Everyone knows just how good Apple products can be, and their computers are no exception. There is a certain pleasure to be found in cracking open a new laptop and running multiple applications at once all at the speed of light. Unfortunately, just like everything else, Apple computers age which leads to a loss of speed and functionality over time. The good news is there are a few tips and tricks Top Tek System has found that can fix your speed problems and have your Apple working as fast as the day you brought it home.
Clean Your Hardware
Does your Mac get hot enough to fry bacon or is it loud enough to wake the cat? If so, it is probably a good idea to clean the inside of your computer to help it run more smoothly. Computers that make a lot of noise or run hot tend to have internal parts that are working overtime. Usually, the cause is due to dirt, dust, crumbs, lint or other debris clogging up the works. Just like a car, your computer will run like a well-oiled machine if it has a clean environment to work in.
Digital De-Cluttering
It’s pretty tough to get anything done at home or in the office if you are surrounded by things that you don’t need. When you have piles of clutter taking up space, it’s going to take twice as long to get your work done, this is also true for your Apple computer. Mac’s that have a full hard drive will have to work extra hard just to locate the files it needs to complete simple commands.
One way to get rid of that unwanted clutter is to reformat the hard drive or cleaning up and removing old files you no longer need. Always make sure there is at least 20% of disk space available to move files around, this will ensure that your Mac has the disk space it needs to run efficiently.
RAM Upgrades
Sometimes it’s not the computer but just an advance in the technology of everything your computer accesses. Upgrading your RAM, which is basically the short term memory of your Mac will help improve the overall speed. Every time you open an application you use some amount of your existing ram, so the more RAM you have, the more applications you will be able to use at the same time.
Hard Drive Upgrades
Hard drives are the meat and potatoes of your Mac. This is where you store your information, programs, and files that are needed to do everything else. Hard drives do have moving parts, which means that over time, they can wear down or stop working completely. Other times, the failure or loss of speed is due to being overloaded or corrupted. If you notice a drastic loss of speed in your hard drive, it’s most likely a sign that your hard drive is about to fail. Make sure to back up your information as soon as possible if you notice a drastic slowdown.
Get A SDD
Depending on the age of your Mac, it may be a good idea to get rid of your old hard drive completely. A solid-state drive will allow you to work much longer and at faster speeds without a reduction in operational quality. SSD do tend to be on the more expensive side, but they are still much cheaper than buying a new computer.
How We Can Help Speed Up Your Mac
Many of these options offer cost-effective ways to improve your computer speed without having replaced your whole system. If you need help, or if you have questions, give us a call Top Tek System today at (905) 604-0700 to see how we can help.
