The MacBook Neo is a fantastic laptop, and a welcome benefit of owning one is that you get to dive headfirst into the world of macOS apps. Apple’s operating system is overflowing with incredible apps, including those made by Apple and a thriving ecosystem of third-party developers.
Here, we’ve rounded up 7 of the best apps that are guaranteed to lift your MacBook Neo to new heights. Install them on your new Mac and you won’t look back.
Microsoft 365
If you’ve ditched Windows and made your first foray into macOS with your MacBook Neo, Microsoft 365 might be familiar to you. It’s the premier toolset for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and more. And despite it being made by Microsoft — Apple’s archrival — the app collection is available on macOS.
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Not only that, but Microsoft 365 actually works brilliantly on Apple’s operating system. Microsoft has ensured that Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more all slot seamlessly into macOS, so if you’re already familiar with those apps, you’ll feel right at home, even as you find your bearings on macOS.
Fantastical
Staying organized — whether in your work or personal life — can help you keep on top of your daily goings on. While macOS comes with Apple’s Calendar app, it’s somewhat limited in its scope and abilities. Instead, get Fantastical from Flexibits.
This calendar app is the real deal. It’s both smart and easy to use: just type in natural language when creating events and it will add all the relevant details (for instance, create an event called “lunch with Tom tomorrow at 1pm” and it’ll be perfectly added to your calendar). With a clean user interface, support for reminders and to-dos, compatibility with popular platforms like Microsoft 365 and iCloud, and much more, it’s an essential starter app for your new Mac.
A new web browser
Browsing the internet is a core part of any Mac user’s experience, and that’s no different with the MacBook Neo. While macOS comes with Apple’s Safari browser built in, you might want to look around for alternative web browsers.
Google Chrome is a popular choice thanks to its speed and simple interface, and there’s a good chance you’ve used it before on Windows. Personally, I prefer Firefox thanks to its robust privacy policies and large library of extensions. Whatever your choice, installing a new web browser could be a great way to boost your new Mac.
While you’re at it, it’s worth adding a couple of handy browser extensions to your Mac. My top two picks are uBlock Origin and Consent-O-Matic. The former blocks ads on web pages, which not only improves the reading experience but shuts out potentially scammy and dangerous ads too. The latter automatically rejects cookies on the ever-present consent forms that are a nuisance these days, protecting your privacy and saving you clicks in the process.
App Cleaner & Uninstaller
Managing the apps you’ve installed on your Mac can be a pain, especially if you’re new to Apple’s operating system. Thankfully, there’s a reprieve in the form of Nektony’s App Cleaner & Uninstaller, which is a one-stop shop for keeping your apps in tip-top condition.
As the name suggests, Nektony’s offering ensures that any uninstalled apps are removed properly by cleaning leftover files that macOS might miss. It also tackles startup programs and extensions, keeping your Mac running smoothly. And although it’s not hinted at in the name, it can also keep your apps up to date, ensuring that patches are downloaded and installed so your Mac stays safe and up to speed with the latest new features.
SoundSource
The MacBook Neo comes with volume buttons on the function row at the top of the keyboard, meaning you can quickly change the volume or mute your Mac with a quick key press. But with a clever app called SoundSource, you can get much more control over the audio on your new laptop.
SoundSource lets you change audio on a per-app basis. You can set different volumes for sound effects and general output or change certain apps to be louder or quieter than others. Output from one app can be routed to your MacBook’s speakers while sound from another can go to your headphones. That kind of control comes as standard with SoundSource, making it a brilliant way to manage Mac audio with ease.
Zoom
Want to stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues? Then you need Zoom. This video-calling app cut its teeth during the Covid pandemic and has gone from strength to strength ever since. It’s incredibly easy to set up and use, making it ideal for calling grandma as well as your tech-savvy amigos.
It comes loaded with backgrounds and filters to improve your picture, group calling and conference features for larger meetups, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to transcribe and summarize your calls. Whatever you want to phone someone about on your Mac, it’s a great option.
VLC
Modern video files come in all sorts of formats, and there’s no guarantee that QuickTime, Apple’s bundled video player, will be able to play them. If you’re concerned about that, VLC should be on your Mac.
This free video app works with a huge array of file extensions — if you’ve got a video, chances are VLC can play it. With its straightforward interface, compatibility with multiple operating systems (including macOS, Windows and Linux) and toll-free asking price, there’s a lot to love here.
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alexblake.techradar@gmail.com (Alex Blake)
