Newbie to Mac OS Journal

[blueflower]

So I thought it would be a good idea to chronicle my thoughts on this new laptop.

1. It's the first laptop that I have used that I do not need to use an external microphone and headset for zoom the mics are amazing
2. It's the first laptop that I do not use an external mouse....the trackpad is the BEST I have ever used
3. The speakers are the best I have had on a laptop in awhile
4. The battery life is the best I have had on a laptop hands down!
5. It's the first laptop that I can used for an extended period on my lap without being burnt i.e. the machine does not even get warm and the lack of a fan is amazing for me. I hope that in the long run the lack of a fan won't be an issue
6. The design in amazing and the keyboard is amazing with the backlight being the brightest I have come across on any laptop
7. It's fast but I'm not sure its that much faster than previous laptops, I have the 16gb version and although I do not use any intense apps I have gotten beachballs normally they disappear quickly though.
8. It is very light and truly portable, I carry it around in a small bag and it's truly amazing that the macbook fits comfortably in it.
9. Blazing fast shutdown and boot up times

The not so good:
1. Awful large bezels that give the laptop an outdated look
2. Mac OS is heavily command driven and commands often use more than two button pressed which is more cumbersome than Windows
3. Mac OS does some things truly illogically why is My Photos not simply treated like a regular folder instead of an App?
4. Why is it if I have a window on fullscreen then go to spotlight and open Pcalc then the fullscreen window disappears another window that I had in the background comes to the foreground? Then I have to minimize the fullscreen window to be able to have it and Pcalc open together alongside each other
5. Why isn't there a screenshot folder, I screenshot something then I have to copy and paste to a folder
6. Why can't I simply command+X to cut files and folders?
7. Why did Apple put a slow charging 30 watt charger in the box
8. When will Apple spend some money and truly develop pages, keynote, numbers to become true MS Office competitors? It seems ever since they made them free they no longer care to improve these products. Extremely short sighted on their part.
9. Apple should have made the ram upgradable on these
10. I can't disable startup sound each time I uncheck the box, it re-checks itself immediately
11. Inability to change/customize the login wallpaper upon startup
12. When I use command+tab to cycle through open apps when I select an app to go to instead of the app actually opening all that happens is that the menu bar shows that I am "in" the app so I will have say OPERA beside the apple icon but opera isn't actually open to open it I have to select it in the dock

I'm sorry Mac OS just has an incredibly buggy feel to it.

 

[Zapdoc]

So I thought it would be a good idea to chronicle my thoughts on this new laptop.

1. It's the first laptop that I have used that I do not need to use an external microphone and headset for zoom the mics are amazing
2. It's the first laptop that I do not use an external mouse....the trackpad is the BEST I have ever used
3. The speakers are the best I have had on a laptop in awhile
4. The battery life is the best I have had on a laptop hands down!
5. It's the first laptop that I can used for an extended period on my lap without being burnt i.e. the machine does not even get warm and the lack of a fan is amazing for me. I hope that in the long run the lack of a fan won't be an issue
6. The design in amazing and the keyboard is amazing with the backlight being the brightest I have come across on any laptop
7. It's fast but I'm not sure its that much faster than previous laptops, I have the 16gb version and although I do not use any intense apps I have gotten beachballs normally they disappear quickly though.
8. It is very light and truly portable, I carry it around in a small bag and it's truly amazing that the macbook fits comfortably in it.

