Slow performance from new macbook pro m1 ?

Concepts of how much free storage space is required have changed dramatically. Having only 10 to 15 percent of storage free is strangling your system.

For example, MacOS requires over 9GB storage to go from cold-start to fully operational.

In my opinion, if you operate with so little storage available, you have a serious, but self-inflicted problem.

This is NOT considered a defect in MacOS or the Apple-Silicon M1. Apple will not be making changes to help you -- you have not allocated enough free storage to run properly.

Replying to my earlier post ... After reading Grant's response, I took a careful look at my MacBook Pro and Mac Mini and realized that, out of habit, I had installed GIMP, an open-source image editor that I have used for years on my Linux boxes. I replaced it with M1-capable Pixelmator Pro and both machines took off like a Porsche leaving a stoplight.

Doing things without thinking about them has gotten me in trouble before, so it's no big surprise. Anyway, thanks for the nudge, Grant.

I'm facing the lag issue when opening the apple own apps ,I have faced this situation twice now, first time I have resolved this by restarting it but I can't do this every time, is there any solution to it.

hey M1MBPstinks--

Most Users are happy with their M1 MacBook pros. I think maybe you have done something (not necessarily on purpose) to that computer to slow it down. Your situation is NOT typical.

Readers here would like to work with you to make your computer behave better, if you are willing to invest a little time and energy.

Tell Readers what problems you face and when. whether you face the same slowness when running in Safe mode, whether you face the same slowness when logged in as a different User.

When I web browse, it will be fun if I clear my cache. But after a few hours it’s sluggish again. Takes forever for web browsing. Videos are super slow. Talking with people on zoom is incredibly frustrating because they keep freezing. My m1 Mac mini works great. This mbp13 stinks .

There're lots of things you need to know so it can be performant!

One tip for you is to use another browser! e.g I switched to Firefox & it's fine

-> some Chrome plugins may cause M1 to be very slow, you can disable each plugin until find out which one causes it

-> disable bluetooth if you have multiple devices near each other + using airpod

-> disable handoff (system -> general) & use sidecard if you need it

-> keep storage > 25% eg: more than 100GB to prevent background processes popping up

there are more lol ...

I'm a long time Mac user and was really stoked for the M1 release. Traded in my 15" MBP for a M1 MBP and...

Well, frankly, I'm disappointed. So much so that I'm thinking of going to a Windows notebook. My MBP is sluggish at a lot of stuff. Opening apps often results in beachballs. Long lag times while browsing.

It's been like this out of the box. I'm pretty invested in the whole Apple architecture, but I also run a Linux server and a couple of Windows gaming machines, so I feel I can live in WindowsWorld quite happily. I just will do so reluctantly.

If you've had an excellent experience, good on you! I'm jealous.

I'm having the same issue. I moved to a 16GB RAM 1TB SSD m1 MacBook pro from a surface pro 7 quad-core i5 which was 2 years old and was released a year prior to that... I'm severely disappointed with the speed of the m1. I went for top specs just to get the best performance but it lags behind my old Microsoft device in many respects. It runs ridiculously cool in comparison which is a huge plus for the MacBook. Surprisingly, Microsoft Office runs significantly better than on my Microsoft device, and some apps are better, but its clear apple has prioritized efficiency over effectiveness. Capability, in general, is decreased on the MacBook but I guess this is how they achieve better performance in other areas. The battery life is definitely not what was seen on many reviews though it is sufficient for a full working day (at least it has been while it's new, I can't vouch for it on a long-term basis).

If deciding to upgrade again, would I do it? Yes, but only because I'm using it to study to become a developer and for some weird reason, macs seem to work really well for this purpose. Many students have switched to macs for this sole reason within my class. If it wasn't for that purpose, I would easily choose another windows device, I just wouldn't choose a Microsoft surface again.

My M1 is still slow. I reckon this was just the prototype. Released to let the public use so the engineers can properly determine what to fix and how to make the next one more proper and functional. Sadly we had to pay quite a lot for a chip that was not yet at least 90%. It feels good. Battery lasts longer but it’s the most sluggish laptop I’ve ever used. And I don’t install anything. Just use it for school. So just safari and Microsoft apps. And there’s just so many advise on limiting usage to improve performance. Should it be this way to begin with?

The Apple-silicon M1 is NOT slow, is NOT hobbled, and is NOT a prototype. It is already a very capable and very fast computer.

If your experience differs, Readers here would like to work with you to get your computer up to speed. But that takes personalized help, which is impossible on this thread that is already over 7 pages long.

Please Start a new discussion, and include the specs of your computer, including how much RAM and what version of MacOS, and what Applications you normally run.

Sucks and surprising at the same time to hear these issues. I was in the same frustrated camp when i first bought my base MBA in early summer. I used the backup method to transfer my data to the new mac and it was so sluggish off the bat. I was about to return it after 10 days of use but decided to wipe it and reinstall Mac OS from scratch. And perfect now. Fast as it is supposed to be. Currently, I have 10 tabs open on Chrome and 8 on Edge. No problems at all. I am just a regular run of the mill office worker, no programming, but I like to keep a ton of tabs open, use apple music or spotify in the background. When I watch Netflix HBO Max or Disney plus, i keep all my tabs open. No slow down. ONly other apps I keep open are Slack, Everynote and dropbox.

I think Grant is right too, it's not a prototype, you just need to know a bit tech info to avoid killing your battery faster than expected

e.g: programming + simulator + docker + photo/video editor at the same time + low storage ~ 10%/total space

as your battery dies pretty fast if temperature jumps above 70 degrees for a long time ...

Yea I just bought a pro 13 m1 last week and I swear my old dell didn't hesitate as much as this. its not horrible but imo spending 1400$ I shouldn't get such simple tasks feeling sluggish. I'm going to give it another week and then I'm going to return it if it hasn't changed. tbh I've noticed my 12 pro has been slowing down immensely as well. Which is crazy when I spent over 1000$ on it. I'm 2500$ in to apple right now and I'm not too pleased.

I moved over from a PC and was looking forward to these "blazing speeds." Can only say am disappointed. Does not boot up particularly quick. Also has lag to open may apps. (mac book pro with M1)

you can check some additional info here to optimise your mac