TheBuzzReads.com | Explore Popular Blogs

15 MacBook Features Users Should Know About

Apple’s Mac devices are renowned for their intuitive design and capabilities. However, it’s the lesser-known features and customization options that truly set them apart. By exploring these hidden gems, users can unlock new levels of productivity, convenience, and security. From seamless multitasking to hands-free operation, these features are designed to empower users and make their interaction with the Mac even more seamless and efficient. These tips make Black Friday 2023 even more sweet:

1. Master Spotlight Search
While many users know about Spotlight Search, few realize its full potential. Beyond simple file searches, Spotlight can perform complex calculations, provide weather updates, offer currency conversions, and even pull in data from the web. By pressing Command + Spacebar, users can unleash the full power of Spotlight and navigate their Mac with unprecedented efficiency.

2. Check Quick Look for speedy previews
Quick Look is a feature that allows users to preview files without actually opening them. By selecting a file and pressing the spacebar, users can quickly examine its contents. This is incredibly useful for browsing through images, documents, and even audio or video files. It’s a time-saving gem that can significantly expedite workflow.

3. Use Text Replacement for effortless typing
For users who find themselves frequently typing the same phrases or responses, Text Replacement can be a game-changer. By navigating to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, users can set up custom shortcuts for longer phrases. For instance, “omw” can automatically expand to “On my way!” This feature is a productivity booster that can save substantial time in the long run.

4. Try the gestures feature
Apple’s trackpad is a marvel of engineering, offering a range of gestures that can streamline navigation. From swiping between desktops with three or four fingers to pinching to access Launchpad, mastering these gestures can significantly improve the efficiency of multitasking. Users can explore these gestures in System Preferences > Trackpad.

5. Use Split View
Split View is an invaluable feature for users looking to enhance productivity. By dragging a window to the edge of the screen, users can automatically snap it into place, allowing for seamless side-by-side multitasking. This feature is particularly useful for comparing documents, managing emails, or any task that benefits from simultaneous viewing.

6. Try out its virtual assistant
Siri is more than just a virtual assistant; it’s a powerful tool for boosting productivity. Beyond basic tasks like sending messages or setting reminders, Siri can perform complex operations like searching for files or adjusting system settings. Users can customize Siri’s capabilities in System Preferences > Siri.

7. Use desktop stacks
For users who tend to clutter their desktops, Desktop Stacks can be a game-changer. By right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “Use Stacks,” macOS will automatically group similar files, creating a more organized workspace. Users can customize this feature by right-clicking and selecting their preferred sorting criteria.

8. Try Preview for editing
Preview is often overlooked as a basic PDF viewer but offers a surprising array of editing tools. Users can add text, annotations, signatures, and even edit images directly within Preview. This can save time and eliminate the need for third-party PDF editors.

9. Master Terminal
While Terminal may seem daunting to some users, it offers unparalleled control over macOS. Power users can execute a wide range of commands to perform tasks that might be otherwise inaccessible. It’s worth exploring online resources and tutorials to unlock the full potential of Terminal.

10. Customize trackpad gestures with BetterTouchTool
For users looking to take trackpad gestures to the next level, BetterTouchTool is a must-have application. It allows for extensive customization of trackpad gestures, enabling users to create their own shortcuts and actions tailored to their specific workflow.

11. Enable live captions
Live Captions is an accessibility feature that provides real-time captions for any audio playing on the device. Beyond their primary purpose, live captions can also be used during phone calls. By enabling live captions, users can have the conversation transcribed in real-time, offering a powerful tool for those who are hard of hearing.

12. Navigate with Mission Control
Mission Control is a powerful tool for managing multiple desktops and applications. By pressing F3 or swiping up with three or four fingers (depending on trackpad settings), users can access an overview of all open windows, desktops, and spaces. This allows for quick navigation between different tasks and applications, enhancing multitasking efficiency.

13. Optimized storage
Optimized storage is a valuable feature for users who are tight on storage space. By navigating to the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage, users can click on “Manage” to access a range of tools for optimizing storage. This includes options to offload unused apps, store files in iCloud, and automatically empty the trash, ensuring that the Mac runs smoothly even with limited disk space.

14. Enhance security with FileVault
FileVault is a powerful encryption tool that provides an added layer of security for user data. By navigating to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault, users can enable full-disk encryption. This ensures that all data on the Mac’s internal drive is protected, even if the device falls into the wrong hands.

15. Enable parental controls
For families with young users, parental controls can be an invaluable feature. By navigating to System Preferences > Screen Time > Content & Privacy, parents can set restrictions on the type of content that can be accessed, limit screen time, and even control which apps can be used. This feature provides a level of control and peace of mind for parents.

Apple’s range of Mac devices, including the Mac Pro, Mac Mini, M2 Mac Mini, Mac Mini with M2 Pro, 14-inch Mac, 16-inch Mac, and 15-inch MacBook Air, are versatile tools for both casual users and professionals. By delving into these lesser-known features and customization options, users can significantly enhance their productivity, streamline their workflow, and unlock the full potential of their Mac experience. Look out for the upcoming offers this Black Friday sale season to be able to save some while upgrading the tech setup.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.