So, whether you want to acknowledge a message with a thumbs up or share a laugh with a ha-ha reaction, this guide has you covered. Dive in and make messaging on Mac more fun! 

What is Tapback on iMessage?

Introduced with iOS 10, the Tapback feature in iMessage allows you to quickly respond to a message with different visual reactions. These visual reactions include a heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, double exclamation mark, “Ha ha,” and question mark.

Tapbacks can be extremely helpful if you wish to respond quickly with emojis instead of text.

How to add Tapback to iMessage on Mac

To Tapback a message on a Mac, you first need to set up iMessage on your Mac, as the Tapback feature is limited to iMessage conversations.

Also, ensure your Mac is running at least macOS 10.2 or later. Once done, reacting to a message with a Tapback is a breeze. 

1. Open the Messages app → Head to an iMessage conversation. 
2. Here, control-click the desired message. 
3. Now, choose the desired Tapback emoji corresponding to your reaction in the pop-up that appears. 
   
   
4. Once done, the Tapback reaction will appear above the original message.
   
   

How to delete a Tapback from an iMessage

There may come an instance where you accidentally choose the wrong Tapback reaction or change your mind and want to remove the reaction altogether. In that case, you can easily remove a Tapback from an iMessage. 

1. Click the Tapback reaction above the message.
   
   
2. Now, click the highlighted Tapback icon to deselect it. 
   

Happy messaging! 

That’s it; this is all about using Tapback in messages on Mac. As a regular iMessage user, I often use the Tapback reaction to fast-track my conversations, and you should, too.

However, if you still have doubts, comment down, and I’ll be happy to respond.

The post How to use Tapback in iMessage on Mac appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

Note: The methods mentioned here are valid for all Macs running macOS Ventura or later.

Why is it important to back up your Mac?

• Data Loss Prevention: Backing up your Mac helps safeguard your data in situations like hardware failures and more.
• Hardware Failures: By having a backup, you can mitigate the risk of losing important files and documents in case your Mac experiences a hardware malfunction.
• Software Corruptions: Backing up your Mac ensures that you have a copy of your data if any software issues arise, such as system crashes or software conflicts.
• Theft Protection: In the unfortunate event of your Mac being stolen, having a backup allows you to restore your files onto a new device without losing valuable data.
• macOS Updates: When updating your Mac’s operating system, there’s always a possibility of data loss. Creating a backup beforehand ensures that your files are secure and can be easily restored if any issues occur during the update process.

How to back up your Mac with Time Machine

Before we learn how to use the Time Machine to back up your Mac, let’s first get familiar with the process. To start off, I’ll walk you through what Time Machine is and how you can set it up.

What is Time Machine?

Time Machine on Mac is a utility tool that enables you to effortlessly and promptly generate backups of your files, guaranteeing the ability to retrieve them in case of unintentional data loss. These backups are stored on an external hard drive or network-attached storage (NAS) device.

Additionally, the utility performs incremental backups that only include the changes since the last backup, saving storage space. What makes Time Machine exceptional is its capability to restore individual files or complete systems from specific moments in the past, presenting a convenient solution for data recovery.

Note: You must create a disk partition if you want to use an external drive for both regular use and backup.

How to use Time Machine to back up your Mac

1. Click on the Apple logo () → Head to System Settings.
   
   
2. Select General → Choose Time Machine.
   
   
3. Click Add Backup Disk.
   
   
4. Select your disk → Choose Set Up Disk.
   
   
5. Enter a Password to safeguard your backup disk → Choose a Disk Usage Limit → Select Done.
   
   

The backup procedure will commence shortly.

Additionally, the length of the backup can vary from a few minutes to several hours, depending on how much data is stored on your Mac.

How to back up your Mac to iCloud

A simple and trustworthy method of protecting your important data is to back up your Mac to iCloud. Before we get started, let’s first clarify what iCloud is.

What is iCloud?

Apple offers cloud computing and storage services called iCloud and iCloud+. These services let you store your data like photos, videos, documents, and more on remote servers that happen automatically in the background.

You can access your data easily because the synchronization is accessible from various gadgets, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Windows computers.

How to set up iCloud

Make sure you meet the conditions mentioned below before moving forward with backing up your Mac to iCloud.

• A Mac with macOS Catalina or later.
• An active internet connection (high-speed).
• The amount of free storage in iCloud must match the size of your Mac backup.

How to sync Mac to iCloud

1. Go to the Apple logo () in the menu bar → System Settings.
   
   
2. Head to your Apple ID → Click iCloud.
   
   
3. Enable all the apps you want to sync to iCloud below Apps Using iCloud.
   
   

Use iCloud to back up your Mac

1. Launch Finder → Go to iCloud Drive on the left pane.
2. You can drag and drop folders or files that you wish to back up to this folder.
   
