Becoming a new MacBook owner is pretty exciting. After all, you are getting your hands on a great computer.
Having said that, you might find your experience to be a bit lackluster early on. One of the reasons for that is the fact that you are not used to macOS and its interface. It helps to have previous experience using computers, but even then, transitioning from MS Windows or another operating system to macOS is tricky for some.
The purpose of this article is to cover some of the things that new MacBook owners ought to know. Consider the tips mentioned below as a foundation you can build from and improve your overall experience using a Mac.
Set Up Security Measures
In terms of overall security, Macs are known as a solid option. They are not as prone to malware when you compare macOS to other operating systems.
Nevertheless, you still need to take care of the basics. At the very least, you should get a reliable anti-malware tool and have it run in the background all the time. Enabling a firewall is also a solid option.
If you are interested in online privacy as well, then do not forget about virtual private networks. Finally, for more advanced stuff, you can also learn how to edit host file on Mac, though this one will require some extra effort and knowledge.
Memorize Keyboard Shortcuts
Knowing which keyboard shortcuts to use saves you time. If you had an MS Windows computer before, you should be familiar with some of the most basic shortcuts, such as Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V.
The combinations are a bit different on macOS. You will need to reprogram your finger memory and work on learning new shortcuts.
You can find the entire list of available macOS keyboard shortcuts on the official Apple site under the Support section.
When learning shortcuts, do not focus on a lot of different combinations. Instead, pick a few and work on memorizing them. And once you are comfortable with the current batch you are learning, pick the next bunch of keyboard shortcuts and work on those.
Check the App Store
MacBooks come with a decent number of integrated applications. However, you should not expect to make the most out of your new computer by using just the default available software.
Visit the official App Store and go through categories that interest you. Entertainment, work, education, health, lifestyle, and other categories offer a plethora of different applications, some of which are free to use.
Once you find an application you like, try it and see if it meets your expectations. If the app is free, it is as easy as downloading and installing it. And if you do not like the app, you can always delete it to free up the storage space it was taking.
Back Up Data
Even though Macs are reliable hardware-wise, you should still be cautious. At the end of the day, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Backing up your computer files will ensure that you do not have to guess whether data recovery software can restore lost data.
As a Mac owner, you have a couple of options to back up data. The first, and one that is the most popular, is to use iCloud.
Cloud storage is a digital way to manage files, which includes backing them up. Note, though, that iCloud offers only a few gigabytes of storage for free, so you will need to pay a monthly or yearly fee to get enough space. 10 dollars a month can give you as much as 2 TB of total available space.
In case you do not want to bother with iCloud, combine Time Machine, a built-in macOS app, with an external hard drive, and back up your data that way.
Consider Available Accessories
A Mac by itself is already a great thing to have, but you can enrich your experience with the help of available MacBook accessories.
For example, if you are not comfortable when you have to use a trackpad, replace it with a computer mouse instead.
A laptop stand to adjust the height could come in handy as well. As would a cooling pad to offer the computer a source of cool air.
Of course, an accessory or two means investing money, but if you have the funds to spare, it should not be too much of a problem.
Closing Thoughts
Ultimately, Macs are great computers, but if you are new, expect to take some time to get used to them. Once you do, it should be smooth sailing from there. Just make sure to get the basics right and keep an eye on other things that you believe are worth learning.
