Technology

7 Common Macbook Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

MacBook Maintenance Mistakes

Macs are computers that are built to last. If you buy a new one, you can expect to get at least 5 to 8 years out of it. But sometimes, you might not realize that instead of extending your Mac’s lifespan, the things you’re doing are taking away from it. 

Keep reading to learn about 7 MacBook maintenance mistakes that you should avoid doing, as well as what you should do instead. 

1. Not Backing up Your Data

Apple makes their computers to be long-lasting and durable. Yet even the best computers are susceptible to crashes that can destroy your data. 

Malware, physical damage, and user error are some of the common causes of hard drive failure. The nature of these events means that they aren’t ones that you can predict or plan for. They happen sporadically, and often catch people off guard. 

If you use Macs at your company or business, it’s also important to back up corporate data. Many businesses that experience data loss don’t recover.

Give yourself a safety net by backing up your files so that if something does happen, you won’t have to worry about starting over. Use an external hard drive or a cloud-based storage program to store photos, documents, and other files.

2. Being Vulnerable to Viruses and Malware 

Many people are under the misconception that viruses, malware, and other common cyber threats can’t harm Macs. This isn’t not true and can lead many people into having a false sense of security.

It’s true that in the past, hackers wrote most malware for WindowsOS. Yet in recent years with the growing popularity of Apple devices, more and more viruses are affecting Mac computers.

Malware can decrease the speed of your computer. It can also cause pop-ups and other advertisements to open, interrupting your experience. In some extreme cases, hackers can hold your computer for ransom, forcing you to pay money.

Keep yourself safe by downloading a reliable anti-virus program. There are many free programs for Mac to choose from. 

3. Having a Cluttered Desktop 

If you’re a messy person, odds are you have a messy desktop on your computer as well. Yet aside from being aesthetically unappealing, a cluttered desktop can be contributing to some issues on your computer.

Each icon you have on your Mac’s desktop requires your computer to use random access memory, or RAM, to display it. When you have a desktop full of different icons and shortcuts, it can cause your computer to be sluggish. 

Although it can be tempting to want to keep the apps and files you use often in an easy to see location, consider creating different folders to store them. Not only will this help you be better organized, but it’ll also help your computer’s memory and speed.

4. Keeping Too Many Apps Open 

If you’re coming to a Mac for WindowsOS, you might still be exiting apps by pressing the red close button. However, this doesn’t close programs all the way on macOS.

This means that many people may be running multiple programs in the background without realizing it. If the programs are demanding and memory hogging, it can cause slowdowns on your computer. 

To see if a program or app is open, look at your Mac’s dock. If there is a grey dot underneath an app, that means that you haven’t exited it. Open it, click the app’s name at the top, then choose quit. You can also press Command + Q. 

To see a list of all the apps you have running, click the Apple icon on the top left corner, then choose Force Quit. You’ll then see the names of everything open in the background. This is also a good way to exit out of an unresponsive app. 

5. Not Doing Computer Housekeeping 

Make sure that you take time each week to get things in order on your Mac. This means keeping everything tidy and organized. If you downloaded a file to your Desktop last week so that you could find it easily, you can now move it to an appropriate folder. 

You should also make sure that you keep your Mac updated. Apple releases regular software updates. By installing them and staying up to date, your Mac will be faster and more secure. You’ll also have access to the latest features included in the update.

Proper computer housekeeping also means taking care of your Mac’s hardware. Check out this guide on what to do if you have a Macbook Pro not charging. 

6. Not Taking Advantage of iCloud 

If you’re new to Apple computers, one of the most useful features available to Mac users is iCloud.

If you’re unfamiliar with it, iCloud is a cloud-based storage program that lets you store photos, documents, and other files. If you’re short on disk space, iCloud will let you delete the local files and keep everything in the cloud. It also syncs files between your other apple devices.

There are different iCloud storage plans to choose from. The most basic option is free, with larger storage capacities costing money. 

7. Using Memory Hogging Applications 

Although we all have our preferred applications, certain ones require more memory usage than others. Consider switching to an alternative if that’s the case.

Google Chrome is a clean and speedy browser, but it also uses more memory than Safari. Likewise, Adobe Premiere Pro is a fantastic video editing software, but Apple has optimized Final Cut Pro to run better. 

Do you some research on the apps you’re using, and if necessary, make the switch to a more efficient version that does the same thing. 

Avoid These 7 MacBook Maintenance Mistakes 

If you take good care of your Mac, you can expect to enjoy it for years. By following this guide and avoiding these 7 Macbook maintenance mistakes, you’ll be able to make the most out of your computer’s lifespan. 

Do you have any other suggestions on things you shouldn’t do on a Mac? Let us know!

For more guides and tips, check out some of our other blog posts. 

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