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User profile for user: tgeoco
tgeoco Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

My 2019 Macbook Pro 16" is running slow and sluggish

I recently purchased a 2019 MacBook Pro 16" to replace my mid-2015 Macbook Pro 15", and after about 3 weeks of usage, the machine has started to stutter and stall on tasks to the point of appearing to perform worse than my mid-2015 machine.


Here are my current specs:




My current setup includes:



I've attempted the following tests without a noticeable increase in performance (my "tests" have not included any CPU measurement benchmarking - I'm open to ideas for testing this more precisely):


  1. Disconnected all peripherals from Bluetooth and cable-line connectors (including the docking station)
  2. Installed the most recent update to the Operating System
  3. Uninstalled CleanMyMac X which I learned could cause a drain on performance


After a restart concluded that performance issues remained, I downloaded and ran the Pro version of EtreCheckPro to compile a performance report to post here (Included in the additional text area below).

I'd really appreciate some help on this issue as this is my primary workstation and is impacting my ability to perform my job and I've invested a significant amount of money to make this upgrade.


Thank you,

Tommy


Edit: The "Additional text" addition of the report doesn't appear to be working on my end. If that's the case for you, I've included a copy of the report on this Github Gist located here.

EtreCheckPro Report


MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 8, 2020 12:54 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,885 points

Posted on Jun 8, 2020 1:15 PM

A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    If possible, backup your files before proceeding.


  1. Shutdown the computer and disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  2. Wait 30 seconds before you restart the computer.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences, if needed, after resetting the PRAM.
  6. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.  Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac and Playing Safe - what does Safe mode do?
  7. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  8. Repair permissions on the Home folder: Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  9. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  10. Download and Install the macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Combo Update.
  11. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Install OS X then click on the Continue button.
  12. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


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3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,885 points

Jun 8, 2020 1:15 PM in response to tgeoco

A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    If possible, backup your files before proceeding.


  1. Shutdown the computer and disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  2. Wait 30 seconds before you restart the computer.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences, if needed, after resetting the PRAM.
  6. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.  Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac and Playing Safe - what does Safe mode do?
  7. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  8. Repair permissions on the Home folder: Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  9. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  10. Download and Install the macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Combo Update.
  11. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Install OS X then click on the Continue button.
  12. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,885 points

Jun 8, 2020 1:21 PM in response to tgeoco

It would appear that your Adobe software is responsible for high CPU use that will cause slow performance. Likewise, mdworker is noted to be the same. This is Spotlight's core engine.


Using Activity Monitor


     Use Activity Monitor on your Mac

     Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity.

Using Activity Monitor Part 1- CPU and Memory

Using Activity Monitor Part 2- Energy, Disk, and Network


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My 2019 Macbook Pro 16" is running slow and sluggish

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