*Note: It is always advisable to backup your hard drive before performing system maintenance. I can assure you, however, that I have employed all five of the following items without encountering a single issue.

1. Delete Unnecessary Language Files

Chances are you don't speak Moldavian, Sinhalese, Assamese, Kashmiri, or any other one of the hundred obscure languages available on your Mac. Unnecessary language resources can take up hundreds, if not thousands of megabytes on your hard drive, slowing down system performance. You can remove these files with Monolingual, a free application for Mac OS X. Monolingual strips out all unnecessary language resources, freeing up space on your hard drive and optimizing system and application performance.

You can download Monolingual for free here.

2. Run Maintenance Tools with Onyx

Onyx also allows users to customize hidden parameters of the Finder, Dock, Safari, and more. For one, I recommend changing the Dock from 3D to 2D with no mirror effect. I understand that some people are quite fond of the Dock's aesthetic appeal. However, if it's not going to kill you inside, you can maximize your Mac's performance if you disable these purely visual elements.

You can download Onyx for free here.

3. Delete the Dashboard

I can't think of any good reason to use the dashboard in 2011. With the release of the App Store for OS X, applications have virtually replaced widgets. The dashboard runs in the background, even when it is not open, constantly sucking up memory and at times slowing down your computer. Fortunately, you can easily disable the dashboard by launching Terminal and entering the following command:

defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean YES

Don't worry, you can always turn the dashboard back on by substituting "NO" in the above command.

4. Keep It Cool

A cool CPU is a happy CPU. Mac computers can become very hot with prolonged use. If heat is not controlled quickly and effectively, your CPU speed may suffer. Many people believe that their Mac's default fan settings are inadequate, and so opt to run third-party software to cool things off more efficiently. Using an application called FanControl, users can modify the base fan speed and designate a custom threshold (the temperature at which the fan will turn on or off). A higher fan speed will cool the CPU faster. The tradeoff is that you will use more battery power and can diminish the life of your fan.

Some users claim that they have productively set their base fan speed at 3500 RPM with no issues. I personally believe that a speed of 2500 RPM is more than adequate.

You can download FanControl here for free.

5. Tweak System Preferences

If you're too nervous to run these strange applications and puzzling scripts, the least you can do is open up your system preferences, and delete or disable the items you do not use. Here are a few tips you can employ to optimize performance:

• If you're not using Bluetooth, disable it. Click the Bluetooth icon in system preferences and uncheck the box that says "On"
  
• Disable unused startup items in Accounts > Login Items
• Go to your Dock preferences and disable magnification; minimize windows using the Scale Effect, and uncheck the box that reads "Animate opening applications"
• There may be some applications listed under "Other." Right click and remove unused items from the preferences pane

Restart Mac OS X when you are finished, and give yourself a pat on the back. Just don't let any PC users find out what you were doing.