OnyX Review: Is This Software Good for Mac? [Price, Features]

Onyx: A Free Multi-Tool Utility for Mac Maintenance and Optimization

Created by Titanium Software, Onyx is a free, versatile utility designed for macOS systems. It provides a range of tools, from basic cleaning and optimization to advanced functions for experienced users. Need to clear junk files, perform maintenance tasks, or check your file system? Onyx handles all this and more. But is it worth your time? This review explores Onyx's capabilities and helps you decide.

Cleaning Capabilities:

Onyx's Maintenance section features a cleaning tool divided into four sections: System, Applications, Internet, and Other. Each can be enabled or disabled individually, or customized via the 'i' icon. While you can batch tasks, this requires disabling unwanted functions, making it less convenient for individual cleaning tasks. Each maintenance session necessitates repeating the selection process.

Utility Functions:

This section offers tools for file system verification, snapshot management, process accounting activation, and scheduling startup, sleep, or shutdown actions. Access to UNIX manual information and built-in macOS utilities like the Display Calibrator and Directory Utility is also provided. These tools can aid in diagnosing performance issues, but require technical expertise.

Parameter Adjustments:

The Parameters section allows customization of Finder, menus, the dock, login behavior, and more. Options include modifying screen capture file types, disabling drop shadows, hiding desktop icons, adjusting icon spacing, and resetting Launchpad. Many of these adjustments would typically require Terminal commands.

File Management:

This section enables hiding files, folders, or volumes, along with tools for permanent data erasure, AppleDouble file deletion, and disk space optimization. The Erasing tool is particularly useful for securely deleting data beyond recovery by standard undelete utilities.

Accessibility and Versions:

Onyx is freely available from the Titanium website, a compact 6.9MB download (current version). Note that specific versions are required for each major macOS/OS X release, with older versions available, though no longer updated.

Initial Setup and Permissions:

First-time users need to grant full disk access permissions for certain functions. This is standard and ensures proper operation.

Security Features:

While Onyx lacks its own security tools, it provides quick access to macOS's built-in security features, allowing you to toggle the firewall, Gatekeeper, and security response checks, and view information like the XProtect version.

Specialized Tools:

Onyx includes a Find tool, similar to Spotlight but with advanced search options (case-sensitive searches), and a Locate tool acting as a front-end for the UNIX locate command. The Info tool provides detailed hardware and software information.

Onyx: Pros and Cons:

Pros	Cons
Completely free	Updated features only for latest macOS
Older Mac support	Different version needed for each OS
Wide range of tools	Some tool functions unclear for novices
Powerful features for advanced users	Potentially confusing for inexperienced users

Cost and Conclusion:

Onyx is freeware, but not open-source. Donations are accepted to support the developer. While offering powerful and useful features like cached data cleanup, its complexity and potentially unclear safety for novices make it less ideal as a primary Mac cleaner. However, its free nature and minimal space usage make it a worthwhile addition, especially for experienced users. For a simpler, safer cleaning solution, consider MacKeeper's Safe Cleanup.

The above is the detailed content of OnyX Review: Is This Software Good for Mac? [Price, Features]. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!