How to use a MacBook: tips for beginner users. Rules for using MacBook Training mac os

Considering that a new version of the Mac OS High Sierra operating system was released not so long ago, and taking into account the huge number of different discounts on MacBooks for students, it is quite possible to assume that you have become one of the lucky owners of a Mac. Perhaps you just switched from Windows or Linux, or perhaps this is your first computer - in any case, this article will allow you to learn a lot of new things.

1. Smart Unit Conversion with Spotlight

If previously it was possible to carry out various calculations using Spotlight, then with the release of the new Yosemite operating system, this application acquired an additional function - converting units of measurement. This program is so smart that in many cases it not only answers your query, but also offers conversion to alternative units of measurement.

Enter “$1299” and the program will immediately show you how many rubles are in this amount (based on what national currency you selected in “System settings” in the “Country\region” section), and a little lower on page you will see other results, for example in euros, yen and so on.

2. Improved version of Siri

Before the release of Mac OS Sierra, the Voice Recorder tool installed on the Mac showed itself in the best light, surprising us time after time with its speech recognition abilities. But Siri's long-awaited return to Apple desktops and laptops has left it in tatters.

Siri, which we are all accustomed to back in iPhones, can be called up by pressing and holding Command + Spacebar or by clicking on the corresponding icon in the Dock or Menu. However, the new version of Siri looks much more effective.

In addition to answering common queries such as “What is the weather now?” and “Who won the last playoff game?”, Siri on Mac OS Sierra can turn system features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on or off, and find individual files on your system based on file information you you tell her.

Siri can even open and close apps at your request, and save the results of your queries in the notification area for you to use in the future. Just press Command + Spacebar and ask her something.

3. Start Windows

Yes, yes, we foresaw the question: who wants to run Windows? In fact, sometimes this can be extremely convenient and even necessary, for example, to play the latest version of a recently released game or to run a certain program that does not have an equivalent on the Mac.

You can run Windows alongside Mac OS using applications such as VMware Fusion, Parallels Desktop or VirtualBox. This can also be done by partitioning the hard drive and then installing Windows - in this case, you will need Boot Camp, located in the “Utilities” folder.

4. Create screenshots of any size

For a person who uses Windows, taking a screenshot can be quite a difficult task. For example, you can use the PrtSc key to capture the entire screen, or use the Windows Snipping tool to capture part of the image. In addition, some keyboards do not support this function, and opening a special application to take a screenshot is too long and complicated. Luckily, Mac makes this process as easy as possible.

To take a screenshot of the entire screen, simply hold down Shift+Command+3 at the same time - the screenshot will be saved on your desktop. To take a picture of some part of the screen, hold down Shift+Command+4 - the screenshot will also be saved on the desktop, and to take a picture of a separate window, hold down Shift+Command+4, then press the space bar and click on the window whose picture you want to take.

Finally, if you're lucky enough to own a new MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar, then press Shift+Command+6 to take a photo of that little OLED strip. Either way, all you need to do to take screenshots on a Mac is just remember a few simple key combinations.

5. Automatically appear and hide the menu bar

The menu bar has been fixed in place since the release of the Mac in 1984, but with the release of OS X El Capitan, users now have the ability to hide it. To do this, open System Preferences, go to the General tab and select Auto-hide menu bar. Now it will only appear when you move the pointer to the top of the screen.

6. Using unusual symbols and emoticons

Along with the letters and numbers that are marked on the keyboard, you can also use a huge number of special characters. You probably already know how to place an accent mark above a letter, as in the word “café” (press Option+E and E again, in OS X 10.7 and later - just hold E until you see a menu with additional options) . But these are not all the functions available to you.

Go to the Edit menu, which is found in most applications, and at the bottom you will see a “Special Characters” panel with a huge number of different characters that you can include in your document if you wish. Unfortunately, not all applications and operating systems support them, but most of them comply with the Unicode cross-platform standard.

