Why is your Mac running slowly and how can you fix it

Common Causes of a Slow Mac

The causes of Mac running slowly and fixes are important to note as they enable accurate diagnosis and reparation. The three most common causes of slow Mac performance are as follows:

Low storage space

Low storage space is a common factor contributing to the slowdown of laptops. This is also the case with Macs, as when the storage is full, macOS fails to operate efficiently. It prevents your system from storing temporary files, reducing the space for system operations and virtual memory. Cache build-up over time can also take up space. Keep deleting large files and removing unused apps.

Too many startup apps

One of the crucial things you should do if your Mac is running slowly is to open your Activity Monitor. It provides information on how much processing power is consumed by each process. You can keep track of processes running in the background and evaluate how the RAM and CPU usage are affecting performance.

Outdated software

If the MacOS version or software is outdated, your device may work slowly. Older software is often incompatible with new applications, which then results in speed reduction.

Step-by-Step Fixes for a Slow Mac

Consider these steps to improve Mac speed: 

• Step 1: Restart your Mac, as this helps clear temporary processes and memory hogs. 

   

• Step 2: You may need to investigate which apps or processes are using too much memory or energy. This can be done through the Activity Monitor. Go to the CPU tab and sort by ‘% CPU.’

   

• Step 3: macOS needs free space for virtual memory and cache, and therefore, the disk space must be freed up. Disk storage can be managed through the Storage settings. 

   

• Step 4: Remove unnecessary startup apps as they slow down boot time and affect system performance. You can manage Login items through the System Settings and remove certain apps from ‘Open at Login.’ 

   

• Step 5: Old cache can make your system crawl, and it is therefore important to clear the cache. To clear cache files on a Mac, open Finder, press Shift + Command + G, and type ‘~/Library/Caches’ in the ‘Go to Folder’ box, and press Enter. Select the files in the folder for caches and move them to the trash.

   

How to Optimise Mac for Better Speed

• iCloud Syncing: Syncing files with iCloud across devices can affect Mac performance. Therefore, make sure that you do not store large files on your desktop when using iCloud. 

   

• Empty the Bin: It is essential to clean your laptop from time to time by removing old files and emptying your bin. When stored locally but not in use, they take up extra space and slow down performance. 

   

• Turn off Graphics: If your device is old, reducing or turning off graphics can be essential for enabling faster Mac performance. You can turn off your Dock. Start by clicking on System Preferences, Dock, and untick the ‘Magnification,’ ‘Animate opening application’ and ‘Automatically hide and show the dock’ boxes.

   

Preventive Measures for Long-Term Performance

• Regularly restart your Mac to clear RAM and temporary files. 

   

• Keep your software and apps updated. 

   

• Use Activity Monitor to manage resources. 

   

• Ensure that you do not run out of storage. 

   

• Prevent desktop clutter.

   

Conclusion

A Mac can function slowly due to outdated software, insufficient storage, unnecessary start-ups, cache clutter, or an ageing device. Keeping your device updated, using Activity Monitor to manage resources and regularly clearing storage can help prevent performance issues.