Buzz
Although considered more stable than Windows systems, Mac computers running OS X can still become sluggish. In this article, I'll guide you through some simple steps to speed up your MacBook.
1. Identify resource-heavy apps
If your computer suddenly runs slowly or even freezes, it's likely due to a problematic app causing errors. The best optimization method in this case is to simply shut it down. Alternatively, you can check out the MacBook Air M2 2022 and MacBook Pro M2 for smooth and affordable experiences.
To find and close a malfunctioning app, follow these steps:
Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight, type Activity Monitor, and press Enter.
Step 2: In the CPU section, click on %CPU to identify the app causing system slowdowns. If an app is using up to 99% of the system, you'll want to shut it down by clicking on the app, then clicking the X button on the toolbar at the top left of the screen.
Similarly, you can also check Memory and Disk to find apps slowing down your machine and shut them down.
2. Completely close unused apps
Even when you click the X button to close the app window, they still run in the background and appear below the Dock. In many cases, this is the reason your MacBook slows down significantly. You can follow these steps to completely close them:
- Drag the mouse down to the bottom of the Dock > Right-click > Close.
3. Utilize computer acceleration tools
After a period of use, Macbooks accumulate a lot of junk (temporary files, history, cache, etc.), which is one of the reasons for sluggish performance. You can address all these issues with the MacBooster application. With just a few clicks, this app will help your Mac run faster by freeing up RAM, optimizing startup programs, and enhancing performance. Additionally, the program cleans up junk files and unwanted data to reclaim valuable disk space.
4. Manage startup applications
This is one of the main reasons for the sluggishness when you start up your MacBook. By disabling some unnecessary apps, your MacBook will run smoother during startup.
- To manage these apps, go to “System Preferences” > Select “Users & Groups” > Select your user account > Click on “Login Items”. Here, you'll see all the apps that launch with your machine. You can deselect unnecessary apps.
5. Eliminate visual effects
The visual effects on a MacBook may seem attractive, but they also consume system resources. Turn them off if you want!
- First, you need to go to System Preferences > Select Accessibility > Select Display > Navigate to Reduce Transparency > Drag them to 0% to reduce effects.
6. Use Safari instead of Chrome
Chrome is a well-known browser, but it's also notorious for its downsides. A prime example is its extreme RAM consumption, with just one Chrome tab consuming between 100MB to 400MB of your memory. Before you know it, your RAM bar will be overloaded, causing slow, laggy performance.
To address this, you can switch to using the default Mac browser, Safari.
7. Disable FileVault encryption mechanism
FileVault Disk Encryption is a feature that has been default since OS X Yosemite. It encrypts your files, ensuring that even if your machine is lost, strangers won't be able to access your files.
For some Macs, this feature can slow down startup significantly. If you don't need it, you can turn it off using the following steps:
- Go to System Preferences > Select Security & Privacy > Click on FileVault > Then choose to turn it off.
8. Free up disk space
Your SSD or HDD not only stores personal data and documents but also serves as a cache for the operating system in certain cases. Just like Windows and Linux, Mac also utilizes this mechanism.
Therefore, you should leave some space empty on your SSD or HDD for the OS to use when necessary. Remember, never fill up the disk completely, as it's not good for the system. To clean up the disk, you have several options:
- Delete files manually
- Remove rarely used or unused applications
- Use software like CCleaner or Clean My Mac to scan and delete unnecessary temporary files
You can also upgrade from HDD to SSD for faster speed. Sometimes, this method is even more effective than adding more RAM to your machine. The device will run significantly faster thanks to the high speed of the SSD.
9. Reset the SMC
The System Management Controller (SMC) is a special controller responsible for power management, temperature control, battery charging, sleep activation, and LED indicator lights.
It also helps OS X detect if the operating system is installed on non-Apple hardware and monitors some system performance. If your Mac is slow even when the CPU and RAM are not heavily utilized, resetting the SMC may help resolve the issue.
Similarly, when you run an app that takes too long to open, resetting the SMC is also a remedy.
Reset SMC for MacBooks without removable batteries:
- Completely shut down the machine
- Plug in the charger and make sure there's power supply.
- On the keyboard (left side), press the Shift + Control + Option keys and the Power button simultaneously.
- Release all keys simultaneously.
- Power on the machine again.
- The LED light on the charger may change status or turn off when resetting the SMC.
Reset SMC for Mac Pro, iMac, Mac mini
- Completely shut down the machine.
- Unplug the power cord of the machine.
- Wait for 15 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back in.
- Wait for 5 seconds and turn the machine back on.
Reset SMC for MacBooks with removable batteries
- Completely shut down the machine.
- Remove the charger.
- Remove the battery.
- Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
- Release the power button.
- Insert the battery and charger back in.
- Restart the machine.
10. Reinstall OS X
If you've tried everything and your machine is still slow, this is the last resort you should consider. Reinstalling macOS is pretty quick, taking only about 40 minutes to an hour to complete. However, after the reinstall, you'll need to take the time to reinstall your apps. Of course, you should also back up all your important files before proceeding to ensure safety.
There are two ways to reinstall: restart your machine, hold down the Option key when you hear the startup sound, and select the Recovery partition; or use a USB/DVD containing macOS to install. I prefer the second method because it ensures a cleaner installation.
Above are tips to help you improve the speed of your MacBook. I wish you success in implementing them. If you find the article helpful, please give it a like and share. Thank you for reading.
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