   

How to back up Mac to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox

Some of the most popular online storage services include Dropbox, Google Drive, and One Drive. These platforms make it extremely convenient to upload and save files from your Mac. It’s important to note that using these services for storage is different from Time Machine backup or cloning.

Cloud storage services allow you to store your important files in the cloud securely. Once your photos, music, and documents are safely stored, you can access them from any mobile device or computer. The amount of free space offered by these services varies.

Use a cloud backup solution

The process of using these services is quite similar across the board.

1. All you need to do is register and create an account on any of the said platforms.
2. After that, you can sign in to manually back up your files.
3. Additionally, most of these services provide a Mac app that you can install if you do not prefer using the browser.
4. After installation, you can drag and drop files into the corresponding folders, and those backups will happen automatically.

How to clone your Mac to use it as a backup

Cloning your Mac and using it as a backup allows you to protect your data and, if necessary, switch to a new system without a hitch. The steps involved in the process of cloning your Mac differ depending on factors like your backup software, Mac model, and macOS version.

Nevertheless, I’ve outlined a general procedure to accomplish this task.

1. Connect your external hard disk to your Mac.
2. Head to Disk Utility → Select your hard disk beneath the External section.
3. Click on Erase in the title bar → Select Erase.
4. Now, launch your cloning software.
5. Locate and select the option to Copy the contents of your Mac.
   Ensure that you select all files to create a bootable clone.
6. Click OK to finish the process.

The cloning process may take a significant amount of time, that depends on the size of data available on your Mac.

Third-party apps to back up your Mac

• Carbon Copy Cloner
• ChronoSync
• SuperDuper

How to restore Mac from a backup

Restoring your Mac from a backup is a straightforward process that can help you recover your files, settings, and applications in case of data loss or system failure.

If you’re having trouble, you can use our straightforward guide to restore your Mac.

No more excuses!

Backing up your Mac data has never been easier. With numerous options at your disposal, there’s simply no reason to neglect regular backups. To enhance your backup experience, I recommend exploring our curated collection of the best Mac backup software.

If you have any queries regarding backups, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments section below.

Read more:

• How to Delete Time Machine Backups on Mac
• Best Accessories for MacBook Air 11-inch and 13.3-inch
• How to Backup and Install iPhone Apps from Mac/Windows Without iTunes
• 13 Ways to fix Unable to check for updates on Mac

The post How to back up your Mac [2024 Guide] appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

Want to begin customizing your desktop with these nifty widgets? Here’s everything you need to know!

• Benefits of using desktop widgets on Mac
• How to add widgets to Mac desktop
• How to add widgets to Notification Center on Mac
• How to customize widgets on Mac
• How to remove widgets on Mac in macOS Sonoma
• How to use iPhone widgets in macOS Sonoma
• Widgets available on Mac desktop

Benefits of using desktop widgets on Mac

You can benefit from a number of things by using widgets on your Mac desktop. I’ll list a few:

• Instant access to information: Widgets grant you immediate access to essential information, such as weather updates, your calendar events, or your to-do list. This saves time and aids in staying organized.
• Personalization: You can tailor widgets to display the information that matters most to you, which allows for a more personalized and visually appealing desktop experience.
• Enhanced efficiency: Widgets enable you to take action without the need to open individual apps. For instance, you can reply to messages, start timers, or add events to your calendar directly from the widgets, bypassing the need to open the respective apps like Messages, Clock, or Calendar.
• Increased productivity: Widgets provide relevant information and tools to accomplish tasks. You can utilize widgets to track project progress, stay updated on email, or receive reminders about upcoming events, ensuring better productivity.

How to add widgets to desktop widgets in macOS Sonoma

1. Control-click or two-finger tap the wallpaper to see the contextual menu.
2. Choose Edit Widgets.
   
   
3. Search for a widget in the widget browser by scrolling through the widgets on the right pane, selecting a specific app from the left pane, or typing an app on the search field.
4. Select a widget and choose your preferred widget style from the right pane. 
5. Click on the widget Add (+) button on the widget to automatically position it on the desktop or drag it to any part of the desktop. Change the widget’s location by dragging it anywhere on your desktop.
6. Once you’re finished, click Done on the widget browser.
   
   

Note: To enable desktop widgets on Mac, you must disable Stage Manager.

How to add widgets to Notification Center on your Mac

If you’re not a fan of putting widgets on your desktop, you can still put them in the Notification Center so they’re only visible when needed. To do so:

1. Open the Notification Center.
2. Click Edit Widgets at the bottom.
   
   
3. Find a widget from the widget browser.
4. To add and place a widget automatically on your Notification Center, click it or the Add (+) button that appears when you hover your cursor over it.
   • You can also manually drag it to the right side of your desktop. Note that dragging it elsewhere on your desktop places the widget on your desktop instead of in the Notification Center.
5. Change the widget’s location by dragging it up or down.
6. Click Done once you’re finished.

