mac

For those who want a scanning program that adds features over those of native Mac applications, VueScan for Mac does just that--and it performed well in our tests.

VueScan for Mac comes with a free trial version that limits the scanners available for use. The full version costs $39.95 to unlock. The download completed as quickly as expected via a high-speed connection. A user guide was available as a link to the developer's Web site, which was a helpful feature. Support for updates also appeared to be available. The main menu had a dated design, but was functional. … Read more

Those who want to edit audio files may not be satisfied with the native options available on their Mac. WavePad for Mac functions well and has most of the features users look for in a usable audio editor.

WavePad for Mac is available as a free trial version with a 14-day usage limit, while the full version requires payment of $129 to unlock. Despite requiring the user to accept a lengthy licensing agreement, the program did download and install quickly. Video tutorials and technical support were both available. The program's main menu is cluttered but well designed. Buttons for … Read more

Looking for the most sophisticated terminal software with Unix-like options to access your Mac's system? MacTerm for Mac is a very powerful application, with tons of features, customization options, and a basic interface.

MacTerm for Mac is a free application that is currently in beta. This application doesn't have a native installer, but nevertheless it downloaded and installed quickly. If you are used to Apple's OS X Terminal application, after initiating the program you will be greeted with a very familiar interface, only with new icons and features on the toolbar. The application is basically a more … Read more

As viruses become more common on Mac systems, the number of tools for detecting and removing them has also increased. Mac Malware Remover for Mac is a simple program that effectively scans for a few known Mac viruses, but lacks the features of a full security program.

The program download completed as quickly as expected, as did the installation. Mac Malware Remover for Mac did require the administrator password for root access. The application did not have any instructions but was so rudimentary that they were not necessary. Technical support for updates was present. The program's main menu is … Read more

Lack of maintenance will most likely lead your Mac to become sluggish or less responsive. Maintenance (Mountain Lion) for Mac allows you to maintain the basics of your system without much hassle; but without a scheduling function, you'll have to remember to run it manually.

The installation of this free application is quick and easy. Maintenance (Mountain Lion) for Mac also offers a rather basic but quite intuitive interface. The application displays a single window divided into sections where users can select which tasks they wish to run. Users can select a single or multiple options by checking the … Read more

For users who have password protection on their Mac, looking at the same old log-in screen may become boring after a while. With Loginox for Mac you can now change your log-in background in a matter of seconds. This app allows you to replace the Apple logo on your log-in page, too.

Available as freeware, Loginox for Mac supports the most common image file formats such as JPG, TIF, PNG, and PSD. This application is a straightforward OS X app that is small in size, easy to install, and easy to use. You simply have to drag and drop your … Read more

The OS X Finder sidebar and Dock are convenient locations for favorite folders, documents, applications, and locations, and in addition the Dock offers a convenient place for minimized windows, as well as the Trash. For new user accounts Apple puts a default set of items in the Dock and Finder sidebar, but these can be customized.

The standard and perhaps intuitive method of adding items to these locations is to drag them there; however, it's not foolproof. If you inadvertently release your mouse before the cursor has reached the Dock or sidebar, then you chance copying or moving the … Read more

Some users may want to play their music files with a program that has fewer bells and whistles than ones like iTunes. Meson Player for Mac is a basic, functional music player, but some laptop users may have trouble configuring the hot keys properly.

The download completed quickly and the program's installer automatically placed it in the applications folder. There were no dedicated user instructions or technical support readily available, but the program did have a basic display of its hot keys and the functions attached to each. The application, itself, has no menu beyond a simple drop-down along … Read more

Managing a large volume of files and folders is definitely a headache for most users. Feature-packed muCommander for Mac offers a great tool for anyone looking for an advanced file manager. This application performs well and offers a high level of customization.

The installation of muCommander for Mac literally takes seconds as all you need to do is drag the application into your Applications folder. The installation does require you to have the latest Java Runtime Environment, so if you don't have it you will be automatically taken to java.com to download it. Upon startup you can customize … Read more