New Mac Setup 2021
In late 2021, I switched my personal computer from a Surface Book 2 to a new M1 Pro Macbook Pro. It has been quite an experience switching OSes. To help, I created this setup guide.
Homebrew
The de facto MacOS package manager. I prefer to install apps via Homebrew, if possible.
Install by following the instructions at https://brew.sh.
Oh My Zsh
A customizable configuration and plugin system for Zsh.
Install by following the instructions at https://ohmyz.sh.
Powerlevel10k
An Oh My Zsh Theme.
Install by following the instructions at https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k#oh-my-zsh. Use the Oh My Zsh method. Run p10k configure to configure the theme.
Anaconda
A data science flavored Python installation with by far the best Python package manager.
Install by following the instructions at https://www.anaconda.com. The “Install for me” option creates Anaconda directory at ~/opt/anaconda3.
PyCharm
A Python IDE with developer and scientific tools.
To install, navigate to the Download page of https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/.
Git
Git comes preinstalled on Macs.
Github Desktop
The official GUI client for Github. For a more advanced GUI client see https://fork.dev/.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask github
Java
Maybe the popular programming language for individuals and enterprises.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install openjdk
IntelliJ
The best Java IDE.
To install, navigate to the Download page of https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/.
Julia
A scientific programming language that is as fast as C++, but as easy as Python. Note that the ARM installation for MacOS is currently Tier 3.
Install by following the instructions at https://julialang.org.
Latex
The de facto LaTeX distribution for Mac is MacTeX.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask mactex-no-gui
Texpad
A feature laden, MacOS exclusive LaTeX editor.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask texpad
Texstudio
The best LaTeX editor across multiple systems.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask texstudio
NodeJS
A Desktop JS runtime built on Chrome’s V8 engine. The current LTS version is 16.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install node@16
Apps
Appcleaner
An Application uninstaller that searches through the entire file system.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask appcleaner
Chrome
The de facto internet browser (to our benefit and detriment).
Install by following the instructions at https://www.google.com/chrome/.
Discord
Gaming centric chat and voice rooms.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask discord
iTerm2
iTerm2 is to Terminal what Windows Terminal is to Command Prompt.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask iterm2
Monitor Control
Allow you to control the brightness of external monitors using the brightness keys on your keyboard or a brightness slider in the menu bar.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask monitorcontrol
OneDrive
A cloud file storage client. Included on Windows machines by default.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask onedrive
Nota
A new Markdown editor from the creators of Caret.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask nota
Rectangle
A window size manager for MacOS. Rectangle is free unlike Magnet.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask rectangle
Scroll Reverser
Allows the scroll direction to be different for mouse and trackpad.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask scroll-reverser
Spotify
The most popular app for streaming music and listening to podcasts
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask spotify
Strongbox
The best Keepass client for MacOS. Strongbox also has an iOS app.
Download from the App store.
Things
Todo list software preferences are person specific, but Things delivers everything I expect from a todo list in a beautiful package.
Download from the App store.
https://culturedcode.com/things/
Typora
The best Markdown editor on any OS.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask typora
VSCode
The best text editor for programming.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
Login to Github to sync settings and extensions. Alternatively, install the following extensions.
# general
code --install-extension visualstudioexptteam.vscodeintellicode
code --install-extension ms-vscode-remote.vscode-remote-extensionpack
code --install-extension mhutchie.git-graph
code --install-extension christian-kohler.path-intellisense
# other views
code --install-extension ms-vscode.hexeditor
# github
code --install-extension github.remotehub
code --install-extension github.copilot
# python
code --install-extension ms-python.python
code --install-extension ms-toolsai.jupyter-renderers
code --install-extension njpwerner.autodocstring
code --install-extension kevinrose.vsc-python-indent
# html + javascript + css
code --install-extension mgmcdermott.vscode-language-babel
code --install-extension dbaeumer.vscode-eslint
code --install-extension bradlc.vscode-tailwindcss
code --install-extension mikestead.dotenv
# c++
code --install-extension ms-vscode.cpptools
# markdown
code --install-extension bierner.markdown-mermaid
# theming
code --install-extension zhuangtongfa.material-theme
code --install-extension pkief.material-icon-theme
Follow the instructions at https://patelhiren.com/blog/setting-vscode-as-default-text-editor-on-macos/ to make VSCode the default text editor.
Zoom
The de facto video call/conferencing app since March 2020.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask zoom
Zotero
Free paper and reference manager with paid cloud storage. You should also install the Zotero Connector extension for your browser to add references to Zotero from the web.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask zotero
Utilities
fzf
Fuzzy finder to look up files. fzf also overrides 3 terminal keybindings that makes it easier to lookup old commands and change directories.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install --cask fzf
lsd
Colorized ls built using Rust.
Install using Homebrew.
brew install lsd
Dock
From left to right: Finder, LaunchPad, Safari, Chrome, Mail, FaceTime, Messages, Mail, Maps, Photos, Calendar, Contacts, Reminders, Things, Notes, Typora, AppStore, System Preferences.
Other Setup Guides
If you found this useful, please cite this as:
Pu, George (Nov 2021). New Mac Setup 2021. https://georgerpu.github.io.
or as a BibTeX entry:
@article{pu2021new-mac-setup-2021,
title = {New Mac Setup 2021},
author = {Pu, George},
year = {2021},
month = {Nov},
url = {https://georgerpu.github.io/blog/2021/new-mac-setup/}
}
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