If you've recently made the jump from Windows to macOS, you may have a lot of questions on your mind. Both operating systems have similar features and applications, but with different names and locations. In this opportunity we will talk about the Mac Task Manager (by its name in Windows), which in macOS environments is called Activity Monitor.
In a previous entry we have already talked about How to open Task Manager on Mac. Next, we will explain in more detail How this native macOS application works and what use it hasThis way, you can get the most out of it while you get used to using Apple's operating system for computers.
What is Mac Task Manager?
Mac users coming from Windows computers often wonder 'where is the Mac Task Manager?' This query is common, especially due to the huge amount of utility that the Task Manager has in WindowsThis feature allows you to view all programs running in the background, end tasks, and optimize system resource usage.
For example, when an application or program crashes or does not work properly, you can forzar su cierre from the Task Manager. There you can also see a List of all running applications, as well as the percentage of consumption of each one. All this information is very useful to improve the performance of the operating system and reduce unnecessary operational load.
So it's understandable that when switching from Windows to Mac, we want to know where to make these settings in the new operating system. However, the truth is that On macOS there is no app called Task Manager, as there is on WindowsInstead, we have the Activity Monitor application, which works quite similarly to its Windows equivalent.
Activity Monitor is a native Mac component that allows you to manage all the activities that are running on the computerThis feature displays a list of all the applications running in the background and their resource consumption. It also has the option to force close any program or app that is causing problems.
How to Open Activity Monitor (Mac Task Manager)
Now let's briefly review how to open Activity Monitor, or Mac Task Manager. As you probably remember, To open this function in Windows there is no simpler way than pressing the key combination Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Next, we select the Task Manager option in the pop-up window and that's it.
AND How to Open Activity Monitor on a Mac Computer? While there is no keyboard shortcut that will take you directly to it, there are several routes to open it. For example, you can open spotlight (by pressing Command+Space) and typing Activity Monitor in the search bar.
Otra manera consiste en go to Finder and click on the option 'Ir' and then in 'Utilities'. In the next window you will see a set of applications, including the Activity Monitor. On the other hand, if what you want is forzar el cierre de una aplicación, which is a common use we give to the Mac Task Manager, you just have to press the Command+Option+Esc keys.
What is the Mac Task Manager for?
What information does Activity Monitor or Task Manager display on Mac? Basically, it allows you to Check which apps are running in the background and how much resources they are consuming. Knowing this is very useful when the computer is running slowly and we need to reduce the number of unnecessary processes that are bogging down the system. Let's take a closer look at what this function is for and how to use it.
View CPU Usage
The first thing you'll see when you open Task Manager on Mac is the CPU usage percentage. The listing is quite detailed and Indicates the CPU usage that each application is doing in real timeThis information allows you to identify those processes that consume too much CPU and, therefore, affect the performance, temperature and battery life of the computer.
Check Memory Usage
Checking how much memory is being used by active processes on your computer is vital to managing its performance. There is a tab in Activity Monitor dedicated to this aspect of your system, along with very accurate graphs and data. It is easy to see how much memory is being used by active processes on your computer. Which applications and processes are consuming the most RAM, and then close or suspend them.
Monitoring Energy Consumption
This tab is especially useful if you use a laptop and want to extend the battery life. From here you can monitor energy consumption and identify those processes and programs that consume the mostYou can also find out which apps are preventing your laptop from sleeping, with the option to suspend them if possible.
Check Disk Activity in Mac Task Manager
Activity Monitor also gives you access to the amount of data that has been written and read from the hard disk by various system processesIt also reports the read and write speed of each process, both overall and per second. As with other activities, monitoring disk usage and operation is important for proper computer performance.
Monitor network usage
Finally, the Mac Task Manager includes a Network tab where you can see the number of bytes and packets sent and received. All of this data is broken down by each application and process running within the system. Knowing them can be useful for identifying abnormal data usage or security threats.
How to use Mac Task Manager
The main use you can give to the Mac Task Manager is to suspend or completely close any process on the computer. This is especially useful When a program or application does not respond or stops working. También es buena idea suspend those background processes that are dispensable in order to speed up the operation of the team.
To close any process within an activity, simply select it and click the X button which is in the upper left corner. And if you want to know more about the behavior of each program, click the button with an 'i' inside it. In some cases, simply stopping the program will not be enough, and it may be necessary to uninstall it completely.
In conclusion, you now know how to open Task Manager on Mac, which is called Activity Monitor in this environment. As you use it, you will become familiar with all its functions and you will see how useful it can be to improve your team's performance.
From a young age, I've been fascinated by all things scientific and technological, especially those advancements that make our lives easier and more enjoyable. I love staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, and sharing my experiences, opinions, and tips about the devices and gadgets I use. This led me to become a web writer a little over five years ago, focusing primarily on Android devices and Windows operating systems. I've learned to explain complex concepts in simple terms so my readers can easily understand them.