The not so good:
1. Awful large bezels that give the laptop an outdated look
2. Mac OS is heavily command driven and commands often use more than two button pressed which is more cumbersome than Windows
3. Mac OS does some things truly illogically why is My Photos not simply treated like a regular folder instead of an App?
4. Why is it if I have a window on fullscreen then go to spotlight and open Pcalc then the fullscreen window disappears another window that I had in the background comes to the foreground? Then I have to minimize the fullscreen window to be able to have it and Pcalc open together alongside each other
5. Why isn't there a screenshot folder, I screenshot something then I have to copy and paste to a folder
6. Why can't I simply command+X to cut files and folders?
7. Why did Apple put a slow charging 30 watt charger in the box
8. When will Apple spend some money and truly develop pages, keynote, numbers to become true MS Office competitors? It seems ever since they made them free they no longer care to improve these products. Extremely short sighted on their part.
9. Apple should have made the ram upgradable on these
10. I can't disable startup sound each time I uncheck the box, it re-checks itself immediately
11. Inability to change/customize the login wallpaper upon startup

Maybe the 30 Watt slow charger somehow protects battery form too fast charging ?

 

[537635]

2. Mac OS is heavily command driven and commands often use more than two button pressed which is more cumbersome than Windows

True. You can try tools like Better Touch Tool, which streamline your most used shortcuts. If only keyboard shortcuts bother you, you can adapt them in settings/keyboard/shortcuts.



4. Why is it if I have a window on fullscreen then go to spotlight and open Pcalc then the fullscreen window disappears another window that I had in the background comes to the foreground? Then I have to minimize the fullscreen window to be able to have it and Pcalc open together alongside each other

Maximize doesn't work the same way as in windows. Again, Better Touch Tool does a great job for arranging windows.



5. Why isn't there a screenshot folder, I screenshot something then I have to copy and paste to a folder

Press cmd+shift+5, go to options and set the folder of your liking.


6. Why can't I simply command+X to cut files and folders?

I actually prefer it this way. You decide if copy and paste or cut and paste at the target folder.

cmd+c - copy
cmd+v - paste
cmd+opt+v - paste and delete originals



7. Why did Apple put a slow charging 30 watt charger in the box

It's plenty powerful for the Air.


8. When will Apple spend some money and truly develop pages, keynote, numbers to become true MS Office competitors? It seems ever since they made them free they no longer care to improve these products. Extremely short sighted on their part.

Keynote is years ahead Power Point. Pages is more DTP program than word processor, this is why it feels weird.



12. When I use command+tab to cycle through open apps when I select an app to go to instead of the app actually opening all that happens is that the menu bar shows that I am "in" the app so I will have say OPERA beside the apple icon but opera isn't actually open to open it I have to select it in the dock

Again, this is something that's different od macOS. You can also use settings/mission control/switch to to app ON and it'll work like Windows.

 

[Significant1]

The not so good:
3. Mac OS does some things truly illogically why is My Photos not simply treated like a regular folder instead of an App?

You can always right click and choose show package content

6. Why can't I simply command+X to cut files and folders?

As previous poster, it has also grown on me. You get to decide at insertion time, wether you want cut/move or copy depending on holding the alt-key down when pressing cmd+v.

7. Why did Apple put a slow charging 30 watt charger in the box

It is enough for M1 and maybe to make the Macbook Pro 13" more desireable 🤷‍♂️. I have bought a 61W charger, because 30W wasn't quite enough for power through my usb-dock. But I planned on doing that anyway, so I have one for the road and one for desktop.

8. When will Apple spend some money and truly develop pages, keynote, numbers to become true MS Office competitors? It seems ever since they made them free they no longer care to improve these products. Extremely short sighted on their part.

I don't think it is their intention. They just need to be good enough for most user. But I agree they where dumbed down to have feature parity with iPhone, iPad and web-version.

12. When I use command+tab to cycle through open apps when I select an app to go to instead of the app actually opening all that happens is that the menu bar shows that I am "in" the app so I will have say OPERA beside the apple icon but opera isn't actually open to open it I have to select it in the dock

I am not quite sure what is going on. I don't use Opera. But if menu-line is visible, you should be able to open a new windows/tab with cmd+n. Maybe there already is one, but it has been minimized to dock or another desktop, if you check the window menu.

I'm sorry Mac OS just has an incredibly buggy feel to it.

I think you mean macOS on Apple Silicon has a buggy feel and agree, but it has already become a whole lot better with 11.3.x for me. But it is still not up to the intel version in stability, which I find incredible stable.

