If you own a laptop, you probably use the Volume key shortcuts (F4 and F5) to adjust your volume, rather than visiting the System Preferences or Volume menu item.
Every time you press the Volume key, a full block of volume is raised or lowered in the Volume bezel on your screen. If the amount it is raised or lowered is too much or not enough, you can adjust the amount by a quarter of a block at a time.
To fine-tune the Volume adjustment, hold the Shift and Option keys while hitting F4 or F5.
This fine-tuning can be done with the Volume menu item as well, but it's just easier to use the keyboard shortcuts.
Update: This trick, as stated in the first sentence, is for Apple Laptops. While it may work with Apple desktop keyboards (I don't have one hooked up right now, so I can't check), it also may not work with any other branded keyboard. It's also a Leopard-only trick.
Awesome!
Wed, 03/19/2008 - 20:05 — Eric (not verified)Great tip! Putting a link on my blog as we speak.
It doesn't work for me...
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 03:32 — Stefano (not verified)It doesn't work for me... may it be a Leopard-only feature? I'm still using Tiger.
Leopard only?
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 04:45 — JamesI don't know for sure, I don't have a machine running Tiger anymore. It may be Leopard only.
I tried every combination of
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 09:04 — Phos....I tried every combination of modifier keys, and it doesn't work on a G4 running OS X 10.4.11.
However:
What I did discover though, is new to me:
• Option + [Volume Up] or [Volume Down] opens up the "Sound" System Preferences pane.
Also, it follows that Option + F14/F15 [Contrast down/up] opens the "Display" System Preferences pane.• Shift + [Volume Up] or [Volume Down] toggles the audibility of the volume adjustment feedback alert.
Neato! I love finding these new shortcuts!
tips: 1. The option key is
Fri, 03/21/2008 - 10:11 — Robin Lefevere (not verified)tips: 1. The option key is the alt.
2. it isn't F4 an F5 it's your louder and quieter key on your keyboard for
people with other keyboards.
It does work with desktop
Mon, 03/24/2008 - 09:51 — Ian (not verified)It does work with desktop keyboards, if you use the standard volume keys instead of F4-F5. Tested with an Apple Wireless Keyboard and Leopard on an iMac. Very cool tip indeed.
Only Apple keyboards?
Mon, 03/24/2008 - 21:09 — JamesIt doesn't work with a Microsoft keyboard with separate volume keys.
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