Apple Studio Display slow and laggy after macOS 26 update

As a 5K 10 bits/color display, the Apple Studio Display gets data at frighteningly high speed. That speed is far faster than any processor-based refresh could possibly supply it. Instead, refreshing the screen is done by a hardware automaton in every Mac. The processor intervenes at most once a screenful.

Because of this hardware assist, screen refresh impact on the processor is negligible. Connect it to any modern Mac running any supported version of MacOS, and it will work well, and NOT be laggy.

Lagging is NOT caused by hardware issues or by MacOS issues. If the screen is lagging, it is because the processing to re-compute what should be drawn on the screen is mired in other tasks, such as running junk-ware.

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By far the easiest way to cause poor performance, instability, overheating and crashing is to install ANY third-party speeder-uppers, Cleaners, Optimizers, Virus scanners, Bit Torrent, or a VPN that you installed yourself.

¿Are you running anything like that?

gene_ontherocks wrote:

The strange thing, Grant, is that when I use my MacBook Air M4 by itself, everything runs perfectly fine and fast. But once I connect it to my Apple Studio Display, it starts to lag. I’m honestly confused about what could be causing this problem. :(

exactly what cables, adapters and docks are you using t make the connection?

are you mirroring the built in display, and/or running in closed clamshell mode?

The Apple studio display is a complex device, but it has NO ability to slow down the data it receives, more than 60 times a second. if it dropped a frame your data would be only 1/60th second late.

Lagging must be caused by a problem in the Mac, which is why I asked you to consider posting an Etrecheck report.

<< I am using / running it in closed clamshell mode.

I use my Studio display as my main monitor and display only. >>

Something else to try as an experiment:

With BOTH your built-in display and the studio display connected and active, clamshell Open, make certain you have de-selected "Mirror Displays" and instead select "Extended Desktop".

For the moment the relationship between the two displays will be like this:

NOW try closing the built-in display.

(Any windows left open on the Built-in might move to the edge of the Studio display to avoid becoming lost.)

¿is it still laggy and slow?

lots of different things might be happening. but instead of readers asking you 20 questions...

Consider downloading and running this little "discovery" utility, Etrecheck. It changes NOTHING. Etrecheck was developed by a senior contributor here, and uses mostly system calls and simple tests to collect often-needed information.

it contains little tests for speeds of devices, CPU utilization, memory usage, energy usage and a digest of recent problems, in one easy to use package. it does not even need to be Installed. Because less can be learned when your Mac is running great, best time to run is when your problems are actually occurring, if possible.

if you follow the directions faithfully, its report (pre-laundered of all personally-identifiable information) can be "Shared" to the System ClipBoard, then Pasted into an ‘Additional Text’ window in a reply on the forums.

Use Etrecheck Pro for free:

http://Etrecheck.com

The amount of data you get can be daunting. If you POST your report, some Readers here are willing to look over those reports, and can provide valuable insights.

then start rely on the forums, click the "additional text" icon, and PASTE

<< I think it is not that compatible to connected to a Macbook and must be connected or partnered only with a Mac Mini or a Mac Studio. :( >>

I disagree.

COMPATiBILITY:

Studio Display is compatible with the following Mac models running macOS Monterey 12.3 or later:

• • • Mac Studio (2022 or later)
    • 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019 or later)
    • 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021 or later)
    • 13-inch MacBook Pro (2016 or later)
    • 15-inch MacBook Pro (2016 or later)
    • MacBook Air (2018 or later)
    • Mac mini (2018 or later)
    • Mac Pro (2019 or later)
    • 24-inch iMac (2021 or later)
    • 27-inch iMac (2017 or later)
    • 21.5-inch iMac (2017 or later)
    • iMac Pro (2017)

Studio Display is compatible with the following iPad models running iPadOS 15.4 or later:2

• • • iPad Pro (M4)
    • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
    • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
    • iPad Air (M3)
    • iPad Air (M2)
    • iPad Air (5th generation)

from:

Studio Display - Technical Specifications - Apple

I use the Studio display with my Mac Mini M4 pro and no issues and running 26.1.

Just tested with my MBA M1 and no issue.