I have a Mac desktop from late 2013 that is just so slow these days and can't afford a new computer. Any suggestions on how i can help the overall speed and efficiency of my computer? Like is deleting old files and applications going to do anything? Or adding more RAM? I don't know anything about this.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iMac 27″, macOS 10.15
So then are you telling me all I have to do is insert another 4GB of RAM into one of those last two remaining empty slots and it will visibly and noticeably upgrade my desktop’s operating speed?
Not necessarily. I've added RAM to dozens of Macs and never saw a massive speed gain. Based on thousands of "slow iMac" post here, chances are your storage is underperforming. This this little Q&A:
Three "yes" answers point to an under-performing hard drive/Fusion drive/ SSD. Adding RAM will not change that.
If you wish a full evaluation based on hard data, please post an EtreCheck report.
The free version will do nicely for this purpose, although the app is worthy of our financial support.
We can see hard data about drive performance, software issues, and RAM usage. Etrecheck is the development of a long-serving and trusted contributor here expressly for displaying information in these forums to help us help you. It will not reveal any personal or secure information. It will answer the question, "RAM or slow storage?"
Please see this excellent user tip on posting long text reports like EtreCheck in these forums.
How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community
Hey thank you so much for the reply. So I don’t know what an SSD, but I’m pretty sure I have what you are calling a Fusion Drive. I have 4 RAM slots. The computer came with two slots each full of 4GB of RAM. So I have two slots remaining. So then are you telling me all I have to do is insert another 4GB of RAM into one of those last two remaining empty slots and it will visibly and noticeably upgrade my desktop’s operating speed?
Assuming it has a mechanical or fusion drive, replacing it with an SSD will give you a significant performance boost. If you're not already maxed out on RAM, that will help as well.
How to increase performance of 2013 iMac?
