Apple’s Macintosh Operating System or simply macOS is arguably the best consumer desktop OS. MacOS has several advantages over Microsoft’s Windows and Linux-based operating systems such as Ubuntu and Chrome OS. For instance, MacOS offers better software-hardware integration and a more straightforward, more streamlined user interface.On top of that, MacOS is packed with features designed to make your computer easy to use and improve productivity. Below, find top tips and tricks to customize your Mac for better performance, comfort, and all-around productivity.
Secure Your Device
Security is increasingly becoming a concern for Mac users. There’s a wide range of threats lurking on the internet, and you need to take measures to protect yourself. Install security software to protect your device against threats such as hacking and malware. Get a VPN for your Mac to secure your online traffic from hackers, ISP, government agencies, and anybody else looking to compromise your privacy.
Annotate Your PDFs
Until recently, there was no way to edit PDF files easily on your Mac. OS X allows you to annotate, scribble, highlight, or draw shapes directly on your PDF documents through the default PDF viewer. Simply open the file on Preview, navigate to the menu bar, click on View and choose the Show Annotations Toolbar. From here, you can make changes to your PDFs. Use file> Save As to save a new copy of your PDF with all the changes you made.
Add Accented or Foreign Characters
If you have ever used Windows, you probably know how difficult it is to execute foreign or accented characters such as ü or é. Fortunately, MacOS makes things a lot less complicated. All you have to do to add an accented character on your Mac is hold briefly down the key, and a pop-up box displaying all the options associated with that key will appear. Choose the variant you are looking for, and it will be added to the text field.
Merge Finder Windows
Sometimes when trying to find files on your Mac, you open too many windows and end up with a huge mess on your screen. You can fix that with the new Merge All Windows command. Scroll to the windows option on the menu bar and select this command if you notice that your screen fills up with new windows. You will end up with one neat window with smaller, neatly organized tabs.
Make Your Cursor Grow
Are you having a hard time locating the cursor on your Mac screen? No worries, just make it grow. Run your finger back and forth across the trackpad to increase the size of your cursor. If you are using a mouse, just wiggle it to have the cursor balloon in size. Now the huge cursor will reveal itself. Simply stop running your finger on the trackpad or wiggling your mouse to revert the cursor to its normal size once you have located it.
Convert Units Within Spotlight
Spotlight is one of the most valuable tools on your Mac. You can use Spotlight to find stuff on your computer or search online and solve basic math problems. For instance, you can use Spotlight to convert units of measurement, and you don’t have to open a new window. Just type the figure that you want to convert (for instance, 75 kg), and Spotlight will display a list of conversions. This tool will work with any conversion type, including currency, as long as there’s an internet connection.
Instantly Look Up Words in the Dictionary or Thesaurus
Are you struggling with how to use a word correctly in a sentence when writing? Quickly look up the word that’s giving you problems in the dictionary or thesaurus. This feature is made possible by the OS X reference tool. Ensure that the word you are looking for is selected, and press Cmd + Ctrl + D keys on OS X to look it up. You can access the OS X reference tool from anywhere and look up words.
Easily Sign Your Documents With iSight
Adding your signature to an official document that has been sent to you digitally can be a nightmare. Thankfully, OS X has made it easier to sign your documents. Open the said document on Preview, navigate to the right-hand corner of the screen and click on Create Signature from Built-in iSight. This feature allows you to sign your name on a sheet of paper and captures it using Mac’s built-in webcam. Click Accept to save your signature.Some of these features mentioned above have been around for years, while others are relatively new. Old or new, they are quite powerful and can greatly improve your way of doing things on your Mac. Use these tips to transform your macOS experience and get the best out of your computer. You will be able to get around faster, boost performance, and increase productivity when working on your Mac.