Buying a new device is always a celebration, which is often overshadowed by unexpected disappointment. You take a stylish one out of the box Apple MacBook Air or powerful gaming ASUS ROG Zephyrus, but instead of lightning-fast work, you are faced with delays and freezes in the interface.
Many users immediately run to the service center, suspecting a defect, but in most cases the problem lies in the software settings or features of the first launch. The system is just beginning to adapt to your habits, and background processes are actively consuming resources.
In this article, we will analyze in detail why even the most modern equipment can behave strangely in the first days of operation, and how to quickly return it to its declared performance without extra costs.
Background indexing and initial system setup
The most common reason why a newly purchased device is slow is the active operation of indexing and update services. operating system Windows 11 or macOS must index thousands of files to provide fast searches, as well as download critical security updates.
This process can take from several hours to several days depending on the storage capacity and processor speed. During this period, the disk is 100% loaded, which makes working with other applications extremely difficult. The system is not “buggy”, it just does routine work.
Often, users see a search or update icon in the tray, but do not pay attention to it, trying to launch heavy programs. It is important to give your computer time to complete these background processes without forcefully interrupting them.
If you see that the mouse cursor is moving with a delay, and transitions between windows are not instantaneous, background indexing is most likely the culprit.
- 🔍 Check the task manager for indexing processes
- 🔄 Wait until all system updates are downloaded
- 💤 Leave the device turned on overnight without active actions
Manufacturer software and advertising junk
Manufacturers often pre-install an extensive set of third-party software on their laptops, which is not only unnecessary for the user, but also seriously slows down work. This is the so-called “bloatware” - trial versions of antiviruses, power management utilities, advertising applications and game launchers.
Each of these applications, when launched, adds its services to startup, consumes RAM and CPU time. For example, trial Norton Antivirus can run in the background, scanning every file that is opened, which significantly reduces system response speed.
Additionally, some brands install their own utilities to control keyboard backlighting or performance, which are often buggy and cause conflicts with system drivers.
⚠️ Attention: Removing a pre-installed antivirus often opens vulnerabilities in the system if you do not replace it with a reliable analogue, but in the case of trial versions it is better to use the built-in OS protection tools.
Cleaning the system of unnecessary software should be one of the first steps after purchasing a new device. This will free up resources for truly important tasks.
- Windows 11
- macOS
- Linux
- Chrome OS
Drivers and hardware compatibility issues
Manufacturers often ship laptops with drivers that were assembled at the factory several months ago. During this time, many updates have been released to improve the stability of graphics adapters and chipsets. Using outdated drivers is a sure way to brakes and crashes.
This is especially critical for owners of gaming laptops, where the video card NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon must work in conjunction with the processor. If the video card driver is not optimized for the new OS version, you will get low FPS and interface freezes.
It is necessary to check the versions of all drivers and update them through the official websites of the manufacturers, and not through automatic utilities, which sometimes install incorrect versions.
- 🖥️ Update your video card drivers from the official website
- 🔌 Check the chipset and power controllers
- 📶 Install the latest drivers for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules
Power settings and operating modes
One of the most common mistakes is choosing a power saving mode, which limits the performance of the processor and video card. On new laptops, the default mode may be “Balanced” or even “Power Saver”, which is unacceptable for tasks that require processing power.
In this mode, the processor reduces its frequency in order to heat up less and save battery power, which leads to noticeable delays when opening programs and working with the browser. The system simply does not allow the hardware to work at full capacity.
Changing the power plan in the control panel can instantly solve the brake problem if the hardware is working properly. You need to switch the system to High Performance or Balanced mode if it allows overclocking.
It is also important to check the settings in the manufacturer’s proprietary utility, where there is often a “Quiet”, “Optimal” and “Turbo” mode. The Quiet mode greatly reduces performance in order to reduce fan noise.
⚠️ Attention: When working on mains power, always select the maximum performance mode, as saving energy only makes sense when using the battery.
