Q: Mavericks Performance on a Mid-2009 Macbook 5,2
Hi All,
I'm thinking about upgrading my Mid-2009 13" Macbook from Snow Leopard to Mavericks, but I'm a little concerned about the performance of a newer OS on an older machine, espcially with so many threads about decreased speed on newer machines. I'd really like to utilize some of the features in the new OS... Does anyone with similar hardware have any experience with Mavericks? How has it worked?
| Model Name: | MacBook |
| Model Identifier: | MacBook5,2 |
| Processor Name: | Intel Core 2 Duo |
| Processor Speed: | 2.13 GHz |
| Number Of Processors: | 1 |
| Total Number Of Cores: | 2 |
| L2 Cache: | 3 MB |
| Memory: | 4 GB |
| Bus Speed: | 1.07 GHz |
Thanks!
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Posted on Dec 5, 2013 12:32 PM
I did a clean install yes. I wanted to see the OS without any old stuff changing it etc. I also know what apps I need to install to get up and running so it's what I will do from time to time.
Cleanup:
All the usual caveats apply, backup before you modify the system, delete the items (or move them to another disk or folder if you are worried about deleting the wrong thing) but ensure the originals are gone or updated.
Use the Finders "Go menu > Go to Folder…" when you need to open the hidden ~/Library (your users library).
Reboot for the system changes to take effect.
Kernel Extensions:
com.sophos.kext.sav (8.0.4)
org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.2.12)
org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.2.12)
org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.2.12)
org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.2.12)
Virtualbox is a few months out of date, so update that if you want to keep it installed, it runs items in the system level, so it's important to keep it up to date.
I don't use Sophos so I don't know how old that version is. Others have removed it & said the system improved on 10.9. So that is something I would consider removing now and then installing after I have run 10.9 for a while, if it makes a diffrence you can assume it's Sophos. It's also running 3 background jobs, which are at the system level, so it's crucial that is is 10.9 compatible.
Personally I just use ClamXAV for antivirus, it doesn't have the extra load & tools that Sophos has (there are many threads here debating if AV & 'system utilities' are a good thing on OS X).
Problem System Launch Daemons:
[not loaded] org.samba.winbindd.plist
Problem System Launch Agents:
[failed] com.apple.Kerberos.renew.plist
These are a concern, they are Apple jobs that are failing. I think the services they use will be updated via an upgrade, so they should start working on 10.9.
Launchd jobs: several types
LaunchAgents - Stored in /Library/LaunchAgents (SYSTEM LEVEL)
LaunchDaemons - Stored in /Library/LaunchDaemons (SYSTEM LEVEL)
User LaunchAgents - Stored in ~/Library/LaunchAgents (USER LEVEL)
Launch Daemons:
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist
[invalid] com.Affinegy.InstaLANd.plist
[loaded] com.bradfordnetworks.agent.plist
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist
[failed] com.sophos.autoupdate.plist
[loaded] com.sophos.intercheck.plist
[loaded] com.sophos.notification.plist
Launch Agents:
[loaded] com.Affinegy.InstaLANa.plist
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist
[loaded] com.lexmark.bmlaunchd.plist
[loaded] com.lexmark.lexnetlaunchd.plist
User Launch Agents:
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist
[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist
[loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist
[not loaded] org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist
These are all background jobs, they are not necessarily bad, but if they are loading old code it could be doing untold damage to the performance & stability of the entire OS. Focus on the 'System' level jobs (the ones inside /Library - the system level) also remove ['failed'], non-system jobs.
EtreCheck gives a status on launchd jobs…
[loaded] - a running job
[not loaded] - jobs that are set not to run, basically harmless, remove them unless you plan to use the associated software (if it is up to date)
[failed] - jobs in a crashed or unknown state, it could be forking processes or using all the system resources, remove these.
Delete 'com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist' from ~/Library/LaunchAgents (your username has been redacted via EtreCheck)
If you can figure out those apps, update or remove them via the developers instructions or uninstallers.
User login items:
Applications and helpers that are managed inside 'Systems Preferences > Users and groups > Login Items tab'.
These are loaded at the 'User level', consider removing all of them whilst you troubleshoot. When you decide to re-add them ensure the software is up to date.
3rd Party Preference Panes: & Internet Plug-ins:
/Library/PreferencePanes/ and ~/Library/PreferencePanes/
/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ and ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/
Once again these items all must be up to date, or remove them from your system. If the prefpanes manage additional software use the uninstaller or see the developers site for uninstall instructions. You can also right click to remove 3rd party preference panes in System preferences.
Read the list of Internet plug-ins carefully, there are often duplicate Flash player versions that won't help stability, it's just wasted space too.
Don't forget to also update Safari's extensions in it's preferences (if you have any).
Re-run EtreCheck after cleaning up to see if items have returned (some apps will reload the background jobs when re-opened, so either update or remove the software).
Posted on Dec 9, 2013 5:01 PM