Let's look at some simple ways to get extra life out of those old Macbook Pro or Airs (2011-2013) you might have lying around the house.
Upgrade the Hardware
You can get a few more years out of a Macbook by swapping out some components. Adding more RAM is a great start.
You can add an extra stick or max it out; looking up the exact model can tell you the maximum RAM you can add.
A lot of Macs still have regular, spinning hard drives. Switching this out with a solid-state drive (SSD) is a huge upgrade.
SSDs are storage devices with no moving parts. They are faster, quieter, and more durable than HDDs.
OS upgrades are important. Try to update your Mac to the closest OS it can handle.
Apple releases updates regularly, at least until the operating system is at the end of its life.
New OS and driver updates help improve performance. If your computer is behind on these updates, it may cause slowdowns. Updates also address flaws and security issues.
Keep it Clean
Computers that have been around for a while get dusty. Dust primarily builds up on the fans that keep your laptop cool.
Hot components will cause slowdowns. Take a can of compressed air and spray the fans on your laptop or desktop.
Take electrostatic wipes or a microfiber cloth to clean your screen, keyboard, etc.
Empty your Recycle Bin or Trash folder. Files build up there over time, so clearing it now and then is good practice.
Also, look at all the apps and programs you have. Decide which ones you use frequently and uninstall the ones you don’t.
Opt for lightweight alternatives to apps. It also helps to turn off visual effects features like transparency or animations. This reduces the load on the processor and GPU.
Use Linux
If maxing out the RAM, swapping the drive, and patching your Macbook still isn't helping, consider a switch to Linux.
Linux is completely free and isn't locked by Apple's restrictions.
It's built to run on low-end hardware; an older Macbook is more than enough horsepower to run Linux OS smoothly.
Hackers code malware to target macOS users because they make up a percentage of the market share.
Linux laptops aren't as worldwide as Mac devices, so there's less malware that's written.
Numerous developers and organizations have come out with their custom versions - "distros" - of Linux.
Each distro allows you complete customization control - themes, apps, and more.
Wrapping Up
Extend the life of your Macbook with RAM and SSD upgrades. Check for any remaining OS updates.
Clean out the dirt and dust with proper tools. Consider deleting unnecessary apps and features.
Apps that are open source are generally lightweight and less taxing on your computer.
Maybe it's time to dump the macOS ecosystem. Install Linux OS on your machine.
