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Mac tip: How to move the mouse pointer with your keyboard

Mac tip: How to move the mouse pointer with your keyboard

by ben patterson | May 10, 2017 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Maybe you mousing hand needs a break, or perhaps you need to move the mouse pointer one teeny-tiny pixel at a time. In either case, there’s a way to move the Mac mouse pointer with the keyboard rather than nudging the mouse or swiping your trackpad. The trick:...
Mac tip: 4 ways to right-click on a Mac’s one-button trackpad

Mac tip: 4 ways to right-click on a Mac’s one-button trackpad

by ben patterson | Sep 15, 2015 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

How do you right-click on a Mac when your Mac’s trackpad doesn’t have a right-click button? That’s a common question, and luckily there’s an easy answer—four of them, in fact. For starters, you can… Method No. 1:  Here’s the classic...
Mac tip: Use the function keys without pressing “Fn”

Mac tip: Use the function keys without pressing “Fn”

by ben patterson | Sep 9, 2015 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

On most Mac keyboards, the function keys—you know, those keys along the top of the keyboard marked “F1,” “F2,” “F3,” and so on—don’t get the luxury of having an entire key to themselves. Indeed, the function keys often have to share their keys with volume controls,...
Mac tip: Advice on buying a used MacBook? (reader mail)

Mac tip: Advice on buying a used MacBook? (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Dec 3, 2012 | desktops, how-tos, laptops, shopping

Celia writes: My girlfriend’s laptop has nearly breathed its last. As I’m too broke to purchase new, I was thinking of getting her a used Mac laptop as a replacement. Therein lies the dilemma. Where to buy? Who to trust? What should I look for? I would be...
10 tips for taking control of your new Mac

10 tips for taking control of your new Mac

by ben patterson | Dec 29, 2011 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Excited about your new MacBook or iMac? Sure you are. But even with its easy-to-navigate desktop and intuitive menus, mastering the myriad settings and controls in the Mac operating system can be a little intimidating. Here’s a few tips and how-tos to get your...
Is my Mac ready for “Lion”—and is Lion ready for me? (reader mail)

Is my Mac ready for “Lion”—and is Lion ready for me? (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Oct 10, 2011 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Matt writes: I’ve got an old 17-inch MacBook Pro from mid-2007. I’m wondering if this computer is powerful enough to upgrade to “Lion.” And do you think Lion is ready for regular users? Hi Matt! There’s an easy way to check if your...
Mac OS X Lion tip: How to lock your Mac’s hard drive with File Vault

Mac OS X Lion tip: How to lock your Mac’s hard drive with File Vault

by ben patterson | Aug 4, 2011 | desktops, how-tos, laptops, security

It’s bad enough if your MacBook winds up lost or stolen. But if your precious laptop falls into the wrong hands, you could end up losing a lot more than your $1,000-plus investment. That’s because your MacBook’s hard drive is probably packed with...
Mac OS X Lion tip: Getting the hang of desktop “spaces” in Mission Control

Mac OS X Lion tip: Getting the hang of desktop “spaces” in Mission Control

by ben patterson | Jul 29, 2011 | how-tos, laptops

Did you know that there’s more than one desktop on your Mac? Yep, it’s true—and in “Lion,” the just-released update for the Mac operating system, you can pretty much have as many desktops as you want, each filled with its own assortment of open...
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