Improving performance in OS Lion

qerae · qerae #1 (**permalink**)

02-27-2012, 06:37 PM

Okay, so I recently upgraded to Lion, but my hardware isn't very good (old macbook with a C2D / 3 gigs of RAM).

It's not painfully slow, but at times my performance is a bit more sluggish than I'd like. Any tips on how I can lighten the load? I've been trying to disable the animations, but the commands and codes aren't working. Could I possibly disable widgets?

Stretch · Stretch #2 (**permalink**)

02-27-2012, 07:27 PM

What kind of computer? Your best bet, if possible, would be to increase your RAM.

qerae · qerae #3 (**permalink**)

02-27-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

What kind of computer? Your best bet, if possible, would be to increase your RAM.

This laptop is so old that its a lost cause to upgrade the hardware. I just want ideas on how to make the operating system a little bit lighter.

cwa107 · cwa107 #4 (**permalink**)

02-27-2012, 09:43 PM

Did you do a clean install? We've found in the last several updates to OS X that a clean install is usually preferable to a straight upgrade in terms of performance.

qerae · qerae #5 (**permalink**)

02-27-2012, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwa107

Did you do a clean install? We've found in the last several updates to OS X that a clean install is usually preferable to a straight upgrade in terms of performance.

Clean install.

rabbitjetta · rabbitjetta #6 (**permalink**)

02-28-2012, 12:16 AM

Try an app called iboostup Mac App Store - iBoostUp from the mac app store and run that, also try Mac App Store - RAMDrive and one more thing you can use is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freem...60931672?mt=12

qerae · qerae #7 (**permalink**)

02-28-2012, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabbitjetta

Try an app called iboostup Mac App Store - iBoostUp from the mac app store and run that, also try Mac App Store - RAMDrive and one more thing you can use is Mac App Store - FreeMemory

Thanks. I don't know how much its going to help, but I'lll try it anyway. Is there any way to manage what programs start on boot? I don't want itunes to start on boot.

chas_m · chas_m #8 (**permalink**)

02-28-2012, 04:03 AM

Answering in reverse order:

Yes, you can control what programs start on bootup. The easiest way (there are several methods) is to start up the machine, let the programs boot, then click and hold on their icons in the dock, choose Options and select the checked "Open at login" option (this has the effect of unchecking them).

As for speeding up an older Mac running Lion: I'm using a 2007 Blackbook with w/3GB of RAM and for the most part Lion works fabulously fast (okay, not in comparison to a brand new machine, but as fast as I can keep up with it). One of the best "tricks" is to keep a LOT of hard drive space free, let's say 50GB for example.

Another is to remember to QUIT (not just close) programs you're not running at the moment. Another tip is to AVOID any "downloading" type programs running in the background -- they just eat resources for breakfast!

Of course, regular (by which I mean "maybe once every three months") running of a maintenance utility like OnyX (or its little brother Maintenance) is a good idea too. And backups, obviously.

qerae · qerae #9 (**permalink**)

02-28-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas_m

Answering in reverse order:

Yes, you can control what programs start on bootup. The easiest way (there are several methods) is to start up the machine, let the programs boot, then click and hold on their icons in the dock, choose Options and select the checked "Open at login" option (this has the effect of unchecking them).

As for speeding up an older Mac running Lion: I'm using a 2007 Blackbook with w/3GB of RAM and for the most part Lion works fabulously fast (okay, not in comparison to a brand new machine, but as fast as I can keep up with it). One of the best "tricks" is to keep a LOT of hard drive space free, let's say 50GB for example.

Another is to remember to QUIT (not just close) programs you're not running at the moment. Another tip is to AVOID any "downloading" type programs running in the background -- they just eat resources for breakfast!

Of course, regular (by which I mean "maybe once every three months") running of a maintenance utility like OnyX (or its little brother Maintenance) is a good idea too. And backups, obviously.

Alright, thanks for the tips. I guess the only reason lion feels slow to me is because I recently built a new desktop.

Stretch #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 13, 2007 Location: Central New York Posts: 4,759 Mac Specs: 15in i7 MacBook Pro, 8GB RAM, 60GB SSD, 500GB HD	02-27-2012, 07:27 PM What kind of computer? Your best bet, if possible, would be to increase your RAM. Blog and Photo Gallery: http://philolin.me/ Currently running OS X 10.9
	QUOTE Thanks

cwa107 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 26,256 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 480GB Crucial M500 SSD	02-27-2012, 09:43 PM Did you do a clean install? We've found in the last several updates to OS X that a clean install is usually preferable to a straight upgrade in terms of performance. Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
	QUOTE Thanks

chas_m #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 14,924 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	02-28-2012, 04:03 AM Answering in reverse order: Yes, you can control what programs start on bootup. The easiest way (there are several methods) is to start up the machine, let the programs boot, then click and hold on their icons in the dock, choose Options and select the checked "Open at login" option (this has the effect of unchecking them). As for speeding up an older Mac running Lion: I'm using a 2007 Blackbook with w/3GB of RAM and for the most part Lion works fabulously fast (okay, not in comparison to a brand new machine, but as fast as I can keep up with it). One of the best "tricks" is to keep a LOT of hard drive space free, let's say 50GB for example. Another is to remember to QUIT (not just close) programs you're not running at the moment. Another tip is to AVOID any "downloading" type programs running in the background -- they just eat resources for breakfast! Of course, regular (by which I mean "maybe once every three months") running of a maintenance utility like OnyX (or its little brother Maintenance) is a good idea too. And backups, obviously. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

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qerae #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 27, 2012 Posts: 11	02-27-2012, 06:37 PM Okay, so I recently upgraded to Lion, but my hardware isn't very good (old macbook with a C2D / 3 gigs of RAM). It's not painfully slow, but at times my performance is a bit more sluggish than I'd like. Any tips on how I can lighten the load? I've been trying to disable the animations, but the commands and codes aren't working. Could I possibly disable widgets?
	QUOTE Thanks

rabbitjetta #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 08, 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 905 Mac Specs: 13" Retina Pro, iPhone 5, iPad 4, iPod touch 3-5, iMac 27	02-28-2012, 12:16 AM Try an app called iboostup Mac App Store - iBoostUp from the mac app store and run that, also try Mac App Store - RAMDrive and one more thing you can use is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freem...60931672?mt=12
	QUOTE Thanks

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