Introduction

If you’re a Mac user, you may have heard of the split-screen feature. This term refers to the ability to view and work with two windows side-by-side on a single display. Split screen is a useful feature on Mac for those who want to multitask, work more efficiently, and compare information. In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about split screen on Mac and explore its benefits.

Step-by-Step Guide to Split Screen

The easiest way to use split screen on a Mac is by using keyboard shortcuts. The following methods work for most versions of Mac:

1. Open the two windows that you want to view side-by-side.
2. To enter Mission Control, swipe up with three or four fingers or press the Mission Control key on your keyboard.
3. Drag one of the windows to the top bar labeled ‘New Desktop.’
4. Drag the second window to the newly created space in Mission Control.
5. You can switch back and forth between the windows with the Control + cursor left/right arrow or swiping with three fingers left/right.

If you’re running macOS Sierra or later, use the following steps:

1. Open the two windows that you want to view side-by-side.
2. Click and hold the green full-screen button in the upper-left corner of one of the windows.
3. Choose ‘Tile Window to Left of Screen’ or ‘Tile Window to Right of Screen.’
4. Select the second window and place it in the opposite half of the screen.

If you prefer not to use the keyboard, you can also split the screen by dragging and dropping windows:

1. Open the two windows you want to view side-by-side.
2. Click and hold the title bar of one of the windows.
3. Drag the window to one side of the screen until you see a translucent overlay.
4. Drop the window when you see a half-black, half-transparent rectangle outline.
5. Click on the second window and repeat the process, dragging it to the opposite side of the screen.

Note that some applications don’t support split-screen mode, so this method won’t work with every app.

Use Cases

Split screen is a handy tool for multitasking. Here are some use cases:

• Comparing two documents side by side – this makes editing or referencing easier.
• Doing research on the web while taking notes on the other window – you can work on both tasks efficiently.
• Viewing two different worksheets or presentations side by side – this enables you to compare them more easily.

By using split screen, you don’t need to switch between applications back and forth, making you more productive overall.

Comparison Guide

While split screen is a standard feature on Mac, it’s limited to the operating system. If you are considering switching to a different operating system, it’s important to evaluate the split-screen mode of the new system and keep in mind the following factors:

• The flexibility of resizing windows – some split-screen modes force a 50/50 split.
• Control over the overlap area between windows – some apps are not adjustable, and you might not be able to use them as you want.
• Overall intuitiveness – does the split-screen mode make sense, and is it easy to use?

After weighing the pros and cons, you can decide which operating system to use based on how you want to use the split-screen feature.

Video Tutorial

Some users find visual guidance more helpful than written instructions. Here’s a video tutorial showcasing how to use the split-screen mode on a Mac using keyboard shortcuts:

Tips and Tricks

To get the most out of split screen on your Mac, here are some tips and tricks:

• Use Option + Click on the green full-screen button to either have two windows split evenly or to fill up the screen with one application while the other remains visible and across half of the screen.
• Minimize the number of apps running in the background so your Mac can perform tasks faster.
• Hide the Dock to gain more screen space, which is especially helpful in more minor MacBook screens.
• You can also utilize third-party software for split screen purposes, such as Mosaic, Divvy, etc.

Conclusion

Split screen is a handy feature that allows Mac users to increase productivity by multitasking efficiently. We hope this article has guided you through its features and illustrated how beneficial it can be in achieving your goals faster. Experiment with different ways to use split screen and see how it fits into your workflow. By using this feature, you can simplify your work and make the most of your time.