If you notice that your Macbook is starting to underperform, do not panic and think about buying a brand new model.
In most instances, there are fixes that will speed up the performance and make the Macbook almost as good as new. And if you want to find out what these methods are, continue reading.
Method #1 – Performing Macbook’s Disk Cleanup
Your Macbook will not perform if there are issues with the disk. Lack of disk space is common since macOS does not offer that much in the first place. To create more room in the drive, consider doing the following:
- Delete old applications, email attachments, and downloads.
- Get rid of junk files like caches, temporary backups.
- Transfer some of your data to cloud-based services like iCloud or Dropbox.
It is also worth giving defragmentation a go now and then as well. By defragmenting the disk, you will improve the overall performance by reorganizing data on your drive.
Method #2 – Scanning for Viruses and Malware
Different individuals treat potential cybersecurity threats differently. Even if you actively avoid visiting shady websites and opening questionable files, having anti-virus software should be a given.
You can find plenty of great options for free. And when there is anti-virus software running in the background all the time, users have peace of mind because any potential threats are detected immediately.
Method #3 – Paying Attention to Activity Monitor
Activity Monitor is a tool that shows which processes are consuming the most resources. Launch the application and sort items by CPU or memory usage.
If there are applications in the background that consume a lot but offer no real merit, shut them off. Every bit of memory is important.
In case there are applications that consume a lot of resources, you may want to look for alternatives or remove them from the computer.
Method #4 – Turning off Visuals
Visuals might seem like a nice feature, but it hardly provides any value. Thus, for those who are working towards optimizing their Macbook, having visuals around should not be a priority.
Go to the Dock via System Preferences and switch the Genie effect to the Scale effect next to the “Minimize windows using” setting. Below, you will find “Animate opening applications” and “Automatically hide and show the Dock”. Untick the boxes next to these two. The changes will take place, and you can enjoy faster Macbook performance.
Method #5 – Preserving Battery Life
Macbook’s battery will not last forever, but you can still apply certain methods to prolong its lifetime. For starters, do not leave the charger plugged in all the time. When you finish charging, plug it out.
The battery life should also be at 50 percent or higher, if possible. Finally, do not have the Macbook turned on constantly. Shut it down and let it rest for a bit.
Method #6 – Reducing Desktop Clutter
A cluttered desktop is not something you will find on every computer, but there are users who like to put every important file on their desktop. As every icon is rendered when you switch between the desktop and another window, cluttered desktops require a lot of resource usage.
It would be better to have no icons on the desktop and only put the most important application in the Dock bar. As for the rest of the files, transfer them to folders and find another location on the computer.
Method #7 – Removing Applications From Startup
The startup item number can be trimmed by going to System Preferences and clicking on Users and Groups. Select your profile, and there will be a list of Login Items. Click on an application and press the minus button below. It will remove the app from the startup menu.
Save the changes and restart the Macbook. There will no longer be a need to wait for various applications to load before you can use the computer.
Method #8 – Updating the System
Whenever there is a new update for either the OS or any application you use, make sure to get it. Updates are released to fix various issues and improve performance and stability.
However, there are cases when upgrading to a new version of the OS causes performance issues. If you experience problems after an upgrade, try switching back to the previous version and compare how the Macbook is performing in both cases. If the downgrade solved the issue, stick to that for the overall better performance.
Method #9 – Cleaning Dust And Dirt
Dirt and dust accumulate over time. If you neglect to clean the computer regularly, expect to experience issues like overheating and even damages to the internal hardware.
Method #10 – Purchasing A Cooling Pad
A cooling pad is great for keeping the internal temperature of a Macbook optimal. When you have to use the computer during summer, the fans are overworked and can get quite annoying with the sound they make. A cooling pad reduces the problem, and it works as a perfect resting place for your Macbook.
