Mac OS X performance tips
From ipinfinity.com
The Mac OS X operating system has always shown to be superior than the the virus-laden world of Windows. However, over time, it can show degradation in performance. Here are a few tips to get that performance back.
Use Activity Monitor to check CPU and Memory
If your Mac is showing considerable slow-down, start the Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities). Here you'll see a list of running applications and processes. Sort the columns to find out what applications are hogging the most CPU time, what apps are for Intel or PowerPC (it's a good idea to use Intel-only apps on Intel Macs), and what apps are running at all. If there are processes running for software you don't need, note them down. Also, if an appllication is a runaway CPU and memory hog, quit it and restart for immediate relief.
Clean up your Login Items
Whether or not the Activity Monitor is showing processes you don't recognise, it's a good idea to audit what programs start up automatically when you log onto your Mac. In System Preferences > Accounts click on the Login Items tab. From there, make sure each and every application listed is something you need and use. If it isn't? Just select it and click the minus (-) sign. (Rule of thumb: Generally you want to keep things called "SomethingHelper" where Something is an app you use, like iTunes or Growl, as shown.)
Uninstall Unneeded Applications
Just like your Login Items, you want to cruise through your Applications folder and remove anything you no longer need or use any more. This will not necessarily speed up your Mac, but it will reclaim hard drive space. Adding an 'uninstaller' application will also help with removing those orphaned files that applications tend to leave behind. Try any of these:
Disk Maintenance
Caring for your hard-disk is easily done. Simply run Disk Utility (in Applications > Utilities) to verify and repair disk permissions. This determine what applications can do what, with what files on your Mac. It will also verify and repair the disk itself. These operations take some time, and you can't do them while other applications are running, so best done before you head out to lunch or to grab coffee.
Reclaim Hard Drive Space
Disk Inventory X is a useful visual tool that creates what's called a "tree map" of your hard drive usage that will unearth files you just don't need any more.
Care for and Troubleshoot Your Battery and Memory
- If you've got a Mac notebook and you're having trouble with your battery, a few troubleshooting techniques might help. First, to get the longest life out of your battery, calibrate it to make sure your life-o-meter is giving you the right readings.
- If your Mac laptop battery is cutting out before issuing the "You're running out of power" warning, you will need to reset the SMC or PMU.
- Other problems can be resolved by resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM - however this is generally a last-resort measure before you book that appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for that inexplicable problem.
Upgrade Memory and get latest System Updates
This should go without saying, but the more memory your Mac has, the faster it will be. Also, it's generally a good idea to stay up-to-date with OS X patches and versions—and normally Software Update runs on its own and does just that.
