There is no denying that the Apple MAC computer is one of the most lusted after pieces of technology out there. Of course, that is if you are an Apple fan. You are either a person who loves the brand, or loathe it and prefer to use Microsoft or Android devices. It is understandable. However, a MAC is an expensive piece of kit to invest in. It links up to your iPhone, iPad and any other Apple devices that you have which often means it can be the hub of your entire technology family. Sounds dramatic, but it is true. So if you do have a MAC PC then you will want to ensure that you do all that you can to look after it.
MAC’s are sleek and slick computers, and they can run for many many years. However, there are times when you may notice that your MAC computer is running a little slow. It is unfortunate that this technology is not immune to such common problems that any PC can come to grips with. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways and tips to help you keep your MAC computer happy, healthy and safe to use for years to come.
Backup the data regularly
There is no denying it, but even Apple MAC computers can crash and run into hard drive problems. Or they may even be at risk with other issues that could cause problems with the data being kept on the computer. Making it a habit to backup the data every week or two can save you the heartache of having something go wrong and you then losing valuable data. A full time machine backup is one option, and is one of the easiest ways to clone your entire hard drive. You can also drag and drop files onto an external hard drive if you prefer. This can be a great idea for files that are too large to keep installed on your MAC, but happen to be something that you want to keep.
Clean up the MAC computer as often as possible
You may use your Apple MAC computer quite often, and this can mean that you are always downloading files, images or other things that you might use day to day in your job or for the use of the computer. However, this can mean that files remain on your computer that you have no further use for. It is also a good idea to run a clean my mac x software that you can easily download. This can help to clear up any unused files and also enable your MAC to free up storage space, which may help it to become more responsive and faster to use once more.
Cut down on background services
The question to ask yourself is this. How many utilities or tasks do you have running in the background of your MAC right now? It may be bluetooth connect devices, it might be printers, home file sharing networks or any cloud based service that you have. Even applications that you use on your MAC such as Pages, numbers, iMovie, for example, can be running in the background while you are trying to operationally use another program. Actively clear these off. If they don’t quit automatically, you can force quit them via the setting on the top left hand screen. This may speed up the process on how quick your MAC responds once more.
Keep your desktop clean
Some people love to have every application, folder and document they use to hand on their desktop, whereas others prefer to keep a more minimalist look on the main screen. The truth is, the MAC needs to contribute RAM to display each icone on the desktop. The more cluttered your desktop is, the less computing resources your machine has to use for other tasks. So keep your apps in the applications folder, and file your other stuff away into folders. It is fine to have a few folders on the desktop but the general rule is clutter should be avoided for better performance.
Update software and keep up with other program updates
Apple is always sending updates through. It might be a system update, it might be updates for apps that you have on your MAC. Often these software updates come through frequently, so it may be worth trying to ensure you put away some time to action the updates every now and again. This can mean that your MAC is more expensive, is open to other apps that have been released, and generally keeps your MAC up to date. Using an old system update could slow it down.
Shut down the apps when you are not using them
A quick and easy way to see how much is open on your MAC right now is to look at your dock. The dock is one of the best things about having a MAC. It allows you to actively pinpoint applications and programs you are using and they can easily be accessible. Unfortunately, closing these programs or apps down with the red X button doesn’t automatically mean that the program is shut off. As a result, programs like iTunes or even the web browser may be running, even when you are not using them. Which can then use up RAM and slow your computer down elsewhere. To see which apps are open, click the Apple menu at the top left corner of the screen and select “force quit” much like we mentioned previously for services that could be running in the background.
Run disk utility
Finally, all MACs come with a disk utility program include and you can find it in the utilities folder. It is a good idea to open to program and run the utility 4-5 times a tear to ensure the hard disk is healthy and fully operational.
Let’s hope these tips help you when it comes to keep your Apple MAC computer happy, healthy and safe when using it.
