Feb 10, 2012 - 10:59 AM EST — AAPL: 494.66 (+1.49, +0.3%) | NASDAQ: 2905.52 (-21.71, -0.74%)

A free, easy way to make Mac browsers faster

Monday, March 1, 2010 · 11:58 am · 32 Comments

“A slow or outdated DNS server may result in slower web site connections. For my neighbor’s [slow browsing] Mac, I simply changed the DNS setting from the default to OpenDNS, one of a number of free global DNS servers (I also use EasyDNS, and the new Google Public DNS),” Wil Gomez reports for Mac360.

“Suddenly, Safari came alive. Web pages seemed to snap to the screen without the previous delay,” Gomez reports. “Could it be that simple? Apparently not all DNS servers are equal. After a bit of research we found a Mac utility which tracks down and tests DNS servers.”

“There are many, many DNS servers scattered over the internet. The default DNS from your internet service provider might not be the fastest one to use, depending on your location,” Gomez reports. “The utility namebench hunts down the fastest DNS server for your computer and location. It’ll take anywhere from five to 15 minutes, but when it’s done, it will list the faster DNS servers.”

Thank You for supporting MacDailyNews!

Apple Store Online:
• Order iPhone 4s. From $199. Fast, free shipping only at the Apple Online Store.
• New Apple MacBook Pro. Now faster than ever. Starting at $1199, plus free shipping.
• MacBook Air. Available in two utlracompact sizes. Starting at just $999. Fast, free shipping from the Apple Online Store.
• The new iMac. With next-generation quad core processor and advanced graphics. From $1199. Fast, free shipping at the Apple Online Store.
• The new Mac mini. Now up to 2x faster. From $599. Fast, free shipping. Buy now at the Apple Online Store.

Comment Feed

32 Comments

1 2 Next »

Olmecmystic

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 1:18 pm · Reply

I’m gonna try this and see how it goes. My Safari was hanging up last week and totally pissing me off.

Peace.
Olmecmystic
TowerTone

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 1:20 pm · Reply

Seems much snappier….
Quad Core

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 1:26 pm · Reply

Dag! Mine was the fastest, so no dice.
Tim

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 1:30 pm · Reply

For the uneducated, this is not a browser-specific issue. The results may mean faster load times for your no matter your browser. Simply put, a faster DNS server will just resolve the name to the IP and send you to that destination much quicker. Overall network traffic may therefore improve.
Sir Gill Bates

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 1:34 pm · Reply

I did this a few weeks back using Google’s DNS in Airport Utility for my Time Capsule and Airport Express, and settings for Airport in System Preferences. Although Namebench tested these servers as being much faster, I’ve really not seen much difference. Rather disappointing in my case.
theloniousMac

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 1:40 pm · Reply

Of course this is not browser specific, but one hopes it might help alleviate some of the slowness in Safari.
LordRobin

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 1:49 pm · Reply

I have another reason to do this. For some reason, the DNS servers on my Time-Warner Cable internet don’t always find msnbc.com. I have to reload several times before it works. I hope this is an honest screwup on their part and not something more sinister.

——RM
It's About Time

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 2:00 pm · Reply

I’ve been using OpenDNS for a while. Namebench indicates its 18% faster than the next available codes. Google was way down on the list.

For those experiencing “slowness” with Safari despite an efficient DNS code, reset Safari via the Safari Menu. If that doesn’t do the trick, trash the existing cache folder (com.apple.safari in Leopard and Snow Leopard) and web icons and history (in the User Library>Safari folder) via the Finder. Then restart Safari.

Also, make sure all 3rd party add-ons and plug-ins are up-to-date.

I don’t use Top Sites (cleared out/locked those folders long ago). Bloatware.

I do use Glims (http://www.machangout.com), Safari Cookies, Click-to-Flash, and AdBlocker.
J. Scott

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 2:20 pm · Reply

I got a very noticeable improvement for just a few minutes invested in running Namebench and switching my DNS settings. I’d suggest giving it a try.
Gregory Collins

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 2:32 pm · Reply

I saw a 67% improvement over my internal DNS and the speed improvement is very noticeable.

Any tips on loading several tabs faster? I open ALL TABS for my 4 news websites and it takes forever for them to load.
Predrag

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 2:36 pm · Reply

Here’s one more reason to use these instead of your provider’s DNS. In my experience, both Earthlink, as well as Verizon have configured their DNS servers to provide a custom “domain not found” error page with their own advertising, link to their web properties, and a search box for their preferred search provider(s).

So, if you by accident type “macdaylinews.com”, instead of getting the usual error page as intended (by your browser), you are re-directed to your provider’s custom one, which is annoying and insidious.

Changing your DNS settings will avoid this.
iMacDave

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 2:44 pm · Reply

I’ve known about this since 2005. Where’s everyone been?
whogastim

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 2:47 pm · Reply

The results from running Namebench with the Mozilla setting was that my current settings were 2% faster than OpenDNS. The results from the Safari setting was that my current settings were 10% faster than OpenDNS. I’m on Comcast and went with whatever the default DNS settings in my router are.
obtusegoose

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 3:06 pm · Reply

That was awesome. I had been having major slowdowns with my AT&T;service. This did the trick! 118% improvement. So simple, even I could do it. Nice!
HazMatt

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 3:08 pm · Reply

Well… All hail iMacDave!
Gamer

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 3:42 pm · Reply

Question, would this have the similar affect on your gaming box like your PS3 and reduce lag?
Scubaboy

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 3:43 pm · Reply

Someone had suggested that I change my DNS from my cable company provider’s servers to the public Google servers. WOW! Instantaneous, and significant improvement from 4-to-8 Mbps to my paid-for 12Mbps.
TowerTone

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 3:43 pm · Reply

Anyone want to post how to do this on an Airport?
Sir Gill Bates

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 4:36 pm · Reply

@ TowerTone,

Here is a MacWorld article that should help.

http://www.macworld.com/article/146064/2010/02/troubleshootdns.html?lsrc=rss_main
It's About Time

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 4:39 pm · Reply

To add the DNS codes to your Airport router, open Airport Utility.

Next, select your Airport router, then “manual setup”.

Click on the Internet icon at the top of the panel. Enter the DNS numbers in the DNS server section, then select “update”.

Any computer accessing the router will now have these codes applied automatically. Hence, no need to alter a specfici machine’s System Preference>Network settings.
terry

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 4:46 pm · Reply

Would be nice to try if the namebench program could be dl’d. I’d like to know the DNS that prevents MSNBC dl’s. Then I could ensure their ‘garbage’ reporting is not infecting my Mac.
2LAte?

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 4:54 pm · Reply

Snappier by 34%
Hm...

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 5:33 pm · Reply

@ LordRobin

The ‘Careless Caveat” applies to Time-Warner:

Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by mere incompetence!
Hm...

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 5:37 pm · Reply

@ terry

Perhaps you could hard code the IP of your likely favourite source as a bookmark: 67.227.136.225. Then it would be even faster and you wouldn’t clog the interweb’s tubes any more.
TowerTone

Monday, March 1, 2010 - 6:14 pm · Reply

Thanks, Gill
That’s how I figured but needed to make sure.