If you have become a new MacBook user, you should be aware that it might take a while to get used to your new device.
Even those who are tech-savvy might find the transition to macOS from a different operating system not that smooth. And if you are someone who will have a MacBook as their first computer, the learning curve is quite steep.
Having said that, you should not treat potential troubles as something to discourage you. No, if anything, you have an opportunity to accomplish something and become experienced at using a MacBook.
Sure, some users might have a lot of time on their hands and are in no hurry. Unfortunately, that does not apply to everyone. If you have to use the MacBook for work or school, you want to get the basics down as soon as possible.
Below, you will find 6 tips that should get the ball rolling for your journey in experiencing what MacBooks can offer.
Learn Shortcuts
Starting with the shortcuts is a good way to go about this. If you have used a Windows computer before, you should be familiar with some of the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts, such as Ctrl + C or Ctrl + V.
Well, with MacBooks, the combinations are there, but they are different. For instance, to take a screenshot, you will not find a print-screen button. No, instead, you will need to use Shift + Command + 3 or Shift + Command + 4 depending on if you want to take a portion or the whole MacBook screen.
Setting macros is also a bit different. There is no real autohotkey option on macOS, per se, if you wish to set up various commands. The answer to this problem is quite obvious and common on MacBooks—third-party applications. BetterTouchTool and Almighty are solid options.
As you explore macOS in more detail, you will uncover more ways to optimize the work process via various commands. And be sure to constantly learn new keyboard shortcuts for even more efficiency.
Keep an Eye on macOS Updates
As a rule of thumb, you want to keep an eye on new macOS updates and get them as soon as an update becomes available.
There are three main reasons to keep macOS up to date:
- Performance stability and improvements
- New features
- Security upgrades
Some computer users are a bit reluctant to download and install an OS update because it can take a while and get in the way of their work or entertainment. However, macOS updates are not that frequent, and given how much value they bring, it would be a waste not to prioritize them.
Avoid Cluttering the Drive
A proper maintenance routine is necessary regardless of what computer you have. It is crucial to take care of your computer and avoid potential performance woes. Otherwise, it will not take too long for issues to snowball. You may end up with a computer that is hardly functioning anymore.
One of the most common problems behind various Mac performance issues is the lack of free disk space. You are not given that much in the first place, and every gigabyte counts.
Ideally, at least 20 percent of total disk space should be free, and even that might not be enough.
To avoid potential drive clutter, you can consider:
- Removing unnecessary apps, temporary system junk, duplicate data, localization files, and other files you no longer need
- Transferring some of the files to external storage, such as iCloud or a USB flash drive
- Avoiding large media files and using streaming platforms instead
Check the App Store
One of the best things about MacBooks is the plethora of applications you can find. For most of your needs, you should be fine with the official app store, though some third-party sites are worth checking out as well.
They offer you a direct download for a tool that is optimized for various operating systems, including macOS.
As for the official app store, pick one of the many available categories and see what is available. Some apps are free, while others are paid or come with a premium plan for paid users and a free plan for those who do not wish to spend money.
Optimize Notifications
Random notifications can be disruptive to your work, so you want to make sure that you are not distracted by them. Check the Notification Center of your MacBook and decide which of the notifications you can disable and which you should leave.
For example, enabling notifications for macOS updates is a good approach, given how important updating an operating system is. On the other hand, there is hardly any need to get bombarded by random messages from an application that sends random news reports, right?
Create Data Backups
The last bit of advice is about data backups. As a precaution, you should back up important MacBook files so that you can access them in case something happens to the original. Hardware breakdowns, accidental deletions, and cybersecurity threats are some of the most common reasons behind losing files on a computer.
As a MacBook user, you can back up files via Time Machine (you will need an external HDD) or iCloud. Some go as far as using both methods for extra peace of mind. After all, having two backup copies is safer than having one.
Follow Techggurum for more!
