How can I optimize my MBP's SSD drive ?

apple_customer wrote:

...Based on the little I've read I understand that SSDs have a different way to store information and must be optimized differently...

While, as Kappy points out, drives don't need to be "optimized" in the normal sense, the difference in the way SSD's deal with data storage does present issues. The SSD's Garbage Collection (GC) routines are intended to deal with that difference, and since your SSD is supplied by Apple, TRIM is enabled by default, which is a good thing.

At the same time, at least with third party SSD's, GC often works better if the SSD is not otherwise occupied. As an example, this discussion, dealing with Crucial SSD's, describes their Active GC routine and how to initiate it, but only for Windows PC's which is not much help for Macs. Also note that in their estimation TRIM alleviates the slow-down problem.

Assuming something similar is happening with your Mac, it may be possible to help its GC routines to work by providing the SSD with power but no activity. You should be able to do that by booting with the Option key down. This runs the Startup Manager and the SSD will get power but have nothing to do. Leaving it that way for a while (perhaps an hour) may help the GC process and allow you to avoid having to wipe the drive and start over. Note that this is a long shot but shouldn't hurt anything if it doesn't improve performance.

You do not optimize a HDD or SSD. Perhaps you have too much data stored on it and not sufficient free space or the SSD needs to be erased and have OS X reinstalled on it. This would be my suggestion. Remember the startup disk should have 15 GBs to 10% of the disk's capacity remain free space at all times.

Consider upgrading OS X to the current version if possible.

Follow this:

Install or Reinstall OS X from Scratch

Be sure you have backed up your files because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.

Boot to the Recovery HD:

Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears.

Erase the hard drive:

1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.

2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the

left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.

3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on

the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass (do not do this on an SSD.) Click on

the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.

4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.

Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button.

Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible

because it is three times faster than wireless.

This should install the version of OS X that you had installed.

You should not use the zero data security option on an SSD.

A correction: That link to Crucial does mention Macs and specifically also advises to turn off in System Preferences>Energy Saver>Put hard disks to sleep.. That way GC will run when the Mac is put to sleep (overnight?). 🙂

Ciao.

I'm the wrong person to ask. I have only Crucial SSDs and have no experience with Apple's or Samsung SSDs. Your probably better versed on the topic of SSDs in general that I. 🙂

I will say that i try to discourage users from Samsung SSDs due to the problems many (not all) have had and the apparent lack of technical support from Samsung for Apple users. It is a shame. (Note that Samsung makes no mention of Apple compatibility on their web site)

Ciao.

Thanks for pointing that out. Even though TRIM is on by default for Apple's SSD's, what's your opinion on the benefit of a power-only state for Apple's (or Samsung's) Garbage Collection?