 

[blueflower]

2. Mac OS is heavily command driven and commands often use more than two button pressed which is more cumbersome than Windows

True. You can try tools like Better Touch Tool, which streamline your most used shortcuts. If only keyboard shortcuts bother you, you can adapt them in settings/keyboard/shortcuts.



4. Why is it if I have a window on fullscreen then go to spotlight and open Pcalc then the fullscreen window disappears another window that I had in the background comes to the foreground? Then I have to minimize the fullscreen window to be able to have it and Pcalc open together alongside each other

Maximize doesn't work the same way as in windows. Again, Better Touch Tool does a great job for arranging windows.


5. Why isn't there a screenshot folder, I screenshot something then I have to copy and paste to a folder

Press cmd+shift+5, go to options and set the folder of your liking.

Thanks, I downloaded Better Touch Tool to try it out. Also cmd+shift+5 does not allow me to select the Screenshots Folder I created in My Photos. This is just really unacceptable. People are using computers to be more productive not less productive.

6. Why can't I simply command+X to cut files and folders?

I actually prefer it this way. You decide if copy and paste or cut and paste at the target folder.

cmd+c - copy
cmd+v - paste
cmd+opt+v - paste and delete originals



7. Why did Apple put a slow charging 30 watt charger in the box

It's plenty powerful for the Air.


8. When will Apple spend some money and truly develop pages, keynote, numbers to become true MS Office competitors? It seems ever since they made them free they no longer care to improve these products. Extremely short sighted on their part.

Keynote is years ahead Power Point. Pages is more DTP program than word processor, this is why it feels weird.



12. When I use command+tab to cycle through open apps when I select an app to go to instead of the app actually opening all that happens is that the menu bar shows that I am "in" the app so I will have say OPERA beside the apple icon but opera isn't actually open to open it I have to select it in the dock

Again, this is something that's different od macOS. You can also use settings/mission control/switch to to app ON and it'll work like Windows.

For #12 this option was already selected I deselected it and same issue, rechecked it same issue, googled it and under a youtube video someone else has this issue. Again unacceptable.

 

[maternidad]

Thanks, I downloaded Better Touch Tool to try it out. Also cmd+shift+5 does not allow me to select the Screenshots Folder I created in My Photos. This is just really unacceptable. People are using computers to be more productive not less productive.

Photos is an app for managing photos. Instead of trying to save them in a Photos app album, I think you should create a folder and store them there.

macOS Users are created a Pictures folder, but a setting needs to be changed for it to be shown in the Finder sidebar. Open the Finder, click Finder in the Menubar (to the top), and then click Preferences…. In the Sidebar tab, press the box next to Pictures.

If you like, set the Screenshot location to the folder, or a folder inside it (through the method that involves ⌘⇧5 that you're familiar with).

 

[Starfia]

That was kind of cool to read – thank you for sharing.

I think there's a semi-reasonable answer to all the "cons" you mentioned. Off the top of my head:

1. I'm pretty sure they're working on it. ^ ^

2. Typical for Mac – primary commands use the command key plus a character key; less common commands use more. I think there's a higher priority on keeping the involved letter identical to the initial letter of the command (fewer commands like "Analyze File"). As someone mentioned, you can customize keyboard commands per-app in System Preferences > Keyboard

3. Definitely a deliberate choice beginning with iPhoto in 2002 – part of Apple's development on the premise that computers would be "digital hubs" for users' media from cameras, camcorders, music CDs and so on. Photos now offers a lot of features and on-device intelligence that a folder wouldn't; you can organize photos into albums, store your library and share with other users using iCloud, search for pictures using people's names or the names of objects and scenery in them, by their location, and so on. You can ignore the app if you'd rather just use a folder – no issue.

4. I'm not sure what you're asking here – are you asking why Pcalc doesn't open on top of the fullscreen app, or automatically enters a Split View pane beside the fullscreen app? I think that's standard behaviour (certainly what I would expect), though Apple might like to hear if users expect one of those aforementioned things to happen. Send feedback.

