Mac OS X Setup Guide

These are the steps I like to take on a fresh Mac install to prep it before installing my dotfiles:

General

Log in, run Software Update, apply, restart.
Create an Admin user for your use, disable the guest account.
Log into your new personal Admin user (only use this now)
Source external HDD, set-up Time Machine.

Preferences

Apple Icon > System Preferences:

Configure Trackpad.
Set Keyboard > Key Repeat > Fast to Fast.
Set Keyboard > Delay Until Repeat to Short.
Sharing set computer name.

Security

Apple Icon > System Preferences > Security & Privacy:

Set General > Require a password after sleep… to Immediately
In Advanced set Require an administrator password... to ticked.
In Firewall turn Firewall on.
Enable File Vault.
Set a Firmware password from macOS Recovery (⌘-R)

At this point you should be good to go.