Speed Up Your System with System Mechanic 10: Review and Licenses Giveaway
Scroll down to win one of the three licenses of System Mechanic 10 (worth $39.95 each) that I am giving away
Last month, I reviewed TuneUp Utilities 2011, which is regarded as one of the best Windows system optimisation suites around. Today, I will take a look at System Mechanic 10, which is quite possibly TuneUp’s biggest challenger.
In terms of features there is a lot of overlap between System Mechanic and TuneUp Utilities. Like Tuneup, System Mechanic is a powerhouse with several dozen tools. All the standard tools like Registry Cleaner, Registry Defragmenter, Disk Defragmenter, Start-up Optimiser, Disk Cleaner, Broken Shortcut Remover, Disk Scanner and File Shredder are present in both these utilities. However, there are quite a few differences too.
System Mechanic has been designed to be suitable for both novices and experts. Inexperienced users can simply run a system analysis to identify the areas of concern. On the other hand, experts can go to the Toolbox section to manually exploit the various tools.
From the Problems section you can get an overview of the issues identified and fix them. Here’s what System Mechanic came up with after I ran a deep scan.
The first problem identified by System Mechanic was a false positive as Kaspersky Internet Security Suite includes a Firewall (Anti-Hacker). It’s surprising that System Mechanic failed to realise that, as even Windows Activity Centre can differentiate between Kaspersky Antivirus and Kaspersky Internet Security. Thankfully, the other advisories were more accurate.
The first tool I tried was the Security Vulnerability Scanner. It scans your system settings to identify potential weaklings that can be exploited by malwares. This includes checking hosts file and Windows file associations.
Next up I tried the Disk Defragmentation (Drive Accelerator) tool. This is one area where System Mechanic is head and shoulders ahead of TuneUp Utilities. Not only does it support boot time defragmentation (offline defragmentation) like Raxco Perfect Disk (and other commercial defragmentation tools), but it also has a unique Program Accelerator tool that realigns programs and their files on the hard disk to decrease launch time and increase performance.
Another unique features in System Mechanic is CRUDD (Commonly Redundant or Unnecessary Decelerators and Destabilisers). Don’t be fooled by the unnecessarily complicated name. This tool simply alerts you about overlapping applications (i.e. utilities that perform same/similar function) installed on your system. I didn’t find this to be particularly useful though, as pretty much every installed application on my system serves a specific purpose.
Unlike TuneUp Utilities, which relies on scheduled runs of the 1-click optimiser, System Mechanic uses ActiveCare to automatically monitor your system health, and apply fixes when your computer is idle.
Besides providing a gazillion of tools for repairing and optimising your system, iolo System Mechanic also includes some handy tools for generating reports about your system status. There is the System Information tool that jots down your hardware and software configuration. There is DriveSense to monitor your hard disk’s health (based on SMART). And, there is even a System Change Tracker to identify changes made by program installations and other activities.
On the whole, System Mechanic 10 is an extremely impressive package. Since my previous trust, it has improved vastly. Unlike TuneUp Utilities, it doesn’t aim at being a Swiss-army knife. It won’t help you change icons, install themes or modify your logon screen. However, when it comes to optimising and repairing Windows, System Mechanic is pretty darn exhaustive. In PCMag’s GeekBench benchmark, System Mechanic 10 returned the best results and succeeded in improving file copying speeds as well as Windows boot time significantly. In fact, System Mechanic 10 edged out others like TuneUp, and went on to win the Editor’s choice award.
Download System Mechanic (18.03 MB)
Platforms Supported: Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7(x86 and x64)
License: Shareware (30 days trial)
Cost: $39.95 /year
Version Reviewed: 10.0.0
Watch out for the automatic renewal option. Use this only if you are certain.
System Mechanic 10 License Giveaway
Iolo has generously agreed to sponsor 3 System Mechanic 10 Standard Licenses for my blog readers worth $119.85 (each license is worth $39.95). Here’s how you can win a license key of System Mechanic 10 for yourself:
Comment on this post. Make sure you use a valid e-mail address. (compulsory)
Follow @indyan and retweet this message to get a bonus entry into the lucky draw. You must post the status update URL in the comments section to be considered. (optional)
Subscribe to my e-mail newsletter to get a bonus entry into the lucky draw. After subscribing, you must let me know by leaving a comment. (optional)
You can also blog about this contest to get 3 additional entries. Once again, you must leave a comment with the URL of the blogpost.
The contest will end on November 27, 2010 at 12:00 Noon IST.
The contest is over and the winners have been announced.
Thanks for this giveaway.
This software sounds good. I’d like to win one license.
I’m following @indyan and here’s my retweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/indyan/status/4210801216856064
I don’t know if that’s good. Just in case:
http://twitter.com/#!/emsocosme
I’ve subscribed to the newsletter
Also I posted about this giveaway in two forums:
http://www.tiliose.com/index.php?topic=796.0
http://programyzadarmo.net.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1196
If indeed this applet is as good as TuneUp2010, you might want to try it in action. Written on the license! A big thank you Admin!
Info sent into the world ….
http://twitter.com/#!/Nevosz/status/4254267414151168
Hello,
thanking you for this givingaway.
