How to switch from Windows to Mac without going crazy. My experience. How to Set Up a New MacBook
Today we are starting a series of articles dedicated to people who decided to leave the traditional Windows system and try their hand at Apple OS X Yosemite.
Most people first encounter Apple technology from friends, classmates, colleagues, or simply from a stranger passing by. The specific apple design involuntarily attracts the eye and lingers in the mind for a long time.
Then, passing by Apple equipment in chain stores, most potential buyers willy-nilly glance at the luxurious displays and mysterious Mac OS desktops. Still would! The Windows screensaver has already become something ordinary and boring for most Russians; we don’t even pay attention to it when choosing the next PC components. And here is a real mysterious country: widescreen flat-panel iMac monitors, weightless aluminum Macbook Air and fundamental MacBook Pro.
At the last stage, an internal struggle arises: is it worth risking finances and a familiar interface for the sake of unknown beauty? In order to answer these difficult questions, we suggest you read the article on the advantages of Mac OS.
And today we will talk about the difficulties you will encounter when moving from one operating system to another. The topic of transition from one system to another will be of interest not only to those who plan to do this, but also to those who have already gone over to the other side of the barricades.
APPEARANCE AND FILLING
Apple computers and laptops have a single design established by the company - this is what sets them apart from the gray mass of PCs and laptops that use the Windows platform. The buyer only has to decide on the required power and technical specifications.
When choosing a “box” for Windows, the user has to first study tons of information - in the literal sense, it is necessary to select each component separately: video-audio cards, processor, memory chips and much, much more. A computer for Windows is a cooler construction set than Lego. Of course, many will now want to argue with me, saying that the stores are full of ready-made kits. But if you spend a little more time on the issue, you realize that manufacturers save a lot on components, sacrificing one or two parameters in favor of an attractive price. And the result is most often very sad: the given production capacity is not even half used. Consequently, literally in the first year of using the equipment, the user is faced with the need to upgrade: the video card stops “producing” graphics, a cheap cooler begins to make ominous noise, or from the first days there is an acute lack of memory. We have to admit that buying a Windows PC is a task for passionate people who are ready to devote themselves to a series of updates and modifications.
PRICE POLICY
Reading the subtitle, Windows fans rub their hands gloatingly: here it is! Yabloko people, they say, have gone crazy with their expensive gadgets. Let's conduct a little marketing research and find out how much you will have to overpay to become a member of the apple club.
Monoblock
Monoblock – all-in-one computer: all the necessary hardware of the computer is contained in the back panel of the monitor. The main advantage of the monoblock is its compactness and the ability to work on a high-resolution display. The disadvantages of the gadget include possible problems with upgrading components.
We will compare based on basic parameters: display size (21 inches) and processor power (for example, Intel core i5). In this segment, the Windows platform is represented by Lenovo and MSI. The price for the former ranges from 40,500 rubles and reaches 53,990 rubles, depending on the narrow specifications and internal policies of online stores. For an MSI monoblock you will have to pay about 60,000 rubles. Prices for Apple iMac start at 78,000 rubles. The total difference ranges from 18,000 and reaches 37,000 rubles.
Laptop
Laptop – a portable personal computer, which, unlike a monoblock, combines not only a monitor and system components, but also a keyboard and mouse (trackpad). Laptops are compact devices that are preferred by people whose activities require constant mobility. These same characteristics become their advantages: light weight, size and versatility. The disadvantages of this type of technology include short battery life and rapid heating of the device.
In this case, you will have to reduce the sample and select models as close as possible to the characteristics of the MacBook Air 13. For comparison, we again take the display diagonal (13), processor (intel core i5), weight (up to 1.5 kg) and battery life (up to 12 hours ). Laptops from Lenovo (from 39,990 – 44,990 rubles), HP (38,290 rubles), Panasonic (from 103,000 rubles), Fujitsu (from 37,590 – 125,100 rubles) can boast of a similar set. Against the background of such a huge price analysis, the cost of the Apple MacBook Air (from 57,000 rubles) fades and we understand that the pricing policy is not something worth reproaching Cupertino with.
WORKING IN OC
So, with the costs and external characteristics sorted out, let’s move on to the issues that most frighten potential buyers of Apple computers – working on the Mac operating system.
Desktop
Microsoft has been experimenting with the Windows desktop in every possible way over the past two years. The most unpredictable – and, as experience has shown, unsuccessful – was the decision to remove the “start” button in Win 8. Then, an incomprehensible change in the name of the operating system occurred and Windows 10 was born (release date October 1, 2014). This is what we will compare with Mac OS Yosemite, which was also released in the fall of 2014.
An interesting design feature has appeared in Windows 10 - the color of the start menu adjusts to the desktop background. Apple uses translucent textures and blurred backgrounds to create a unified atmosphere.
Windows users have little choice when it comes to how they work. You can use the start screen as the main control element, or return to the classic form of using the desktop. This choice defines the overall design concept of the latest version of Windows. The start screen is a set of colorful tiles, which creates a festive atmosphere on your desktop. It is difficult to judge how much such a color scheme contributes to work and concentration, how much the eyes get tired from a bright color set - only owners of the latest Windows OS can answer this question.
