PDA

View Full Version : slow mac



anyone?
Sep 20, 2004, 04:48 PM
Hello.

I just converted to Mac from PC and am quite pleased with my 12' G4 powerbook. The only disappointment is that it lags quite a bit when I move from application to application. I'm only using Safari and Mac Word, yet I sometimes experience 10 or even 20 second delays when toggling back and forth between them. Have I bought a lemon or is this standard?


earthtoandy
Sep 20, 2004, 04:49 PM
that sounds a bit extreme.

how much ram do you have installed? you really need more than the 256 standard
edesignuk
Sep 20, 2004, 04:51 PM
If it's the stock config with just 256MB RAM then I'd say that's your problem, stick another 512MB DIMM (http://www.crucial.com) in there quick!

edit: beaten to it!
FuzzyBallz
Sep 20, 2004, 05:04 PM
Sell the 256MB, get a pair of 512MB.
earthtoandy
Sep 20, 2004, 05:28 PM
umm i dont think you can take out the 256 thats installed in the 12" powerbook
zimv20
Sep 20, 2004, 05:46 PM
nevermind
rdowns
Sep 20, 2004, 06:45 PM
Check your Energy Saver settings. Processor might not be set to maximum.
Muskie
Sep 20, 2004, 07:00 PM
umm i dont think you can take out the 256 thats installed in the 12" powerbook

Well, you can't (as well as many other people), but you can take it in and have them solder it for oyu
anyone?
Sep 20, 2004, 08:08 PM
Thanks for the feedback. I will definately add more memory. Is it necessary for me to balance the current 256 that I have with another 256 or can I add one 512 instead?

Thanks again.
earthtoandy
Sep 20, 2004, 08:10 PM
no need to balance. try out macsolutions.com. they have a 1gig stick for $269. thats what i am getting when i get my 12"!
t300
Sep 20, 2004, 09:21 PM
no need to balance. try out macsolutions.com. they have a 1gig stick for $269. thats what i am getting when i get my 12"!

That's nothing...2 weeks ago I got a 1gb stick for $149 from Outpost.com. Now my PB is SCREAAAMMMINGGG...I ordered it at 11:45pm at night and selected next day (because it was 2 dollars more) and got it less than 12 hours later at promptly 11am. Now THAT's service...Best $149 purchase I have ever made!
Jigglelicious
Sep 20, 2004, 09:41 PM
20 second delays between switching tasks seems extreme for even 128mb RAM! My G3 iMac 450MHz w/ 256RAM switches between tasks instantly, so I don't see why a new Powerbook wouldn't be able to do it. Sounds like something might be corrupted with your installation. If you haven't installed anything important yet, i'd advise you to reformat the HDD and install OSX from scratch.
tech4all
Sep 21, 2004, 12:38 AM
I doubt it's the 256 ram. My dad has the samething and it goes from app to app very fast.
honeytoast
Sep 21, 2004, 01:06 AM
I wouldn't go restoring your system just yet. Have you repaired your permissions lately? Download (http://wsidecar.apple.com/cgi-bin/nph-reg3rdpty1.pl/product=02291&platform=osx&method=sa/Cocktail.dmg) Cocktail (http://www.macosxcocktail.com/download.html) and run pilot (part of cocktail, click (http://www.macosxcocktail.com/img/pilot.gif) for screen) to optimize your system. Make sure your system is up to date, and download any patches for office. If and when that doesn't work you may want to think about restoring.

Remember after you run pilot your caches will be cleared. You will need to restart twice to get back to full speed.
Rocksaurus
Sep 21, 2004, 01:08 AM
Does anyone else think it seems impossible that it could take 10-20 seconds to switch between apps? That's ridiculous. If that's literally how long it takes with 256mb of RAM, I really don't think upgrading RAM will necessarily help, plenty of systems can switch faster than that between apps with less ram and less processing power. Even with power settings set to "automatic" or "reduced" this should NOT be happening. Go into the terminal and type "top" and press return, see what's hogging CPU/RAM, and get back to us.
earthtoandy
Sep 21, 2004, 01:21 AM
That's nothing...2 weeks ago I got a 1gb stick for $149 from Outpost.com. Now my PB is SCREAAAMMMINGGG...I ordered it at 11:45pm at night and selected next day (because it was 2 dollars more) and got it less than 12 hours later at promptly 11am. Now THAT's service...Best $149 purchase I have ever made!
yes but the 269 price is lifetime warranty. i will take that! and what is the cas of yours?
t300
Sep 21, 2004, 01:50 AM
yes but the 269 price is lifetime warranty. i will take that! and what is the cas of yours?

3 years...Lifetime means nothing to me and it shouldn't really mean much to anyone unless you honestly plan to be using your PB in 60 years. In that case, go ahead...Lifetime! I saved a bundle, though...
wrldwzrd89
Sep 21, 2004, 04:43 AM
Does anyone else think it seems impossible that it could take 10-20 seconds to switch between apps? That's ridiculous. If that's literally how long it takes with 256mb of RAM, I really don't think upgrading RAM will necessarily help, plenty of systems can switch faster than that between apps with less ram and less processing power. Even with power settings set to "automatic" or "reduced" this should NOT be happening. Go into the terminal and type "top" and press return, see what's hogging CPU/RAM, and get back to us.
You don't have to launch top from the Terminal (at least if you have Panther) - just open /Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor and look there. The path means open your Applications folder, then the Utilities folder inside it, then look for the Activity Monitor application and open it.