Looking after your Mac is important if you want to extend its lifespan, but you have to spend time performing maintenance tasks to keep it going. Many people may not know how to care for their Mac properly, especially if they previously used a Windows or Linux computer. Apple suggests that Macs need little maintenance, but it’s important to consider it in spite of this. You might have lots of questions about maintaining your Mac’s good health. If you don’t know how to start caring for your Mac, find the answers to your questions below.

Do I Need to Install Updates?

Just like with a PC, you’ll need to install regular updates for your Mac’s system. Look under the software updates part of your Apple menu to check for updates. You can configure the updates to install automatically, so you don’t have to keep checking for new ones. Updates are important, as they will fix vulnerabilities and security risks. They also make sure that you don’t have any old data or software that’s incompatible with your system.

Do I Need to Create Backups?

On any computer system, it’s important to create backups. If anything happens resulting in lost or damaged files, it’s reassuring to know that you have created backups to help you restore your system. Apple has a built-in Time Machine application that creates backups, but you can use another software too. Some backup programs will automatically create a backup at regular intervals, taking away the need to remember to create them yourself.

How Do I Keep My Mac Running Quickly?

If you don’t perform maintenance on your Mac, your system could start to slow down. Keeping your files organized can be a big help in making sure that your system doesn’t start slowing down. You can keep your files in order, archive old files and clean your computer. There are several programs to help you clean up the files on your computer. You might have heard about MacKeeper, which can get rid of any files you don’t need. These junk files weigh down your Mac and slow everything down, so getting rid of them can improve your computer’s performance. If your next question is “does MacKeeper cost money?”, the answer is yes. You can use it for free for a trial period, but after that it will cost $40-$60.

What Else Can I Do?

Something else that helps you keep your Mac running smoothly is using the Apple Disk Utility to scan your drive for any errors and repair disk permissions. If you run Disk Utility every two or three months, you may be able to prevent your system from running into several problems. Find it under the Utilities folder on your Mac. You can also keep the outside of your Mac clean, so dust and dirt doesn’t slow the system down.

If you look after your Mac and perform regular maintenance tasks, it will last longer. Just these few simple tasks can save you a lot of money.