X World 2026
25-26 AUGUST • NAARM | MELBOURNE
Daniel MacLaughlin
Building the Best macOS Onboarding Experience
First impressions matter. For many end users, the moment they open a brand-new Mac is that first impression — and it sets the tone for how they feel about IT long after setup is done. Jamf Pro's native macOS Onboarding feature already lets admins deploy policies, profiles, and apps automatically when Self Service for macOS first opens. This session builds on that foundation with two open-source Jamf Concepts tools that take onboarding further: Setup Manager, which replaces the default macOS Setup Assistant with a fully branded, customizable interface, and Setup Checklist, which guides users through a first-login checklist so nothing gets missed. Topics include how native macOS Onboarding, Setup Manager, and Setup Checklist fit together in a real Automated Device Enrollment workflow, what gaps each layer closes, and how admins can configure all three to match their organization's branding and setup requirements. Expect a live demo, practical configuration guidance, and an honest look at where each tool helps most. Attendees will leave with a clear blueprint for building onboarding that works for end users and admins alike.
About the presenter
Daniel is a Senior Consulting Engineer at Jamf with 11 years at the company and nearly two decades in IT. Based in Sydney, he and the wider Consulting Engineering team support projects globally, contributing to Jamf Concepts — Jamf's innovation program for tools built by the people who work in the field. Daniel is passionate about automation: turning manual, repetitive admin work into something faster and smarter, from onboarding workflows to AI-assisted tooling. When he's not deep in Jamf APIs, you'll find him at a D&D table, shuffling a Magic: The Gathering deck, brewing beer, or talking someone's ear off about whisky.
Interview
We asked Daniel a few questions about where Apple's heading and what he's working on.
What are you most excited about in Apple's upcoming OS releases?
The local AI models.
Is there new hardware you're hoping Apple ships?
A mid tier Vision Pro alternative.
The rise of AI: excited, scared, intrigued, or something else?
Intrigued and enabled.
What's the best thing you've built that nobody's heard of?
Personal AI tools for home use that manages the solar and aircon
Finish this sentence: "You should come to my talk if…"
...you want your end users to think IT is awesome with a slick onboarding experience!
