Setting Up Your Development Workspace Specifically For Mac

There's something exciting about buying a new piece of software, unwrapping the packaging and slipping the disc into your Mac ready to install your new goodies. And, of course, the new Mac App Store has made the process of obtaining new software by a digital download just a few simple mouse clicks.Whichever method you prefer, the biggest drawback is the money you have to hand over. Forking out for your goods is a necessary evil, and the price of things is usually a good indicator of its quality.

But the good news is it's not always that way, especially when it comes to Mac software.As we will show you, there are many apps available for free that have all the polish and advanced features you would expect from a premium paid-for version, but without the nasty price tag. There are apps that will clean up your hard drive or organise your day-to-day activities. Some even work on your iPhone and iPad, too.We've presented the best ones below – they're all really fantastic and, best of all, they're all free.A number of these applications, while still great as a free version, also have more fully featured pro versions. So if you really enjoy one, you can consider spending the extra money. discover the best you can get to keep your Mac secure onlineBest free Mac media tools1. Boxee OnlineTV channels put a lot of their content online for free, but you usually have to go to their websites to find out what's available. Not with.This app lets you browse through episodes of shows from sources such as YouTube, among many others.

It also pulls in media from your Mac. The interface can be controlled via the keyboard, an Apple remote or the free Boxee app available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.It's a doddle to navigate, enabling you to quickly find sports, movies, music or photos to enjoy on your computer. For entertainment on your Mac, Boxee is hard to beat.2. VuzeBitTorrent clients have received a bad rap over the years for enabling users to download copyrighted material for free. Vuze is no different in this respect. That said, downloading via BitTorrent is not illegal and, should you be accessing legal material, you're fine.Even better than that, will act as a media player for most formats and even convert files for playback on your devices, including iPads and games consoles.

You can even stream video from Vuze via Wi-Fi to compatible devices such as the Xbox 360, making it more of an ideal media viewing solution than a nuisance to society.3. Flip4MacThere's been little love lost between Apple and Microsoft over the years, and the same extends to their media formats.

In Motion: Principles of Motion Graphics, Ian Robinson shares the core concepts and techniques used to create real-world motion graphic elements in Apple Motion.The course starts with finding the initial inspiration for a project and then covers how to bring those ideas to life using the tools in Motion, including type treatments, filters, textures, and lighting. 30 best free Mac programs Creative apps, system tools and more There's something exciting about buying a new piece of software, unwrapping the packaging and slipping the disc into your Mac ready.

The dreaded.WMV (Windows Media Video) file is the scourge of the Mac OS X operating system and will not run natively in QuickTime.Fortunately, the free software will eradicate this headache and, once installed, lets you forget about formats and enjoy the video you are after. The WMV player also allows for Windows Media files to play back in Safari as well to help you enjoy a more complete browsing experience. A must-have install to alleviate format folly.4. HandBrakeThose looking to bring their movie collection into the modern world should certainly consider for all their ripping needs.

This simple app can grab a movie from DVD and encode it into a variety of formats for playback on your Mac, iPhone or iPad.Those with the new Apple TV will also be able to create compatible files from their movie discs and add them to iTunes without having to fiddle around with DVD players and tons of cases. The app can even retain the chapter selection features and subtitles of your original disc.While ripping a DVD to your Mac can take some time (and please respect copyright) if handled right, the outcome makes accessing your entertainment a great deal easier. The latest version of HandBrake introduces a live preview feature that allows you to check the quality of your rip before committing to hours of encoding too. You can also use HandBrake to convert video files into different formats.5. Spotifycame from out of nowhere and took the music lovers of Europe by storm. This is streaming music done right.

