Running slowly? SMC > Your Mac’s system management controller (SMC) is a key component that manages power usage, monitors temperature, and controls its fans. The SMC is also responsible for status indicators, the keyboard backlight and
Speed up login other core features. Occasionally the SMC goes rogue — one symptom is the fan kicking in so hard that it sounds like a jet getting ready for take off — and needs to be reset. Others are apps taking an age to launch and MacBooks not charging properly. Resetting it should be a last resort.
Press these keys to reset the SMC:
ß+≈+å (Left Shift)
(Control)
NVRAM > If you’re a Mac user of a certain vintage you’ll remember PRAM (parameter RAM), and that resetting it was staple advice for a problematic Mac. On Intel Macs, PRAM has been replaced with NVRAM (standing for non-volatile random access memory),
1 Find your login items
In System Preferences, click the Users & Groups icon. Select your account, then click the padlock (bottom left) and enter your password. Click the Login items tab.
(Alt)
which does much the same job, but stores much less data. Backed by a separate battery, it stores your selected startup disk, time zone, speaker volume, screen resolution and, if your Mac has just crashed, details of what went wrong. As with the SMC, resetting NVRAM is occasionally necessary.
Press these keys to reset the NVRAM:
ç+ å + P + R (Command)
(Alt)
(P)
(R)
2 Remove items
Hold ç and select any login items you don’t need or use, then click the – (minus) below to remove them. If you’re not sure you need an item, leave it alone.
Make Safari faster Untangle the web browser Switch off Flash
Empty caches
Clear History
> One of the main reasons for sluggish performance in Safari is auto-loading of Flash content on sites. Install the ClickToPlugin (bit.ly/mfclick2plugin) extension to switch off Flash (and other plug-ins you specify) and choose on a case-by-case basis which videos load.
> Safari caches info from every site you visit to quicken loading in future, along with thumbnails for the Favorites view. However, the cache can get bloated. In Safari’s Advanced preferences, turn on ‘Show Develop menu…’, then choose Develop > Empty Caches.
> Storing details of every website you visit can be useful in allowing you to find something you saw previously, even it was weeks ago. Storing so much data, however, can also slow down Safari. Choose History > Clear History, pick a duration, then click Clear History.
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3 Avoid typing a password Though you can set your Mac to log in automatically, that’s a security risk. Use your iPhone’s Touch ID sensor or its proximity to log in to your Mac by adding MacID (£2.99, macid.co).
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