— remain blissfully in place. When your MacBook returns to the desktop, you simply reconnect that one USB-C cable, and you’re back in business. Most docking stations also sport a wired Ethernet port and at least one or two USB 3.0 ports, so you won’t need to use adapters to make these legacy connections.
Screen wipes: Invest in a box of premoistened screen wipes to keep your screen pristine. Your MacBook’s screen can pick up dirt, fingerprints, and other unmentionables faster than you think. Make sure that your wipes are especially meant for LED, LCD, or laptop computer screens.
Blank CDs and DVDs: If you’re using a MacBook with an external optical drive, you’ll want blank discs. Your choices areCD-R (record once) and CD-RW (record multiple times)DVD-R (record once) and DVD+RW (record multiple times)
Cables: Depending on the external devices and wired network connectivity you’ll be using, these areA standard Ethernet cable (for wired networks or high-speed Internet)USB-C cables and adapters for devices you already have
Wrist rest: You may have many reasons to buy a new Mac laptop, but I know that a bad case of carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t one of them. Take care of your wrists by carrying a keyboard wrist rest in your laptop bag.
Chapter 2
Turning On Your Portable Powerhouse
IN THIS CHAPTER
In Chapter 1, you got as far as unpacking your Mac laptop and connecting a few cables to it. But unless you bought this computer solely as a work of modern art, it’s time to turn on your MacBook and begin living The Good Life. (Plus you still get to admire the design of your Apple laptop while using Music.) After you get your new beauty powered on, I show you how to run an initial checkup of your laptop’s health. Then I wax enthusiastic about maintaining (and even augmenting) your laptop battery.
I also familiarize you with the initial chores you need to complete before settling in with your favorite applications. These tasks include setting up macOS and moving the data and settings from your existing computer to your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.
In this chapter, I assume that macOS Big Sur was preinstalled on your Mac or you just completed an upgrade to Big Sur from macOS Catalina.
Tales of the On Button
The power switch on most MacBook models is located in the top-right corner of the keyboard. If your MacBook has a Touch ID sensor, it acts as the power button. To turn on your laptop when it’s open, simply press the sensor. If your new MacBook is closed, all you have to do is open your laptop to power up!
You hear the pleasant start-up tone that’s been a hallmark of Apple computers for many years. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t immediately see anything onscreen; it takes a second or two for the initial Apple logo to appear.
If your Mac laptop ever locks up tight and you can’t quit an application (I discuss quitting in Chapter 3), the power button gives you another option: Hold it down for five seconds or so, and your MacBook shuts off completely, even if your laptop is locked up tight. If you’re using a MacBook with a Touch ID sensor, press the sensor and hold it to turn your laptop off; then press the Touch ID sensor again to turn your laptop back on.
As the Apple logo appears, you see a familiar progress-bar indicator — the sign that your MacBook is loading Big Sur and checking the internal hardware for problems. Sometimes, the progress bar can take a bit longer to disappear. As long as it’s moving, though, something good is happening: Your laptop is busy loading certain file-sharing, networking, and printing components (and so on). This process won’t take long.
At last, your patience is rewarded, and your MacBook presents the initial Big Sur setup screen.
Mark’s Favorite Signs of a Healthy Laptop
Before you jump into the fun stuff, don’t forget an important step: a quick preliminary check of the signs that your new mobile Mac survived shipment intact and happy.
If you can answer “yes” to each of these questions, your MacBook likely made the trip without serious damage:
Does the laptop’s chassis appear to be undamaged?It’s pretty easy to spot damage to your MacBook’s svelte design. Look for scratches, dents, and puncture marks.
Does the LED screen work, and is it undamaged?Does the cover open smoothly? Are any individual dots (or pixels) on the LED screen obviously malfunctioning? Malfunctioning pixels appear black or in a different color from everything surrounding them. (Techs call these irritating anarchists dead pixels.) A 13-inch MacBook Pro screen has well over 2 million pixels, and unfortunately, some new LED screens may include one or two dead ones.
Do the keyboard and trackpad work?Check your MacBook’s built-in trackpad by moving your finger across its surface; the cursor should move onscreen. To check the keyboard, press the Caps Lock key on the left side, and observe whether the Caps Lock light turns on and off.
If you do notice a problem with your laptop (and you can use your Safari browser and reach the web), you can connect with an Apple support technician at https://www.apple.com. If your MacBook remains dead — like an expensive paperweight — and you can’t get to the Internet, you can check your phone book for a local Apple service center, or call the AppleCare toll-free number at (800) 275-2273. Chapter 19 also offers troubleshooting information.
You Won’t Lecture Me about Batteries, Will You?
No, this isn’t a lecture. In fact, the only lecture I put you through in this book concerns backing up (which, naturally, you should do). Instead, consider these tips as your rules of the road for monitoring and charging your battery:
Recharge your laptop in sleep mode or when powered off. The battery recharges faster when your laptop is off or in sleep mode. (I go into more detail on sleep mode in Chapter 5.)
Keep your laptop plugged into an AC socket (or a car inverter, which plugs into your car’s power outlet) whenever possible. I take every opportunity to top off my laptop’s battery, and so should you. If you don’t have much time to charge your battery before you’re away from an AC socket — say,