Are Macs really better than PCs? The answer depends on how you plan to use your Mac.
In general, Macbook computers are more expensive than PC laptops which is worth it if you can maximize their power.
Check out these tips on how to use MacBook Air
Create an iCloud Account
The first thing you’ll need in order to know how to use Macbook Air is an iCloud account. An iCloud account gives you access to the Apple App Store to download new software and games to your computer.
iCloud also comes with free cloud storage so you won’t need to pay for a subscription service elsewhere. An iCloud account also gives you a free email account that can be accessed through Apple mail or on an iPhone or iPad.
Shop or pay bills online with your iCloud account. You’ll need to add credit or debit cards to Apple pay to securely store payment information for faster checkouts.
Make Use of the Setup Wizard
Once you have an iCloud account, setting up your Macbook Air is easy. The setup wizard launches as soon as you power on your new computer.
It’s helpful in presenting you with options and tools you wouldn’t otherwise be able to locate on your computer. You can enable location services, turn on Siri, opt to store passwords in the cloud, and more.
These options are available without the setup wizard but can be a challenge to find in System Preferences. The System Preferences menu has dozens of customization options that allow you to manage hardware and software preferences on your computer.
Under System Preferences is where you’ll find the latest software updates and add guest users to your computer. If you add hardware accessories like a printer, you can set it up under System Preferences.
It’s a good idea to visit System Preferences even after you’ve gone through the basic prompts of the setup wizard. Where the wizard suggests useful tools to make your everyday usage more convenient, the System Preferences menu lets you get more detailed in how you want your Macbook to perform.
Personalize Your User Experience
An important advantage of using a Mac is the seamless way the software and hardware work together. You can personalize your experience from the arrangement of icons on the Dock to the direction your screen scrolls using the trackpad.
The trackpad can sense whether you’re using one, two, or multiple fingers to navigate on-screen. Teach your Macbook Air to move in a variety of ways depending on the number of fingers you use and the direction you swipe.
You can customize how the screen brightness adjusts throughout the day. For example, in night mode, the screen gets dark and during the day the screen is brighter.
Change display backgrounds, screen savers, and manage your Screen Time in the System Preferences menu. This menu is your go-to for personalizing your Macbook experience.
You’ll want to find the best way to conserve energy when using certain apps under the Energy Saver menu and control how memory gets used while you’re multitasking.
Add an Email Account
Next, add your email accounts to Apple Mail. Apple Mail is a shortcut to check your iCloud email and most other email accounts.
The benefit of using Apple Mail is getting notifications even when you’re using other apps. When you launch the sidebar, you’ll notice a shortcut menu that tells you the weather, local news, and most recent email messages.
Apple Mail imports your folders so you don’t need to create duplicate folders when you add your email account. Deleting emails won’t always delete them on webmail servers.
If you need a hard delete, you’ll need to login to your account to manually get rid of the email information.
Use Productivity Tools
One of the latest Mac OS updates is called Sidecar. With Sidecar, you can use multiple Apple devices in tandem.
For example, if you have your MacBook Air open and need more screen space, you can set up your iPad as a second screen. This is extremely helpful when multitasking on major projects for work or school.
Split screen is also a great option if you don’t have more than one Apple device. With split screen, you can work in two windows simultaneously without having to compromise screen space.
Both windows fill the entire screen in the ratio you choose. Take advantage of the productivity tools in the Apple App store when looking for enhanced ways to customize your workspace so you get more done during the day.
Edit Your Dock
Native Macbook apps are pinned to your dock when you first set up your Macbook. These icons live at the bottom of your computer’s home screen for easy access.
Take time to edit which apps are pinned to the dock when you set up your new computer. This saves time each day by putting the apps you use most at your fingertips.
To make changes, right-click each icon and select ‘Options.’ You can choose to remove the app or create a shortcut where it opens as soon as you log onto your computer each day.
For example, if you want Mail to be your first screen when you get online in the morning, you can customize your dock to open and show you new messages at the start of each day.
To add new apps to the dock, simply drag them from the Finder window onto the dock toolbar.
More Tips On How to Use Macbook Air
Knowing how to use Macbook Air gives you easy access to the best of Apple’s OS features. Most Mac users choose Apple for its simple, intuitive interface.
But if you can’t find the most basic tools, you’ll miss out on some of the best technology available in laptop computers today. Don’t shy away from using quick help tools like Siri or Spotlight to get quick answers to questions that arise.
The goal is to make your user experience seamless so you can focus on the task at hand and not the technology you’re using. For more information and lifestyle tips, check our blog for updates.
