Improve Mac Performance | How to Increase Mac speed

How can I improve my Mac performance. Tips to speed up Mac running slow – are some very common searched queries after the release of Mountain Lion. Actually its a common problem which gets started after a long usage of Mac machine. It doesn't matter how much you care about it, eventually it lays down and starts performing sluggishly. Here we are discussing the facts and causes behind this slow behavior. To overcome the issue, you must know the remedial steps required to fix it and learn how to maintain Mac performance once it is running properly.

 

What is the reason of Slow Mac?

What is the reason behind slowing down your Mac and why does it run more slowly than it did the day you purchased it? Everything you save (files, photos, videos, music, and applications) on your drive is read, searched, opened, play, edited, and run by your OS. If you have anything unnecessary, that's junk, and its accumulation may cause your computer to have to work overtime to perform even simple tasks.
There may be a possibility that there are some junk items in your Mac that you're not aware of. You may have some old installation files, programs which you don't use any longer, too many fonts that look the same. Another cause which cannot be completely neglected is disk fragmentation. So, its good to state that it's time to upgrade those old applications.
Here we are discussing very effective steps which can enhance performance considerably.

 

1. Throw Away unnecessary Data You don't Need and Defragment Your Mac Drive

Creating free space on hard drive by deleting unnecessary files and programs, folders, fonts, and applications is always a good idea.Your hard drive stores data on circular disk starting with the first free space and inward. When data is edited and saved repeatedly on drive , it creates little pockets of free space all over the hard disk. Thus, its clear to understand that when a large video file, cannot be saved in the first pocket of space it is divided into fragments and saved into various open areas on the hard drive. When the OS tries to read the file, it has to go to two, three, or more areas of the drive and piece the file together. This state of drive is called fragmentation. In this stage the OS to to make an extra effort to pull out fragments of a file.
So, it suggested to use a Mac defragmenting tool after deleting unnecessary items from your Mac drive. The tool like Stellar drive defrag, locates all the fragmented files on your hard disk and bring the related pieces together and thus enhancing performance. Mac defragmentation is suggested to be performed two to four times a year.

 

2. Remove Mac Applications which are causing problems

You need to recheck the list of application installed on your Mac and look for programs which you don't use any more. It may be a program that you installed with printers or programs for an old scanner or digital camera which you don't use now.
The users should also check for programs that have expired, beta programs installed for testing and programs you tried but didn't buy. For example, if you've installed the latest version of Photoshop, you might not need Photoshop Elements or similar programs.
Also, when you buy a new Mac machine it comes comes preinstalled with things you might not need. The list of such applications include iMovie, iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto, iCal etc..

 

3. Get Organized

It is always recommended to keep your things organized at your machine. This cab done in many ways. One of the best way is to create folders under Home folders and move existing files into a folder that details its contents. You should make a plan while deciding what folders to create, what to name, and where to store them. The idea is to consider what you use your Mac for and create folders that represent who you are and what you do.

 

4. Clean Up your Mac Desktop, Dock, and Finder Windows

Many of us overlook the task of tuning up Mac for greater productivity. It is necessary to mention here that keeping desktop clean would save useful resources for OS to run applications faster. Check if you have too many icons on the Dock? Reduce the number and keep only those which are important. If you use the same programs every day then its better to add them to the Dock or the Finder toolbar.
The above steps are tested and verified in various conditions and with various versions of Mac OS X.