Apple focused on improving macOS performance over the last few iterations of its desktop and mobile operating systems. Whenever possible, make sure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Avoid using Java-based apps that require the Java Runtime Environment, as it can tax the performance of your machine. Beware of outdated or sluggish software. Outdated apps might perform worse on modern macOS systems because they lack optimization.If you’re rendering a video, go make a cup of coffee until it’s done. Avoid overstressing the CPU or GPU unnecessarily. You could also ditch Pages for Word, Lightroom for Aperture, or Evernote for Notes.

One striking example of this is Final Cut Pro, which drastically outperforms Adobe Premiere on older machines. Favor Apple’s first-party apps. Like Safari, many Apple apps are optimized for macOS and Apple hardware.Safari is optimized for Mac, and it tends to offer better performance and lower energy usage than its rivals. This utility should give you more information than Apple claims it will. Eventually, the drive will become “Fatal,” and you’ll have to replace it or your Mac.įor a more detailed look at your drives, download DriveDx (it’s free to try). If it says “Failing,” this could be the source of your problems. If it says “Verified,” your drive is performing normally, with no issues. Status” and see what is written alongside it. Select your main drive (likely labeled “Macintosh HD”).Click System Report, and then choose Storage.Click the Apple logo in the top-right corner, and then choose About This Mac.

Follow the steps below to check the health of your SSD: And when they do eventually die, data recovery is impossible. Solid-state drives generally only fail after some advance warning. These aren’t prone to failing abruptly the way standard hard disk drives are. StorageĪ failing drive can also cause issues. When you use a USB stick as the storage medium, you can test the RAM properly without the macOS overhead. Install it on a USB stick, start your Mac, and then run it. For example, MemTest86 is a free tool you can use to check your computer’s memory. You can check some components manually with the right tools.

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