For me it's been considerably worse. But I just disabling font smoothing and graphics switching a few minutes ago, so let's see.
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Macbook Pro 16 inch lag issues (video & while typing)
- Thread starter Marshall N. Nguyen
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New member -- made an account just to comment on this. Might have been mentioned before, but I downloaded the Intel Power Gadget on both my old and new MBPs (15" mid-2014 and 16" 2019). What I found was the graphics average clock speed when idle is .7 ghz on the old machine and .0 (off) on the new machine. Both using iGPU, running only the power gadget application, and completely offline.
Is there any way to set the base frequency for the iGPU to something other than 0?
Is there any way to set the base frequency for the iGPU to something other than 0?
Using the Radeon GPU will resolve it completely. Alternatively, you can also create a second user account, log in to it, stay logged in, lock that account, and log back into your primary account. This appears to put the Radeon in some sort of hybrid state where it consumes about 2 watts of power in conjunction with the Intel GPU still running, and may eliminate the lag completely.
You were right about the Radeon. It's an absolutely massive difference and feels like the first time since February that it's running properly. Crazy.
I spoke to Apple support yesterday and it was the usual experience of them claiming to have never heard of the issue, recommending I wipe my hard drive and reinstall the OS, then possibly bring it to an Apple store for further inspection and possibly getting it repaired, during which I wouldn't have access to it. The same thing they suggested for a previous MBP with Magic Keyboard issues and the same thing they suggested earlier this year for the speaker popping issues on the same 16 inch MBP. I don't have this option because I'm running a business with it and it's my only machine.
I understand that design flaws happen, but the refusal to admit it for so long afterwards is the worst part, and it's happened a few times before with Apple. This reminds me of a Dell XPS I bought in 2007 with a flaw in the cooling system that caused parts of the GPU to melt over time. In the year that I had it, Dell both refused to admit it was a design flaw and simultaneously sent a repairman to my home 3 times in a year to replace the motherboard, something he said was a routine part of his job due to that particular model. Unfortunately that was a better support and repair experience than what I've experienced with Apple in the past 2 years.
I understand that design flaws happen, but the refusal to admit it for so long afterwards is the worst part, and it's happened a few times before with Apple. This reminds me of a Dell XPS I bought in 2007 with a flaw in the cooling system that caused parts of the GPU to melt over time. In the year that I had it, Dell both refused to admit it was a design flaw and simultaneously sent a repairman to my home 3 times in a year to replace the motherboard, something he said was a routine part of his job due to that particular model. Unfortunately that was a better support and repair experience than what I've experienced with Apple in the past 2 years.
We are not sure at this point. We have noticed that the Radeon has a consistent power output of 2 watts when doing this, which is less than when it is active and more than when not being used...and runtimes are less than when on the integrated GPU and more than when on the dedicated GPU.
One working theory is that both the integrated GPU and the dedicated GPU may be functioning and that the dedicated GPU may be running the UI of macOS. Some Windows systems could use both GPUs for simultaneous operation of different components. While I've never read anything about Mac doing this, I think it is at least possible.
Slightly more than integrated only but less than dedicated. Here it is showing a steady 3 watts...not sure why it is sometimes 2 and sometimes 3, but as you can see it is pretty low heat overall. Do note mine is a Radeon Pro 5600M model and it does run a lot cooler than the 5300M/5500M when the dedicated GPU is involved so I am not sure how that plays into this. (I originally had a 5500M version.)
Just started having this issue and it was maddening. I turned off graphics switching while plugged in and that seemed to have resolved it. Feels like a new computer again!
Didn't notice any lag with the iGPU before, but just faced this iGPU laggy issue right after I booted once with Safe Mode (trying to fix other problems)
The lag persists even when booting in normal mode, the lag is super obvious especially when expanding a Folder from the Dock
The lag persists even when booting in normal mode, the lag is super obvious especially when expanding a Folder from the Dock
Same problem with my machine, 16 inch MBP. Annoying constant stutters when typing, dragging, scrolling, zooming. Switching to discreet graphics solves the issue. Which sucks because battery life is greatly affected, fan noise is increased and heat is increased on a machine that already feels like an oven when doing nothing. But hey, I guess they designed this machine to sit on a desk plugged in all day right? For $4700 I shouldn't expect more.
At least we kindly have the option of bringing in our machines for repair and not being able to earn money during a pandemic. My efforts to get useful support from them pretty much just amounted to that option.
Try the dual user account trick. Battery life will still take a hit, but less than manually enabling the dedicated GPU.
It's good to know about that workaround, thanks!
I just wonder why, after more than 1 year of this issue on what is supposedly Apple's flagship laptop, they haven't done anything? Are they themselves not using this computer and not getting annoyed by this?
