If this is your first MacBook ever and you’ve just switched from Windows to Mac, you might find it takes some getting used to all the different features on the device.
As a first time owner, here’s what you need to know on the very first day –
- Use the trackpad efficiently
If you look at the trackpad on the Apple laptops, you will notice there are no left and right buttons. There are also a bunch of gestures that allow you to switch from one screen to another. If you swipe up with three fingers, you will be able to see all the different screens you have opened.
There’s also another nifty feature on the trackpad – ‘Tap to Click.’ This allows you to click on an item without clicking on the trackpad. A tap instead of a click does the job.
You can enable this in your Trackpad setting, which is located in System Preferences. To access System Preferences, either use the magnifying glass icon (also called Spotlight search) and type in System Preferences.
Or, press Command + Space bar to open up Spotlight directly. You can also use Spotlight to open Trackpad and save yourself some time.
- Learn how to open GZ files on Mac
ZIP and RAR files are archiving formats on Windows used to compress documents without losing the quality. But if you use Linux or Mac, you may come across GZ files.
The difference between ZIP and GZ is that GZ files only have one item under them.
If you need to open GZ files on Mac, you can try one of the following:
- Use the Terminal
- Use a third-party app
- Enjoy the new way to scroll
MacBooks allow you to use two fingers on the trackpad to either scroll up or down. If you have been a Windows user, the only way to do this is by using a mouse or the touchpad to go to the extreme right of the screen and use the scroll option on the website.
- Install a new browser
Your laptop comes with a pre-installed browser, Safari. While Safari is a good browser for Mac, you may be more comfortable using Chrome or Firefox or have been using them to save your passwords and bookmarks.
It is pretty straightforward to download and install these browsers. Open Safari and type in Google Chrome browser download, and it should take you to the download page from where you can download the correct version.
Once you install the new browser, you will be asked if you want to make it your default browser and you’re all set.
- Browse the Mac App Store
If you have some favorite apps from Windows, you can look for them on the App Store. In case you don’t find them, you can download them from the web and install them.
But be sure you browse the App Store – there are a lot of great apps designed for OS X that you can benefit from. If productivity is something you want to improve, you will find that a lot of preinstalled apps on the system like Calendar, Notes, Numbers and Reminders can help you achieve your goals.
- Learn how to take a screenshot
Taking a screenshot on MacBooks is easy. Use Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen or Command + Shift + 4 to select a portion of the screen.
You can also edit the screenshot you take on the Preview app and blur out information or add text, crop and change the dimensions of the photo.
- Sign PDFs with Preview
With a Mac, you don’t need a subscription to Adobe or use online tools to sign PDFs. You can add your signature to the Preview app either by drawing on the trackpad, using your iPhone’s screen, or upload a picture of your signature.
Once created, you can insert your signature on any PDF you need to sign.
- Familiarize yourself with Apple’s support
MacBooks are not immune to software issues. Despite the premium build, you may run into some trivial issues. If turning it on and off does not help, you can rely on Apple’s support that will either provide you with an article to do a DIY fix, connect with chat or email support.
Your coverage lasts as long as your warranty, so if you have AppleCare, then you can get your laptop serviced for free during that time.
Take it slow
After you initially set up your computer, don’t overwhelm yourself trying to learn every new feature or downloading every app. Take it slow and learn one thing at a time. Another helpful feature that Apple has built into every app is the Help feature. If you get stuck or unsure of how to proceed, you can use the Help section to navigate to the next step.
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