This is part of a series of blog posts about my laptop setup. Eventually I intend to write a post to tie them together.

In this post I’m going to detail my Mac setup. I optimise for maximum laziness which comes down to minimal cognitive load and minimal annoyance.

Since optimal workspace setup differs significantly per person, even in terms of maximum laziness, here are some things about me worth noting:

  • I like my hands to stay on the keyboard
  • I like interfaces as uncluttered as possible with minimal distractions
  • I worked on Windows systems from 3.1 to 10 and have been somewhat conditioned by that experience 😵‍💫
  • I like the illusion of control so am not a fan of too much background blackbox automation
  • I can be inconsistent in my preferences like most human beings 😉

This setup works for me but I in no way expect it to work for everyone.

If you’re a productivity guru reading this and know a better way: please add a comment! I love finding easier ways to do things but am not always able to invest the energy in finding them. As someone once said, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter”

How will this go?

The format will be what I’ve adjusted and why though the overriding reasons are the ones listed above.

Ref list

The Keyboard

Change

  • In System Settings -> Keyboard -> Keyboard Shortcuts -> Modifier Keys:
    • Set to Caps Lock to Escape
    • Set Control to Command
    • Set Command to Control
  • Do this for all Keyboards

Why

I never use the Caps Lock key but I do often need to use the Escape key as I use Vim key bindings when they’re supported.

The Command - Control key switch is to irritate the hell out of my coworkers who try to show me something on my keyboard. 😛 No, it’s a legacy of working in Windows that I’ve been too lazy to adjust.

Change

In System Settings -> Keyboard -> Keyboard Shortcuts -> Keyboard:

  • Change “Move focus to new windows” to “^`”

Why

I use this a shortcut a lot when shifting between instances of my browser or VS Code and it works best with the key next to the space. Because of Command - Control key shift above it needs to be reset.

This is probably one of my favourite shortcuts.

Change

System Settings -> Keyboard -> Text Input -> Input Sources -> Edit…:

  • Correct spelling automatically: disable
  • Capitalise words automatically: disable
  • Add full stop with double-space: disable

Why

I’ve been scarred using Microsoft products like Word or PowerPoint, just let me make typos!

Window layout tool - Rectangle

For moving and resizing my Windows I install Rectangle I use the standard shortcuts and it just works magically.

The Magic Mouse

I use an Apple Magic Mouse. Yes, I know the charging design is crappy and that there are much better mice out there. However, I prefer to use the mouse with my left hand which limits my options. Anyway, I digress…

Change

In System Settings -> Mouse:

  • Turn off Natural scrolling
  • Change “Secondary click” to “Click Right Side”
  • Set Tracking speed to one off Fast

Why

I never got used to Natural scrolling though I imagine some people do. And I’ve been conditioned to use right-click from my Windows days.

The Dock

Change

In System Settings -> Desktop & Dock:

  • “Automatically hide and show the Dock”: enabled
  • “Show indicators for open applications”: disabled
  • “Show suggested and recent apps in Dock”: disabled
  • “Stage Manager”: disabled
  • “Hot Corners…”: Set all of them to “-”

Why

A lot of these configurations are centred around Mouse usage and I like to keep my hands on my keyboard. For switching between apps I use Spotlight (more about that setup below)

Spotlight

I use Spotlight for opening and switching between applications. And for doing quick math calculations. And that’s it which I know is underusing it.

I keep on meaning to start using Alfred which is apparently Spotlight on steroids.

Change

System Settings -> Spotlight

Turn off everything except:

  • Applications
  • Calculator
  • Conversion
  • Definition
  • System Settings

Why

My goal is really to reduce clutter from the results while retaining useful functionality.

Control Centre

So control centre is a bit weird in that it IS mouse oriented and I tend to use it a fair bit for things like:

  • Adjusting my volume (I know, I can use the keyboard for this, what’s wrong with me???)
  • Checking battery levels on my keyboard/mouse/headphones
  • Switching my sound output device
  • Configuring Wifi / Network connectivity

I guess this a legacy from Windows and using the system tray. I blame Microsoft!

Change

In System Settings -> Control Centre:

  • Sound -> Always Show in Menu Bar
  • Bluetooth -> Show in Menu Bar

Why

I need to click on these things! 😵‍💫

Finder

I’m in the process of shifting way from using Finder due to a tendency to rely on my mouse. My use of it definitely comes from years of clicking around in Windows Explorer so it may be a difficult habit to shake.

Change

In Finder, open Settings (Command+,) and select “General”. Change “New Finder windows show” to your user folder.

Why

The default is “Recents” which I don’t find useful. From my user folder I easily navigate to other folders via Command+Shift+G

Change

  • In Finder, open your user directory and select “View”->“View Options” or Command+J
  • Select “Always open in list view” and “Browse in list view”

Why

The default folder view uses up too much space

Screenshots

Mac supports a bunch of keyboard shortcuts for making screenshots as listed below. By adding the Control key you can add the capture to the clipboard instead of storing as a file.

ActionShortcut
Capture the entire screenPress Shift-Command-3.
Capture a portion of the screenPress Shift-Command-4, then move the crosshair pointer to where you want to start the screenshot. Press the mouse or trackpad button, drag over the area you want to capture, then release the mouse or trackpad button.
Capture a window or the menu barPress Shift-Command-4, then press the Space bar. Move the camera pointer over the window or the menu bar to highlight it, then click.
Capture a menu and menu itemsOpen the menu, press Shift-Command-4, then drag the pointer over the menu items you want to capture.
Open ScreenshotPress Shift-Command 5.
Capture the Touch BarPress Shift-Command-6.

Change

  • Select Shift-Command-4
  • Select “Options”
  • Under “Save to”, select “Other Location…”
  • Now select where you would like your screenshots to be stored, I prefer ~/Pictures/Screenshots

Why

Ensures your Desktop isn’t full of screenshots image files!

Siri / Apple Intelligence

You would think a lazy person is going to make maximum use of voice prompts and AI, right? Well, I guess from previous bad experiences I have something of a distrust of tools like this for direct interfacing when controlling my workstation. I’m pretty sure this is the future and will render all of the above configurations obsolete but for now…

System Settings -> Apple Intelligence & Siri:

In conclusion

In writing this I’ve realised there are a lot more laziness improvements I can make but it was fun recording the ones I have. As mentioned at the start, any suggestions are welcome.