Q: Does Sierra make a MacBook Pro Mid-2012 run slow?
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Oct 11, 2016 6:51 PMby John Galt,HelpfulThat MacBook Pro should enjoy slightly faster operation with Sierra and better battery life. It should have run slightly faster with El Capitan also, so whatever is causing the problem, it's not your Mac's operating system. I have now upgraded over a dozen personally owned Macs of various ages and configurations, some older than yours. They're all working at least as well as they did when they were new, quantifiably verified using popular benchmarking software.
Slow performance is almost always the result of ill-conceived "anti-virus" or "cleaning" garbage that should never be installed on any Mac to begin with. Those two categories account for the overwhelming majority of upgrade concerns reported on this site. The remainder are outdated, poorly supported / abandoned software, or system modifications that nearly always break when upgrading a Mac's operating system. In rare cases, installing the hundreds of thousands of new files accompanying an operating system upgrade reveals an incipient hardware fault – usually a hard disk drive that is in a failed state – that would have occurred anyway.
Find out what's wrong with your Mac, and fix it.
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Oct 11, 2016 6:55 PMby WindSong,I don't have any cleaners or OS modifications on my Mac. My anti-virus software is pretty standard so that shouldn't be a problem. I may have some old software though (one app comes to mind). However, I've always experienced slower performance with prior machines when upgrading the OS once they hit four years of age and beyond.
I'll try searching for old software.
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Oct 11, 2016 7:33 PMby John Galt,My anti-virus software is pretty standard so that shouldn't be a problem.
Non-Apple "anti-virus" products are always a problem on Macs.
Modifying a Mac's already secure operating system will render it more vulnerable to various exploits and threats, reduce its performance, make it difficult to use, and convey exactly no benefit. Don't install such junk. It is categorically worthless.
Selling computer security — as a software product "in a box" so to speak — is arguably a fraud perpetrated on gullible consumers all over the world. It's a multi-billion dollar fraud.
If I had to guess, "anti-virus" garbage is the reason your Mac isn't performing well with El Capitan. If that's the case Sierra will make things even worse. Ill-conceived system modifications have comprised the overwhelming majority of user-inflicted misery with every OS X upgrade since Jaguar, at least.
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Oct 11, 2016 8:24 PMby alex7375,I have a MBP mid-2012 13"
Upgraded with 16gb. of ram and 500gb. SSD
Loaded with bootcamp Yosemite and Windows-10-Pro ( two 250gb. partitions , one for each operating system ).
The MBP boots allot faster and performs best with an SSD.
I had Yosemite running first. Worked fine, booted fast.
Upgraded to El Capitan, Worked fine , Booted fast.
Upgraded to macOS Sierra, Works fine. Boots fast
I have noticed that my MBP does operate hotter now.
Other than that, it performs about the same with either of the mentioned OS's.
I have found that my MBP does boot slower with older operating systems.
I ran bench mark tests on my MBP and MS-Windows-10 scored higher bench mark scores than macOS Sierra or El Capitan. Not by much however. However OS-X does work better on my Macs than MS-Windows-10
Apps seem to run more smoothly on OS-X than in MS-Windows-10.
I have bootcamp set up on all my Macs and I prefer to use OS-X. ( El Capitan or macOS Sierra ).
However MS-Windows-10 performs very well on my MBP. Bootcamp driver support is great and everything works.
I suggest you put an SSD in your MBP if you have not already done so and install macOS Sierra.
All the apps I had running since Yosemite still work in macOS Sierra even MS-Office-2011 is still
supported in macOS Sierra.
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Oct 22, 2016 11:26 AMby WindSong,John - I found that there are a number of things embedded in my launchd that could be slowing my system down. However, I can only see them one at a time by clicking things in activity monitor. My assumption is that lauchd is where the "ill conceived" system modifications are made of which you spoke. If so, is there a way to see all the modifications in launchd and is there a way to edit them out of launchd?
I know on Windows one can use regedit to perform such removals but don't know what the Mac equivalent is.
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Oct 22, 2016 11:36 AMby BobTheFisherman,Run etrecheck etrecheck.com and post the results here. The report will identify what is installed and potentially causing your issues.
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Oct 22, 2016 12:38 PMby WindSong,EtreCheck version: 3.0.6 (315)
Report generated 2016-10-22 14:44:00
Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com
Runtime 5:06
Performance: Below Average
Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
Problem: Computer is too slow
Description:
Startup is slow. Applications run slowly.
