Can someone help me understand this Activity Monitor parts

[jbsmithmac]

Hi,
I just received an older mac mini and have never really looked at the activity monitor because - well I guess I didn't need to.

Can someone help explain these to me - perhaps in the context of if I should add memory, etc?

Thanks!!

MEMORY:

DISK USAGE:

DISK ACTIVITY:

 

[Weaselboy]

Based on that System Memory screenshot, you do not need more memory.

If you were regularly running low on memory you would see a high number (like 1+GB) in that Page outs: section.

I assume here this screenshot was taken after using the computer a while.

 

[jbsmithmac]

Thanks! Yes...at that time it had been on for 6 days. Granted I don't think there was any apps running at the time.

Is there a place/website that explains what all the settings (VM Size, Page In/Outs, etc) mean as related to OS X?

 

[Weaselboy]

Is there a place/website that explains what all the settings (VM Size, Page In/Outs, etc) mean as related to OS X?

There is a good tech support article from Apple here that explains it.

 

[jbsmithmac]

Great Thanks!!