Want Your Mac to Last for Years? Start with These 10 Habits

If you take care of a Mac, it will take care of you. That’s the nice thing about Apple products: the hardware and software are built to last.

But the fact that your Mac “just works” doesn’t mean it’ll last forever, no matter what you do. One of the main reasons Macs start to feel slow or “old” after a few years isn’t because the hardware suddenly deteriorates; it’s because most of us forget basic maintenance. As a result, we let storage fill up, run 20 login items at once, or keep the Mac in a hot room all day — and rarely think to clean out our ports.

To keep a Mac running smoothly for the next 5, 7, or even 10 years, it’s essential to perform regular maintenance. Don’t worry; it’s not super-technical — just some small new habits and settings that will make your Mac run smoothly for many years to come. Read on for 10 of the best ways to keep your Mac humming along.