11 Things New Mac Owners Should Know

Got a new Mac? If so, you must be feeling quite happy because MacBooks are some of the best computers available today.

At the same time, you might also have some concerns about what you should do next. 

The purpose of this article is to give you some general ideas of how to set up a MacBook so you can make the most out of it.

Set Up Apple ID

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Yes, the first thing you should do on your new Mac is set up an Apple ID. Creating an account is important, particularly if you are new to the Apple ecosystem. 

You need your Apple ID to perform almost all the tasks starting from signing in to iCloud to sharing data over wireless technology. 

Back-Up Mac Often

Utilize Apple’s native Time Machine backup software to safeguard your data against any kind of loss. 

You might not understand the benefits of setting up a Time Machine but realize it later if any of the files stored on your computer get deleted accidentally or you lose data due to virus intrusion. 

Set Up iMessage App

Another major benefit of creating an Apple ID is that you can freely communicate with your friends by sending them unlimited text messages on iPhone, iPad, or Mac devices. 

Setting up iMessage is simple; all you need to do is go to the Messages, enter your Apple ID and password credentials, and then Sign In to get started. If you are having difficulty using iMessage, visit https://setapp.com/ to check how you can fix the issue. 

Navigate to Help Menu

If you are thinking about why your new computer doesn’t come with an owner’s manual and how you are going to deal with any technical problems, think no more. Your user’s manual is built digitally, right into your computer. 

Click on the Help menu available in the menu bar. Please note that the Help Bar is contextual, which means its content changes with every new app launched on the computer.

Get to Know the Menu

Get to Know the Menu
Get to Know the Menu

Clicking the Apple menu available on the upper left corner of the screen will give you quick access to Mac’s System preferences, the apps recently viewed documents and Mac App Store. 

The Apple menu also allows you to restart or shut down the Mac. It will enable you to quickly get an overview of various important features almost instantly. 

Meet the Mac App Store

The Mac App Store is the company’s own app store that boasts millions of apps and files needed for your computer. Apparently, the App Store is the most secure and convenient way to download applications for your Mac computer. 

Use the Apple ID and password credentials to gain access to a number of apps, programs, files, and much other stuff. 

Set Up Your Inbox

Use Apple’s most interactive productivity app – the Mail, to view email messages from different accounts right from one single place. Apple Mail can connect to most email services to help you stay up to date with your mailbox.

Moreover, the Mail app integrates seamlessly with macOS other applications such as Calendars, Contacts, and Maps. 

Find Your Printer 

Some users find printers as outmoded equipment, while most users think that it is an evergreen utility that helps streamline the daily workflow. Print material comes with its unique advantages and allows for better readability. 

If you are looking to connect a wireless printer to your new Mac, open System Preferences, tap on Printers & Scanners, and click on the + (plus) button. On recognizing the printer, macOS will automatically configure it.

Explore Spotlight Search

Explore Spotlight Search
Explore Spotlight Search

In short, Spotlight helps you find apps, files, utilities, and all other stuff saving on your Mac computer. Whether you want to add two or more numbers, convert centimeters to meters, search for the meaning of a phrase, or find an app, Spotlight is there for you. 

To circumvent multiple steps to get to the Spotlight search, simply press and hold down Command + Spacebar and wait for the app to appear. 

Disable Login Items

Login items are the programs that start to run automatically in the background as soon as you turn on your computer. Some of these are useful, while most of them are redundant and exist to consume system resources. 

If you wish to save the storage space, prevent the battery life of your MacBook, claim RAM for important apps, identify unnecessary apps and quit them straight away. 

Customize the Dock

The Dock is something that makes macOS look more like macOS with its sharp and precise appearance. You can quickly launch apps, files, and other items from the Dock as it stores the frequently visited stuff to help you improve your workflow. 

You can tailor the Dock by adding or removing the apps as per your usage requirements. Adding and deleting items from the Dock can be done by drag and drop.

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