Many people seem to look at Mac computers and think of them as some of the more involved units compared to the standard PC. Its designs are a lot sleeker and futuristic comparison, did they provide most of their content within the same uniform White color scheme with the same Apple logo, and they’re able to work in Waze slightly different from what windows can do. Anyone new to Mac computers may have a bit of trouble using them at first. This article will go over some of the tips new Mac users could learn from, and it can also help anyone that’s not so familiar with some of the ways that computers work.
1. How to zoom in on Macs
One of the ways Macs can zoom into your screens with a specific key combination, which tends to be done with more ease than with a Windows computer. This ability to zoom in lets users zoom into their screen without any of the hassle found from other operating systems. There is a specific key method that many wanting to know how to zoom in on Macs should be aware of; simply press the Ctrl key and scroll up with your mouse or trackpad to zoom in. Scrolling down while holding the Ctrl key makes you zoom out. Check out this website for more information: https://setapp.com/how-to/zoom-on-mac
2. Inverting Your Screen
While Windows requires that you go to the settings page and modify the color palette of your screen, there is a quicker method to invert the colors of your screen. This can somewhat help anyone that needs more accessibility, though there is an option that makes the Mac more accessible for those with disabilities. It’s somewhat of a neat trick than anything, but it does let users take a look at what their screen looks like when the colors end up looking wrong. To use this feature, press Ctrl-Option-Command-F5 to invert your screen’s colors; this shortcut may be disabled on some versions of Mac desktops, so be sure that the Accessibility dialog is opened to allow yourself to activate this ability.
3. Using the Widget Screen
For users that don’t want to make a clutter out of the programs on their screen, the Widget screen lets you get access to smaller programs that can help you out without having you click over other windows in your main desktop. Some units make you press the scroll button to take a look at what you have in front of your regular desktop, while others have you press the F12 key. In the Widget room, you can make virtual post-it notes, play the included tile game, or look up the calendar, time, and temperature when the time on the upper dashboard isn’t enough.
4. Taking advantage of your text-to-speech narrators
While narrators are made for those that need help with navigating in their computer (mainly the visually impaired), some Mac users could use text-to-speech narrators with reading content out loud for them. Recently, it has been referred to as Voiceover. There are a variety of voices to choose from that present the verbiage in unique ways. They can be activated from the System Preferences, clicking on the Text-To-Speech tab, and selecting the key you want before enabling Voiceover. Option+Escape is the method that is commonly used.
5. Type with different characters
Instead of having to copy and paste the fonts or symbols that other editing software would use, you can instead use the Option button to type the symbol you want. For example, making a combination of Option + 2 gives you TM, and Option + P gives you π. If that’s not enough for you, the Character Palette should work well enough with looking for the symbol you have in mind rather than having to look for it yourself.
6. Rename batches of files
In the past, renaming files has been a slow hassle to go through. Mainly because of having to rename them one by one instead of merely renaming it all as a whole. Now, it’s much easier to rename an entire batch of files with more recent models. While Finder works the same as it’s been in the past, all you have to do is hold down the shift key while clicking on your files and select “Rename [X Number] Files,” name the format and then customize it before renaming it.
7. Using split-screen to display two windows at once
With this feature, you’ll reduce the need of having to continually click on the icons of the programs you’re using or minimizing and maximizing the windows of your applications. You can have one window take up half of the space while another does similarly. If you’re keen on keeping everything active without minimizing your other windows, then you can do the same with your other windows, and be sure to know how to navigate through your work.
8. Annotating images or PDFs
Don’t open up Paint, because this feature makes your annotations a lot faster to deal with than before. With the Preview app, you can work with the annotation button to add any notes regarding what you want to point out in the context of the image’s or PDF’s details.
9. Recording the screens of your iPad or iPhone
It’s a commonplace to see people record off the screens of their phones, but now there’s a method of recording them from your desktop. With a lightning cable and Quicktime by your side, you’re then able to start recording the screens of your devices by pressing “New Movie Recording” and even record sound so long as the mic is set up on your iPhone or iPad.
10. Using an additional iMac monitor or either an iPad or MacBook as an extra display for your iMac
Don’t let just one screen keep you from wanting to work on multiple projects at once. Using multiple monitors allows you to have more workspace to increase efficiencies and reduce wasted time. It’s also possible with your MacBook and iPad, though that will require the Duet Display app and an optional stand for it.
