Just switched last night!

Hey everyone, I just switched last night and like it a lot. Runs real smooth opposed to PC and still getting use to it.


Anyway, how would I go about sprucing up the background and customizing the widgets?

To change the background image, right-click the desktop and select "Change Desktop Background."

To customize the dashboard, press the + in the lower left corner when looking at the dashboard.

air max95 said:

Hey everyone, I just switched last night and like it a lot. Runs real smooth opposed to PC and still getting use to it.


Anyway, how would I go about sprucing up the background and customizing the widgets?

Click to expand...

Go to your "System Preferences" (under the Apple drop down menu)...to use a "Windows Reference"...you will find many "Control Panel" like mini-programs there to make all sorts of settings & interface adjustments.

For what it's worth...the term "Control Panel" has been part of the Mac OS since 1984...and was probably "borrowed & used" when the first versions of the Windows OS were written & released in the mid to late 80's.

So really the term "Control Panel" was first used with the Mac OS...not Windows.

- Nick

Wow, I didn't know about the origins of the term "Control Panel".

You can also download hundreds of widgets from apple.com. Go to Downloads > All Downloads > Widgets.

pigoo3 said:

For what it's worth...the term "Control Panel" has been part of the Mac OS since 1984...and was probably "borrowed & used" when the first versions of the Windows OS were written & released in the mid to late 80's.

So really the term "Control Panel" was first used with the Mac OS...not Windows.

- Nick

Click to expand...

A lot more than just that term was "borrowed and used" from Apple by Microsoft. Do some research, I have no intention of starting yet another MS vs. Apple debate.

@air max95 - Grats on your new Mac. There are many widgets you can get as described by S.SubZero and many backgrounds etc. you can find. There are some on the Apple site - Apple - Downloads - Mac OS X - Icons, Screensavers, etc.

congrats with your new Mac.

There is a free application called Wallpaper Junkie that has a downloadable selection of stunning Desktop Backgrounds that are very high quality. The list is frequently updated so they never get boring.

Apple - Downloads - Icons, Screensavers, etc. - Wallpaper Junkie

mckimchi said:

congrats with your new Mac.

Click to expand...

Thank you!


Thanks everyone for their responses!

pigoo3 said:

For what it's worth...the term "Control Panel" has been part of the Mac OS since 1984...and was probably "borrowed & used" when the first versions of the Windows OS were written & released in the mid to late 80's.

So really the term "Control Panel" was first used with the Mac OS...not Windows.

- Nick

Click to expand...

If Steve had not made that deal with MS...windows would still look like 3.1;P

Welcome to Mac and this forum!

ImageX said:

A lot more than just that term was "borrowed and used" from Apple by Microsoft. Do some research, I have no intention of starting yet another MS vs. Apple debate.

Click to expand...

Yes there was definitely a lot of "borrowing" going on when Windows was first being written. And it was definitely not my intention to start a Mac vs. Windows debate!

Just like to throw a little "Macintosh History" out there every now & then when I get the chance.

- Nick