Macbook Air: Maintenance Suggestions?

[GGJstudios]

Ignore that popular lie that says updates and maintenance do not occur if powered off overnight.

All of your post indicates a lack of understanding or awareness about Apple products and OS X, but I'll just use this one as an example. Here is the proof that appears to escape your understanding:

In layman's terms: http://pondini.org/OSX/Scripts.html

If your Mac is awake between 3:15 am and 5:00 am, the scripts will run automatically.
On Snow Leopard 10.6.x and later, if your Mac is powered-on but sleeping during those hours, the scripts will run shortly after it wakes.
On Leopard or earlier, If your Mac is powered off or sleeping, the scripts will not run.

From the Apple developer site: https://developer.apple.com/library.../Reference/ManPages/man5/periodic.conf.5.html

 

[nhereveri]

I check my laptop's motherboard in case of sulfated areas (I attach a photograph). This is due to a completely natural process and will eventually happen in the long term. The cover can easily be removed with a P5 screwdriver. If this happens to you, clean it with a dry toothbrush moistened with rubbing alcohol. The dust can be removed with a shaving brush. The lid can be cleaned with a soft cloth.

And check your MagSafe to make sure it is within the nominal values of current and voltage. Any defect you find in this, replace it. Unless you know what you do it is better to change this piece than to compromise the laptop. I still own a MacBook Air Mid 2011 running wonderfully with 298 battery cycles. And I make use of it every day since I bought it. Maintain battery levels between 90 and 100 percent. If you plan to work continuously without an available power outlet, be sure to calibrate the battery.

Unless you know the risks, always keep System Integrity Protection enabled.
$ csrutil status

TIP: Use the firmware password to prevent OS replacement in case of theft or loss. I always keep a standard account with no password so it can be used and have an opportunity to find it when it connects to the Internet.

Definitely the best acquisition I've ever got.

 

[madrich]

You don't have to plug in during intensive tasks. You can if you prefer, but it's not necessary.

You don't need 3rd party apps to manage memory. OS X knows how to manage your memory, without your interference.

Caches exist to improve performance. Cleaning them regularly when there isn't a specific problem with a specific cache will only degrade performance while the caches are being rebuilt.

Emptying the trash has no impact on performance.

Don't do this. Some people repair, or recommend repairing permissions for situations where it isn't appropriate. Repairing permissions only addresses very specific issues. It is not a "cure all" or a general performance enhancer, and doesn't need to be done on a regular basis. It also doesn't address permissions problems with your files or 3rd party apps.

Repairing permissions: What you need to know
About Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature​

There are times when repairing permissions is appropriate. To do so, here are the instructions:

Repairing Disk Permissions​

If repairing permissions results in error messages, some of these messages can be ignored and should be no cause for concern.

Mac OS X: Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions messages that you can safely ignore​

Unnecessary, and if you routinely power off every night, OS X maintenance scripts will never run. It's perfectly fine to use sleep mode, plugged in or on battery power.

That is false and very bad advice. Batteries are intended to be used. Rarely running on battery power is a good way to greatly reduce your battery's useful life.

Current Apple notebook batteries are designed to retain at least 80% of their capacity up to 1000 cycles, and they can still be used below 80%. Batteries will die over time, whether they are used or not. They die quicker if you don't regularly run on battery power.

Your two statements contradict each other. It is not best to run most of the time plugged in.

Also unnecessary. Macs are designed to safely operate within Apple's operating limits, which are 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C). This includes while charging.

Run on battery whenever you need to and plug it in whenever you can. You can plug or unplug any time you need to, regardless of the charged percentage, and you never need to completely drain your battery. Just make sure you don't run on AC power exclusively, as your battery needs to be used regularly to stay healthy.

​

The link below should answer most, if not all, of your battery/charging questions. If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you take the time to read it.

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

Thank you for taking the time to respond to the items in this discourse. I appreciate your help.