Mac OS X Lion being a HUGE memory hog. What to do?

I don't see anything abnormal in that picture. Your swap usage is minimal.

I'd recommend increasing the RAM. Both Safari with its web content as well as kernel-task do like lots of RAM. Apple explained it to me with having to do with the 64 bit architecture vs. the 32 bit. My problems disappeared when I went to 12 GB - 8 GB should do nicely as well.

Damien999 wrote:

What can I do?

You could take another screen capture and this time set Activity Monitor to show "All Processes" and sort by CPU instead of memory.

4 GB should be fine. However, in your example, you are running Safari, Firefox, iTunes, and Mail. Plus you have some active Flash running, some "Splashtop streamer" remote control software I've never heard of. To top it all off, you have anti-virus running. The Splashtop and anti-virus software could have kernel-level processes that are soaking up all of your CPU.

this computer that wouldn't even be conceivable as it'd probablyt ake half an hour to fully open all of those programs.

Whatever problem is causing your MBP to take a half hour to load a few programs it's not memory. More is always better though.

When Activity Monitor shows "page outs" routinely becoming a large percentage of "page ins" then you need more memory. As of right now, despite two browsers both running Flash content, plus other unknowns including whatever Sophos is doing, your 4 GB memory is adequate.

You seem to have a runaway Dashboard widget. Kill the DashboardClient process.

Damien999 wrote:

So you all think with more memory it would run better?

More memory always helps. But the first thing you could do is show All Processes. Ignore the memory. Click the CPU tab.

Damien999 wrote:

That?

Well, that half of what I've asked you for twice. It shows your computer is idle and operating normally.

Is there any way you can quantify what "performing poorly and slowly" actually means? If it takes a long time to launch a program, then open Activity Montitor, sort by CPU, SHOW ALL PROCESSES, and take a screen capture (or three) while it is performing "poorly or slowly".

Damien999, this is a screenshot of my MacBook Air with two browsers and many apps open, and shows what etresoft has asked you to produce - all processes sorted by CPU load:

This MBA is running Safari, Firefox, iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes, Mail, Pages, plus other apps. It is running the exact same version of Lion in the exact same amount of memory as your MBP (4 GB). It can therefore be concluded that Lion and memory themselves are not the cause of your ills, as I explained earlier. More memory is only likely to mask whatever problems exist.

The MBA is much less capable than your MBP. I have attempted many times to push its limits and have failed to experience anything remotely resembling what you have described. What I do not have though is any AV junk or whatever Splashtop is, but you haven't indicated a willingness to address those concerns. You have also ignored repeated requests for information that may help diagnose what's wrong.

This creates the impression you are more interested in complaining than solving your problems.

If you believe that is an unjustified conclusion I suggest you post a new, more appropriately worded question. There are plenty of knowledgable people willing to help.

Top right of activity monitor where it says 'My Processes' click and select 'All Processes' then post the information again.