Tips for Making Your Mac Run Faster Without Buying a New One
Many Mac users find their beloved devices slowing down over time. While purchasing a new Mac might seem like the only solution, there are several strategies to improve your Mac's performance without investing in a new system. Here, we'll discuss how to prevent or mitigate common issues that can slow down your Mac, as well as explore the benefits of dual-booting with Windows for added performance.
Understanding the Limitations of Mac Upgrades
Before we dive into optimization techniques, it's important to understand that not all Mac models allow for upgrades. Modern Macs, especially those released since 2015-2016, are designed to be completely unupgradable. This means that once you choose a configuration at the time of purchase, there are no options for adding or upgrading essential components such as RAM, storage, or graphics cards. Therefore, the best approach is to select the right configuration at the outset, which typically comes at a premium price but can prevent future performance issues.
Optimizing Your Mac for Speed
Instead of upgrading, here are some effective ways to make your existing Mac run faster as soon as possible:
1. Assess and Eliminate Unnecessary Software
Unnecessary extra software can waste valuable drive space and introduce compatibility issues that can slow down your Mac. Regularly review the applications installed on your Mac and remove any that are no longer needed. This not only frees up space but also ensures that your system runs more efficiently.
2. Cleanse the System by Removing Harmful Software
Software such as cleaners or anti-virus programs, while marketed as helpful, can often slow down the system. These applications can interfere with the normal operations of the Mac and should be carefully chosen and regularly updated. If necessary, disable or remove any that are slowing down your machine.
3. Optimize Your Interface for Speed
Enhancers that modify the Finder can slow down response times, especially when handling large file structures or multiple windows. Opt for a simpler interface that allows for faster navigation and interaction with your files.
4. Use Wired Ethernet for Optimal Network Performance
While Wi-Fi is convenient, wired Ethernet offers a more stable and faster connection. This is particularly important for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming, or video editing, where a stable and fast connection can significantly enhance performance.
5. Choose Compatible External Devices
Using modern external devices that have matching ports can prevent the need for multiple adapters, which can introduce latency and slow down data transfer. Ensure that your hardware is compatible to avoid any bottlenecks.
6. Manage Browser Tabs Mindfully
Having too many open browser tabs can chew up CPU cycles and slow down other applications. Keep a reasonable number of tabs open to ensure that your Mac remains responsive.
7. Organize Your Desktop and Finder Folders
Accumulating too many loose items on your desktop or in Finder folders can slow down your Mac, especially in the DOWNLOADS and DESKTOP folders. Regularly bundle loose files into subfolders to keep the number of items manageable and reduce clutter.
8. Organize Your Email
Keeping too many emails in your inbox or sent folders can slow down your email application. Organize your emails into logical subfolders to keep your inbox tidy and improve performance.
9. Regularly Empty Your Trash
Regularly emptying your trash can free up valuable space and prevent unnecessary clutter that can slow down your Mac over time.
Consider Dual-Booting with Windows for Performance Gains
If you want to push your Mac to its limits, consider dual-booting with Windows. Since 2015-2016, nearly all Macs have been unupgradable, which means they cannot be enhanced with additional RAM or other components.
In my simple trial of Windows on my MacBook Air, I saw significant performance gains, with benchmark scores improving by 10-15% and game scores increasing by up to 50%. However, with the 128GB model, I found it difficult to maintain Windows in dual-boot mode, as the storage was insufficient. Despite this limitation, dual-booting can provide added performance benefits and access to Windows-only applications, improving productivity and versatility.
By following these tips, you can significantly improve the performance of your Mac without the need to invest in new hardware. Whether it's through careful software management, interface optimization, or even dual-booting with Windows, you can keep your Mac running at its best for years to come.