5. Press Command-Shift-5 to summon the screen shot pane. Choose "Options > Other Location…" to select a folder for screen shots.

6. Another deliberate choice, apparently – I didn't even realize that wasn't possible until you mentioned it. My guess is that Apple opted against the possibility of removing a folder, forgetting to "paste" it, and losing it. Another thing you could send feedback about.

7. I think charging rates are specifically chosen on a per-device basis for compatibility for technical reasons. I'd think most people charge overnight, and the current Air can go well over a full day without being recharged, I hear, so that might be a cost-benefit thing. Another point for feedback if you find you end up without a charge when you actually need one.

8. There have been many whole-number releases and major features added since they were made free. I'd say they've developed them as "truly" as it's possible to develop anything, so I can only guess what you mean specifically. (Apple doesn't have Microsoft's history of experience mastering office suite apps, after all.) ^ ^

9. Definitely a deliberate choice there – one of the points of the M1 is that memory is part of the chip-based system. Going forward, it looks like internal upgradeability is something you decide whether you require before you choose to buy a Mac.

10. That one sounds like it could be a bug – everything I've heard suggests you should be able to disable that. Might be worth a call to support.

11. I'm not sure what you're seeing, but my login wallpaper matches my desktop picture.

12. I recently observed that one too; I'd like it if an app window opened when command-tabbing to an open app with no windows open. Maybe another point for feedback.

It sounds like some of what you find frustrating are cases of getting used to the system's normal behaviour (certainly something I understand, having tried Windows now and then), but again, feedback – no doubt Apple wants to improve the holes and gripes that still remain on macOS. (And not to worry – I'm entirely certain no one here required an apology from you.) ^ ^

It's nice to hear so many points of delight among the understandable acclimation hurdles. Lots of Mac users will be happy to share tips, I'm sure.

Oh, and here's how to send feedback: https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you have a guest account option turned on or have more than one user account, you will be stuck with the ugly login screen. You are also stuck with the ugly screen if you have FileVsault turned on.

 

[blueflower]

If you have a guest account option turned on or have more than one user account, you will be stuck with the ugly login screen. You are also stuck with the ugly screen if you have FileVsault turned on.

I have neither based on googling and searching the forums here seems like i'm not the only one. That ugly multi-colored wallpaper greets me every time after turning on from shutdown. If I lock the screen or open from sleep my custom wallpaper shows up though.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have neither based on googling and searching the forums here seems like i'm not the only one. That ugly multi-colored wallpaper greets me every time after turning on from shutdown. If I lock the screen or open from sleep my custom wallpaper shows up though.

That is strange indeed. Many of us had problems with that early on but, I thought it had been worked out. It appears that is not the case. There is a manual workaround you can try if you feel comfortable.

How to Change the Login Screen Background in macOS Big Sur • macReports

You can customize your login screen on your Mac. This article describes how you can change your macOS Big Sur login screen to display any image you want

macreports.com

 

[blueflower]

That is strange indeed. Many of us had problems with that early on but, I thought it had been worked out. It appears that is not the case. There is a manual workaround you can try if you feel comfortable.

How to Change the Login Screen Background in macOS Big Sur • macReports

You can customize your login screen on your Mac. This article describes how you can change your macOS Big Sur login screen to display any image you want

macreports.com

hey doesn't work for me and the other suggestions in the comments are a no go as well. Folder not found.

 

[Apple_Robert]

hey doesn't work for me and the other suggestions in the comments are a no go as well. Folder not found.

If you don't have FileVault on, don't have guest or other user accounts set up, and running the latest release, I can't explain why my last suggestion didn't work. Admittedly, said suggestion has worked for some early on with M1 and others it did nothing. At this point, the best you can do is file a bug report with Apple, (because it is) unless you want to try the extreme route of doing a clean install (if you feel comfortable) using Configurator 2 (if you have a second Mac) or using the recovery utility. Sometimes, that can clear out any trapped bugs introduced from updates and or apps.

