Optimize Your Mac Like a Pro
Think you’re already using your Mac to its full potential? Most people are unknowingly ignoring a wealth of productivity tools and handy tweaks. But here’s the surprise : with just a few clever tweaks, you can transform your Mac into a super-efficient workspace. The best part? You don’t have to be a tech expert to do it — these simple tweaks are accessible to anyone, and can radically improve your daily workflow.
The Finder is the heart of every Mac, but by default it isn’t always optimized for maximum productivity. Let’s look at some essential tweaks you can make to optimize your Finder.
Getting started with the sidebar:
- Remove unnecessary items such as tags, movies, music, and iCloud options.
- Instead, add your most used folders, including external drives and cloud folders.
This ensures faster access to your most important files.
Next, adjust the folder view:
- Choose the list view, which is easiest to navigate and shows important details like file size and modification date.
- Move the Date Modified column to the front and shorten it for a simplified date display.
To better understand where you are in the folder structure, enable the path view via View > Show Path View. This also lets you easily navigate between folders. Also enable the status bar to always see the folder size.
The toolbar at the top can be customized by right-clicking and selecting "Customize Toolbar." Remove unnecessary features like tags and groups, and add useful options like AirDrop. Customize the share button by keeping only the extensions you actually use.
By default, the search box searches your entire Mac, but you can change this so that it only searches the current folder. To do this, go to Finder Preferences > Advanced and under "When performing a search," choose "Search the current folder."
You can also change which app is used by default for certain file types. Right-click a file, choose Get Info, and then change the default app under Open With. Click Change All to apply this to all files of that type.
The Recent folder can be improved by creating a custom smart folder. Create a new smart folder and set it to show files opened in the last 7 days, excluding applications. This will give you a better overview of your recent activities.
The desktop:
The desktop can now be made much more useful thanks to the new widget functionality. You can add widgets from both Mac and iPhone apps, many of which are interactive. Think of a calendar, weather widget, or shortcuts to your most used functions.
The Dock:
The Dock can be optimized by removing unnecessary apps and adjusting its size. In the Dock settings, you can opt for a snappier minimization effect and set minimized windows to disappear into the app icon instead of appearing next to the Dock.
In the menu bar settings:
- It is recommended to display battery percentage and add Bluetooth for quick access.
For the trackpad:
- You can increase the speed, enable tap to click, and adjust the scrolling direction to whatever feels most natural for you.
- A handy feature is the ability to enable three-finger dragging, which makes moving windows much easier.
In the system settings:
- Customize Spotlight search by indexing only relevant categories.
- If you have an Apple Watch, set it to automatically unlock your Mac.
- Add multiple fingerprints to Touch ID for flexibility, and if you often use an Ethernet connection, prioritize it over Wi-Fi in the network settings.
- Consider turning off autocorrect if you find it distracting, and adjust your sleep mode settings to your preferences.
- In the display settings, you can turn off features like True Tone if you're doing color-critical work, and enable Night Shift for comfortable working in the evening.
These tweaks will greatly enhance your Mac experience and boost your productivity. Experiment with these settings to find the perfect configuration for your work style.
Maximize Your Productivity
With these 15 essential tweaks, you now have the tools to transform your Mac Finder into a powerful productivity machine. By personalizing and streamlining your workspace, you'll find that you can streamline your daily tasks and get more done in less time. Remember, finding the perfect settings is a personal process—feel free to experiment and see what works best for you.
Ready for an Upgrade?
Are you inspired by these tips, but do you notice that your current Mac no longer meets your needs? Then consider upgrading to a refurbished MacBook. At Leapp you will find an extensive collection of high-quality, refurbished MacBooks that can take your productivity to an even higher level.
