Are you looking to improve your Macbook’s performance? The problem is quite common for those who have been using the same Macbook for years. Some people like to think that the only solution is to spend money on a new computer.
Sure, buying a brand-new Macbook is an option, but if you want to save money, you can do certain things that will help with boosting the speed of your current Mac. And here are some great tips for that.
Tip #1 – Uninstall Old Applications
If you are not careful with the available disk space, you will experience problems. Lack of drive space is one of the most common issues behind drops in a Macbook’s performance.
For starters, you should look to get rid of old applications that have not been used for a while. Keep in mind that you can always reinstall them again in case you need to use an application.
Tip #2 – Remove Junk Files
Junk files like caches or temporary backups also serve no purpose. However, it is a bother to take care of it manually. That is why you ought to take a look at some free mac uninstallers that will do the work for you.
There are a lot of various junk files besides backups and caches. Some of the attachments from old emails or downloads may also not be necessary. Plus, you have applications that come with huge language pack files that only take disk space.
Finally, there is an option to move some of your data to Dropbox or iCloud. Basic cloud services are free, and you can access the stored files anytime, provided that you have an internet connection.
Tip #3 – Look at Activity Monitor
Resource-hungry processes sometimes consume more than they should. Look at the Activity Monitor and sort applications by either memory or CPU usage.
Think about what can be done with the apps that consume the most resources. Perhaps there are alternatives. For instance, another browser might be a better option.
Or maybe an application can be removed permanently because you do not really need it in the first place. If so, there is no point in keeping it around and let it consume memory and other resources.
Tip #4 – Turn off Visuals
Some users find visuals cool, but looking from a pragmatic point of view, visuals serve no real purpose and only consume resources. Go to the Dock window and switch the Genie effect into the Scale effect.
There are also two boxes that you should uncheck. The first one is “Automatically hide and show the dock,” and the second one is “Animate opening applications.”
Tip #5 – Declutter Desktop
Desktops can become a real mess if a person is in the habit of putting every file on it. Each icon has to be rendered whenever you switch from a desktop to another window. And cluttered desktops require more resources than one might think.
Look to organize your files in folders and transfer them to another location. The number of icons on a desktop should be kept to a minimum.
Tip #6 – Trim Startup Item List
Regularly restarting a Macbook will prevent memory leakage. However, if you have a lot of applications on the startup item menu, it becomes a chore having to wait for every to load after each restart.
The situation can be changed by going to Users and Groups via System preferences and selecting your profile. A login item menu can be found there. And when you have the list of startup apps in front of you, do not hesitate and cut any that are of no immediate importance as you can launch them when you actually need to use an application.
Tip #7 – Update the System
Whether it is the whole OS or just a single application, you should still be up to date with the newest versions. Updates are great because they improve stability and add new features. It may not seem like that big of a deal in some instances, but even a simple update can make a big difference.
Tip #8 – Reinstall the OS
When things are not working in your favor, it may be that the only solution is to reinstall the OS. That will give you a fresh start, and the Macbook should noticeably improve.
It is also worth pointing out that switching to a newer version of the macOS sometimes causes a sudden dip in the performance. If you notice that the problem began after you upgraded the OS version, consider switching to the previous version. That could also lead to fixing any performance issues.
Tip #9 – Clean Dirt and Dust
Sometimes, the problem is not technical. If you hear a weird noise or feel like a Macbook is overheating, the cause behind it all may be dust and dirt inside. Get in the habit of cleaning it regularly. Otherwise, you risk damaging internal hardware on top of experiencing subpart performance of the computer.