The most striking detail of Mac OS are the icons in the DOCK panel, which is hidden from the desktop while working with the system. It is worth noting that Apple relied on minimalism - along with OS X Yosemite came flat screen elements based on three colors: blue, white and gray.
Another feature of Windows 10 is virtual desktops. It is understood that the user will be able to customize each of the tables to suit his needs and, if necessary, simultaneously interact with several zones. The idea is not bad, but it still looks crude in terms of usability of the controls.
Fortunately, OS X has long been using a similar parallel program management system - Spaces, which intuitively responds to user needs and ensures efficient work on multiple desktops.
To quickly access system folders, as well as to quickly obtain information about the status and operation of the system, you usually use the apple “” menu, which is located in the upper left corner of the screen.
The program menu displays the operation of the current program and provides quick access to its functionality. It is constantly located in the top bar, while Microsoft chose to leave this element in windows, periodically hiding it from the user’s view (Windows seven example).
The status menu contains information about the current date and time, as well as the selected language, sound settings, wireless Internet connection (wi-fi) and status icons of some programs. The difference between Windows 10 and Yosemite is the location of this element. In addition, the OS X bar contains two additional links that actually turn out to be extremely useful: the user menu and Spotlight search. The first allows you to quickly move between user desktops, the second is responsible for searching for information on all files, folders, programs and other elements of the Apple computer system.
Separately, I would like to talk about fine-tuning the desktop on Apple computers. As mentioned above, every element of OS X has a program menu. The desktop is represented by the Finder program. By selecting the “show view options” option, the user can configure the visual viewing of folders and labels, not only the size of icons, grids and labels, but also the display of object properties and sorting options.
Typically, the Windows desktop turns into a collection of icons and shortcuts. At the same time, the main control element was and remains “Start”. But it’s worth giving Microsoft credit for several years: they moved away from the folder-letter style and introduced visual visualization (the so-called “live tiles”) in the form of recently opened programs (central column) and a window with universal applications.
In Mac OS, the desktop field usually remains empty: shortcuts and folders appear there chaotically and for a short time. Although, of course, this is a matter of taste, the Mac OS environment provides convenient navigation through programs, files and documents. At the bottom of the desktop there is a Dock Quick Access Toolbar, which is customizable depending on user preferences.
Let's talk more about Dock panels in fact, this is the main element that a beginner will have to work with immediately after switching from windows to mac os. This is where the most commonly used software shortcuts are located.
The user can customize its content and size at his own discretion, but at the first stage it is worth understanding the capabilities and basic elements of the OS. Over time, each poppy grower shapes it to suit his own working and creative needs. By default, the Dock panel contains Finder, Dashboard, Launchpad, Safari, iMovie, iPhoto, Mail, Calendar, Contacts, iMessage, Facetime, iTunes, MacStore, Trash, and Settings.
In future articles we will look at these elements in detail.
You are reading the first line of the first, probably even “pilot” issue of a new series of articles called “From A to Z”. In this short series, we will tell you all the most important information about the latest models of Apple computers from the following lines: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini and Mac Pro. For some, this information will be useful for making a purchasing decision, for others to expand their own knowledge, and for others for crossword puzzles - it does not matter at all, as long as it is useful. In general, don’t judge strictly, let’s go.
The first MacBook Pro was introduced by Apple in early 2006. This model replaced the PowerBook G4 computers. The MacBook Pro was instantly able to win the hearts of its users, and many of us still look forward to each next update to this line, wondering what the new generation of firmware will have.
These were the first Intel laptops from the Apple company. Until the release of the first MacBook Pro, all Apple laptops were equipped with a PowerPC chip, which was a joint development of Apple, IBM and Motorola. This transition was very important for the entire company and its users. But the responsibility for this step was no less. Apple had to guarantee its users that their software and all of them would run on Intel Macs. The solution to this dilemma was Rossetta, an efficient dynamic translator that allowed Power PC applications to run on Apple computers using Intel processors.
Why was it necessary to switch to new processors at all? It's simple: speed. The first MacBook Pro amazed its users with a huge increase in speed in their work, compared to its predecessor, the PowerBook G4. Intel Core-Duo is, in simple terms, two processors in one, thanks to which it was possible to increase the speed of operation, but in no way affect the rate at which the laptop’s battery drains. Of course, users responded positively to the new processors, although some still complained about compatibility issues with some older software. In general, for the most part, the new MacBook Pro received very positive ratings.
The target audience for the first MacBook Pro were users who required high speed and a decent amount of memory. So it's no coincidence that the first MacBook Pro looked roughly the same as the predecessor it replaced. Inside they were completely different.
In the seven years since its introduction, the MacBook Pro has undergone a huge number of changes: from software to the Retina display.
In the good old days, Apple offered us three types of firmware (not to mention specific configurations): with a 13-inch display, with a 15-inch display and with a 17-inch display. But not long ago, Apple stopped producing the 17-inch MacBook Pro, concentrating on 13 and 15-inch models. Thanks to this, in June 2012 we saw a 15-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina display, and already in October the junior model of the line was also equipped with a Retina display.
MacBook Pro Specifications
Let's divide all the “firmware” into two categories: those without a Retina display, that is, ordinary ones, and those that can boast of one. First, of course, let's talk about those that are ordinary.
