General Apple Megathread

[opendoor]

Maybe my use cases are basic by some standards, but I don't think I've ever had occasion to use the Fn key on a Mac other than the very few times I need to switch to use an F1-F12 key rather than the built-in functions (brightness, volume, play/pause, etc.).

Most of the specific Fn functions are faster or more convenient to do through other means. Like, using Fn + C to get into Control Center, which is something that can only be interacted with using a cursor, is kind of pointless.

[PepsiFree]

Don’t think I’ve ever used the fn key on any keyboard on any operating system in my entire life.

[chemgear]

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Meh Logitech keyboards suck anyhow.

I've never used a Logitech keyboard with a Mac but I've had no problem with them on PC. I'm using a K400 right now. I own two of them and they're great for living room or remote use.

[Bill Bumface]

The fn key is how you quickly get your emojis down ��

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Don’t think I’ve ever used the fn key on any keyboard on any operating system in my entire life.

Really? Huh. I use stuff like ctrl-F5 for a hard refresh, or F2 to enter a cell in Excel. F10 to pull up menu bars that may be hidden, F12 for developer tools in browsers. And on a laptop the F keys are often shared with functions so I use them often enough. Maybe Macs are just built different...

[Wormius]

Guys? Like, seriously. Did you forget about F3?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Guys? Like, seriously. Did you forget about F3?

Alt-F4 is a handy one. Forgot because I use it all the time.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Really? Huh. I use stuff like ctrl-F5 for a hard refresh, or F2 to enter a cell in Excel. F10 to pull up menu bars that may be hidden, F12 for developer tools in browsers. And on a laptop the F keys are often shared with functions so I use them often enough. Maybe Macs are just built different...

Yeah sure but what do you use the fn key for?

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Yeah sure but what do you use the fn key for?

Most keyboards and especially laptop keyboards bind brightness controls, media keys, volume up/down/mute, print screen, page up/down, etc. to the function keys by default. So when you actually want to use the function key for its regular purpose -- F3 to search, Alt-F4 to close an app, Ctrl-F5 to force a uncached page refresh, F12 for developer tools -- you actually have to press Fn+F3 or Fn+Ctrl+F5, and so on. Some keyboards toggle the Fn key (Surface devices for example), others require press and hold.

[Fuzz]

Ya, sorry didn't know that one needed explaining. Must not have it on the Speak & Spell.


/ducks