9 MacBook pro Tips Everyone Needs to Know

 

Are you the proud owner of a Macbook pro? Whether you are a novice or more experienced user, understanding how to get the most out of your new device can be daunting. To help users make the most out of their Macbook pro, we have put together a list of 9 essential tips everyone needs to know.

Master your MacBook Pro with 9 essential tips

If you’re the proud owner of a new MacBook Pro, there is no better time to get up to speed on all the tips, tricks, and shortcuts for enhancing your productivity. With the right tweaks and adjustments, you can increase the efficiency of your laptop and make it feel like an extension of yourself. From easy maintenance tips to tricks for unlocking more power from your processor, these 9 MacBook Pro tips are essential knowledge for both new owners and people who’ve had their laptop for a while.

The first priority is always keeping your Mac updated with timely security patches and feature-improving software updates. That’s followed by changing settings such as your Power Nap mode that maximize battery life without sacrificing performance; Back to My Mac lets you access files stored remotely via iCloud. macOS Shortcuts are also worth learning – they can save precious seconds even when engaging in mundane tasks like creating documents or switching between windows. There are also helpful tips on how to troubleshoot common wireless network connection issues on Macs, how to customize apps with extensions and plugins, as well as how to make optimal use of cloud storage solutions such as Dropbox and iCloud Drive. And don’t forget about optimizing photo libraries stored on your laptop: features.

1. Start new

Starting fresh on a new device can be incredibly difficult. It’s taken diligently and often times a lot of stress to get your current device up and running just how you like it; from theme colors, to home screens, to even app settings and passwords; we don’t all want to go through that again. Migration Assistant or the backup tool of your choice are both excellent solutions for ensuring an exact copy of your current setup will be available on another device, however, if starting anew is more desirable then there needs to be a more efficient way.

When I got my new 14-inch MacBook Pro 2021 in December 2021, I decided I would try migrating files while only using what was absolutely necessary. It was time consuming making sure all the necessary files were moved over but the end result was worth it: after downloading necessary apps and achieving the correct permissions, I had a sleekly designed workspace with hardly any bloat or ‘clutter’ on my machine! The only issue is I need to spend some time returning all my settings back to my usual likes – such as home screen layouts and wallpaper – but luckily there are many tools out there that make this process simpler than it has been in the past.

2. Choose your perfect screen scale

Finding the right screen scale on macOS is an important but often overlooked step towards a comfortable computing experience. It may take some trial and error to find the optimal resolution, but it can be done by following some simple steps. To access the Displays menu, begin by opening System Preferences through the Apple icon located in the top left corner of the screen.

Once inside, you’ll see a wide range of different resolutions labelled under “Scaled” – you can experiment with each of these to see what works best for you. The Default Resolution is generally accepted as being a good compromise between having larger text or more space on your screen, but if that isn’t working for you then “More Space” could be worth trying out. Take your time to find which one feels most comfortable for you – once you’ve decided, stick with it and enjoy!

3. Un-break Apple’s default scrolling

Reversing Apple’s default scroll direction is something that has become commonplace in the tech world. For those who are old school and were comfortable with the traditional look and feel of a Mac, it can be frustrating to see the sudden change. Fortunately, if you want to un-break Apple’s scrolling setting, you can easily do so by taking a few short steps.

The first step is to open System Preferences on your Mac and tap the Trackpad tab. Once there, you’ll find three main settings that many people choose to alter: Scroll & Zoom , Point & Click, and More Gestures . To un-break Apple’s default scrolling direction, go to scroll & zoom and turn off the Scroll Direction: Natural setting. This will revert back your Mac to its original layout and you’ll be able to scroll up or down as usual without any disruptions. Making this simple change can add back traditionalism into your everyday computing habits and make your life much easier!

4. Boost your screen’s corners

I don’t know where I’d be without macOS’ Hot Corners. It is such an incredibly useful tool. Hot Corners allows me to activate a command or feature when I move my cursor at one of the four corners of my screen, making it so easy to access functions quickly. By default, the Mac only uses one corner – usually forQuickNote which not everyone even needs or knows about. Personally, I use Drafts right there in the dock instead of QuickNote, but I haven’t bothered to switch off yet. Instead, I have set my top left corner of the screen for Mission Control; this is especially helpful when switching between apps and multitasking.