How to customize widgets in macOS Sonoma

• You can always customize your desktop widgets by changing its size.
  To do this, just control-click on the widget → Select one of the there: Small, Medium, or Large.
  
  

• For some widgets, you can change the information it shows.
  Control-click the widget → select Edit [app name], and change the information it shows.
  If you don’t see this option, you can’t modify what the widget shows.
  
  

How to change widget settings in macOS Sonoma

Aside from their size, you can customize their appearance and where your widgets appear.

1. To do so, head to the Apple menu → System Settings.
   
   
2. Select Desktop & Dock from the sidebar → Scroll down to Widgets.
   • Change where you want to see your widgets: Beside Show Widgets, choose where you want widgets to appear. By default, widgets show both On Desktop and In Stage Manager. Deselect either or both if you don’t want them to show there.
   • Change your widget’s style: Select from Monochrome or Full-color, or alternate between the two with Automatic.
   • Change the default browser you’re using for your widgets: Click on the drop-down menu beside Default web browser and choose from the available browsers on your Mac.
     
     

How to remove widgets on Mac in macOS Sonoma

Removing widgets from your desktop or Notification is similar to removing apps from your iPhone or iPad’s Home Screen. 

• To remove widgets from Mac desktop:
  • Control-click or two-finger tap on the widget and choose Remove Widget.
    
    
• To remove a widget from the Notification Center:
  • Go to the Notification Center → Click Edit Widgets.
  • Click the Remove (-) button at the top-left of the widget you want to remove, or control-click it and select Remove Widget.
    
    

How to use iPhone widgets in macOS Sonoma

To synchronize your iPhone widgets with your Mac:

1. Go to System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Toggle on Use iPhone widgets under Widgets.
   
   
2. Once enabled, you should see available iPhone widgets in the widget browser. These will have the label From iPhone at the top right of the window.

Note that you can access all the widgets available on your iPhone without downloading the app on your Mac — pretty neat, right?

Widgets available on Mac desktop

Below are the widgets that are built-in on your Mac:

• Batteries: lets you see the battery status of your Mac and your Bluetooth accessories
• Calendar: informs you of your upcoming events
• Clock: displays the current time
• Contacts: allows you to access the people you care most about easily
• Find My: notifies you of the whereabouts of the people you care most about
• Home: lets you quickly control your accessories
• Notes: gives you instant access to a specific note folder
• Photos: Gives you a slideshow of your featured pictures or memories.
• Podcasts: lets you jump in where you left off in a podcast.
• Reminders: lists reminders that you can tick right from the widget.
• Safari: Highlights the bookmarks and websites you cherish the most.
• Screen Time: shows your screen time activity for the day.
• Shortcuts: lets you quickly run a shortcut.
• Stocks: Reveals the most recent stock prices.
• Weather: Provides a forecast as well as the current weather conditions.

This list isn’t exhaustive and doesn’t include widgets from the third-party apps on your Mac and those on your iPhone.

To add, Apple has claimed that it has made it easier for developers to create custom widgets for macOS Sonoma. As a result, I believe that the Mac will soon be equipped with a wide range of widgets to satisfy various interests and needs.

That’s it!

To effortlessly use desktop widgets in macOS Sonoma, you can curate a desktop space that caters to your unique needs, providing quick access to information and tools that matter most to you. Check the read more section below to learn more about the all-new macOS Sonoma.

Read more:

• Best macOS Sonoma features you must know about!
• macOS Sonoma desktop widgets not working? 11 Ways to fix!
• How to disable Click wallpaper to reveal desktop on mac
• Download the official macOS Sonoma wallpapers here

The post How to use desktop widgets in macOS Sonoma (2024 Guide) appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

But Apple Pay isn’t limited to the iPhone or Apple Watch. You can also use Apple Pay on your Mac for a more speedy checkout experience. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up and using Apple Pay on your Mac.

Things to know before using Apple Pay on Mac

1. Before diving in, you need a compatible Mac model, which includes any of the following:
   • Mac models with Touch ID
   • Older Mac models (introduced in 2012 or later) paired with an Apple Pay-enabled iPhone or Apple Watch
   • Mac computers with Apple Silicon paired with a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
2. Aside from a compatible Mac device, you’ll also need an Apple ID signed in on your Mac and:
   • a card from a compatible credit card issuer or bank
   • an Apple ID signed in on your Mac

How to set up Apple Pay on Mac with Touch ID

Setting up Apple Pay on Mac requires two basic steps: enabling your Touch ID (which you’ve been prompted to do during initiate setup) and updating your payment information.

