How to Monitor CPU, Energy Consumption, Network, and Battery on a Mac

Apple Common Information, Tips & Tricks
Monitoring the performance and health of your Apple Mac is essential to ensure that it runs smoothly, efficiently, and with optimal battery life. Fortunately, macOS provides a variety of built-in tools to help you track and analyze various system metrics, including CPU usage, energy consumption, network activity, and battery health. This guide will walk you through the best ways to monitor these key system parameters on your Mac.
How to Prepare Your MacBook for Sale
Before diving into monitoring your Mac’s performance, it’s worth noting that if you’re considering selling your MacBook, proper preparation is crucial. This includes backing up your data, signing out of Apple services, and erasing all content and settings. These steps ensure your personal information remains secure and the device is ready for its new owner.
1. Monitoring CPU Usage on a Mac
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your Mac, and monitoring its usage can help you identify which processes are consuming the most resources.
How to Monitor CPU Usage:
Activity Monitor: The primary tool for monitoring CPU usage on a Mac is Activity Monitor, which gives you a real-time overview of how much CPU is being used by different processes.
1. Open Activity Monitor by going to Applications > Utilities or using Spotlight Search (Cmd + Space, then type “Activity Monitor”).
2. Once Activity Monitor is open, click the CPU tab to see a list of processes and their CPU usage.
3. In this tab, you can sort the processes by CPU usage to identify which applications or system tasks are using the most CPU resources.
4. The graph at the bottom shows overall CPU usage, including the percentage of CPU being used by all processes.
Terminal (Optional): If you prefer using the command line, you can use the top command to monitor real-time CPU usage.
top -o cpu
This will display a list of processes sorted by CPU usage in the Terminal.
Factors Affecting MacBook Value
When considering selling your MacBook, it’s important to understand that CPU performance can significantly impact its value. A MacBook with a high-performing CPU that can handle resource-intensive tasks efficiently is likely to fetch a better price in the resale market.
1. Monitoring Energy Consumption
Tracking energy consumption is particularly useful if you want to manage your Mac’s power usage, especially when running on battery. High energy usage can also indicate inefficient apps or processes.
How to Monitor Energy Consumption:
Activity Monitor: The Activity Monitor also provides a dedicated Energy tab that shows the energy usage of apps and processes.
1. Open Activity Monitor.
2. Click on the Energy tab at the top.
3. This will display a list of applications and processes with their Energy Impact, which indicates how much power they are consuming.
4. You’ll also see columns such as Avg Energy Impact, 12 hr Energy Impact, and Apps Using Significant Energy, which can help you pinpoint which apps or processes are draining your battery.
System Preferences (Battery/Power Adapter): For MacBooks, you can also monitor battery settings directly in System Preferences.
1. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Battery.
2. Here you can see options for battery health, energy-saving settings, and power consumption preferences.
Using Online Valuation Tools
When preparing to sell your MacBook, online valuation tools can be helpful in determining its worth. These tools often take into account factors like energy efficiency and battery health, which you can assess using the methods described above.
1. Monitoring Network Activity
Network activity refers to data being sent or received over your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. Monitoring your network can help you identify apps consuming bandwidth or potential network issues.
How to Monitor Network Usage:
Activity Monitor: The Network tab in Activity Monitor displays incoming and outgoing network data for each process.
1. Open Activity Monitor.
2. Click on the Network tab.
3. Here you can see statistics for data received (in bytes) and data sent. The “Sent Bytes” and “Rcvd Bytes” columns indicate the amount of data transferred by each process.
System Preferences (Network): You can also get an overview of network status by navigating to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network. This will show you details of your current connection, including signal strength, connection status, and data usage.
Third-Party Tools: For more advanced network monitoring, consider using third-party apps like Little Snitch or iStat Menus, which provide detailed network traffic analysis.
Shipping Your MacBook Safely
If you decide to sell your MacBook online, proper shipping is crucial. Ensure your device is well-protected during transit to maintain its value. Use original packaging if available, or invest in quality packing materials to safeguard against damage.
1. Monitoring Battery Health and Usage
For MacBooks, keeping an eye on battery health and usage is crucial to prolong battery life and avoid performance issues due to battery degradation.
How to Monitor Battery Health:
System Information: You can check the health of your battery using the built-in System Information tool.
1. Hold the Option key and click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Information.
3. Under the Hardware section, click Power. This will show detailed information about your battery, including:
Cycle Count: The number of charge cycles your battery has gone through.
Condition: Displays whether the battery is in Normal, Replace Soon, Replace Now, or Service Battery condition.
Battery Preferences: For real-time battery usage and settings, go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Battery. Here you can:
View the battery percentage.
Enable Battery Health Management to optimize battery longevity.
See a Battery Usage graph that shows how long the battery lasts with different usage patterns.
Payment Options When Selling Your MacBook
When selling your MacBook, consider various payment options to ensure a smooth transaction. Popular methods include PayPal, bank transfers, or escrow services for high-value sales. Always prioritize secure payment methods to protect both yourself and the buyer.
1. Using Third-Party Apps for Advanced Monitoring
For users who want more granular or specialized monitoring, several third-party apps can give additional insights into system performance, including CPU, energy consumption, network activity, and battery usage:
iStat Menus: A comprehensive system monitor that provides detailed insights into CPU, memory, disk usage, network traffic, and battery health, all from the menu bar.
Intel Power Gadget: A specialized tool for Intel-based Macs that provides real-time CPU power usage and temperature readings.
ActivityWatch: A free and open-source tool for monitoring applications and processes that consume your system’s resources over time.
Selling Broken or Damaged MacBooks
Even if your MacBook has performance issues or physical damage, it may still have value. Many buyers are interested in purchasing MacBooks for parts or repair. Be transparent about any issues when listing your device for sale.
Monitoring the CPU, energy consumption, network, and battery usage on your Mac can help you ensure that it is running efficiently, extend its lifespan, and optimise its performance. Using the built-in tools like Activity Monitor, System Preferences, and System Information, you can easily keep track of these metrics. For those looking for deeper insights, third-party apps offer even more detailed performance tracking capabilities. Whether you’re troubleshooting performance issues or just want to keep an eye on your system’s health, these monitoring techniques will help you stay on top of your Mac’s performance.
When is the Best Time to Sell Your MacBook?
The timing of your sale can significantly impact the value you receive for your MacBook. Generally, the best time to sell is just before Apple announces new models, typically in Autumn. According to recent statistics, Mac sales generated about USD 7 billion in revenue in the third fiscal quarter of 2024, up from USD 6.8 billion in the same quarter of the previous year. This indicates a growing market for Macs, which could be advantageous for sellers.
Alternatives to Selling: Repurposing Your Old MacBook
If you decide not to sell, consider repurposing your old MacBook. It can serve as a dedicated media server, a secondary display, or a device for less demanding tasks. This can be particularly useful given that there are over 100 million MacBook users globally as of 2024, indicating the enduring popularity and versatility of these devices.