New convert to mac - Macbook pro seems slow to me?

[Kronie]

I noticed the same thing when I switched to OSX about 6 months ago. In fact I even think I posted the same thing you did, that OSX seemed slow, especially opening programs.

for me OSX is definitely slower doing certain things over windows, like opening some programs but quicker in others, like saving files.

EDIT:
I found my old post HERE.

 

[Jsimon9633]

I noticed the same thing when I switched to OSX about 6 months ago. In fact I even think I posted the same thing you did, that OSX seemed slow, especially opening programs.

for me OSX is definitely slower doing certain things over windows, like opening some programs but quicker in others, like saving files.

EDIT:
I found my old post HERE.

Yep! I think Snow Leopard vs Windows 7 will be interesting. How thet take advantage of cpu cores and gpu will be key.

I am loving windows 7 on my dell 730x with 8 core cpu and dual gpus and 6gb ram

 

[Some Guy 555]

I have been wanting to switch to mac for a while now. I decided to do so and bought the 2.26 13" Macbook pro. I also use a very fast sony z. I have found the mac sort of slow - like delays in executing programs. When something is running and I open something else there is a delay. I am use to programs just opening and never seeing a delay. I guess what I want to ask is, if I update the ram and harddrive, will this solve the problem or is the processor the problem, because if it is the processor, maybe I should bring it back and upgrade to the 2.53 Macbook.

Any suggestions would be appreciate. Despite this, I am enjoying the mac - it is refreshingly different, there is definitely a learning curve, but it is fun.

The reason why programs do not open instantly in most cases, and this is for all computers, is because of the hard drive. Conventional Hard Disk Drives (HDD's) that almost all computers use are not perfect in that to open a program the heads need to rotate which takes time and then they read from the spinning disk. This is where a Solid State Drive (SSD for short) comes in and fixes that.

Install a SSD into your new mac and you will not believe just how much faster it is at everything: booting, launching applications, etc.

 

[175170]

Great hints - thanks. I actually have a command key not an apple symbol. Not sure maybe the changed that in this latest review.

I will have to learn those keyboard shortcuts, they help.

I have a quick question - after this I plan on spending some time using google and learning this stuff myself. When I download something like firefox it creates an icon on the desktop which can be ejected - now everytime i want to open firefox it opens up a window with the firefox symbol and the applications symbol and then it opens firefox itself - how do i eliminate that first step? I did put firefox in my apps folder and on the shortcut menu on the desktop. Do I need to delete the original download file or something?

Thanks again for the help - this is a great forum.

You're thinking a bit too PC 🙂 Apps you download don't create 'shortcuts on the desktop' like a PC would.. when you downloaded Firefox it put a temporary thing there which mounts (i think, I'm still quite new) so you can install.

Now, you've put Firefox in your Apps folder - so open that up and drag the Firefox icon out onto your dock (the area at the bottom with all the icons) - that's where your 'shortcuts' live. The mounted thing on your desktop you can eject now and forget.

Installing apps in a Mac is often far simpler than on a PC - some things just seemingly copy themselves to your applications folder and that's it! It's deceptively simple!

As a new Mac person, I'd suggest popping along to your nearest book store and having a look at the books. I don't mean to sound patronising; I just did the same and I love having books to read up on about my new toy, plus of course you do learn loads. The "portable genius" range is quite nice and my one (an iMac one) has a bunch of keyboard shortcuts in the back 😀

Well said. I was going to answer his question, but I'm out of town, in China now 🙂(), so you beat me to it. 😀

I also have a 15" 2.53.

Mine has 4GB of RAM, but the real difference maker is my OCZ Vertex 120GB SSD.

It screams.

Acrobat loads instantly, Photoshop in about 1.5 seconds, even MS Excel 2008 loads in under 4 seconds.

An SSD will make the biggest change of all (beyond the RAM up to 4GB).

It will make a difference, but the cost is not worth it.
The cost of SSD's will come down quickly. When that time comes, it's time to get one.

As for all those speed comparisons, install Windows 7 through Boot Camp, then compare the speeds.
Theoretically, your PC is faster.
In reality, it is faster.
However, with Snow Leopard around the bend, your PC with Windows 7 doesn't have any sort of OpenCL implementation, if I'm correct.
Installing Snow Leopard on that PC, will be amazing.
Some tasks, such as encoding video using OpenCL, will be blazing fast on Snow Leopard, enough to destroy Windows 7.
Of course, your PC should be faster than any old MacBook.

 

[Jsimon9633]

As for all those speed comparisons, install Windows 7 through Boot Camp, then compare the speeds.
Theoretically, your PC is faster.
In reality, it is faster.
However, with Snow Leopard around the bend, your PC with Windows 7 doesn't have any sort of OpenCL implementation, if I'm correct.
Installing Snow Leopard on that PC, will be amazing.
Some tasks, such as encoding video using OpenCL, will be blazing fast on Snow Leopard, enough to destroy Windows 7.
Of course, your PC should be faster than any old MacBook.

Agreed on certain levels. They changed the way the UI interfaces with the GPU/CPU on windows 7. vista was crap of course but new 7 they re-architectured it to take full advantage.

I do not believe it is on par with OpenCL however. the saving grace for PCs is that the choices in Video cards far exceeds those of Macs. Even in Mac Pros you cannot get the Top of the line and latest Video Cards.

I also believe that programs like Adobe CS4 are already gpu accelerated and 64 bit for Windows and not yet for OSX ( I may be wrong though)

Perfect solution would be the ability for me to run Snow Leopard on this Dell 🙂

 

[remerge]

Disable "Dragging" in the Trackpad settings in System Preferences, do you notice the delay now?

If the "Dragging" option is enabled, there's around a second delay before a single-tap registers as a click. This is a bug that Apple has yet to fix!!

 

[cni2i]

No problem. That's what we're here for. 😀

Erm... Here are the instructions for getting Snow Leopard for a Mac you just bought.

Thanks for that link. I just ordered mine😀

 

[175170]

Thanks for that link. I just ordered mine😀

Glad you found it useful!