An underperforming Macbook should not give you a reason to replace it with a new computer. It may be that you have been neglecting to take proper care of your current model and have to face the consequences. Thankfully, there are ways to improve the Macbook’s performance. If you are interested in it, continue reading the article and create a Mac maintenance strategy with the information below.
Table of Contents
Way #1 – Create Enough Drive Space
There may not be enough free drive space left on your Macbook. In case you have only a few gigabytes of free storage, do not expect the computer to perform optimally. Start with removing old applications and other files that you do not need. For example, downloads, media files, duplicates, foreign language pack data that comes in some apps, and the Macbook applications themselves.
Remember to delete unwanted files permanently by emptying the Trash Bin or using the Command + Option + Delete keyboard shortcut. Your Mac’s drive would also benefit if you removed temporary junk, like app extensions, plugins, cache, and system backups. Finally, clean up your scratch disk for an additional value. Not only will managing computer storage free up the drive’s space, but the system will also have fewer files to process, which is also a benefit to the overall Macbook performance.
Way #2 – Clean Dust Inside
Do not wait until you hear loud noises from the internal fans or notice how the Macbook is overheating. Cleaning the dust inside your Mac should be a regular thing. And if you are reluctant to do the work yourself because of potentially harming the internal hardware, take the Macbook to a computer service store and leave it in the hands of those with experience.
Besides removing the dust from the Macbook, consider getting a cooling pad. The accessory works as a source of cool air that can make a difference when you are stuck in a poorly ventilated room and have to use the Macbook.
Way #3 – Declutter Desktop
Avoid cluttering your desktop with documents and app shortcuts. The system has to render each desktop icon when you switch tabs. And if the Macbook’s desktop is full of shortcuts, the computer will struggle to perform. Even if it is convenient to keep the most important files right on the Macbook’s desktop, you should still take a different approach and keep them in another location. Use the search feature to find files you need in case you do not wish to navigate through multiple layers of folders.
Way #4 – Scan for Malware
Do not underestimate computer malware. Even minor cybersecurity threats can cause significant damage to the system. Thus, you should have reliable antivirus that detects and deletes threats before they can cause any harm. Look for antivirus recommendations online on the official forums or ask tech-savvy people you know.
Way #5 – Quit Background Applications
Your Macbook has a finite amount of available resources, and if the system has to dedicate these resources to redundant background apps or visual effects, expecting to have a properly performing Macbook is too much of a stretch. Launch the Activity Monitor to determine which processes require the most memory, GPU, and energy.
You should be able to quit some applications right away. At the same time, there may be some instances where you can make changes. Perhaps your current internet browser requires too much memory, and using an alternative would save some of the computer resources? Or maybe the communication platform you use is not the most efficient?
Think about what changes you can introduce. Alternative apps that provide the same features but consume fewer resources are a good addition to the computer, and they should help improve the Macbook’s performance.
Way #6 – Add New Hardware
Not all Macbook models are compatible with hardware changes. However, if yours is an exception, and you have some money to spend on something like RAM, then you should go for it. Besides additional memory, you may also invest in an external graphics processing unit. Replacing a hard drive with a solid-state is also quite popular. The latter may have less total storage available, but it is much better performance-wise.
Way #7 – Keep macOS up to Date
Try to install a new macOS update as soon as one is available. Doing so will mean that your Mac has the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements. Some operating system updates may take a long time to download and install, but you should still prioritize them. It may be that the primary reason for your Macbook’s poor performance was the lack of system updates.
