Top 10 BEST Mac Apps For Productivity: M1 & M2

Summary

In this video, Chris, a software developer, shares the top 10 MacBook apps that he personally uses and highly recommends after sifting through numerous YouTube app recommendations. These apps focus on productivity, multitasking, and efficiency, with useful tools like Alfred, Hand Mirror, Rectangle, and more. Chris provides a quick overview of each app, explaining why it's worth downloading and how to set it up. He also offers insights into paid vs. free versions and includes a giveaway for viewers. Overall, this video is a practical guide for improving your MacBook experience.

Takeaways

• 🖥️ Chris, a software developer, discusses the top 10 MacBook applications that are genuinely useful and not just overhyped.
• 🔍 Alfred is the first app recommended for its powerful search capabilities, both internally and externally, and is considered a game changer for productivity.
• 🪞 Hand Mirror is a quick utility for checking your appearance before video calls, offering a fast preview through the menu bar.
• 📝 Rectangle is highlighted for its ability to manage multiple screens efficiently with customizable hotkeys, surpassing macOS's native split-screen view.
• 🗂️ Hidden Me is praised for its functionality to hide desktop clutter temporarily, aiding in maintaining a clean and organized workspace.
• 🍾 Bartender 4 is recommended for decluttering and customizing the menu bar, though it's noted as a paid app.
• 📧 Temp Box is an underrated app that generates fake email addresses to avoid spam, protecting your personal inbox from marketing emails.
• 📑 Drop Zone 4 is a new discovery for Chris, simplifying file management by allowing the combination of multiple files into a single shareable file.
• 💡 Cheat Sheet provides quick access to keyboard shortcuts for any open application, boosting productivity by saving time and effort.
• 🖥️ Monitor Control is beneficial for users of external monitors, allowing easy adjustment of brightness across multiple displays.
• 🧼 App Cleaner is the final recommendation, a tool that not only uninstalls apps but also removes leftover files, ensuring a thorough cleanup.

Q & A

What is the first app mentioned in the video and what does it enhance?

The first app mentioned is Alfred, which enhances the spotlight tool by allowing internal and external searches, making it a powerful tool for productivity.

How can you download Alfred and what is its primary function?

You can download Alfred by typing 'Alfred app' into a browser and visiting alfredapp.com. Its primary function is to serve as an enhanced search tool for both internal computer files and external web content.

What is the purpose of the Hand Mirror app and how do you download it?

The Hand Mirror app is used for quickly checking your appearance through the webcam before joining video meetings. It can be downloaded from the App Store by searching for 'Hand Mirror'.

Why is the Rectangle app recommended for multitaskers?

Rectangle is recommended for multitaskers because it allows for customizable hotkey-based screen splitting, making it easier to manage multiple screens and improve workflow.

How does the Hidden Me app help in maintaining a clean desktop?

Hidden Me provides a menu icon to temporarily hide all files and folders on the desktop, which is useful for those who prefer a minimalist desktop layout.

What is the main feature of the Bartender 4 app and how much does it cost?

Bartender 4 allows users to declutter and organize their menu bar with features to rearrange, hide, or show icons. It costs $14 and is a paid app.

What problem does the Temp Box app solve and how can you download it?

Temp Box solves the problem of receiving marketing emails by generating fake email addresses for sign-ups. It can be downloaded by visiting tempbox.wasim.works.

What is the primary use of DropZone 4 according to the video?

The primary use of DropZone 4 is to drag files into the menu bar icon for storage and to combine them into a single shareable file for easy file sharing.

How does Cheat Sheet help with productivity and where can it be downloaded from?

Cheat Sheet provides quick access to keyboard shortcuts for any open application, boosting productivity. It can be downloaded from the Softonic link provided in the video description.

What does Monitor Control do and how can you get it on your Mac?

Monitor Control allows for easy adjustment of brightness levels across multiple monitors. It can be downloaded from the GitHub repo by either using Homebrew or by downloading the DMG file.

What is the function of App Cleaner and how do you install it?

App Cleaner not only uninstalls an app but also scans and deletes leftover files. It can be installed by visiting the appcleaner.net website and selecting the appropriate version for download.