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Slow computer: 7 things to check before buying a new one

Most slow computers don't need replacing. Usually it's something running in the background, a full disk, or a stuck update.

Restart the computer. Not sleep, a full Restart. It fixes more than you'd think.
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc (on Mac: Activity Monitor) and sort by CPU and Memory. Whatever is hogging resources is your prime suspect.
Turn off programs that launch at startup: Task Manager, Startup tab. Disable anything that doesn't need to start automatically.
Check free disk space. Under 10% free? Delete large files or move photos and videos to the cloud or an external drive.
Install pending updates: Settings → Windows Update. A half-finished update slows everything down.
Run a scan with Windows Security (built in and free). Malware is a common cause of slowness.
In your browser, remove extensions you don't recognize and close extra tabs. 40 open tabs will slow any computer.

MacOn a Mac: open Activity Monitor (search with Cmd + Space), sort by CPU, and check startup apps in System Settings → General → Login Items.

Important: If the computer is very slow and you hear clicking noises, the hard drive may be failing. Back up important files right away, before anything else.

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