Home : Laptops : Top 7 Hidden MacBook Features To Try Today
Top 7 Hidden MacBook Features to Try Today

Top 7 Hidden MacBook Features to Try Today

Apple MacBooks are known for their seamless performance and state-of-the-art design. The laptops also offer a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Additionally, certain shortcuts, functions, and features exclusive to Macbooks can further improve user experience. So, whether one is considering investing in a MacBook or has been using Apple computers for years, here are a few hidden features worth exploring to enhance the ease of use and overall functionality of the device:

1. Customize Hot Corners
Hot Corners is a handy feature on MacBooks, allowing users to set up specific actions or commands that are triggered when they move their mouse cursor onto any of the four corners of the screen. Customizing the Hot Corners can help one get started with daily tasks quickly. To set it up, one can visit System Preferences > Mission Control and click on “Hot Corners.” Here, they can choose what happens when the cursor hovers over a corner. A few handy actions to consider for the screen corners are:

  • Activating screen saver
  • Opening launchpad
  • Showing desktop
  • Accessing notification center

2. Check battery features
While MacBook users typically do not have to worry about the health and life of the battery, they should explore general battery features. To do that, they can hold down the Option key while clicking on the battery settings on the menu and reveal detailed information about the laptop’s battery health, including the condition and the battery cycle count.

3. Pin the media player to the menu bar
The macOS allows one to pin essential controls, like a universal media player, to the menu bar. Earlier, one had to switch between running applications to control media playback. However, now, with the media player pinned to the menu par, one can play and pause music on any platform. To enable this feature, one can go to system settings > Dock & Menu Bar > Now Playing > Show in Menu Bar and enable the media player widget to enjoy uninterrupted access to the player.

4. Add emoticons to text
Today, emojis have become a key component of daily texts and messages across platforms. MacBook users have the option of pulling up emojis and special characters by pressing Control + Command + Space keys. Then, they can start typing to search for the perfect emoji and later choose the recently used emojis from the Recent tab on the tray. Just like on smartphones and their apps, users can choose the emoji variants they like upon long pressing certain emoticons.

5. Preview and protect files
MacBooks are equipped with a feature called Quick Look, which allows users to preview the file without opening multiple applications to look at various types of files. Users can select a file, which could be documents, images, videos, and more, and press the Spacebar to preview it instantly through Quick Look. Additionally, they can protect their files by checking Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility and creating an encrypted disk image to password-protect files.

6. Utilize dictation feature
Users can fully optimize dictation to enter text on any platform, which minimizes the need for typing text and documents. It is a useful tool for those who prefer voice input or hands-free accessibility. Here, macOS offers system-wide dictation, so one can enable the feature across various text fields and applications. One can find dictation settings by clicking on System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation.

7. Use Spotlight calculator
Mac users can use the built-in Spotlight feature not just to look for applications but also to carry out mathematical calculations. They can access the feature by clicking Command + Space Bar and get the computer to carry out simple math equations and unit conversions or calculate currency exchange rates quickly.

Top options to consider
While all Apple computers are feature-rich devices, here are some of the top models one should consider before making a buying decision:

MacBook Air: The latest MacBook Air is powered by the Apple M2 Chip, an 8-core CPU, offering up to 24GB unified memory and 2 TB storage and up to 18 hours of battery life. One can choose models with the M1 chip and pick from 13-inch MacBook Air variants and a 15-inch MacBook Air.

MacBook Pro: This MacBook is powered by Apple’s M2 Pro processor and is equipped with up to 38-core GPU, 16 to 96GB RAM, and 512 GB to 8 TB storage. The MacBook Pro has been designed with the latest and most advanced technology. Here, one can either choose a 13-inch variant or go for a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The 16-inch MacBook Pro is an excellent option for those seeking a larger-than-normal laptop display.

iMac : Available in seven colors, the iMac powered by the Apple M1 chip, equipped with an 8-core CPU and a 7- or 8-core GPU, is an excellent pick for those looking for a stunning PC.

Mac Mini: This is a small desktop powered by either the M2 or M2 Pro chip. Equipped with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and up to 24 GB of unified memory, the M2 Mac Mini is a top-notch option to consider. On the other hand, Mac Mini with M2 Pro comes with up to 12‑core CPU, 19‑core GPU, and 32GB unified memory.

Mac Studio : Apple has launched a standalone, small-form-factor workstation, Mac Studio. Buyers can choose between Mac Studio with M2 Ultra and M2 Max chips, equipped with up to 12-core and 24-core CPUs, respectively.

Mac Pro: This is Apple’s most powerful and configurable desktop workstation and server. The Mac Pro with M2 Ultra Chip offers up to 24-core CPU, 76-core GPU, and 192GB unified memory.

