Besides their sleek design, neat features, and a plethora of available apps, Macs are quite reliable. Nevertheless, not everyone who gets a Macbook manages to use it efficiently right off the bat. Some people need more time and others, and that is understandable. If you are looking to get better at using your Mac, look no further than this article. The tips below should provide valuable information.
Tip #1 – Manage Drive Space
Keeping the hard drive or solid-state drive in check should not prove too difficult in general. However, Macbooks are not the best when it comes to available storage. Thus, people with tendencies to keep files on the computer may run out of space sooner than they expect. Add the fact that there are temporary junk data, like files you can find in the scratch disk and photoshop cache, and the issue becomes even more problematic. You need to keep close tabs on the computer’s drive. Get in the habit of removing files you no longer need. Be it old applications, email attachments, or downloads. If a file is unnecessary, it should go. Taking advantage of cloud services and getting external storage devices would help as well. You can transfer some files there and free up the computer’s space. Finally, why not consume media on streaming services? It is an excellent alternative to keeping large media files on the Macbook.
Tip #2 – Be Careful With Third-Party Peripherals
As a rule of thumb, it would be better to avoid third-party peripherals in the vicinity where you are using a Macbook. One of the biggest downsides is that you may experience internet connection problems, particularly if you do not have an ethernet cable. Not every wireless internet network is reliable, and if there is interference from something like a microwave oven or a wireless printer, you are likely to have even more issues. There are some exceptions, though. Tablets should not cause problems if you connect them to the Macbook. In fact, you may benefit more because you would be getting a second screen.
Tip #3 – Get Word Definitions
If you are reading a document and encounter unfamiliar words, there is no need to open a dictionary or look for a definition only. No, you only need to highlight the word and hit the Command + Control + D sequence on the keyboard. A pop-up with information will tell you details you want to see, including the definition of a word or phrase.
Tip #4 – Prolong Battery Lifespan
A new Mac should not have issues with its battery lifespan. However, if you notice that it takes longer for a battery to charge or that you need to plug the charger in more often, make some adjustments. For starters, instead of putting the Macbook in sleep mode, shut it down for the night. Also, quit background apps, declutter the desktop, and disable visual effects. It may not seem like much, but doing these things will prolong the Macbook’s battery lifespan.
Tip #5 – Create Digital Signatures
If you are tired of signing on documents, create a digital signature via Preview and add it to PDF documents. Open any PDF document via Preview and click on the pen icon. Select “Create a New Signature.” Then, get yourself a sheet of paper and sign on it. Hold the signature in front of Mac’s camera and take the picture. Upload the picture and open it via Preview. Now, every time you open a PDF document via Preview, you will have an option to include a signature. This should save you some time.
Tip #6 – Install System Updates
Do not miss system updates. You may be reluctant to download and install them if it takes too long. However, OS updates introduce the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements.
Tip #7 – Check the Official App Store
The official app store is one of the biggest Macbook advantages. You have multiple apps available for entertainment, lifestyle, work, and other aspects of your life. And quite a few applications are free. You may get some recommendations to download apps from third-party sources. It is recommended to avoid third-party apps. Instead, stick to the official store and give yourself peace of mind. After all, you may encounter cybersecurity threats by downloading an application from a third-party source. And in some cases, even reliable antivirus software may not be enough to protect you.
Tip #8 – Back up Files
Relying on a computer should be a natural thing. However, it is hard to predict when something may go wrong. For instance, your Macbook’s hard drive may malfunction and wipe all the data. Restoring some files may prove too difficult. That is why you should consider backing up data using Time Machine and an external storage device, like a hard drive.
