MacBook Pro with MacOS Catalina: Getting Started with MacOS 10.15 for MacBook Pro

Introduction

In 2008, Apple released something revolutionary: a notebook so thin it could fit in an envelope! The newest MacBook Pro did something equally revolutionary—it’s nearly as thin and slim, but it packs the power of many desktop computers.

For many people, however, one thing really stands out: it does not have Windows! MacOS is something completely different—but that’s not a bad thing. Once you start using it, you’ll probably prefer it to Windows and never want to go back.

If you are a Windows user coming to Mac, then this book will help you out! It will show you all the tricks to making the switch as quickly and easily as possible.

If you’ve been using MacOS for a while and just want to know your way around OS Catalina (10.15), then this book will show you what you need to know.

It’s intended for newer users who just want the basics. If you’re the type of person who wants to know every single tiny detail and feature about the operating system, then this book is not for you. The goal is to teach you what you need to know, so you can start using your computer.

Are you ready to start enjoying the new MacOS? Then let’s get started!

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Understanding Your MacBook Pro

Before diving into the actual software, let’s address the obvious: why pick Mac?

I was in the Windows camp for a long time; I’d see the Mac and think it was just a computer for hipsters. Sure they were nice to look at—they were shiny and didn’t look plastic-y and cheap…but they were also expensive.

But then I actually used one, and I was blown away. Here’s why…

Fewer Viruses

You’ve probably heard someone say they use a Mac because they don’t get viruses. That’s not true.  Any computer can get a virus. But it is true that Macs are generally less prone to viruses and are more secure.

The reason you don’t hear about Mac viruses very often is twofold:

While it’s hard to pinpoint just how many computers there are in the world, most computers are still Windows. So, if you are a hacker wanting to wreak havoc into cyberspace, then your obvious target would be the one with the largest audience.

The second reason is MacOS is built by Apple, for Apple. Windows builds their OS to be built for essentially any computer, which opens the door for vulnerabilities.

I know a lot of Mac users and rarely do I hear someone say they have a virus. If you are concerned, however, one popular free virus protector is called Bitdefender Virus Scanner (http://www.bitdefender.com/).

Keeping It Simple

When it comes to design, Apple likes to make things that are beautiful and simple. This philosophy can be seen in their watches, iPhones, and iPads—across all their products.

Because Apple spends so much time keeping it simple, you also have seen the last days of computer crashes and blue screens of deaths.

Apple spends a lot of time thinking not just about what the computer should do, but how people will do it. If you’ve been using Windows all of your life, then all the different menus and buttons might seem intimidating at first—but don’t stress! This book will show you how much easier it actually is.

If you have any other Apple products, then many of the common Mac tasks will probably seem very similar to you. What’s more, if you have an iPhone, iPad, or even Apple TV, then they all work and interact with each other.

No Bloat

I remember my last Windows computer. I couldn’t wait to turn it on…and then I couldn’t wait to turn it off! Your first hour should be spent just having fun exploring it, but my first hour was spent uninstalling programs!

One reason Windows computers are cheaper is that manufacturers team up with software companies and install all kinds of unnecessary programs—most of them are just free trials.

With Mac, you turn your computer on for the first time, create an ID if you don’t already have one, put in your Wi-Fi, and log in to iTunes / iCloud. That’s it. It should take less than ten minutes to get your computer up and running once you get it out of the box.

A Look At the Hardware

Looking at two MacBooks side-by-side, you’d hardly see anything difference. They have the same number of ports for example. Two Thunderbolt-3 / USB-c ports on each side (older Pro’s have two—or sometimes only the old USB). One side also has a headphone jack. MacBook Pro’s support Bluetooth, so you can obviously also use wireless headsets.

The USB-C ports are used for powering your computer as well as transferring data; you can use any port you want to plug in your power adaptor.

There is no power button on the side of the computer as you might expect. The power button is on the TouchBar; it’s the only one that can be pushed down (far right side) and also serves as a fingerprint reader.

The screens come in two sizes: 13 inch and 15 inch. There’s about a pound difference between them in terms of weight.



It’s the inside where things start to get different. The smaller MacBooks come with 8GB of RAM and can only be upgraded to 16GB; the 15 inch comes with 16GB and can be upgraded to 32GB. Do you need all that RAM? It depends. For most people, 8GB is a lot. If you are doing a lot of work with graphics and other media, however, then memory can become a problem; not having enough will slow your computer down as you work on more memory-intensive programs.

Personally, I have 8GB and have no problem running powerful programs like InDesign and Photoshop, but I use these programs at a more amateur level. If you are making movies for a living, then the extra RAM will probably pay off.

MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air

MacBook Air’s used to be the lightest notebook in Apple’s lineup; they still are. But MacBook Pros are only slightly heavier. So, weight is no longer the deciding factor for most people.

What’s right for you? If you absolutely must have Gold as a color, then the Air is your only choice, as it’s the only one with this color.

Air’s also only come in one screen size; if you want a larger screen, then Pro’s are your only option.

The processors on the Pro and Air are comparable, but the Pro is slightly faster; the Pro also can be configured higher—meaning you can upgrade it to higher standards. The Pro’s also have the edge on graphic cards, but the Airs still have very good cards. Airs can only be upgraded to 16GB of RAM; the 15 inch Pro (not the 13 inch) can be upgraded to 32GB

Battery-wise, the Airs get 12 hours vs the 10 hours on a Pro.

Pro’s are currently the only notebooks that have the Touch Bar on the keyboard.

Finally, Pros have two additional USB-c ports.

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Help! I’m a Windows Person In a Mac World!

So exactly how is Mac different from Windows? Throughout the book, I’ll be making comparisons to help you, but first I want to give a rundown of some of the major differences.

Right Click

Right-clicking is probably second nature to you if you are a Windows user; on the Mac, it’s all about gestures—touching the Trackpad (Mac’s mouse) a certain way (or on new Macs, using more or less pressure) will bring up different options and menus.

As weird as it sounds, the first time I used a Mac, the right-click (or lack thereof) drove me crazy…until I figured out that right-clicking was actually there. To right-click on a Mac, click with two fingers instead of one. Alternatively, you can press Control