Spectacle for Mac
Key Details of Spectacle
- Organize your windows with keyboard shortcuts.
- Last updated on 6/4/2018
- Virus scan status:
Clean (it's extremely likely that this software program is clean)
Editors' Review
Spectacle allows you to quickly reposition and organize open windows on your Mac, in a manner similar to Microsoft's Snap feature for Windows.
Pros
Great organizational tool: Spectacle can increase your productivity by organizing your messy desktop. The app allows you to organize spreadsheets, documents, or any applications side-by-side for easier viewing.
Keyboard shortcuts: Keyboard shortcuts allow you to efficiently move windows and organize them any way you want without a touchpad or mouse. This is especially helpful when you're using your laptop on the go.
Small footprint: At just under 5MB, Spectacle is a tiny app with great functionality that won't slow down your Mac.
Multiple arrangements and adjustments: The app not only allows you to divide your desktop into left and right halves, but you can also divide top and bottom or split your screen into four quadrants. You can also move between multiple displays and quickly adjust windows to any size via hotkeys.
Cons
No snapping: Spectacle only allows you to arrange your windows by shortcuts; you can'd drag and snap them with the mouse. If you're looking for the Aero Snap function of a PC, Spectacle isn't right for you.
Split View hiccups: With the introduction of Split View in OS X 10.11 El Capitan, Mac offers side-by-side app viewing in full-screen mode. As of the current beta build of OS X 10.11, Spectacle may crash your opened application when used in conjunction with Split View. This might be due to El Capitan's current state of development rather than Spectacle itself.
Bottom Line
A range of apps allow you to unclutter your desktop, but when it comes to ease of use, Spectacle rises above the rest with intuitive shortcuts. The app is essential when working in crowded areas, such as coffee shops or airports, where pulling out a mouse is not an option. By maximizing your screen real estate, Spectacle allows you to remain productive on the go. The minor hiccup with Split View only happens in one specific use case, which may be patched in the future, and the lack of an actual snapping feature can be remedied by apps like Cinch.
