I recently re-installed Catalina on this machine again a month back to compare behaviour and had the same experience, most likely software I agree but it is weird some experience it and others don't. What we can agree on is that Big Sur is an utter catastrophe especially for the 16". The iGPU can handle it, the previous generation laptops had less powerful Intel graphics but handled the retina scaling and UI easily. Apples and OR Intel + AMD gpu drivers are frankly a disgrace in recent MacOS versions. I remember Snow Leopard running a 9600m GT full time would barely get hot on idle, on this machine my 5600M draws so much power on idle, like 13W+, the drivers are just a joke. We should expect better from Apple, they've slipped so hard lately. Still better than Windows but that's no excuse to have such a shoddy experience on the highest end laptop they offer.
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16" MacBook Pro lagging whilst typing
- Thread starter aaronf15
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Really odd behaviour. What are your system specs? If you turned off auto graphics it should draw more power and not feel so laggy. As I type this I am on the iGPU and the keystrokes are very delayed, but a flick of the graphics and it's *fine*. Also what apps are you using and running, something is clearly wrong with your specific machine if you're still getting that much perceivable lag with the dedicated GPU.
It is very bizarre and quite absurd that this machine has such crazy performance problems. I tried to run catalina again a month back, it felt much better and smoother, like I remember getting it when it was new. But you do notice the Big Sur updates like iMessage and Music apps, as well as notification centre updates. This machine has the power, just so poorly optimised, esp with graphics. Hooking up a display turns this into a jet engine, simply upon connecting a 4k display. I don't remember the older generation laptops behaving so wildly. I've noticed since Snow Leopard, Apple's dedication for MacOS performance optimisation has fallen year over year to the point where we are now, we either deal with it or move elsewhere, and that is not an option for most.
Hit the nail on the head, and I always stood by Apple. But lately, it is becoming just silly that we have to accept such poor standards from them. I tried windows again, honestly can't do it, it's an archaic computing experience. Let's all do our work in iPads shall we.
I'm on a 2015 MacBook Pro and everything is great. It's hard to understand them screwing up the newer models but that's why I didn't upgrade. I would if I were forced to though. I could also just hackintosh a Windows laptop but you can't do that for work product.
With AMD GPU (without automatic switching on) all is smooth as expected I can confirm.
Let's wait some Monterey news, maybe they have fixed something...
Let's wait some Monterey news, maybe they have fixed something...
The problem is that it seems very random when there is delay or not. Right at this moment, when I use the computer on battery, there is no delay. When I connect it to an external screen (LG 27") and keyboard there is delay. One could then think it's bluetooth or the screen, BUT in the past it has been laggy wether on battery or not, or not laggy whether on battery or not. Someone removed the lag by uninstalling Chrome, but I never had Chrome installed. Some people found turning graphics switching off removed the delay, others not. And so on. It seems impossible to diagnose the cause.
How about someone here with that system trying out Monterey. I'd try it out but I don't have one. We will likely be getting one soon but we don't have a firm delivery date.
Actually, this time it was bluetooth delay. Switching on and off the keyboard solved it! In the past, though, the delay has been from both the built-in keyboard and external keyboard. My hope now is the general delay problem someway went away, and now that I solved the bluetooth delay, the problem is no more.
Good test is to use a wired keyboard instead of Bluetooth. Apple has had problems with Bluetooth in the M1 Macs. Maybe there are some problems in the 16 too.
wolfsef
macrumors newbie
wolfsef
macrumors newbie
I just recently upgraded to the BigSur and have started facing this issue. As i type this message in, its taking forever. Has anyone been able to find a fix for this ? One trick i have found which works well is if you type at a slower pace, the lag isnt there. Downside is that it feels horrible typing in slow motion.
I can confirm that this issue was not present with Catalina. Has anybody tried with Monterey?
I've tried disabling automatic graphics switching, but nothing improved. Let's see now if disabling font smoothing will change something.
Guess what, it still lags with disabled font smoothing. It's unbelievable. Big Sur is even worse than Catalina. I will try to install Monterey.
I think my next laptop won't be Apple anymore. Too many compromises for such a high price.
I think my next laptop won't be Apple anymore. Too many compromises for such a high price.
With iGPU disabled and font smoothing set to zero, typing speed is back to normal and there's no lag. The Intel UHD 630 iGPU appears to be causing the issue. Will test out different smoothing levels later and post back if there's a perceptible difference in performance.
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Unfortunately, it didn't help me. I've rolled back to Catalina. So far so good.
Yes, hope Apple fixes these issues in Monterey.
Update: tried changing font smoothing from 0 to 2 and typing is still a breeze, even on battery with automatic graphics switching disabled on 11.5.2. However, the dGPU is guzzling battery juice, so guessing the issue is with UHD 630, which sort of explains why apple is stepping away from Intel.
[Also fyi got an Inspiron recently in an attempt to step away from apple also because I type a lot and the lag was upsetting along with the reflective apple screen, but the trackpad gets stuck while using it on the lap, so could be a case of grass being greener on the other side? Guess there's no perfect product 🙄]
I bought the MBP 16 (32gb/2tb) and two 5k Ultrafine Monitors. This is way above what anyone could consider a cheap setup. The fans run very loud and almost all the time. The advice from Apple was to "sell" my current MBP and buy a replacement with the $800 5600 graphics card! So thanks for that Apple. Considering my ThinkPad Nano X1 can run both 5k monitors (at 5k/60hz) without too much effort, I think Apple really messed up. The MBP continuously activates the turbo boost when it probably doesn't need to. One thing that does really help is using Turbo Boost Switcher Pro. Oh, and noise cancelling AirPod Pros.
So you have issues also with disabled automatic graphics switching? That's crazy.
For me 0 problem using only dGPU but still is not a big deal.
No it's the other way round, with iGPU disabled, there's no lag in typing. "0 problem using only dGPU."
My 2014 13" MBP had no issues running two monitors (?HD) back in the day. I see the rationale for apple stepping away from intel at this point as the M1 macs seem to be doing well.
I bought the MBP 16 (32gb/2tb) and two 5k Ultrafine Monitors. This is way above what anyone could consider a cheap setup. The fans run very loud and almost all the time.
One workaround to resolve issue with the Macbook pro 16 fans spinning out of control when using one monitor is to shut down the lid; the fans spin down to normal then (sigh! I know) - not sure if it works for two 5k monitors. Would be interesting to know if that makes any difference in your case.
Edit: shut down the lid = clamshell mode.
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Thanks. I tried the clamshell mode with two 5k monitors. It did seem better (with a couple of office apps running) until I started Parallels VM then it got stuck at maximum fan speed. It does seem odd that the system fan profile thinks that it needs to runs the fans so much when the processor temps are only 67 degrees. Maybe this was apple's reaction to the negative reviews they had around thermal throttling of the processor when the MBP 16's were launched - they now try to keep the processor super cool! Switching off the turbo boost reduced the fans to around 4,700. I'm so excited to see if the new M?? MacBooks can run multiple monitors - it could be great!
So I downloaded the recent 11.5.2 update, it did not fix the problem. However I disabled automatic graphics switching and now my typing is back to its usual snappiness. Of course, this is a terrible solution since it will chew through battery life! Anyone know how the Monterey beta is performing?