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kevs1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2016
140
7
I just upgraded to Photoshop CC, and was surprised the app takes 3 minutes to lauch, so I timed other apps, Safari, Excel.. all at least a minute and it goes on... Now I've with with Apple for 15 years, and I have never seen speedy launches but just amazing 2016 El Capitan and everything is so slow to launch. Any ideas on this? Thanks.
 

KALLT

macrumors 603
Sep 23, 2008
5,380
3,415
Upon first launch of a program, OS X verifies its contents as part of a security check. There are also no caches that OS X could use to speed this up, as these will be created as you use the program. Subsequent launches should be quicker. An SSD makes a big difference.
 
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kevs1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2016
140
7
Thanks Kallt, so these numbers are no unusual? I am on an older 27" imac, so hopefully when I upgrade the Mac HD will be SSD?

Still a minute for Excel? A minute for Firefox?

And now with new PS CCC, it's 1 -3 mintues. I'm really stumped..
 

kevs1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2016
140
7
ok so this is normal for non ssd? I'll be upgrading the whole computer on next imac version, but in meantime no one has any ideas? Photoshop CC is at 3 minutes.
 

KALLT

macrumors 603
Sep 23, 2008
5,380
3,415
ok so this is normal for non ssd? I'll be upgrading the whole computer on next imac version, but in meantime no one has any ideas? Photoshop CC is at 3 minutes.

How much RAM do you have? If you’re reaching the limit often, it could slow down things a lot as well. The processor might have to clear the RAM too often, perhaps even write to disk if there is no room left. Photo and video programs use a lot of RAM, Adobe’s in general. Observe the memory tab in the Activity Monitor application for a while and see whether anything happens to the memory pressure as you use these programs.
 
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kevs1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2016
140
7
People have always blamed Ram for everything for 20 years. These times I'm listing are right after reboots with all apps closed.
 

Sko

macrumors 6502
Oct 17, 2009
285
59
Germany
Excessive startup times are almost always an indicator of a dying HDD. I hope you have a recent backup. When Finder windows start to take forever to open, it's high time to get a replacement.

For Microsoft applications, it's totally normal to take an hour or so to start.
 

IowaLynn

macrumors 68020
Feb 22, 2015
2,145
589
I guess you are talking about a 2011 MBA which is very limited for what you do.

Lack of ram, no USB3 (does it have Thunderbolt for external storage?) and very small internal drive. SATA III was in its infancy too.

Did you upgrade3 in p;lace from 10.7 non thru all the OS X versions to 10.11 now? Neo clean install which would help.

Run Etrecheck and see what is going on but you've outgrown any MBA.
 
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MacDawg

Moderator emeritus
Mar 20, 2004
19,823
4,504
"Between the Hedges"
I guess you are talking about a 2011 MBA which is very limited for what you do.

Lack of ram, no USB3 (does it have Thunderbolt for external storage?) and very small internal drive. SATA III was in its infancy too.

Did you upgrade3 in p;lace from 10.7 non thru all the OS X versions to 10.11 now? Neo clean install which would help.

Run Etrecheck and see what is going on but you've outgrown any MBA.

OP clearly states they are using an older 27" iMac
 

kevs1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2016
140
7
What is MBA mean guys?
It's a late 2009 27", up to date on OS.
Finder windows are fine, Sko, it's apps that take while, 50 seconds, 60 seconds.
Ran DU check and Mac HD is ok, no problems with Mac HD ran the test, I have a daily clone.
That said I was going to wait till very end to replace the unit, I should replace it now? Mac Rumors give a neutral to a new 27" I usually like to buy when the new version just come out.. Wait till next 27" version or bail now?
 

Sko

macrumors 6502
Oct 17, 2009
285
59
Germany
Check your HDD with the demo of SMART Utility. If you see a lot relocated sectors, get a new HDD.

It's not to hard to install a new drive (you're finished after step five as the necessary cables are in reach without any further dismantling), but there's one obstacle: you have to leave the original drive in the case and the temperature sensor attached to it. A 2,5 inch HDD or SSD will fit nicely on top of the 3.5 inch drive.
 

kevs1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2016
140
7
I'm not going to invest more time/ money in my 2009 27" imac. So final question: Would you guys buy now "neutral", mid cycle, or wait out another 6 months or so for the next 27" imac. Thanks!
 

netsped

macrumors 6502
Jul 8, 2008
330
445
Three minutes for Photoshop sure it's not normal, unless you have a ton of plugins or extensions.

If you can live with PS (and other apps) loading within 3 minutes, wait until the next generation. Or load it one time and don't quit or restart your machine every day.

