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drchekhov · Jul 24, 2006, 09:04 PM

Searched other posts, but didn't see anything quite along my lines. I'll appreciate all the time, help, and insight!

So the new, much-anticipated and long-awaited BlackBook arrived today. I LOVE the case, the widescreen display (I'd grown so tired of 1024 x 768), and the keyboard, but I've not really seen the speed gains that I'd been expecting. The system isn't running apps much faster than my old iBook G3 600 MHz, it's not booting them much faster either, and it definitely isn't starting up with the speed that I've read about for others.

I ran Migration Assistant at set-up and copied over the 30 GB of data from my old iBook at start-up. About 20 GB of this is music. Ran Software Update immediately after, which crawled compared to old speed (1 MB/second on my Airport system that normally runs much faster—and this with the switch from 802.11b to g!) while updating around eleven apps.

I'm planning to run Norton in a sec and perform disk repairs, but any other thoughts? I suppose that I could run wipe and do a custom install, but I'm loathe to potentially miss lots of files. Is it possible to run a custom install without the installer touching previously-written iTunes files, etc.?

I don't think that it's so much of a RAM issue; the stock MacBooks that I'd toyed with at the Apple Store and CompUSA were running noticeably zippier. This possibility will definitey be solved on Friday, however, when my new Mushkin RAM arrives.

Additionally, I'm wondering if any other 120 GB users have been experiencing pretty hot right palmrests (just above the HDD). After running Migration Assistant (a disk-intensive app, I know!), my drive was pretty hot—much more so than the underside. Currently it's not quite so hot, but it is markedly hotter than the left palmrest. Is this to be expected? I can definitely get used to it; I just want to make sure that I don't have a faulty drive. (For the record, mine's a week 29 build. And just after start-up, it's running at 62 C with three apps running.)

Thanks for the help, and I'm glad to join the community!

greenamp · Jul 24, 2006, 09:43 PM

It is runing slow b/c you only have 512mb of RAM.

mduell · Jul 24, 2006, 09:46 PM

You were getting more than 1MBps over 802.11b? I don't think that's possible.

120GB doesn't produce significantly more heat than any other drive size.

I've heard of other people having slow Macs after using Migration Assistant. Try blowing away the OS, reinstalling, and copying your data manually.

uicandrew · Jul 24, 2006, 09:56 PM

it's the ram!

try doing a fresh install. and uncheck all the options. a fresh install can be as small as 2.2gb or as large as 10gb (much of it is garageband loops/samples, printer drivers, languages, etc)

pheonixash · Jul 24, 2006, 11:39 PM

The RAM, and Spotlight is indexing your drive. Your computer should become noticably faster once Spotlight is done indexing.

pierrelourens · Jul 25, 2006, 12:07 AM

I agree that Spotlight is indexing your hard drive. Also, the models at CompUSA and the Apple Store always have 1gb of RAM,; I've cheched. That would explain why they run faster, too. You can find a good RAM deal here.

hldan · Jul 25, 2006, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by pheonixash

The RAM, and Spotlight is indexing your drive. Your computer should become noticably faster once Spotlight is done indexing.

Ditto, and indexing can take a while especially if you used the Migration Assistant to merge everything over from your older iBook. Many new users get misconceived that after using Migration Assistant the computer is ready to use immediately but Spotlight takes over and it's best just to leave the computer turned to index but don't use it.

seanc · Jul 25, 2006, 05:13 AM

I will also chime in to say that it's most likely due to ram and that you SHOULD NOT run Norton. I don't even think it's a UB yet is it? and it usually causes more problems than it solves on Mac OS X and Windows.

itguy05 · Jul 25, 2006, 09:21 AM

RAM. The wife upgraded from an iBook G3/800, 640MB and she complains how slow the new MB is. It's not slow when you're in the app, but slow to launch and slow to switch apps.

Apple really F-ed up with them - 512 RAM with 64 of that going to the Video (and no option to change that) = 448 Mb for apps. Most of what we use requires Rosetta (Office, IM apps) and that kills performance.

Apple should make 1GB Standard - I'm already planning to get her a 1GB chip to take it to 1.5GB to help her out.

pierrelourens · Jul 25, 2006, 09:25 AM

Do you mean 1.25? The 512mb stock RAM in the Macbook comes in 2x256mb chips, and it's best to pair them. Obviously, the best thing to do is to pair two 1gb sticks, and Apple recommends pairing similar sticks for best performance.

I, on the other hand, will keep one of the 256mb chips in my Macbook, purchase a 1gb stick from Newegg (so that I have 1.25gb) and when I have the money pop another 1gb stick in there.

drchekhov · Jul 25, 2006, 09:27 AM

Thanks for the opinions. I didn't know that Spotlight would be running so much after transfer. Hopefully it won't take too long and I'll be up to good speeds in a bit. Any idea how long it normally takes?

Hopefully I'll also get a good bump from my ordered 2 GB RAM (should get it Saturday). I'd read over previous posts and seen how much of an improvement it made for others. (And as for the pricing wars, they've already started: my two 1 GB Mushkin sticks from NewEgg each have a $10 rebate, making them even cheaper than the G.Skill RAM linked to above.)

pierrelourens · Jul 25, 2006, 09:33 AM

Awesome, I hope it all works out for you. Glad you got a good deal on the RAM.