Comment on this post. Make sure you use a valid e-mail address. (compulsory)
I’m doing now
Follow @indyan and retweet this message to get a bonus entry into the lucky draw. You must post the status update URL in the comments section to be considered. (optional)
I did it now. see here
http://twitter.com/GTGT1
http://twitter.com/GTGT1/status/4292325001920512
Subscribe to my e-mail newsletter to get a bonus entry into the lucky draw. After subscribing, you must let me know by leaving a comment. (optional)
I’m already done before
You can also blog about this contest to get 3 additional entries. Once again, you must leave a comment with the URL of the blogpost.
I have no blog. I cannot blog.
Please count me in.
Regards,
Mr. G.T.
I’m following @indyan
my retweet – https://twitter.com/indyan/status/4210801216856064
I’m subscribed to the news
https://twitter.com/Najts/status/4308459637972992
System Mechanic now seem interesting with its new version. I hope this will improve for real.
Already followed and retweet the message: http://twitter.com/vj_onix/status/4377027381559297
Thank for the giveaway!
System Mechanic now seem interesting with its new version. I hope this will improve for real.
Already followed and retweet the message: http://twitter.com/vj_onix/status/4377027381559297
Already an email subscriber.
Thank for the giveaway!
Hi Pallab,
Thanks for this giveaway opportunity. Please count me in.
I’m already a subscriber and also following you on twitter.
My profile
http://twitter.com/GrrGrrr
following is my tweet:
http://twitter.com/GrrGrrr/status/4418354488016898
and I also made forum post sharing this giveaway:
http://www.techno360.in/forum/showthread.php/2421-System-Mechanic-10-Giveway
Thanks,
Grr
Nice giveway again !
Please count me in.
I use System Mechanic 6 month free before & hopefully can win 1 license this time.
I am old subscriber & tweet & follow @indyan.
Tweets : http://twitter.com/KemaSL/statuses/4510661027561472
Thanks
Thanks for this giveaway.
System mechanic 10 is one of the best system utility software i have ever used,i have lost the recent giveaway of tune up utilities but i don’t want to loose this one.Hope i win this time.
I have already subscribed to you via email.
i have also retweeted this post on twitter.com
link is-
http://twitter.com/siddxxxx/statuses/4522358521987072
Pallab ,you are really doing a very good job,keep it up.
regards,
siddharth
Very great software. I want to buy it. Could you please give me your RSS link so i could subscribe to your blog
Hi Pallab,
Thanks for another popular system suite utility giveaway.
I always read of it frm many websites but no one wrote so well as u did…GREAT presentation…
Thanks for comparing with TuneUp and making me aware of other addons of System Mechanic…
like the “Real time optimization(whn IDLE), Powerful Defragmentation even more better than the Perfect Disk tool, Drive Sense….”
Please do count me in…
Thanks,
Ram.
PS:- 1. Already a subscriber to ur newsletter…
2. Following u @indyan…and Re-tweeted@ramanjiney…
Please count me in on the great giveway.Thanks
Hi,
I like System Mechanic as a complete tool. I would like to get it.
I’m a subscriber to your e-mail newsletter.
john d
First of all thanks for this giveaway,System mechanic is a great utility software with a lot of exciting and useful features ,i hope i will win a free license for this all in utility software..
I have already subscribed to your blog
I have tweeted this post on twitter.com,links are
http://twitter.com/siddxxxx/statuses/4522358521987072
http://twitter.com/siddxxxx/statuses/4523565223247872
Regards,
siddxxxx
For This Software is powerful to fix windows problems & this is a very best partner for Tuneup Utilities.
This is my status:
https://twitter.com/asrielrusdyawan/status/4861842652397568
I had posted this Giveaway Program at The Largest Indonesia Community, KASKUS.
Here is the link: http://www.kaskus.us/showthread.php?p=314539651#post314539651
Hope I can Win This one!
THX, LJBU!
This Software is really powerful to fix windows problems & this is a very best partner for Tuneup Utilities. I really love this software to accompany Tuneup Utilities.
This is my status:
https://twitter.com/asrielrusdyawan/status/4861842652397568
I had posted this Giveaway Program at The Largest Indonesia Community, KASKUS.
Here is the link: http://www.kaskus.us/showthread.php?p=314539651#post314539651
Hope I can Win This one!
THX, LJBU!
System Mechanic is grate application… its have many features and safe our system issues into better one…. nice blog
System Mechanic it great software.. too many feature to make your computer realiblity and stability
Thanks for this giveaway and please include me in too…
thanks for this Giveaway…I have used a trial version of this tool it is quite good…
I have already Subscribed to your Newsletter
Following and re-tweeted this tweet…http://twitter.com/rohitbatra14
Nice giveaway !
I’ve subscribed to the newsletter
I tried out Sytem Mechanic, it was excellent.
Thanks for nice giveaway !
I would like to win System Mechanic -super utility too.
Please count me in.
I am following @indyan & tweets: http://twitter.com/WLYKing/statuses/6648929441554432
Thanks
Thanks for nice giveaway.
I would like to win System Mechanic —-super utility too.
Please count me in.
I am following @indyan & tweets: http://twitter.com/WLYKing/statuses/6648929441554432
Thanks
Pretty cool deal, I want to try out the “Drive Accelerator” feature myself, I will go ahead and subscribe to your blog with my email address!
Till then,
Jean