Though Apple products will serve you for a more extended period, there will reach a certain point where your MacBook will not be fit for use again.
You may wonder how long does a Macbook last.
It is hard to give the exact answer to Mac’s life span since different factors may contribute to this.
However, most computer users tend to replace their MacBook after five years. However, this is for those that perform simple tasks such as browsing only.
MacBooks performing high-density tasks such as video editing or online gaming can last for 3-4 years.
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Table of Contents
MacBook Maintenance Practices:-
Data backup
The number one priority is to ensure the safety of your data. Always make a data backup periodically.
You can lose all your precious photos and data quickly if you fail to carry out data back up on your MacBook.
The good thing with the MacBook is that it has an inbuilt time machine that backs up the data. You can easily restore lost data on your MacBook.
You can set the time machine by connecting your MacBook to an external hard drive. By doing so, you can easily schedule data backups.
Once you open the folder of the particular item, you can easily restore that item.
If you have deleted an email by mistake, you can easily restore it by opening the mail app.
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Malware Scanning
Since Mac is very popular, they are prone to be harmed by malware anytime. The cases of Mac malware is predicted to rise as the years pass by.
The first thing you have to consider doing is to ensure your Mac is always safe by installing anti-virus software.
Scan for malware periodically using the anti-virus software. Make sure that you use the best anti-virus. Some third-party software can even damage your device more.
Symantec and Bitdefender are some of the top best anti-virus software you can use to scan malware on your Mac book.
You will have to pay to use this software. However, you can opt to CleanMyMac that is a great anti-virus software available at zero cost.
This scanning tool performs the same as the paid malware scanning software. It performs checkups from time to time on your Mac for viruses, spyware, adware, worms, ransomware, and many others.
By simply clicking on the ‘Clean’ button, you can remove any detected threat.
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Clean Junk Files
To ensure that your apple Mac performs smoothly, you have to make sure that you leave at least 10% of the disc space.
Junk file consumes a lot of space. Regularly deleting junk files may help you create some space on your Mac.
Either you can use optimized storage features on your Mac to reduce clutter and erase trash from your device automatically.
You can well optimize storage on your MacBook by making sure that you remove iTunes TV shows and movies that you have already watched. Start storing your files on iCloud.
You can also clean unwanted files from your Mac by placing them on the trash and clean them at once.
Though these methods can help you to free up some space on your Mac, they do not provide comprehensive cleanup.
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Download the CleanMyMac scanning tool to get rid of unwanted files on your Mac.
Use the software to perform extensive junk cleaning on your gadget. This scanning tool performs a deep scanning on your device and detects broke, old, and outdated files and completely removes them.
Use CleanMyMac X regularly to get rid of system junk, unwanted mail attachments, iTunes junk, and cleaning of a trash bin by a few clicks.
Removal of desktop clutter
For every file, screenshot, or app on the desktop, some RAM of the Mac is consumed.
When you allow more things on your desktop, system resources will be affected more.
Ensure that the desktop clutter is free by removing things that you do not need and organize the items on your Mac into folders.
You can arrange the folders into grids to make your Mac’s screen tidy.
Update Software
When you update your Mac’s software, you keep the device safe from vulnerabilities and bugs.
Visit the app store regularly to check for software updates. Once you are the in-app store, click the updates button and simply click the update button to install the latest versions.
However, the updates of apps that you did not download from the Mac app store will not be displayed there.
Check for these updates on developer options or other free websites such as MacUpdate.com.
This free site is beneficial since it will provide you with a list of the latest software updates.
CleanMyMac also has an updater module is designed in such a way that it will be sending updates whenever a new version comes through.
This also helps in strengthening security features on your Apple Mac. This tool will be notifying you on updates alerts on all software, including those that are not from the Mac app store.
Running Disk Utility
Ensure that you run the disk utility to fix issues such as unanticipated app closure, file corruption, and other external parts that do not function properly.
Running disk utility helps repair the startup disk.
Restart your Apple Mac periodically-
The best way to fix issues is by restarting your MacBook from time to time.
You can free up some RAM and get rid of virtual swaps memory that the Mac does while you are launching and quitting apps.
When you notice a slowdown or dragging effect on your system, restart it immediately.
Make this a monthly task and schedule to restart your Mac after every two weeks.
Install Maintenance software for MacBook-
A better way to make sure your laptop performs at top-notch is by having something to keep monitoring its performance.
As you have read above, one of the best software you can install is the CleanMyMac tool.
This scanning tool will watch over any threats on your device. Apart from cleaning malware and getting rid of junk files, this software has some other tools that perform maintenance practices on your Mac.
CleanMyMac has a maintenance feature that allows you to run regular diagnostic and optimization checkups to improve the performance of your gadget.
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Some of these features include:-
- It Improves performance by running maintenance scripts. You can resolve improper app behaviors by repairing disk permissions.
- To create room for proceeding processes free up the RAM.
- Secure your data by verifying the startup disk.
- You can fix issues related to application opening by rebuilding launch database services.
- To improve accuracy and searching speed, reindex mail databases, and spotlight.
- To fix network problems by flushing the DNS cache.
You can easily perform the above tasks taking the least time possible, but performing tasks manually may consume more time.
You can also opt for boosters. They inspect performance defaults and notify you where the problem is.
Now you can close apps that are causing problems, disable the applications that automatically run when you boot your MacBook, and remove launch agents that extend the functionality of parent app but uses up resources.
You can also run the CleanMyMax on the background, and it will notify you of any possible threats.
