Running your business on a Mac should feel seamless. After all, macOS is known for its sleek interface and robust performance. But when you're juggling multiple business applications, even the most powerful machines can slow down. 

Not to worry. With a few strategic tweaks, you can optimize your macOS to ensure peak performance for all your critical business apps. Whether you’re managing heavy data sets, using design tools, or hopping between multiple resource-heavy windows, these tips will keep your Mac running like the productivity powerhouse it is. 

Here’s how you can fine-tune your macOS for business success, one step at a time. 

Understand the Current Performance of Your Mac 

Before making adjustments, it’s important to understand how your Mac is currently performing. Running diagnostics can help you pinpoint bottlenecks and issues impacting your workflow. Here’s how to evaluate your system's health and identify areas for improvement. 

Monitor Your System’s Activity 

Use the Activity Monitor, a built-in macOS utility, to get real-time insights into how your system resources—CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network—are being used. 

1. Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. 
2. Check the tabs at the top to identify applications hogging the CPU or RAM. 
3. Consider closing or uninstalling apps that drain unnecessary resources. 

Pro Tip: Apps like Chrome and Slack are notorious resource hogs. Try switching to more lightweight alternatives like Safari to browse or disable unused Slack integrations. 

Test for Malware or Issues 

Run a scan with Malwarebytes or similar software to ensure your system is free of unwanted files or background processes that could slow down operations. 

 1. Keep Your macOS Updated 

Apple frequently releases macOS updates that include performance improvements, security patches, and application compatibility upgrades. Staying up-to-date is essential for running business applications efficiently. 

How to Update macOS 

1. Click on the Apple Menu in the top-left corner. 
2. Select System Preferences > Software Update. 
3. Follow the prompts to download and install updates. 

Not only will updates improve application compatibility, but they’ll also address bugs that may impact your workflows. 

Pro Tip: Set your Mac to update automatically during off-hours to minimize disruptions. 

Optimize Startup Applications 

Are you noticing a lag when booting your system? If so, startup applications could be the culprit. Many programs set themselves to launch automatically, even when you don’t need them. 

Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps 

1. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups. 
2. Select your account and click on the Login Items tab. 
3. Remove unnecessary applications by selecting them and clicking the minus (-) button. 

Keep only critical business tools active during startup, like VPN software or productivity trackers. 

Declutter Your Desktop 

It’s easy to underestimate how cluttered desktops impact system speed. Each icon on your desktop takes up valuable memory, slowing your Mac down. 

Tips to Declutter 

• Move files into organized folders. 
• Transfer old folders to cloud storage like iCloud or Google Drive. 
• Regularly clean up your Downloads folder, which can get bloated with unnecessary files. 

Result: A clean desktop doesn't just boost your Mac’s performance—it also sharpens your focus. 

Manage Disk Space Wisely 

Running out of disk space can dramatically slow performance, especially for business apps that handle large files. Use these strategies to keep your storage in check. 

Free Up Space 

1. Use About This Mac > Storage to view what's taking up space. 
2. Delete old files, unused applications, and caches.  
3. Use tools like CleanMyMac X to automate the process. 

Offload to Cloud Storage 

Move large files to cloud platforms like Dropbox or OneDrive, ensuring they remain accessible while freeing up local space. 

Leverage Built-In macOS Optimizations 

macOS provides optimization settings that many users overlook. These features are designed to boost system efficiency for a smoother user experience. 

Use Optimize Storage 

1. Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage... 
2. Enable options like “Store in iCloud” or “Optimize Storage” to free up space automatically. 

Enable Power Saving Modes 

Enabling power-saving modes through Energy Saver Preferences limits unnecessary background processes on MacBooks. This is particularly useful when working on resource-heavy applications on the go. 

Upgrade Hardware if Necessary 

Sometimes software optimizations aren’t enough—your hardware might need an upgrade to handle demanding workloads. 

Add More RAM 

Many Macs allow RAM upgrades (check model compatibility first). Having at least 16 GB of RAM can drastically improve performance for heavy multitasking. 

Invest in an SSD 

If you’re still running a Mac with an HDD, upgrading to an SSD (Solid State Drive) can make loading and saving files lightning-fast. 

Use Native macOS Features 

macOS is packed with built-in features that enhance productivity when properly utilized. 

Spotlight Search 

• Press Cmd + Spacebar to open Spotlight. 
• Use it as a quick-launch tool for apps, or even perform calculations and unit conversions. 

Mission Control 

Organize your open apps and windows using shortcuts like F3 or Swiping up with three fingers. This keeps your workspace streamlined—ideal for multitasking high-performance tools. 

Automate with Third-Party Tools 

When your workflow becomes repetitive, third-party automation tools can save countless hours. 

Best Tools to Try 

• Alfred: Replaces Spotlight with more powerful automation features. 
• Hazel: Automatically organizes files based on rules. 
• Keyboard Maestro: Build custom keyboard shortcuts to streamline your processes. 

By automating repetitive tasks, you’ll free up your Mac’s resources while boosting your own productivity. 

Reboot Regularly 

It might seem like basic advice, but rebooting your Mac regularly clears out temporary files, refreshes system memory, and shuts down unnecessary background processes. Schedule at least one weekly restart—it’s a small step with big payoff. 

Contact our Apple Service experts at POINT for more actionable tech tips or help with managing your tools effectively.