The 15-inch MacBook Pro features a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz), with a shared 6 MB of L3 cache. But if you want a faster laptop, you can get the MacBook Pro with a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz) and 8MB cache. Moreover, you can complement your brand new firmware with a 512 GB third-generation semiconductor hard drive, which will work 4 times faster than traditional hard drives. To increase the amount of memory, you can install a hard drive with a capacity of even 1 TB.
The younger, 13-inch model also received significant improvements. For example, it was equipped with the fastest dual-core processors: Intel Core i5 with a clock frequency of 2.5 GHz and Intel Core i7 with a clock frequency of 2.9 GHz. And Turbo Boost technology accelerates the processor up to 3.6 GHz.
MacBook Pro 13/15 specifications:
- Diagonal: 13.3 / 15.4
- Screen resolution: 1280×800 pixels / 1440×900 pixels
- Processor: Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz or Intel Core i7 2.9 GHz / Intel Core i7 2.3 GHz or Intel Core i7 2.6 GHz
- Dimensions (height x width x depth): 2.41 x 32.5 x 22.7 cm / 2.41 x 36.4 x 24.9 cm
- Weight: 2.06 kg / 2.56 kg
- Memory: DDR3 1600 MHz SO-DIMM
- Number of memory slots: 2, supports up to 8 GB
- Memory installed: 4 or 8 GB (both slots occupied)
- Storage: 500GB or 750GB HDD, 8x SuperDrive slot-loading optical drive
- Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11n (backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards), Bluetooth 4.0
- Ports: Gigabit Ethernet network port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, FireWire 800 port, Thunderbolt port, SDXC memory card slot, Kensington security slot, MagSafe 2, headphone output
- Battery capacity: 63.5 Wh / 77.5 Wh
As for the operating time, according to Apple, it is 7 hours. Both for the younger and for the older model. In principle, this is true, although, of course, it primarily depends on what you do and how you use your MacBook Pro. So, for example, if you are “walking” through web pages, then 7 hours is a reality, but if you play games or edit videos, then 4-5 hours is your maximum.
The package includes the MacBook Pro itself, a screen cleaning cloth, a MagSafe charger (electrical plug, power cable and unit) and documentation in printed and electronic form. The laptop itself is covered by an official worldwide warranty from Apple for a period of 1 year (warranty and post-warranty service at any authorized service center).
The 13-inch model with a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 processor will cost you $1,199. The older model, with a 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, is offered for $1,499. As for the 15-inch models, the situation is as follows: Intel Core i7 with a frequency of 2.3 GHz costs $1,799, Intel Core i7 with a frequency of 2.6 GHz will cost you $2,199.
We deliberately indicate prices in dollars, since, unfortunately, there is no single price for Apple equipment in rubles: firstly, official resellers will have the same prices (and may differ from each other), while “gray” sellers and stores will have the same prices. other; secondly, prices in our market are constantly changing, so we will dance from the Apple online store.
MacBook Pro with Retina display specifications
Finally, we have reached firmware with a Retina display, a kind of standard among laptops from the Apple company. There are plenty of differences between the MacBook Pro with Retina display and the “regular” MacBook Pro.
So, let's start our acquaintance with these computers from the most important thing - the processors. With a dual-core Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor in the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, you can run even the most demanding, performance-intensive apps without any hassle. Both the junior and senior models support such excellent technology as Hyper-Threading, which can improve performance by allowing each core to simultaneously process multiple processes at once. By the way, the well-known Turbo Boost technology increases the processor clock speed to 3.6 GHz. In general, it’s hard to call this model a “baby”.
It goes without saying that the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display will surprise us even more. Inside, you'll find (just please don't try to open it yourself) third-generation Intel Core i7 processors, based on an advanced 22nm microarchitecture, delivering the best performance of any MacBook Pro laptop. And with clock speeds of up to 2.6 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 3.7 GHz, and up to 8MB of shared L3 cache, these processors are essential for the most demanding tasks. .
MacBook Pro with Retina 13/15 display specifications:
- Diagonal: 13.3 / 15.4
- Screen resolution: 2560×1600 pixels / 2880×1800 pixels
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000
- Processor: Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 2.5 GHz / Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7 2.3 GHz or Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7 2.6 GHz
- Dimensions (height x width x depth): 1.9 x 31.4 x 21.9 cm / 1.8 x 35.9 x 24.7 cm
- Weight: 1.62kg / 2.02kg
- Memory: 8 GB DDR3L 1600 MHz memory, memory soldered into the motherboard
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB Flash / 256GB or 512GB Flash
- Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11n (backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards), Bluetooth 4.0
- Ports: 2 Thunderbolt, 2 USB 3.0, HDMI, MagSafe 2, SDXC memory card slot, headphone output
- Battery capacity: 74 Wh / 95 Wh
The configuration of these “firmwares” is no different from those that are not equipped with a Retina display, so we won’t describe it a second time. The same applies to the stated operating time. Moreover, the stated time is one, but in fact it is completely different. And, of course, the situation is exactly the same with the guarantee.
The younger 13-inch model with an Intel Core i5 processor will cost you $1,699, the older one – $1,999. As for the 15-inch models, the situation is as follows: Intel Core i7 with a frequency of 2.3 GHz costs $2,199, Intel Core i7 with a frequency of 2.6 GHz will cost you $2,799.
Software
As for questions about firmware software, then, regardless of the presence of a Retina display, everything is identical.
Every MacBook Pro comes pre-installed with OS X Mountain Lion. The Mountain Lion operating system has turned out to be quite controversial: some people praise it to the skies and see something truly revolutionary in it, while others, on the contrary, believe that the difference with OS X Lion is not so great. In fact, the new operating system turned out to be very good. Of course, it cannot be called revolutionary, but it has a lot of advantages. The only negative that comes to my mind is that the operating time of MacBooks running this system is slightly reduced compared to working under OS X Lion.
When you turn on your brand new MacBook for the first time, you will find that the following applications and programs are already installed on it: Mail, Messages, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, Safari web browser, Notification Center, Notes, Time Machine, FaceTime, Photo Booth, iTunes, Game Center, Gatekeeper, Mac App Store, iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand and others. In addition, the Mountain Lion operating system is almost fully integrated with iCloud, Twitter and Facebook.
The iWork suite, which includes programs like Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, will need to be downloaded from the Mac App Store. Each of these programs will cost you 649 rubles. In principle, a quite adequate and affordable price for such a product.
One thing: if you're expecting the MacBook Pro to be a great gaming computer, it's not. Of course, in terms of technical characteristics it is ideal (well, probably), but the whole problem is that there are very few games for OS X. Very few.
Another small, or maybe not so small, problem is that some office and business applications are not available on computers running the OS X operating system. But if necessary, you can install the operating system on your MacBook Pro Windows. This can be done, for example, using Parallels Desktop - this will probably be the best and easiest option.
Accessories for MacBook Pro
Many users, when making a decision to purchase a particular device, including laptops such as the MacBook Pro, are concerned about the number of existing accessories for this very device. Therefore, it is impossible to skip this point.
There are more than enough accessories for the MacBook Pro. For example, if you are not very comfortable using a trackpad all the time (for example, due to the specifics of your work), you can buy a regular mouse for your firmware. This can be either Apple's Magic Mouse or any other mouse from any other manufacturer.
Not counting mice, for firmware there is a huge number of all kinds of stands, holders, protective films for screens and even vinyl stickers on its cover. And, of course, you can find a suitable case for your aluminum pet, of which there are a dime a dozen in online and offline stores.
Moreover, you can connect to your MacBook Pro both additional storage (“let’s call it hard drives”) and additional screens if even 15 inches is not enough for you.
In general, as you already understand, there are no problems with this. The only problem with accessories for the MacBook Pro is that they are usually very expensive, but, as they say, if there is a desire, there will be opportunities.
Results
If you read everything very carefully, you should have realized that the MacBook Pro is not a toy. This is a serious laptop for serious people. He is capable of much, if, of course, you yourself are capable of much. Before purchasing, think carefully about whether you need just such a laptop and whether you will use all its resources. If not, and you really want a laptop from Apple, then it’s better to take a closer look at the MacBook Air: it’s cheaper, simpler, and smaller.
For those who are sure that they will use absolutely all (or at least most) of the resources of the MacBook Pro, but still doubt whether to take it, we inform you: take it, you will not regret it.
The MacBook Pro is a true leader in its market segment, one step above most of its competitors in my opinion. But it also costs more than many similar PCs running the Windows operating system. But you have something to overpay for. Probably, now many PC owners will be ready to argue with me, but I will still say this: the MacBook Pro is more reliable than any PC, so it will last you much longer (both in terms of hardware and in terms of the operating system).
Of course, the final choice will always be yours, but you can rest assured that the MacBook Pro is worth every dollar you spend on it. This is a beautiful, powerful and prestigious laptop.
P.S. If you have any comments and suggestions, do not forget to indicate them in the comments, we will definitely take them into account in the next issue of the “From A to Z” series. In addition, you can write in the comments your wishes regarding which device the next material should be devoted to.
Many users have problems when starting to use a MacBook. New Apple devices are ready to work right out of the box, but when they first purchase, newbies don’t know how to perform this or that function and configure their device correctly.
Apple constantly updates its software, so do not forget to periodically go to “Software Update” and complete the update procedure. Your computer will work much faster and better with the latest versions of programs. Next, enable the right-click feature on your trackpad. Many are perplexed why Apple did not include this option in the standard settings package, because it greatly simplifies life. In the trackpad settings, set “Simulate secondary button”.
After installing the above applications, your MacBook will be ready to use and will be able to handle most tasks. Convenient applications will facilitate easy and uninterrupted operation of the device.
Considering that a new version of the Mac OS High Sierra operating system was released not so long ago, and taking into account the huge number of different discounts on MacBooks for students, it is quite possible to assume that you have become one of the lucky owners of a Mac. Perhaps you just switched from Windows or Linux, or perhaps this is your first computer - in any case, this article will allow you to learn a lot of new things.
1. Smart Unit Conversion with Spotlight
If previously it was possible to carry out various calculations using Spotlight, then with the release of the new Yosemite operating system, this application acquired an additional function - converting units of measurement. This program is so smart that in many cases it not only answers your query, but also offers conversion to alternative units of measurement.
Enter “$1299” and the program will immediately show you how many rubles are in this amount (based on what national currency you selected in “System settings” in the “Country\region” section), and a little lower on page you will see other results, for example in euros, yen and so on.
2. Improved version of Siri
Before the release of Mac OS Sierra, the Voice Recorder tool installed on the Mac showed itself in the best light, surprising us time after time with its speech recognition abilities. But Siri's long-awaited return to Apple desktops and laptops has left it in tatters.
Siri, which we are all accustomed to back in iPhones, can be called up by pressing and holding Command + Spacebar or by clicking on the corresponding icon in the Dock or Menu. However, the new version of Siri looks much more effective.
In addition to answering common queries, such as “What is the weather now?” and “Who won the last playoff game?”, Siri on Mac OS Sierra can turn system features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on or off, and find individual files on your system based on file information you you tell her.
Siri can even open and close apps at your request, and save the results of your queries in the notification area for you to use in the future. Just press Command + Spacebar and ask her something.
3. Start Windows
Yes, yes, we foresaw the question: who wants to run Windows? In fact, sometimes this can be extremely convenient and even necessary, for example, to play the latest version of a recently released game or to run a certain program that does not have an equivalent on the Mac.
You can run Windows alongside Mac OS using applications such as VMware Fusion, Parallels Desktop or VirtualBox. This can also be done by partitioning the hard drive and then installing Windows - in this case, you will need Boot Camp, located in the “Utilities” folder.
4. Create screenshots of any size
For a person who uses Windows, taking a screenshot can be quite a difficult task. For example, you can use the PrtSc key to capture the entire screen, or use the Windows Snipping tool to capture part of the image. In addition, some keyboards do not support this function, and opening a special application to take a screenshot is too long and complicated. Luckily, Mac makes this process as easy as possible.
In order to take a screenshot of the entire screen, simply hold down Shift+Command+3 at the same time - the screenshot will be saved on your desktop. To take a picture of some part of the screen, hold down Shift+Command+4 - the screenshot will also be saved on the desktop, and to take a picture of a separate window, hold down Shift+Command+4, then press the spacebar and click on the window whose picture you want to take.
Finally, if you're lucky enough to own a new MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar, then press Shift+Command+6 to take a photo of that little OLED strip. Either way, all you need to do to take screenshots on a Mac is just remember a few simple key combinations.
5. Automatically appear and hide the menu bar
The menu bar has been fixed in place since the release of the Mac in 1984, but with the release of OS X El Capitan, users now have the ability to hide it. To do this, open System Preferences, go to the General tab and select Auto-hide menu bar. Now it will only appear when you move the pointer to the top of the screen.
6. Using unusual symbols and emoticons
Along with the letters and numbers that are marked on the keyboard, you can also use a huge number of special characters. You probably already know how to place an accent mark above a letter, as in the word “café” (press Option+E and E again, in OS X 10.7 and later - just hold E until you see a menu with additional options) . But these are not all the functions available to you.
Go to the Edit menu, which is found in most applications, and at the bottom you will see a “Special Characters” panel with a huge number of different characters that you can include in your document if you wish. Unfortunately, not all applications and operating systems support them, but for the most part they comply with the Unicode cross-platform standard.
However, emoji (the bright and colorful symbols available in OS X 10.7 and later) are a rare exception to this rule. Although they are available not only in Apple devices, but in the case of them, there is a possibility that the recipient will not be able to see them, since his device does not support these characters.
7. Create a signature on PDF documents directly in Mail
Even though we live in the 21st century, we still put our mark on paper when we officially agree to something. If you've been emailed a PDF document that you need to sign, you no longer have to go through the hassle of first printing it, then signing it, and finally scanning it to send it back. Now you can sign it immediately via email.
Drag the PDF file into the email you're about to send, hover over it and a small button will appear in the top right corner. Click on it and you will see a number of available options, one of which will be “Sign the document”. The most convenient way to add a signature is to use the webcam on your Mac: just hold the piece of paper with your signature on it and wait until the camera captures it. At the same time, the camera perfectly recognizes the signature, excluding everything unnecessary in the background. Alternatively, you can use your touchpad, which makes it much easier to sign with a stylus.
8. Using Split View Mode
Using two Mac programs side by side has become much easier with the release of OS X 10.11 El Capitan. This was made possible thanks to the Split View mode. In order to switch to this mode, you must hold down the green full-screen button located in the upper left corner of the screen, as a result of which the window will collapse, and you can drag it and dock it on the left or right side of the screen.
After that, you need to select another window or application and click on it to dock it to the opposite side. When using this mode, the OS X launcher and menu are hidden, which allows you to avoid distractions and get more workspace.
Thanks to the vertical line between the windows, you can easily change the width of the windows, as well as their position. This format will be extremely convenient, for example, if you want to simultaneously monitor the progress of a sports game and at the same time continue to do work/other things.
9. Create annotations for PDF files and pictures
The Preview program has an excellent set of tools that make it easy to create annotations for pictures and PDF files. And, most importantly, the annotations added by this program use standards compatible with the Adobe Acrobat PDF application. This application is widely used by companies and Windows users, so it is extremely easy to share annotated documents with colleagues.
