For those who have recently switched from a laptop PC to a MacBook, getting used to a new operating system, and new hardware, can be an exciting process, akin to getting a brand new smartphone, or buying a new car.
Apple MacBook veterans will probably roll their eyes at the following paragraphs, just as Windows PCs veterans would about a number of tips and tricks, common to power users. A couple of little-known and useful pieces of information on this list are even likely to surprise some new MacBook owners.
Smoke is bad for you, and your MacBook
One thing that not many are aware of is that Apple MacBooks should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, or any kind of tobacco, as the presence of tar residue will completely void the warranty.
Mac-based audio books
Sometimes going through a large amount of text, like a news article, a term paper, or other types of document, requires undivided attention, and the ability to keep the focus, while performing other activities, even when walking away from the computer. Fortunately, Apple came up, long time ago, with a way to have a Mac read back any amount of text, by selecting the paragraphs to be read back, and select “Edit”, “Speech”, and “Start speaking”.
Signing documents
What good is it to have a contract being emailed to someone, if they have to go through the trouble of printing it out, signing it, and scanning the printed copy only to send it back again?
A great feature designed for business users, and available to all owners of a Mac, is the ability to save a signature, in “Settings”, “Signatures”, and have a signature available to add to any document, without the need to waste ink, paper and time.
A better way to print
Working in an environment where printing large amounts of documents is a daily occurrence, can be a frustrating experience, especially when multiple documents are queued on one particular printer, among a pool of five or six available on the network. Apple has come up with a solution in “System preferences”, “Printers and Scanners” , where it’s possible to create a specific pool of available printers. When printing a new document, the first available printer will be automatically selected.
Quick, hide!
Safari has a nifty little feature for those who may want to give the occasional glimpse to Facebook, or check their web mail account, without scrambling to close tabs as the boss walks in. Using the shortcut Command+H will instantly hide the current tab on Safari.