Hands-On Apple

May 21st 2026

Hands-On Apple 232

Activity Monitor

Hosted by Mikah Sargent

Troubleshooting Your Mac From Within!

New episodes every Thursday.
Category: Help & How To

Learn why Activity Monitor is the macOS tool experienced users trust first to diagnose hidden memory drains, runaway CPU usage, and behind-the-scenes energy hogs. Mastering a single built-in tool can put real-time answers and expert-level control right at your fingertips.

  • Quick Access Methods: Spotlight, Finder, and Utilities Folder
  • Five Main Tabs: CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, and Network Explained
  • Sorting and Identifying Resource-Heavy Processes in CPU Tab
  • Understanding Percent CPU, Multi-Core Macs, and High Usage Scenarios
  • Spotting and Managing Frozen or Runaway Apps via Activity Monitor
  • The Importance of the Kind Column: Rosetta Support and Apple Silicon Transition
  • Using Memory Tab and Pressure Graph to Gauge RAM Health
  • Sorting by Memory to Find Leaky or Misbehaving Apps
  • Energy Tab Insights: Finding Battery-Draining and Power-Hungry Apps
  • Disk Tab: Diagnosing Read/Write Issues and Competing Background Tasks
  • Network Tab: Tracking Data-Heavy Apps and Monitoring for Security
  • Live Dock Icon Graphs for CPU, Network, and Disk Usage
  • How to Force Quit or Inspect Troubled Processes in Activity Monitor
  • Homework: Add Activity Monitor to Dock and Monitor Rosetta Apps Before Support Ends

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