I'm using a 2020 iMac with an Intel processor and 16GB of RAM. Initially, it performs well after starting up, but as I go about my day doing light tasks like spreadsheets, web browsing, and some media editing, it begins to lag. Apps take longer to open, Finder freezes momentarily, and basic file management feels sluggish. I've tried a few troubleshooting steps already, such as resetting the SMC and NVRAM, removing unnecessary login items, running Disk Utility, and checking the Activity Monitor for CPU and RAM usage, which seem normal when the slowdown starts. It feels like something accumulates over time, but I can't pinpoint what it is. Has anyone else experienced this kind of persistent performance issue with a similar iMac?
4 Answers
You might want to monitor what's going on in the Activity Monitor. If you see a process called 'kernel_task' spiking up, it could mean your Mac is overheating and throttling its performance. Also, make sure you have at least 10% of your disk space free, as running low can cause slowdowns too. If you've got pets, consider giving it a clean out, as fur can get inside and affect cooling.
Sounds like a common issue! I've experienced something similar with my Mac too. Sometimes, apps like Stocks can start hogging resources behind the scenes, even if you don't actively use them. Although it doesn’t usually cause a major slowdown, it can make your Mac warm and the fans kick in. You can’t completely turn off Stocks without tweaking some system settings, but I just force quit it when I notice it acting up.
That’s right! You want to check if your iMac has an SSD, which should help with speed, but you still need to be aware of resource usage over time. If you can, share some screenshots from Activity Monitor sorted by CPU or Memory to get a better idea of what's happening.
Don’t forget to check the internal fans! Dust buildup can cause overheating, which might lead to those slowdowns you're experiencing.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload