If you have a high-end laptop computer like a MacBook Pro, you expect high-end performance. These computers are built to handle multiple tasks at once and have to ability to process demanding tasks quickly and effectively. A slow MacBook Pro can seem like a car that is running out of fuel, you know it should be moving fast but something is bogging it down.
Luckily, if you want your MacBook Pro to be faster overall, there are some things you can do either before you make your purchase or once you have the computer, to speed things up. A faster MacBook can help accomplish important tasks, enjoy your favorite entertainment seamlessly, and provide a better overall experience.
Is Your MacBook Pro Running Slow? Here Are Some Things to Try: Editors note: this post was originally published in July 2015 and was updated in 2017 to reflect new reviews and experiences. Any Apple computer will start to slow down over time, but there are steps you can take to keep your MacBook Pro speedy. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2020 using preproduction 13-inch MacBook Pro systems with Apple M1 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. The Apple TV app movie playback test measures battery life by playing back HD 1080p content with display brightness set to 8 clicks from bottom. Battery life varies by use and configuration. Check Your Activity Monitor. Checking your Activity Monitor will give you a precise look at all of the. A slow MacBook Pro can seem like a car that is running out of fuel, you know it should be moving fast but something is bogging it down. Luckily, if you want your MacBook Pro to be faster overall, there are some things you can do either before you make your purchase or once you have the computer, to speed things up. I have a late 2013 MBP retina. Today it just started running very slow, like, extremely slow. The fan is going full blast. Resetting doesn't help, activity monitor shows 70% system CPU usage the moment it starts up.
Benefits of a Faster MacBook Pro
A faster MacBook Pro is going to be able to handle normal computer tasks more quickly and will also allow you to handle more demanding tasks at a higher level. On a basic level, an increase in speed will give you the ability to keep more windows and tabs open in your browser so you can load multiple web pages at the same time without the others crashing. A faster laptop also means that you can run multiple apps at the same time at full speed.
For more intense and demanding computing needs, a faster MacBook Pro is also a benefit. Increased speed translates directly into an increase in the performance and capabilities of your computer. With a faster MacBook Pro you will be able to take advantage of increased processing which is perfect if you use high-end editing software for music, video, or any other purchase that demands high CPU.
An increase in speed will give you the ability to see advanced graphics on your screen. If you use any software designed for Macs such as Logic Pro X, Adobe Photoshop, or Final Cut Pro, you will see an immediate increase in the function of these great programs with a faster computer.
Basically, if you use your Mac for video editing or similar demanding reasons, you will benefit from a faster machine.
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How to Make MacBook Pro Faster Before Buying
There are multiple speed options that you can choose from when purchasing your MacBook Pro. Faster performance comes with a cost, but it is definitely worth it if you have the need for a fast machine.
An easy way to make your MacBook Pro faster from the get-go is to increase the memory of the machine. It’s important to know that most newer MacBook models will not allow you to increase memory after you have made the purchase so it must be done when you order the computer. The new MacBook Pro models offer up to 32GB memories which, if you decide to get that much memory, can really make your computer fast!
The internal processor of your MacBook Pro also has a lot to do with how fast your computer will be. The newest models offer up to an 8-core Intel processor with as high as a 5.0GHz turbo boost. This is for the most expensive version of the MacBook Pro and will be a really fast machine. Apple also offers multiple options that aren’t quite this fast (but still are pretty fast!), with smaller processors and turbo boosts to match your needs and budget.
The main things to consider when purchasing your MacBook Pro for speed are the memory, number of cores in the processor, and level of turbo boost. For all of these considerations, the higher the number, the faster the computer will be.
How to Make MacBook Pro Faster After Buying
If you have an older model MacBook Pro or have purchased a new one and want it to be faster, there are still some things you can do to speed up the machine. In general, older machines are going to be slower but trying a few of these tips can get your MacBook Pro back near the speeds it was when it was brand new.
1. Check Your Activity Monitor
Checking your Activity Monitor will give you a precise look at all of the programs and apps that are running on your MacBook Pro and how much of your computer’s operating power is being used by each. This diagnostic window monitors memory, energy, CPU, network and disk usage. In relation to speed, CPU is very important so if a program or app you are not actively using is eating up a lot of CPU, go ahead and close it.
To access the Activity Monitor go to the Finder in your Dock, click on Applications then on Utilities. In this window, you will see the Activity Monitor. Double click the Activity Monitor and a window like this will appear where you can manage apps and programs.
2. Clean Up Your Desktop
Another thing you can do to speed up your MacBook Pro is to clean up your desktop. By putting icons in folders instead of having them each on the desktop screen individually, it can save RAM which will speed up your computer. Once you have organized your desktop, restart the computer to notice the change in speed.