I love how customisable Hot Corners can be on the Mac using mission control. With that single feature activated in the four corners of your screen, you can easily open up notifications centre with one click, launch screensaver with another, see all running apps on you desktop with another and even open Finder just by hovering your mouse at any desired corner. Not only is this useful for saving time navigating around your computer but it also makes accessing functions much easier as soon as you decide to move away from the middle part of your desktop. It causes less distraction as everything eventually comes.

5. The Dark Mode decision

Most systems come with a light mode as default and are usually the more popular pick. However, for those who want to reduce the other environmental stimuli at night or just cope with the incredibly bright screen of a Macbook Pro 14, a darker display option such as dark mode can be preferable.

Dark mode has become increasingly popular over the last few years, even included in many apps and operating systems. For example, Apple recently released macOS Mojave with a dark mode that changed all your menus, toolbars and windows automatically to look great in low light environments. Dark mode works best when used on screens with higher brightness levels since it reduces glare and reflects fewer harmful blue light frequencies which can cause eyestrain while reading or working on documents. Ultimately, it’s up to each user to decide what kind of display they prefer based on their own needs and preferences, but dark mode may be worth trying out if you’re interested in making small tweaks that could have big impacts on your comfort level when using electronics.

6. Customize the Finder

Customizing the Finder is a great way to make your Mac experience even more personal. By opening Finder Preferences, through Command + , (comma keys), you can organize your finds based on what works best for you. For example, under General, it’s possible to select a button so that your laptop hard drive or internal drive becomes visible on the desktop; this gives you easy access to all of its contents in one simple click.

You can also change the New Finder window option from Recent, which sorts recent files on your Mac, to All My File type or another tab so that organizing and finding your data is much easier than rummaging through hundreds of folders and files at once. Furthermore, clicking Sidebar at the top of Finder Preferences will give access to toggle other file destinations such as iCloud Drive, Dropbox or any additional external drives connected with USBs as well. With these steps taken, customizing the Finder will become simpler and more efficient when looking for important documents or media files down the road.

7. Install this password manager

If you use a computer on a regular basis, it is essential to protect your personal data by using a secure password manager. 1Password is the perfect solution for Mac and iOS users due to its easy setup and intuitive design that makes managing your passwords simple. With top-of-the-line encryption that keeps both your accounts and passwords safe, you can trust 1Password not only with your data, but with the peace of mind that comes along with using it.

Packing features like the ability to store bank account information in encrypted form, autofill options for web browsers, multiple vaults for different levels of security, and additional unique features like periodically changing passwords allows users to customize their experience. Additionally, support for third-party integrations such as smart locks for Mac allow for added convenience when logging into sites or programs. So if you need help keeping track of complex and everchanging passwords, 1Password is the best choice to keep everything secure without compromising efficiency.

8. Now, onto the apps

If you’re like most people today, you probably have an arsenal of apps that help you get through work and life. But if you don’t already have one, I highly recommend Drafts (opens in new tab). It’s an amazing notebook that keeps all your notes synced across all your devices so you can access them when you need them. Whenever the app is opened, it has a fresh blank document ready and waiting for anything you want to jot down.

If podcasting is your thing, Overcast (opens in new tab) is the go-to choice among users. Different audio tricks are available to make listening easier such as increasing voice volume levels if needed and improving sound quality with smart speed setting. Fantastical offers a more efficient Calendar app compared to Apple’s default option. Todoist and Due are effective tools for managing tasks and reminders.

9. Secure your Apple Pay

Ensuring your Apple Pay and security settings are correct is an important step for anyone using any Apple device. Following a few simple steps can save you from making the same mistake I once did: not double-checking that my default card was set correctly.

One key area to look at is found in the System Preferences of your Apple device. There, you’ll find Wallet & Apple Pay where you can select which cards you want to store there, as well as selecting a default card. Make sure that this matches what you want for quick and easy transactions.

In addition, if you’re using Touch ID on Mac laptops or desktops, it’s worth setting up more than one finger; this way, you won’t have to think too hard about which one to use when unlocking the device. With multiple fingers available, you don’t need to think twice!