Here are 5 MacBook Hacks that You Must Know

MacBook hacks and shortcuts are endless. There is AirDrop, there is iMessage—the options are limitless. Here are 5 quick hacks to make the best out of your MacBook.

Apple is known to be the epitome of an intuitive approach to tech. Be it unique gestures, or an overall simple approach to software, Apple has shown simplicity yet innovation in all its devices. The MacBook is one such device that has its own sets of quirks and features too. Here are some of them.

1.    Using Spotlight, the Right Way

Apple’s Spotlight is one of the most unique additions to its ecosystem. With a universal search feature, Apple has made it easy for users to look for anything under the sun and beyond. While it works as your J.A.R.V.I. S, you can use it for another additional hack—like a calculator.

Yes, the Spotlight feature allows you to make calculations based on whatever input you provide. The steps are pretty simple:

• Hit ‘Command’ + ‘Space’ to launch Spotlight.
• Type in your equation or provide voice input.
• Voila, the answer appears.

Not only is this bound to save time but is a lot more convenient with regards to the ease of access. Additionally, it is bound to have web extensions or Siri commands that make your complex searches more answerable.

2.    Snipping Screenshots

In this day and age of documenting everything, screenshots have gained their own importance. Some might even call it the most powerful thing on the internet as well. While most other devices have their own cumbersome ways of taking the same, Macs have an easy hack:

• Press ‘Command’ + “Shift’ + 4 to get a crosshair.
• Capture whichever area on the screen that you deem fit.
• You have successfully captured an area of the screenshot.
• In case you want the entire window, hit ‘Command’ + ‘Shift” + 4 and let it go; press the spacebar to cover it all thereafter.

If you hit ‘Command’ + ‘Shift’ + 3, you can cover the entire desktop—the choices are endless.

3.    Safe Hack to Longevity

If your MacBook is not safe, you will not be the one enjoying the hacks, you know. While you can follow simple tips, there are obviously more specialized ways to ensure maximum safety of your systems. You can look for security solutions online to better your experience with safety—thereby ameliorating your user experience.

The good news, though, lies in the newer hardware. The new Mac chipsets also come integrated with ‘T’ chips that have built-in security features. You can still get the best antivirus for Mac because supplementing doesn’t deteriorate your system.

While there are a plethora of shortcuts and apps that you can use to enhance your experience with the Mac, there is one thing you cannot neglect—safety. Safety is your lifehack to longevity.

4.    Sign PDFs in Mail

MacBook’s have made it so much easier to sign documents. In this day and age of working from home, Apple has made it easy for you to exchange the proverbial mail.:

• After opening the preview map on your Mac, look for the ‘Markup Toolbar’ button.
• Click the ‘Sign’ button after this and create your signatures.

Alternatively, if you are using your trackpad, do these:

• Click ‘Trackpad’ and click the prompted sign.
• Use your index finger to sign, after which, click ‘Done’.
• To try again, click ‘Clear’, and repeat till gratification is achieved.

Alternatively (too many choices, isn’t it?) you can use your webcam:

• Click on ‘Camera’ and align your signed paper with the axis you will see in the window.
• Click done when you feel content.

Before you sign and send your email, though, ensure that you have edited it well. For this, you can use tools for appropriate reasons. Remember that your signed documents are very important, so be extra cautious.

5.    Hey Siri, Let Me Dictate

Apple has made it possible for you to use Siri to convert sound energy into the textual material. This comes extremely handy if you are typing a letter, or in a lecture, as the case may be. Here is how you do it.

• Go to ‘Apple Menu’ > ‘System Preferences’.
• Click on ‘Keyboard’, followed by ‘Dictation’—subsequently, turn it on.
• You will find a plethora of sub-options, in terms of language and attributes like offline dictating.
• You can also modulate keyboard shortcuts for the same. The default one is the ‘Fn’ key pressed twice.
• You can also make specific dictation states, such as choosing cursors and lines till which Siri will annotate. Additionally, you can set other limits too—the more you dig, the more you get.

To Conclude

MacBook hacks and shortcuts are endless. There is AirDrop, there is iMessage—the options are limitless. With the aforementioned hacks in mind, though, your everyday tasks should be way more enjoyable. More importantly—your experience, indescribable.

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