It’s a sales company now. It reminds me a lot of when I used Android or even Dell a long time ago. I find the amount of bugs and usability issues introduced in Apple products, especially over the last 2 years, fairly staggering. I’m tempted to put a link to the feedback page on my home screens at this point. With the 16 inch MBP, there is this issue and the popping audio issue, and they just don’t acknowledge either of them at all.
Worryingly, this problem returned for me today. I didn't revert any of the workarounds I made (automatic switching is off, I have a 2nd user, and font smoothing is also turned off). Now things like Mission Control are stuttering again.
Finally find where the mistake is
Apple made a huge design mistake using Intel Coffee Lake generation processors(or power delivery design mistake for such processors) in the MacBook pro - if you turn off turbo boost on the processor - then the Intel HD 630 graphics glitches/cursor delays/input delay will disappear - well this is not our problem, Apple should have tested before selling now, we all suffer from interface/animation/cursor lag - so the solution is to turn off turbo boost - then input and cursor lag /stutteing will be gone.
Apple made a huge design mistake using Intel Coffee Lake generation processors(or power delivery design mistake for such processors) in the MacBook pro - if you turn off turbo boost on the processor - then the Intel HD 630 graphics glitches/cursor delays/input delay will disappear - well this is not our problem, Apple should have tested before selling now, we all suffer from interface/animation/cursor lag - so the solution is to turn off turbo boost - then input and cursor lag /stutteing will be gone.
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There’s an app called Turbo Boost Switcher that does this dynamically for you. It’s a fantastic tool. But toggling turbo boost on or off has never fixed the lag or stutter issues for me.
I tested the same laptop - only the release date is 2020 november (my laptop 2019 december) - and it has no input/lag - cursor stuttering. Apple must replace such notebooks - but instead - the authorized service center said that everything is fine all the tests pass
I have experienced the exact same issue with my 2019 16-inch MBP. I bought it in May 2020 and experienced the lagging as well as a more serious, but what I believe was an unrelated, power issue involving the computer disconnecting and reconnecting to power of its own accord. I had to mess with Apple Support for months and months to replace it.
Today I received my new MacBook Pro, and imagine my surprise to find that the same lag issue affects this computer. It blows my mind that a $3,000+ machine can't even show a YouTube video lag-free, unlike a $300 Chromebook.
I have just tried disabling Turbo Boost with Turbo Boost Switcher and that does not work for me. I experience lags while typing, navigating the UI, watching Netflix and YouTube videos, etc. Forcing the MacBook to use discrete graphics only with gfxCardStatus does prevent the issue, but the battery drains like crazy and I feel like I have a toaster sitting in my lap. Very annoying.
Does anyone know if this issue affects the new M1 machines?
Today I received my new MacBook Pro, and imagine my surprise to find that the same lag issue affects this computer. It blows my mind that a $3,000+ machine can't even show a YouTube video lag-free, unlike a $300 Chromebook.
I have just tried disabling Turbo Boost with Turbo Boost Switcher and that does not work for me. I experience lags while typing, navigating the UI, watching Netflix and YouTube videos, etc. Forcing the MacBook to use discrete graphics only with gfxCardStatus does prevent the issue, but the battery drains like crazy and I feel like I have a toaster sitting in my lap. Very annoying.
Does anyone know if this issue affects the new M1 machines?
I can absolutely confirm this is NOT an issue for the new M1 machines. They are smooth as butter, as you might have expected your 16" MBP to be.
I had the same issue, and, ultimately managed to return it within my return window. So thankful I did that. I was sad to return it but I would have been utterly miserable if I had hung on to it, and continued to experience the infuriating lag and related issues.
The M1 13" MBP I am using now is -- well, I'm sure you've seen all the posts. It's unreal how incredible it performs, with zero noise and cool temps. It runs so cool, it's actually uncomfortably cool for it to be on your lap at times, direct to skin. High class problem, for sure. I can use it in bed, with 100% confidence that it won't turn into a jet engine and wake up my spouse or burn my legs.
A new, M1-based 16" MBP -- that is going to be what I am ultimately going to be using, as I really enjoy the larger screen.
I had the same issue, and, ultimately managed to return it within my return window. So thankful I did that. I was sad to return it but I would have been utterly miserable if I had hung on to it, and continued to experience the infuriating lag and related issues.
The M1 13" MBP I am using now is -- well, I'm sure you've seen all the posts. It's unreal how incredible it performs, with zero noise and cool temps. It runs so cool, it's actually uncomfortably cool for it to be on your lap at times, direct to skin. High class problem, for sure. I can use it in bed, with 100% confidence that it won't turn into a jet engine and wake up my spouse or burn my legs.
A new, M1-based 16" MBP -- that is going to be what I am ultimately going to be using, as I really enjoy the larger screen.
Thank you for the response. I'm wondering if I'll be able to talk them into letting me trade the 2019 16" for a 13" M1 MBP. I'll give it a shot and report back here.