For example, ⌘ Command + C copy something. On Mac, the Apple symbol is used as a modifier for other shortcuts. The Windows symbol on modern keyboards is used as a shortcut to open the Start Menu. When pressed with letter key, it invokes a command that's meaningful system-wide e.g. This key is also used to modify other functions using the ⌘ Command, and others. It can also be used to insert specialist characters like "™", "©" etc. One of its main functions is for cursor control when used in combination with the arrow keys. On Mac, the Alt key provides some other different functions to its PC cousin. It is mostly used to invoke F-key functions, graphical menus, modifying keys on the numerical keypad and changing keyboard languages, to name but a few. This is a highly versatile key that has various functions depending on the user's command. The next important key is the Alt key on the PC keyboard. For example, in combination with ⌘ Command + 1, it will show the bookmarks sidebar in Safari. Mac's do also tend to have a control key (Ctrl), but you will very rarely use it for general use.įor Mac keyboards, the Ctrl key tends to act as a modifier in combination with other keys for some specialist features. They effectively serve the same function and you will be using them quite a lot. This is probably the most commonly used key for the most-used shortcuts on both systems. The main difference between the two is the Ctrl key, and ⌘ Command key on PC and Mac keyboards respectively.
Here is a typical Mac keyboard, we've highlighted the key we will be discussing shortly: Modified from Wiki637/Wikimedia CommonsĪnd here is a typical, whilst practically vintage, PC or Windows keyboard, again with critical keys highlighted: Modified from Jleedev/Wikimedia Commons ⌘ Command and Ctrl keys On the surface, they look very similar, but there are some subtle, but important, differences between the two. Since we are talking about keyboard shortcuts for Mac and Windows, it might be useful to have a quick overview of their respect keyboards. What are the main differences between Mac and Windows keyboards? There are plenty of other articles out there that do a great job of that. This is not intended to be a comprehensive guide of shortcuts. In the following article, we'll take a quick tour of some of the more common shortcuts between Windows and Mac. But, there is some key (pun intended) differences you need to know in order to save you from physically damaging that overly-priced Mac you just bought, or PC for that matter.
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