However, emoji (the bright and colorful symbols available in OS X 10.7 and later) are a rare exception to this rule. Although they are available not only in Apple devices, but in the case of them, there is a possibility that the recipient will not be able to see them, since his device does not support these characters.

7. Create a signature on PDF documents directly in Mail

Even though we live in the 21st century, we still put our mark on paper when we officially agree to something. If you've been emailed a PDF document that you need to sign, you no longer have to go through the hassle of first printing it, then signing it, and finally scanning it to send it back. Now you can sign it immediately via email.

Drag the PDF file into the email you're about to send, hover over it and a small button will appear in the top right corner. Click on it and you will see a number of available options, one of which will be “Sign the document”. The most convenient way to add a signature is to use the webcam on your Mac: just hold the piece of paper with your signature on it and wait until the camera captures it. At the same time, the camera perfectly recognizes the signature, excluding everything unnecessary in the background. Alternatively, you can use your touchpad, which makes it much easier to sign with a stylus.

8. Using Split View Mode

Using two Mac programs side by side has become much easier with the release of OS X 10.11 El Capitan. This was made possible thanks to the Split View mode. In order to enter this mode, you must hold down the green full-screen button located in the upper left corner of the screen, as a result of which the window will be minimized, and you can drag it and dock it on the left or right side of the screen.

After that, you need to select another window or application and click on it to dock it to the opposite side. When using this mode, the OS X launcher and menu are hidden, which allows you to avoid distractions and get more workspace.

Thanks to the vertical line between the windows, you can easily change the width of the windows, as well as their position. This format will be extremely convenient, for example, if you want to simultaneously monitor the progress of a sports game and at the same time continue to do work/other things.

9. Create annotations for PDF files and pictures

The Preview program has an excellent set of tools that make it easy to create annotations for pictures and PDF files. And, most importantly, the annotations added by this program use standards compatible with the Adobe Acrobat PDF application. This application is widely used by companies and Windows users, so it is extremely easy to share annotated documents with colleagues.

Before creating an annotation, make sure the "Toolbox" is visible (if not, correct it in the "View" menu). Thanks to this panel, you can draw various shapes, arrows, comic bubbles and thought bubbles. Additionally, you can highlight text with different colors, add strikethrough text, notes, and various types of text fields.

10. Adding your signature to the required documents

In OS X 10.7, thanks to the Preview program, it became possible to add your signature to a document. To do this, launch the program and go to the “Signatures” tab in the “Settings” section, then click on “+” or the “Create a new signature” option. After this, take a small piece of white paper and leave your signature on it using a black pen. Bring the piece of paper with your signature to the webcam. Once you are satisfied with the result in the viewing window, click the “Accept” button. If you want to use this signature in the future, make sure you save it.

Now open the document in which you want to insert this signature, go to the toolbar and select the signature icon - it looks like a slanted letter x S with a small dash below. Select the location where you want to insert your signature. Once you insert it, you will be able to scale and move your autograph.

11. Editing a picture

In our opinion, Preview is one of the most underrated Mac programs. This is especially true for the latest versions of OS X, in which it has received a huge number of excellent features. In fact, with the help of this program you can do many of the things for which we are accustomed to using more complex and expensive applications like Photoshop. Just try opening a picture in this program and see what a wide selection of image editing tools it offers.

For example, you can crop the picture. To do this, click the “Rectangle Select” button and use it to select the area you want to save. Then press Command+K or click on the “Crop” button in the “Toolbar”. There you can also find more complex and interesting options, such as, for example, the Instant Alpha tool, which allows you to select and remove the background or other object of the image, as well as Smart Lasso, which allows you to extract the image.

If you have multiple Apple devices (for example, a Mac at home and work, a Mac and an iPhone, or multiple iOS devices), then turn on iCloud Keychain. This will allow you to synchronize logins and passwords that you enter in the browser, information about credit cards and Wi-Fi connections on all your devices.

