I don't agree with the premise that EVERYONE needs to know these tips, however, if you do actually own a MacBook Pro, or MacBook, then sure, I guess. I hope you got a new one for Christmas (hint hint)

I particularly like the Hot Corners, and of course, the password manager.  

9 MacBook Pro tips everyone needs to know
by Henry T Casey

I just got a new 14-inch MacBook Pro, and — since the supply chain delays meant I waited more than a month from purchase to delivery — I've had a lot of time to think about how I'd customize it. I've even started thinking about all the stickers I'm going to affix on its lid. But that's a topic for another day.

This piece is going to break down the first nine things to do when you set up a new MacBook Pro. These tips will also come in handy even if you've owned your MacBook Pro for a while. The system preferences to consider changing, the apps you need to download and various other things I've learned reviewing Macs for the last 5 or so years, and using them since started with the original Bondi Blue iMac back in 1999.

Oh, and most of these recommendations also apply to older MacBooks Pros and the MacBook Air. So, no matter which of the best MacBooks you just got (I'm envious of all the new 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021 owners), I've got good ideas. Because, to paraphrase Pedro Pascal in Wonder Woman 1984: your MacBook Pro is good, but it can be better.

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Otherwise, I think it's always good to see what other folks are doing with their computer. You might pick up something that you like.

There's so much I don't know. It would be an everlasting theme for me to write about.
Some things I learn are counterintuitive. Like what I just read about HERE.

It used to be that turning off your car engine at a long stop, say, for a railroad crossing, was a way to save gas. Then some said the restarting of the car engine used more gas than was saved by turning off the car. I'm sure there's a way to calculate all that. Our hybrid car does that automatically.

That's the theory about ending apps on your iPhone. I frequently end apps that are running on my iPhone. I figured that getting rid of apps I'm not currently looking at would save battery life, and help with performance. 

​Apparently, I was wrong, at least according to that article. Apple is so efficient with the handling of apps not in the foreground that ending them, just to start them up later, is less efficient and more energy intensive. Read it Here.

I was poking around for tech tips and saw this one. There are many links on the interweb for teaching you how to do this. I chose a YouTube vide because I like to watch stuff. That’s how I learn.

I didn’t know you could do this, use your iPad as a second monitor. I know a lot of people who like to have a second monitor while working. I knew someone, Cherry, who had me setup a third monitor for her at Ghost Ranch. She was a great worker and very productive so, I guess it worked. I just have one monitor, but it is rather large.

If you want a second monitor and you already have an iPad, or, if you want a second monitor for your laptop when you travel, then using your iPad could be just the thing. This is already built into the newer Macs and iPads, so watch the video and give it a try. If you have a PC or older Apple devices, then there are apps to help accomplish this.
Watch the video HERE. 

It looks fairly straight forward, especially for a Mac. The guy suggests a $10 app for the PC, though he also mentions a free one. He thinks the paid version is easier. Check it out and let me know what you think. 

I just learned a shortcut that I’ve wanted and didn’t know existed. Shift + F3 will toggle between all caps or all lowercase for selected text.
 
How about talking to your computer? Only chumps type. Press the Windows key + H to open the dictation toolbar. Press the microphone and when it’s ready, start talking. I just used it for that bolded line.
(If not already enabled, click the link that pops up to turn it on)
 
So, if your deaf like me, then you are probably not satisfied with your TV sound. I do like our sound bar, that helps a lot, but invariably, we have subtitles on all the time, not just for those great Scottish shows.
There are actually settings in the TV that can help enhance the audio, in particular, the speech. Speech uses some different frequencies and your TV may be able to help with that. A link to a good article on that is HERE.

I’ve written in the past about protecting your computer as best you can. One of the programs I still recommend is Malwarebytes. I buy a license for Malwarebytes for our family’s computers. I do not, however, pay for antivirus programs like Mcafee or Norton, I use Windows Defender, which comes with the computer.

Then there’s the whole discussion of VPN sites, and whether any of it matters anyway. Everyone has an opinion and ultimately, you need to do what you are comfortable with. I am including an NBC article on the subject HERE. 

​Keeping your computer or device up-to-date is certainly one of the most important things you can do to safeguard it. Paying attention is also critical, as many attacks arrive in the guise of an email from a friend or family member. Messages that are threatening from a delivery service, a bank, the IRS, that sort of thing, are also a common source of danger. Be aware of the style of a ‘threat’. An email containing a link and nothing personal, even from someone I know, I just delete. An email may say it’s from someone you know, but spoofing allows malicious emails to disguise themselves as someone else, anyone.

Make a backup. In the cloud or to an external drive, make sure anything you don’t want to lose is in 2 places, minimum. Cloud storage is great as a backup because that service puts it on servers that are very secure, safe, and they are also backed up. Cloud storage is available anywhere there is internet, another handy feature.