Trying macbook for the first time

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Thrasil

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When i change to iphone it was amazing. when i bought my first ipad it was a come to jesus moment. This week i got a macbook air m4 for work so for the first time i got to try it out. F**K me is it the most difficult piece of machinery to try use. I appreciate i am biased to windows with so many years of use but the change is blowing my brain at the moment. Took me 5 different attempts to create a apple account for it. The 5th attempt was going on windows laptop to the apple site and doing it there (it worked). Why are there no ports on this besides 2???? Is right click on the mouse pad patented by microsoft or am i missing something why they dont have right click? Hope this is first week jitters
 
Thrasil said:
When i change to iphone it was amazing. when i bought my first ipad it was a come to jesus moment. This week i got a macbook air m4 for work so for the first time i got to try it out. F**K me is it the most difficult piece of machinery to try use. I appreciate i am biased to windows with so many years of use but the change is blowing my brain at the moment. Took me 5 different attempts to create a apple account for it. The 5th attempt was going on windows laptop to the apple site and doing it there (it worked). Why are there no ports on this besides 2???? Is right click on the mouse pad patented by microsoft or am i missing something why they dont have right click? Hope this is first week jitters
Click to expand...

First, I'm not sure why you had such difficulty with the Apple ID - usually you just sign in on the Macbook with the same one you use on the phone and ipad.

For the rest Gemini created the following (it's a pretty good list and pretty much mirrors the advice I'd have given): Prompt: i have used a windows laptop for over 30 years and just bought my first macbook air m4. i already own an iphone and an ipad. can you create a checklist of things i should do to ease the transition to the macbook

Reply:

Windows to Mac: The 30-Year Veteran's Transition Guide​

1. Essential System "Windows-isms" to Fix​

Macs handle windows and files differently. Adjust these first to feel more at home:

  • Enable Right-Click: By default, it might be set to "Click with two fingers." Go to System Settings > Trackpad > Secondary Click and change it to "Click in Bottom Right Corner" if you prefer the Windows feel.
  • Natural Scrolling: If the scrolling feels "backwards," go to Trackpad > Scroll & Zoom and toggle Natural Scrolling off.
  • Tap to Click: Enable this in Trackpad settings so you don't have to physically "press" the trackpad down.
  • Show File Extensions: Open Finder > Settings > Advanced and check "Show all filename extensions."
  • The "Delete" Key: The Delete key on a Mac works like Backspace. To "Delete forward" (like a PC), hold Fn + Delete.

2. Key Command Translation​

Stop reaching for the Control key; your thumb now lives on the Command (⌘) key.

  • Copy/Paste: Cmd + C / Cmd + V.
  • Undo: Cmd + Z.
  • Switch Apps: Cmd + Tab (similar to Alt+Tab).
  • Find: Cmd + F.
  • Close Window: Cmd + W.
  • Quit App: Cmd + Q (Closing a window with the Red X doesn't always quit the app on Mac).

3. The "Ecosystem" Wins (iPhone/iPad Integration)​

Since you have an iPhone and iPad, set these up immediately:

  • Universal Clipboard: Copy text on your iPhone, and simply press Cmd + V on your Mac. It just works.
  • Sidecar: Use your iPad as a second monitor. Go to System Settings > Displays > [+] and select your iPad.
  • Handoff: Start an email on your iPhone and click the icon on your Mac Dock to finish it there.
  • iPhone Mirroring: (New in macOS Sequoia) You can now see and control your iPhone screen directly on your MacBook.

4. App Replacements​

  • File Explorer → Finder: Use Cmd + N to open a new window. Note: There is no "Cut" for files in the same way; you "Copy" (Cmd+C) then "Move" (Cmd+Option+V).
  • Task Manager → Activity Monitor: Use Cmd + Space and type "Activity Monitor."
  • Search/Start Menu → Spotlight: Press Cmd + Space. It is much faster and more accurate than Windows Search.
  • Alt + F4 → Cmd + Option + Esc: This opens the "Force Quit" menu if an app freezes.

5. First-Week Homework​

  • [ ] Setup TouchID: It makes logging in and Apple Pay seamless.
  • [ ] Clean up the Dock: Drag icons you don't use off the Dock until they vanish to declutter.
  • [ ] Install Rectangle (App): Windows has "Snap" (dragging windows to corners). Mac's version is improving, but the free app Rectangle makes it work exactly like Windows.
  • [ ] Check iCloud Settings: Ensure Desktop and Documents folders are syncing if you want your Mac files visible on your iPad/iPhone.

Edit: with respect to two ports, did you not notice that when you bought it? The Macbook Air M4 comes with the Magsafe power port plus two USB-C (T4) ports - if you wanted more ports you should have bought the pro model that comes with more ports. As a matter of interest, which peripherals are you hoping to use that requires the additional ports?
 
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Thrasil said:
When i change to iphone it was amazing. when i bought my first ipad it was a come to jesus moment. This week i got a macbook air m4 for work so for the first time i got to try it out. F**K me is it the most difficult piece of machinery to try use. I appreciate i am biased to windows with so many years of use but the change is blowing my brain at the moment. Took me 5 different attempts to create a apple account for it. The 5th attempt was going on windows laptop to the apple site and doing it there (it worked). Why are there no ports on this besides 2???? Is right click on the mouse pad patented by microsoft or am i missing something why they dont have right click? Hope this is first week jitters
Click to expand...

