Macs For Seniors For Dummies
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As an older adult entering the world of Mac computers, you can use a few basic things: a guide to prices and uses for various types of Macs and helpful keyboard shortcuts that get you quickly where you want to go. And you can never be too safe, so it pays to know how to avoid potential predators on the internet.

Older adult using a laptop © Beth Macdonald / Unsplash.com

Mac price and power guide

To help you compare and contrast Macs, the following table lists current Mac models and price ranges and tells you what they’re best suited to do.

Model Suited For Price Range Pros & Cons
iMac/iMac Pro desktop Midrange to power user $1,099–$4,999 Built-in monitor
Mac mini desktop Entry level to typical home computing $799–$1099 No monitor, keyboard, or mouse
MacBook Air laptop Entry level to typical home computing $1,199–$1, 399 Least expensive MacBook
MacBook Pro laptop Midrange to power user $1,299–$1,799 Most powerful (and heaviest) MacBook
Power Mac desktop Power user $2,999–$3,999 No monitor, keyboard or mouse

Top 10 Mac Finder keyboard shortcuts

The keyboard shortcuts available on any Mac computer can help you save time, and look like a pro! The following table lists some of the most helpful shortcuts on Apple products.

Key What It Does
Command+C Copies selected items
Command+T Opens a new tab
Command+I Shows information for selected items
Command+N Opens a new Finder window
Command+O Opens (or launches) the selected item
Command+V Pastes an item from the Clipboard
Command+X Cuts the selected items
Command+Z Undoes the last action (if possible)
Command+Shift+H Opens your Home folder
Command+Shift+Q Logs you out

Top 10 internet security tips

The tips in the following list are worth following whether you’re a junior, a senior, a Mac user, or a PC person. The internet is full of wondrous sites, but it’s also full of unsavory characters you need to guard against. Use the tips here as a guideline to things you should never do and use your own common sense as well.

  • Never enter personal information in an email message when you don’t know the recipient.
  • Never enter personal information on a website provided as a link in an email message.
  • Never include personal information in an Internet forum, a discussion group, or newsgroup message.
  • Never use the same password for all your electronic business.
  • Never divulge personal information to others over an instant message connection.
  • Never use your MacBook on the road without turning on your Catalina firewall.
  • Never buy from an online store that doesn’t offer a secure, encrypted connection when you’re prompted for your personal information and credit card number.
  • Never download a file from a site you don’t trust.
  • Never allow young children to use the Internet without guidance and supervision.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Mark L. Chambers is a technical author, computer consultant, programmer, and hardware technician with over 30 years of experience. He has written over 30 computer books, including MacBook For Dummies, 9th Edition and Macs For Seniors For ­Dummies, 4th Edition.

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