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10 Things I Do to Setup My M1 MAX MacBook Pro – 2021
Are you the proud owner of the new M1 MAX MacBook Pro? Congratulations! This powerhouse of a laptop is built to handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. However, setting up a new MacBook can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you want to make the most out of its powerful features. But fret not! In this blog post, I will share with you ten things I do to set up my M1 MAX MacBook Pro in 2021. From optimizing performance to customizing the interface, I will guide you through the essential steps to ensure a seamless and personalized setup experience. Let’s dive in and make the most of your new MacBook Pro!
10 Things I Do to Setup My M1 MAX MacBook Pro – 2021
Introduction
Last time I mentioned it on the channel, people freaked out, but you guys are wrong, this is better. In yesterday’s video, I asked if you wanted to see a setup video for my new MacBook Pro, and many of you said yes. So, in today’s article, I will share with you the 10 things I do to set up my MacBook Pro and make it more functional.
Tip 1: Attaching External Hard Drive
The first thing I do is attach a piece of velcro on the back of my laptop to hold my external hard drive. This allows me to easily connect the hard drive to my laptop, making it convenient for travel or working on the go.
Tip 2: Marking Ports
To make it easier for me to identify the ports on my MacBook, I use a permanent marker to draw lines on top of the ports. This may not look aesthetically pleasing, but it helps me quickly locate and plug in the desired cables or devices.
Tip 3: Adjusting Trackpad Settings
Next, I go into the system preferences and adjust the trackpad settings. I increase the tracking speed to the third level, as I prefer a faster cursor movement. I also enable “tap to click,” allowing me to click on the trackpad by lightly touching it instead of pressing down.
Tip 4: Customizing Appearance
In the general settings, I switch the appearance to auto. While I’m not a huge fan of dark mode, I find it useful during nighttime usage. Additionally, I set the scroll bars to always appear, ensuring easy scrolling without the need to hover and wait for them to show up.
Tip 5: Adjusting Dock Size
In the dock and menu bar settings, I reduce the size of the dock slightly to optimize screen space. This personal preference allows me to have a cleaner and more focused workspace.
Tip 6: Enabling iCloud
To ensure seamless synchronization of my files and settings across all my Apple devices, I enable iCloud and select the specific items I want to sync, such as documents, desktop, and photos.
Tip 7: Installing Essential Apps
I then proceed to download and install essential apps that enhance my productivity and workflow. Some of the must-have apps for me include a text editor, a note-taking app, a password manager, and a cloud storage service.
Tip 8: Configuring Touch ID and Apple Pay
I take advantage of the MacBook Pro’s Touch ID feature by configuring it with my fingerprints. This allows me to quickly and securely unlock my laptop and make online purchases using Apple Pay.
Tip 9: Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
To further streamline my workflow, I customize certain keyboard shortcuts to perform specific actions that I frequently use. This saves me time and makes navigation more efficient.
Tip 10: Setting Up Time Machine
Finally, I set up Time Machine to regularly back up my MacBook Pro to an external storage device or network location. This ensures that I have a reliable backup of my important files and can easily restore them in case of any data loss.
10 Things I Do to Setup My M1 MAX MacBook Pro – 2021
1. Set Up Touch ID
The first thing I do is set up Touch ID for convenient and secure authentication. I navigate to “System Preferences” > “Touch ID & Passcode” and follow the prompts to enroll and register my fingerprint.
2. Customize Trackpad and Keyboard Settings
To optimize my user experience, I go to “System Preferences” > “Trackpad” and “Keyboard” to adjust settings such as scrolling speed, tap to click, and keyboard shortcuts to suit my preferences.
3. Install Essential Applications
I start by downloading and installing essential applications such as web browsers, productivity tools, media players, and any specific software I require. The Mac App Store and third-party websites like Setapp are good sources.
4. Enable iCloud Services
I enable iCloud services to seamlessly sync and access my files across different devices. I go to “System Preferences” > “Apple ID” and configure options like iCloud Drive, Photos, Contacts, and Calendars.
5. Set Up Time Machine Backup
To safeguard my data, I connect an external storage device and set up Time Machine backup. Under “System Preferences,” I choose “Time Machine” and configure the backup destination, frequency, and exclusions.
6. Customize System Preferences
Within “System Preferences,” I explore various settings to personalize my Mac experience. This includes adjusting energy saver options, notifications, sound settings, and network preferences.
7. Configure Security and Privacy Settings
I prioritize security by navigating to “System Preferences” > “Security & Privacy” and configuring settings such as Firewall, FileVault encryption, and privacy preferences for applications and services.
8. Organize Desktop and Dock
I clean up the desktop by organizing icons into folders and ensuring essential shortcuts are easily accessible. Additionally, I customize the dock by removing unnecessary apps and adding frequently used ones.
9. Install Antivirus Software
As an additional layer of protection, I download and install trusted antivirus software to safeguard my MacBook Pro against malware, phishing attempts, and other cyber threats.
10. Set Up iCloud Keychain
I enable iCloud Keychain for secure password management. By going to “System Preferences” > “Apple ID” > “iCloud” > “Keychain,” I can store and auto-fill passwords across devices while ensuring they remain encrypted.
I hope you find useful my article 10 Things I Do to Setup My M1 MAX MacBook Pro – 2021, I also recommend you to read my other posts in my blog at this link.
If you need help with anything join the community or do not hesitate to contact me.
Best of luck! and follow your passion.
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