For mac owners, nothing is as frustrating as a poorly functioning computer that takes ages to open apps and other programs. This problem may happen gradually that you barely notice it from the onset. But the moment it catches your attention, you’ll probably want to know where the problem lies.
The sluggish and poor performance may be due to its old age, or maybe you’re putting too much pressure on your Mac. Irrespective of what comes to your mind, the fact remains you should take immediate action. In this article, we examine a few potential causes that could be the reason why your Mac is running slower than usual.
Your RAM is Depleted
Your Mac’s random access memory (RAM) acts as a temporary location for all the files on your computer. The RAM works closely with the hard drive, which only stores files for long-term needs. It’s, however, much slower, meaning you need the RAM for quick information access.
The RAM is thus vulnerable to information overload. This kills most of the computer’s background processes, affecting its speed. It will probably help to keep an eye on the storage space and establish how much is left. This will allow you to take action early enough before the situation gets out of hand.
You Have an Outdated macOS
The age of your operating system has a significant impact on the overall performance of your computer. Older operating systems often run slower than the latest versions. If your Mac has tendencies of slowing down, you may probably want to check on this and ascertain if your macOS is up to date.
Luckily, you have a list of all macOS versions – including the latest macOS that you can easily refer to. Establish if there’s any newer version to what you have and update from the Apple menu. It would help if you also ascertained whether there are any implications with your chosen update before you proceed.
Your Browser Has Issues and Excess Cache
Browser issues often result from too many extensions and plugins aimed at speeding up the navigation process. Caches are also another browser-related issue that may be slowing down your Mac. While they help speed up the loading times, a large cache can cause your Mac to run more slowly.
You might need to empty the cache and remove extensions that slow down your browser. If you’re used to opening too many tabs and overworking your computer, consider closing those, you don’t need to be active.
Excess Desktop Files
Your desktop is probably the most convenient place to drop files. It allows you easy access to what you need without excess navigations through the computer. But these files could also be the reason why your Mac can’t function appropriately.
Excess files on your desktop mean your Mac will need to load them every time you power it on. This reduces its performance levels and causes it to slow down gradually. You can easily prevent this by deleting or keeping all files in folders.
Final Thought
If you’re a MAC user, it’s probably crucial to know that your Mac will slow down over time. This may be due to numerous reasons, as outlined above. What you should do is isolate the specific issues and find the right solutions.