This service is free to those who can handle an advert every three songs or so. It offers a catalogue of more than 10 million songs of all genres, which stream instantly through the Spotify app.It can also link to your iTunes library so all of your favourite tracks are in one place. You can log in from multiple Macs using your Spotify account, create playlists, share music with friends and more.One of our favourite features is the innovative collaborative playlist, where your friends can add tracks over the internet for you to listen to. If you wish, you can pay to upgrade Spotify to a premium account, at which point you become ad-free.And for £9.99 per month you can even have the same service on your iPhone with music stored for offline playback.6.

VLCis one of those apps you can turn to if QuickTime and other media-playing apps won't work with a media format you want to use. Initially, you might wonder why you'll ever need this app, but if you ever stray beyond the bounds of the iTunes Store and download video from another online source, you're more than likely to encounter a problem – that is, it's not playing properly in iTunes or QuickTime.Converting the video with HandBrake is always an option, but, to be honest, using VLC is simply quicker. The app can handle DVD playback as well as more obscure formats that crop up from time to time.Files that are missing pieces or broken can still be played in VLC to the best of its ability and it provides a wealth of codecs to help your Mac handle all kinds of media file formats.VLC is an application that every Mac user should have installed for when their media won't behave.Social apps for Mac7.

AddressBookSyncThe Address Book app on your Mac is great for organising contacts and syncing them to your iPhone. However, the problem is with so many contacts held, continually adding information and profile pictures can become a time-consuming task.is an ingenious tool that connects to your Facebook account to pull in your friends' birthday info as well as images from their accounts into your Mac's Address Book.

This is particularly handy for iPhone users with images appearing on screen when a contact is calling.8. AdiumThe chances are you have an account for more than one instant messaging client. With so many available from iChat to Windows Messenger through Google Chat and Yahoo! It's not surprising.So, do you leave all of these clients open and consuming memory or do you find an all-in-one solution? If you want the latter, is your app.Compatible with more IM clients than you probably knew existed, Adium combines all your accounts into one easy-to-use solution so you can keep in touch with all your contacts regardless of the service they are using.9.

TwitterThis is the official. It was launched at the same time as the new Mac App Store, and quickly became the most popular download there. To get it you'll need to have the Mac App Store installed (which means you'll need to be running OS X 10.6 and have installed the latest system updates).Unlike other Twitter clients, Twitter offers a very OS X-friendly environment without skimping on the features you need to enjoy your 140-character fix.A particularly great feature is that you can view all tweets in a conversation simply by double-clicking on the main tweet. You can also search for trending topics and use multiple accounts within the same app.Composing a new tweet is now made far easier with the Compose window that floats outside the interface, ready for you to type your thoughts. If you want to add an image to your tweet simply drag and drop it into the new tweet window.You can select which image hosting service you use from the Preferences pane, and also which URL-shortening service the Twitter app will use. You can also get the official Twitter app for iPad and iPhone to complete your Twitter experience wherever you are in the world.10.

Skypeisn't a new service but the way it has developed over the years keeps it incredibly useful. The premise is simple, with an internet connection and a copy of the free software installed, you can talk to anyone on Skype via audio or video chat. And you can even swap files, create conference calls or simply chat via instant messaging.For an additional fee, you can add voicemail to your account and even call mobiles and landlines if you wish.Handy utilities11.

EvernoteWhatever you're doing in life there are things you need to remember, be they pictures, notes, websites or sounds. Provides a place to store your ideas, plans and reminders.Using cloud-based storage, the Mac app syncs with your iPhone and iPad, as well as any other computer to keep your notes close to hand whenever you need them. Unique search features allow you to dig out anything you've stored and it can even recognise handwritten docs.This app not only organises your notes, photos, screenshots and more, but you can add custom tags to make things easier to search.12. R-nameHave you ever had a bunch of files in a folder and then discovered you need to rename each one?

