MacBook Air Essentials provides all the information you need to set up and start using your new MacBook Air. Learn about the hardware and included apps, plus tips to help you get the most of out your MacBook Air and macOS. If you are new to Mac OS X like I am, I suggest you read Apple’s guide on switching to Mac from PC!
Apple Mac Help
With just a click or a tap you can extend your Mac desktop using your iPad, effortlessly share files with friends and more. Learn how to use your Mac and devices together To browse the macOS User Guide, click Table of Contents at the top of the page. The MacBook Air has the following features built in: Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports: Charge your computer, transfer data at Thunderbolt speeds (up to 40 Gbps), connect to a display or projector, and more. 3.5 mm headphone jack: Plug in stereo headphones or external speakers to listen to your favorite music or movies. FaceTime HD camera: Make FaceTime video calls or take pictures and video.
So, you've purchased your new Mac and you've got it all set up. Now, you're sitting in front of your screen, wondering what to do next. Lucky for you, we've got this useful guide to understanding the basic anatomy of your desktop or laptop. So, if you're new to Mac, welcome to the family. Now it's time to learn where everything is and what it does.
Touch ID and Apple Pay
Apple added support for Touch ID with the latest model MacBook Pro. With it, you can log into your account with one touch, and even set up multiple users with Touch ID. You can also use it to make online purchases thanks to Apple Pay on the web.
Auto Unlock
You can set up your Mac with a super strong password without having to worry about the inconvenience of having to retype it every time you lock your screen. Auto Unlock makes it possible for you to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch just by being in proximity to it. So, you can set a 14-digit password that not even the most super of computers could figure out, but still unlock your Mac in a split second.
The Touch Bar
Apple added a big new feature to the latest model MacBook Pro. The Touch Bar is an OLED panel that sits at the top of the keyboard and replaces the row of function keys. It is contextual, meaning what appears on the panel will change, depending on what app you are currently using. https://lcheavenly.weebly.com/download-windows-mobile-device-center-65-for-windows-7.html. It is also customizable, which will allow you to set up different apps (including third-party apps that support customization) to improve your workflow.
The Dock
The Dock is what you can consider the 'favorites' section on your Mac. It stores all of the apps, files, and folders you consider to be the most important for quick access. It also temporarily holds apps, files and folders that are currently open, so you can get to them with one click, instead of sifting through all of your open windows and programs.
The Menu bar
The Menu bar sits at the very top of your Mac's screen. It houses the Apple menu, which will get you to all of your system settings, the app menu, which is specific to the app you are currently using, computer status shortcuts and third-party quick look tools, Spotlight, and Siri.
Finder
Finder is the one-stop shop for every shred of data on your Mac. It is sometimes the best way to find what you are looking for (though Spotlight really gives it a run for its money). The best part is that you have direct access to cloud-based programs in Finder, too. So, you don't have to go digging around in the Dropbox app or iCloud Drive.
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Desktop background images and the screensaver
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No computer seems right until you've made it your own with your personal background image or screensaver. Even if you use the built-in content, you are still the one choosing your look, and that's what makes it feel just right.
The Mac App Store
The Mac App Store is where you will find some of the best apps and games for your desktop or laptop. It's also the place you go to when you need to update the Mac operating system and other software programs. Visit often to see new content that will really make your Mac shine. You'll need an Apple ID to purchase and download content from the Mac App Store. So, if you don't already have one, create an Apple ID before you start.
Right-clicking
The Mac isn't like other computers. The included mouse or trackpad doesn't actually come standard with a right-click function. But, you can still get the right or control-click usability. You just have to set it up first.
The Trackpad & Magic Mouse
The trackpad on a Mac laptop and the included Magic Mouse for a Mac desktop have some amazingly useful features, including but not limited to, gesture-based functions that will zoom, swipe, scroll, and more. Get to know your trackpad or Magic Mouse. You'll be amazed at what they can do.
Full screen mode
Going full screen helps you stay productive and avoid distractions. On the Mac, you can split up your screen and have two programs running at half-full side-by-side. This is useful for when you want to work in one app but reference another. You can really make full-screen mode work to your advantage if you know how to use it.
Taking Screenshots
So, you've finally got the high score inSuper Hexagon and you want to show off that final screen to your friends, or maybe you want to save a cute picture to your desktop, but can't seem to find a way to save it from a website. Take a screenshot! Just like on iPhone and iPad, you can take a screenshot on your Mac with a simple keyboard shortcut.
