Learn why Activity Monitor is the macOS tool experienced users trust first to diagnose hidden memory drains, runaway CPU usage, and behind-the-scenes energy hogs. Mastering a single built-in tool can put real-time answers and expert-level control right at your fingertips.

• Quick Access Methods: Spotlight, Finder, and Utilities Folder
• Five Main Tabs: CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, and Network Explained
• Sorting and Identifying Resource-Heavy Processes in CPU Tab
• Understanding Percent CPU, Multi-Core Macs, and High Usage Scenarios
• Spotting and Managing Frozen or Runaway Apps via Activity Monitor
• The Importance of the Kind Column: Rosetta Support and Apple Silicon Transition
• Using Memory Tab and Pressure Graph to Gauge RAM Health
• Sorting by Memory to Find Leaky or Misbehaving Apps
• Energy Tab Insights: Finding Battery-Draining and Power-Hungry Apps
• Disk Tab: Diagnosing Read/Write Issues and Competing Background Tasks
• Network Tab: Tracking Data-Heavy Apps and Monitoring for Security
• Live Dock Icon Graphs for CPU, Network, and Disk Usage
• How to Force Quit or Inspect Troubled Processes in Activity Monitor
• Homework: Add Activity Monitor to Dock and Monitor Rosetta Apps Before Support Ends

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Sponsor:

• outsystems.com/twit

TextEdit has quietly been on your Mac for years, but most users overlook its power as the fastest way to capture, clean up, and organize daily notes. See why switching your workflow to this "basic" app might be the biggest upgrade you make this year.

• Rich text versus plain text explained and compared
• Setting TextEdit defaults for efficient daily use
• Benefits of plain text: notes, code, and stripping formatting
• Practical TextEdit workflows for editing and organizing notes
• Key TextEdit settings for customization and accessibility
• Spellcheck, grammar, and formatting options demystified
• Detailed walkthrough of Find, Replace, and regex search
• Using version history and document recovery in TextEdit
• Speech tool for proofreading and accessibility highlighted
• When (and when not) to use TextEdit versus other apps
• Integrating TextEdit into workflow

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

• outsystems.com/twit

Apple Music's Playlist Playground does more than just pick songs; it curates playlists that actually flow together, tailored to your mood or activity. Mikah shows how to craft and customize dynamic playlists with minimal effort.

• How Playlist Playground differs from classic playlist and Siri options
• Step-by-step demo: Creating playlists with plain language prompts
• Editing and customizing AI-generated playlists, adjusting song choices
• Adding, removing, and refreshing songs within Playlist Playground
• Changing playlist artwork and privacy sharing options
• Organizing Playlist Playground creations for easy access
• Playlist flow and song order improvements with AI
• Age, subscription, and device requirements

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

• Melissa.com/twit