Macs are extremely easy-to-use machines once you are familiar with them. For those who have predominantly used Windows on a PC, however, it can be confusing trying to learn new ways to perform basic functions. Here are some basic tips for new Mac users.
Spotlight
Macs have a feature called Spotlight that is similar to the Search function found in Windows. To use this tool, simply click on the magnifying glass icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen and enter all or part of the name of the application or file you wish to open.
Force Quit
Windows users are most likely familiar with the “Ctrl-Alt-Del” key combination used to manually close programs that have stopped responding. The corresponding sequence on a Mac is “Cmd-Alt-Esc.” Holding down these keys in sequence will open the Force Quit window with a list of open applications from which you can select the problematic one.
System Preferences
To change the settings for various aspects of your system, open the application called System Preferences. The easiest way to access it is to click on the icon with the silver gears located in the Dock at the bottom of the screen. System Preferences is similar to the Control Panel in Windows and displays clickable icons for hardware and system components.
Closing Applications
The way windows on a Mac operate can be especially tricky for those who are used to PCs. Each window has three buttons in the top left corner, but they don’t function the way a similar trio of buttons functions in Windows. In particular, clicking the red “x” hides the window but does not close the application. The easiest way to completely close an application is to hold “Cmd-Q.”
To learn more about using your new Mac, visit or call our Apple certified tech support here at MelroseINC. We also offer a wide variety of Apple products including MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air accessories. Contact us to learn more.