• Never owned a Mac before?
• Confused about the iPad and iPhone?
• Should you wait for the next model to arrive?
• What accessories and software will you need?
• Should you buy Applecare? One to One? Joint Venture?
• Want to discuss your purchase plans before you buy?
• Want a Mac expert to accompany you to the Apple store?

Ask TekBasics.
We have several years of retail experience helping people with their Apple product decisions. We understand your anxiety and concerns. Apple has recognized our expertise with both the Apple Product Professional and Apple Sales Professional certifications. TekBasics has also been selected for the Apple Business Affiliate Program so you can be assured you have a qualified partner assisting with your purchase decisions.

You should probably upgrade your Mac if it has an older version of the OS X operating system.


Released July 25 2012, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion is the latest and greatest and adds 200 more new features.
Available from Apple: $19.99





Released July 20 2011, Mac OS X 10.7 Lion added 250 more new features.
Available from Apple via special order: $29.00




Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard was released June 9, 2008. It added more new features, a speed increase and required less disk space.
Available from Apple: $29.00




Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard added over 300 new features. It was released June 26, 2006 and is no longer available from Apple.




TekBasics can upgrade your Mac to the version that best suits your Mac's processor speed and memory. Before upgrading we'll check your hard disk, identify which apps should be upgraded, and back up your files.

We can also upgrade your iPhone and iPad to make sure they play nice with your new version of OS X.

Call us if you're a Windows user thinking of switching to a Mac. We'll tell you how you can have your Windows files moved to your Mac for free. We'll also set up your new Mac at your location and get it working with your network and printer.

If learning to use your new Mac in a crowded store at the mall seems too distracting, we'll coach you in the privacy of your home or office. We'll highlight some of the differences between the Mac and your old Windows computer.


Have a favorite Windows app? Have it both ways and call TekBasics to set up your Mac so it can run Windows!

We come to your home or office so you can focus on setting up your new Mac without the distractions of a crowded store at the mall.

We'll take it out of the box, connect your printer, connect the network, and install your new software. We'll register it with Apple and create your AppleID if you don't have one. If you have an older Mac we'll move your files to the new one. We'll set up accounts for each user and set up email. We'll check that everything's working properly.

Then we'll show you how to find and install apps from the Mac App Store and we'll coach you on some of the key features.

Before you buy your new Mac call us to schedule a setup appointment. We'll also suggest some other things to pick up at the store.

Wireless networks are very convenient because you can use your computing devices throughout your home or office.

If you're new to wireless networking you will need a wireless router. TekBasics recommends the Apple AirPort Extreme, Airport Express or Time Capsule. These devices can be managed easily with the AirPort Utility that comes with your Mac. For a side-by-side comparison click here.

Call TekBasics to install your wireless router. We'll set it up, check with you regarding how secure you want it to be, and make sure you're using Apple's latest software. We'll connect your printer or hard disks and ensure that Time Machine is functioning properly. We'll test every wireless device including all of your Macs, iPhones, iPad, wireless printers, AppleTV and even your Sony Playstation or Wii. We'll show you how to check your signal strength and Internet speed so you know your network is functioning properly.

If you use Apple's wireless routers we can set up a second network for visitors. If your office or home is large we can extend the reach of your wireless network by adding another router for optimum signal strength.

Digital photos are fun because there are so many ways to share them:

• Post them to a photo website like Flickr or SmugMug
• Share them on Facebook
• Send them with text messaging apps
• Email them
• Copy them to optical discs
• Make video slideshows on YouTube and Vimeo
• Use them as screen savers
• Publish a photo book
• Create a photo calendar

Without the expense of film and processing it is very easy to take many, many digital photos. You may find it's difficult to keep them organized.

Fortunately your Mac has an amazing app called iPhoto that enables you to take control of your digital images. You can automatically organize your photos by place, by name, by date, by rating, by keyword, by title, or by any text you want. You can also organize them by camera, by aperture, by shutter speed, etc. With iPhoto's face recognition you can organize by person. Thanks to geotagging you can even see your photos on a map.

iPhoto also has amazing photo editing capabilities so you don't need to purchase expensive photo software.













iPhoto makes sharing photos easy. View them on your HDTV, iPhone and iPad. You can easily create slideshows, photo calendars, photo greeting cards, and photo books. These are great gifts that people cherish because they're so personal.



















Call TekBasics to set up a personal coaching session so you'll know how to get the most from iPhoto. We've been using iPhoto for 10 years and it's our favorite photo app. We can also introduce you to several other amazing and very useful photo apps.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to enjoy your photos and videos in HD on your big-screen HDTV and home audio system? If your photos are on your Mac, you can. You don't have to copy your photos onto DVDs and there are no wires connecting your Mac.

If you have photos or videos in your iPhone or iPad, you can view those on your HDTV too. No wires required.

TekBasics can get this working for you. And we'll get your HDTV connected to the Internet so you can watch HD movies and TV shows, view videos on YouTube and Vimeo, listen to Internet radio, access your iTunes music library in iCloud, watch sports events, and much more.

It works like magic… all by remote control from your sofa! Call us.

You've probably heard of iCloud. It offers many convenient services that enable you to synchronize your information between your Mac, iPhone, iPad and iCloud account. Apple provides 5 GB of iCloud storage space free!