Use two fingers. Googling is easier than moaning on a forum.

Apple account should be no issue, but why not use your iPhone/iPad account and just log in?

Willing to bet the problems are caused by MDM and some windows idiot managing it now knowing what they are doing.
 
You can't take a your "Windows" brain/brian & adapt it to macOS. The learning curve these days is incredibly short, once you learned/adapted you're sorted & you will not look back.

I always punt know your shortcuts but there is a metric ton of resources, guides & tips out there.

support.apple.com

Mac keyboard shortcuts - Apple Support (ZA)

By pressing certain key combinations, you can do things that normally need a mouse, trackpad or other input device.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
Thrasil said:
When i change to iphone it was amazing. when i bought my first ipad it was a come to jesus moment. This week i got a macbook air m4 for work so for the first time i got to try it out. F**K me is it the most difficult piece of machinery to try use. I appreciate i am biased to windows with so many years of use but the change is blowing my brain at the moment. Took me 5 different attempts to create a apple account for it. The 5th attempt was going on windows laptop to the apple site and doing it there (it worked). Why are there no ports on this besides 2???? Is right click on the mouse pad patented by microsoft or am i missing something why they dont have right click? Hope this is first week jitters
Click to expand...

MBP Air is entry level, hence two ports. You need PRO for more ports.
Right click or right touch pad click for context menu can be enabled in settings.

You look like a guy who will be fine on the MBA. Same as with a WinTel machine. Don't worry too much.
 
FiestaST said:
You can't take a your "Windows" brain/brian & adapt it to macOS. The learning curve these days is incredibly short, once you learned/adapted you're sorted & you will not look back.

I always punt know your shortcuts but there is a metric ton of resources, guides & tips out there.

support.apple.com

Mac keyboard shortcuts - Apple Support (ZA)

By pressing certain key combinations, you can do things that normally need a mouse, trackpad or other input device.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
Click to expand...
What broke me completely was moving over to Raycast.
https://www.raycast.com

Then I re-assign the caps lock key to a hyper key and use that to do custom shortcuts. So I have dedicated shortcuts for all the apps I use, and shortcuts for window management.
 
konfab said:
What broke me completely was moving over to Raycast.
https://www.raycast.com

Then I re-assign the caps lock key to a hyper key and use that to do custom shortcuts. So I have dedicated shortcuts for all the apps I use, and shortcuts for window management.
Click to expand...
Fix your link - it's pointing to https//www.raycast.com (no colon)

Thrasil said:
Why are there no ports on this besides 2
Click to expand...
What ports do you need?
 
Thrasil said:
When i change to iphone it was amazing. when i bought my first ipad it was a come to jesus moment. This week i got a macbook air m4 for work so for the first time i got to try it out. F**K me is it the most difficult piece of machinery to try use. I appreciate i am biased to windows with so many years of use but the change is blowing my brain at the moment. Took me 5 different attempts to create a apple account for it. The 5th attempt was going on windows laptop to the apple site and doing it there (it worked). Why are there no ports on this besides 2???? Is right click on the mouse pad patented by microsoft or am i missing something why they dont have right click? Hope this is first week jitters
Click to expand...
Windows to Mac is a learning curve but just stick with it, you'll love your Mac soon enough.
You just have to change your ideas on a few things but its not horrible. One good thing is the Mac doesn't scroll the wrong way like Windows does. But yeah, just give it time
 
neoprema said:
Windows to Mac is a learning curve but just stick with it, you'll love your Mac soon enough.
You just have to change your ideas on a few things but its not horrible. One good thing is the Mac doesn't scroll the wrong way like Windows does. But yeah, just give it time
Click to expand...
Macs scroll the way you tell them to. Try it, you'll like it.
 
bwana said:
Macs scroll the way you tell them to. Try it, you'll like it.
Click to expand...
I don't like the mainstream way of doing it lol. When i use a Windows machine with a wheel mouse i go insane
 
neoprema said:
I don't like the mainstream way of doing it lol. When i use a Windows machine with a wheel mouse i go insane
Click to expand...

On a mouse it makes sense to me. You turn the wheel up because you want it to go up.

But on a trackpad my brain thinks of it like paper and or iPad so I want it upside down.
 
RedViking said:
Problem is you are thinking. Apple you don't think. You just do.
Click to expand...

You aren’t entirely wrong.

People have this bizarre thing about switching OS’ and then expecting it to be exactly the same…so why did you switch?

The best approach is ask yourself how do I get to this end result using this brand new system, instead of thinking how did I do it before and how to I force that into where I am now.

Your workflow will change, if you expected anything else I don’t know what to tell you or what the hell you were expecting.
 
I am a Windows user primarily but also have an M1 Air I use occasionally. The weirdest thing is where the menu bar goes. On Mac it takes over the top menu bar whereas in Windows it remains in the app. Other oddities of course but that one catches me.
 
purrr said:
I am a Windows user primarily but also have an M1 Air I use occasionally. The weirdest thing is where the menu bar goes. On Mac it takes over the top menu bar whereas in Windows it remains in the app. Other oddities of course but that one catches me.
Click to expand...

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