If you're looking to get a better understanding of what's going on behind the scenes with your Mac, then you need to open up Activity Monitor. This utility app is included in macOS and allows you to view each of the processes running on your computer, giving you insight into how they affect the overall performance of your machine.

To access Activity Monitor, simply press the Command and Space keys and type 'activity monitor' or navigate to the Utilities folder within your Applications folder. Once open, you'll be presented with a simple interface that breaks down system activity into three main categories: App Memory, Wired Memory, and Compressed.

The App Memory category shows you how much memory each application is using, with green indicating available resources, red indicating depleted resources, and yellow indicating available but utilized resources by memory management processes. The Memory Pressure graph provides a visual representation of the availability of memory resources, while the CPU load graph shows how much your processor is working.

The User tab gives you a breakdown of current CPU usage, idle time, and system usage, providing valuable information on how your computer's resources are being utilized. If you notice an app or process consuming too many resources, you may want to terminate it to free up space.

Activity Monitor also allows you to force close applications or processes that are frozen or unresponsive. This can help resolve issues with slow performance or unresponsiveness. Additionally, the app lets you monitor your computer's system activity in real-time, making it easier to identify potential problems.

For those familiar with Windows, Activity Monitor is similar to the Task Manager found in all versions of Microsoft Windows computers. It provides a centralized location for monitoring and troubleshooting system issues, including diagnosing slow performance or stuck screens.

If you're experiencing problems with your Mac, such as slow performance or unresponsiveness, opening up Activity Monitor can help you identify potential causes and take corrective action. By keeping an eye on your computer's processes and resources, you can ensure that everything is running smoothly and efficiently.

Open up activity monitor mac