2016-11-15



Learn the basic anatomy of your Mac.

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.

The Touch Bar

Touch ID and Apple Pay

Auto Unlock

The Dock

The Menu bar

Finder

Desktop background images and the screensaver

The Mac App Store

Right-clicking

The Trackpad & Magic Mouse

Full screen mode

Taking Screenshots

Spotlight

Siri

Launchpad

iTunes

Safari

The Mail app

Messages

iCloud and Continuity

Facebook and Twitter integration

Troubleshooting the Mac

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. It is also customizable, which will allow you to set up different apps (including third-party apps that support customization) to improve your workflow.

How to use the Touch Bar: The ultimate guide

Everything the Touch Bar can do (that we know so far)

Best Touch Bar apps for MacBook Pro

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.

How to use Touch ID on the MacBook Pro

How to set and manage Apple Pay on the Mac

How to use Apple Pay on the Mac

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.

How to enable Auto Unlock on your Mac and Apple Watch

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.

Learn how to use the Dock on your Mac

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.

Learn how to use the Menu bar on your Mac

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.

How to use Finder on your Mac

Desktop background images and the screensaver

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.

How to change the desktop and screen saver on your Mac

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.

Learn how to download apps from the Mac App Store

Learn how to check for macOS and app updates in the Mac App Store

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.

Learn how to set up right-clicking functionality on your Mac

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.

Learn how to customize your mouse on the Mac

Learn how to customize the trackpad on your Mac

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.

How to use full screen mode on the Mac

Taking Screenshots

So, you've finally got the high score in
Super Hexagon and you want to show of 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.

Learn how to take a screenshot on your Mac

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.

Learn how to use Spotlight on your Mac

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.

Learn how to set up and use Siri on your Mac

Launchpad

The launchpad is where all of your apps and games are displayed. Think of it like 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 in to jiggly mode, and search for something specific using the search bar.

Learn how to use Launchpad on your Mac

iTunes

At this point in the existence of computers and digital music, most people have, at least, heard of iTunes. On the Mac, its the place where you can find pretty much every form of media that isn't an app. It houses iBooks, movies, iTunes U, podcasts, audiobooks, and of course, music. With Apple Music, you've got a world of content right at your fingertips, and its all part of the Apple ecosystem, which means you can listen across all of your device. You'll need an Apple ID to purchase and download content from iTunes. So, if you don't already have one, create an Apple ID before you start.

Learn how to set up and use iTunes on your Mac

Safari

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.

Learn how to start using Safari on your Mac

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.

Learn how to set up and use the Mail app on your Mac

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 smart phone at all). When chatting with other iPhone users, you can view rich links, and even see some of the bubble effects

Learn how to set up and use Messages on your Mac

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.

Learn how to set up and use iCloud on your Mac

Learn how to set up and use Optimized Storage on your Mac

Learn about iCloud and your photos

Learn about iCloud and your music

Learn everything you need to know about Continuity on mac and iOS

Facebook and Twitter integration

On the Mac, you can sign into your Facebook and Twitter accounts for a uniquely integrated experience. When you do, you'll be able to sync data across your Contacts, Calendar, Notifications, and Share Menu. You can also send status updates and tweets with the help of Siri. If you are a heavy social network user, Mac integration will be a breath of fresh air for you.

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.

Learn about the channels you can go through to troubleshoot your Mac

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro review

Touch Bar: The ultimate guide

MacBook news

MacBook forums

Buy at Apple

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