Ask HN: What are the first things you do with a new laptop? As title, I recently got a new laptop I'd like to keep exclusively for studying and personal stuff, while anything job-related is on a different machine. What are some must-have applications you install immediately ? Have you got some settings you absolutely need ? Do you set it up to match your workflow or do you experiment something new given the chance to start from scratch ? I'm on Linux, precisely Pop Os, if it matters. |
I also like to install a temperature monitor (I've used Core Temp and Speedfan, both are fine) then run benchmarking software. Besides reassuring me that I've actually gotten what was advertised, this shows me the maximum heat the laptop is likely to reach and, with some guesswork, whether anything needs to be repasted.
Upgrade storage too, if necessary
Wipe storage, install Arch Linux
If this is my insecure laptop, turn off all mitigations (spectre / meltdown, etc).
Custom compile Linux Kernel with my selected patches and build parameters (like LTO), mostly taken from other projects like Xanmod.
Install particular proprietary drivers (nvidia-dkms, etc)
Setup X11
Install all my required 'base' packages, like fonts, tools, and Fish shell
Clone all my dotfiles
Clone my customized window manager, terminal, and menu (dwm, st, dmenu). Build them and install
Install Firefox with custom configuration to increase privacy and remove Mozilla crap. Install my plugins. Install my greasemonkey scripts.
Install my custom written DNS over TLS proxy, remove the system DNS software (systemd-resolved). Why? Mine is better for my purposes.
Pretty much done, I then use a script to install all my misc software for development.
The rest of the 5 terabytes is allocated to Linux Mint.
I then remove all extraneous crap (Microsoft 'starters', various garbage apps, 'news' apps, etc) from the Windows system, leaving just Windows itself and the laptop manufacturer's system utilities on there. I only use Windows when absolutely necessary, mainly for things like HP scanning software for my MFP, or a dash-cam app; so probably about 10 hours a year.
Now I:
* Install/configure FF, including 1Password and uBlock Origin extensions
* Install VS Code
* GitHub SSH configuration
* Set up a "dev" folder for all coding projects
* Set up "writing" dir for all writing projects
* Install writing tools like Scrivenet and Plottr
* Install misc productivity related apps, like ManicTime and Workflowy
- install Homebrew, load my Brewfile
- clone my dotfiles
- login to my Firefox account so that it automatically installs uBlock origin, Bitwarden and SponsorBlock.
Good to go.
They could have put a brick in the box, then put the box through the sealer, and who would be the wiser?
- Uninstall software that I don't want (i.e. McAfee)
- Install software (e.g. antivirus and anti-malware programs)
Browser:
- Install extensions (uBlock Origin is usually first)
- Run an internet speed test