Mountain Lion (aka OS X 10.8) is now available, and thanks to the Mac App Store, the process of purchasing, obtaining, and installing Mac OS X is faster and easier than ever. Like Lion, getting this version of the OS no longer involves driving to the nearest Apple Store or retailer, or waiting for the FedEx truck to arrive. But the better shape your Mac is in before you install Mountain Lion, the better experience you'll have during and after the upgrade. Allow us to introduce the Mountain Lion Installation Guide. In this book, we cover the requirements for running Apple's newest OS; the things you should do to get your Mac ready; and the purchase and download processes. We walk you through the actual installation; recommend some post-install tasks; discuss some upgrade challenges; and help you decide if a "clean install" is for you. We've also got instructions for creating a bootable Mountain Lion installer disc or drive, as well as for installing Mountain Lion over Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6).

Whether you've just purchased your very first Mac or you're a long-time Mac user who wants a comprehensive guide to their OS, let Macworld's Mac Basics Superguide welcome you to the Mac and latest version of OS X, Mountain Lion. We'll help you move files from your old Mac or PC, get acquainted with the desktop, the Dock, Mission Control, and gestures. We'll provide a primer for tweaking your system preferences, changing your desktop wallpaper, setting parental controls, and adding third-party utilities. And we'll introduce you o the many built-in apps OS X has to offer, along with an overview on buying apps from the Mac App Store. When it comes to security, the Mac has some great features, and you needn't be confused: We explain just what Gatekeeper and app sandboxing are, and what they have to offer. And in case you get jammed up, the book has a whole chapter dedicated to basic troubleshooting and when to call in the experts. That's why we make Mac Basics, the Macworld Superguide dedicated to getting started with all things Mac. There are plenty of manuals and guides that explain every single system feature and setup detail; this book is instead designed to actively get you (or your family member) up and running without making you feel like you're studying a textbook. Our 230-page book has you covered from the first time you turn on your Mac. We walk you through the setup process and transferring any old files you might have; and introduce you to the menus, windows, and places you need to know about to get going. From there, we help you customize Multi-Touch gestures, organize your files, and tweak your preferences. We'll get your Mac suited up with third-party apps and accessories. And you can follow our troubleshooting tips and security suggestions to keep your computer safe and sound. You won't find everything they need to know about the Mac in this book. (That's what Macworld.com is for.) But we hope it can provide you with the tools you'll need and make you excited to learn more. If you are debating the upgrade to Mountain Lion, you might instead consider getting our Total Mountain Lion Superguide, which collects all our top-notch Mountain Lion coverage into one easy-to-read ebook. If you're insistent on staying with Lion or Snow Leopard, there's always our best-selling Total Lion Superguide, and our Snow Leopard version of Mac Basics.

Since Lion's release, Macworld has published a deluge of Lion news, how-tos, and guides about Apple's newest version of Mac OS. Now, you can get all that information and more in one place with our Total Lion Superguide. Total Lion is the latest in our “Total” Superguide series (following Total Tiger, Total Leopard, and Total Snow Leopard). It covers just about everything you need to know about OS X 10.7 in an information-packed 132-page book. We’ve taken the best of Macworld’s coverage of Lion and distilled it into our Superguide: Read the entirety of Dan Frakes’ six-part Lion Installation guide, along with contributions from Macworld staff members Lex Friedman, Dan Moren, Chris Breen, Roman Loyola, Jonathan Seff, and Jackie Dove. In this book, we walk you through everything you need to know about Lion, starting with a comprehensive rundown of all the new features present in this version of Mac OS X. We help you install Lion, troubleshoot any installation woes, and learn how to set up a boot disc or drive. Once you’ve got Lion up and running, discover how to navigate the new interface by using Multi-Touch gestures, Mission Control, and Launchpad; share files in AirDrop; and control other screens via Screen Sharing. Avoid ever having to manually save documents again with Lion’s new Auto Save, Versions, and Resume features. Protect yourself from would-be data thieves by using Apple’s FileVault 2 encryption functionality. And finally, find out about tons of new features, big and small, that Apple has added to the OS’s included applications. We want to make sure you can read the Total Lion Superguide wherever and whenever you’d like to; as such, we’ve put the book up for sale in a variety of formats-just choose the one that works best for you.

iOS 6 has arrived, and eager users everywhere are getting ready to update their devices. If you're concerned about the upgrade process, or simply want to know all your setup options before making the big switch, let the editors at Macworld help you upgrade your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to iOS 6 with this step-by-step guide. Want to upgrade to iOS 6? We lay out which devices will run Apple's newest mobile OS, and how to download and install it. Once you've gotten the software on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, we'll walk you through its marquee features: We'll show you how to get started with the new and improved Maps app, ask Siri about sports scores, enable Do Not Disturb, and adjust the new Accessibility settings. And if you're confused about Apple's sync service, iCloud, never fear: Our iOS 6 Upgrade Guide also offers a rundown of the service and each of its features. There's no better resource to learn about iOS 6.

Whether you’re relatively new to the Mac or someone who remembers the days before there were three colored buttons in the upper left corner of every Mac window, OS X Mavericks has something new for you. Total OS X Mavericks covers every inch of Apple’s new operating system: We provide an overview of all the features packed into OS X 10.9, then dive into what you need for a basic installation. From there, we offer in-depth descriptions of new features like iCloud Keychain, Finder Tabs, and Finder Tags, detail what to expect from new apps like iBooks and Maps and OS X's new multiple displays, and explain Apple’s under-the-hood changes in plain English. There’s never been a better time to be a Mac user. And with Total OS X Mavericks to help you get acquainted with the Mac’s latest and greatest features, you’ll be on the fast track to more fun and greater productivity.

iCloud does a lot of amazing things: It keeps your mail, contacts, calendars, reminders, and notes in sync. It instantly (almost magically) copies that photo you took of your cousin on your iPhone to your Mac, iPad mini, and laptop. It lets you work with your Macs from afar. It helps you find stranded and wayward devices, and lets you know when your friends are nearby. And it does it all for free. iCloud encompasses so very many different features and fun bits that it's surprising to realize just how much you can do with a free account. Let Macworld's editors help you get the most out of it. This book collects all the material we've written in the last year on Apple's sync service, and we hope it will help you get to know iCloud and learn how best to use it in your life. This book focuses on OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion), Windows 8, iOS 6, and iTunes 11 - but we still have some helpful hints for those users with older operating systems. We hope that you enjoy our Starter Guide, but, even more important, that you enjoy iCloud and find ways to incorporate it into your daily routine. If you want to learn more about your other iOS devices, make sure to check out our available Superguides including our iPhone 5 Superguide, iPad Mini Starter Guide, iPad Starter Guide, Fourth Edition (for Retina iPads; Apple's latest iPad, or third generation iPad users running iOS 6), iPhone 5 Starter Guide, iOS 6 Upgrade Guide, and Master iPhone Photography. Looking for Mac and OS X books? We also sell our Total Mountain Lion Superguide, Mac Basics, Mountain Lion, and Mac Gems, Mountain Lion edition.