How to Speed Up Old MacBook
Buying a new computer from Apple is always an experience. When you first get your hands on your brand new MacBook you can help but enjoy how all around zippy it is no matter what tasks you throw at it. However, after using it for a year or two you will start noticing how it gradually slows down and even chokes on some of the tasks.
Macs are built well and remain viable even as they gracefully age, yet if not cared for, older computers can start feeling sluggish. Hence, it’s about time you ask yourself why is your old MacBook pro running slow, or, what’s more important, how can you get it back in shape?
Update macOS to the Latest Version
Apple places a big emphasis on making a lasting support for their products, keeping them updated for up to 7 years. That it a sustainable period of time for hardware. Consistent effort and new technologies are being implemented via software updates to make MacBooks as reliable and responsive as possible regardless or the aging hardware. New features and refines are an essential part of OS X updates too. Therefore, if you are looking to speed up MacBook Pro 2012, for instance, checking for software updates is the place to start. Here is how to check if you have any uninstalled updates:
Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > hit Software Update or open App Store > choose Updates tab in the top row.
Regardless of the path you take, you will land at the same window. If you see any available software updates, hit Update. Don’t forget to Restart after the installation is completed.
Rebuild Old and Corrupted Caches
Cache is intended to improve performance of both individual apps and overall operating system. OS X, as well as regular apps, stores various data in cache that it needs access to often. It helps it run faster. However sometimes cache can get corrupted due to unexpected quits, software updates, and other conflicts. Corrupted cache, on the contrary, slows down your old Mac. Basically, just like changing the oil in your car, your cache needs to be regularly cleared out and renewed in order for your Mac to run smoothly. Removing cache allows your Mac to properly rebuild caches from scratch.
To clean your cache open Finder > click Go in Menu Bar > choose Go to Folder. You will need to empty two locations. To get to the first one paste /Library/ Caches (for system cache), the second one is at ~/ Library/ Caches/ (for User cache). Simply select all files and folders inside (cmd + A) and move them to Trash.
The easier, safer and all-around faster way of getting this done is by installing MacFly Pro. Open MacFly Pro > choose System > run a Scan > hit Clean Now.
Switch Time Machine Back Up to Manual
Time Machine is Apple’s built-in backup application which, when enabled, automatically backs up your Mac on an external drive. Time Machine backup schedule cannot be changed unless a third party application is used (which is not recommended). First backup usually goes hard on your system and may take considerable resources to process, however once completed, further hourly backups should not cause any noticeable performance drain.
If you are experiencing severe reduction in performance during Time Machine backups, then the first thing to do is make sure that you are not running any simultaneous scans. Performance hick-ups often happen when antivirus scanning (or some sort of other scanning) interferes with Time Machine scheduled backup. Cancel or postpone either of the processes, and your Mac should do better.
In case hourly background backups continue causing performance issues, then you can always switch off automatic backups and simply opt for manual ones. To do that, after setting up the backup drive and running the initial backup simply turn off Back Up Automatically in Time Machine setting and enable Show Time Machine in menu bar.
To initiate a manual backup ctrl+click the Time Machine icon in Menu Bar > hit Back Up Now.
Note: If hourly backups cause issues, you should probably start looking for the source of the problem as Time Machine has been optimized by Apple to work seamlessly without affecting overall snappiness of your MacBook.
Use Mac Cleaner for Older Macs
To get the most out of your old MacBook you should steer away from any bloatware, redundant old apps, log files, and application junk that do not favor your Mac’s productivity. Removing such files on monthly, or even weekly basis, depending on how you are using your computer, will help speed up your Mac. An overall fastest way of erasing all obsolete files and apps form your system is with the help of cleaning apps. With MacFly Pro you can effortlessly handle this task.
Start out by uninstalling rarely used applications from your Mac. Go to Apps > run a Scan of installed applications > hit Review Apps and choose unused apps to delete. Removing rarely used applications unloads your systems and gives it free storage which helps it run faster.
Next, look for app Leftovers.
Perform a System scan to deal with caches if you haven’t already.
From this point on, the Smart Assistant will take up the duty of seamlessly monitoring your system and giving you a heads up whenever the next cleaning is needed. In such a way you will be able to enjoy a consistently better performance of your older MacBook without having to worry about its maintenance.