MacBook users - help please

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OnceBitten

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#147140 10-Jun-2014 12:11

sorry for bombarding the forum like this, but I've got some questions for macbook / apple users

Can we plug an external monitor into the MacBook? the macbook only has a few slots down the side. We have a monitor with our Compaq PC and if compatible will need an adaptor cable, as there is no slot in the macbook with the same looking connections

is the macbook sound in mono? I plugged my old speakers (stereo) that we used on the compaq PC, but the sound only came out of 1 side (they were plugged into the headphone socket as there is no where else to plug into) sound comes out of both speakers when plugged into the Compaq.
or do i need to buy very expensive 'apple' speakers?

why is it when I press the delete key, it acts as a backspace key and doesn't 'delete'

where is the refresh key? has always been F5, but when I press F5 it wants to adjust the contrast. I like to refresh the screen when I am watching the end of a Trade Me Auction

Ctrl - C doesn't copy... I am assuming this function is / was a windows only one and Bill Gates has trade marked it or something?

it's just frustrating when the functions / shortcuts you've been happily using for years suddenly do not work!

thanks in advance

geocom

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#1062495 10-Jun-2014 12:22

Eternal monitors need a converter. Will need to know what year and size macbook you have to accurately say.

Dito with the sound question but every macbook I have had is stereo out. Could be a software thing. Was the machine fresh installed with Mac OS X when you got it?

There are 2 delete keys on the full size keyboard one is a backspace and one is a delete key. On the macbook if you press function and delete it will delete forwards.

Refresh key is command + r
Ctr + c is now command + c and this goes for most of the commands your familiar with in windows. Because it is closer to the space key usually it is easier to do anything one handed than control is on windows.
If you upgrade to mavericks you can add F5 so that it will reload the page.

alt + tab on windows is command +tab on the mac.

Command + Q is quit the program I am in and command + W is close the current window I am in.

Geoff E

lxsw20

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#1062497 10-Jun-2014 12:24

What sort of MacBook for a start? It will either have HDMI or Mini Display Port for Video out, or both.

Sound is stereo

Because that's how the delete key acts on a mac, for proper delete it's Fn+Delete

For Cut/Copy/Paste it's the apple key (has a hash thing on it) and X, C, V

http://www.apple.com/support/macbasics/ - that and google will answer a lot of your questions quicker than waiting on a reply on a forum also :)

Tzoi

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#1062502 10-Jun-2014 12:27

Which Macbook do you have? Most macbooks will have either a mini-displayport, thunderbolt or mini-dvi (on older ones) so it is a slightly different connector to the standard ones, partly to save space but you can plug monitors in

Regards mono sound I have no idea why you're experiencing that problem. Works fine for me

Delete is essentially Apple's way of saying Backspace. If you want to delete as it is on Windows computers, hold down Fn and press the delete button

Refresh is Apple/Command + R. I think Fn + F5 may also work. Alternatively, in the options I believe there is a setting to make the function buttons act as f1, f2 etc instead of the inscribed functions on the keys

All commands on a macbook are using the 'Apple/command' key instead of the control key.

edit: looks like in the time it took me to get to his post and reply I was beaten!

geocom

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#1062504 10-Jun-2014 12:29

One thing to try re mono sound find System Preferences(Usually in the dock if not it is in the applications folder)

Find sound -> output and check that the slider saying left - right is in the middle otherwise it will only come out of one speaker.

Geoff E

OnceBitten

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#1062530 10-Jun-2014 12:46

thanks guys
the MacBook is a MacBook Pro - bought last year (october?) new - have no idea what software it has on it sorry
We did buy office for mac I think, so will have to install that

my only concern is we plug a wireless mouse into one of the USB slots and will plug the epson printer into the USB other slot and the ethernet cable goes into that slot and there's only 1 small plug / slot left, so that doesn't leave a lot to choose from to plug the monitor into!

I wil have to get the hang of the Macbook controls!

geocom

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#1062532 10-Jun-2014 12:51

So your macbook will have a thunderbolt port. the monitor adapter will go into that port.
VGA
DVI

You might also want to upgrade to mavericks as from your last thread it looks like you must still be on mountain lion. You just need to download and install it from the Mac App Store. Its free

Geoff E

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Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

Boeingflyer

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#1062657 10-Jun-2014 15:31

OnceBitten: thanks guys
the MacBook is a MacBook Pro - bought last year (october?) new - have no idea what software it has on it sorry
We did buy office for mac I think, so will have to install that

my only concern is we plug a wireless mouse into one of the USB slots and will plug the epson printer into the USB other slot and the ethernet cable goes into that slot and there's only 1 small plug / slot left, so that doesn't leave a lot to choose from to plug the monitor into!

I wil have to get the hang of the Macbook controls!

Buy an Apple magic mouse or any other bluetooth mouse and buy a wireless printer. Welcome to Apple where you'll be turned upside down for a start coming from a PC but once you have it sorted you will see how good Apple is.

OnceBitten

545 posts

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#1062675 10-Jun-2014 15:43

Fabian:
OnceBitten: thanks guys
the MacBook is a MacBook Pro - bought last year (october?) new - have no idea what software it has on it sorry
We did buy office for mac I think, so will have to install that

my only concern is we plug a wireless mouse into one of the USB slots and will plug the epson printer into the USB other slot and the ethernet cable goes into that slot and there's only 1 small plug / slot left, so that doesn't leave a lot to choose from to plug the monitor into!

I wil have to get the hang of the Macbook controls!

Buy an Apple magic mouse or any other bluetooth mouse and buy a wireless printer. Welcome to Apple where you'll be turned upside down for a start coming from a PC but once you have it sorted you will see how good Apple is.

our printer can run wireless apparently..... I don't want to spend any more that I have to because this MacBook cost way more that a very good windows laptop! (wife insisted it HAD to be apple)

Elpie

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#1062754 10-Jun-2014 17:08

OnceBitten:
Fabian:
OnceBitten: thanks guys
the MacBook is a MacBook Pro - bought last year (october?) new - have no idea what software it has on it sorry
We did buy office for mac I think, so will have to install that

my only concern is we plug a wireless mouse into one of the USB slots and will plug the epson printer into the USB other slot and the ethernet cable goes into that slot and there's only 1 small plug / slot left, so that doesn't leave a lot to choose from to plug the monitor into!

I wil have to get the hang of the Macbook controls!

Buy an Apple magic mouse or any other bluetooth mouse and buy a wireless printer. Welcome to Apple where you'll be turned upside down for a start coming from a PC but once you have it sorted you will see how good Apple is.

our printer can run wireless apparently..... I don't want to spend any more that I have to because this MacBook cost way more that a very good windows laptop! (wife insisted it HAD to be apple)

I predict an "Ah ha!" moment anytime soon. I bought a Macbook Air a couple of months back for portable use and as a gap-filler until I buy another PC. I've had little time to use it so far but quickly hit the, "why did I wait so long" questioning. Should have made this move years ago. Bet it happens to you too.