Here's why it's cool…
You add a new person to your iPhone Contacts. Immediately that person also appears on your Mac and your iPad. Add a new calendar appointment on your Mac. You guessed it… the appointment appears on your iPhone and iPad.


iCloud is like a huge hard disk in the sky that pushes your data to all of your devices. The master copy of your data resides in iCloud and your devices send and receive your information to and from iCloud.

Information that syncs with iCloud includes:

• Mail & Notes
• Contacts
• Calendars
• Bookmarks
• Photo Stream
• Documents & Data
• Find My Mac

You can back up your iPhone and iPad to iCloud instead of to your Mac. You can save documents to iCloud so you can access them with any device. iCloud can locate your device if it is lost or stolen. Store your music library in iCloud so it's available wirelessly to all of your devices, wherever you are. The latest version of OS X features tighter integration with iCloud, and third-party software companies are adding iCloud features to their apps.

Apple previously offered a set of services called MobileMe. If you have a MobileMe account you'll want to move your information into an iCloud account because Apple moved MobileMe services to iCloud in June, 2013.

Using iCloud is easy. Setting it up on all of your devices can be somewhat confusing. You'll need to make several decisions about what you iCloud to do. Specific versions of Apple software must be installed on your devices. Installation steps must be completed in order.

There's definitely an iCloud in your future. Call TekBasics to set up iCloud on your devices and move your MobileMe information into iCloud. You'll be amazed at the convenience of cloud-based computing.

Setting up your backup plan is the most important service we offer. Go here to see why.

Sure, the Mac is easy to use. But some apps do so much it's nice to have someone help you get started.

Call TekBasics to set up a one-on-one coaching session. You'll appreciate our many years of teaching experience.

TekBasics has connected many types of devices to work with Macintosh computers:

• Ink-jet printers
• Laser printers
• Label printers
• Plotters
• Document scanners
• Photo scanners
• Barcode scanners
• Graphics tablets
• CD and DVD drives
• Hard disks
• Receipt printers
• Cash drawers
• Uniform Power Supplies (UPS)
• Video projectors
• Webcams
• Routers
• Network switches
• Speakers
• Keypads
• Bluetooth devices
• Media recorders
• MIDI devices
• Video controllers
• Home automation devices

Call us if you need help installing your new device.

Without routine system maintenance any computer may begin to feel sluggish. Although Mac users don't have to worry about viruses, there are many factors that can affect system performance, including:

• Huge cache memory and system logs
• Corrupted preference files
• Incorrect disk permissions
• Cluttered disk space
• Corrupt Spotlight index
• Corrupt disk directory
• Incorrectly uninstalled apps
• Outdated software
• Apps not efficiently tuned
• Duplicate files
• Excessive disk fragmentation
• Disk indicating imminent failure
• Cluttered browser cache memory and history
• Excessive old, unwanted Mail messages
• Laptop battery needing calibration

TekBasics has developed a maintenance checklist we use to keep your Mac running at its best. Call us if you want your Mac checked and tuned up, or you want us to show you how.

Is your information secure and safe from hackers and identity thieves? Is there a password on a yellow sticky on the back of your computer or under your keyboard? Do you have a password cheat sheet in your desk drawer? We know that we're not supposed to use the dog's name as a password, and each password is supposed to be unique. But how is it possible to remember all of them and have them with you when you're not home?


TekBasics can recommend and install an easy-to-use solution to this problem. We've been using it ourselves for several years. You create a single master password that is the only one you need to remember. You create as many strong, unique passwords as you need, but you don't need to memorize them. They're securely stored using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a technology that is so invulnerable it is used worldwide. Your information is safe and cannot be stolen.


Your encrypted passwords can be synchronized with other devices including your iPhone or iPad, where they are also encrypted. You'll be able to access them when you leave your Mac.


Not only are your passwords secure and mobile, they're easy to access where you need them most… in your web browser (Safari, Firefox, or Chrome). Simply click on the website name in a popup list and automatically your username and password are entered and you are logged in! You can securely store other personal information such as credit cards, Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and always have it with you.


Too good to be true? Call TekBasics to set this up so your passwords are secure, easy to use, and always with you.

What to do with all those videos from your camera or iPhone or iPad?

• Combine several videos into one?
• Delete some sections?
• Re-arrange the scenes?
• Insert titles and credits?
• Get creative with special effects?
• Add a music track?
• Share your videos on the Internet?
• Watch it on your big-screen HDTV?

You don't need fancy video software. Your Mac has a wonderful app called iMovie that makes all this possible.

Call TekBasics to schedule a personal coaching session and we'll show you how to get started.

TekBasics has experience selling hundreds of items on eBay for other people. We've even sold vehicles on eBay!

We will coach you so you can do it yourself. We'll explain about fees, feedback scores, listings, accepting payments, auction formats, pricing, and where to go for more information. We can also recommend a Mac based solution that creates a smooth workflow for your eBay selling activity.

Building a website is easier than you think. You don't need expensive software like Adobe Dreamweaver. You can easily create a site that has links, photo galleries, movie albums, a blog, a contact form and even a site map for navigation.

TekBasics can help you get started. We'll work with you to find a domain name, get it registered and find a company to host your site. We'll coach you along the way and show you how to build the site using our favorite website tools. If you're in a hurry you can even start building your website before you have your domain registered.