Useful speed-up tips
There a few day-to-day things you can do to ensure top speed
Reclaim disk space using Sierra’s built-in tools
Open About this Mac, click the Storage tab and then Manage… Click Review Files in the Reduce Clutter section and organize the results by Last Accessed date. Archive the oldest files to external media by clicking the magnifier that appears beside their names to reveal them in the Finder, and you’ll be able to reclaim the space they occupied.
If you no longer need them, click the x to delete them. (Don’t forget to empty the Trash afterwards.) The more free space you have, the better, as macOS needs to use some of it to cache data that it can’t store in RAM.
Uninstall apps completely
>>> Deleting an app from the Applications folder removes the executable, but can leave extra data and background routines in place (and running). Delete them fully using AppZapper ( appzapper.com), which is free for the first five uses.
Got a broken port?
Fixing a broken USB port requires a complete logic board replacement. You can easily find these online from the likes of Amazon, but fitting one requires soldering, a steady hand, and a certain amount of expertise (iFixit rates the process as “Difficult”). Before you start work, though, check it’s not a configuration issue by rebooting while holding Alt+ ß+ç to reset the System Management Controller (SMC). Re-test the port after rebooting.
Replacing the MagSafe port is easier as it’s a simple matter of unplugging it from the logic board. It’s still a 20-stage process, though, which requires the almost complete disassembly of your MacBook and the use of several tools for 10 differently sized screws.
Keep your apps up to date
>>> Check the App Store regularly for updates to your apps. As well as adding features and fixing security issues, updates frequently improve performance as developers take advantage of new software. For applications that you downloaded and installed outside of the App Store, check out AppFresh for Mac ($14.99, metaquark.de/ appfresh/mac), which identifies what software you’re running and performs regular checks for updates. Several manufacturers, including Adobe (with Creative Cloud) and Microsoft (with Office), check for updates automatically. Although it’s tedious installing them when you need to get on with your work, make a point of doing so after quitting each app so your Mac remains in the best possible shape.