If you haven’t yet, here’s our guide to enabling Touch ID on your Mac. Make sure to toggle on Use Touch ID for Apple Pay.

The next part is adding payment details to your Mac. Here’s what you need to do on your device:

1. Go to the Apple menu → System Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Wallet & Apple Pay from the sidebar.
3. Click Add Card. Enter your payment information. You can use your existing payment method if you’re already using Apple Pay on your iPhone or another Apple device linked to your Apple ID for iTunes Store and App Store purchases.
4. Click Use a card on file. You might be asked to enter the card’s security code. Click Next to confirm.
5. If you don’t have a payment method stored on file yet, select Add a new card and scan your card’s details by placing it in front of your Mac’s camera, ensuring that it fits on the frame shown on the screen.
   
   Alternatively, you can select Enter Card Details Manually and manually provide all the requested card information. Verify your card number and click Next.
6. Verify your card’s expiration date and enter your three-digit security code. Click Next. 
7. Click Accept to confirm your understanding and acceptance of the terms and conditions.
8. Select your preferred verification method and click Next. 
9. Type in the code you received and select Next. Your credit card should immediately be added to your Apple Pay wallet. However, some banks and credit card issuers may need more time to verify your information.

You also need to ensure that your email address and shipping information are correct to ensure that you won’t have any delays with the checkout process. Click Contact and Shipping button below the list of cards and double-check your information.

Note: Signing out of your Apple ID account will require you to set up Apple Pay again—this includes adding any cards you’ve previously added to Apple Pay on your Mac.

How to set up Apple Pay on Mac without Touch ID

If you’re using an older model of Mac, you may feel worried that you can’t use Apple Pay without a Touch ID.

Fortunately, Apple’s fantastic ecosystem lets you pair your Mac with another Apple device with a biometric sensor. That said, you can still set up Apple Pay on your Mac without a Touch ID if your Mac has a Handoff feature and a credit card stored on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

To set it up, do the following on your iPhone:

1. Open Settings → scroll down and tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
2. Toggle Allow Payments on Mac.
   
   

On your Apple Watch:

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
3. Tick Allow Payments on Mac.

Here’s an updated list of all the banks and credit cards that support Apple Pay. Once you’ve sorted out these basic requirements, go through the steps below to begin using Apple Pay on your Mac.

How to manage cards in Apple Pay on Mac

You can easily manage your cards and access your card information directly from your Mac if you add a card from your Mac with Touch ID.

1. Just go to System Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay. 
2. Click a card in the sidebar and view the card’s information, including its account number, billing address, bank contact information, and transaction details.

You can also remove payment cards on your Mac with Touch ID:

1. Go to System Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay.
2. Select the card you want to remove → click the Remove (–) button.

How to use Apple Pay in Safari on Mac

Before you go on a shopping spree, note that Apple Pay is only available for Safari on Mac.

So if you’re using a different web browser, you’ll need to switch to Apple’s built-in browser to make a purchase.

To add, not all websites accept Apple Pay, but if you see an Apple Pay logo during checkout, it means that the site you’re on supports Apple Pay. 

Here’s a comprehensive list of stores that accept Apple Pay. This is continuously updated, so you can bookmark this article as a reference.

Make purchases in Safari

1. To make a purchase, just click Apple Pay in the checkout options. If you have more than one card, select which card you want to use. You can also change your contact information and shipping address. 
2. If you’re using a Mac with a Touch ID, place your finger on the sensor to complete the purchase.
   • If you haven’t set it up yet, tap the Pay button in the Touch Bar and type your password.
   • If your Mac doesn’t have a Touch Bar, double-tap the Touch ID and enter your password (for Macs with Apple Silicon) to go forward.
3. If you’re using your Mac along with another Apple device, complete your purchase by doing the following:
   • On your Mac computer: Use the Touch ID on your Mac computer’s Magic Keyboard.
   • On your iPhone: Double-click the side button and authenticate the purchase using Touch ID, Face ID, or your iPhone passcode.
   • On your Apple Watch: Double-click the side button on your unlocked Apple Watch.

View transaction details

Transaction details aren’t available on all cards, and viewable transactions depend on the card. Some may include only the transactions you’ve made on your Mac, while other cards may list all the card’s recent transactions. 

To review your transaction details on your Mac:

1. Go to Apple menu → System Settings.
2. Click Wallet & Apple Pay in the sidebar.
3. Click a card.
4. Turn on Show transaction notifications. You should see the most recent transactions with the card on the right.

Wrapping up…

Apple Pay on your Mac simplifies your checkout experience and keeps your transactions private. This feature isn’t limited to Macs with Touch IDs — even your old Mac can benefit. Remember, it’s not just about saving time — it’s also about enhancing security and maintaining privacy.

Were you able to set up Apple Pay on your Mac? Share your experience below!