Hardware Information:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2
1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
16 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]
BANK 0/DIMM0
8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 283
Video Information:
Intel HD Graphics 4000
LG FULL HD 1920 x 1080
System Software:
OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 (15G1004) - Time since boot: about 8 days
Disk Information:
APPLE HDD HTS547550A9E384 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
Macintosh HD (disk1) / [Startup]: 498.88 GB (181.71 GB free)
Core Storage: disk0s2 499.25 GB Online
HL-DT-ST DVDRW GS31N ()
USB Information:
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Mitsumi Electric Hub in Apple Extended USB Keyboard
Logitech USB Receiver
Mitsumi Electric Apple Extended USB Keyboard
Thunderbolt Information:
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper:
Mac App Store and identified developers
Kernel Extensions:
/Library/Extensions
[loaded] com.Perfect.Driver.SystemAudioRecorder (1.1.0 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.citrix.kext.gusb (1.0 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ModemDriverMac (1.0.2d1 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ModemDriverMacEx (1.0.6d1 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBCDCACMData (ZTEDriver_MacV1.3.9 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWDrv (1.2.39143.512 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.3G (v3.0.7 (001) - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.DisableAutoInstall (v2.0.6 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt (0.0.38 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverVSP (0.0.38 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraDevSupport (2.0.2.0 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraFSCSupport (2.0.2.0 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraFSRSupport (2.0.2.0 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraHSRSupport (2.0.2.0 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessModem (3.2.7 - 2016-09-13) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions/NovatelWireless3G.kext/Contents/Plugins
[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.3GData (v3.0.7 (001) - 2011-12-11) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions/PTUMWDrv.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWCDFree (1.2.39143.512 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWCSP (1.2.39143.512 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWDIAG (1.2.39143.512 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWMdmControl (1.2.39143.512 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWMdmData (1.2.39143.512 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWNMEA (1.2.39143.512 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWUSBMergeNub (1.2.39143.512 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions/SMSIWirelessModem.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessCDC (3.2.7 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
[not loaded] com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessSerial (3.2.7 - 2010-05-18) [Support]
System Launch Agents:
[not loaded] 8 Apple tasks
[loaded] 145 Apple tasks
[running] 86 Apple tasks
System Launch Daemons:
[not loaded] 43 Apple tasks
[loaded] 150 Apple tasks
[running] 98 Apple tasks
Launch Agents:
[failed]
com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a725c38014c95072f92651fb65e1bf9c8e43c37a2 3d420d.
plist (2016-10-14) [Support]
[loaded] com.citrix.AuthManager_Mac.plist (2016-01-26) [Support]
[running] com.citrix.ReceiverHelper.plist (2016-01-26) [Support]
[running] com.citrix.ServiceRecords.plist (2016-01-26) [Support]
[running] com.epson.Epson_Low_Ink_Reminder.launcher.plist (2015-01-19) [Support]
[loaded] com.epson.esua.launcher.plist (2016-07-27) [Support]
[running] com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist (2014-09-21) [Support]
[running] com.epson.scannermonitor.plist (2015-12-16) [Support]
[failed] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-07-11) [Support]
[running] com.intego.commonservices.integomenu.plist (2013-12-13) [Support]
[running] com.intego.commonservices.taskmanager.plist (2013-11-12) [Support]
[loaded] com.intego.commonservices.uninstaller.plist (2013-12-03) [Support]
[loaded] com.intego.netbarrier.alert.plist (2013-09-23) [Support]
[running] com.intego.netupdate.agent.plist (2015-06-29) [Support]
[loaded] com.intego.virusbarrier.alert.plist (2013-09-06) [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2013-02-23) [Support]
Launch Daemons:
[not loaded] Folding@home.plist (2012-06-14) [Support]
[running] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2016-10-14) [Support]
[failed] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2016-10-14) [Support]
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-09-23) [Support]
[failed] com.atomicbird.macaroni.launchd.plist (2016-10-10) [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-07-11) [Support]
[running] com.intego.commonservices.daemon.integod.plist (2013-11-12) [Support]
