Unleash the power of PowerMacs - tweaking Power Macintoshes for best performance

So you finally took the plunge and upgraded to the new PCI Power Macintoshes. Much to your surprise, however, you discovered that these systems can be somewhat unstable. Don't panic. These stock systems can be made more productive by third-party products, optional hardware, and savvy system management. Here are some tips to make your Macs work their best for you and your staff.

Optimize the computer. A combination of hardware and software enhancements can increase the speed of a Mac by as much as 30 percent. If you've bought a 7200, 7500, or 8500, consider an add-on video card to speed up the feel of the system. Scrolling, redraws and window openings and closings--which make people wait, not work--can be improved. Video cards, which cost between $350 and $900, will make the video two- to four-times faster than onboard video alone.

Another savvy hardware move, if you have a 7200 or a 7500, is to add a second-level cache to your memory. For about $250, a 512K cache can speed up these machines by as much as 30 percent. Installation is a breeze.

On the software side, Connectix provides essential software for enhancing a Power PC, replacing expensive memory and upgraded programs with solutions that cost far less. RAM Doubler 1.6.1 fools your computer into thinking it has twice the actual RAM, and it does it more efficiently than Apple's own virtual memory scheme. The other Connectix program is Speed Doubler 1.1.2, which is actually a bundle of programs. The most important extension of the bunch is a replacement for the 040 emulator built into the ROMs of the computer. It makes your system feel much more responsive.

Upgrade system software. Apple has finally released System 7.5 Update 2.0, which changes the System numbering to 7.5.3. It's available directly from Apple on floppy disc or CD-ROM, and combines several months' worth of bug fixes and extensions into a whole new system. In my experience so far, the update has stabilized our computers so that they work more reliably and seem much more bulletproof.

Update your other software as well. If you use shareware, make sure you've downloaded the most recent versions. If you've moved hard drives from older machines to newer ones to save money, it's critical to reformat them with an application like FWB's Hard Disk Toolkit 1.8.

Tweak your interface. Programs like Now Utilities 6.0, Norton Utilities 3.2.1 and QuickKeys 3.0.1 (version 3.5 to be released by the end of June) all add tremendous flexibility and ease to your day-to-day operating tasks such as opening files, performing housekeeping functions, and selecting fonts and printers. For less than $300 total, these programs can speed up the slowest component of all--you! In our studio, we saved about 200 hours using these utilities--that's like getting an extra work week out of your employees!

Avoid feature-creep and bloat. Despite the hype, don't bother installing ColorSync, PowerTalk, QuickDraw 3D, QuickDraw GX or PlainTalk. Unless you have some specific reason to use them, these programs add tremendously to the system overhead, and for publishing tasks, they currently add little practical functionality. On the hardware side, a stripped RAID array with a PCI SCSI card is usually not worth the money or effort. Stick with the fast SCSI internal bus and a good hard drive. As sexy as new technology seems, most publishing activities aren't particularly enhanced by speedier hard drives or outboard SCSI processors.

The biggest waste of productivity is time spent waiting for the computer to reboot after it crashes. If there are many workstations in your department, try to keep them all operating on the same standard System Folder. Also keep in mind that while people like to personalize their computers with sounds, pictures and other fun stuff, these extras can drain the system. Giving your staff creative license is a fine indulgence when the computers are working well, but in an unstable environment, it's hard to know what sends a system over the edge. Until things quiet down, keep your systems lean and mean, and wait for Apple to improve reliability with new software releases. Or to quote Scarlett O'Hara: "After all, tomorrow is another day."

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