MacBook in easy steps: Covers macOS Sierra

by Nick Vandome

Overview

The MacBook is one of the most iconic devices of its kind and continues to develop as a stylish and powerful laptop computer. The MacBook now comes with the latest Apple operating system, macOS Sierra, bringing an increased range of features and functionality. MacBook in easy steps, now in its fifth edition, gives a full rundown about using a MacBook and making the most of macOS Sierra:

Demystifies Mac jargon and MacBook versions

Explains the Dock, Desktop and the Finder

Introduces the new Touch Bar (available on some models)

Shows how to use Family Sharing with other family members

Covers iCloud and the iCloud Drive for backing up and sharing files

Details getting started with macOS Sierra

Covers new features of macOS Sierra, including the digital voice assistant, Siri

Shows how to customize your MacBook

Demonstrates the Launchpad for viewing apps

Reveals all about finding and obtaining apps

Addresses battery issues and security

Covers using MacBook for work and for leisure

Use this guide to accelerate your learning and take control of your new MacBook!

Covers macOS Sierra (OS X 10.12), released September 2016

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781840787450
Publisher:	In Easy Steps Limited
Publication date:	03/21/2017
Series:	In Easy Steps
Edition description:	Fifth Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Nick Vandome is an IT writer and trainer who specializes in digital imaging and web authoring subjects. In addition to his writing, he also works designing websites and runs training courses. Before he started working with computers he wrote books about working and traveling abroad.

Nick is an established In Easy Steps author with several successful guides to his credit.

Table of Contents

1 Introducing MacBooks 7

About MacBooks 8

MacBook Models 9

MacBook Jargon Explained 10

Getting Comfortable 13

Input Devices 15

MacBook Power Cable 17

Cleaning a MacBook 18

Spares and Accessories 19

2 Around a MacBook 21

Opening up 22

MacBook Desktop 23

Apple Menu 24

Standard Keyboard Buttons 25

Touch Bar 26

System Preferences 28

CDs and DVDs 30

Connecting a Printer 31

External Drives 32

3 Introducing Sierra 33

About macOS Sierra 34

Installing macOS Sierra 35

The Siena Environment 36

About Your MacBook 38

Customizing Your MacBook 42

Using Siri 44

Searching with Siri 45

Search Options 48

Accessibility 49

The Spoken Word 51

Shutting Down 52

4 Getting Up and Running 53

Introducing the Dock 54

Setting Dock Preferences 55

Stacks on the Dock 58

Dock Menus 60

Working with Dock Items 61

Trash 63

About iCloud 64

Setting up iCloud 65

About the iCloud Drive 66

Continuity 68

Hand off 69

About Family Sharing 70

Using Family Sharing 72

iCloud Keychain 76

Using iCloud Keychain 78

Resuming 80

5 Finder 81

Working with the Finder 82

Finder Folders 83

Finder Views 85

Covers and Quick Look 87

Finder Toolbar 88

Finder Sidebar 89

Finder Tabs 90

Finder Tags 91

Searching with Finder 92

Copying and Moving Items 93

Working with Folders 94

Spring-loaded Folders 95

Smart Folders 96

Selecting Items 97

Actions Button 98

Sharing from the Finder 99

Menus 100

6 Navigating in Sierra 101

Navigating with MacBooks 102

Pointing and Clicking 103

macOS Scroll Bars 105

Scrolling and Zooming 106

Mission Control and Spaces 112

Multi-Touch Preferences 114

7 Working with Apps 117

Launchpad 118

Full-Screen Apps 120

Sierra Apps 122

Safari App 124

Messages App 125

Photos App 126

iTunes App 127

App Notifications 128

Accessing the App Store 129

Downloading Apps 130

Finding Apps 132

Managing Your Apps 134

8 Sharing Sierra 135

Adding Users 136

Deleting Users 138

Fast User Switching 139

Parental Controls 140

Sierra for Windows Users 144

9 MacBook Networking 145

Networking Overview 146

Network Settings 148

Network Diagnostics 150

Connecting to a Network 152

File Sharing 155

Sharing with AirDrop 156

10 MacBook Mobility 157

Transporting Your MacBook 158

Keeping Your MacBook Safe 159

Temperature Extremes 160

Dealing with Water 161

Power Sockets 162

Airport Security 163

Some Apps for Traveling 164

11 Battery Issues 165

Power Consumption 166

Energy Saver 168

Charging the Battery 170

Dead and Spare Batteries 171

Battery Troubles hooting 172

12 MacBook Maintenance 173

Time Machine 174

Disk Utility 178

System Information 179

Activity Monitor 180

Updating Software 181

Gatekeeper 182

Privacy 183

Problems with Apps 184

General Troubleshooting 185

Index 187