 

[Significant1]

I have neither based on googling and searching the forums here seems like i'm not the only one. That ugly multi-colored wallpaper greets me every time after turning on from shutdown. If I lock the screen or open from sleep my custom wallpaper shows up though.

I am sure you have FileVault enabled. It is default and you have to go out of your way to disable it (not recommended).

 

[blueflower]

Rolls eyes I don't and it certainly wasnt't enabled by default. I also only believe in non open source encryption solutions so if iI were to encrypt I would use Veracrypt. I am NOT SURE why some people have a hard time accepting that Mac OS has a litany of faults. There is no other user, filevault is not enabled and I still can't change my login in photo.

@Apple_Robert I'm not doing all that and I shouldn't have to at all on a machine at this price point and from a company like Apple. Going to google how to report bugs. Apple is really a joke at the link below mac os 11.3.1 isn't listed

Feedback - macOS

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about macOS.

www.apple.com

I am sure you have FileVault enabled. It is default and you have to go out of your way to disable it (not recommended).

 

[Apple_Robert]

Rolls eyes I don't and it certainly wasnt't enabled by default. I also only believe in non open source encryption solutions so if iI were to encrypt I would use Veracrypt. I am NOT SURE why some people have a hard time accepting that Mac OS has a litany of faults. There is no other user, filevault is not enabled and I still can't change my login in photo.

@Apple_Robert I'm not doing all that and I shouldn't have to at all on a machine at this price point and from a company like Apple. Going to google how to report bugs.

Here is the link to report bugs, @blueflower

Feedback - macOS

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about macOS.

www.apple.com

You are right. You shouldn't have to go to all that trouble. I am overly Apple nerdy and went though all of the things I suggested. The login screen drove me mad for 2 weeks. I don't know if I will be able look at French Impressionism again without seeing Big Sur flashbacks.

As to FileVault, it is enabled by default during the initial setup process. You must have unticked the box without realizing it or forgetting you did such. I don't have it enabled because I like to remote into my Macs and restart them / login again etc.

 

[blueflower]

Here is the link to report bugs, @blueflower

Feedback - macOS

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about macOS.

www.apple.com

You are right. You shouldn't have to go to all that trouble. I am overly Apple nerdy and went though all of the things I suggested. The login screen drove me mad for 2 weeks. I don't know if I will be able look at French Impressionism again without seeing Big Sur flashbacks.

thanks I did it, I edited my post above please check it my OS version isn't listed but I included it in the body of my message.

 

[blueflower]

Gotta say really LOVE the trackpad and to think because i made the assumption that I would need to use an external mouse I wasted money on a metal aluminum mousepad to match the macbook. The trackpad is not only the best trackpad i've used it's the best mouse I have used too. Officially, moved the bulk of my files from my thinkpad x1 today and shut it down. Excited to be learning something new.

 

[maternidad]

Indeed the image that appears during startup cannot be changed. I presume there haven't been many efforts to make that not be so; it surely is difficult thanks to all the modern security features.

Consider not turning off your Mac. It impedes the displeasure and typically has no unfavorable effects.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Gotta say really LOVE the trackpad and to think because i made the assumption that I would need to use an external mouse I wasted money on a metal aluminum mousepad to match the macbook. The trackpad is not only the best trackpad i've used it's the best mouse I have used too. Officially, moved the bulk of my files from my thinkpad x1 today and shut it down. Excited to be learning something new.

I never did like the Apple mouse. It didn't feel natural to me. The trackpad on the other hand has been wonderful and I took to it like a fish in water.

 

[maternidad]

I am NOT SURE why some people have a hard time accepting that Mac OS has a litany of faults.

What you believe to be demonstrations of difficulty in accepting that macOS has a litany of faults I think to be in response to the impression of that you're making some unfair criticisms:

Apple is really a joke

This is an Apple fans website, so it's popular to disagree .