Before creating an annotation, make sure the "Toolbox" is visible (if not, correct it in the "View" menu). Thanks to this panel, you can draw various shapes, arrows, comic bubbles and thought bubbles. Additionally, you can highlight text with different colors, add strikethrough text, notes, and various types of text fields.
10. Adding your signature to the required documents
In OS X 10.7, thanks to the Preview program, it became possible to add your signature to a document. To do this, launch the program and go to the “Signatures” tab in the “Settings” section, then click on “+” or the “Create a new signature” option. After this, take a small piece of white paper and leave your signature on it using a black pen. Bring the piece of paper with your signature to the webcam. Once you are satisfied with the result in the viewing window, click the “Accept” button. If you want to use this signature in the future, make sure you save it.
Now open the document in which you want to insert this signature, go to the toolbar and select the signature icon - it looks like a slanted letter x S with a small dash below. Select the location where you want to insert your signature. Once you insert it, you will be able to scale and move your autograph.
11. Editing a picture
In our opinion, Preview is one of the most underrated Mac programs. This is especially true of the latest versions of OS X, in which it has received a huge number of excellent features. In fact, with the help of this program you can do many of the things for which we are accustomed to using more complex and expensive applications like Photoshop. Just try opening a picture in this program and see what a wide selection of image editing tools it offers.
For example, you can crop the picture. To do this, click the “Rectangle Select” button and use it to select the area you want to save. Then press Command+K or click on the “Crop” button in the “Toolbar”. There you can also find more complex and interesting options, such as, for example, the Instant Alpha tool, which allows you to select and remove the background or other object of an image, as well as Smart Lasso, which allows you to extract an image.
If you have multiple Apple devices (for example, a Mac at home and work, a Mac and an iPhone, or multiple iOS devices), then turn on iCloud Keychain. This will allow you to synchronize logins and passwords that you enter in the browser, information about credit cards and Wi-Fi connections on all your devices.
This means that if, for example, you save the password and login of a site on your iPad, you can then quickly log into that site from your Mac. Or, by saving your credit card information on your Mac, you can then safely use it on your iPhone. Using this function may seem a little difficult at first glance, but the benefits it will bring you later are definitely worth the time and effort spent.
13. Create hotkeys for any necessary function
Keyboard shortcuts are incredible time-savers, but you don't have to settle for just the options that were built into your Mac by its designers. If there's a menu option that you use all the time that doesn't have a preset keyboard shortcut, you can always set the shortcut yourself.
Select the “System Preferences” menu item, click “Keyboard”, and then select the “Keyboard Shortcuts” section. Click "+" to add a new combination and select an application from the list that opens. However, you must know exactly the name of the menu command, which you will need to enter in the next step. And finally, select a previously unused key combination that will open the application you need, then simply click “Add”.
14. Using Automator to Do More with Less Effort
Automator is a program built into OS X that allows you to create a number of standard operations that run without your intervention and make complex tasks easier. In this program, you can create small applications that will store a script for a ready-made action, or you can add the necessary actions to an existing application as a service - in this case, you can access the functions by right-clicking. With Automator, you can rename a large number of files at once, convert images to another file format, convert text documents into audio files, and much more.
- To get started with the program, open it and then select the type of document you'd like to create. Each type is used for a different purpose, so click on each one in turn to see a short description. Select the option that suits you best and click the “Select” button.
- Start adding elements of your future operation one by one, dragging the available actions from the left side of the screen to the right side, where the process area is located. Available actions are arranged depending on the type of application and file type - just click on the action you are interested in to find out what it does.
- Once you have added all the necessary actions to your operation, you can try to start the service you created by clicking on the “Run” button in the upper right corner. If any inaccuracies are identified that interfere with the completion of the task, the program will highlight in red the part where the problems occurred.
15. Quickly import images using “Image Capture”
Although you can import photos from your iPhone manually, it is easier to do this using the Image Capture program. This feature has been available in Mac OS for quite some time, but, as a rule, many users just switching to Mac do not know about it. Thanks to this program, you can directly transfer all the photos taken with your camera to a folder of your choice at the same time. Or, even more convenient, view photos one by one on your computer and immediately delete the originals from your iPhone if you no longer need them.
You can also connect to the scanner wirelessly and transfer scanned documents and photos to a directory of your choice. You can also link your camera to any Mac OS application. So you can configure Image Capture so that a specific program, such as Photoshop, opens every time you connect your iPhone.
Hi guys! I just remembered that a long time ago, when dragons were still flying in the sky, there was a section on my blog called “Friday Relaxation.” On Fridays, I tried to write on abstract topics so as not to burden the heads of my faithful and friendly readers. I will try to restore the tradition and on Fridays present you with information that would not overload your brain, but, on the contrary, would make it relax, smile or dream.
I would like to talk about another dream of mine, which came true back in December last year. But I still couldn’t tell you more about it. And, to be more specific, I bought myself a Macbook Air (this is a laptop with a glowing apple :)). I've really been dreaming about this for a long time.
Where did it all start?