This means that if, for example, you save the password and login of a site on your iPad, you can then quickly log into that site from your Mac. Or, by saving your credit card details on your Mac, you can then safely use them on your iPhone. Using this function may seem a little difficult at first glance, but the benefits it will bring you later are definitely worth the time and effort spent.

13. Create hotkeys for any necessary function

Keyboard shortcuts are incredible time-savers, but you don't have to settle for just the options that were built into your Mac by its designers. If there's a menu option that you use all the time that doesn't have a preset keyboard shortcut, you can always set the shortcut yourself.

Select the “System Preferences” menu item, click “Keyboard”, and then select the “Keyboard Shortcuts” section. Click "+" to add a new combination and select an application from the list that opens. However, you must know exactly the name of the menu command, which you will need to enter in the next step. And finally, select a previously unused key combination that will open the application you need, then simply click “Add”.

14. Using Automator to Do More with Less Effort

Automator is a program built into OS X that allows you to create a number of standard operations that run without your intervention and make complex tasks easier. In this program, you can create small applications that will store a script for a ready-made action, or you can add the necessary actions to an existing application as a service - in this case, you can access the functions by right-clicking. With Automator, you can rename a large number of files at once, convert images to another file format, convert text documents into audio files, and much more.

To get started with the program, open it and then select the type of document you'd like to create. Each type is used for a different purpose, so click on each one in turn to see a short description. Select the option that suits you best and click the “Select” button.
Start adding elements of your future operation one by one, dragging the available actions from the left side of the screen to the right side, where the process area is located. Available actions are arranged depending on the type of application and file type - just click on the action you are interested in to find out what it does.
Once you have added all the necessary actions to your operation, you can try to start the service you created by clicking on the “Run” button in the upper right corner. If any inaccuracies are identified that interfere with the completion of the task, the program will highlight in red the part where the problems occurred.

15. Quickly import images using “Image Capture”

Although you can import photos from your iPhone manually, it is easier to do this using the Image Capture program. This feature has been available in Mac OS for quite some time, but, as a rule, many users just switching to Mac do not know about it. Thanks to this program, you can directly transfer all the photos taken with your camera to a folder of your choice at the same time. Or, even more convenient, view photos one by one on your computer and immediately delete the originals from your iPhone if you no longer need them.

You can also connect to the scanner wirelessly and transfer scanned documents and photos to a directory of your choice. You can also link your camera to any Mac OS application. So you can configure Image Capture so that a specific program, such as Photoshop, opens every time you connect your iPhone.

Despite the many different types of problems that users of the new MacBooks face, I see among my friends a large percentage of those who decide to buy Apple computers instead of Windows devices. Many of them ask the same questions and face the same problems, so I decided to make a selection of 10 tips for novice Mac farmers. Let's get started!

The most common mistake newbies make is using the familiar Google Chrome as their main browser. I won’t argue with the fact that the power of habit is a serious thing, and besides, you will probably take advantage of the opportunity to quickly synchronize all your bookmarks, passwords and other data through your Google account. But this force of habit is definitely worth overcoming.

Safari on Mac has two major advantages. Firstly, it works and “thinks” noticeably faster than Chrome. This is noticeable both when opening pages and when interacting with complex sites and web services. Secondly, Safari consumes less battery than all other browsers. Only when surfing in Safari will you achieve autonomy comparable to the declared characteristics, and Chrome will reduce it, if not by half, then by a third.

However, I couldn’t manage completely without Chrome. For example, I use it to automatically translate foreign pages, as well as to work with some services that are not so well optimized for Safari (some website engines and personal accounts). But even so, Chrome continues to be a nuisance. If you open some English-language site in it, but translated by the built-in translator, then after a while the laptop begins to heat up very much and turns on active cooling. I had this happen on my old MacBook Air and it happens on the new one.

So 99% of the time I use Safari and I'm very happy with it. And to transfer all your data from Chrome to Safari, you can use the simplest instructions from the Apple website.

As with any operating system, keyboard shortcuts can greatly improve your efficiency when working on your computer. These are some kind of cheat codes, but not for games, but for interacting with applications. Take one of several screenshot options, paste text without formatting, empty the trash can in one click, and many, many other actions that can be done in a split second.

It seems to me that there are two optimal ways to learn these combinations - buy a book from the category “macOS for dummies” or install a program with the self-explanatory name CheatSheet. With the first method everything is very clear, but I’ll tell you about the second in a little more detail.

CheatSheet runs in the background, and a window with hotkeys pops up when you long press the Command key. Moreover, the content of the “cheat sheet” will correspond to the currently active application, which is very convenient. Even after 6 years of constant work in macOS, I periodically use CheatSheet and continue to learn previously unknown combinations.

In pursuit of design, Apple has recently made many design flaws, so I recommend to all my friends to buy only official devices for the Russian market. It's all about an additional year of warranty from the date of purchase under the Consumer Protection Law. However, this applies not only to laptops, but to all electronics in general. And here I argue my point of view exclusively with examples from life, and not with abstract reasoning.

The first case of a claim for the second year of warranty happened to a friend of mine, and this happened with a MacBook 12 even before the start of official keyboard service for 4 years. The keyboard gave up its life a couple of months before the end of the two-year warranty, and it, along with the topcase, was replaced free of charge. If it were “European” or “American”, my friend would have paid about 30,000 rubles for repairs.

The second case happened with another friend, who, after a year and a half, on a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, first the right USB ports failed, and then the left ones. Warranty repairs were free for him, but a non-warranty replacement of the motherboard would have cost 32,000 rubles.

The third case happened quite recently with my iPhone X (not a Mac, but the example is also indicative). 1 year and 9 months after purchase, a black line appeared in photos from the front camera. Under warranty, my device was completely replaced with a new one, since any components of the Face ID module cannot be repaired. If the smartphone was not a PCT, then such a procedure would cost me 40,000 rubles.

These three cases from experience, each of which helped save a lot of money, seemed to me enough to advise all of you to buy PCT products. Saving even 20 thousand can later lead to the loss of even more money. You can read about how I bought a certified MacBook Air here:

Before each macOS update, be sure to back up your data. This is especially true for fans of beta versions of the system. Apple no, no, but there are times when after the next update the computer simply does not turn on.

In macOS, making a backup is as easy as shelling pears - all the necessary tools are already built into the system. And for additional things you will need any external hard drive or network storage.

I described in detail the process of creating and restoring backups in macOS in this material:

Tip #5. Do not install beta versions of systems, especially if you are using professional software

Joining the beta testing program for new versions of macOS is now easier than ever - Apple has recently made this opportunity free and open.

However, this is definitely not worth doing if the MacBook is your main work tool. And the point here is not only in banal glitches and bugs, which you will find in abundance in any beta version, but in the work of professional programs that may either not start at all, or not work as they should. Developers, as a rule, need a lot of time to transfer their products to a new platform, and many software updates may not even arrive in time for the release of a new version of macOS.

I recently traveled with my MacBook Air to St. Petersburg, and before leaving, the new “beta” Catalina just came out. Naturally, the evening before leaving, I installed it for myself, closed the Mac and flew away, planning to do a little work in St. Petersburg. The next day, sitting on the beautiful grass in the middle of the park of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, I tried to open Photoshop, but it did not open, saying something about a lack of memory.

Neither rebooting, nor wiping the disk, nor “googling” helped me in any way, and the backup remained at home on network storage. I had to return to the hotel and use its slow Wi-Fi to download the distribution of another version of Photoshop for three hours. And it’s good that after that everything worked. Or he could simply not put a “beta” and spend this time on something more useful, for example, barcrawling according to Rubinstein.

Eating and drinking near any computer risks repairing expensive equipment, but in the case of new MacBooks, this is doubly not worth doing. The ingress of any liquids or crumbs can be fatal for the “butterfly”, which often breaks even in sterile conditions. Only liquid or crumbs can be a reason for denial of warranty service. And as I mentioned earlier, a non-warranty replacement of the topcase will cost about 30 thousand.

There is nothing to add to this, just eat and drink at least a meter from the MacBook, or better yet, in a different room altogether.

Another common mistake made by novice Mac users is quickly searching for a solution to how to install Windows on a Mac. There is definitely no need to rush into this, although due to the power of habit the temptation will be strong. Yes, the feeling of being in the new OS will be unusual to the point of pain in your head and joints, but give yourself at least a couple of weeks to get used to it. You will always have time to install Windows, but first, get comfortable with macOS, go through the settings, customize the system for yourself, and find analogues of all the programs you use. And if you haven’t found it, then try to search even better, probably everything will work out on the second try.

You only need to install Windows using standard means via BootCamp or as a virtual machine if you can’t do anything in macOS at all. While working in the food service industry for some time, I used Parallels to run a client application for an automation system that didn't exist on the Mac. In such cases it is really justified.

By the way, after my dismissal I was in no hurry to remove Parallels and Windows, I thought it might come in handy. But it was not useful, and after moving to a new Mac, I did not transfer the virtual machine and the Windows image. In general, don't rush with Windows - you'll get used to macOS faster.

Tip #8. Don't carry your laptop in a packed backpack

Due to design features, or rather, design flaws, all new MacBooks are subject to one unpleasant process. And this is another price that has to be paid for the record thickness of the computer. The fact is that with the slightest pressure when closed, the keyboard begins to scratch the display. And if, when carrying the device in a half-empty backpack, only fingerprints from the keys appeared on the display, which were easily removed, then after the first business trip with a full backpack, I got real scratches. After the second there were twice as many of them. When the display is on, the scratches are almost invisible, but my inner perfectionist, who is aware of the cost of the laptop, sees them and is very indignant.

By the way, I asked a question about a scratched display at an Apple authorized service center. And they told me that the warranty would cover this defect only when the scratches were so noticeable that they interfered with work. Mine have not yet interfered with my work, so the case is not covered by warranty.

As a preventive measure, you can use protective films from AliExpress. But I didn’t buy them, because it’s hardly possible to carefully stick them onto such an area without specks of dust and bubbles. And they would irritate me much more than barely noticeable scratches from the keyboard.

However, I also had a problem with a scratched display on the old MacBook Air, so I’ve already learned to live with it. But you choose yourself, maybe stick the film carefully. Or maybe you’ll just carry your laptop carefully. Or don’t take it anywhere with you at all.

My personal top list of the stupidest questions from novice Mac users is headed by a request to recommend “the best antivirus for Macs.” There is no point in installing, much less buying, antivirus software for macOS. There are so few malware for this platform that the chances of encountering them are within the statistical error.

In addition, in the autumn release of macOS Catalina, the developers separated and additionally protected the partition of the disk with system files, that is, third-party software does not have access to them. Moreover, it has become more difficult to install even reliable software, since you have to additionally go into the system settings and issue the appropriate permissions.

Therefore, rest assured that the enemy will not get through, so there is no point in loading the system with unnecessary software. And as an additional precaution, install programs only from the App Store and official application sites.

Tip #10. Clean regularly and do not work in dusty areas

For the third time I will mention the design features (disadvantages) of modern MacBooks. Due to the ultra-compact design, the internal components are located ultra-densely, and therefore are more susceptible to dust ingress. I recommend cleaning it from dust at least once every one and a half to two years at authorized service centers. This service costs about 1500-2000 rubles and includes cleaning, blowing off dust and replacing thermal paste. It's not that expensive and quite fast, so you shouldn't neglect this service.

As a preventive measure, I advise you not to work in dusty rooms and under no circumstances place a running MacBook on carpets, bedspreads, upholstered furniture or other “dust collectors”. Mac coolers suck up dust quite greedily.

Conclusion

All tips listed in this material are based on my personal experience, but in no way claim to be the ultimate truth. If you have anything to argue with, welcome to the comments. In addition, I am waiting for advice from you, if there is enough of it, we will continue it based on your recommendations.

Apple is accustomed to surprising its consumers with amazing modern devices, the appearance of which is sometimes quite difficult to keep track of. It’s even more difficult to figure out how to use such gadgets and how to extract a lot of positive opportunities from them. If you have become the owner of a new MacBook, but don’t understand anything about it, and don’t know even the most basic steps that should be taken to get started, it will be useful for you to read the instructions, which can guide even a beginner regarding many useful functionality.

MacBook Basics.

It is also important to take into account that the manufacturer does not leave MacBook owners alone with the device; the company's developers systematically update the software, adding new functions, as well as correcting identified deficiencies. Considering this circumstance, wanting to help your device work as efficiently as possible, you can update the software yourself. To do this, it is enough to select the “Program Update” option. With the updated version of the software, using your MacBook will be much more comfortable.

Initial information

Many users experience problems when using a MacBook, since many have already had many years of practical experience in the most common operating environment, Windows. Unfortunately, on a MacBook you can be stunned not only by completely different rules, but even by the interface of system windows and the desktop.

If you need to install some kind of program, you can afford it, but it is important to take into account that you need to download software from the Internet that is oriented specifically for the MacBook. Such programs are most often accompanied by dmg archives. Drag the downloaded program to the “Programs” folder, then extract it from the archive, and delete the downloaded file itself.

ADVICE. You will have to learn how to work with windows, because at first you will be confused due to the slightly different location of some buttons. In particular, the control buttons are located in the left corner, whereas in Windows we are used to finding them in the upper right corner.

However, it may also surprise you that when trying to close the program window, wanting to stop its work, you will press the “x” button, but you will not be able to completely close the program in this way. To do this, we recommend that you hold down two keys Cmd and Q at the same time. You can do it differently by right-clicking on the icon and then selecting the “Finish” option.

You can perform actions on a MacBook using a mouse or the unique trackpad that the device is equipped with. The trackpad is unique in that its operation is accompanied by support for gestures, and they can be configured directly by the user. To do this, just go to “Settings” and go to the “Trackpad” section. In this section, it will be enough for you to check the checkboxes next to the gestures that you would like to activate.

To have an idea of which programs are active at a particular moment, we recommend that you activate two useful functions. A function such as Expose allows you to successfully demonstrate the windows of active programs, but if necessary, it can also demonstrate the desktop without any open tabs.

The second Spaces function allows the MacBook desktop to be conditionally divided into several parts. To speed up and facilitate the launch of these two functions, in the settings we suggest selecting and specifying keys for them, by pressing which the process of launching them will be carried out automatically.

Additional features

Using a MacBook, you can visit Internet sites and download any content in the same way. Of course, to do this you will need to install and then use some Internet browsers. We recommend that you do not overload the operating system and choose one of the browsers. Don’t forget to stay safe when working on the Internet; always remember that the global network is full of threats. To protect your device, install a firewall. It is he who will be able to monitor all network protocols, protecting your device from unwanted attacks.

Having a MacBook, you can successfully view video materials, all kinds of images, and listen to your favorite audio files on it. And there are also no restrictions when working with archives, since the device successfully archives and unarchives any archives.

Creating folders

To keep your content organized on your MacBook, you need to learn how to create folders. After creating them, it is useful to assign each an appropriate name so that later finding the right folder would not be tedious for you. Folder creation is provided by several methods; the simplest method, focused on quickly creating a folder, is the Finder.

Go to the “File” menu, there you will find the “New Folder” option, as soon as you click on it, you will immediately be able to create the desired object.

By the way, there is an amazing feature in the MacBook that will definitely delight device users. In just a few seconds you can not only create a simple folder, but one oriented to specific files. To do this, first select the files that you would like to place in one folder, then hold down the keys: Control, Command and N.

All files you designate will be collected automatically into one folder called “New folder with elements”. Of course, it is better not to leave it in this form, because after a while it will be difficult for you to figure out where and what is stored. Accordingly, you will have to rename the folder, giving it any name that suits you. Renaming any object in a MacBook is not difficult, but it is important to take into account that there is no “Rename” item in the context menu, as in Windows.

ADVICE. To assign a new name to a folder, just click on the old name once, immediately click on the Enter key, then enter any name and click on the Enter key again. No further action is expected.

As you can see, even a beginner will be able to rename objects on a MacBook, since you are not expected to encounter any difficulties when performing such actions.

Working with removable drives

The modern user is accustomed to saving many documents on a flash drive, providing himself with the opportunity to always have them at hand and always use them quickly. However, many users are at a loss as to how to use a flash drive if they have a device equipped with Windows that is not familiar to everyone.

X-plore File Manager;
ES File Explorer.

Connect your flash drive to the USB connector, wait a few seconds, after which your removable drive will be displayed. Double-click on its icon, you will immediately be able to view all the content located on the drive.

If you are faced with a more complicated task, you need to connect and then immediately open the flash drive on which hidden files are saved, we recommend that you follow other steps. Initially, open the flash drive in the usual way for you, then find the “Service” section in the menu, enter it and find the “Folder Options” option. Next, you will need to make two more transitions, sequentially going to the “View” and “Advanced Settings” folders.

Now you will find several “tempting” offers, opposite which there will be empty and filled checkboxes. Clear the checkbox located next to the line “Hide protected system files”, but next to the other option “Show hidden files and folders”, we recommend that you check the box.

So, working on a MacBook will not be difficult for you if you carefully read the instructions and find out for yourself all the necessary nuances that are often encountered when working with such a device.

The principles of operation in OS X are somewhat different from Microsoft Windows, so users who have recently purchased a Mac experience some difficulties as a replacement for a computer with the Redmond OS. If in the USA and Europe people begin their acquaintance with computers with both PCs and Macs, then in our country and the CIS there is no particular alternative. There is a 99% chance that your first computer experience will be Windows. Relearning, as you know, is much more difficult than learning again, but by following our simple tips, you can reduce all the difficulties of the transition to a minimum.

Installing and uninstalling applications

Your first search query in Safari will likely be: “How to install programs on Mac?” This simple operation that you will inevitably encounter is radically different from that in the Microsoft OS. And what’s remarkable is that installing the application will take less time than you will spend on a search query.

Most programs are distributed in dmg archives (images) and are installed in just a couple of clicks:

open the downloaded .dmg file (it will be visible in Finder as a removable disk);
drag the application directory into the “Programs” system folder;
The application will appear on Launchpad in a couple of seconds (pinch gesture to open) and will be immediately ready for use;
You can now extract the distribution image in the Finder sidebar and delete the .dmg file;

You can install the application from a .dmg file in any folder convenient for you, but then the program icon will not appear in Launchpad. Therefore, I recommend using the “Programs” folder, especially since this is what it is intended for.

Some applications have their own installer and are installed through it. In this case, you will see a dialog box with buttons “Accept”, “Next”, “Install” (hello, Windows!).

Starting with version 10.7, OS X introduced the Mac App Store, similar to the App Store on iOS. It’s even easier to work with; to install, just click the “Install” button on the application page.

Similar to installation, uninstalling an application involves removing it from the Applications folder. We drag the catalog with the application into the “Trash” - and the job is done. If the program has its own installer, then uninstallation also occurs through it.

Interaction with windows. Close or collapse?

