MacBooks are considered fast devices. However, it can happen that your MacBook is slow. Especially if you have been using a MacBook for a while, it will gradually become a little slower. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do about it.
What makes a MacBook slow?
First of all, the question: What makes a MacBook fast? To answer that question, we need to understand how a MacBook works in broad terms. There are three main components of importance. First, the processor, which determines how many calculations and thus actions a MacBook can perform per second. Second, the RAM memory, which is the short-term memory of your MacBook, so to speak. Third, the storage capacity, which you can consider the long-term memory of your MacBook.
If you overload a MacBook, the processor and RAM will clog up. It's like a traffic jam on the highway of your MacBook. And that means only one car (or action) can pass at a time. The result: Your MacBook feels incredibly slow.
Not enough free storage
A possible cause of a slow MacBook is too little free storage. You can easily check this by clicking on the Apple > About This Mac > Storage
As a rule of thumb, you can keep at least 75GB as the minimum required free space. By clicking on 'Manage' you will come to a window where you can select different types of files that use memory. You might find programs under 'Applications' that you don't use and can uninstall. Or you might find a number of old images under 'Photos' that you can delete. Just like your house, it is advisable to clean up your MacBook every now and then.
Heavy applications
Other causes of a slow MacBook are heavy applications running in the background. You can identify these applications by clicking on Go > Utilities > Activity Monitor > CPU at the top of the screen.
See if you can identify programs that you are not currently using. If you find one, double-click it and click the cross at the top left of the window and then 'Force quit'. This will ensure that the application is closed and no longer uses up valuable processing power.
Updates
It's really annoying, we know. But the software updates of MacOS are there to help you in the end. Therefore, check regularly for new Macbook updates and perform them in time.
Open the Mac App Store and click Updates in the top bar of the window. Your MacBook will briefly check for updates. If there is an update, don't delay and do it now.
Outdated hardware
With the above measures you will probably get your MacBook a bit faster, so that you can enjoy it longer. However, for every MacBook there comes a time when the hardware is so outdated that you experience more annoyance than pleasure from it. After how many years you reach this point depends on the demands you place on your MacBook. If you use powerful programs such as Photoshop or Final Cut Pro X, your MacBook will have more difficulty keeping up with the programs than if you only use the internet and email.
If you have decided for yourself that you want to buy a newer MacBook, also take a look at the refurbished MacBooks from leapp. Often there are quite powerful devices among them that are priced a lot cheaper than a new MacBook. In addition, a refurbished MacBook is a lot less polluting. Pretty smart, right?
