Need help with slow

Examine each line of that to determine which processes are taking up the memory. Mine runs at around 10-12% system use with six tabs open in Chrome and a number of other processes going on as well.

How much memory do you have? I am running 8 GB on this machine.

wolfpuppies3 said:

Examine each line of that to determine which processes are taking up the memory. Mine runs at around 10-12% system use with six tabs open in Chrome and a number of other processes going on as well.

How much memory do you have? I am running 8 GB on this machine.

Click to expand...

I am not sure how this bit of advice about memory helps.

The problem is that kernel_task is hogging the CPU. Why does the kernel_task process hog the CPU? It can be because of a multitude of things, but usually indicates the need for some serious house keeping, or a complete and clean OS X reinstall, if one has not been done.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kernel_task+high+cpu

Just curious. Why is in the screenshot, kernel_task is 32 bit app, instead of 64 bit? I've checked mine, it showed 64 bit for sure. Do you use 32 bit mode? Is this really original mac "kernel_task" process? What version of OSX did you use?

Isamilis said:

Just curious. Why is in the screenshot, kernel_task is 32 bit app, instead of 64 bit? I've checked mine, it showed 64 bit for sure. Do you use 32 bit mode? Is this really original mac "kernel_task" process? What version of OSX did you use?

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Good point. The MBA rev A shipped with leopard which could run the kernel as 32 or 64 bit. I'm not sure if it will address the OP's problem but it could be worth rebooting while holding down the 6 & 4 keys to make sure the 64 bit kernel loads.