MacBook Air M1 Performance Issues

[izzy0242mr]

I just did the hardware diagnostic test and it said there might be a problem with the port and the trackpad, but both seem to be working just fine.

Seems suspicious--could be some kind of hardware issue going on that's in some way impacting performance, though I am not 100% sure how.

Check out EtreCheck - https://etrecheck.com/en/index.html - and run it. It also has an option to delete hidden trashed files, in case your SSD is not as empty as you think. But it's a good tool, you'll see a lot of people talk about it on this website, I would say give it a spin.

 

[MysticVoyager]

Wait, you did a complete reinstall without importing a backup and the problem persisted? If so, that makes me think it’s a hardware issue. Of course you’d have to test it before reinstalling all your programs because one of those could be the problem.

My first step would be removing programs one at a time and try to figure out if one of those is causing a problem. Do you have any kind of antivirus or anti-malware? It sounds like something is slowing the system down and pulling resources.

When I reinstalled macOS, I didn’t make a backup, but I did log into iCloud, where most of my files are. I don’t have any antivirus or antimalware software installed.

I’ve noticed that the typing and scrolling issues mostly happen when I’m using my Bluetooth Apple Magic Keyboard and Apple Magic Mouse. The window resizing issue only occurs with specific apps like Spotify, Discord, and Excel. I tried to replicate the window resizing lag on other Apple Silicon Macs, and the same thing happens.


I’m still trying to figure out the Safari tab-switching lag. It might have something to do with RAM being full, but even happens sometimes without swap being used, it happens less though.

 

[MysticVoyager]

Seems suspicious--could be some kind of hardware issue going on that's in some way impacting performance, though I am not 100% sure how.

Check out EtreCheck - https://etrecheck.com/en/index.html - and run it. It also has an option to delete hidden trashed files, in case your SSD is not as empty as you think. But it's a good tool, you'll see a lot of people talk about it on this website, I would say give it a spin.

It says that there were no major problems found. Only minor problems found were: there is no Time Machine backup and that there are 2 system extensions installed: one was from NordVPN and the other from OBS

 

[izzy0242mr]

It says that there were no major problems found. Only minor problems found were: there is no Time Machine backup and that there are 2 system extensions installed: one was from NordVPN and the other from OBS

Hmm. And you said you did a complete reset (wiping and reinstalling) and the problem is still the exact same? And if so did you restore your data using Migration Assistant or manually?

 

[bellflyer14]

I just did the hardware diagnostic test and it said there might be a problem with the port and the trackpad, but both seem to be working just fine.

My guess would be the trackpad, based on your description of the issues, and now the report saying trackpad

 

[Reason077]

when the SSDs get full (which is well before 100%) all sort of problems crop up.

Yep. Memory pressure combined with a full or near-full SSD is the biggest cause of poor performance on the 8GB RAM Apple Silicon models, in my experience. Clear out some SSD space and everything will get magically faster. I'd recommend trying to keep at least 20-30% free, especially if it's a 256GB SSD.

 

[MysticVoyager]

My guess would be the trackpad, based on your description of the issues, and now the report saying trackpad

The scrolling issue also happens with my Magic Mouse. I have just tried using someone's iMac M1 with upgraded storage and RAM and in some apps there seems to be the same scrolling issue with dropped frames sometimes. Maybe I am more sensitive and I notice it more than others.

 

[MysticVoyager]

Hmm. And you said you did a complete reset (wiping and reinstalling) and the problem is still the exact same? And if so did you restore your data using Migration Assistant or manually?

I manually restored my data. I have tried replicating the problems that I am having on someone's M1 iMac with upgraded storage and RAM, and the same scrolling issue is happening, where sometimes the scrolling hangs and I see dropped frames. Safari feels snappier but that could be because of more RAM. Typing also seems a bit more responsive on the iMac with a Bluetooth Magic Keyboard, so it might be a Bluetooth issue since typing on my MacBook’s built-in keyboard is better.

It could be that I am more sensitive and notice the scrolling issue more than others.

 

[johannnn]

I would try disabling Spaces and see how it goes.

Do you mean just stop clicking the green button in top left? Or how does one "disable" spaces? Just curious as I also want to remove macOS bugs that reduce performance

 

[MysticVoyager]

My guess would be the trackpad, based on your description of the issues, and now the report saying trackpad

I just retook the diagnostic test on my MacBook, this time with the device connected to power and Bluetooth turned off. The results showed no issues found. I read online that having Bluetooth enabled can cause trackpad errors to appear in the diagnostic test.

