What are the first 10 apps you install on a new computer?

I recently bought a new MacBook and don't know where to start. I learned how to code on a used MacBook Air and installed everything from any list of apps I found online.

But after random keys stopped working, it felt like a good opportunity to put my that old thing away and get more comfortable working in a Windows environment.

Instead, I just found myself writing less code because logging onto my Surface felt like work.

But now that I've bought a new MacBook, I don't really know how to kick things off again.

I installed the basics:

1. VS Code
2. Git
3. Bear and RemNote
4. Top Notch

But after that, I'm drawing a blank.

My old laptop was decked out so much it was running out of space. But this new one is precious. It deserves only the finest apps. This is why I'm seeking some inspiration from the Dev community.

What are your top 10 apps for a fresh MacBook?

If you had to chooser only 10 apps, what are fave apps for coding, productivity, or anything else that brings you joy? Nothing questionable or that's impossible to remove down the line.

Updating the list as I rediscover some old faves:

1. VS Code
2. Git
3. Bear / RemNote / Tab Notes
4. Top Notch
5. Node
6. Postman
7. Homebrew
8. Chrome
9. Discord / Slack

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels

Comments

[m0nm]

I would recommend you uninstall postman and use Thunder Client extension for VS Code since you're using it

Also, i love Everything, yes Everything (the literal word) it's a search engine for windows, I don't navigate between folders anymore

[codingjlu]

Git, Node, Python, Chrome, VS Code, WebStorm

[Brad]

Here's my list:

1. Chrome
2. VSCode
3. nvm (node version manager)
4. git
5. github-cli

Everything else is more on a use-case basis, from database related apps, to stuff I don't want in the browser, like discord.

What I find incredible is I could use just chrome, and use a bunch of online IDE's and tools to do 95% of what I want and need. The web really is that darn powerful.

[Jasterix]

very true

[Nick van Z]

1. Visual Studio
2. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
3. Teams
4. Chrome & Firefox (I prefer firefox, but need to do testing on chrome)
5. Notepad++
6. Steam
7. Discord
8. Spotify
9. I got a free premium antivirus from a friend who works there, so that as well
10. WinRar

[Alex Theobold]

1. Git
2. iTerm with OhMyZSH and pull my dotfiles from Github
3. Docker
4. Brave/Firefox
5. Insomnia
6. NeoVim
7. Node
8. Python
9. AWS and Terraform CLIs
10. Homebrew

[Sandilya Bhamidipati]

Alfred, Bitwarden and Obsidian

[Jasterix]

I just started using Obsidian after someone recommended it in another blog post. I'm in love

[Sandilya Bhamidipati]

I like the fact the Obsidian is just a collection of markdown files. I created a dropbox folder and store all my files in it and access them every machine.

[Syakir Rahman]

I just bought the Macbook Air M1 as well.. here is my list:

1. VS Code
2. Git
3. Chrome
4. Node.js
5. Homebrew

[Jasterix]

very legit. I've installed all 5 of these now

[Shrihan]

1. VSCode and Git
2. Any programming language. Mac's usually have some pre-installed, but everything that you do screams to not use it.
3. Homebrew. This really is a must for a Mac.
4. Postman / Insomnia (I prefer the latter)
5. GitKraken (GitHub Desktop works too, but GitKraken is better, especially if you use something other than GitHub).
6. Firefox and Chrome. You should be able to test your webapp on both of the major browsers.
7. iTerm. The default terminal is shit.

[Jasterix]

I wasn't familiar with GitKraken. I just installed GitHub Desktop. I've never heard of iTerm. What do you hate about the default terminal?

[oguntade Oluwayemisi Gladys]

In my opinion,as a tech savvy, will download and install; browser, python, sublime text, wps, gits, win eat files, messaging apps.

[Shrihan]

What do you hate about the default Terminal?

Basically it's lack of customisability. You can change literally anything in iTerm.

[Brian Richardson]

Neovim, VS Code, Teams, GitKraken, Steam, Postman, MySQL, NGINX, dev languages (C#, Powershell), Azure Data Studio.

[Jasterix]

Teams?? That's surprising (unless you work at Microsoft). I'm seeing a pattern with people preferring GitKraken over GitHub desktop. What makes GitKraken a must have? I'll have to look into Neovim and NGINX

Thanks for sharing your list. I'll install Postman later today

[Brian Richardson]

Well. Teams == Teams/Slack/Discord/Skype. If I were to combine all these, it would be Teams though. I don't work at Microsoft, but I am a cloud architect specializing in Microsoft tech.

I first started using GitKraken when I was frustrated with my inability to do difficult Git things (submodules come to mind) within the IDE. Then I found that it's a really good interface to Git. I never really used a desktop application for Git before GitKraken. It's been good value, so I've stuck with it.

[Jon Randy 🎖️]

Sublime Text, GitKraken, Firefox, Insomnia, Typora, Todoist, GIMP, Line, Dropbox, xbar

[Jasterix]

GitKraken? I'm interested to know why this is in your top 10. Also going to look into a few of these I'm not familiar with- Insomnia, Typora, Line

[Jon Randy 🎖️]

Line is a really popular Messenger app that everyone uses here in Thailand

[Ivan Jeremic]

Steam, vscode, discord, chrome, wsl2, battlenet, windows power tools, fileseeker, acestream, git.

[Jasterix]

Windows power tools on a Mac or do you have a PC? It's so clutch. I have it installed on my work computer

I don't know what wsl2, fileseeker, or acestream are. Will have to look into it further. Thanks for sharing! I love learning about new tools and apps