[running] com.intego.commonservices.daemon.taskmanager.plist (2013-11-12) [Support]
[loaded] com.intego.commonservices.icalserver.plist (2013-11-12) [Support]
[loaded] com.intego.commonservices.metrics.kschecker.plist (2013-11-12) [Support]
[running] com.intego.netbarrier.daemon.logger.plist (2013-09-23) [Support]
[running] com.intego.netbarrier.daemon.monitor.plist (2013-09-23) [Support]
[running] com.intego.netbarrier.daemon.plist (2013-09-23) [Support]
[running] com.intego.netupdate.daemon.plist (2015-06-29) [Support]
[loaded] com.intego.virusbarrier.daemon.emlparser.plist (2013-09-06) [Support]
[running] com.intego.virusbarrier.daemon.logger.plist (2013-09-06) [Support]
[running] com.intego.virusbarrier.daemon.plist (2013-09-06) [Support]
[running] com.intego.virusbarrier.daemon.scanner.plist (2013-09-06) [Support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helpertool.plist (2016-08-03) [Support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2012-04-02) [Support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist (2015-12-06) [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2013-02-23) [Support]
[failed] edu.stanford.folding.fahclient.plist (2012-02-08) [Support]
[not loaded] edu.stanford.folding.prefpane.plist (2012-06-15) [Support]
User Launch Agents:
[failed] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2012-08-18) [Support]
[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist (2009-06-12)
Internet Plug-ins:
Google Earth Web Plug-in: 6.1 (2013-01-03) [Support]
Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-07-28)
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 2.4.4.2 (2013-01-03) [Support]
CouponPrinter-FireFox: Version 1.1.5 (2013-01-03)
OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.3.6 (2013-07-31) [Support]
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 15.020.20039 - SDK 10.11 (2016-10-11) [Support]
FlashPlayer-10.6: 23.0.0.185 - SDK 10.9 (2016-10-14) [Support]
PDF Browser Plugin: 2.4.4 - SDK 10.6 (2013-01-03) [Support]
RealPlayer Plugin: Unknown
QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-07-28)
Flash Player: 23.0.0.185 - SDK 10.9 (2016-10-14) [Support]
CitrixICAClientPlugIn: 12.1.100 - SDK 10.10 (2016-06-10) [Support]
iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (2013-01-03)
AdobePDFViewer: 15.020.20039 - SDK 10.11 (2016-10-11) [Support]
CANONiMAGEGATEWAYDL: 3.0.0.2 (2013-01-03) [Support]
SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.6.9 - SDK 10.6 (2016-10-14) [Support]
Silverlight: 5.1.41212.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-03-10) [Support]
Unity Web Player: UnityPlayer version 3.4.2f3 - SDK 10.5 (2013-01-03) [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 111 build 14 (2016-10-21) Check version
User internet Plug-ins:
CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: 1.0.105 (2013-04-25) [Support]
npNASAEyes: NASAEyes_x86_64 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-09-09) [Support]
WebEx: 1.0 (2010-02-11) [Support]
Safari Extensions:
Ka-Block! - David Graham & Josh Peek - http://kablock.com (2016-10-21)
3rd Party Preference Panes:
Flash Player (2016-09-23) [Support]
Java (2016-10-21) [Support]
Time Machine:
Skip System Files: NO
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 498.88 GB Disk used: 317.17 GB
Destinations:
G-DRIVE mobile USB [Local]
Total size: 999.86 GB
Total number of backups: 55
Oldest backup: 8/14/14, 8:23 PM
Last backup: 10/18/16, 9:20 PM
Size of backup disk: Adequate
Backup size 999.86 GB > (Disk used 317.17 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU:
6% WindowServer
4% firefox
3% kernel_task
1% fontd
1% DashboardClient(2)
Top Processes by Memory:
1.33 GB Epson Scanner Monitor
1.17 GB kernel_task
967 MB firefox
410 MB mds_stores
295 MB softwareupdated
Virtual Memory Information:
4.56 GB Free RAM
11.00 GB Used RAM (4.03 GB Cached)
15 MB Swap Used
Diagnostics Information:
Oct 22, 2016, 09:58:57 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/EPSON
Scanner_2016-10-22-095857_[redacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]
/Library/Image Capture/Devices/EPSON Scanner.app/Contents/MacOS/EPSON Scanner
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Oct 22, 2016 12:45 PMby WindSong,I see some junk in my EtreCheck, but I don't know how to remove it. For example, when I searched for the Folding at Home app, the search came back with nothing. I also don't know why there are BlackBerry items listed - I've never owned one. Sierra Wireless is a mystery to me too.
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Oct 22, 2016 2:52 PMby John Galt,Installing Intego's "Net Barrier" and "Virus Barrier" products on a brand new Mac containing little more than one minimally configured User account resulted in the worst performance degradation of any similar product I tested. No knowledgeable Mac user would consider it even remotely acceptable.
To uninstall it, use the uninstaller included with its downloaded installation package. Beware that using it will not remove all its components, a common characteristic of garbage software. Uninstall "Intego", and then evaluate your Mac's performance.
