A borderful SSD brakes the Mac noticeably because MacOS needs space to rarely use the memory contents on the SSD (since MacOS 11 Big Sur in the hidden volume /System/Volumes/VM
). This always happens when active system processes, applications and documents no longer fit into the RAM. After all, Apple has now doubled the equipment of all basic models to 16 GB and donates Pro models with M4 chip at least 24 GB. This reduces the outsourcing and protects the SSD. More RAM also enables caching frequently used files, which further improves system performance.
Because MacOS uses the SSD for caches and temporary data (see Tip 16), it must be deleted and newly created in the event of shortage of space in order to remain able to work. This concerns the CPU unnecessarily and the ongoing access to the SSD slowly compared to the RAM also brakes. To avoid such bottlenecks, you should keep at least 10 to 15 percent of the SSD free-around 40 GB in a 256 GB model.
That was the reading sample of our Heise Plus article “20 tips: This is how you make room again on your Mac”. With a Heise Plus subscription you can read the whole article.
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