Top Reads

Top Tags

Popular Reads

Joint conditions – Symptoms, causes, and risks
health

Joint conditions – Symptoms, causes, and risks

Joint conditions refer to any condition or disease that affects the joints. Arthritis is the most well-known and commonly occurring joint disease, while there are several others that impact the health of individuals across the world. Diseases related to the joints can be both short-lived or they can turn chronic and require surgery and other serious treatment. This condition can be limited to a single joint or it can impact different parts of the body. There are two types in which joint conditions can be classified: inflammatory and non-inflammatory. However, one thing that is common with most joint conditions is that they’re very painful, especially inflammatory diseases. Symptoms of joint conditions There are several symptoms of joint conditions. While most of them will involve pain, some of them might just involve a difference in shape or a bulge around the joint. This will be the earlier stage of any joint condition, and if a person visits a doctor during this stage, treatment can be fairly simple. Let us understand the different symptoms of joint conditions: The area surrounding the joint is swollen or there is prominent redness in the area. If you touch it, and the area is warm, you might want to consult the doctor.
Read More

All you need to know about kidney and liver failure

Hepatorenal syndrome is a condition that is identified as a type of kidney failure that occurs in people who have serious damage caused to the liver, commonly due to cirrhosis. When the kidney stops functioning, toxins begin to accumulate in the body which leads to liver failure as well. Therefore, kidney and liver failures are co-dependent in this case. This condition is of two types: 1 and 2. In Type 1 the kidney failure is more rapid, while type 2 patients tend to move gradually toward renal failure and the symptoms are less aggressive. Symptoms The symptoms caused by the hepatorenal syndrome are a cause of medical emergency in most cases. If any of the symptoms associated with the condition occur, the patient must be rushed to a doctor without any delay. The common symptoms associated with the condition include Nausea Increase in body weight Confusion Reduced urination Change in the color of urine, which usually becomes dark-colored Swelling in the abdomen area Jaundice Dementia Vomiting Delirium Causes and risk factors In most cases, the hepatorenal syndrome is a complication associated with liver disease. Almost in all patients, the condition is caused as a result of liver cirrhosis. When a person suffers from cirrhosis of the liver, there are several factors that can cause the hepatorenal syndrome, such as Infections, especially the ones that affect the kidneys Digestive tract disorders such as gastrointestinal bleeding Use of diuretics, the substance used for increased production of urine The primary reason behind the condition is mostly any kind of disease related to the liver.
health

Menopause – Symptoms, causes, and risks

Menopause is a stage that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and fertility, and it is diagnosed when a woman doesn’t menstruate for 12 consecutive months. Usually, menopause occurs in women between the ages of 40s and 50s, but in some cases, early onset may cause a woman to reach menopause in her late 30s as well. Menopause can lead to the development of several symptoms and can cause a lot of discomfort, but no medical attention is required in most cases. This article outlines what you need to know about menopause. Symptoms of menopause The time that leads up to menopause is also known as perimenopause, and it can be accompanied by various symptoms, including the following: Irregularities in the menstrual cycle Vaginal dryness Hot flashes and night sweats Cold chills Sleep-related problems Mood swings Increase in body weight Reduced metabolism Hair thinning Skin dryness Reduced breast fullness The symptoms caused by menopause, including the irregularities in the menstrual cycle, can vary from one woman to another. During perimenopause, it is common as well as expected for a woman’s menstrual cycles to be irregular or skipped. Some women do not get their cycles for several months, followed by normal cycles for a few months.
health

Symptoms, causes, and risk factors of mental health issues

Mental health is a term that is collectively used to understand illnesses that include symptoms that might have an impact on the thinking, mood, and behavior of a person. Mental health problems might make it difficult for people to concentrate on work or maintain a positive work-life balance. There might even be problems pertaining to relationships when a person is dealing with mental health problems. While mental health and stress have a complex but definite relationship, the latter can gravely be worsened by the former. What is the solution? While some people resort to counseling for mental health problems, some might turn to medication. A combination of both can also be a good and effective solution for some. Symptoms of mental health problems The symptoms of mental health illness can vary depending on the individual, the depth of the problem, and how a person is looking to cope with the problem. There can be emotional and behavioral repercussions of mental health illness, and the best way to cure is to identify it early on and support the person suffering from mental health issues as well as possible. Some of the known symptoms of mental health illnesses include: Feeling sad or low Inability to concentrate on the job or even on leisure activities like watching TV or reading the newspaper Extreme feeling of guilt Irrational fears or worries, especially about the future Mood swings Withdrawal from family, friends, and all sorts of social activities Detachment from the real world and a sense of delusion or hallucinations Inability to keep up with daily tasks or powerlessness in handling the stress of simple jobs Difficulty in understanding people and situations Excessive alcohol use Sudden change in eating habits Change in sex drive for the worse Change in temperament and sudden hostile behavior and loss of patience Suicidal thoughts Physical symptoms such as stomach ache, back pain, and headaches Causes of mental health problems Multiple causes can be associated with the occurrence of mental health illnesses.
health

Oral health issues – Causes and tips to prevent them

Although maintaining oral hygiene is important for overall health, several mouth and teeth diseases can make it difficult to have the pearly whites you desire. This makes it important to be careful about oral hygiene and make regular efforts to maintain oral health. This article discusses the symptoms and causes of mouth and teeth diseases, followed by a few tips to maintain good oral hygiene. Symptoms Several mouth and teeth problems can be caused by oral health issues. Here are some symptoms that you need to keep in mind to help prevent oral diseases: Foul breath Bleeding gums Loosening of teeth Aches in the tooth, jaw, or gum These are the most common symptoms that are often overlooked, but ignoring them can worsen the pain and aggravate mouth and teeth problems. It’s best to consult a dentist at the earliest if any of these symptoms manifest. Causes The causes of mouth and teeth problems may vary from person to person, but let’s look at the most common causes: Smoking Smoking causes several health issues, and mouth and teeth problems are just one among those. It harms the tissues of the gums and the nicotine also stains the teeth. Poor dental history in the family If your family has a poor dental record, you should take extra precautions to maintain oral health as you face a greater risk of developing mouth and teeth problems.
health