Mac Users: 7 Key Things Every New Mac Owner Should Know

There are over 100 million active Mac users in the world today. And what the expected drop of a new, revamped MacBook, this number is only estimated to grow.

If you’ve been searching for the right time to join the Apple craze. and get a MacBookThat time is now. But going from a basic laptop to a high-powered MacBook can be a huge change.

Keep reading to discover the main things that all new Mac users should know.

1. Use Time Machine

One thing that every new Mac owner needs to learn when first purchasing the laptop is how to use Time Machine. Time Machine is Apple’s unique way of creating a backup of your content. 

When backing up data, most people drag specific files or data from their laptops onto a separate hard drive. But, Time Machine copies everything from your computer from that exact moment of time and transfers it to your external hard drive. You can set up Time Machine to automatically backup on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. 

Then, when you want to recover a file that was lost, you can go back to the specific date when you know the file last existed. 

2. iCloud Synching 

If your switch to the Mac isn’t your first experience with an Apple product, you’ll want to use iCloud Synching. 

By signing in to the iCloud with your existing Apple ID, you’re connecting your laptop’s data with your existing iPhone or iPad. All of your contacts, calendar entries, photos, and even notes will now sync between all your devices. Anytime you make an update to any of these elements on one of your Apple devices, your laptop will feature the new content as well.

Once your iCloud is synched, you can even text or FaceTime from your laptop instead of your phone. 

3. Not 100% Protected From Viruses

Many people wrongly assume that MacBooks are 100% protected from all viruses. This is because the Mac Operating System is sandboxed, meaning your admin password is required to make any changes to the root files. 

While Macbooks are exponentially more protected than a Windows laptop, the protection isn’t guaranteed. Mac malware, including ransomware for your information, is still possible. This is how celebrities have gotten their iCloud accounts hacked and photographs leaked in the past. 

Sophos is the best virus scan for mac, and you should make sure to take advantage of the free or premium plan as soon as possible. 

4. Learn About Spotlight

Evey Mac owner should know about Spotlight, especially when they are just learning where everything is. 

Spotlight is Mac’s ultimate search tool. To access Spotlight, press the Command and Space keys. A search bar will then pop up for you to type anything into and press Enter for the results. 

This feature will search all files and applications on your computer for the searched term. In addition, an internet search will also be done if you’re looking for a quick definition or overview. You can also use Spotlight to quickly solve math problems or convert measurements. 

5. Create Your Own Shortcuts

There are a ton of different keyboard shortcuts available for the Mac. These shortcuts can help you do everything from copy text to print a file. 

But, Apple also gives you the availability to create your own shortcuts for actions that you may repeat frequently. 

To do this, go to the Apple Menu then select System Preferences and Keyboard. When you’re on the Keyboard tab, select Shortcuts. Then click the + button and a popup will appear. 

You can choose whether you want your shortcut to work in all applications or just a specific one. Then, enter in the command you wish to create a shortcut for. In the Keyboard Shortcut box, you’ll enter the keystroke combination you want to use for this shortcut. 

6. Visit the App Store

The Mac app store should be one of the first applications you use when setting up your new laptop. You want to ensure that your Macbook has all your favorite applications downloaded and ready to use at a moment’s notice. 

If you’re a long-time Windows user, you can download Office 365 and continue to use those products. Or, if you want to use your computer for gaming, make sure you download Steam. Other great productivity apps include Grammarly, Evernote, and Dropbox. 

Once downloaded, these apps will all appear in your Launchpad, Finder, or use the Spotlight tool to quickly access them. 

7. Customize the Dock

Your Macbook will come set up with certain applications already in the dock, which typically appear at the bottom of your screen. This area is meant to hold all your frequently used apps. But, not everyone uses their Macbook the same way, so you’ll want to customize your dock to best fit your needs. 

To remove an existing app from the dock, press Control and click on the app icon. Then, go to Options and select Remove from Dock. You can still access the app, it just doesn’t have a shortcut in your dock anymore. 

To add a new app to the dock, first, open the application you want. Once the icon appears in your dock, press Control and click on it. Then, go to Options and select Keep in Dock.

Become One of the Expert Mac Users

After reading this article, you’re ready to become one of the many expert Mac users. These seven tips will get you through the first few weeks of exploring your new computer.

When you first open your MacBook make sure to enable Time Machine and iCloud syncing. From there it’s important to know that your MacBook isn’t completely protected against viruses and that Spotlight can be your best friend. To personalize your MacBook make sure you create your own shortcuts, visit the app store, and customize the dock.

Looking for more tips to get the most out of your new MacBook? Be sure to browse the technology section of this site for all the best tips and tricks. 

Also read about: How to Copy and Paste on Mac