Questions dealing with performance of Apple hardware or software, especially about troubleshooting or improving poor performance.
32
votes
7answers
10k views
How to simulate slow internet connections on the mac
What's a good software solution to slow down internet connections on the mac for testing and simulations?
My primary need is when testing code in the iPhone / iOS simulator, so slowing down the ...
28
votes
12answers
17k views
Why would I disable swap file in Mac OS X?
I came across a thread about installing an SSD drive in MacBook Pro.
Someone in the comments also recommended to disable the swap file but didn't say why:
sudo launchctl unload -w ...
15
votes
5answers
2k views
Does the use of SSD give one a dramatic performance boost?
I use Mac book pro 15", and it's time to buy a new one.
For HDD, now I see a new option of SSD, which is pretty expensive.
I can expect shorter boot-up time and faster access of files, but I'm not ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Using memory with a higher MHz rating?
Can MacBook Pro's successfully support and fully exploit RAM of a higher MHz rating than that which they ship with?
For example, take my 15" MacBook Pro (Late 2011) that ships with 4GB of 1333MHz ...
3
votes
1answer
4k views
How can I control (start/stop) applications and services that start up after reboot?
I have a Mac that is slow when using the internet, but other PCs on the same connection aren't as slow.
I suspect there are too many AV scanners running concurrently, or there is some process that ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
How can I disable CPU throttling and CPU disabling?
On a 2011 17" MacBook Pro (i7, 10.6, 16GB ram) I do not have any options in the energy saver preference panel to control CPU throttling. I need to be able to disable CPU throttling for short periods ...
10
votes
5answers
684 views
What scenarios benefit from Mac OS X allowing apps to run when no document windows remain?
As a rule of thumb programs on Mac OS X stay running when you close all their document windows.
This is the behavior I noticed in MacVim, VmWare Fusion, Chrome and host of other applications.
I ...
3
votes
1answer
102 views
Is it good to keep apps closed on iOS devices?
Is it better to keep apps closed (double tap home button, hold the icon, and exit the app), as much as possible on iOS devices? I know the more apps one has open, the more RAM, for example is used, ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the point with iMac + SSD?
The newly released iMac can be built with an optional 256 GB SSD. To complement this, the new iMac's also contains the Intel Z68 chipset:
Z68 mproves performance by putting files
that are ...
24
votes
3answers
7k views
What are the differences between journaling HFS+ and non-journaling HFS+?
I'm about to format an external hard disk drive (HDD).
What are the key differences between journaling HFS+ and non-journaling HFS+? Apart from the fact that one has journaling and the other does ...
23
votes
5answers
952 views
Is there any way to speed up my iPhone 3G since upgrading to iOS4
I have recently upgraded my iPhone 3G to iOS4 and there is some noticeable performance issues will some of the basic tasks (text messaging, loading application, etc.)
I have restarted my iPhone and ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I best use an SSD?
I have a Mac Pro, and I've added an Intel 80GB SSD to improve performance in LightRoom and Photoshop. So far so good.
But after moving all of my current work, catalogs, etc. to the SSD, I still have ...
5
votes
3answers
10k views
What's the fastest connection speed / shortest elapsed time using Migration Assistant?
When using Migration Assistant to move users, files, and folders from an old Mac to a new one, you have a few different choices, depending on the Macs involved. Presuming that both Macs have ...
7
votes
2answers
274 views
How can I diagnose really poor performance of my 13" MBP 2011 on 10.6?
The specs are:
2011 MBP 13"
Core i7
4Gb RAM
320Gb HDD (not SSD)
I use the system for work everyday, I almost always run the following:
Mail.app
Chrome (7-10 tabs)
Terminal (2-3 sessions)
Skype
...
2
votes
1answer
370 views
Why do I get serious execution lag on clicks, application switching and general usage
I have an MBP 8.1, early 2011, 13 inch, Mountain Lion. Whenever I leave it on for more than a couple hours, I get serious execution lag on every command. For example:
I click something (a link, ...
2
votes
7answers
15k views
After installing Lion my mac became super slow
After installing Lion, my macbook pro became unbelievably slow.. what could be the reason?
Safari sometimes freeze for 30 seconds (in particular when there's Flash content). When I open mail after ...
7
votes
3answers
6k views
Using FaceTime without the video
I have a first generation MacBook Air that heats up a lot when playing videos, and almost grinds to a halt after a few minutes of playback.
Is there a way I could turn off the video during FaceTime ...
5
votes
4answers
943 views
Are there general or specific iOS6 performance issues on iPhone 4?
I would like to upgrade my iPhone 4 to iOS6 but I'm wondering if I will get performance loss (as when I upgraded my iPhone 3G to iOS4 : terrible).
Can someone confirm that it won't affect my day to ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Mac Pro Memory - Should I use 8 RAM slots in dual-channel mode or 6 RAM slots in triple-channel mode?
I have a Mac Pro tower with a 2 x 2.66 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon chipset, and 8 RAM slots. I have been told because of the processor's triple-channel memory capability that I should be installing RAM ...
1
vote
1answer
616 views
Computer slows when battery is low
My Macbook Pro running Mountain Lion slows down dramatically when the battery is below 4-5%. All the applications running are very slow to respond, and several have the "Application not responding" ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Mac book pro is very slow
I have a mac book pro late 2011.
It has a very powerful hardware. But it is very slow. For example when I'm making expose geisture, there appears 'loading circle' and mac lags for 4~5 seconds. Same ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Can imagent in OS X Mountain Lion be made to consume fewer resources?
imagent is constantly consuming CPU cycles and a couple of GBs of "real memory" on my wife's MacBook Air since upgrading to OS X Mountain Lion. I believe this is part of the Messages app.
Is there ...