 

[russell_314]

When I reinstalled macOS, I didn’t make a backup, but I did log into iCloud, where most of my files are. I don’t have any antivirus or antimalware software installed.

If you didn’t import settings then it should be good.

I’ve noticed that the typing and scrolling issues mostly happen when I’m using my Bluetooth Apple Magic Keyboard and Apple Magic Mouse. The window resizing issue only occurs with specific apps like Spotify, Discord, and Excel.

Maybe try a different keyboard and mouse? It could be a Bluetooth connection issue. Something interfering or even low battery on the keyboard or mous?

I tried to replicate the window resizing lag on other Apple Silicon Macs, and the same thing happens.

Wait you made it happen on another Mac? Same iCloud account? This is making me think it’s either something you’re doing (maybe not even noticing) or your account

I’m still trying to figure out the Safari tab-switching lag. It might have something to do with RAM being full, but even happens sometimes without swap being used, it happens less though.

What is the memory pressure. If it’s in the green or yellow this isn’t the issue.

 

[ignatius345]

Do you mean just stop clicking the green button in top left? Or how does one "disable" spaces? Just curious as I also want to remove macOS bugs that reduce performance

Sorry, I should have been clearer. Just try going into Mission Control so you get that overview of all your windows and desktops -- and then close any extra desktops you've got open up in the top area. I'd then restart and see how things go.

 

[ignatius345]

Thank you for your response. Even on days when I don't use Spaces, the problems still occur. I will try reducing my use of Spaces to see if it helps. Do you think the other issues I'm experiencing are related to hardware or software? While I'm worried there might be a hardware defect, I personally believe it's a software problem. Hardware-wise, I have been very happy with my MacBook. It has the best battery life I've ever experienced on a laptop, doesn't get hot (unless pushed very hard which is normal), has an amazing display, and very good build quality.

The way to truly test for a software problem is to back up the machine fully, completely reset it and then start using it again -- without bringing in any of your old data or installing any third-party apps or anything. Just run the vanilla default install for a while and see if the issues you're seeing recur. If they do, then there's maybe something up with the hardware. If the problems do NOT recur, then bring in your stuff from your backup, and go from there.

 

[MysticVoyager]

Maybe try a different keyboard and mouse? It could be a Bluetooth connection issue. Something interfering or even low battery on the keyboard or mous?

When using a different Bluetooth Magic Keyboard and mouse, the issue persists. The typing delay is minimal but noticeable when connected via Bluetooth. It’s still perfectly usable, but not as smooth as the built-in keyboard. When I connect the keyboard with a cable, the responsiveness improves. However, when I use the Magic Keyboard with a family member’s M1 iMac, the typing is as responsive as if it were plugged in, even though it’s not.

Wait you made it happen on another Mac? Same iCloud account? This is making me think it’s either something you’re doing (maybe not even noticing) or your account

Since it’s not my Mac or my iCloud account, I haven’t been able to test it extensively. But I did notice that typing on that Mac feels much smoother with the keyboard connected via Bluetooth. The scrolling issue seems to happen too, though I haven’t had a chance to look into it much.

What is the memory pressure. If it’s in the green or yellow this isn’t the issue.

Most of the time, the memory pressure is in the green, but it occasionally goes into the yellow. I do notice that swap is often used, though it’s usually under 1GB, so nothing extreme. This issue doesn’t occur in other browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Hello everyone,

I'm using a MacBook Air M1 base model and while I love using it, I've been running into some performance issues. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

- Choppy Scrolling and Dropped Frames: When I scroll through some websites or documents, using the built-in trackpad or Magic Mouse, the scrolling can sometimes stutter and I notice dropped frames. Especially noticeable in webbrowsers on apps like YouTube.
- Delayed Typing in Certain Apps: In some apps like Office apps and Discord, there's a slight lag between typing and seeing the text appear. This issue isn’t limited to just these apps, though.
- Choppy Window Resizing: Resizing windows in some apps is really choppy and far from smooth.
- Animations Lag: Swiping between Spaces and Full Screen apps can sometimes get choppy, especially noticeable when using it with the Studio Display
- Switching tabs in Safari: With just very few tabs and other apps open, switching between tabs in Safari is slow and not as snappy as other webbrowsers

I think these issues might be related to macOS and hopefully not the hardware, but I'm not sure. I take good care of my MacBook, always keep it updated, and have even tried reinstalling macOS, but these problems keep happening.

Can anyone tell me if these are known macOS issues or if they might be hardware-related? Any advice or similar experiences would be really helpful.

Thanks!

TBH I would expect performance issues from a base model of Apple's lowest end laptop.

