When having a computer or laptop, regardless of the model, it is always advisable to maintain the software occasionally, and one of the most recommended ways is to format every 6 to 8 months on average.
It is important to know that our devices tend to accumulate cache memory or dispensable files that are later difficult to remove manually, and that over time can slow down the performance of our computer. That is why today we will teach you in an easy and simple way to format a MacBook.
How to format a MacBook step by step
Importantly, formatting a MacBook will erase all files you haven't backed upIn addition, when you format a MacBook you will also have to install a new version of macOS, these are the steps you must follow to format your Mac or your MacBook:
- The first thing will be to verify that we are connected to the internet in order to download the latest copy of the macOS operating system that is compatible with your computer.
- The next thing will be to make a backup copy of the most important files on your Mac or MacBook, for this you can use “Time Machine”, or simply clone your internal hard drive to an internal hard drive. Or manually, backing up the files you want to recover the game to an internal drive.
- What you should do now is to deauthorize your iTunes account, and also any other third-party apps.
- You will now need to sign out of iCloud to proceed.
- After having done this, it will be time to restart your computer in the "Recovery" mode. To do this you will have to hold down the Command and R keys during the reboot.
- Once this is done, it is time to use "Disk Utility" to erase the hard drive. To do this you will have to go to “Disk Utility”, then you will select the main volume and click on 'Unmount', and then 'Delete'.
- Having done this, all you have to do is click on "Reinstall macOS" and that's it, follow the instructions that will appear on the screen and you would have already formatted your Mac or MacBook.
By doing this, all the factory settings will be reinstalled, but you will be able to personalize your computer again without any problem by synchronizing your iCloud account again.
Is there a difference between formatting a Mac from a MacBook Pro or Air?
No, in principle there is no difference and this would be a procedure that will always remain the same if it is a matter of formatting in the macOS operating system. This procedure is even maintained today with new Apple computers that have Apple (M) chips.
The only difference when formatting a computer with these chips is that in the processor section it will show if your computer has an M chip or an Intel processor.
Format MacBook by erasing the hard drive completely
This is one of the most "aggressive" ways to format a computer, although it is also the fastest way. When formatting a computer it is always recommended to back up all the files that you are going to want to recover, but if you want to do a 100% format, you will only have to sign out of your iCloud account and format your computer.
In addition to this, once you have formatted your computer, when you put your iCloud account back, you will have to stop the synchronization, delete all the files on your iCloud and voila, you will have a complete format of your hard drive.
Is it advisable to format my computer?
Computers with use tend to accumulate a large number of various files, these files usually contain various information that often only serves once and that's it, but these files are not usually deleted later. By formatting, we make sure to eliminate all those junk files that may be slowing down the performance of our computer.
But, in addition to this, by formatting the computer we can also remove viruses from our PC, as well as any other type of malicious malware, and although this is one of the most aggressive ways to remove viruses, it is also one of the most more effective.
Finally, it is usually always recommended that computers be formatted at least every 8 months, this is so that the computer always has optimal performance, but also has normal performance so that it has a longer useful life, since by reducing the performance of our computer due to junk files, its hardware consumption is much higher, something that reduces its useful life in the long term.
Difference between (M) Apple chips and Intel chips
The main difference between Apple M chips and Intel chips is that M chips are processor designs created by Apple. While Intel chips are manufactured by the Intel technology company.
In terms of performance, Apple's M chips have proven to be highly efficient and capable of handling intensive tasks compared to Intel chips. Additionally, M chips are specifically designed to work in harmony with Apple's macOS operating system. This has allowed better integration of hardware and software in the new Mac devices that use them.
But in the case of both chips, they both handle any type of operating system without any problem. That is why regardless of the type of chip your Mac has, if it has macOS as its operating system, you can format it without problems in the way we explained above.
Conclusion
In conclusion, formatting a MacBook can be a useful tool if you want to restore the operating system to its original state or fix performance issues or system errors. By performing a deep clean and reinstalling the operating system, you can remove unnecessary files and programs that can slow down your system.
Additionally, formatting can also be beneficial if you are selling the MacBook or transferring it to someone else, as it removes all personal information and restores the computer to its default settings. However, it is important to note that formatting the MacBook will remove all existing files and programs, so important data should be backed up before beginning the process.