As we jump into 2021, it’s important to take a look at how our technology can serve our personal, work, or social needs to make life as easy as possible. Take a look at the following Mac tips to maintain productivity and ease throughout the workday.

Do not disturb

Tune out personal calls, emails, or texts to stay focused on the task at hand. This feature allows you to decide when you want to engage with messages, rather than being a victim to other people’s schedules or messages. 

To set up do not disturb, select the top right bar, go to notifications, and slide on Do Not Disturb (you may have to scroll down to see it).

Split-screen view

Ever wish you had two monitors or could look at two pages at the same time? Well, you can! Apple has set up this feature to increase visibility and productivity to hopefully make your life easier. Spend less time clicking back and forth between applications.

First, open both applications or web pages. Click and hold down the green arrow at the top left corner of the application. Select which side you would like that application. Now, immediately click the second application to automatically fill the other side. 

Set up gestures

Gestures allow you to signal actions using your trackpad to create shortcuts while working. Some of these could include:

  • Sliding three fingers left or right to move between screens or desktops
  • Pinch your fingers together to zoom out 
  • Swipe from right to left with two fingers to open Notifications Center

Choose the Apple icon in the top left corner > System Preferences, then click Trackpad.

Easily share a webpage

Quickly share that interesting article you just read with family and friends! Click Command + I to compose an email. If you just want to share the article, select Command + Shift + I.

Create a PDF of anything!

Well, almost anything. Simply go to File > Print and Save as PDF. Now you have a PDF of that interesting article you just read. 

This list is anything but complete. Mac computers have many more shortcuts to explore. Click here for an extensive list of keyboard shortcuts from the Apple development team themselves.