Apple brings TRIM support to all SSD-based Macs in Mac OS X 10.6.8
Apple has added TRIM support for all SSD-configurable Macs and fixes to improve graphics performance in the latest version of Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
Although Apple added TRIM in March to a custom build of Mac OS X 10.6.6 for Thunderbolt MacBook Pros, Mac OS X 10.6.8 marks the first time active SSD TRIM support is enabled across all SSD-capable Macs.
However, the new native TRIM support appears to be limited to stock Apple drives, as users with third-party SSDs installed have reported that the feature is not enabled by the update, according to a MacRumors report.
The TRIM command enables an operating system to optimize a solid state drive by cleaning up unused bits of deleted files. SSDs must be erased before being rewritten with new data, and also require housekeeping to avoid unnecessary erase/write cycles that would shorten the lives of the drives.
Apple had been preparing support for the feature in Mac OS X Lion for this summer, but apparently decided to bring the feature to Snow Leopard as well. Hints that Apple planned to include TRIM support for future Macs first emerged last year in SSD-equipped MacBook Pros.
Meanwhile, aset of benchmarks from MacsOnly shows the latest version of Snow Leopard to include graphics improvements that boost gaming performance. In particular, OpenGL received a substantial boost of as much as 48 percent, according to the graphics test.
Users have reported real-world improvements to the frame rates of various games after installing Mac OS X 10.6.8. The update appears to erase an intermittent issue with graphics performance that was affecting users of Mac OS X 10.6.7.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 arrived last week with enhancements to the Mac App Store in preparation for Mac OS X Lion. Other fixes in the update include: resolution of an issue with Preview, improved support for IPv6, improved VPN reliability, and the ability to identify and remove known variants of the Mac Defender malware.
Although Apple added TRIM in March to a custom build of Mac OS X 10.6.6 for Thunderbolt MacBook Pros, Mac OS X 10.6.8 marks the first time active SSD TRIM support is enabled across all SSD-capable Macs.
However, the new native TRIM support appears to be limited to stock Apple drives, as users with third-party SSDs installed have reported that the feature is not enabled by the update, according to a MacRumors report.
The TRIM command enables an operating system to optimize a solid state drive by cleaning up unused bits of deleted files. SSDs must be erased before being rewritten with new data, and also require housekeeping to avoid unnecessary erase/write cycles that would shorten the lives of the drives.
Apple had been preparing support for the feature in Mac OS X Lion for this summer, but apparently decided to bring the feature to Snow Leopard as well. Hints that Apple planned to include TRIM support for future Macs first emerged last year in SSD-equipped MacBook Pros.
Meanwhile, aset of benchmarks from MacsOnly shows the latest version of Snow Leopard to include graphics improvements that boost gaming performance. In particular, OpenGL received a substantial boost of as much as 48 percent, according to the graphics test.
Users have reported real-world improvements to the frame rates of various games after installing Mac OS X 10.6.8. The update appears to erase an intermittent issue with graphics performance that was affecting users of Mac OS X 10.6.7.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 arrived last week with enhancements to the Mac App Store in preparation for Mac OS X Lion. Other fixes in the update include: resolution of an issue with Preview, improved support for IPv6, improved VPN reliability, and the ability to identify and remove known variants of the Mac Defender malware.
Comments
The update appears to erase an intermittent issue with graphics performance that was affecting users of Mac OS X 10.6.7.
And it creates a new issue when initiating screen sharing to a dual monitor Mac Pro--only the bottom quarter-to-half of the two displays is displayed. Wunnerful.
However, the new native TRIM support appears to be limited to stock Apple drives, as users with third-party SSDs installed have reported that the feature is not enabled by the update, according to a MacRumors report.
Well, it's true. I have an OWC Mercury drive installed in a Mac Mini and I can't get the TRIM enabled on it. Supposedly the Mercury has its own "Sandforce" optimizer but I have no idea about its efficacy. No way to tell if it's working or not.
1. check if your SSD supports trim at all, by googling on the model, if yes, continue
2. check if ur ssd already uses internal garbage collection, if no, continue
3. try trim enabler
http://www.groths.org/?p=387
Apple always stays ahead of the curve.
Except TRIM has been around for QUITE some time. You've done a poor job hiding your off-topic question within the context of the thread.
And I still a question anyone recommned an easy-to-use iPad Video Converter?
HandBrake. Google works quite well for this sort of thing.
Who knows the answer to this one?
still going to sticks with this Snow Leopard ? Lion release is imminent.
If you could reword this to contain some coherency, that'd be great. Apple hardly needs to hold this back until Lion's release.
And it creates a new issue when initiating screen sharing to a dual monitor Mac Pro--only the bottom quarter-to-half of the two displays is displayed. Wunnerful.
And I have two new problems with 10.6.8. myself. It messed up my sleep mode so that when I put my 2009 24" iMac to sleep it stays asleep and I have to shutdown. Secondly, Safari freezes quite often. I never had any problems with updates ever. Guess I've been lucky up till now. I didn't experience any problems with my 2009 13" Macbook Pro though with the update. Btw, I checked and did everything suggested online. I'm going back to 10.6.7. At least they each have an external HDD using Time Machine.
And it creates a new issue when initiating screen sharing to a dual monitor Mac Pro--only the bottom quarter-to-half of the two displays is displayed. Wunnerful.
Using the built in display and an external 23" with my MacBook (first generation) over VNC from an iPad with no problems, so it's not a universal issue at least.
Using the built in display and an external 23" with my MacBook (first generation) over VNC from an iPad with no problems, so it's not a universal issue at least.
Since Lion is the Next Big Thing and the main purpose of 10.6.8 seems to be providing the path to Lion, it doesn't give me much confidence that 10.6.8 was thoroughly tested or that any bugs that still exist or are new will be fixed--unless they also exist in Lion.
Since Lion is the Next Big Thing and the main purpose of 10.6.8 seems to be providing the path to Lion, it doesn't give me much confidence that 10.6.8 was thoroughly tested or that any bugs that still exist or are new will be fixed--unless they also exist in Lion.
10.6.8 is an upgrade to Snow Leopard. It isn't a path to Lion: it just ensures that those who want the stability of Snow Leopard over the bleeding edge of Lion will have the best experience.
Well, it's true. I have an OWC Mercury drive installed in a Mac Mini and I can't get the TRIM enabled on it. Supposedly the Mercury has its own "Sandforce" optimizer but I have no idea about its efficacy. No way to tell if it's working or not.
And probably by the time it matters, the whole thing will be out of date and anyways
APPLE SSD SM128
How come?
Apple has added TRIM support for all SSD-configurable Macs and fixes to improve graphics performance in the latest version of Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
Although Apple added TRIM in March to a custom build of Mac OS X 10.6.6 for Thunderbolt MacBook Pros, Mac OS X 10.6.8 marks the first time active SSD TRIM support is enabled across all SSD-capable Macs.
However, the new native TRIM support appears to be limited to stock Apple drives, as users with third-party SSDs installed have reported that the feature is not enabled by the update, according to a MacRumors report.
The TRIM command enables an operating system to optimize a solid state drive by cleaning up unused bits of deleted files. SSDs must be erased before being rewritten with new data, and also require housekeeping to avoid unnecessary erase/write cycles that would shorten the lives of the drives.
Apple had been preparing support for the feature in Mac OS X Lion for this summer, but apparently decided to bring the feature to Snow Leopard as well. Hints that Apple planned to include TRIM support for future Macs first emerged last year in SSD-equipped MacBook Pros.
Meanwhile, aset of benchmarks from MacsOnly shows the latest version of Snow Leopard to include graphics improvements that boost gaming performance. In particular, OpenGL received a substantial boost of as much as 48 percent, according to the graphics test.
Users have reported real-world improvements to the frame rates of various games after installing Mac OS X 10.6.8. The update appears to erase an intermittent issue with graphics performance that was affecting users of Mac OS X 10.6.7.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 arrived last week with enhancements to the Mac App Store in preparation for Mac OS X Lion. Other fixes in the update include: resolution of an issue with Preview, improved support for IPv6, improved VPN reliability, and the ability to identify and remove known variants of the Mac Defender malware.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Well, it's true. I have an OWC Mercury drive installed in a Mac Mini and I can't get the TRIM enabled on it. Supposedly the Mercury has its own "Sandforce" optimizer but I have no idea about its efficacy. No way to tell if it's working or not.
Do some research online (e.g. at Anandtech.com). The effectiveness of the Sandforce controller's internal garbage collection routine is quite well established. Right now a Sandforce-equipped SSD is the only good third party choice for a Mac in those cases when TRIM can't be enabled.
However see also the very interesting link elsewhere in this thread to TRIM Enabler (http://www.groths.org/?p=387). Assuming this works?and I haven't tried it?a much wider choice of SSDs is opened up.
Is TRIM support needed to help a hybrid drive work efficiently? Anyone had any experience with a hybrid drive? I'm looking for something bigger than 256GB, but faster than a typical hard drive. SSD is way too expensive at that size. A 500GB hybrid drive is about $100.
If you're looking at the Seagate Momentus I suggest you read the customer reviews at Newegg.com first. Between the DOA units, the early life failures, the noise issues and the ineffective firmware fixes you'll soon lose interest. At least I did.
Too bad, since it's an interesting concept, but Seagate has failed miserably to execute.
Do some research online (e.g. at Anandtech.com). The effectiveness of the Sandforce controller's internal garbage collection routine is quite well established. Right now a Sandforce-equipped SSD is the only good third party choice for a Mac in those cases when TRIM can't be enabled.
However see also the very interesting link elsewhere in this thread to TRIM Enabler (http://www.groths.org/?p=387). Assuming this works?and I haven't tried it?a much wider choice of SSDs is opened up.
I use trim enabler with my OWC drive with a Sandforce controller. Going on a few months now with 0 issues, very pleased with the drive and happy with what trim enabler provides. It may vary by drive and by system so I can only speak for my own experience. I re-patched for 10.6.8 so I'll see how that turns out.