3. Uninstall Any Unused Apps
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If your computer has a bunch of apps on it, it can slow things down significantly. Go through all of your apps and delete and uninstall any of them that you do not use. You can always download them again later if you really need them. Apps can take up a lot of storage and memory which will slow down your machine.
Final Thoughts
If you want your MacBook Pro to stay fast, keep track of how you use it and take a good look at the tips above to help you if it starts running slowly. Making a few upgrades when you purchase the computer can help increase significantly as well.
Do you have any tricks to speed up your MacBook Pro?
Why is my Mac so slow? Is there any effective way to fix it? Read on this iMobie guide to fix Mac/MacBook Air/Pro running slow problem.
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Q: ” Why is my Mac running so slow? I have a MacBook Pro (2019) model. It’s old but hardly used, and is slowing down. I am wondering why my Mac is running slow and how can make it run like new?”
— A User from Yahoo Answers Macs like all computers, Windows or Vista, can run slower over time. By performing a few simple clean up and maintenance tricks, you can have your slow Mac back running like new in no time. Here in this iMobie guide is by no means a comprehensive list of things that could be slowing down your Mac and how to fix it to speed up your Mac.
Also Read: How to Free up Space on Mac >
Reason 1: Mac hard drive is nearly full
First of all, go to check and see if you have enough free hard drive space to work with: Click the Apple menu > Select “About This Mac” > Click on the “More Info” button > Choose the “Storage” tab to check the disk storage overview and capacity.
Like every Mac user, you might have stored many huge video files, thousands of photos and music tracks on your Mac computer. The popularity of using solid-state drives (SSDs) of Mac computers means considerably less capacity than traditional hard drives. Even an iPhoto library can quickly fill up a MacBook Air’s 64GB or 128GB SSD, and nothing slows a Mac than having too much on a hard drive.
Solutions:
Firstly, find the large media files on your Mac, delete the unused videos, apps, photos, etc. Or you can move all of them to an external hard drive, and remove them from your Mac.
Secondly, remember empty your trash cans, say the user account’s main trash can and the iPhoto/iMovie/Mail trash can.
Thirdly, remove the junk files generated from your web browser, system, or applications. A quick and effective way is using a smart Mac cleaning software, MacClean.
It removes junk files from Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Opera all in one place, covering caches, cookies, browsing history, download history and sessions.
It Clears user junk, system junk, development junk, and app leftover.
It works for all Macs, including MacBook Pro/Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, etc. Download MacClean now to free up more space.
Why Is My MacBook Running Slow and How to Fix It with MacClean
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Reason 2: Don’t have enough RAM
A question from a Mac user: “I have a 27” iMac (Late 2012, OS X 10.9.2) with 8GB RAM. The usage of memory is always above 7GB, even though I don’t think I am running that much stuff. This leads to the occasional hanging of a program and occasional feeling of the computer being lagged.”
Yes, most Macs ship with between 4GB and 16GB of RAM. If your Mac has only 4GB or 8GB RAM, the system might be running low when launching programs or loading documents.
You can check your RAM by using the Activity Monitor application (under Utilities in the Application folder). Click on System Memory tab and have a look at the pie chart at the bottom. If the chart is largely red or orange which means you are running out of RAM.
Solution:
Step 1. Open up Terminal: ~/Applications/Utilities.
Step 2. Enter the command: Purge, and tap the enter tab.
Step 3. Give your Mac a minute or two to complete the process.
Open up Activity Monitor to see the before and after results, you’ll find the Free size increases in System Memory.
Can’t Miss: How to Free Up Memory on Your Mac >
Reason 3: Lots of unneeded login items
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Login items are a bunch of services and applications that should launch every time you start up your Mac. When you turn on your Mac, you may notice the process taking longer and longer over time. One of the reasons might be that you’ve allowed two many items to creep into the system over time.
Solution:
Kill the unneeded login items.
Step 1. Open up System Preferences, and click the Users & Groups.
Step 2. Click the Login Items tab, and you’ll see a list of apps that open every time you turn on Mac.
Step 3. Select the login items you want to kill and click the “-” button to remove them.
Lots of unneeded login items
Reason 4: Having too much on Mac desktop
Every document file on your desktop requires memory to store. If you keep too many items on your desktop, this can slow down your Mac speed to some extent. Accordingly, keeping a relatively clear desktop helps to ensure your Mac good performance where it should be.
Solution:
Clean up your desktop is a really easy job. First of all, delete the files you don’t need anymore, and empty the Trash. Classified the files on your mac, and move them to some folders. Name the folder so that you can easily find the one you need.
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The Bottom Line
You can make your slow Mac run faster with the above 4 solutions now. If you have any questions on this guide, please let us know in the comment section. Don’t hesitate to share this post with your friends if it solves your problem. In addition, download MacClean to fix your slow Mac and have a free trial now >
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