CNET Editors' review
With its plethora of advanced options, TinkerTool System for Mac takes system optimization and customization to another level. This premium tool includes features ranging from the essential and system-saving to the highly specialized and obscure, all packed in a small app with an instantly familiar interface. It's a great app for geeks.
TinkerTool System for Mac asks for an administrator password prior to first launch, after which it lets you use either the full app five times (Evaluation Mode) or a limited version indefinitely (Demo Mode). Starting Evaluation Mode requires Internet connectivity. Once the app is up and running, you will be presented with an interface that is inspired by the Mac System Preferences app and that adjusts itself to only display settings, applicable to the hardware you're using. During our tests we were impressed by the "Emergency Tool," which adds a recovery mode to the operating system, triggered by holding down CMD+S during system startup. The automatic maintenance scripts, which let you choose between a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule to automatically delete temporary and unused files, thus reclaiming lost storage space, are also great. The entire process takes between ten seconds and a minute to complete.
TinkerTool System for Mac offers many features that power-users will find appealing. Whether you're setting up automatic maintenance or recovery mode on a Mac, or just like tweaking your system to its very core, this premium app's expansive features will grab your attention.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of TinkerTool System for Mac 3.31.
Publisher's Description
From Marcel Bresink Software-Systeme:
TinkerTool System 2 is a collection of system utility features assisting you in performing advanced administration tasks on Apple Macintosh computers. The application makes use of a self-adapting user interface which automatically adjusts to the computer model and to the version of Mac OS X you are running. All options available in the current situation are accessible via "panes", very similar to the techniques you already know from the System Preferences application. All functions can be controlled by a single program which acts as general toolbox and First Aid assistant.
What's new in this version:
- This update resolves several issues with the user interface when preparing applications for code thinning under OS X Mavericks.
- The application now uses more detailed error messages for combinations of operating system and tool versions where integration of panes from TinkerTool is not possible.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 20 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
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"love this little APP that packs a punch!"
Version: TinkerTool System 2.85
Pros
I had trouble on my last iMac ,for the LIFE of that iMac..it now is punished and sits in a corner!..but I thought at a time, it was this software, I emailed and the guy who wrote it, emailed me and assured me that it was not his program..NOW, that alone is worth the price...very cool & I did apologize. Also catches stuff I don't understand, that Disk Utility does not.
Cons
none I see, been using it for over 2 years and
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"Gives you access to many hidden features of the Mac"
Version: TinkerTool System 2.1
Pros
It allows you to change settings not normally editable (or even viewable), analyze log files and more.
Cons
Not for anybody who isn't tech-savvy. Using this application, you can easily shoot yourself in the foot.
Summary
To be honest, the my favorite feature was the ability to turn off the hideous startup sound.
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"Best so far"
Version: TinkerTool System 1.87
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I've used it for a year now and it has been trouble-free. It warns you if you're going to do something questionable, it has never froze, it really does empty caches, and it rebuilds the db before it restarts. Bravo. In the pipe 5 by 5. -
"Excellent"
Version: TinkerTool System 1.87
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I have used TTS and TT since it was started many years ago. An excellent piece of software that does its job and follows the Mac OS protocols. Excellent author support. It has always interested me how little attention it gets in reviews of this type of utility when for me it outshines them all. Thanks to the TTS team for a continuing great job :-) -
"Excellent"
Version: TinkerTool System 1.8
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Iâ??ve used TTS for a few years and consider it an essential part of my Mac. While some of its functionality is available in other programs for free, TTS integrates a lot of features in a well designed package and the price is fairly cheap.
I donâ??t recall ever having a problem due to using TTS. I did contact the author once with a question and he provided a quick response. Overall Iâ??m very happy with TTS. -
"Recant"
Version: TinkerTool System 1.71
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Actually, I'm recanting my review. After using Tinkertool System for a few months, I did weekly maintenance and ran all the recommended processes religiously. Two weeks ago, after doing the same thing I did before, I experienced constant kernel crashes and freezes immediately following a Tinkertool session. I spent a few days trying to troubleshoot. I'm a moderately experienced user, so I did all the standard stuff- Diskwarrior, fsck, memtest, etc. All found nothing. I do regular backups using CCC, and so I cut my losses, saved my client data and cloned my hard drive from the last backup before Timkertool tinkered too much. That was three days ago, and no more problems.
Now, I'm sure Tinkertool is a good program, but the worst part came when I contacted the developer, Marcel Bresnik. He insisted kernel crashes are only caused by hardware problems, and called me a liar when I said my crashlogs were naturally reverted when I cloned from a backup, and would be of no use in troubleshooting. I asked for a refund, but then told him he could keep his $10 if it was too big a deal, to show him I wasn't lying to rip him off, and I would simply give honest feedback on Versiontracker. So there it is. And it's a shame, because it's probably a good program that needs improvement in a few areas, and the developer just happens to be a defensive ass. Oh well, back to Butler. -
"Outstanding Utility"
Version: TinkerTool System 1.7
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
This is an essential MAC OS X utility. Compared to similar applications (free & retail), TinkerTool System outperforms. Definitely worth it in cost:benefit ratio. -
"Trust"
Version: TinkerTool System 1.51
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
There are similar applications to TinkerTool System but this is the one written by the author of TinkerTool which, as I recall, was the *first* useful freeware software of any kind for the then new Mac OSX. -
"No Problems On My Mac"
Version: TinkerTool System 1.4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
As with previous versions, no problems at all. However, I have not tried every single feature, such as the Repair Help. I'm sure an email to the author, Dr. Bresink, will be quickly answered, as has been my experience.
I'm using a G5 iMac / OS 10.3.8. -
"Brilliant App -Best of breed"
Version: TinkerTool System 1.4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Addition of font cache cleaning is excellent. Everything work as advertised AND every function has an explanation. Good value too
