Once you are at the latest system software, customize your Mac.
These are some of my preferred settings.
If you have a have bluetooth mouse or trackpad or keyboard, turn on bluetooth and connect them through...
System Settings > Bluetooth
If you have a Magic Mouse or other mouse that you want to adjust the setting, ensure that it is connected to you Mac.
You will then be able to adjust the settings under...
System Settings > Mouse
- Set Secondary click to Click right side (for right handed use)
Adjust your Mac settings such as...
-
Theme (i.e. Dark Mode) in System Settings > Appearance
-
Dock Size and Behavior in System Settings > Desktop & Dock
- Increase Size slider towards Large
- Turn off Show recent applications in Dock
- (For macOS Sonoma) Under Desktop & Stage Manager, set Click wallpaper to reveal desktop to Only in Stage Manager
-
Menu Bar Contents and Settings in System Settings > Control Center
- Bluetooth Show in Menu Bar
- Sound Always Show in Menu Bar
- Battery Show in Menu Bar
- Turn on Show Percentage
-
Visual Zoom Ability in System Settings > Accessibility
- Accessibility > Zoom
- Turn on Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom
- Turn on Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom
- The default is hold down the Control key then scroll
- Accessibility > Zoom
Adjust your Mac's Finder settings such as...
- General and Sidebar Settings in Finder
- Sidebar Show these items in the Sidebar
- Select showing user name directory
- Sidebar Show these items in the Sidebar
You can start customizing your Mac by removing and adding apps to your Dock.
Add...
- Terminal
- Activity Monitor
- Calculator
Open your Mac's Terminal app and adjust any settings under Terminal > Settings
- Select profile for new windows under General
- Increase Font size (e.g. 18) for selected profile under Profiles Font Change...