Read more:

• How to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch: A step by step guide
• How to use Apple Pay Later on iPhone and iPad
• How to use Apple Pay Cash on iPhone

The post How to use Apple Pay on Mac appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

By default, the 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro models come with an M1 Pro chip. You can upgrade to M1 Pro or M1 Max, but it will cost you an extra $$s. Obviously, each has its perks, but which one will fit your heart and wallet? Let’s find out!

M1 Pro vs M1 Max architect: How are they different 

M1 Pro and M1 Max boast a similar underlying architecture as the M1, 5-nanometer process technology and 16-core Neural Engine. The SoCs (systems-on-chips) bring the CPU and GPU on one grid and power them via a unified RAM.

So, how are they different from M1 or each other? Check the below table.

The two new chips have better numbers than M1. From CPU and GPU cores to memory bandwidth, everything unlocks an industry-leading performance per watt and incredible power efficiency.

But how exactly do these numbers reflect in terms of performance? It’s time to check it out.

M1 Pro vs M1 Max: Battle of CPU cores

The CPU in the new chips delivers up to 70 percent faster CPU performance than M1, paving the path for faster and smoother processes.

M1 Pro

With 33.7 billion transistors in its 5nm structure, the M1 Pro claims 2x more transistors than M1. Plus, an 8-core and 10-core CPU version with 6 or 8 high-performance cores and 2 high-efficient cores.

Compared with the latest 8-core PC laptop chip, M1 Pro delivers up to 1.7x more CPU performance at the same power level and achieves the PC chip’s peak performance using up to 70 percent less power.

– Apple’s Press Release

M1 Max

M1 Max also incorporates a 10-core CPU and features over 3.5x more transistors than M1 and 70 percent more than M1 Pro, i.e., 57 billion. It is the largest chip ever built by Apple.

While doubling up on the performance cores obviously increases performance level, Apple has managed to tweak that equation a bit. With a whole new performance cluster with its L2, it’s not just additional cores that help but also everything surrounding them.

Overall, the ball is knocked outside Apple park; and that’s not all.

GPU cores: An all ace game

Apple has beefed up the integrated GPU with all its might, making the new MacBook Pro a dream machine for gamers, developers, video editors, and more.

M1 Pro

M1 Pro offers up to 16-core GPU, making it 2x faster than M1 and approximately 7x faster than the latest 8-core integrated graphics laptop chip (as stated by Apple).

M1 Max

Now, Apple has kicked the ball outside the California region with this one. The M1 Max is available with up to 32-core GPU, making it 4x faster than M1. In the wise words of Apple,

The GPU delivers performance comparable to a high-end GPU in a compact pro PC laptop while consuming up to 40 percent less power, and performance similar to that of the highest-end GPU in the largest PC laptops while using up to 100 watts less power.

If you don’t know what that means, the MacBook Pro with M1 Max will generate less heat and deliver better battery life than ever. And this will stand true even in most GPU-draining workflows.

A complex timeline rendering in Final Cut Pro will be around 13x faster than the previous-gen 13″ MacBook Pro. Indeed an unprecedented graphical processing power for a mobile chip.

M1 Pro vs M1 Max: The memory game

The idea behind Apple’s unified memory architecture is that both CPU and GPU share it, allowing quicker data sharing between the two and faster processing of every kind of task. Although, one critical flaw in the M1 Chips is that they support a maximum of 16GB unified memory.

It maxes out when a CPU- and GPU-demanding task such as complex 3D simulations is thrown in. Apple has understood the assignment and brought in up to 32GB unified memory in M1 Pro, whereas M1 Max gets up to 62GB.

Memory Bandwidth

In addition to doubling and quadrupling the unified memory, Apple has also re-designed the chip fabric with an increased memory interface width and faster DRAM. Thanks to it, M1 Pro can deliver up to 200GB/s memory bandwidth, 3x more than the M1 chip.

As for M1 Max, with up to 400 GB/s, it has roughly 6x more memory bandwidth than M1.

Sweet lord, that’s a lot of 2xs and 3xs into the mix, and while it only means performance and speed bump for the layman, it means so much more for the pro users.

Performance: Who’s better M1 Pro or M1 Max?

Apple has loaded the new chips with advanced custom technologies such as

Powerful display engine

Earlier, the M1 chip was limited to one external display via one of the Thunderbolt ports. Thanks to the new display engine, the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips have extended support to multiple external displays.

The M1 Pro can drive up to two external displays and that too two 6K ProDisplay XDRs. As for M1 Max, you can hook four external monitors or three ProDisplay XDRs and a 4K TV simultaneously.

ProRes accelerators

Both the M1 Pro and M1 Max houses Apple-designed encode and decode media engines designed to quicken video processing while minimizing battery consumption. However, M1 Pro has just one of each, and M1 Max has two encode engines and one decode engine.