The low end is maintained to serve low end needs, e.g. granny just doing email. As such a base MBA is a spectacular choice. However once one uses the word performance and a lowest end box with 8 MB of RAM in the same sentence one should expect anomalies to present.

Apple does a pretty good job of making higher RAM options available. Only folks with lowest end needs should expect good performance choosing to buy only 8 MB RAM.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hello everyone,

I'm using a MacBook Air M1 base model and while I love using it, I've been running into some performance issues. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

- Choppy Scrolling and Dropped Frames: When I scroll through some websites or documents, using the built-in trackpad or Magic Mouse, the scrolling can sometimes stutter and I notice dropped frames. Especially noticeable in webbrowsers on apps like YouTube.
- Delayed Typing in Certain Apps: In some apps like Office apps and Discord, there's a slight lag between typing and seeing the text appear. This issue isn’t limited to just these apps, though.
- Choppy Window Resizing: Resizing windows in some apps is really choppy and far from smooth.
- Animations Lag: Swiping between Spaces and Full Screen apps can sometimes get choppy, especially noticeable when using it with the Studio Display
- Switching tabs in Safari: With just very few tabs and other apps open, switching between tabs in Safari is slow and not as snappy as other webbrowsers

I think these issues might be related to macOS and hopefully not the hardware, but I'm not sure. I take good care of my MacBook, always keep it updated, and have even tried reinstalling macOS, but these problems keep happening.

Can anyone tell me if these are known macOS issues or if they might be hardware-related? Any advice or similar experiences would be really helpful.

Thanks!

I have that same base model. It's a great machine, but 8GB of RAM is really lousy for having more than a few things open at once. It'll do a pretty good job of not having you FEEL like it's filling up its RAM until you are totally logjammed. But it's not stellar for having a lot open.

If you don't have a lot running at once (and therefore are probably not using the majority of your RAM), you're probably having either an OS or hardware issue. Maybe do a restore on it? I'm partial to DFU restores for any Apple device that supports it.

 

[Howard2k]

When using a different Bluetooth Magic Keyboard and mouse, the issue persists. The typing delay is minimal but noticeable when connected via Bluetooth. It’s still perfectly usable, but not as smooth as the built-in keyboard. When I connect the keyboard with a cable, the responsiveness improves. However, when I use the Magic Keyboard with a family member’s M1 iMac, the typing is as responsive as if it were plugged in, even though it’s not.



Since it’s not my Mac or my iCloud account, I haven’t been able to test it extensively. But I did notice that typing on that Mac feels much smoother with the keyboard connected via Bluetooth. The scrolling issue seems to happen too, though I haven’t had a chance to look into it much.


Most of the time, the memory pressure is in the green, but it occasionally goes into the yellow. I do notice that swap is often used, though it’s usually under 1GB, so nothing extreme. This issue doesn’t occur in other browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

Do you have any USB devices attached while using the BT keyboard? Some USB devices crap all over teh 2.4Ghz space.

Explanation of the Bluetooth+USB3 problem - Bluetooth and USB 3 - Fix your Bluetooth problems

Are you experiencing problems with your Bluetooth devices performance and reception? Do you also have a USB 3 compatible computer and devices? This website is about the conflict between Bluetooth and USB 3

www.bluetoothandusb3.com

 

[MysticVoyager]

I have that same base model. It's a great machine, but 8GB of RAM is really lousy for having more than a few things open at once. It'll do a pretty good job of not having you FEEL like it's filling up its RAM until you are totally logjammed. But it's not stellar for having a lot open.

If you don't have a lot running at once (and therefore are probably not using the majority of your RAM), you're probably having either an OS or hardware issue. Maybe do a restore on it? I'm partial to DFU restores for any Apple device that supports it.

I just compared my base model MacBook Air M1 with another one and found their performance to be the same. Both are really fast. However, I did notice my MacBook had a bit more lag when scrolling in Safari and a slight delay when typing with the Bluetooth Magic Keyboard. The difference in typing delay is barely noticeable and might just be my imagination. I’m going to try a factory reset on mine without logging into iCloud or downloading any other apps, and test it.

 

[MysticVoyager]

Do you have any USB devices attached while using the BT keyboard? Some USB devices crap all over teh 2.4Ghz space.

Explanation of the Bluetooth+USB3 problem - Bluetooth and USB 3 - Fix your Bluetooth problems

Are you experiencing problems with your Bluetooth devices performance and reception? Do you also have a USB 3 compatible computer and devices? This website is about the conflict between Bluetooth and USB 3

www.bluetoothandusb3.com

Only USB device connected is my Studio Display. When I unplug the display the same slight typing delay happens.