Why Is My iMac So Slow and Feeble?

iMac has repeatedly been referred to as a “gold standard of desktop computing” by technology critics and users alike. However, the aging can slowly turn the powerhouse of the Apple family into a sluggish and really unremarkable machine to the chagrin of its loyal users. Why? It has to do with the fact that the productivity of even new iMacs can be compromised by a variety of factors ranging from a full hard drive to virus infiltration. When it comes to the older models of the famous desktop computer, such issues undermine its vitality, thereby slowing down its startup, which is super frustrating. What does one need to know when their computer all of a sudden runs into a digital wall? Keep on reading to find out. This article will help you to regain your digital autonomy and completely transform your user experience.

Why My iMac Keeps Freezing?

iMac that freezes up on every startup is a veritable nightmare of Apple aficionados. If you are one of those Mac users, who doesn’t know what to do when your computer is running slow and constantly hangs, this section of the article will provide you with simple explanations that can be translated into efficient fixes for your problems.

The most common causes of the suboptimal iMac performance are:

  • A lack of storage space;
  • An excess of background applications;
  • Outdated hardware/software;
  • A malware infiltration;
  • Poor user habits.

 

imac running slow

How to Make iMac Faster with Simple Tricks

Let’s consider how you can unlock the hidden potential of your iMac, thereby not only speeding it up but making it run at full tilt. News flash: it is possible to dissuade even an old computer from adopting the habit of slow performance (saying nothing of new Mac machines). To stop asking “How do I speed up my iMac?”, consider the following easy-to-follow tips, which will turn your digital assistant into a sprinter in the world of computing.

Cut Down Visuals

The iconic Apple computer can be quickly rejuvenated by slightly reducing the visual appeal of its operating system. There is no denying that macOS enriches the user experience with its flamboyant visual effects. However, by deflating some of its motion graphics and other flourishes, it is possible to achieve considerable performance enhancement.

Upgrade Your OS

The optimization of iMac performance requires regular OS upgrades. Take control of your computer by simply opening the way to numerous under-the-hood improvements that come with new versions of macOS. To access the digital source of life and vitality for your computer, just open the App Store and use the Updates tab to locate and install the latest updates.

Get Rid of Login Items

Excessive login items put an undue burden on your computer; therefore, it’s always a good idea to either reduce their number or disable their default launch altogether. To this end:

  1. Open System Preferences and click on the Users & Groups icon;
  2. Highlight memory-consuming apps that you want to remove from the startup;
  3. Use the and + buttons to clear them from the list.

Close Background Applications

Unneeded background applications can take over the memory of your iMac, thereby making it lifeless for no obvious reason. To get rid of pesky free riders, open Activity Monitor, which can be found in the Applications menu. Once the utility is launched, locate CPU-hungry applications and use the X button to close them.

iMac is Running Slow: How to Fix It with Advanced Tricks

If you’ve tried the abovementioned approaches to increase the speed of your iMac and still find yourself wondering why it is frozen for no apparent reason, here are my favorite tricks for jump-starting most obstinate computers. I am sure that a bit of tuning and typing will do wonders to even an old iMac.

Clean Cache Files

Every computer has a real menagerie of cache files that can be roughly divided into the following types: browser, user, system, and app-generated cache. By relegating data junk to the Trash bin, it is possible to markedly increase the rate at which your iMac operates. Manual deletion of caches and temporary files necessitates the following steps:

  1. Quit any running apps;
  2. Open the Finder window and proceed to the Go menu;
  3. Once inside the Go menu, choose the Library option;
  4. In a window that opens, open the Caches folder;
  5. From the variety of cache folders, choose ones that you no longer need;
  6. Move them to the Trash with the help of the control button;
  7. Empty the Trash.

Upgrade Your Hardware

Even though it is not the cheapest option, the hardware upgrade will surely revivify an iMac that is covered with digital rust. Find the right type of RAM for your computer and add more memory to it, thereby making sure that you never have to see the annoying beach ball again.

 

clean imac

How to Clean iMac?

It is certain that almost any room can use a little bit of cleaning up. The same applies to an old iMac whose hard drive is full to the point of overflowing. In addition to useless and duplicate files that take up the disk space of your computer, malware and viruses can also grind it to a halt. So, if you are still asking “Do I have to clean my iMac to optimize its performance?”, the answer is “Yes.” Here’s what needs to be done to take out the digital trash and malignant software that makes your computer slow:

  • Install a free Mac antivirus app;
  • Use cleaning utilities to automatically remove temporary files;
  • Delete unused localization files;
  • Manually comb your Documents, Movies, and Pictures folders to weed out files you no longer need.

Always remember that prevention is better than cure. So keep your iMac clean and healthy, and it will repay good for your efforts with fast and stable performance.