Are you tired of using a Macbook that feels sluggish and can hardly carry out any tasks? If that is the case, you may start thinking that purchasing a new computer is the only possibility. But there are ways to restore your Macbook and not spend any money.
The tips below will make a difference, and the more of them you implement, the better off you will be, especially in the long run. And remember that it should not be a one-time thing, but a routine.
Tip #1 – Remove Junk
When you start to ask questions like why is your mac slow, it may be that the problem lies in the amount of junk that has accumulated over the years. And in this context, junk means files like caches, app plugins, and extensions, as well as old backups.
Now such files may not take the most space on the disk, but just a sheer number of them puts a toll on the system and slows down the overall performance.
You will likely need to use a cleanup utility software like because removing junk files manually is too much work. Not to mention that you risk deleting something integral to the system. Though if you do decide to stick to yourself, make sure that you take care of the backups first.
Tip #2 – Delete Old Files
If you want to free up disk space, you will need to look for old applications. Removing them should not be a problem as you can reinstall any application later.
Media files like movies and TV shows can be eliminated as well, though you will need to subscribe to streaming services or buy external storage devices to put them in.
Transferring some data to Dropbox and iCloud is also an option, but they do not really offer that much storage unless you are willing to upgrade a plan by spending money.
Tip #3 – Turn off Visual Effects
Visual effects may seem like a nice feature to have around, but if you are looking to emphasize the overall speed of the Macbook, you are better off disabling the majority of them.
The most popular visual effects are automatic windows animations, Launchpad effects, Mission Control animations, new looks for the Mail application, and Mail’s send and receive animations.
Tip #4 – Scan for Malware and Viruses
The overall security of the operating system depends on two factors – how careful the user is and whether there is a reliable anti-malware tool running in the background.
Actively avoiding shady sites is a good habit, but you still cannot guarantee whether a link sent by someone you trust will not cause you problems later on.
There is a chance that the reason your Mac is struggling so much is due to malware and viruses. Scan the computer, and if you detect any threats, delete them.
Tip #5 – Stop Memory Leaks
Memory leaks can also become a big problem, especially when you have a lot of different applications running in the background.
Restarting the computer is the easiest way to stop a memory leak. On average, a few restarts every day should do the trick. And in case you are not that keen on restarting due to the time it takes for everything to load, remove applications from the startup menu.
Tip #6 – Look at Activity Monitor
Activity Monitor will show which applications consume the most resources. You can sort processes by CPU and memory usage.
Some apps and tools cannot be removed or changed because they are an integral part of the system. But you should be able to trim the list or find room for replacements that would not consume as much memory and other resources.
Tip #7 – Update the OS
You should update the OS whenever there is a new version out. Being up to date ensures that you are not prone to the most recent threats, thanks to patches in the system. On top of that, every new version introduces improved performance and stability. So even if the update is relatively small and seems trivial, you should press the update button at your earliest convenience.
Tip #8 – Optimize Internet Browser
The browser could be the biggest issue as you may not feel any sluggishness except for when you surf the internet.
If that is the case, look to remove extensions and add-ons. Clear browsing history and delete the cache. And if the problem persists, try another browser.
Tip #9 – Clean Dust and Dirt
Filth inside accumulates quite fast and should be removed regularly. The negligence to clean dust and dirt could lead to internal hardware damages. So whenever you hear internal fans making more noise than usual, or notice that the computer is overheating, check how much filth is inside the laptop and clean that up.