 

[Altis]

3. Mac OS does some things truly illogically why is My Photos not simply treated like a regular folder instead of an App?
4. Why is it if I have a window on fullscreen then go to spotlight and open Pcalc then the fullscreen window disappears another window that I had in the background comes to the foreground? Then I have to minimize the fullscreen window to be able to have it and Pcalc open together alongside each other
5. Why isn't there a screenshot folder, I screenshot something then I have to copy and paste to a folder
6. Why can't I simply command+X to cut files and folders?
7. Why did Apple put a slow charging 30 watt charger in the box
8. When will Apple spend some money and truly develop pages, keynote, numbers to become true MS Office competitors? It seems ever since they made them free they no longer care to improve these products. Extremely short sighted on their part.
9. Apple should have made the ram upgradable on these
10. I can't disable startup sound each time I uncheck the box, it re-checks itself immediately
11. Inability to change/customize the login wallpaper upon startup
12. When I use command+tab to cycle through open apps when I select an app to go to instead of the app actually opening all that happens is that the menu bar shows that I am "in" the app so I will have say OPERA beside the apple icon but opera isn't actually open to open it I have to select it in the dock

I'm sorry Mac OS just has an incredibly buggy feel to it.

Your concerns are well-warranted. Apple really seems to want you to do everything their way and no other.

#4, I find using BetterSnapTool to be a godsend for macOS to make the windows snap to the top (maximize), sides, or corners. I don't like using "full screen" for apps because that puts them in their own desktop "space" rather than just making the window fill the screen.

#6, The file manager in general is a PITA that way. You can cut+paste files by first copying them, then Option+Command+V when pasting to effectively move them. It's as unintuitive as possible but alas.

#8, no idea... they have the resources to do it, but don't. Perhaps it's a lost cause. MS Office (even the online version with a free account) or LibreOffice all the way for me.

#9, they'd rather hose people with RAM prices and give you a reason to buy a whole new machine just for more RAM (it already doesn't take much to get some drive paging with the base 8 GB).

#10 the god forsaken startup chime... I try to remember to mute the audio volume before shutting down. I can hardly believe it's still there by default.

#12 Applications can still be running with no active windows. It's very unintuitive for most people as you'd think closing the only window would exit the application, but alas it does not. Still need to quit the application, which is why it shows up when you Command+Tab. I think you can change the default behavior so that it does exit the application when no windows are open in the Settings.

I'm platform agnostic (use macOS, Windows, and Linux) but I definitely don't see macOS as being really any better than the rest these days, as I once did.

 

[blueflower]

@Apple_Robert you and me both @ fish to water

@maternidad i finally got the image to change after watching a youtube video and reading a blog.....I enabled hidden folders, added a new folder to library and it changed. thanks so much for everyone's help on this.

 

[Apple_Robert]

@Apple_Robert you and me both @ fish to water

@maternidad i finally got the image to change after watching a youtube video and reading a blog.....I enabled hidden folders, added a new folder to library and it changed. thanks so much for everyone's help on this.

Very glad to read you were able to get rid of that hideous wallpaper. Now you can get down to becoming a full fledged Apple nerd.

 

[matrix07]

12. When I use command+tab to cycle through open apps when I select an app to go to instead of the app actually opening all that happens is that the menu bar shows that I am "in" the app so I will have say OPERA beside the apple icon but opera isn't actually open to open it I have to select it in the dock

Four (or three depend on your settings) fingers swipe up and select any windows you like.

 

[blueflower]

The microphone is so much better on this macbook than my thinkpad, in zoom meetings if I wasn't using a wired headphone students could not hear me.....my airpods still didn't give the audio desired nor did my sony wireless headphones. This macbook has me loud and clear, I totally like this using headsets were so cumbersome. To be honest the image quality of the camera should be improved at this price point but honestly it's not as bad as some of the reviewers make it out to be for me.