In general, my love for Apple products awoke after (3 years ago), which was a very serious acquisition for me. Then I was just starting to get into the ropes with the Internet. For a long time I despised all these Apple fanatics; I never understood why buy these devices when similar ones with the same characteristics are 2-3 times cheaper. These “Yabloko” people constantly made me smile (I thought they were stupid), and probably also made me jealous. But, whatever one may say, these devices could impress others; because of their price, they distinguished their “owner” well. It's Apple all around now.
It took me a long time to decide whether to buy an iPhone or something else. My brother, who owned an iPhone 3G, persuaded me to take this pretentious thing of the 4th model. She had just left then. And from the first days I began to fall in love with this magnificent technique.
After the iPhone, I wanted an iPad. Moreover, I was sorry for the money for it, I kept trying to win it in competitions. On my 3rd attempt, I still read books and use the navigator.
After two Apple devices, I desperately wanted a laptop from the same company. I don't need a desktop computer; I often change my location. I wanted to have a universal device in which I would be comfortable working at home, in my office, or while traveling. As a result, I set a goal: if I can increase my company’s sales by the Nth amount (let me remind you), then I will get myself a Macbook. You won’t believe it, but in 1 week we managed to reach this level, which seemed impossible. I wanted him that much. 🙂
In general, MacBooks come in the following models: Air and Pro. Air is a lighter version, weaker relative to the firmware, but the battery lasts longer and is significantly better in price. Pro is for those who need strong performance for video editing, huge image sizes and more. I realized that I need Air.
And the next step was to select the SSD hard drive memory. 128 GB or 256 GB. The price difference between these models is almost 8,000 rubles. Too much, I thought, in the end I bought myself a Macbook Air 13" 128 GB. And, in order not to worry about hard drive memory, I bought myself an external 1 TB HDD hard drive for 3,000 rubles with USB 3.0 support. It also works very fast .
I quickly figured out the secret of why I'm obsessed with Apple products. It's not about the characteristics, but about its OS X operating system. It is so coherent, thoughtful and convenient. When I had a desktop computer, after 2-3 months of installing Windows, the thought arose: “Eh, I should install another 4 GB of RAM, and update the processor.” So, with the advent of the MacBook, such thoughts disappeared altogether: everything works smoothly, without any delays or “blue screens of death.” I don’t even know what the characteristics of my favorite device are, because its performance really satisfies me.
Out of curiosity, I came to look at the characteristics, and I will say that they are:
- Monitor - 13 inches.
- Processor - 1.3 Ghz Intel Core i5.
- Memory - 4 GB 1600 Ghz DDR 3.
- Graphics - Intel HD 5000
- Hard drive - 128 GB SSD.
- A full description is available.
Macbook Air took a new model, which was released in mid-2013. It cost me 43,000 rubles (as of December 2013). Now many will wake up like: “Yes, for the same money you could buy 2 laptops with similar characteristics!” Yes, I don't argue. But I get a thrill from working with this device, I don’t regret a single ruble that I invested in it.
First impressions
Bought! I'm running home! We need to unpack the box quickly! I carefully open it and immediately this very smell hits my nose. The smell of a new device, which should bring a lot of positive impressions. I gently lift the lid. I look at my new silver friend. How handsome he is!
The main advantages are immediately noticeable:
The first week after the purchase there were still doubts about the necessity of this very purchase. The main question that tormented me was - what is this? Do I really need this? Everything didn’t seem so convenient; I was already quite used to Windows. But only a week passed and I began to feel all the charm. I figured out the software and began to enjoy working with this laptop.
I especially like writing. You expand the WordPress post editor to full screen, just a white screen and text, soft buttons that your fingers play like a piano, and if you add to this the fact that I type touch-sensitive, then typing text is a pleasure. My thoughts don’t run away, my fingers keep up with them, I don’t have to press the key twice, everything works clearly and correctly. In a word - a thrill.
The MacBook was created in order to create and not be nervous about all sorts of “brakes”, “glitches”, “blue screens” and other rubbish. Especially if you like to write texts or draw, then you will like it. Imagine, I always thought that the background on my site was just white, but it turns out there are also horizontal stripes, which are very visible on a Mac, in general, my site has now become much more beautiful for me, I get satisfaction:
I don’t know if it’s noticeable on your computer, but imagine: for 2 years I didn’t know that my website background was not white. Something like this, gentlemen. 🙂 I repeat, “Mac” is an ideal option for writers, designers, and people involved in video. That is, if you are a creative person, you will remain mega-satisfied. The only people who probably won't like Apple products are programmers. My suggestion.
I repeat, I bought the device for 43,000 rubles. I don’t regret a single ruble that I spent on it. Don’t think that if you buy a MacBook, you will start earning 2 times more. Although this is also possible. When I really wanted a car, I couldn’t work normally, it was constantly in my thoughts, I couldn’t really concentrate. As soon as I bought it, my head was unloaded and work began. This is also possible here if you really want it.
What's installed on my Macbook Air
1. Publishing blog posts.
I wrote posts on Windows using the program. Loved her very much. As it turns out, the Mac doesn't have it. I started looking for a replacement. I tried a bunch of options, nothing was right. The solution turned out to be outrageously simple. Writing through the WordPress admin panel, as it turns out, is incredibly convenient! I expand the screen to full screen and just write. Even WordPress itself says briefly and clearly: “Write.”:
And the hotkeys make the work much easier; in front of me there is just a white screen and text, nothing more. I also recommend that owners of Windows computers try this method of writing articles. After the 3rd post you will start to have great fun. Verified.