For a renaming task that comprises more than ten files or more it can become a very dull and repetitive task.And that's where comes in. It's a simple, free app that allows files and folders to be dropped in and renamed in any way you require. Ideal for photos or television series, this app will save a great deal of time.13. BurnWhile it's easy to burn a CD or DVD from within Mac OS X, brings simplicity, as well as advanced options to the task. For example, it allows you to set which file system your disc will use so Windows owners can access files.It can create audio CDs and MP3 discs, and caters for DVD, VideoCD and DivX discs. An Inspector tool allows you to change settings on your disc such as file permissions, dates and the icon.14. Carbon Copy ClonerEveryone talks about backing up their computer files, but how many of us are committed to doing it properly?makes it easy to back up your system but to move it to another Mac or larger hard drive without having to reinstall the OS.

It even offers incremental backups, which only updates files that have changed since you last ran the software.Considering this is a free application, it's an absolute powerhouse for any Mac user who wants security for their system and flexibility for their hardware.

Microsoft versus Apple. PC versus Mac. Windows versus OS X, errr, macOS. Surface Pro versus iPad. Zune versus iPod. (OK, that last one might be a bit off .. but you get the point.)

It's a technology battle that's been waging for decades, with constant ebbs and flows based on the market and user priorities. During the past few years, the momentum started to once again shift back toward Microsoft and the Windows PC. That has a lot to do with some uninspired updates from Apple (we're looking at you, new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar) and lackluster product launches (iPad Pro, anybody?), as well as some solid hardware options from Microsoft partners, including Dell and HP. (We're particularly smitten with the XPS 15 and HP Spectre x360 15.)

In other words, Windows is cool again.

Whatever your reason for taking the PC plunge and switching from a Mac computer to Windows, the transition isn't always an easy one. You likely have your work cut out for you — at least at first. At Windows Central, we love our PCs, and we're sure you'll ultimately be thrilled with the decision to ditch that Mac and move to the wonderful world of Windows. But you can ease the transition with just a little preparation. These 10 tips are a great place to start.

Switching from Mac to Windows

1. Embrace your Microsoft account

First things first, you're going to need to create a Microsoft account. A Microsoft account is required to log in to your PC, and it will help you personalize your device, not unlike how Apple ID works on Mac — but you don't need to save a credit card, as you do with an Apple ID.

If you already setup your PC, you probably already created an account. But did you know your Microsoft account gives you access to a bunch of additional Microsoft services, including Skype, OneDrive, Xbox Live, the Windows Store and MSN services? If you already use any of these Microsoft services, or have in the past, you likely already have a Microsoft account. For example, if you use Skype, you can use your Skype credentials to log in to your Microsoft account.

It's a good idea to spend some time poking around these services to determine which ones are valuable to you. They're free, after all.

2. Go cold turkey and quit that Mac completely

This tip is easier said than done, but it's also perhaps the most important advice on this list. Chances are you still have your old Mac, and when you come across some 'challenge' with your new PC, you might be tempted to try to circumvent it and just pop back onto the old Apple computer to get the job done. That's a terrible idea.

The quicker you resolve any issues, or figure out how to get past some sticking point on PC that's different than on a Mac, the faster you'll get up to speed with Windows.

We suggest going completely, 100 percent cold turkey with your new PC ASAP. Hide your Mac under your bed or in a closet if you must. You already made your decision to switch, right? The most effective way to transition from Mac to PC is to dive right in wholeheartedly. Trust us, you'll be glad you did.

In the meantime, if you're still trying to figure out which PC you want to get, go ahead and install Windows 10 on your Mac — make that MacBook Pro truly Pro.

3. Ease into the Windows ecosystem

Yes, you should go cold turkey and only use your new PC after you first make your switch. However, you should not try to do too much, too soon. That's a recipe for disaster, and Windows and Mac are different enough that if you try to master your new PC in the first 24 hours, you may quickly become overwhelmed.

You'll need some apps and services immediately, whether they're for work or play, productivity or entertainment. However, some of the other stuff, the fun-but-not-necessarily-essential software, can wait.

Which leads us to our next tip ..

