Old Macbook owners might think that getting another computer is the best solution. While spending money is an option, not everyone can afford to invest in a new computer when the current one is underperforming.
Thankfully, there are ways to boost the performance of a Macbook even if it has been used for a while. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Mac.
Tip #1 – Disable Notifications
Notifications on a Macbook are similar to what you have on smartphones. In addition to distracting you from work or studies, they also slow down the computer’s overall performance, particularly when there is a random popup from a background application, and it takes a while to load.
But it is not just Macbook applications. People who lack an ad blocker extension for their internet browser also have to deal with popups that disrupt your time on the internet.
Thus, besides disabling unnecessary Macbook notifications in the Notification Center, you should also limit annoying messages in other areas, such as your internet browser.
Tip #2 – Free up Drive Space
Lack of drive space on a Macbook is common, especially when it comes to older computers. First of all, there is not that much storage space available in the first place, meaning that some users struggle to keep all the data they want on the computer.
The most recent Macbook models have replaced hard-drives with solid-state drives to boost the computer’s performance, but SSDs have less storage than HDDs. In other words, it may be that even new Macbook owners will encounter available drive space issues.
Getting rid of unnecessary files should be your priority. Check for old downloads, email attachments, and other junk. Also, get a cleanup utility tool that removes temporary data, such as app extensions, plugins, and caches.
It is worth mentioning that the computer management strategy does not have to revolve around deleting files. You can utilize external hard drives, memory sticks, and cloud services and transfer your data there.
Finally, if you keep large media files on the computer, why not use streaming platforms more? Movies, TV shows, and music are available with just a few clicks, thanks to services like Netflix and Spotify.
Tip #3 – Get Rid of Visual Effects
Visual effects like a backlit keyboard are a hindrance to the Macbook. If you had these gimmicks enabled until now, you would be better off getting rid of them. Keep in mind that your computer has a finite amount of resources, and every resource consumption source puts a strain on the overall Macbook performance.
Tip #4 – Remove Dust Inside the Macbook
Having an old Macbook probably means that there is plenty of dust and dirt inside it, particularly if you never took the time to remove it.
Taking a laptop apart is risky if you have no prior experience. But since you need to remove the dust regardless, there is an option to take the computer to a service store and let its employees handle the work.
In addition to getting in the habit of removing dust and dirt from the Mac regularly, you can also get a cooling pad. The accessory is quite cheap for what it offers. Having a cooling pad would mean that the internal Mac fans have less work to do.
Tip #5 – Close Background Applications
Idle background applications require system resources. If you have no use for an app, there is no need to have it around.
You should check the Activity Monitor regularly and see which processes need the most memory or GPU.
If an app stands out, close it down. You may even consider making some adjustments and replacing certain applications with alternatives. For instance, there are many different internet browsers, and your computer may be better off if you were to use a browser that requires fewer resources.
Tip #6 – Scan Computer for Malware
Even an insignificant virus or malware can cause your computer to underperform. Get proper antivirus software and scan the system to make sure that there are no infected files. If the software finds corrupted data, get rid of it.
To avoid such problems in the future, have antivirus running in the background all the time. This way, the software will find and eliminate potential threats before they infect the computer.
Tip #7 – Reinstall the OS
If you are still unhappy with the performance of the Macbook, there is still one option left – to reinstall the operating system.
The process is a bit tricky if you have no prior experience, but you can still manage to finish it thanks to available step-by-step guides online.
Also, remember to create data backups using Time Machine or transferring files to clouds or external storage devices.
