5 Cool Things to Do on a Mac: A Simple Guide for Newbies

Have you just taken your first delicious bite from the forbidden fruit that is Apple? If you’ve just bought a brand new Macbook then you are probably wondering what to do with it.

If this is your first Mac machine after making the switch from Windows then it will take you a bit of time to get used to it. But here are some cool things to do on a Mac after you’ve set up the basics. 

1. Multitask with Other Apple Devices

If you already have an iPad running iPad OS or an iPhone then you can enjoy a host of features that connect up your devices and save you time.

With an iPad or iPad Pro, you can set up a feature called Sidecar. This allows you to use your iPad as a secondary screen. You can work on one screen while having some notes open on another screen to help you as you go.

The app is great for online teachers as it allows you to Skype from one screen and have lesson notes open on the other.

Equally, you could be answering an email on your Mac while watching a You-Tube video on your iPad.

You don’t need a cable to be able to set this up, it works if the two devices are connected to the same WiFi network.

Hand-Off

Another cool feature that allows the Mac to integrate with other Apple devices is hand-off. If you are working on a program or looking at a website on your computer but you suddenly realize you need to leave your house (maybe you need to nip out to get some milk) you can pick up exactly where you left off on your iPhone.

Hand-off also allows you to copy something on your Mac and paste it into a document, browser or app on your iPhone and visa-versa.

This is perfect if you are writing a message to someone on Instagram on your iPhone but then want to transfer to your Mac to use a full-size keyboard rather than a touch screen.

Be sure to check this site for instructions on how to message on Instagram on your Mac: https://setapp.com/how-to/instagram-direct-messages-on-mac.

2. Control Your Mac With Siri

Another popular feature from the iPhone that has made its way onto the latest Macs is Siri. Now you can control your Mac and ask for updates using your voice. This is one of the best ways to get the most out of a mac.

There is an icon for Siri in the right-hand corner of the screen that you can press to activate it. Siri has also become more advanced in recent years. You can now ask it to translate into different languages from Mandarin to Spanish and even Arabic.

You can also ask Siri to read your emails for you or to remind you of flight details or train times. Siri can also be used for currency conversions and it can be quizzed on popular general knowledge and news events.

For instance, you could ask: ‘Siri, who is the current President of the United States?’

4. Keychain

Tired of trying to remember all of your passwords? Your Mac -whether its an Air or a Pro – has got your back. Keychain holds all of your passwords and enables you to check what they are. This includes passwords to different websites you’ve visited on Safari as well as WiFi passwords.

The great thing about Keychain is that it remembers all of the WiFi passwords even if you connected on a different Apple device. If you connected to a coffee shop WiFi on your iPad you can then automatically connect on your Mac as they are stored in the iCloud.

This is one of the ways of how to get the most out of a mac.

5. Pay Using Apple Pay

Another great feature of having a Mac is that you no longer have to go and dig out your credit cards from your purse or wallet to enter your details every time you want to pay for something.

Apple Pay stores your credit and debit cards as well as any gift cards you might have. You might be used to using it on your iPhone when you are out. But now, thanks to the fingerprint sensor on the latest Macbooks, you can use it on your desktop.

When you come to check out for something you will be given the option of paying with Apple Pay so long as you are using Safari. Simply place your finger on the sensor and your payment will go through.

For those users who have an older or second-hand Macbook without a fingerprint sensor, you can still take advantage of this feature if you have an iPhone. You can simply wait for the prompt on your iPhone and place your finger or thumb on the scanner as you normally would and the payment will go through on your Mac. 

This is one of the best mac os tips.

There are So Many Cool Things to Do on a Mac

If you’ve just bought yourself a new Apple Mac then you’ll be pleased to know there are an almost unlimited number of things you can do with it.

From setting up Apple Pay to enable you to pay for things online without having to reach for your wallet or purse to enabling sidecar so that you can use your iPad as a secondary screen.

With the latest models of MacBooks all coming equipped with retina displays and fingerprint sensors, there has never been a better time to buy a Mac.

If you are interested in reading more about tips and tricks for Macbook or cool things to do on a mac then be sure to check out the rest of our site.