So the loss of Windows Live Writer was actually positive for me. I get more joy out of the standard editor. I focus completely on the text.
2. Text editor.
I also use Microsoft Word and Excel at home. There is no dispute here; indeed, these programs are practically irreplaceable. Just as I had them on Windows, they also migrated to Mac.
3. Browser.
On Windows. But, if you surf the Internet using Google Chrome, the battery life is significantly reduced. Willy-nilly I had to switch to Safari. And, after several months of working with it, I can confidently say: Safari is the best browser. At least for Os X. It was hard to part with Chrome, but now I don’t even want to go back to it. Everything is conveniently implemented, everything “flies”, excellent synchronization with my other devices (iPhone and iPad).
4. FTP client
For quite a long time I was looking for a similar worthy replacement for my Mac. Found. This is the Yummy FTP program. Almost 100% coincidence with Total Commander (at least in those functions that I need for work):
5. PHP editor.
Oh, how. It turns out that on a Mac it was quite easy to find a replacement for your favorite PHP editor. This is TextWrangler:
6. Antivirus.
There is no need to install antiviruses at all. All the chicks and farts. 🙂 Don’t worry.
7. Virtual machine.
Unfortunately, there are some programs that I simply need in my work, but they cannot be replaced and they currently only work in Windows. In these cases, a so-called “virtual machine” comes to the rescue. I’ll tell you what it is below, but first I’ll list the programs that I need, but they don’t exist for Os X:
- Webmoney - yes, there is no full version on Mac for a reason unknown to me. Of course, you can do without a client, operations can be carried out by confirmation by phone, but still. Updated: The Webmoney app is now available on Mac, hooray! Link - https://itunes.apple.com/ru/app/my-webmoney/id807337125?mt=12
- - my favorite SEO program for working with keywords.
- - favorite program for taking positions.
I was worried, wondering what to do with these programs. It turns out that everything is solved very simply. We install a virtual machine on a Mac. Moreover, it is very easy to install and there are quite a lot of choices. I installed free VirtualBox, installed Windows 7 on it, allocated 512 MB of RAM and 20 GB of memory. That's all. Now I can run a full-fledged Windows on my Mac, and I don’t need to restart anything, everything opens in a convenient window as a separate application, or can be expanded to full screen. And transferring files from one system to another, using the clipboard, etc. is not a problem. In general, everything is simple:
It is generally very easy to launch it, Windows just flies there. The only thing is that I was a little sorry to allocate 512 MB of RAM and 20 GB of hard drive. But I note that I did not notice any deterioration in the speed of work.
8. Required software
All the main software is also on Os X. That's me, Skype, Firefox, Chrome, Photoshop. I’ll even say more: programs on Mac are made better and more convenient. They are also significantly faster (I remember how long it took me to run Photoshop on my desktop computer).
9. Software for everyone
I also have the following installed:
- SelfControl - you can block URLs of different sites for a certain amount of time. VKontakte, Twitter, etc. while working so as not to be distracted. We launch it, set the timer for 2 hours and during this time it is impossible to log into VKontakte, etc.
- Lightshot Screenshot is a very convenient program for webmasters when they need to share screenshots. By pressing a key, a screenshot of a certain area of the monitor is taken, it is automatically uploaded to the server and a link to this picture is immediately displayed. We simply send the link to the interlocutor.
- Snagit - I use this program to take screenshots for lessons, although you can get by with the previous one. The habit of "arrows".
- Screenflick - I use it to make screencasts (video recordings from the monitor screen).
- iMovie is a video editor. Moreover, it is an official Apple product. In my opinion, the best.
- Mindjet - I use it to create mind maps.
- PuntoSwitcher - automatic translation of a word if it is written in the wrong layout. A very convenient program from Yandex.
- CheatSheet is a program that suggests hot keys in any program. Hold down cmd and that's it.
- Super time management program. While I won’t say which one, I need to devote a whole post to it. In general, I said that after 4 years of searching I managed to find . I also, in my opinion, almost found the ideal program. I'll introduce you very soon.
All. I don't have anything else installed on my Mac, that's enough. For the rest I use standard software. If there are any good worthwhile programs, write in the comments, I’m interested.
Conclusion
I completely switched to Mac after about 2-3 weeks of use. He threw everything over and forced him to work only on it. At first it was uncomfortable. But now I don't turn on my desktop computer at all. I only work on one device. I carry it everywhere and always.
I’m writing this post and I’m in such ecstasy. Even if you start writing a book, it seems to me that it will write itself. Work should bring pleasure and you should not be distracted by all sorts of little things. Hooray!
I remembered myself when all the SEO people around were using Macs. Even then I thought: these are show-offs, braggarts and majors! 🙂
If you want to buy a Windows laptop in the near future, think about it. It might be better to wait another six months and save up for this miracle device. But I warn you: once you get hooked on Apple technology, you will not be able to “jump off” it. Believe me.
Now for me Macbook Air is not a tool, but a real friend.
