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Macbooks excel in a lot of different aspects, but there are some areas where they fall short. One of the most noticeable disadvantages is the lack of available storage space. Apple computers are also leaning more towards adding SSDs rather than HDDs. The speed and durability are great, but it does not seem like the problem of having not as much storage as one would like is going to disappear any time soon.
Mac users have to get used to what they are given. It is not to say that you should disregard getting a Macbook just because of this problem, but be prepared, especially if you like to hoard files on the computer.
There are ways to salvage the situation. Creating a strategy of storage maintenance would help a lot, especially in the long run. After all, having only a few gigabytes of space will spell trouble for the overall performance of your Macbook.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent the problem from getting out of hand. And when you have created a strategy, make sure to stick to it and be consistent.
Delete Temporary Junk
Temporary junk data is not something you can see without changing the settings. It may come as a surprise when you notice just how many files there are. And the number continues to grow all the time.
Caches, app plugins, extensions, and backups accumulate over time. You will need to get a mac app cleaner and let it take care of the problem. Removing these files manually is too much work and simply not worth your time.
Remove Useless Applications
Old applications that you have not used for a while should also not have a place on the computer either. And even if you think that they do not take the most amount of space, removing them is still worth it, especially if you have a lot.
At the end of the day, applications on a Macbook is something you can download and install easily. So in case you need to use one that you have deleted previously, finding and getting it back on the computer will not take too long.
Scan the Computer for Potential Malware
There are viruses, malware, and internet privacy leaks that could be slowly eating away at the computer space. If you notice that there is less and less drive space when you check, and you are not actively adding more data, consider the possibility of a virus or malware.
Get yourself a good antivirus and scan the system. Be sure to remove any potentially corrupted files. It would also be smart to enable the firewall and be more careful with what you click on when somebody sends you a link. Avoid landing pages that are crawling with malware and other cybersecurity threats.
Get Rid of Language Pack Files
A number of applications will come with multiple language options. The files can be pretty large. However, they offer next to no value as most people only need the English version and maybe another language that they understand. As for the rest of 60 or so languages, there is no reason to keep such data on the computer.
Therefore, if you have some applications like that installed, removing language packs could free up drive space by quite a lot.
Purchase External Storage Devices
Disks, drives, and flash sticks are relatively cheap and could come in handy if you have very important data that you want to keep in a safe location. Transferring stuff to external storage devices will also free up disk space.
Transfer Data to Clouds
Similar to external storage devices, cloud services like iCloud or Dropbox also provide a safe haven for data you want to store or back up. Accessing it should not be a problem, so long as you have an internet connection.
It would also be worth mentioning that if you are happy with the services provided, there are options to upgrade your plans for extra storage.
Check for Old Downloads and Email Attachments
Downloads and email attachments might be lying on the computer without you realizing that it is happening. Not everyone checks these folders consistently. It may surprise you how many files there are.
Email attachments get saved by default after you double-click on them. So if you are doing a lot of work and communication via emails, be more wary about all the files that are in the email attachment folder. And the same thing applies to other downloads.
Subscribe to Streaming Platforms
Streaming platforms make it possible to watch or listen to media without the need to keep large files on the computer. If you like to be entertained by watching movies, TV shows, or by listening to music, explore the services you have in your area.
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