The Store in iCloud feature lets you automatically upload and download files to iCloud as needed. If possible, try to maintain a bare minimum of 10GB of space on your Mac at all times.īy using the Storage Management app under Applications > Utilities you can see exactly which files are taking up the most space by clicking on the various categories.
The operating system and many third-party apps rely on usable free space for regular operating. Your Mac will experience performance issues when it runs low on space. The most obvious one is maintaining a decent buffer of free space. You don't need to babysit your Mac, but there are a few basic forms of maintenance you should remember to do on a regular basis to keep your machine running smoothly. For proper backup redundancy, consider creating non-Time Machine backups too. Backing up also important for securing your Mac when you travel. That includes hardware or operating system failure, or even moving to an entirely new Mac. The purpose of this backup is to restore your Mac to its current glory if something goes wrong. Remember: You can always search for any of these preference panes using Spotlight with the Cmd + Space keyboard shortcut. Specify a backup location with Time Machine.Add new email and social media accounts in internet Accounts.Learn and adjust gesture controls under Trackpad.Change the size, alignment, and behavior of the Dock.Change your wallpaper under Desktop & Screen Saver.A few tweaks you might want to make soon after you start using your new Mac are: You should take some time to familiarize yourself with the most common sections. You can use the search bar at the top to quickly find a specific preference pane, or click View to toggle alphabetic sorting. Everything from adding a new user account, to changing trackpad sensitivity, to display resolution and security settings, lives here. Lucky for you, weve got this useful guide to understanding the basic anatomy of your desktop (opens in new tab) or laptop (opens in new tab).So, if youre new to Mac, welcome to the family.
This should be your first stop if you're looking to change something on your computer. So, youve purchased your new Mac and youve got it all set up.Now, youre sitting in front of your screen, wondering what to do next. Don't worry if yours doesn't look exactly like the screenshot above! Note: Depending on your model of Mac and its features, you might see more or fewer options under your own System Preferences panel.