Historically, in the technology world there are two main desktop operating systems, which, having much in common, differ in different details. They must be taken into account when choosing one or another system.
Apple computers are less popular, so their features are rightly considered incomprehensible and strange. One of the most difficult aspects is working with the keyboard. Each user who first opened the cover of the new MacBook, after a long and happy life on Windows, is faced with the fact that the standard text input tool does not work like it does in Windows.
There are questions that already at the first stage of acquaintance with the new system make you nervous and in a hurry to read instructions for working with a computer or torment Google with popular queries, for example: "How to change the layout in macOS?"; “What does the Option button look like on a Mac?” In this article, the reader will find answers to all his questions and learn about all the features of the "apple" keyboard.
Modifier keys ("binds", key combinations)
In a time when touch-sensitive displays and touch panels like the TouchBar did not yet exist, hot keys and their combinations were used to quickly interact with certain interface elements.
As well as on Windows, the Mac uses standard commands like: "paste", "copy", "open a new tab." Only to activate them, instead of the usual Control, the Command button is used, with which you command your computer. In the network, instead of the full names of the keys, their symbolic symbols are used:
Title | Symbol | Value |
Command | ⌘ | Works like a start button on a PC, but also takes control button functionality |
Shift | ⇧ | It works just like on a PC |
Option | ⌥ | Allows you to activate additional features or display alternative information about the system. |
Control | ⌃ | Supplements custom keyboard shortcuts and commands |
Caps lock | ⇪ | In addition to its basic functionality (automatic capital letters), it can work as a modifier key if the appropriate software is installed |
Mac Option Button: Key Features
In short, the Option key is nothing more than Alt, which we are all used to on computers running the Microsoft system. Apparently, the name was changed so as not to be like the brainchild of Bill Gates. Moreover, in the standard Russian layout it is called exactly that, but the Option name is completely absent, which is confusing for many users.
First you need to find out where the Option button on the Mac is located. In this matter, it is worth focusing on engraving with the corresponding symbol. The Option key opens a number of alternative functions, for example:
- By holding down the Option key and hovering over one of the menu items, you can get additional information about the Internet connection, accessories, sound sources, and so on.
- Function keys F1-F12 can be links in the settings menu if you hold down the Option key while pressing them.
- Also, in the manner of Windows, using the Option button, you can enter alternative characters (long dashes or Christmas tree quotes).
Keyboard layout
Another important problem experienced by inexperienced users when switching to Mac (Option button does not count) is the keyboard layout. The fact is that, by default, Apple computers use a layout called “Russian typewriting”. This did not happen by chance, because in typewriters punctuation marks were taken out to the top so that the mechanism would not get stuck when hooks cling to each other during fast printing. In the modern world, such tricks are clearly superfluous, therefore such a layout seems to be a vestige and archaism that needs to be fixed.
To do this, you must:
- go to system settings;
- select the submenu “Keyboard”;
- further - the sub-item "Input Sources";
- here, replace the selected layout with “Russian PC”. Now all the keys function exactly the same as on Windows, although the engraving does not correspond to that.
It is important not to be afraid to experiment. Holding down the Option key, you can achieve completely different results by completing the previous tasks. For example, close all tabs at once with one click or increase the font of the typed text.
Layout Switching
Another habit that is very difficult to fight when moving to the Mac is the combination of the Shft + Alt and Shift + Ctrl keys to change the language of the input text. Unfortunately, Apple is against using two modifier keys at the same time in the same combination, so assigning the same combination to change the language will not work. The problem can be solved using the Yandex Punto Switcher utility, which ignores system restrictions and allows you to assign any keyboard shortcuts to change the language.
Instead of a conclusion
In general, it is worthwhile to understand that, despite all the charms of the Apple world, even here certain difficulties cannot be avoided, although they arise because of our own habits. Someone probably will not want or cannot overcome himself, because of which he will again return to the good old PC. And if the enthusiasm does not fade away, it will soon become clear that all these changes are only beneficial: the keyboard shortcuts are more logical, and the Option button on the Mac is much more advanced and functional than its Windows counterpart.