iMac For Dummies

Even an iMac Pro with an 18-core Intel Xeon W processor can always go just a bit faster … or can it? There’s actually a pretty short list of tweaks that you can apply to your iMac’s hardware to speed it up, and these suggestions are covered in this article.You can also work considerably faster within Mojave by customizing your Desktop and your Finder windows, which makes it easier to spot and use your files, folders, and applications.

Whether you need a simple letter, a stunning brochure, or a multipage newsletter, Pages can handle the job with ease — and you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to use. Plus, Pages is a free download for any iMac model of recent vintage (and free Apple software is always A Good Thing). What’s the difference between word processing and desktop publishing?

Cutting-edge presentation software like Keynote makes slide creation on your iMac easy and — believe it or not — fun! This is the application Steve Jobs once used for his Macworld keynotes every year. So much visual candy is available that you’ll never need to shout to wake your audience again. Even better, this jewel of an application is a free download from the App Store!

After you start your iMac for the first time — or if you just upgraded from an earlier version of macOS — your iMac will likely automatically launch the Mojave setup procedure. The setup process takes care of several tasks: Setup provides Mojave your personal information. Your iMac ships with a bathtub full of applications, and many of those use your personal data (like your address and telephone number) to automatically fill out your documents.

The Numbers spreadsheet program, which is a free download from the App Store, can help you organize data and analyze important financial decisions for home and business — everything from a household budget to your company’s sales statistics! Numbers can open, edit, and save spreadsheets created with Microsoft Excel.

If you enable backups via the macOS Time Machine feature, you can literally move backward through the contents of your iMac’s internal drive, selecting and restoring all sorts of data. Files and folders are ridiculously easy to restore — and I mean easier than any restore you’ve ever performed, no matter what the operating system or backup program.

Keyboard shortcuts help make working in macOS Mojave on your iMac quick and efficient. Key combinations provide easy options for performing common tasks on your iMac, such as displaying and manipulating windows and copying and moving files. Key Function Command+A Selects all items in the active window (icon view), all items in the column (column view), or all items in the list (list view and Cover Flow view) Command+C Copies the selected items Command+D Duplicates the selected item or items Command+E Ejects the selected volume Command+F Displays the Find controls in a new Finder window Command+H Hides All Finder windows Command+I Shows info for the selected item or items Command+J Shows the view options for the active window Command+K Displays the Connect to Server dialog Command+L Creates an alias for the selected item Command+M Minimizes the active window Command+N Opens a new Finder window Command+O Opens (or launches) the selected item Command+R Shows the original for the selected alias Command+T Opens a new Finder tab Command+V Pastes items from the Clipboard Command+W Closes the active window Command+X Cuts the selected items Command+Z Undoes the last action (if possible) Command+, Displays Finder Preferences dialog Command+1 Shows the active window in icon mode Command+2 Shows the active window in list mode Command+3 Shows the active window in column mode Command+4 Shows the active window in cover flow mode Command+[ Moves back to the previous Finder location Command+] Moves forward to the next Finder location Command+Delete Moves selected items to the Trash Command+↑ Shows the enclosing folder Command+` Cycles through windows Command+/ Shows/Hides Status bar Command+?

Following a recommended maintenance schedule for your iMac will help you avoid problems and keep your computer running smoothly. Use this iMac maintenance guide as a handy reminder. Task Schedule Check for updates within System Preferences Automatic setting (Software Update pane in System Preferences) Back up

If you've just purchased a new iMac, don’t forget an important step: a quick preliminary check to make sure that your iMac survived shipment intact and happy. Although the shipping box that Apple uses for the iMac series is one of the best, your computer could still have met with foul play from its shipping travels.

Here, you walk through a should-be-patented Troubleshooting Tree, as well as the macOS built-in troubleshooting application, Disk Utility. You also discover several keystrokes that can make your Mac jump through hoops. The number-one rule: Reboot! The simple fact is that rebooting your iMac can often solve many problems.

If you're new to the iMac, you'll be eager to discover its exciting possibilities. To get the most out of your iMac or iMac Pro, use the keyboard shortcuts for macOS Big Sur, follow a recommended maintenance schedule, and, if you run into a problem, follow the troubleshooting steps.Big Sur finder keyboard shortcutsKeyboard shortcuts help make working in macOS Big Sur on your iMac quick and efficient.

Anyone can troubleshoot, so if you run into a problem with your iMac, don't be dismayed! Follow these troubleshooting steps to get your iMac back up and running. Reboot. Check all cables. Investigate recent changes you made to your hardware or software. Run Disk Utility and repair your volume(s). Check the contents of your Trash for files you might have deleted accidentally.