To use a backup Mac for a live event, ensure both Macs use the same settings, documents, and screen settings.
Considerations:
- Ensure settings on both Macs are identical. Especially the Presentation Prompter ‣ Settings ‣ Prompter tab and the Preview window. Don't forget licensing.
- Use the same documents. We suggest each Mac have its own copy of each document to protect against networking outages.
- If a document uses a specific font (perhaps for glyphs in a different language or special symbols), ensure the font is installed on both Macs. macOS performs font substitution for missing fonts (which is likely to create line wrapping differences where the missing font is used).
- Ensure any displays (or display output devices, like a switch) connect to both Macs at the same resolution and refresh rate in System Settings ‣ Displays. If you have to swap devices, you want to ensure line-wrapping and refresh rates do not change for the end-user.
Secondary considerations:
- Check System Settings ‣ Displays. True Tone being enabled on one Mac and not another might create a color shift and brightness difference. The display calibration presets can also influence this.
- Check System Settings ‣ Accessibility ‣ Display and ensure that the settings are the same on both Macs. Display Contrast and Color Filters are particulars to check.