macOS Catalina For Dummies
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Even if you’ve read the book on Macs you have a lot more to discover about using your Mac, and new tools and products come out every single day.

The best way to gather more information than you could ever possibly soak up about all things Mac is to hop onto the web. There you can find news, freeware and shareware (try-before-you-buy software) to download, troubleshooting sites, tons of news and information about your new favorite OS, and lots of places to shop.

The sites you find here are the best, most chock-full-o’-stuff places on the web for Mac users. By the time you finish checking out these websites, you’ll know so much about your Mac and macOS Catalina that you’ll feel like your brain is in danger of exploding

On the other hand, you might just feel a whole lot smarter. Happy surfing!

The Mac Observer

The Mac Observer gives you Apple news, views, reviews, and much more.

The Mac Observer is known for insightful opinion pieces in addition to Apple news and product reviews. The quality and depth of the writing by the TMO staff is superior to most other sites covering the Apple beat. Check out the weekly column called “Dr. Mac’s Rants & Raves”.

Macworld

Although the print publication ceased to exist years ago, this site still describes itself as: “Your best source for all things Apple.” And it’s still true, more or less. Macworld is perhaps the best and most comprehensive source of product information for Apple products.

It’s especially strong for reviews of Mac, iPhone, and iPad products. For example, when you want to know which inkjet printer or digital camera is the best in its price class, Macworld can almost certainly offer guidance, feature comparison charts, and real-world test results. And you won’t merely find product information here — you’ll find it accompanied by expert opinions and professional editing and fact checking.

TidBITS

TidBITS is an online newsletter and website with the motto: “Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for 29 years.” With some of the richest and most insightful writing on the web, TidBITS is another must-read. The latest issue comes out every Monday and new articles posted regularly throughout the week.

This publication has prospered and grown for nearly 25 years because the founders and contributors to TidBITS are as passionate about sharing information about Apple products and services today as they were in 1990.

You can subscribe to the email newsletter so that you get a new issue every Monday. But even if you don’t choose to subscribe, you should check out the site.

iMore

If you live the Apple lifestyle, iMore is your go-to website. With in-depth articles on all Apple products and operating systems, and tons of tips, hints, and tutorials as well, it’s one of the sites you can visit daily.

AppleWorld.Today

For the latest in Mac news, updated every single day, check out AppleWorld.Today, which arose from the ashes of The Unofficial Apple weblog (TUAW) after its untimely demise.

With a small staff of Apple newshounds, this site keeps you on the bleeding edge of Mac news — including software updates, virus alerts, and Apple happenings. It also offers extensive and unbiased reviews of many products soon after their release.

The Wirecutter

If you want to see what others consider the best peripherals, tech tools, and toys, visit The Wirecutter. Now a New York Times company, Wirecutter has the resources to objectively evaluate many products and declare one of them “the best.”

You might take the reviews with a grain of salt, and look instead at the Electronics and Office sections. You can also use it to research purchases as diverse as sunscreen, an insulated water bottle, and Bluetooth headsets.

Apple Support

Do you have a technical question about any version of Mac OS or any Apple product — including macOS Catalina? March your question right over to the Apple Support page, where you can find searchable archives of tech notes, software update information, and documentation. The Support pages are especially useful if you need info about your old Mac; Apple archives all its info here.

Choose among a preset list of topics or products, and type a keyword to research. You’re rewarded with a list of helpful documents. Clicking any one of these entries (they’re all links) takes you right to the info you seek. The site even has tools that can help narrow your search.

The site also offers a section with user discussions of Apple-related topics. Although not officially sanctioned or monitored by Apple, it’s often the best place to gain insights, especially on slightly esoteric or obscure issues not covered in other sections of the site.

Other World Computing

Other World Computing is the go-to place for Mac peripherals and upgrades, RAM, hard drives, SSDs, optical drives, video cards, processor upgrades, cables, discs, docks, or anything else you can think of.

If it enhances your Mac, Other World Computing probably has it at a reasonable price. And, if it’s memory or internal storage, you’ll usually get a comprehensive illustrated installation manual and (often) an installation video as well.

Because of its inexpensive and reliable delivery and a solid guarantee on every item it sells, you can’t go wrong doing business with OWC.

dealmac/dealnews

Although now part of the larger dealnews site, dealmac is still a great place to find deals on software, hardware, training, and more.

Shopping for Mac stuff? Go to dealmac first to discover sale prices, rebates, and other bargain opportunities on upgrades, software, peripherals, and more.

“How to go broke saving money,” this site boasts, and if you’re a bargain hunter, it’s not far from the truth. If you love a bargain, look here first.

Working Smarter for Mac Users

Once you know a bit more about macOS Catalina, you can use this site as an opportunity to become more productive using your Mac.

If you’re obsessed with productivity, check out the website and email list called Working Smarter for Mac Users. The mission is to help Mac users learn to do more work in less time so they have more time for things they love.

Sign up for the Insiders email list today and you’ll receive tips, hints, techniques, tutorials, videos, and more around once a week.

Oh yeah, and it’s free!

Bottom line: If you want to take your Mac skills to the next level and become a raging thunder lizard of productivity, join the free Insiders email list today. You have nothing to lose and much to gain.

Pick your favorites and geek out on all things Mac!

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Bob LeVitus has written nearly 100 reference books on Apple technologies. He’s the author or coauthor of macOS For Dummies, iPad For Dummies, and iPhone For Dummies, among others.

Dwight Spivey probably wrote the rest of the For Dummies books on Apple products, including iPhone For Seniors For Dummies, iPad For Seniors For Dummies, and Apple Watch For Seniors For Dummies.

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