Getting the Most out of your Mac

Already own a Mac? Awesome!

Even if you already own a Mac, we’ve compiled a list of ways to keep your computer running fast, powerfully, and securely, even with older hardware.

1. Keep your Software Up To Date
By using the latest version of macOS, you not only have access to all of the latest and greatest features, but you are less susceptible to security threats. As soon as updates come out, install them right away! (You can turn this feature on for both system updates and App updates in System Preferences.) Many people believe that updating their software slows their computer down. This is possible with very old hardware, but that slowness is usually due to not enough RAM or a slower hard drive, both of which are cheap and easy upgrades and can breathe life into an aging computer. Follow these links to read about upgrading your RAM or about replacing your Mac's hard drive with a Solid State Drive or Fusion Drive.

2. Use Safari
Many people use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to do their web browsing instead of preinstalled Safari. While there are advantages to using Chrome for features like syncing data between non-Apple devices, those features come with higher security risk and greater energy usage. Since Safari is built in to macOS instead of being a separate download, it’s more secure and finely tuned. Also due to its integration in macOS, Safari is more energy efficient. It can use half as much energy as Firefox or Chrome when doing everyday browsing! With recent updates to macOS, Safari saw major under the hood improvements and now outperforms Chrome, which many people believe is faster. More information on browser speed is available here.

3. Quit Applications
When some users, especially those new to macOS, close a window, they simply click the red X in the upper left hand corner. However, this merely closes the window and doesn’t close the application entirely. In other words, the application continues to run in the background consuming precious system resources. To quit an application, click on its name in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select “Quit”. You’ll know the application is closed when the dot disappears from underneath its icon in the dock. Keep in mind that you cannot quit Finder.

4. Don’t Download Antivirus Software
This may shock a lot of readers. At the end of the day, Macs are very secure platforms. Not that you should open that suspicious looking email, but users of Apple computers are far less susceptible to malware. Antivirus applications such as Sophos or MacKeeper use lots of system resources and access the hard drive frequently causing lagging and lesser battery life on notebook computers. With macOS Sierra, a new feature called System Integrity Protection, or Rootless, was introduced. It locks down core files and processes essential to the system from being modified, even by system administrators. In other words, if your Mac does manage to get infected by a virus, you don’t need to worry about it hijacking the system and causing damage to the hardware (More information on Rootless here). Having said that, it is still up to the user to be cautious online. Don't open files you didn't download or click on links in suspicious emails. Click here if for tips for spotting suspicious emails. Mac Attack! is not liable for any damage or loss of data that may occur.