. Chambers страница 14
Название: iMac For Dummies
Автор: Mark L. Chambers
Издательство: John Wiley & Sons Limited
Жанр: Компьютерное Железо
isbn: 9781119806684
isbn:
Keep things cool. Your new iMac is nearly silent, but that super-fast processor generates quite a bit of heat. Fans inside the case draw the heat away. (Nothing like an overheated processor to spoil an evening of Civilization VI.)Follow these three rules to keep your cool. Make sure that:The location you choose is far from heating vents.The location you choose is shielded from direct sunlight.You allow plenty of room below the machine (where the air enters the case) and behind the machine (where heated air escapes from the slot at the back of the case). Hot air from a wall-mounted iMac can discolor the wall.
Considering the convenience factor
Technology is nothing if you can’t make it convenient:
Outlets, outlets, outlets! Your computer needs a minimum of at least one nearby AC outlet and perhaps a nearby Ethernet jack (if you use the iMac’s built-in Ethernet port for connecting to a wired Ethernet network). Oh, and don’t forget a surge protector or uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which I discuss at the end of this chapter. If you prefer to send your data over the airwaves, consider using wireless networking for your iMac. I discuss everything you need to know about wireless networking in Chapter 11.
Don’t forget the lighting. Let me act as your mom. (I know that’s a stretch, but bear with me.) She’d say, “You can’t possibly expect to work without decent lighting! You’ll go blind!” She’s right, you know. At a minimum, you need a desk or floor lamp.
Plan to expand. If your iMac hangs out on a desk, allow an additional foot of space on each side. That way, you have space for external peripherals and more powerful speakers.
Unpacking and Connecting
You are going to love this section. It’s short and sweet because the installation of an aluminum iMac on your desktop is a piece of cake. (Sorry about the cliché overload, but this really is easy.)
Unpacking your iMac For Dummies
Follow these guidelines when unpacking your system:
Check for damage. I’ve never had a box arrive from Apple with shipping damage, but I’ve heard horror stories from others (who claim that King Kong must have been working for the shipping company). Check all sides of your box before you open it. Take a photograph of any significant damage (just in case).
Search for all the parts. When you’re removing those chunks o’ foam, make certain that you check all sides of each foam block for parts that are snuggled therein or taped for shipment.
Keep all those packing materials. Do not head for the trash can with that box and those packing materials. Keep your box intact, complete with all the packing materials, for at least a year until your standard Apple warranty runs out. If you have to ship it to an Apple Service Center, the box with the original packing is the only way for your iMac to fly.And now, a dramatic Mark’s Maxim about cardboard containers: Smart computer owners keep their boxes for the life of their machine.For example, if you sell your iMac or move across the country, you’ll want that box. Trust me on this one.
Store the invoice for safekeeping. Your invoice is a valuable piece of paper indeed. Save your original invoice in a plastic bag, along with your computer’s manuals and original software, manuals, and other assorted hoo-hah. Keep the bag on your shelf or stored safely within that iMac box, and enjoy a little peace of mind.
Read the iMac manual. “Hey, wait a minute, Mark — why do I have to read the manual from Apple along with this tome?” Good question, and here’s the answer: There might be new and updated instructions in the documentation from Apple that override what I tell you in this book. (For example, “Never cut the red wire. Cut the blue wire instead.” Or something to that effect.)Besides, Apple manuals are rarely thicker than a restaurant menu. You can also download them from the Support section of the Apple website.
Connecting cables like a true nerd
The iMac makes all its connections really simple, but your computer depends on you to place the outside wires and thingamabobs where they go.
Absolutely essential connections
After your new iMac is resting comfortably in its assigned spot (I assume that’s a desktop or a wall), you need to make a minimum of one connection: the power cable. Plug the cable into the corresponding socket on the iMac first; then plug ’er into that handy AC outlet.
Adding the Internet to the mix
If you have Internet access or a local computer network, you need to make at least one of the following connections.
If you have high-speed Internet service, or if you’re in an office or school with a local computer network, you’ll probably connect through the iMac’s built-in Ethernet port. You make two connections:
1 Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the iMac.If your iMac doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you’ll need an adapter for either your USB or Thunderbolt port. Note that if you ordered your 24″ M1 iMac with an Ethernet port, that port is actually found on the power adapter!
2 Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port from your network.It’s probably one of the following:An Ethernet wall jackAn Ethernet switchA cable or DSL Internet router (or sharing device)
Discovering All the Cool Things You Can Do
This section answers the most common of all novice computer questions: “What the heck will I do with this thing?” You find additional details and exciting factoids about the software that you get for free, software you’ll want to buy, and stuff you can do on the Internet.
What software do I get?
Currently, all iMac computers ship with these major software applications installed and ready to use:
Apple’s СКАЧАТЬ