5 Things Less Experienced Mac Users Should Learn

A new MacBook user might feel excited about getting their hands on a brand-new computer for the first time, but it is also important to note that there are certain things they have to know or expect to learn.

If you have no prior experience with macOS, the time it takes to figure out the ins and outs can be quite long, particularly if you are not looking to be proactive. That is not a bad thing, but some people want to master a MacBook as soon as they can because the computer is something they use for work or studies.

Building a solid foundation and learning the basics is a good approach. The purpose of this article is to familiarize you with some of the most important aspects of mastering your Mac.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Let’s start with keyboard shortcuts. You can find the entire list of available macOS shortcuts on the official Apple website under the support section.

Do not be overwhelmed by the number of available keyboard shortcuts. There is no need to learn every single one of them (at least not early on). You should focus on memorizing those shortcuts that you believe to be the most useful for you.

After a while, your finger memory will be strong enough to memorize those shortcuts that you use the most often. Then, you can pick another batch of keyboard shortcuts and work on memorizing those.

The more time you spend on the MacBook, the more you are going to type, which will help you get better at using the keyboard, including shortcuts.

Computer Accessories

There is no need to rely entirely on the default MacBook setup if you want an optimal user experience. Investing additional money in computer accessories could go a long way, especially for those who are somewhat unsatisfied with what they currently have.

One of the likeliest additions could be a computer mouse. Using a trackpad is not for everyone, and they would much rather rely on a computer mouse, even if it means having an extra computer accessory to carry with you.

Replacing the integrated MacBook keyboard, or rather using a third-party keyboard, might also be an option if you are unhappy with the layout or how the keys feel on your fingers.

Next, a cooling pad is a viable option. As someone who owns a new Mac, you should not be worried about overheating early on, but a cooling pad is something to get down the line.

Available Applications

Using a MacBook is a lot of fun when you have access to a decent number of different applications that are part of the macOS. Integrated apps like Spotlight and GarageBand offer some of the best things that you would expect from such applications.

Nevertheless, you do not have to limit yourself to just integrated MacBook applications. The official App Store has a plethora of apps to offer in different categories.

Whether you are looking for apps for your work or apps to entertain yourself, both paid and free options are there for you to try. If you are not certain about specific applications, you can always check some reviews online to get a better idea. Just because an app is rated on the store so highly, it does not necessarily mean that the rating reflects reality.

Computer Maintenance

Computer maintenance should be one of the priorities if you want to ensure that your computer will last for a long time. You also want to avoid potential performance issues, such as random crashes or freezes. Imagine working on a document and forgetting to save it, only to lose all the progress you made because your computer decided to stop working all of a sudden.

From cleaning the dust inside and keeping tabs on the desktop clutter to having reliable antivirus software and limited background processes, you need to be mindful of potential problems that can snowball out of control over time and leave you with a worse Mac performance than you want.

According to MacPaw’s post, keeping an eye on the device’s storage is another crucial aspect. Take care of obsolete files and transfer some data to external storage so that there is enough free space on the computer’s drive.

Finally, make sure that the MacBook is up to date. As soon as a new macOS version is available, download and install it.

Data Backups

You want to create a safety net for the computer files in the form of a data backup. Use either Time Machine together with an external storage accessory, such as a hard drive, or stick to iCloud.

If you go with cloud storage, expect to invest some extra money because the free version of iCloud only offers 5GB of storage, which is hardly enough.