MBP 1,1-10,2 Settings to improve Mac/Safari performance

[Andrey84]

Dear Mac Users,

I have a 2015 MBP 11,4 (i7/16/512), which has recently started to show its age. It works faster on Sequoia than it did on Ventura, but it still lags in Safari a bit. I use the laptop for browsing and FaceTime only.

I've collected these settings which can improve performance:

1. Change the wallpaper to a static image
2. Reduce Motion: On
3. Reduce Transparency: On
4. Minimize Windows Using: change from Genie to Scale effect
5. Animate opening of applications: Off

Do you know any other settings that can improve general performance?

Changing the browser does help a lot. Chrome & FireFox are much faster. However, all my passwords and auto-fills are in Safari. I use Chrome for work, so the Favouries bar is ruined. I don't like FireFox. I'd like to keep using Safari, as I use it on my iPhone too.

I'm not considering a new Mac yet, as the performance is adequate for my needs.

 

[ToniCH]

a 2015 MBP 11,4 (i7/16/512)....it still lags in Safari a bit...

Showing its age? Lagging? And surfing and Facetime only? Its blazingly fast, unless you compare it to newer faster Macs. So, its a matter of what you are used to.

Solution: don't use faster Macs. 😂

Or, you need to do a clean reinstall to get rid of unnecessary stuff that has filled your drive slowing your machine down. Make a backup or clone your stuff to an external drive. Then do a clean install where you first format the SSD. Then use Migration assistant to import your files and settings from your backup.

And make sure your SSD has plenty of free space after installations. It can really slow down if it's too full.

 

[Andrey84]

Showing its age? Lagging? And surfing and Facetime only? Its blazingly fast, unless you compare it to newer faster Macs. So, its a matter of what you are used to.

Solution: don't use faster Macs. 😂

Or, you need to do a clean reinstall to get rid of unnecessary stuff that has filled your drive slowing your machine down. Make a backup or clone your stuff to an external drive. Then do a clean install where you first format the SSD. Then use Migration assistant to import your files and settings from your backup.

And make sure your SSD has plenty of free space after installations. It can really slow down if it's too full.

Thanks, all done already. Full SSD reformat with deleting the volumes, and a clean Sequoia install. 450GB free.
Actually you are right and in Sequoia it's quite fast again. Maybe my problem was Ventura + new Safari update.
My benchmark is my wife's iMac 2020 27" i9/128/2TB/5700XT, which is an absolute beast and responds instantly.

 

[ToniCH]

Well there is your problem. The iMac is just too fast! 😆

Are you using OCLP? I think 2015 only goes up to Monterey natively? If so you could try different OCLP versions too. I have a feeling there is some difference in performance on that side too. And yes, I would not automatically go with the newest OS versions on old machines either. Older versions are more mature than those which are still in development.

I personally use Monterey when possible but I am sure Sonoma at this stage is ok too. I hear Ventura is sucks and blows and Sequioa is still too new.

 

[Andrey84]

Well there is your problem. The iMac is just too fast! 😆

Are you using OCLP? I think 2015 only goes up to Monterey natively? If so you could try different OCLP versions too. I have a feeling there is some difference in performance on that side too. And yes, I would not automatically go with the newest OS versions on old machines either. Older versions are more mature than those which are still in development.

I personally use Monterey when possible but I am sure Sonoma at this stage is ok too. I hear Ventura is sucks and blows and Sequioa is still too new.

I took the dive with Sequoia with OCLP and actually it's really good. You should install it.