Setting up a new MacBook Pro in April 2022

What is this? #

A note-to-self blog post documenting the steps I took when setting up my new "M1 Pro" chipped MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) using macOS Monterey 12.3.1 recently. I am a full-stack web developer by trade, currently employed as a "platform engineer" with a strong focus on DevOps and developer processes.

Basics #

System Preferences #

Review and amend as necessary the following system settings:

• Desktop & Screen Saver
• Dock & Menu Bar
• Internet Accounts
• Security & Privacy (enable FileVault and Firewall)
• Network (install ASIX AX88179 USB3 Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver)
• Trackpad
• Displays
• Battery
• Sharing (rename computer and set custom hostname)