Ubuntu Setup Essentials: First Steps After Installing on a 2015 MacBook Air

In the first part of this series I showed how easy it was and the great performance I got when installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS on a 2015 MacBook Air to give it a new lease on life.

The turn over is.... Surprise! As I mentioned before, all the laptop's functionality works perfectly! Plus, the system speed is noticeably better compared to macOS. And that is awesome.

Now that I have a fresh Ubuntu installation, what are the next steps? There are a ton of very professional websites showing advanced first steps in Linux in general (deleting unused users, securing root, enabling SSH access, setting up a firewall, among a lot others). After researching online, I've compiled a list of essential and straight-forward first tasks:

Update the System

Keeping your system updated is essential for getting the latest security patches and an optimized experience.

First, refresh your local package index by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt update

Then, upgrade your packages to the latest versions with this command:

sudo apt upgrade

Finally, open the Software Center to check if any installed applications have pending updates.

Install Your Preferred Software

The easiest way to install software is through the Software Center, which includes many popular applications.

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Conclusion

My last experience with Ubuntu was a few years ago, and returning to it now, I’m impressed with its evolution. Compatibility with older hardware has improved, and today it offers a much smoother and efficient experience. For me, installing Ubuntu on my MacBook Air has been a success: it went from barely usable to fast, user-friendly, and fully compatible.

With the steps outlined here, you have a solid foundation to start exploring Ubuntu.