Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
Cocktail is both useful and fun for inveterate Mac tinkerers and would-be power-users (that is, power users who aren't hard-core enough to use the command line). This multipurpose utility can help you keep your computer happy and healthy, giving you access to scores of tweaks and optimizations pulled together from various utilities, preferences, third-party hacks, and command-line tools.
Cocktail can help you with routine maintenance and customization across your disks, system, files, network, and interface. Cocktail is organized around these five areas, with highly customizable options for everything from clearing caches and repairing permissions to changing the appearance and behavior of the Finder and Dock--and Cocktail's Pilot feature lets you schedule regular maintenance.
Perhaps the best part of Cocktail is its extensive help files, cross-linked to articles on Wikipedia, Apple's site, and other Mac resources. These fall short in some spots (such as with optimizing network settings), but they can provide a valuable primer on how your Mac works. There are other cheaper--and even free--options out there, but with Cocktail, you get OS-specific stability, helpful documentation, and a well-organized interface. If you're not using Snow Leopard, check out the earlier editions of Cocktail.
Publisher's Description
From Maintain:
Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets you clean, repair and optimize your Mac. It is a powerful digital toolset that helps hundreds of thousands of Mac users around the world get the most out of their computers every day.
The application serves up a perfect mix of maintenance tools and tweaks, all accessible through a clean and easy to use interface. Cocktail's features are arranged into five categories that helps you manage various aspects of your computer. It also comes with an automatic Pilot-mode that allows you to simply press a button and relax, knowing that Cocktail will take care of the rest.
Cocktail (Snow Leopard Edition) requires OS X 10.6. Cocktail (Lion Edition) for OS X 10.7 and Cocktail (Leopard Edition) for OS X 10.5 are available for download from our website.
What's new in this version:
- Added ability to disable startup sound (System - Startup)
- Addresses an issue in which Cocktail may fail to scan preference files
- Addresses an issue in which Cocktail may fail to create a Keychain key
- Addresses an issue in which Cocktail may not be able to repair permissions on RAID sets
- Addresses an issue in which Cocktail could not force empty the Trash
- Addresses an issue in which the Firewall log may not be rotated
- Addresses compat... See all new features
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 39 votes
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Current version:
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"Useful enough, but...."
Version: Cocktail 4.9.6
Pros
Real-time protection that doesn't slow down the Mac's operation.
Cons
Not quite as versatile as MacKeeper, nor are its scans as effective.
Summary
I'm keeping both this and MacKeeper because you can never be too safe, even when it comes to Macs. However, if you must have only one to choose, I would pick MacKeeper.
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"Way powerful computer control panel"
Version: Cocktail 4.9.4
Pros
Does a ton of stuff
Cons
Complicated and hard to figure out what all it can do and whether I want it to
Summary
Powerful tool for controlling a great deal of aspects of computer - I just wish I knew more about using it
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"If you BUY, you may get ripped off!"
Version: Cocktail 4.9.4
Pros
Decent product
Cons
Poor customer service and business practices
Summary
I think that it should be conspicuously noted that "Maintain," the maker of Cocktail, has absolutely no customer service.
Also, it should be noted that if you purchase Cocktail, you will probably purchase it from "Kagi," the outfit Maintain uses to manage its purchases.
Kagi has a D- rating from the BBB (http://*******.com/3qswttx) and serious fraud allegations against them.
The product may be good, but beware the lack of integrity involved with maintenance and purchase issues. -
"Version 5 works fine with Lion."
Version: Cocktail 4.9.4
Pros
Good tool, nice interface.
Cons
seems to be missing options for changing some Time Machine prefs that were in previous 4.9.4 version.
Summary
Good tool, nice interface. Here is the version 5 link: http://www.maintain.se/cocktail/index.php
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"does not work with OSX Lion"
Version: Cocktail 4.9.4
Pros
saved my butt with trashing problem files and Time Machine
Cons
now states "This edition of Cocktail requires Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)."
Summary
Please fix this and it goes back up as at least 4-stars.
public beta 5.0 now avbl. mny thx to developers. back up to 4-stars imho.
Updated on Jul 24, 2011 -
"Keeps my Mac tuned up"
Version: Cocktail 4.9.2
Pros
It is very easy to use. I run the Pilot program at least once a week.
Cons
None I have experienced
Summary
This program is a must have tool for maintenance and cleaning cache files.
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"Still a little buggy..."
Version: Cocktail 4.9.1
Pros
Once logged in, you don't have to keep re-doing it, after performing various actions, as Onyx requires.
Cons
"Remove inactive memory" function, supposedly fixed in this latest update, still doesn't work very well.
Summary
Disappointing, as I don't see it doing much more than the free Onyx. Since the main function I bought it for, (purging inactive memory), is still not working correctly, I have to again hope an update corrects it..
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"It does what it says it will do and easily."
Version: Cocktail 4.9
Pros
I like, especially, the extensive help files.
Cons
on occasion it fails to do it's job. I just quit and restart the progaam and it usually works then.
Summary
It's worth the cost for the ease of operation and function.
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"Used to work fine, not any more...."
Version: Cocktail 4.9
Pros
It's pretty straightforward, simple to use, and usually worked just fine.
Cons
Crashes every now & then, & since the latest update, it's barely worked. Every time I try to do an "inactive memory purge", or clear the system cache, I get a window saying I can't do it, & check Activity Log for details. But that is no help at all.
Summary
I'm pretty frustrated with it, giving me no information to explain why it's refusing to do certain functions, only adds to the rub. I may just have to stick to Onyx, it's free & has less issues when using it.
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"Cocktail 4.8.2"
Version: Cocktail 4.8.2
Pros
Kept me informed on the state of my Mac's diagnostics; one of the few utilities programs for Macs that actually have some substance.
Cons
Could be more comprehensive, but I'll give it some time to do so.
Summary
Compared to utilities programs for PCs, it's not as comprehensive. But then, PCs are in greater need for utilities programs than Macs.
