Fixing Lagging MacBook with Dual External Monitors: An Unconventional Approach
Are you frustrated with your MacBook’s lag while using it with two external monitors, despite attempting various solutions? I was as well, until a friend proposed an unorthodox idea. Initially, I was doubtful, but as I was running out of options, I decided to give it a try and to my surprise, it worked! In this blog post, I will be sharing my experience and how this unconventional approach helped me to improve the performance of my MacBook.
My MacBook
I have bought a MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) with following configuration
- 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 processor
- 4GB Radeon Graphics card
- 16 GB RAM
- 1 TB hard disk
I have also set up a dual boot system on my computer using Bootcamp for Windows.
As an avid Windows user, I also use MacOS occasionally. My workspace includes two external monitors connected to my MacBook for everyday use. However, over the past year, I have noticed that MacOS experiences significant lag, particularly when using Chrome and Intellij. I attempted to switch to Safari and Brave, but the problem persists. Since I am heavily invested in Jetbrains products, switching to VS code is not an option for me. In contrast, Windows seems to handle the load better and experiences less hanging.
I am currently working on upgrading a blockchain-based mobile application that needs to be compatible with both iOS and Android. As the project is built using Clojurescript and React Native, I am required to use a Mac. This involves working with multiple terminal windows, Intellij, and Chrome simultaneously to browse the internet while also working on the project.
As expected, the system began to lag after just 15 minutes of use. I opened the Activity Monitor to check the memory (RAM) usage and found that 12 GB had been utilized.
Upon checking the CPU tab, I discovered that the System process was utilizing a significant amount of CPU
I am at a loss as to why there is such a high allocation of CPU usage to the System process, with almost 75% being utilized.
I have been researching various solutions online. Many have suggested resetting NVRAM or purchasing a cooling pad, or opening the laptop to clean it internally.
However, I am hesitant to reset the NVRAM or open the laptop myself. Despite purchasing a cooling pad, it did not prove to be an effective solution.
I connected with one of my friend. He gave me an idea, which i can never ever think in a dream
He suggested placing a table fan near the MacBook, which initially I thought was a joke. But he was serious.
And since i am running out of ideas:
After running the fan for 3 minutes, I was surprised to see a significant reduction in the System usage. The percentage dropped from 75% to 10%.
I have been working with it for around 6 hours , no lagging at all. Though it is a bit uncomfortable to have a table fan running near my workstation, it is a small price to pay for a smooth working experience.As always, it is important to keep your device clean and well-maintained, but sometimes unconventional solutions can make a big difference. I hope that this blog post will help others who are struggling with similar issues, and don’t be afraid to try something different.
PS1: I might go to service center and see , what they are going to offer. But i am forever grateful for that idea, on how a table fan helped a high performance macbook to realize its potential after 6 years 🙂
PS2:(from my friend) The MacBook is equipped with both an integrated and a high-performance GPU. When an external monitor is connected, the MacBook will automatically switch to the high-performance GPU, which can put a strain on the cooling system and cause overheating. Thermal throttling will get activated as a safety measure to protect the CPU, but it can also lead to lag in application performance. To solve this issue, he suggested to use a table fan as a workaround, which has proven to be successful. Cleaning the vents and applying thermal paste may also be necessary and I will provide an update on this post once those steps are completed.
