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Improve your new MacBook’s functionality with these tipsMacBooks are among the most in-demand devices for both work and personal use, primarily because of their user-friendly interface and robust security. They also have their sleek, minimalist design going for them. So if you’ve finally given in and bought yourself a MacBook, you’ll want to make the most of your new toy — and […]

The post Improve your new MacBook’s functionality with these tips appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Improve your new MacBook’s functionality with these tips

MacBooks are among the most in-demand devices for both work and personal use, primarily because of their user-friendly interface and robust security. They also have their sleek, minimalist design going for them. So if you’ve finally given in and bought yourself a MacBook, you’ll want to make the most of your new toy — and here’s how you can do that.

Go through the basics

When you first turn on your MacBook, a setup assistant will walk you through the process of configuring your computer. The assistant will prompt you to select your country and language, as well as create a user account and Apple ID, if you don’t already have one.

You’ll also be asked if you want to enable the following services:

  • FileVault – encrypts your hard drive
  • iCloud Keychain – manages passwords and Wi-Fi credentials on Apple devices
  • Find My Mac – helps track down lost Apple devices together with the Find My app
  • Touch ID – MacBook’s built-in fingerprint reader, which can be used for signing in to the device and apps, switch users, and approve Apple Pay purchases

Check for updates

Apple releases regular updates to macOS. If a new one has been released since your MacBook was built, there’s a way to make sure you don’t miss out on the latest features and patches. Simply click the Apple icon on the upper-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences. If any updates are available, install them by clicking on Update Now or More Info to see the details about the updates.

Choose a default browser

Safari is the default browser on Apple devices, and many users prefer it over other browsers for several reasons. But if you don’t like Safari, you can easily change your default browser to Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox. Simply go to System Preferences > General and select the browser of your choice.

Configure the Dock

The Dock is used to launch and switch between applications on macOS devices. By default, it’s located at the bottom of the screen, but you can move it to the left or right by going to System Preferences > Dock. Under “Position on screen,” choose Left or Right.

You can also make room on the Dock for the apps that you frequently use. To add an app to the Dock, open it and right-click on its icon in the Dock. From the menu that appears, go to Option > Keep in Dock. To remove apps that you don’t need from the Dock, click on its icon and drag it to the desktop until “Remove” appears above the icon.

Set up Siri

Apple’s virtual assistant is enabled by default on your MacBook, but if you prefer not to use it, go to System Preferences > Siri and uncheck the box for "Enable Ask Siri." You could also switch Voice Feedback to Off if you want to mute Siri and get responses to your queries as text displayed on your screen.

If you do decide to keep Siri around, you can choose a language and voice for your assistant as well as the apps Siri can learn from and make suggestions. You can also customize a keyboard shortcut to activate Siri.

Flip the scrolling direction

By default, moving two fingers down a MacBook’s trackpad makes the view scroll down an open document or website on your screen. You can change your trackpad’s scrolling direction so that the same gesture makes the view scroll up. Go to System Preferences > Trackpad, and under the Scroll & Zoom tab, uncheck "Scroll direction: Natural."

Set your screen to lock automatically

Keep unauthorized users out of your MacBook by setting the screen to lock automatically after the system has been idle for a while. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Under the “Require password...after sleep or screen saver begins” option, select “immediately” from the drop-down menu.

Download and install iOS apps

The latest crop of MacBooks run on Apple’s M1 chip — this means that MacBooks and iOS devices now share the same processor architecture. This allows you to install and use compatible iOS apps on your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or Mac Mini.

To download iPhone and iPad apps onto your MacBook, go to the Mac App Store. Note that not all apps in the store are macOS-compatible, but developers are working on optimizing their apps for MacBooks, which means it may only be a matter of time before your favorite iOS apps become available for your new computer.

Got questions about your MacBook or other Apple devices? Get the answers you need and more from our experts. Give us a call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Improve your new MacBook’s functionality with these tips appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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Ways to connect your Macbook to an external monitorWorking with two screens lets you work more efficiently because there’s more visual space; for instance, you don’t have to shift from one window to the other while doing research for a report since you can lay two windows or open pages side by side. Mac users may feel that their options to use a […]

The post Ways to connect your Macbook to an external monitor appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Ways to connect your Macbook to an external monitor

Working with two screens lets you work more efficiently because there’s more visual space; for instance, you don’t have to shift from one window to the other while doing research for a report since you can lay two windows or open pages side by side. Mac users may feel that their options to use a second screen may be limited, but that is not so. Read on to learn how to turn your idiot box into a work tool.

First, check what displays your Mac device supports by doing the following:

  • Click the Apple Menu (located on the left-hand side of the screen). Then click Support > Specifications.

You will then be directed to an Apple web page indicating your device’s technical specifications. Under Graphics and Video Support, you will see some details similar to the following:

  • Intel HD Graphics 6000
  • Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
  • Thunderbolt digital video output

This is for a MacBook Air (13-inch, early 2015).

Extended mode versus mirror mode

Connecting to an external display lets you choose between:

  • Extended mode – uses the external display to extend the image displayed on your main Mac device. To activate extended mode:
    • Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Display > Arrangement.
    • Untick the Mirror Displays checkbox.

Note: This may not work on older Mac devices such as early 2015 models or older.

  • Mirror mode – reflects or “mirrors” the exact same image on your main device onto the external screen. To activate video mirroring:
    • Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement.
    • Tick the Mirror Displays checkbox.

AirPlay mode

Those who have an Apple TV can use AirPlay to use their TV as a second screen. Apple TV is designed for use with TVs, but it can also be used to connect to HDMI-enabled computer monitors.

To use AirPlay mode as a second display:

  • Turn on your TV and Apple TV.
  • In the menu bar (the topmost bar on the screen), select the AirPlay icon, the one with a rectangle intersected by a triangle.
  • Select your Apple TV and enter the four-digit code appearing on your TV onto your Apple device.

To enable AirPlay to mirror your main Mac device:

  • Click the AirPlay icon and select Mirror Built-in Display.
  • To use your TV as a separate display, click the AirPlay icon, then choose Use As Separate Display.

To turn off AirPlay:

  • Click the AirPlay icon, then select Turn AirPlay Off.

Your Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iPad, and other Apple devices have functionalities you may not have yet explored. To get more productivity hacks and/or hardware support, call our IT experts today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Ways to connect your Macbook to an external monitor appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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