Macbook pro seems to running slow

Question

My macbook pro does not seem to be preforming as fast as usual. Is there anything I should "clean-up" to enhance preformance?

Answer 1

You may be able to improve the speed with some software work but it could also be your disk is corrupt or failing.
Try an SMC Reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Is it faster now?  If not, proceed.
Backup your data immediately:
Before proceeding you should make sure you have a current backup.  If it has been getting slower over time your disk could be a failing slowly.  SATA drives have two retry modes: short and long.  They can continue operating as read errors are increasing.  The long retry cycle is very long and can cause significant performance degradation.  If it has started long retries then it is likely to get worse and eventually fail.
Time Machine Basics: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427
Most commonly used backup methods: 
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3045
Methodology to protect your data.  Backups vs. Archives.  Long-term data protection:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6031
Try the remedies at http://www.macworld.com/article/2026650/mac-troubleshooting-what-to-do-when-your -computer-is-too-slow.html
and
Mac Performance Guide: http://www.thesafemac.com/mpg/
Safe Mode:
- Reboot the system in Safe Boot mode.
- Power on the Mac and when you hear the bong, hold down the shift key until it is booted.
- Be patient, this will take some time while it checks the filesystem.
  If it runs faster in Safe Boot mode then it is probably third-party software compatibility issues.
- Restart.
- Does it run faster after the restart?
Spotlight:  If Spotlight is continually running, re-index Spotlight:
  http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2409
Runaway processes:
Launch Activity Monitor (in the Applications/Utilities folder).
Click on the CPU heading.
Are there a process taking up a large percentage of the time?
If so select it and click on the upper left hand X to force quit the process.
Run Disk Utility (found in the Applications folder):
-In Disk Utility look at the S.M.A.R.T. Status. 
If it says the disk has a hardware problem that can't be repaired then stop.
  Your system could be in danger of failing at any time and you need to replace the disk soon.
  Back your system up twice.
  (You will need a second external disk for the second backup.)
  Consider using Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper! for the second backup to clone the disk.
  Jump to the Hardware replacement section and seek expert help.
Repair Disk Permissions and Verify Disk.  If Disk Permissions reports errors, don’t worry.  That is normal.  If Verify Disk reports errors then they need to be repaired.  Otherwise skip to the reinstall OS X section.
Repairing your system disk:
- Boot in recovery mode.
  (Boot and when you hear the bong hold down the
  Command and R keys simultaneously until you see the recovery screen.)
- Select disk utility.
- Select your system drive.
- Repair Disk.
- Did it complete without errors? 
  If not you may need a new disk or SSD.  Seek expert help.
  If it completed normally then reboot.
-Did it boot faster and is it more responsive?
Reinstall OS X:
If it is still slow you should reinstall OS X.
- Boot in Recovery Mode again.
- Follow the instructions to reinstall OS X.
- Now does it boot and run faster?
Hardware replacement or upgrade?
Hopefully by now your Mac is back to its normal speed.  If a hardware repair is indicated take it to an Genius bar at an Apple store for a free diagnosis and estimate of repairs.  If it is under warranty or AppleCare they will repair it for free.  If not, you can compare their estimate with DIY repairs.
Genius reservation http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/ .
or find an Apple Authorized Service Provider https://locate.apple.com/country
You can speed it up further by upgrading some hardware.  For the following memory, disk or SSD replacements and upgrades check out OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/, Crucial: http://www.crucial.com/ and Kingston http://www.kingston.com/us/.  You will need to know your Mac the year and season your Mac was first sold and model number which can be found here:
 > About This Mac > More Info… > System Report > Model Identifier:
If your Mac has 4 GB of RAM consider an upgrade to 8 GB.  An 8 GB memory upgrade is only $100.  When I upgraded a MacBook from 2 GB o 8 GB it booted thee times faster.
If your Mac has a disk and it won’t repair properly, is low on disk space, or you just want a considerably faster disk, check out an upgrade to an SSD-Hybrid disk. Google "Seagate XT" (~$100) or consider an SSD (120 to 480 GB).
Good luck.  May the software fixes do the trick.