Slow Mac Mini

ecruz · « **on:** 24 Apr 2009, 07:59 pm »

Why is my MacBook DuoCore 2ghz, with 1gb of ram, running OS 10.5, noticeably faster than my Mac Mini DuoCore 2ghz, with 4gb of ram, running OS 10.5? The MacBook is faster at pretty much everything, even surfing the internet over the same wireless network (actually the Mini is wired). I certainly have more programs on the Mini and at least one that runs in the background (music server), but the difference in speed is HUGE. The Mini really seemed to slow down a few months ago, when I upgraded from 10.4.x to 10.5.

Thanks

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 09:12 pm »

From a MacMini G4 user, I have done the same thing, actually switched from Panther to Leopard. I did this because I felt that the Mini had slowed down considerably, too many Spin Balls of Death. At first, I did not a clean install but a partial install and I had the same slow down you note now. After reading some forums, most recommend a clean install. So, I did that. Even with a clean install, it still had problems with internet connectivity etc... noticably slower with operations. It took much patching but the Leopard install got much better after it "settled down." It took a couple of days for this to occur.

I really do not know what sort of install you did, but I recommend a total clean one. Leopard might be good but it is more resource hugging then both Panther and Tiger.

I do notice that my laptop, with the same sort of chip as my MacMini G4 seem to be a better machine, without a slow down but I still have Tiger installed in it. Never had to reinstall anything, it still has the original install that is almost 4 years old.

ecruz · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 10:20 pm »

I did the "upgrade" install. Maybe I'll have to bite the bullet and do a clean install.

avta · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 11:00 pm »

Have you run any programs to clean up the computer such as Onyx which is my favorite. It' free and can be downloaded from www.download.com

Yoder54 · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 01:32 am »

There is one obvious difference, and that is the RAM. The first thing you should do it install 2Gb of RAM. You will see a significant difference in the performance of the Mini. There are some other potential issue you may want to consider. How is the capacity of your hard drive? If you just have a few Gb left then that will affect the computers performance. Also, do you have many icons/folders on your desktop? Mac OS sees each item on your desktop as being an open window and this can significantly slow things down.

Regarding the wireless problems. I have an older Intel iMac, and I just bought me a 17" MacBook Pro. The iMac is so slow and often drops the wireless connection. With the MBP, I can go anywhere in the house and it just kicks it. There is no comparison between the older iMac protocol and the new kick-butt MBP.

A clean install may help, but man...what a pain. I just did one with an iMac at school a couple of weeks ago and I still feel like I am playing catch-up.

ecruz · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Apr 2009, 11:29 am »

Actually, the Mini has the 4 gb of ram, the MacBook has 1 gb.

I tried avta's suggestion and used Onyx to clean it up. That made a big difference. I'll wait a week or so and see if I need to do anything else.

Thanks for the help.