- ⚡ Switch the power plan to “High Performance”
- 🌡️ Check the fan settings in the firmware
- 🔋 Disable CPU power saver in settings
☑️ Checking performance settings
Overheating and overheating protection
Even a new laptop can overheat, especially if it has a thin body and powerful hardware. Manufacturers set strict limits: if the processor temperature exceeds a critical threshold, the system forcibly reduces frequencies (throttling) to avoid breakdown.
This phenomenon looks like a sudden drop in performance: the computer was working quickly, and suddenly began to slow down. This is a protective reaction that can be caused by poor ventilation or defective thermal paste at the factory.
Avoid placing your laptop on soft surfaces such as a blanket or sofa as this will block the ventilation holes. Even with a new device, build quality can vary, and sometimes the cooling system needs to be modified.
If you hear that the fans are running at maximum speed, and the case is very hot, you must immediately stop working and let the device cool down. Ignoring overheating can lead to component degradation.
- 🌬️Use a cooling pad to improve airflow
- 🚫 Do not cover the ventilation grilles with your hands or objects
- 📉 Monitor the temperature through monitoring utilities
How to check CPU temperature?
To check, use utilities like HWMonitor or AIDA64. Pay close attention to your performance under load. If the temperature is consistently above 90°C, this is a sign of a serious cooling or thermal paste problem.
Storage and memory problems
Modern laptops use fast SSD drives, but their performance can suffer if the drive is almost full. The system needs free space to create temporary files and operate the mechanism TRIM, which optimizes flash memory performance.
Lack of RAM can also cause slowdowns. If you have many browser tabs open and heavy applications running, and you only have 8 GB of RAM, the system will start using the page file on the disk, which will slow things down significantly.
Sometimes there are defective memory sticks or defective SSDs that manifest themselves as unstable operation and read/write errors. This is already a warranty case requiring replacement of components.
Check your disk space and make sure the amount of RAM is adequate for your needs. For comfortable work in 2026, 16 GB becomes the standard, and 8 GB becomes the minimum.
If your laptop is running slowly, try disabling all startup programs via Task Manager - this can free up up to 30% of system resources at once.
Comparison table of reasons for slowdown
For clarity, we present a table that will help you quickly determine the probable cause of the brakes and choose a solution method.
| Cause | Symptoms | Solution | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background updates | Disk load 100%, fan noise | Wait for completion | Low |
| Extra software | Slow launch, many icons | Uninstalling programs | Average |
| Outdated drivers | Crashes, graphic artifacts | Software update | Average |
| Economy mode | Overall low speed | Changing the power plan | Low |
| Overheat | Sharp drops in FPS, strong heating | Ventilation cleaning | High |
⚠️ Attention: If the laptop slows down immediately after purchase and does not work after all the settings, this may be a factory defect in components that requires warranty repair.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions from users
Below are answers to the most common questions that owners of new laptops have when faced with performance problems.
Why does a new laptop get hot and slow on the first day?
In the first days, the system intensively indexes files, installs Windows updates and updates drivers. This places high load on the processor and disk, causing heat and slowdown. This is normal behavior.
Should I remove the antivirus that comes pre-installed on my laptop?
If this is a trial version of a paid antivirus, it is better to uninstall it, as it consumes a lot of resources. The built-in Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender) is quite effective for most users and does not require the installation of third-party software.
Can performance be improved by increasing the amount of RAM?
Yes, if your laptop has free slots or upgrade options. Installing an additional memory stick or replacing one with a more capacious one (for example, from 8 to 16 GB) will significantly speed up work with heavy applications and the browser.
How can you check if your brakes are overheating?
Use monitoring programs such as HWMonitor or Speccy. If the processor temperature under load exceeds 85-90 degrees, and performance drops, it means that the overheating protection has triggered.
What to do if the laptop slows down even after resetting the settings?
If a factory reset doesn't help, the problem may be hardware related: a defective SSD, faulty RAM, or a defective motherboard. In this case, you must contact an authorized service center.