Macbook Pro Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

How to use a wired Ethernet connection with a newer MacBook

Posted on February 24, 2025

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These days wireless Wi-Fi connections are the norm, but there are still situations in which we need to connect our computers to a router with a wired Ethernet connection.

In fact, just last month three different people asked me how they can connect a recent MacBook Pro or MacBook Air that doesn’t have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector to their router via an Ethernet cable.

It can be certainly be done, and it’s actually quite easy to do… [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I make my Mac’s mouse pointer easier to see?

Posted on May 15, 2024

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Question from Leslie: Hi, Rick. I hope you won’t mind answering a question for me.

I recently bought a new MacBook Pro and I absolutely love it except for one small problem.

I love the beautiful look of the screen but I sometimes have trouble finding the mouse cursor on it when there’s a lot of stuff being displayed all at once.

Can you tell me how to increase the size of the mouse pointer on my MacBook Pro so it’ll be easier to find? [Read more…]

Q&A: Where can I find the model number of my MacBook Pro?

Posted on June 16, 2023

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Question from Yvette S.: Hi, Rick. I have a question about my three year old MacBook Pro.

My son usually helps me but he’s out of town at the moment.

It needs a new battery, but I can’t find the model number so I don’t know which battery I need to buy.

Can you tell me where to look for the model number? [Read more…]

Review: iVANKY Docking Station Pro for MacBooks

Posted on June 22, 2021

Apple’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines of laptops are excellent machines, but one of their few major negatives for many users is the lack of I/O ports.

For some people this isn’t really an issue, but for lots of others it’s a huge deal because of all the legacy USB gadgets they’d love to use with their machines.

This has led to a boom in external docking stations that expand the MacBook Pro and Air’s existing ports into several, while also adding extra capabilities.

I’ve had the opportunity to check out several of these devices, and today I’m going to tell you about a fantastic new docking station from the folks at iVANKY.

[Read more…]

Q&A: Why is the screen in my MacBook Pro not working?

Posted on March 10, 2021

Question from Angela S.: I hope you can help me with a computer problem, Rick.

I have a 2016 model 15″ MacBook Pro that has always worked perfectly till last night.

When I turned it on this morning the screen stayed black. Everything else seems to be working.

I tried closing and opening the lid a few times and turning the machine off and on but it always stays black.

Do you think the screen is bad? If it is how much will it cost to get it fixed?

I really can’t afford to spend too much due to my current financial situation.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]