Things to Know When Switching from Windows to Mac
MacOS is considered to be more user-friendly than Linux and Windows, the other two major operating systems out there. There are millions of Mac users out there, some of whom have just made the switch from one of the others.
Though there are many similarities between the two, you may be missing out on a lot without doing a little bit of homework first. Thankfully, a few tips can make the transition a lot smoother and easier.
Learn How to Use Clipboard History
Anyone who uses a computer of any kind tends to do a lot of copying and pasting. Things can go awry from time to time, so being able to access your Mac or MacBook clipboard history can wind up being one of the most valuable things you end up learning.
Even if you aren’t technologically inclined, there are plenty of simple shortcuts that can wind up saving you a lot of time and frustration. In order to access your MacBook clipboard history, go to the Finder. Click Edit in the menu bar and find Show Clipboard. A window will pop up, showing the last item in your history. Being able to go back to prior copies can end up being something you will use frequently.
Use Split View
There are plenty of times when even the largest screens aren’t quite enough. One of the most valuable Mac tips you can find is the Split View. Using Split View, users can put two apps side-by-side. Even better, the windows will automatically re-size so that you don’t have to take the time.
Open two apps and put them on opposite sides. Find the green button in the top left corner of one of the apps. Choose to tile that app on either the left or right and that app will fill that portion of the screen. Do the same to the other app and it will fill in the remainder of the screen. It is a simple but effective way to make the most out of your screen space and effortlessly toggle between apps that you need to use regularly.
Force Quit
There is perhaps nothing more frustrating than having an app freeze on you in the middle of use. Sometimes, the app will figure it out and begin working properly again. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Thankfully, there is a solution to help you.
Using the force quit feature, users can quickly close out apps that aren’t working any longer. Using the option key, press and hold to bring up the dock. Click “force quit” and it should shut down the malfunctioning app. Give it a few seconds before attempting to open the app again.
Use Spotlight
Finding things or even doing some basic math can wind up taking more time than you realize unless you have the right tools. Using Spotlight, simple math and conversions can be done. Users can even search quickly and easily for what they are looking for in any document or app.
Press the command + space bar to open Spotlight. You can also click the magnifying glass at the top right corner of the screen. If you have a math problem, type it in – this is great for conversions – and let Spotlight handle the rest. It is a quick, efficient way of getting solutions to relatively easy issues. You won’t have to take the time to fire up Google, ask it a question, and find the right option. Those who like to work quickly will find Spotlight to be one of the features they use most.