I’ve got an old MBP (2009??) with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB disk (hybrid). When I installed the disk (the old one crashed) I was able to put all of my photos on my laptop in one single large library, this is something I really like. However … Aperture becomes really slow in starting up and shutting down, most of the time it’s OK speed wise when I’m working in a project but switching from one project can take some time. Starting/stopping always takes time.
A good solution to this problem would be to buy a Mac Pro loaded with G’s of memory a large, large Thunderbolt drive … unfortunately that will not happen. Hey, even a Mac Mini would make a huge difference … I tried with a recent Mac Mini and it was completing tasks in a fraction of the time it takes my MBP :D
So given that I have maxed out the RAM & have a hybrid disk what can I do to make Aperture faster?
(to be honest, I’ve heard that Lightroom is faster so I’ve thought about switching but it takes time and it’s made by Adobe … not to mention that I like Aperture)
You might consider splitting your one big library into sveral smaller libraries. Maybe divide it by years. Less start up time with each library.. My 2009 MBP 17” is still pretty fast but I don’t try to keep all my images in one library.
John Waugh, Photographic Images • Apple Certified Trainer• Sport Action Lifestyle Photography
Yes, this was how I had them organised before but I then consolidated them into one library … which I prefer since it’s easier to search, keeping tags consistent etc.
So before going back to that organization I would see if anything else can be done (although I suspect that I need to do one library/year sooner or later)
jem
Can you upgrade the memory in your MBP? Can you upgrade your hybrid drive to an SSD? If not, you might consider a newer refurbished MBP. That will save you money over a brand new system, but get you to a faster processor. Unfortunately you can not upgrade the CPU in your current system so more memory and faster storage are your only options to boost performance at the hardware level.
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