If you can't, check the refurb store. Maybe the money you save on a refurb can give you peace of mind when a new generation arrives in a couple of months.
 

ignatius345

macrumors 604
Aug 20, 2015
7,614
13,026
I'm not going to invest more time/ money in my 2009 27" imac. So final question: Would you guys buy now "neutral", mid cycle, or wait out another 6 months or so for the next 27" imac. Thanks!

I just upgraded from a 2011 Mac Mini, which is not a fast machine by any means, but I had upgraded the hard drive to a Fusion Drive (by installing an additional SSD) and it was still opening apps very fast -- if I had to ballpark it, I'd guess 30 seconds for Photoshop CC 2016?

SSD trumps everything as far as I can tell. It's the single best upgrade you can make. So whatever Mac you upgrade to, do NOT get a plain HDD.

As to your iMac question, the current iMac 5K I just upgraded to is a gorgeous machine and feels incredibly fast. Again, get the Fusion drive or SSD option, though. Messing around with a brand new one in the Apple Store with an HDD, I was struck by how laggy it was.
 
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kevs1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2016
140
7
Thanks guys, yes, I've heard of wonders of Sdd, guy on photoshop forum says loads in 4 seconds. Anyway, leaning to just getting a new machine now, as it's in mid cycle. The time to replace was in a year to two anyway right?
 

kevs1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2016
140
7
It almost deserves it's own thread, but I'll ask it here for all:

For both Desktops and laptops, where do you want to upgrade to a new machine? Theoretically you can keep repairing for 10 years right?
 

simonsi

Contributor
Jan 3, 2014
4,851
735
Auckland
I'm not going to invest more time/ money in my 2009 27" imac.

For the time and $$$ of installing an SSD it would be worth it, hands down. You may easily get another 2yrs life out of your 27" meaning you could replace later.

My early 2011 MBP runs effectively way faster than when new despite OS updates and much bigger App loading. Its now coming 5yrs old and I see no reason to replace unless it breaks and can't be repaired.
 
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Gochugogi

macrumors regular
Oct 27, 2013
223
27
Sandwich Isles
I just timed the opening of PhotoShop and it took exactly 21 seconds on my 2013 Mini i7 (10.11.4) with Hybrid drive. I have a newer iMac at work with faster processor but standard HD and it takes about twice as long to open. I have a SSD in MacBook Pro and the Hybrid is just as fast for app opening.
 

PurrBall

macrumors 65816
Oct 25, 2007
1,015
54
Indianapolis
My 2009 24" iMac isn't as slow as you describe yours. You may have a failing HDD, or you may just have a botched OS and need to reformat the drive and reinstall. Have you tried doing that yet?
 

saudor

macrumors 68000
Jul 18, 2011
1,512
2,115
Try making/updating your clone and reformat it. My Mac's spinner (1TB WD Blue) had slowed to a crawl.. down to 1 to 2 MB per second on the read. Writes were OK. So i formatted it, and restored back my files. Back up to 70-80 MB/s and everything is normal. Im guessing something got corrupted with the file system.
 

ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,613
6,909
An SSD and a clean install of OS X to get rid of 7 years of cruft would together help quite a bit.

But you seem to be leaning toward upgrading, which is fine too. In fact, if you have the 27" base model 2009 I'd be inclined toward upgrading too. Core2Duo, 4GB of ram, ATI 4670, and a single rotational hard drive are not exactly a speedy combo for Photoshop and El Capitan.

Third option is to do both. Get the SSD and do a clean install of OS X to tide you over for 6 months or whenever until the next iMac. Save up your pennies in the mean time and then get a brand new model iMac on day 1.
 

TreoRenegade

macrumors regular
Aug 7, 2008
181
3
I'd been tormented with an excruciatingly slow 2009 27" iMac. It got so bad that I grabbed a Chromebook (Dell 13 / 7310- loving it) to hold me until I figured out a cure. (In the past, I would have simply upgraded, but suffice to say Apple's quality control issues make me very hesitant.)

I tried innumerable alleged fixes, none a thrill. At some point, I ran across a discussion about a freebie app I'd forgotten about: Onyx. The article suggested retaining all the defaults, then just run the app. I did so one evening, walked away, and returned the following day. I am AMAZED at the change. The spinning wheel is gone; apps respond immediately to commands; even Safari is playing Speedy Gonzalez. Because I know the pain of a crawling machine, I'm compelled to share my experience. No down side. It's been 3 weeks, and I'm still a happy camper.
 
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