EPISODE · May 21, 2026 · 32 MIN
Hands-On Apple 232: Activity Monitor
from Hands-On Apple (Audio) · host TWiT
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 Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: outsystems.com/twit
What this episode covers
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 Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: outsystems.com/twit
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Hands-On Apple 232: Activity Monitor
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