Buzz
Despite being considered more stable than Windows systems, Macs running OS X can still become sluggish. In this article, I'll guide you through simple steps to speed up your MacBook. Let's dive in!
1. Identify resource-hungry applications
If your computer suddenly runs slow in a strange way, causing freezes, it's likely due to an unstable application causing errors. The optimal solution in this case is to shut it down. Alternatively, check out the affordable and feature-packed MacBook Air M2 2022 and MacBook Pro M2 for a smooth experience.
To find and close a malfunctioning app, follow these steps:
Step 1: Press the Command + Space key combo to open Spotlight > type Activity Monitor and press Enter.
Step 2: In the CPU section, click on %CPU to identify the app causing the slowdown. If an app occupies up to 99% of the system, you'll want to close it by clicking on the app, then clicking the X button on the toolbar in the top left corner of the screen.
Similarly, you can check in Memory and Disk to identify apps causing sluggishness and shut them down.
2. Completely close unused applications
Even when you click the X button to close an app window, they still run in the background and appear under the Dock. In many cases, this is a significant reason for your MacBook's slowdown. You can follow these steps to entirely close them.
- Drag the mouse down to the Dock > Right-click > Close.
3. Utilize a computer acceleration tool
After a period of use, your MacBook accumulates a lot of clutter (temporary files, history, cache, etc.), contributing to its sluggish performance. You can tackle all these issues with the MacBooster app. With just a few clicks, this app helps your Mac run faster by freeing up RAM, optimizing startup programs, and enhancing overall performance. Additionally, it cleans up junk files and unwanted data to reclaim valuable disk space.
4. Manage applications that start with the system
This is one of the main reasons causing the slowdown when you start up your MacBook. By disabling some unnecessary apps, your MacBook operates smoother during startup.
- To manage these apps, go to “System Preferences” > Select “Users & Groups” > Navigate to your user account > Click “Login Items”. Here, all the apps starting with your Mac will be displayed. You can uncheck unnecessary apps.
5. Eliminate visual effects
The effects on MacBook provide an attractive and eye-catching feel. However, they also consume system resources. Turn them off if you wish!
- First, you need to go to System Preferences > Select Accessibility > Choose Display > Navigate to Reduce Transparency > Drag them to 0% to minimize effects.
6. Use Safari instead of Chrome
Chrome is a popular browser, but it comes with its own notoriety. Notably, it consumes a significant amount of RAM – a single Chrome tab can use anywhere from 100MB to 400MB. In no time, your RAM bar will be overloaded, causing slowdowns and lag.
To address this, you can switch to using the default Mac browser, Safari.
7. Disable FileVault encryption mechanism
FileVault Disk Encryption is a default feature since OS X Yosemite. This feature encrypts your files, ensuring that even if you lose your machine, unauthorized individuals won't access your files.
For some Macs, this feature can significantly slow down the startup process. If not needed, you can disable it with 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, aside from storing personal data and documents, is also used by the operating system as a cache in certain cases. Just like Windows and Linux, Mac utilizes this mechanism.
Therefore, it's advisable to leave some space on your SSD or HDD for the OS to use when necessary. Remember, never completely fill your storage; it's not healthy for the system. To clean up your drive, you have a few options:
- Delete files manually
- Uninstall rarely used or unused applications
- Use software like CCleaner or Clean My Mac to scan and remove unnecessary temporary files
You can also upgrade your HDD to an SSD for faster speeds. Sometimes, this approach proves 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 identify if the operating system is installed on non-Apple hardware and monitors part of the system performance. If your Mac is slow even when CPU and RAM are not heavily utilized, resetting the SMC may help address the issue.
Similarly, when running an app that takes too long to open, resetting the SMC is also a corrective measure.
Reset SMC for MacBook without removable battery:
- Turn off the machine completely
- Plug in the charger and make sure it has power.
- On the keyboard (left side), simultaneously press Shift + Control + Option and the Power button.
- Release all the keys at the same time.
- Turn the machine back on.
- The LED light on the charger may change its status or turn off during the SMC reset.
Reset SMC for Mac Pro, iMac, Mac mini
- Completely turn off the machine.
- Disconnect the power cord.
- Wait for 15 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back in.
- Wait for another 5 seconds and turn the machine back on.
Reset SMC for MacBook with removable battery:
- Completely turn off 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 plug in the charger.
- Restart the machine.
10. Reinstall OS X
If you've tried everything and your Mac is still slow, this is the last resort. Reinstalling your Mac is quite quick, taking about 40 minutes to an hour. The only downside is reinstalling your apps afterward. Of course, it's essential to 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 choose the Recovery partition; or use a USB/DVD with OS X and install. I prefer the second method as it ensures a cleaner installation.
Above are tips to help you improve your MacBook's speed. Good luck with the implementation. If you find the article helpful, please give it a like and share. Thank you for reading.
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