M1 Pro also has dedicated acceleration for the ProRes professional video codec to support multiple high-quality 4K and 8K ProRes video streams with very little power. M1 Max further enhances the situation with two ProRes accelerators that deliver up to 2x faster video encoding than M1 Pro.

Apple did put a number to it, M1 Pro can run up to 20 streams of 4K ProRes video playback, and M1 Max delivers up to 7 streams of 8K ProRes video playback.

M1 Pro vs. M1 Max Geekbench results

In terms of peak performance, M1 Max certainly takes the lead, at least on paper. But what about real-time performance? Let’s compare their Geekbench 5 benchmarks to see who has the upper hand.

MacWorld conducted these tests and used a 14-inch MacBook Pro M1 Max 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU, and a 14-inch MacBook Pro M1 Pro 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU.

There’s not a lot of difference in the CPU performance. However, M1 Max sweeps the field when it comes to GPU performance.

The website also conducted media encoding and decoding tests on both chips. And while M1 Pro has impressive results, M1 Max surpassed that test as well.

Is M1 Pro or M1 Max gaming worthy?  

The above GPU results indeed indicate that Apple’s new chip will perform flawlessly in games. However, the relationship between gaming and MacBook is quite rocky, majorly because not many titles are available on macOS and Apple doesn’t support streaming via significant platforms.

While things are improving, it will take some time before MacBook can justify the title of a gaming device. However, M1 Pro and M1 Max seem like steps in the right direction, as the PCMag’s game testing results suggest.

While the chips couldn’t beat RTX 3070/Core i7 Razer Blade 15 Advanced, they stood tall in front of it. Here’s an example.

Pricing vs. features

M1 Pro and M1 Max are available in varied permutations and combinations. How many CPU or GPU cores do you want and how much unified memory? Though not endless, there are enough choices. And as expected, the relation between price and features is directly proportional.

The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro costs $1,999 and boasts an 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine. And as you select a better config, the price keeps on pilling up.

To put things in perspective, the difference between an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and the cheapest model with an M1 Max chip is about $900. And the approximate difference between M1 Max and M1 Pro chip is around $600 to $900.

Which M1 chip should you invest in? 

While Apple’s M1 chip was a revolution that shook the PC industry, its successors M1 Pro and M1 Max, take things several notches higher. According to some stats, it could beat the best desktop systems out there. However, I am holding my verdict till Intel’s Alder Lake CPUs are out and about.

Whether you should choose an M1 Pro or M1 Max for your new MacBook Pro will highly depend on your use case. M1 Max looks flawless on paper, but M1 Pro is more practical for most professional workflows.

The power, performance, and price of M1 Pro are pretty decent for app developers, content creators, students, etc. And M1 Max is more suited for demanding GPU workflow, graphic designers, 3D modeling, game developers, videographers.

Although, if money is not a concern, M1 Max might be a more future-proof chip. With such advancing technology, who knows, MacBook finally becomes a gaming device or gets AR apps that are absolutely necessary.

Thinking of buying the new MacBook Pro? Then don’t skip these articles.

• Is killing Touch Bar and adding ports in MacBook Pro 2021 a masterstroke or mistake?
• Best bags for MacBook Pro
• Apple M1 vs. M2 chip: What’s the difference?

The post M1 Pro vs. M1 Max: Practicality vs. Power, which will win? appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

• Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac
• How to Find Zoom Shortcuts for Mac

List of Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac

Shortcuts make your professional life easier as you can quickly conduct tasks. Impress your immediate superior with your newfound skills on Zoom.

Zoom Meeting Shortcuts

• Command(⌘)+J: Join Meeting
• Command(⌘)+Control+V: Start Meeting
• Command(⌘)+J: Schedule Meeting
• Command(⌘)+Control+S: Screen Share via Direct Share
• Command(⌘)+Shift+A: Mute/unmute audio
• Command(⌘)+Control+M: Mute audio for everyone except the host (only available to the host)
• Command(⌘)+Control+U: Unmute audio for everyone except host  (only available to the host)
• Space: Push to talk
• Command(⌘)+Shift+V: Start/stop video
• Command(⌘)+Shift+N: Switch camera
• Command(⌘)+Shift+S: Start/stop screen share
• Command(⌘)+Shift+T: Pause or resume screen share
• Command(⌘)+Shift+R: Start local recording
• Command(⌘)+Shift+C: Start cloud recording
• Command(⌘)+Shift+P: Pause or resume recording
• Command(⌘)+Shift+W: Switch to active speaker view or gallery view, depending on current view
• Control+P: View previous 25 participants in gallery view
• Control+N: View next 25 participants in gallery view
• Command(⌘)+U: Display/hide Participants panel
• Command(⌘)+Shift+H: Show/hide In-Meeting Chat Panel
• Command(⌘)+I: Open invite window
• Option+Y: Raise hand/lower hand
• Ctrl+Shift+R: Gain remote control
• Ctrl+Shift+G: Stop remote control
• Command(⌘)+Shift+F: Enter or Exit fullscreen
• Command(⌘)+Shift+M: Switch to minimal window
• Ctrl+Option+Command+H: Show/hide meeting controls
• Ctrl+Shift+R: Gain remote control
• Ctrl+Shift+G: Stop remote control
• Ctrl+: Toggle the “Always Show meeting controls” options in Settings/Accessibility
• Command(⌘)+W: Prompt to End or Leave Meeting

