If you are like me, I love the seamless experience of a Mac but macOS can sometimes feel a bit slow. Older Macs used to have the luxury of being able to add more RAM or change the drive for a larger and faster SSD. New Macs often have limited user servicable upgrade options unless you spec up at checkout. Sure the newer M series silicon processors can help in many ways, and the baseline ram is now 16Gb compared to 8 previously, but some machines with less amount of ram or that are being over driven still have limitations and can suffer. During conversations around connectivity, I often speak to people in creative industries, marketing and eduction and we exchange stories. Instead of settling for a lagging machine or the expense of having to upgrade, here are a few practical tips to boost performance.

1. The Classic Restart & Update

Never underestimate the power of a simple restart! It clears out temporary glitches, memory leaks, and background processes that might be bogging down your system. When restarting, make sure to check the box that says “Reopen windows when logging back in” so you can get right back to work.

Also, keep your macOS up-to-date. Updates aren’t just about new features; they often include vital performance improvements and bug fixes that can significantly enhance your Mac’s speed.

2. Quit Apps the Right Way

Unlike Windows, simply closing a Mac app window often leaves the app running in the background, consuming valuable resources. Get into the habit of using Command + Q to fully quit an application. Alternatively, you can quit from the menu bar or use the app’s icon in the menu bar (if available).

For a quick overview of running apps, use Activity Monitor (search for it in Spotlight). If an app is unresponsive, you can use Option + Command + Escape to force quit it, but be aware you might lose unsaved work. Consider a tool like QuitAll for easier app management, offering a user-friendly way to quit multiple apps at once and even automate the process.

3. Manage Login Items

Too many apps launching at startup can slow down your Mac’s boot time. To manage these, go to Settings and search for “Login Items.” In the “Open at Login” section, remove the apps you don’t need launching automatically. Many apps also have their own “Open at Login” settings within their preferences. Remember, this primarily affects startup speed, not overall performance after your Mac is running.

4. Tame Background Processes

In the same “Login Items” area of Settings, scroll down to “Allow in the Background.” Here, you’ll see apps that have permission to run processes even when you’re not actively using them. Disable background permissions for apps where it won’t affect your workflow. Be cautious, as some apps, like battery management tools, need background access to function correctly. Also, removing unused apps entirely can free up space and resources.

5. Activity Monitor: Your Performance Detective

Activity Monitor is your go-to tool for identifying resource-hungry apps. Open it and sort by CPU or Memory usage to pinpoint the biggest offenders. The system graph at the bottom shows how much of your system’s resources are being used. Pay attention to the “Memory Pressure” graph; yellow or red indicates high RAM usage, potentially slowing your Mac down. Close unnecessary apps to improve performance.

6. Free Up Disk Space

A full hard drive can significantly impact performance. Solid State Drives (SSDs) work best with some free space available. Aim to keep at least 20% of your drive free. Delete unnecessary files, clear out duplicate documents, old downloads, and empty the Trash. Consider moving files to iCloud or an external drive. Don’t forget to check for large, hidden files like GarageBand sample libraries.

7. Clear Caches

Many apps, especially web browsers, use caches to load frequently accessed data faster. However, these caches can become bloated and slow things down over time. Clear the cache of specific apps that are misbehaving. To find an app’s cache folder, go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder and enter “~/Library/Caches/”. Then, locate the app’s folder and delete its contents. Be sure to back up your Mac before deleting caches.

8. Run First Aid in Disk Utility

For unexplained slowdowns and errors, Disk Utility’s “First Aid” feature can help. It checks your hard drive for errors and attempts to fix them. Search for “Disk Utility” in Spotlight. Select your drive, click “First Aid,” and let it run. A green checkmark indicates no issues were found.

9. Completely Remove Problematic Apps

Sometimes, an app simply refuses to behave. In these cases, a complete removal is the best option. These tools not only uninstall the app but also remove associated files, caches, and settings. 

10. Customise Spotlight Settings

Spotlight is a powerful search tool, but its broad scope can sometimes slow it down. Go to Settings > Spotlight > Search Results and uncheck categories you rarely use to narrow its focus. If Spotlight is acting up, try rebuilding its index by adding and then removing your hard drive from the Settings > Spotlight > Search Privacy list.

11. Manage Browser Tabs

Try Not to Run Too Many Tabs in Your Browser, Especially Chrome. Chrome is notorious for consuming a lot of resources, especially when multiple tabs are open. Each tab can eat up a significant amount of RAM, which can slow down your Mac. To manage this:

• Limit the Number of Tabs: Keep only the essential tabs open. Use bookmarks or tab groups to organize your browsing sessions.
• Monitor Tab Memory Usage: If you’re using Chrome version 119 or later, you can hover over tabs to see how much RAM they’re using. This helps identify memory-intensive tabs.
• Use Chrome’s Memory Saver Feature: Enable this feature to automatically suspend tabs that are not in use, reducing memory consumption

12. System Maintenance Tools

If all else fails, consider using a system maintenance tool. There are various options on the App store. These tools offer a user-friendly interface for performing tasks like rebuilding databases and clearing caches. Maintenance is a free, powerful option for general cleanup. By implementing these tips, you can breathe new life into your macOS  and enjoy a faster, smoother Mac experience.

Hope this helps. If you need connectivity of some kind feel free to get in touch www.hm-network.com/contact 

– CH