Computers get less responsive and slower over time, and Apple’s mighty Mac is no exception. Luckily, in most cases, there are ways to fix this frustrating yet universally common issue, and identifying the cause is stage one. Usually, most issues are relatively easy to fix, simply requiring some good old user maintenance.
For example, a clogged up hard drive can significantly affect a Mac’s speed. So, if this box gets a tick, it’s time to browse your hard drive/s files and begin the process of backing up all that forgotten/infrequently used data. In other words, any large files like photos, videos and music needs to get copied to a storage device – like an external hard drive – and then deleted from your Mac.
Cleaning up your hard drive doesn’t end with the stuff you can ‘see’, however. You’ll also need to address the removal of cache and log files, among other unnecessary clutter – but make sure you know what you’re doing before hitting the delete button. Uninitiated users can seek out the help of a Mac cleanup tool to simplify the process, but still need to tread with some caution.
An outdated Mac operating system (macOS) could be another reason for machine sluggishness. After all, updates aren’t just vital for Mac security and application functionality, but for crucial speed enhancements to boot. Beyond this, the cause of your Mac’s sluggishness could be due to a variety of other issues such as a cluttered desktop, outdated cache files, browser issues, and old/faulty hardware.