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Making the switch from PC to Mac? Learn the basics of OS X in 30 minutes

Pier Francesco Piccolomini

Pier Francesco Piccolomini

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So, you’ve made the leap to using a Mac after years of proudly using a PC? Or maybe you’re about to make the switch? Here are some things you’ll need to know about OS X to help you get started with your new computer.

If you’re used to Windows, its likely that you’ll need a small handbook to explain some of the basics of OS X so that you can enjoy the Apple experience without too many speed bumps along the way. For example, where can you find the tools you use every day? How do you uninstall a program, or create a screenshot?

Making the switch from PC to Mac? Learn the basics of OS X in 30 minutes

Below is the first part in a practical guide that’ll help you learn everything you need to know to start enjoying your new Mac simply and easily.

What is the Finder?

Finder iconThis is usually the first question by new Mac users. And it’s a perfectly valid question.

The answer is simple: the Finder is the file manager for OS X. In the Windows world, its counterpart is Windows Explorer.

In other words, it’s a program that’s always running and it provides a graphical interface that lets you manage the files and disks on your computer, letting you visually access all the data there is including music, documents, and videos.

Here’s what a Finder window looks like in OS X 10.9 Mavericks.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks Finder

In a nutshell, use Finder to search for files, move them, order them, group them into folders, change their icons, catalog them using labels, or delete them. There are also many other uses for Finder. If you want to know more, here’s Apple’s official page that explains everything about Finder.

Where’s the Start menu?

Quite simply, there isn’t one. So, how do you search for or open a file or program, access a disk or change system preferences?

Searching with Spotlight is the quickest way to finding anything on your Mac. Click on the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner on the top bar, which will open up the Spotlight search field. Type in what you’re looking for – the results are divided into the different types of files.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks Spotlight

To open an application you’ve been looking for, or that you’ve just installed, simply go to the Applications folder, look for it and double click on it. Almost all programs should be in here.

If you are using a Mac laptop, or you have a trackpad, it’s even easier: pinch the trackpad with your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, and you will see the Launchpad that has all of your programs in it. Just click on the one you want to open.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks Launchpad

If there are any files or folders that you use on a regular basis, you can put them in the dock to make things easier, which is the lower bar for quick access. If you don’t see it, hover in the lower part of the screen and it will appear.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks DockTo add shortcuts to files, folders or programs, just drag and drop it above. This is an alias, so if you decide to later delete it, it will only delete the link, not the file or program it’s pointing to.

If you want to change the system preferences, go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks System PreferencesYou’ll have access to the entire panel.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks System Preferences

How do I access the hard drive?

In OS X, internal and external drives, along with CDs and DVDs that you load onto the Mac, are easily visible on the desktop. If you don’t see the hard drive on your desktop, it’s likely that your Finder preferences are set so that the drives are hidden.

To make them visible, bring the Finder window to the foreground. For example, access the Finder window by choosing between open programs, hold down the Command (Cmd) key and press the Tab key (the one above the caps lock) until the Finder window is selected. After that, go to the Finder menu, select Preferences, and in the General tab, go to the menu item Show these items on the desktop, then make sure Hard disks is selected.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks Finder Preferences

If you then want to have access to the drives even more easily, select the Sidebar tab and then Hard disks. You’ll be able to have all the disks available at all times in the sidebar of any folder you open.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks Finder Preferences

At this point, you’ve learned the basics of mastering OS X.

In the next part of this series, we’ll cover even more topics to help you master your Mac:

  • How to force quit an application
  • The “mystery” of using right click on the mouse
  • How to change the desktop background
  • Accessories: which programs can you use to view and edit photos, create and edit text files, unzip files, record audio and video, and other common tasks?
  • How to take a screenshot
  • How to boot a CD/DVD or an external HD
  • How to format and partition a disk
  • How to install and uninstall programs
  • How to manage e-mails
  • How to burn disks

Is there anything else you’d like to know about using a Mac?

Pier Francesco Piccolomini

Pier Francesco Piccolomini

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