Mac software > All Reviews > Software > Web design > Web graphics tools > App Tamer review

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 App Tamer review

Conserve power and get the most from your machine by automatically pausing idle applications

Karl Hodge

Manufacturer: St Clair Software
Pros: Automatically stops selected apps when idle; monitors CPU activity
Cons: Doesn’t do much else
Price: $14.95 (£9)
We rate this 4 out of 5.Star rating:

The more applications you have running, the faster the battery runs down on your MacBook. If processor cycles and RAM are at a premium, your desktop Mac will slow down if you have too many windows open. The only way to get back up to speed and save energy is to shut down some of the things you’re using. This is an inconvenience you just have to put up with. Unless, that is, you’re running App Tamer.

At first glance, App Tamer looks similar to OS X’s Activity Monitor, a bundled tool in your Utilities folder. While it’s true that both give you a list of running programs and processes, complete with a read out of central processing unit usage, App Tamer takes things a step further. It enables you to select the greediest applications and set them to automatically stop when idle or in the background.

Like Activity Monitor, you can order the application list by CPU usage, expressed as a percentage. If you’re curious about any of the items in the list, select it. You’ll see information including RAM usage appear on the right.

By default, App Tamer is configured to halt Safari, Chrome and FireFox when one is in the background for more than 15 seconds. When we tried it, App Tamer did its job quietly and without fuss. When bringing our browser back to the front it was ready to use. There’s little apparent impact on workflow and the only performance change should be a positive one.

MACWORLD BUYING ADVICE >
1 | 2 | NEXT >

Reevoo Price Comparison For App Tamer

Reevoo Reviews For App Tamer

Submit your own review for this product

Click here for the latest reader comments

<<prev article | back to index | next article>>

Search reviews

Search Google

Newsletter signup

It's easy and free to get the latest news headlines, reviews and opinions straight to your email inbox. Sign up NOW to make sure you receive the latest Mac news, reviews and tutorials on your favourite topics.

Latest issue: Macworld

Find out what's in this month's Macworld here.

Macworld reader poll

What version of Adobe Creative Suite do you use?:

View poll results

Have your say in the
Macworld Forums!

Register now

Stay on top of the latest, breaking Mac news and chat with other Mac professionals and enthusiasts about the issues that matter to you. Register with Macworld today to join our forums and receive our twice-weekly email newsletter, Macworld Mainline.

RSS

Have the latest content delivered to your desktop via RSS. Use the links below to get access to a specific blog, news, or reviews feed.

Subscribe to our feeds here

Latest PC industry news

Latest news from MacVideo

MACWORLD MARKETPLACE

	LogMeIn Free - Remote Computer Access LogMeIn is a secure remote desktop software that lets you access your computers, files, and apps from anywhere on any device. Simply connect with LogMeIn Free and be free to work the way you want.
	TemplateCloud TemplateCloud.com is the design marketplace for graphic designers. You create designs, and use our software to build them into online editable templates. We sell your designs in different countries via different websites. Each time a customer uses your design, we pay you a royalty; the price is set by you.
	Amsys Amsys is recognised as the technical leader in Apple and has developed bespoke technical products and solutions to deliver class leading support to its business clients. Amsys clients can select from consultancy, integration, break-fix, recruitment, training and app development. Amsys make Apple products work for business.
	About NAD NAD Electronics has always stood out by doing things differently. Our relentless pursuit of great sound has earned us a ‘giant killer’ reputation. Every product is designed with heart and soul you can hear, emphasizing quality over quantity. We focus on the inside where it counts—and where you can hear the results.
	Sphero is a completely new type of gaming system. It's the world's first robotic ball that you control from your smartphone or tablet. You can drive Sphero, play tabletop and multiplayer games, use Sphero as a handheld controller for on-screen gameplay, and even explore augmented reality. Now with 20+ apps!
	MeteoGroup WeatherPro - the award winning weather app! Developed by professional meteorologists and providing weather forecasts for over 2 million locations with real-time, high resolution radar and satellite images, ski weather, water temperatures and more, WeatherPro is the most accurate and comprehensive weather app on the market.
	Beat the Credit Crunch - Lease your Mac from Hardsoft Hardsoft are the only 'one stop' solution for the supply and finance of I.T. to businesses throughout the UK via our regional branch offices. We are uniquely both equipment Apple Approved Reseller and licensed Credit Brokers and have tailored a solution which includes a full 3 year warranty and an equipment upgrade every 18 months.