Zoom Chat Shortcuts

• Command(⌘)+K: Jump to chat with someone
• Command(⌘)+T: Screenshot

General Zoom Shortcuts

• Command(⌘)+W: Close the current window
• Command(⌘)+L: Switch to Portrait or Landscape View, depending on current view
• Ctrl+T: Switch from one tab to the next

How to Find Zoom Shortcuts for Mac

To get more Mac Zoom keyboard shortcuts, you can find them on the official Zoom portal. Follow the method given below:

1. Login to your Zoom desktop account.
2. Next, click on your profile picture.
3. Now, click on Settings.
4. Now click on Keyboard Shortcuts.

Here, you can check your Zoom keyboard shortcuts for Mac.

That’s all friends!

How Frequently Do You Use Zoom Shortcuts?

Recently, Zoom has gained momentum and millions of users are installing this app on their iPhones, iPads, and Macs. However, this has paused privacy threats. People are deleting their Zoom accounts and opting for alternatives.

You might want to take a peek at these posts as well:

• Mac Keyboard Shortcuts for Notes App
• How to Make Desktop Shortcuts on Mac
• How to use the Zoom app on iPhone and iPad
• Best Siri Shortcuts for macOS 12 Monterey

Are you still using Zoom? What is so unique about this app? Share your feedback with us in the Comments section below.

The post Complete List of Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

Extending display isn’t new to Apple users, lots of you may be using some third-party software such as Luna, or Duet Display for this purpose. But as this is a built-in feature in macOS Catalina, you don’t need to worry about hardware specifications. Sidecar works either wirelessly or by connecting your iPad and Mac with USB-C or Lightning cable.

Apple didn’t officially specify any supported devices, but we’ve tested this on iPad Pro running iPadOS and MacBook Pro running macOS Catalina 10.15, and it works perfectly fine. However, Sidecar supports iMac 27″ (Late 2015) or newer, MacBook Pro (2016) or newer model, Mac Mini (2018), Mac Pro (2019), MacBook Air (2018), MacBook (Early 2016 or newer). Before getting started, make sure your iPad is on iPadOS and Mac is running macOS Catalina. Follow along and I’ll walk you through all the steps in detail.

How to Use Sidecar on Mac & iPad and Use iPad as a Secondary Display

Step #1. Put your iPad near the Mac, or Connect it with a cable.

Note: However, if your iPad doesn’t show up in the AirPlay list you can manually connect it. Just go to Settings → Sidecar → Connect To → Devices → Select your iPad.

Step #2. Now, click on the AirPlay icon from the top right Menu bar on your Mac and then choose your iPad Name to connect with.

Now, you can see that your iPad completely replicates your Mac’s screen.

To Disconnect, Simply click on the Airplay Icon → Disconnect.

How to Customize Sidecar on macOS Catalina

You can also customize your Sidecar from the AirPlay Icon → Click on Open Sidecar Preferences.

Here are some of the customization options you have:

Show Sidebar Position on Left or Right: You can adjust Sidebar tools to be on the left or right position on iPad, when in landscape mode.

Double-Tap on Apple Pencil: If you want to use an Apple pencil on your iPad, you can enable or disable it from here.

Show Touch bar on Top or Bottom: You can adjust the Touch Bar tools display position on iPad, when in landscape mode.

Here’s the Official List of Apps that Supports Sidecar.

• Adobe Illustrator
• Affinity Designer
• Affinity Photo
• Cinema 4D
• CorelDRAW
• DaVinci Resolve
• Final Cut Pro
• Maya
• Motion
• Painter
• Principle
• Sketch
• Substance Designer
• Substance Painter
• ZBrush

Wrapping Up…

That’s all, Using sidecar on Mac can be very convenient because extending desktop, and using Apple Pencil right on your macOS apps was never been this easier.

Don’t miss:

• How to Close All Safari Tabs at Once on iPhone and iPad
• How to download macOS Ventura public beta on your Mac
• How To Use Mouse with your iPad to Make the Most Out of It

What do you think about this new feature? Toss up your views in the comment section below.