4. Identify essential apps and find replacements if necessary

Everybody has a few apps (or more) that they just can't live without. If you're a recovering Mac user, iTunes may still have its hooks in you. Maybe your organization uses Outlook or Slack for communication, and you can't work without one or both of those apps. Perhaps it's your Twitter client of choice.

Whatever the app, it's a good idea to be proactive and make a quick list of the software that you absolutely need. As long as you have access to those services, a speedy transition from Mac to Windows will be possible, even if it's at times a little painful.

If your essential apps are paid or premium apps, you may need to dig up your software licenses. Most large developers make it fairly simple to log in to their sites and access active license info and software keys. For example, if you're an Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud subscriber, you may be able to simply log in to your Adobe account and download your apps, depending on your subscription type. Smaller developers usually at least email your licensing information when you purchase an app. So searching for the app names or related keywords in your inbox can also help dig up relevant product keys and other details.

Rhino 6 for Mac and Windows. Rhino 6 for Mac. And Rhino 6 for Windows. Are nearly the same. Check out the differences. Rhino At The Core. The Industry Standard NURBS. Engine continues to evolve on macOS. A native application that feels. Familiar to both Apple users. And experienced modelers. With your digital tools. Rhino 3dm files are. Macbook emacs.

Hopefully all of your essential Mac apps are also available for PC, but you're bound to find at least a couple that aren't. We know, it's frustrating to find that an app you depend on isn't available on your new platform. But the Windows 10 ecosystem is packed with awesome apps, and with just a little effort, we're confident you'll find a worthy alternative.

Lots of people have switched from Mac to PC in recent years, so if there's a particular app that you're missing, you're probably not the first person to have experienced the problem. A good Google search could quickly turn up suitable alternatives, sometimes at more affordable prices — or even free. For example, if you used to use the Mailplane Gmail app for Mac and were disappointed to find that it's not available for Windows, a Google search for 'Windows alternatives to Mailplane Gmail app' turns up comparable options, some free.

You may even find a few new favorite apps.

5. Take advantage of Windows' unique strengths

Windows PCs offer many things that Macs simply don't, or can't. After you decide to embrace Windows, it would be foolish not take advantage of those strengths.

Today's Windows PCs, for example, often offer significantly more bang for your buck than Apple's computer, which are consistently pricey. Dell's awesome XPS 15 starts at more than $550 less than Apple's 15' MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, with comparable specs, for example. Oh, and the XPS 15 has a touch screen .. and, you know, functional ports. (ZING.)

The Windows world is all about choice and customization. The Apple world .. isn't.

Shopping for a new PC can be much more rewarding than shopping for a Mac, most of which are more or less preconfigured by Apple. And customizing a PC you already purchased is an entirely different experience than making a Mac your own.

Today's Windows machines are often easy to repair. Mac computers? Nope. (Apple purposefully makes it frustratingly difficult to repair the new MacBook Pro.)

If you're past the shopping stage and already bought a specific PC, you can still take advantage of the ecosystem by upgrading some components or adding some worthy accessories, such as a docking station that's made specifically for your PC. For folks who like to build their own PCs, or even just easily upgrade RAM or replace a worn-down battery, Windows PCs come out on top every time.

6. Resistance to Windows software updates is futile

One big difference between Mac and Windows is how PCs handle software updates from Microsoft. By default, Windows 10 automatically installs software updates when they're available. For new Windows converts, this process can be .. annoying. It sometimes takes a while to install updates, so you might have to wait while they install, which is less than ideal.

Of course, it's a good idea to make sure your PC is always up to date, to protect yourself against the latest security threats and ensure you have all the newest features. So Windows 10 auto updates aren't all bad. But they do take some getting used to.

In general, don't be surprised if Windows decides to install a software update at an inopportune moment. Just embrace it .. and try not to lose your cool.

