MacNews

First off I'll use the word "MacBook" throughout this post. I'm doing that to keep from having to write MacBook/MacBook Pro, MacBook Air every single time. These tips are for all "MacBook" users despite your particular model. I'm a MacBook Pro user in case you were wondering.
 

1. Secure it with a password

When you first set up your Mac and create a user account by default that user account is set to automatically log you in each time you boot up or wake up from sleep. While this may be less of an issue for a desktop Mac in your home, I highly recommend that you turn OFF the automatic login on any MacBook notebook. This way if you lose it, or it's stolen or someone tries to access it when you're not looking, they can't just get in and have immediate access to all of your info.
 

2. Put your name on it

Sounds silly, but once upon a time I accidentally left my MacBook Pro at the TSA checkpoint on my way to my flight. See the details of my saga here. Luckily I got it back, however, I would have got it back before the flight took off if they knew whose it was? There was no name on it and therefore they didn't know who to page. I use this Brother labeler to label ALL of my portable gear.

3. Dim the display, turn off the keyboard light and bluetooth while on battery
 

It never fails, I'm on a flight I walk down the isle and I see a fellow MacBook user and I can tell right away that it's a MacBook because the keyboard is lit up. While this is great when you have plenty of power it's an extra drain on your battery. So ways that I stretch my battery life when I travel include turning off the keyboard backlighting, turning off Bluetooth an dimming the display as low as I possible can especially if I'm watching a movie. I can usually get away with one notch above off.

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