You can use the scanning tool by simply clicking it on the Apple menu and perform tasks like the cleanup of RAM and Trash. In a few clicks, you can also download speed test.
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Signs that your MacBook is getting old & outdated
Apple MacBook will tend to serve you longer compared to other types of laptops in the market; this does not mean that it is going to stay forever.
If you have been using your MacBook for long and you start to witness some of these signs while using it, just know that the time to acquire a new one has reached.
Your battery fails to hold a charge-
This is usually the first sign you will see when your MacBook is aging. You may take it to repair shops, and the problem will be solved.
If your MacBook is too old, there will be a possibility that it will not be able to hold a charge.
Some other things you might notice is your device cannot charge to 100% no matter how long you left it connected to the charger.
Although this does not mean that you have to replace your gadget, but it is a sign that you should be getting ready to purchase a new one.
Hardware glitches
You may start to experience issues related to hardware lately. You might find that the touchpad stop functioning or might also see the appearance of blocks and lines on Mac’s screen randomly while you are using it.
Although you can solve the problem by rebooting your device, just know that you need to visit the MacBook repair center as soon as possible.
Unexpected sounds-
This is a sign that your MacBook is getting old. You will definitely not enjoy watching your favorite movies on the Mac that produces unexpected sounds.
Fan clicking or grinding in the hard disks should be signed enough to tell you that your device has undergone some tear and wear.
You can easily get the replacement of broken parts, keep in mind that Apple products are expensive, and you may end up spending a lot of money.
Consider this as a sign that you will say goodbye to your MacBook very soon.
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Issues related to software-
Any device can have a software problem. However, some of the signs are enough to tell you that your MacBook is getting old.
Issues related to software can lead to error messages, crashes, and even system freezes.
If the problems are caused by one program, it will mean that the problem is not that critical, and it can be solved easily.
However, if you notice that the problem is affecting several programs on your device, including the operating system, then it means that your MacBook has served you long enough, and it is about time you get a new one.
System overheating-
This is a normal thing, even with new devices. Your MacBook will heat up when you overwork it.
However, if you witness frequent overheating with your device, just know that it is aging.
Older MacBook will heat persistently. It might reach a point where it starts to at even when you use it to perform light or simple tasks.
Excessive heat is harmful since it can result in the failure of several components in the MacBook. Take it to repair shops to get it back to normal function.
However, most of these signs can be fixed and get the MacBook to efficiency, and there are enough to tell you that your device is old, and you may have to buy a new one shortly.
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Reasons Why You Should Choose MacBook over PCs-
In the end, you will find that Mac is cheaper compared to PCs. As much as you can acquire PCs with fewer upfront fees, you should know that the actual price includes the acquisition cost and the residual value when you trade the device.
The difference between these two numbers tells the actual cost of owning that computer you want to buy.
MacBook is more comfortable to purchase but costly!
When you are buying Mac, you can simplify your searches and easily land to your best MacBook. You are also sure that you will get a genuine product when dealing with Apple.
Apple is better than Microsoft in that it makes accurate assumptions using its software.
Apple users enjoy some bliss with a lack of spyware, malware, and viruses. Although this does not mean that viruses cannot harm them, but they are less prone compared to Windows PC.
Mac has unique features that are not present on the PC. It has a Time machine feature that is very helpful in backing up data routinely.
It does not only help in data back up, but you can also get files you deleted long ago.
How Macbook stand out in the market?
The style of MacBook makes it stand out in the market.
The interface of Mac is cool and attractive. Upgrading Apple OS is simple compared to other complicated systems such as Micro-soft.
It also has a better way of introducing updates to customers, while others like Windows will not have a consistent scheme of naming its updates.
When you use Mac, you will be able to explore more as you are also allowed to explore Windows. You can install windows on your MacBook by using its Boot Camp.
Some of the Best MacBook anti-virus software-
Before you opt for certain anti-virus software, ensure that you carry out extensive research.
Some of the best anti-virus software you can use to ensure the safety of your Mac includes:-
CleanMyMac X
This is the best anti-virus software you can use to boost security features on your Apple Mac.
The good thing with it is that apart from virus protection, it also gets rid of malware as it scans continually.
You will notice an immediate effect on how your Mac will operate the moment you launch CleanMyMac.
Bitdefender
This anti-virus software has some features that make it stand out in the market. It is capable of protecting your Mac from adware and ransomware.
One of the features that are not present in other anti-virus software is that it can scan malware in Windows PC.
Intego Anti-virus
You can use Intego to keep your Mac safe from malware. It is also essential in scanning Windows malware.
Pros of Intego anti-virus software-
It is best to protect the firewall.
It provides accurate scanning of threats on your Mac.
Cons of using Intego anti-virus-
It has fewer features compared to other software in the market.
Website filtering is not available on Intego.
Intego can easily affect the performance of your laptop.
Norton Anti-virus
This software will provide you with outstanding performance whenever you want to ensure the security of your apple mac using Symantec.
It has the best malware detection tools, and it is compatible with multiple devices such as Mac, Windows, iOS, or even android.
The biggest Cons of this software is that it is too expensive, especially when you consider that you can find the best anti-viruses for free.
My Final Words-
Based on my personal experience, the MacBook lasts for a maximum of 6-7 years. However, the duration will mainly depend on the purpose of use of the device.
Make sure you update your MacBook with the latest security features to keep it free from threats.
Upgrading your system will mean a smooth performance, and you will enjoy using your MacBook more.
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