The good news is that if you're using Windows 10 Pro or higher, you can take back some control and prevent the OS from downloading and installing updates automatically:

How to stop Windows 10 auto updates{.cta .large}

7. Learn to love your Windows keyboard shortcuts

Both Windows and macOS are packed with valuable keyboard shortcuts that let you perform a variety of tasks quickly with just a couple of coordinated key strokes. Unfortunately, though similar in some cases, each OS uses different keyboard shortcuts. So even if you know your Mac shortcuts inside and out, you're going to have to learn a whole new set of keyboard shortcuts for Windows.

One of the main differences between Windows and Mac keyboard shortcuts is the fact that the many Mac shortcuts use that OS's 'Command' key. No such key exists on Windows, and many Windows shortcuts instead are based on some combination of keys and the 'Windows' key, which is marked with a Windows logo. (In some cases, the 'Ctrl' key on Windows is used in place of macOS's Command button.)

It can all be a lot to process at first, but it's worth taking the time to learn those shortcuts. And you're in luck: We recently created a guide to Windows shortcuts that's easy to navigate — and even easier to bookmark for future reference.

8. Get to know your Windows antivirus software — and use it

Windows, by virtue of the sheer number of PCs out there, is a target for viruses. As such, you have to proactively protect your PC in a way that's just not necessary on a Mac. That's not to say Macs are bulletproof when it comes to online threats, but protecting a PC is a very different proposition than protecting a Mac.

Microsoft includes two native apps in Windows 10 that are designed to help you protect your computer from viruses and malware: Windows Defender and Windows Firewall. For the average user, these apps are probably enough.

Windows Defender is enabled by default when you first start using Windows 10. But if you want to turn it on our off, go to Start menu > Settings > Updates & Security > choose Windows Defender and turn Real-time protection on or off.

Windows Firewall should also be turned on by default. However, you can turn it on or off by hitting the Start menu > scroll to Windows System > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall > select Turn Windows Firewall on or off > enter your password if prompted. (Note: It's not a good idea to disable Windows Firewall unless you plan to use another firewall.)

Or course, Microsoft's native apps aren't your only options. Many alternative and free options also exist:

9. Stop by your local Microsoft Store

If you live in a major U.S city or metropolitan area, there is likely a Microsoft retail store near you. (You can find your nearest location using Microsoft's store locator Not unlike Apple Stores, Microsoft Stores are brightly-lit, open spaces packed with tech toys and retail reps who are eager to answer your every question.

We highly recommend stopping by, talking up the reps, asking any questions you may have, playing an Xbox game or two on their bigass TVs, and just poking around in general. You won't find a huge selection of components or accessories, but all of Microsoft's own latest and greatest hardware will be on display, along with some of the most popular machines from Microsoft's leading hardware partners. Many of the PCs in our definitive 2017 laptop buyer's guide are available in Microsoft stores, for example. So even if you already purchased a new PC, you can go check out and tinker with the other toys.

Microsoft stores are a great place to familiarize yourself with the ecosystem. But beware: You might want to leave your credit card at home — it's very easy to drop a bunch of cash on stuff you probably don't need. Even if you want it so hard.

10. Bookmark Windows Central and visit us often!

Nobody loves Windows like Windows Central loves Windows.

As you make your way into the world of Windows, you're likely going to need additional guidance, whether it's news on the latest hardware or insights on upcoming OS updates. We cover just about everything Windows and Microsoft, so do yourself a favor and bookmark us. Go ahead. You won't regret it.

Hopefully these tips help point you in the right direction and ease your tech transition. If you need additional Windows advice in the future, you know where to find us.

You might also consider visiting the following Windows 10 resources:

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Benchmarking the new Surface Book 3 15 with GTX 1660 Ti and 10th Gen i7

Although it's too early for a review, here are some initial benchmarks from the new Surface Book 3 15-inch with a Core i7 and NVIDIA GeForce 1660 Ti (Max-Q) and how it compares to Surface Book 2 and other premium laptops. Spoiler: While the CPU is just OK, that 1660 Ti definitely bumps up the Book 3's potential.