How to Use a MacBook The Complete Guide for Beginners

How to Use a MacBook The Complete Guide for Beginners

Apple shipped over 15 million MacBooks in 2020 alone, and those numbers are rising.

Have you recently made the jump to a MacBook for the first time? Are you struggling to figure out how to use it properly?

Read on to learn how to use a MacBook.

Get Set Up Right

First, you’ll need to get your new MacBook all set up. You’ll want to begin by transferring your data over, and making sure the backup system for your new computer is turned on. You can use a cloud service, or back up your new computer to an external hard drive.

When you’re setting up your computer account, you’ll want to make sure that you have a very strong password so no one else can log in. If you have an Apple Watch, you can also set up Auto Unlock so that you’ll be able to unlock your computer without typing in your password.

Once you’ve gotten into your computer, it’s time to set up your applications. If you want to use a different kind of web browser, like Google Chrome, you should download it ASAP. 

And, you may be considering using the Mail and Contacts functionalities on your Mac. To use these, you’ll need to log into your email accounts and sync them up with your computer.

Those who use multiple computers and devices will want to have their iCloud set up, so that you can access your notes, photos, contacts, and other files on any authorized device.

Know the Types of MacBooks

Different types of MacBooks will have different features and benefits. That’s especially true if you paid for specific upgrades.

MacBook Airs, for example, are lighter and more compact. However, they tend to have less memory and slower GPU speeds. On the other hand, MacBook Pros have more memory and faster speeds, but they tend to be quite a bit bigger.

Newer model MacBooks will usually have the Touch Bar, rather than the function keys you usually see on the top of a keyboard. The Touch Bar will show you different selections, depending on what application you’re on at the time.

MacBooks also come in different sizes, to suit your needs. The most recent MacBook pros are currently available in 14-inch and 16-inch varieties.

Understand How To Navigate Your MacBook

The navigation system on a MacBook is slightly different than other operating systems. You’ll use the dock, which is by default set to the bottom of your screen, to open different applications.

You can use the menu bar at the top of your screen to navigate the different options and preferences in each application. If you click the Apple button on your menu bar, you’ll be able to set your system preferences, go to the Apple store, log out, and shut down your computer.

You’ll also need to learn how to navigate Finder. This is how you’ll find different files and applications on your computer. You can have different Finder windows open if you want to move things around.

Once you understand the basic ways to navigate your computer, you may want to consider getting more familiar with Spotlight. With Spotlight, you can search for files on your computer, or information from all around the Internet. You can find out the weather and do basic math equations in seconds.

MacBook Hardware

The hardware on a Mac computer may also be different than you’re used to. To left-click, you’ll have to push down on the bottom of the touchpad. To right-click, you can hold control while you press down, or use two fingers while you click. If this doesn’t come naturally to you, you can get an external mouse with buttons.

The keyboard and screen on your computer may also be smaller than you’re used to, depending on what size MacBook you’ve purchased. Luckily, you can still use a monitor and keyboard with your MacBook computer.

Pick Up the Tips

There are lots of great MacBook tips that will help make your experience with your new computer a lot easier and smoother. You can use different keyboard shortcuts to navigate around your computer more quickly, for example. MacBooks offer lots of accessibility options for people who may have different needs when they’re interacting with their computer.

Customize your desktop and your dock so that you can find everything you need. You can change the icon sizes, color-code your folders, and hide any applications you don’t regularly use. And, if you just want your desktop to be prettier, you can change your folder icons to emojis and switch your desktop background to the image of your choice.

There is no end to cool things your MacBook can do. You may want to learn how to take scrolling screenshot Mac to show off an entire page or social media thread. You can use your other devices like a scanner to transfer physical documents right onto your MacBook.

And, just because you have a Mac computer doesn’t mean you have to run Mac operating system. You can certainly install a different type of operating system onto your Mac, or set up partitions so you’ll be able to switch between different operating systems as you please.

How to Use a MacBook? Start Now

With these tips, you should have no problem understanding how to use a MacBook. So, if you haven’t already purchased a MacBook, it may be time to hop on the bandwagon. Are you searching for more technology articles? Scroll through the rest of this website for the tips you need today.

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