Spotlight
Spotlight is basically the most robust search program around. It digs through your personal files, folders, apps, emails, and other content to produce results that you were most likely to be looking for in the first place. It also searches the web to cover all the bases. If you're looking for something, chances are Spotlight will find it for you.
Siri
You can use Siri on the Mac just like you would on your iPhone or iPad. In fact, Siri on the Mac can access even more data than its iOS counterpart. Ask Siri to schedule events, remind you of a task, tell you the weather, search your hard drive for files, look up pictures, and a whole lot more. Instead of putting out so much effort yourself, let Siri do the work for you.
Launchpad
The launchpad is where all of your apps and games are displayed. Think of it as the Home screen on your iPhone or iPad. You can organize apps and games into folders, delete them by clicking and holding until they go into jiggly mode, and search for something specific using the search bar.
Safari
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Safari is the default Mac browser. You might be used to a different way to surf the internet, but you should, at least, give Safari a try before you switch. Because it is integrated with the Mac operating system, it has some very awesome features you might end up loving too much to let go of, especially if you use Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
The Mail app
When you've connected your mail client to the built-in Mail app, you can get notifications whenever a new message arrives in your inbox. you can also set up filters for VIP contacts, unread messages, emails with attachments, and more.
Messages
You can use Messages on the Mac the same way you do on your iPhone or iPad. You can even set it up to receive text messages from contacts that don't use an iPhone (including those friends that don't even use a smartphone at all). When chatting with other iPhone users, you can view rich links, and even see some of the bubble effects
iCloud and Continuity
When you create an Apple ID, you will automatically get 5 GB of iCloud storage for free. You can use it for little things like saving your iPhone backups and syncing app data. You can also use it for bigger things, like storing all of your music and photos in the cloud and optimizing your Mac's storage. If 5 GB isn't enough, you can upgrade for as little as $0.99 per month. When you connect your Mac and your iOS devices to iCloud, you can take advantage of Apple's Continuity feature, which allows you to start something on one device, then pick up and continue on another.
Troubleshooting the Mac
Just like with all forms of technology, sometimes, things don't go right. Luckily, the Apple community is incredibly helpful. If something is wrong with your Mac, chances are, someone has already found the solution. You can get help directly on your Mac, from the iMore forums, and from Apple support. Just remember to relax and breath. A solution is waiting for you, you just have to know where to find it.
The Mac lineup
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My heartThis timelapse of macOS 10.0 through 10.15 is a nostalgic wonder
Apple And Mac Computers
The very first version of macOS, or Mac OS X as it was known, arrived almost 20 years ago. This video takes us through every major update the Mac has seen since in one amazing timelapse.
The two MacBook Air models, 11-inch and 13-inch, are ultraportable laptops, ideal for students and road warriors and light-weight alternative to Windows alternatives. Apple has stripped out components that aren’t generally needed on the road in an effort to keep size and weight to a minimum.
The Air employs solid-state flash memory (64GB, 128GB, or 256GB) for mass storage instead of a hard drive, reducing size, weight, and power consumption while allowing an Air to wake from sleep almost instantly. Other MacBook Air features include
- An Intel dual core Core i5 processor. The processor runs at a slower speed maximize battery life. Hdd fan control software mac.
- Two models, both with LED-backlit, glossy widescreen displays. The smaller Air’s screen has 1366 x 768 resolution and measures 11.6 inches diagonally (294mm); the larger screen, measuring 13.3 inches (338mm) diagonally, has 1440 x 900 resolution.
- A very thin but strong aluminum case.
- An integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics processor with full 3D support. Turn off 32-bit app compatibility warnings mac.
- Two USB 2.0 ports.
- Toshiba satellite l70-bbt2n22 laptop user manual. An SD Card slot on the 13-inch model, useful for downloading photos from many digital cameras. Mac data recovery software for windows.
- A 45-watt AC power module.
- A full-size keyboard, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted T arrangement).
- A Multi-Touch trackpad for cursor control.
- An optional external dual-layer-burning, slot-loading SuperDrive. Read fat32 on mac.
- An optional wired Ethernet-to-USB adapter. App set clean my mac.
- A lithium-polymer battery that provides up to 5 hours of wireless web access on the 11-inch model and 7 hours on the 13-inch model.
The MacBook Air cable connections include
- Mac app to speed up file transfer network. Analog headset 3.5 mm minijack, with support for Apple earphones with remote and microphone
- MagSafe power connector
- Two USB 2.0 ports
- Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort external video