The post How to Use Sidecar on Mac to Turn iPad into Second Screen appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

Any Mac that belongs to Mid-2012 or later is qualified to receive macOS Catalina update later this fall. Though, you can try the beta version right now if you have a developer account. Not sure what Mac you are using? You can check that by clicking the Apple logo and then click on “About this Mac.” You’ll find the information on this page.

Still unsure? Don’t worry, just try to find your device from the list below:

macOS Catalina Device Compatibility

macOS Catalina Compatible MacBook Pro

• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)

macOS Catalina Supported MacBook Air

• MacBook Air 2018
• MacBook Air 2012

iMac

• iMac Slim Unibody (2012)
• iMac Slim Unibody with Retina 5K Display (2014)
• iMac Pro (2017)

macOS Catalina on Mac Mini

• Macmini6,1 – 2012
• Macmini6,2 – 2012
• Macmini7,1 – 2014
• Mac mini USB – C 2018

macOS Catalina Supported Mac Pro

• Mac Pro Second Generation 2013
• Mac Pro Third Generation 2019

That’s all for now!

Signing off…

Apple has committed to updating devices from Mid-2012 and later, that is almost 7 years of software update support. This is one of the biggest advantages of having an Apple product; you stay with the latest trends without needing to update the hardware.

Don’t miss out:

• iOS 13 Supported Devices: What iPhones Are Compatible With iOS 13?

Is your device listed on the list? Which model do you use? Share it in the comments.

The post macOS Catalina Compatible MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac Mini appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

To set up Mojave Dynamic wallpaper on your Mac, first, you need to enable Location Services as it requires the access to your location. So, ensure that you have enabled Location Services before getting started. To do so, open System Preferences ⟶ Security & Privacy ⟶ select Privacy tab and then check the box for Enable Location Services.

How to Enable Dynamic Desktop in macOS Mojave on Mac

Step #1. First off, click on Apple menu at the top left corner of the screen.

Step #2. Now, select System Preferences.

Step #3. Next, click on Desktop and Screen Savers.

Step #4. Next up, ensure that Desktop tab is selected, if it’s not already. Then, choose the Mojave Dynamic wallpaper from the available options.

Voila! You have set up the adorable display on your Mac.

How to Disable Dynamic Display Mode in macOS Mojave

While the Dynamic display works neatly, it can eat into plenty of battery of your computer due to the continuous location tracking. Hence, you may want to disable it to extend the battery of your device.

Step #1. Click on Apple menu ⟶ System Preferences ⟶ Desktop and Screen Savers.

Step #2. Now, simply set another wallpaper.

There you go!

Wrapping up

This ever-active display is indeed a fabulous deal for the folks who hate to see the dull and inactive desktop. Personally, I have found it pretty on point. However, I’m going to use it smartly ensuring it doesn’t take away the sheen from the battery life. What’s your take on it?

You would like to explore:

• How to Enable Dark Mode on Mac
• How to Use Measure App on iPhone
• How to change wallpaper on Mac

The post How to Set Up Dynamic Desktop in macOS Mojave on Mac appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

With the arrival of the new Photos app, iPhone Library doesn’t have much significance left with it. Moreover, it can no longer be even found in the Mac App Store.

In other words, Apple has decided to leave it behind to provide a more useful Photos app for users. If you have updated your Mac to OS X 10.10.3, you’d like to migrate all your photos from iPhoto Library to Photo Library. Here is the quickest way you can do so. Let’s take a look!

Note: Before going further, make sure to delete duplicate files and update any Metadata if you want in your iPhoto Library. Once you have pruned your iPhoto Library, close it out.

Transfer iPhoto Library to Photos App on Mac

Step #1. Click on Finder and Go to your Pictures folder.

Step #2. You’ll see Photos Library and iPhoto Library. Open Photos Library and make sure there is nothing inside. Now, delete the Photos Library as usually to prevent it from creating multiple files.

Step #3. Next up, open Photos app from the dock.

Step #4. The menu would suggest that the system can’t find Photo Library. Ignore the suggestion and click on Open Other.

Step #5. Select iPhoto Library and then click on Choose Library.

Wait for a while until all your photos have been imported to the new Photos app.

That’s all! If you want to check out whether photos have been imported from iPhoto or not, launch Photos app and ensure it’s all done perfectly.

You can still use iPhoto Library but its data can’t be automatically stored in iCloud. If you click on it now, it tells you that all your Photos have been migrated to Photos app.

You can remove iPhoto Library if you don’t find any significance in keeping it on your device. Though I am not going to get rid of it right now, I won’t keep it for far too long either. What do you think? Are you going to remove it soon?

Do you wish to catch up with more such articles?

The post How to transfer iPhoto library to Photos App on Mac appeared first on iGeeksBlog.