Switching to a Mac from a PC

*This article was written for the casual user or someone who has to use a Mac temporarily for a class – it does not cover ownership or migration of files.

If you are used to using a PC for daily tasks, switching to a Mac temporarily can be an adjustment. I’m constantly working on both platforms – PC desktop at home, iMac computer while teaching, PC laptop in my office, Mac laptop on the road. If you take the time to learn the differences – you may find they aren’t that different at all – and you will have a much easier time transitioning between them.

The basic layout:

Desktop is the same as a PC

Menu Bar at the top (displays menus of the active program on the left and running app icons on the right)

The Dock at the bottom (apps)

Finder is the Mac equivalent of File Explorer. It should always be running. To open a new Finder window, make sure it is the “active app” and hit CMD + N. Navigation is on the left (like windows) and you can access or pin favorites here.

Read here to learn more about the mac desktop

Main Differences:

Shortcut keys are VERY similar, especially in programs made for PC and mac, with one major caveat. The main modifier key is the command (Cmd) key instead of the control (ctrl) key. If you get used to this small but significant difference, you will be up and running in no time. The command key also has a symbol (⌘) that you will see in shortcut descriptions or on some keyboards.

When you close a window, you are not closing the program. Use Cmd + Q to quit the app.

Quicklook – Use the spacebar to quickly preview audio, video, and images.

Apps are in the Applications folder (similar to the Programs folder on a PC)

Working with Folders:

To create a new folder, right-click on the Desktop or on empty space in a Finder window. Select “new folder” and then give it a name. Alternatively, you may use the shortcut key of CMD + Shift + N to create a new folder.

To rename a folder, simply single-click a folder to select the name and hit enter. The name will auto-select and you can type a new name. This renaming trick will also work on any file.

To move items, click and hold drag items onto a folder. If it’s on the same hard drive the file will be moved. If you want to copy the file, hold “ALT” before you click and drag the file. If you move a file to an external hard drive, it will automatically make a copy (like PC).

To move up a level in the folder path, hold CMD and then use the up arrow on your keyboard.

Things that are similar:

With a mouse or trackpad – Left-click to select and right-click to open a context menu. If you are using a one-button mouse, hold control and then click to open a context menu.

If you use Notepad for plain text on a PC, you will find there is a very similar app built into every Mac – TextEdit. The difference? It has plain text and rich-text mode. To make it more like Notepad, opt for plain text by going to the “Format” menu and selecting plain text. More on that here.

The trash is located on the dock, usually on the far right. To empty it, open it and click empty or right-click and select “Empty Trash.”

Shortcut keys:

Mac or PC I’m a huge proponent of shortcut keys. It makes time on the computer much faster and more efficient (it also impresses clients who are looking over your shoulder). I like to say “Left hand on the keyboard, right hand on the mouse. Always…unless just typing.” The hardest thing is getting used to using CMD instead of CTRL. If you are using a Windows keyboard, then the Windows KEY is the CMD key. More from Apple about shortcut keys (including other modifier symbols).

Here are the most common shortcuts (many are VERY similar to PC):

CMD + X, C, and V are cut, copy, and paste…

CMD + Z is undo

CMD + A to select all

Cmd + Spacebar to search

CMD + N opens a new window

CMD + Shift + N creates a new folder

CMD + I get info (similar to properties on windows)

CMD + E to eject a selected drive (you can also drag it to the trash, which feels frightening)

CMD + Delete key will send a selected item to the trash

CMD + W will close a window (finder window or a tab window like in Chrome)

Cmd + Tab will cycle through open windows or apps (similar to alt + tab on PC). The trick here is to keep CMD pressed down and as you hit tab to cycle through. You can also close open programs from here.

CMD + H to hide programs (this is how I get to the desktop). You can also click on an open window to bring it to the front.

CMD + Option + Esc (similar to Ctrl + Alt + Delete)

CMD + F (find) search a page (Word, web browser)

CMD + P (this is to print, but it’s also to save as a PDF)

CMD + T opens a new tab in a web browser

Taking Screenshots:
CMD + Shift + 3 – Take a whole screen screenshot (will place the image as a PNG on the desktop)
CMD + Shift + 4 – Crosshairs for a partial screen screenshot – click and drag a rectangle (will place the image as a PNG on the desktop)

How to save a Word Document as a PDF

Start by clicking on print. In the lower left corner of the dialog box, select “PDF > Save as PDF.” Name your file and save it.