Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Macbook Pro Retina 13" late 2013 (Haswell) UI Lag

My config: 2.6/16/256, 10.9 (Mavericks)


NOTE: Outside of the issues mentioned, this computer has been great. Awesome build quality, perfect size and weight, Retina screen is outstanding, CPU is snappy, boot and wake from sleep is blazing, it makes ZERO noise, even under heavy usage it only gets mildy warm and it gets great battery life.


Here's my problem: While the machine is wonderful in many aspects, it is far from the smooth experience we have come to expect from Apple products. As mentioned in the title, the UI is a step behind and the smooth transitions of non-retina models are stuttery a jerky on the retina.


Some examples of UI issues that I've replicated on floor models at the Apple store are:

1. Putting certain stock apps in fullscreen show choppy animation (Finder, Safari, Chrome, Maps) while others are buttery smooth (iPhoto).

2. Mission control stutters occasionally (usually when one of the above offenders are open).

3. Preview of any large .jpg or RAW image will cause significant lag when putting it into fullscreen. It literally trips the entire way.

4. Swiping between full screen apps will cause light animation stutter.


To troubleshoot it, I've done a few things.


1. Brought it to the genius bar. They checked all of the harware and ran a number of other diagnostics (including resetting the PRAM). While they confirmed the issues I have mentioned, they told me to wait for a software update that will resolve them.

2. Tried things that others have reportedly worked for them: Deleting windowservers in Library, etc.

3. Downloaded "Display Menu" from the App Store so that I can manipulate resolution settings. Interestingly enough, Display Menu hasn't optimized all of their settings for Retina and choosing any stock settings (including best for retina 1280x800) lowers the overall image quality. When in Display Menu's version of 1280x800, all of the problems (outide of the preview issue) dissapeared. Animations were back to being buttery smooth. This leads me to belive that Iris isn't quite up the the task of Retina.


I'm hoping that Apple didn't purposely release these Pro's without considering the GPU's ability to offer a "smooth ride". Has anyone else experienced this? If it is indeed a driver issue, I hope that Apple addresses this sooner than later. Based off of forums from early 2013 rMBP owners, it doesn't look like that will be the case.


Are you experiencing this also and have you found any true solutions?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 13-inch 2.6/16/256

Posted on Nov 10, 2013 9:30 PM

Reply
355 replies

Feb 28, 2014 1:48 AM in response to JovZun

The update information wasn't telling about any lag fix, but I can see the lag improved a bit. Still not as it should be! So I still use Display Menu! One annoying thing is that you have to turn on display menu every time you turn on your mac..


Hope everyone is installing Display Menu, it's the only solution atm.

Feb 28, 2014 7:26 AM in response to JordieW

Apple didn't mention the lag problem anywhere at all since the problem arose. So no surprise nothing was said in the update description..


Btw I installed Display Menu from the AppStore yesterday, and it didn't solve the problem, but even made it worse. Best for Retina resolution works way faster than any of the resolutions in display menu on my MBPR 15..

Feb 28, 2014 6:03 PM in response to akaris

So i launched tried different resolutions, nothing changed. even at 1440x900 im seeing some scrolling lag in Safari. well, lets just hope for the fix

Mar 3, 2014 12:57 PM in response to LadBoyTick

Yes, you are right! But till apple fixes this software related issue the only thing we can do is using a program like this or we have to deal with the annoying lag issues.. It's really bad of Apple not fixing this problem. I went to a genius bar, I called them and I had a chat with one of their employers about this problem. The only thing they said was:"Wait till it gets fixed" or "I didn't hear of this problem"....

Apr 11, 2014 11:49 AM in response to JovZun

I also have this issue on Macbook Pro Retina 13 late 2013... There should NOT be any lag. I don't understand this to be honest. Even low-end laptos non mac dont have any UI lag these days. If this is hardware issue related to retina display then apple FAILED completely...Everything is cool except this crappy UI lag... It is very obvious! PLEASE FIX THIS

Apr 12, 2014 12:59 AM in response to delphinas

I have a 13" rMBP 16/256, 10.9.2, which displays UI lag in some circumstances. Chrome is a major troublemaker, esp. with heavy sites. Safari is a bit better but not by much. I have the Applications folder as a list in the Dock and scrolling through the items is uneven. It seems running at the retina ("best") resolution makes things a bit better.


I also have the kernel[0] USB error on port 5 in Sys Log.

Apr 12, 2014 1:20 PM in response to JovZun

LOL my post, cited above, was deleted by the moderators (I just received an email) even though my comment "Sure thing" evidently refers to the query above whether I would "feel any improvement after installing THE FINAL RELEASE of 10.9.3" and not the beta. Surely, it's not prohibited to refer to upcoming future versions of Mavericks.


Oh well.

Macbook Pro Retina 13" late 2013 (Haswell) UI Lag

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.