Product ReviewsUtilities
TechTool Pro 4 is the first Mac OS X-native version of this popular disk utility, and its release was delayed by the need to ensure compatibility with Mac OS X 10.3. Was it worth the wait? As you would expect of a first OS X release, TechTool Pro 4 has been completely redesigned. The main window uses the now-standard brushed-metal look, with attractive icons and clearly labelled buttons. On opening the application, you're first presented with the Suites screen from where you can run the full range of hardware tests with a single click. There are three levels to choose from: the Basic suite checks all of your computer's main hardware components; Intermediate adds the file and volume structure tests with which you can repair disk damage; and Advanced includes a surface scan of your hard disk, which is only worth running if you suspect physical damage to the disk, as it can take a very long time to complete. TechTool Pro 4 takes full advantage of OS X's pre-emptive multitasking to run tests simultaneously, rather than one after the other, so will complete in less time than previous versions. A button next to each test brings up a full description of what the test is for, along with an instant status read-out of your hardware, meaning even novice users should have no problem getting to grips with the suite. Missing in action Despite the pleasant interface and user-friendliness, though, seasoned users will miss some features that have been removed since version 3. For example, the Network test looks at Ethernet and AirPort networking, but there's no longer any modem test. There's also no software conflict test, although this isn't as important under OS X as it was in previous versions
Perhaps the most exciting new feature, though, is the eDrive which allows you to create a special partition on your hard disk for running TechTool Pro. When you have a problem with your hard disk you need to boot from another volume to perform any repairs, so TechTool Pro 4 comes with a bootable CD for this purpose. However, running off a CD in OS X is incredibly slow and you're limited in the software you can run, as CDs are read-only media. With an eDrive, you get all the benefits of an emergency CD combined with the advantages of running off a hard disk. This means you don't need to keep a spare hard drive for emergency situations. The great thing about the eDrive feature is you can create it without having to initialise your hard disk, which you would normally have to do when you're partitioning a disk. It does take a long time to create the eDrive the first time round - it took about two hours in our case - as all the files on your hard disk have to be moved around, but it's well worth it. Recovery position TechTool Pro 4 is packed with other tools, including a secure Wipe Data feature, the ability to instantly turn on or off File System Journalling for HFS+ volumes, and a Data Recovery tool for damaged volumes. Ideally, the latter should be used in conjunction with the Protection feature, which keeps track of directory structure information in the background, greatly increasing the chances of data recovery. There's also a tool called SMART (self-monitoring analysis and reporting technology), which uses predictive diagnostics to keep track of your hard disk and warn you if a drive failure is likely. We were hugely impressed with TechTool Pro 4. It carries the tradition of a great Mac utility to OS X, and it adds a host of useful new features. Some users will bemoan the handful of features that have been dropped and the sometimes overly simplistic interface, but in all, TechTool Pro 4 remains an essential Mac utility. Needs: Mac OS X 10.2 or later, 256Mb RAM, eDrive function requires 4Gb free hard disk space Mac OS X Native By Mike Hirschkorn |
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