Are You a New Mac Owner? Here Are 6 Things You Should Know

Are You a New Mac Owner? Here Are 6 Things You Should Know

Investing in a MacBook is quite a commitment because these computers cost a lot of money. At the same time, the price tag is justified, given that you are getting a great device.

Now, for someone who is not that tech-savvy or is switching from MS Windows to macOS, the transition might not be as smooth. 

Getting the basics of a MacBook down early on will work as a great foundation, and that is something you should strive for. This article will help you with that.

Background and Other Customization

Let’s start with customization. Overall, MacBooks are not that flexible when it comes to changing the user interface. If you are used to another operating system, you might be a bit surprised by Apple’s approach to limit the modification.

Having said that, you can still change background on mac as well as the screen saver by opening the System Preferences tab and picking one of the available panels that have the modification features in it.

Another example could be changing the color of folders. While not seemingly a big deal, it is still another way to introduce some changes and originality to the default setup.

In case you are someone who is fine with the default setup, you should not bother too much and stick to that. After all, Apple knows what it is doing to make the customers happy, and the default user interface illustrates that despite offering few customization options. 

Keyboard Shortcuts

Knowing relevant keyboard shortcuts is great if you are looking to become more efficient using the computer. By using these shortcuts, you save time that you would have to waste using the trackpad or the mouse.

Perhaps the best example is copying and pasting a file. It is much faster to select a file and press two keys than to bother right-clicking on it and selecting the option to copy it. If you have been using MS Windows before, you should know what we are talking about.

Of course, there are instances when you have to use a keyboard shortcut to carry out a specific task. For instance, if you want to take a screenshot on a MacBook, you will have to use Shift + Command + 3. There is no such thing as the print-screen key on the keyboard. And that is only one example.

All in all, learning keyboard shortcuts on a MacBook is more or less inevitable, and you should not treat it as a hindrance but rather as a means to become more efficient at using the device. 

To find out about available macOS screenshots, visit the official Apple support site, where you can find the whole list of keyboard shortcuts for a MacBook.

OS Updates

As a rule of thumb, you want to enable the notification for macOS updates and install one as soon as it becomes available. Missing an update for a day or two is not that bad, but the more you delay, the more you put your computer at risk.

Missing an update might be crucial because you do not have the most recently introduced protection patches that were developed to counter new cybersecurity threats.

Add the fact that OS updates introduce overall performance updates and new features, and it should be pretty clear that you ought to prioritize them even if downloading and installing an update might take a while. 

Potential Issues With Performance

Performance issues on a MacBook are rather rare, but they can still happen. More often than not, you are likely going to rely on professional help. On the other hand, some issues are manageable on your own.

For instance, if you run out of disk space, you can see which of the files or applications have become redundant. From here, delete unnecessary data.

Clutter can also be taken care of via external storage. It helps to transfer files to an external HDD or iCloud. You do not have to keep all the files on your computer if you want to have more free space on the MacBook’s disk. 

The Apple App Store

Checking the official App Store should be one of the things you do regularly. macOS is great when it comes to application variety, and you can find plenty of great options in the store.

Both paid and free apps are plenty. Pick one of the categories that interest you and browse through the top apps to see what is trending. If you like what you see, read reviews and try that application yourself. You are bound to make the most out of your computer thanks to great apps.

Available Accessories

Overall, you should be fine with the MacBook as you get it. However, it is still worth considering available accessories.

One of the few things that stand out is a computer mouse. Not everyone is keen to use a trackpad. They would much rather prefer a mouse.

If your Mac is overheating because you are running resource-heavy apps, a cooling pad is worth a shout as well.

Leave a Comment