Windows users are shocked at first: not only are the window control buttons on the left, but they also work differently. In fact, the “x” button does not close the program, but only closes its window. This is due to the fact that in OS X applications can have several windows and after we close the window the program continues to work. The “+” button does not expand the window to full screen, but scales it to the size of the displayed content.

In order to completely terminate the application, press “Cmd+Q” or right-click on the icon in the dock and select “End”.

It is convenient to monitor running programs using the indicator in the dock. This feature is enabled in system settings, in the “Dock” section.

Also, as of version 10.7, OS X apps can run in full-screen mode, hiding the Dock and menu bar. To activate this mode, you need to click the arrow icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

Using multi-touch gestures

One of the main features of OS X is support for multi-touch gestures. There are a lot of them here (I counted more than 10 gestures), and most importantly, thanks to the wonderful trackpad, they work just great.

Open the system settings and go to the “Trackpad” (“Mouse”) section, enable the necessary gestures and watch a demonstration of their operation. In addition to the banal imitation of the right mouse button, scrolling and dragging windows, using gestures we can: search for the highlighted word; rotate, scale images; open Launchpad, Mission Control, Notification Center.

Taking a few minutes to learn the gestures will make your work in OS X more productive and much more enjoyable.

Useful functions of the Fn key

Using the Fn button you can quickly access many system functions. Here are some useful shortcuts:

Fn+Ctrl+F2 allows you to navigate the menu without using a mouse;
Fn+Backspace replaces the Delete button;
Fn+F11 show desktop;
Fn+up arrow replaces the Page Up button;
Fn+down arrow replaces the Page down button;
Fn+left arrow replaces the Home button;
Fn+right arrow replaces the End button;

These shortcuts are very easy to remember and I recommend using them in everyday work. By the way, there is a tiny utility called CheatSheet that will help you remember and use all the available abbreviations. Once installed, it integrates into the system and, when you press the “Cmd” key, displays the full list of abbreviations available in the open application.

Adding applications to Startup

When installed, some applications are immediately added to the list of programs that will be automatically loaded when the system starts. You can edit this list at your discretion to fine-tune your settings.

Open “Settings” - “Users and groups” and on the “Login Objects” tab, edit the list using the “+” and “-” buttons. On older Macs, it makes sense to remove unnecessary elements; this will speed up the system boot time.

Detailed information about your Mac

In a Windows environment, in order to obtain complete information about the computer’s hardware, you have to use third-party utilities, like AIDA 64. Apple’s operating system compares favorably with its competitor in this regard. OS X includes the System Information utility, which gives us a detailed report of absolutely all hardware and software. Here we can see the processor frequency, number of slots and memory type, wifi and bluetooth MAC address, as well as a lot of other service information.

You can find System Information in the Utilities folder on Launchpad or by clicking the Apple icon in the menu bar and selecting About This Mac.

Quickly view files

My favorite built-in feature in OS X is Preview. In the Finder, pressing Spacebar on any file or folder will open a Quick View window. All file types known to the system are supported: images, videos, documents. Close the viewing window by pressing the space bar again. Fast, simple and convenient.

Force termination of applications

It happens that programs stop responding to requests or, more simply put, freeze. For example, you have opened a large number of tabs in Chrome or launched several “heavy” applications. Windows users are familiar with the “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” shortcut, which they use regularly. In OS X, to bring up the application termination dialog, you need to press “Command + Option + Esc”, here we select the frozen program and click “End”.

This may rarely happen on Mac OS, but if it does happen, you will know what to do.

We enable support for all video formats

Built-in QuickTime supports major video formats and is sufficient for the needs of most users. But if you have a diverse video collection, you will have to expand the list of supported formats. This can be done using the Perian codec pack or by installing a third-party media player such as VLC. Both solutions are free.

Don't forget to make backups

The last piece of advice is banal and hackneyed, but nevertheless constantly ignored. To ensure that your data is always completely safe, use backup and regularly make backups using Time Machine. This will also allow you to experiment with the system without fear, which will be inevitable at first.

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