Skip to main content
Sharpenson
Sharpenson
Known Participant
December 12, 2023
Question

MacBook Pro 14, M2 Max, Illustrator lags badly on Apple monitor when Laptop is Open

  • December 12, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 5566 views

I have a super fast M2 Max 14" and when I have the laptop open and I'm working in Illustrator on my Apple monitor it lags really really badly (and has done since I got it a few months ago). Just selecting items, moving, recolouring etc and Illustrator appears to freeze for a second or two. The moment I close the laptop it works smoothly on my main monitor. It's infurating because I like to use my laptop monitor for reference docs/Zoom etc etc while working in Illustrator. Is anyone else experiencing this and or know of a solution?

    3 replies

    Sharpenson
    SharpensonAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 23, 2024

    I never found a specific solution, however, at some point through system and/or Adobe updates this has resolved itself and is no longer happening.

    mbtassino
    mbtassino
    Participating Frequently
    March 12, 2024

    Same Here. I'm with a brand new Macbook Pro M2 Max, 64gb, 12-Core CPU/30-Core GPU and it is impossible to work with, incredible slow... is there any solution? were you able to fix it?

      Anshul_Saini
      Community Manager
      Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      March 12, 2024

      Hi @mbtassino,

       

      I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing slowness on your brand-new MacBook Pro. That sounds frustrating, especially with such powerful hardware.

       

      To better assist you, could you please provide more details about the specific issues you're encountering? For example:

      • Are you experiencing lag only when performing certain actions, such as moving objects or using specific tools/features?
      • Does the slowness occur consistently across all files you're working with, or is it specific to certain files?
      • Are there any particular features or tools within Illustrator that seem to exacerbate the issue?
      • Have you noticed any patterns or commonalities when the slowness occurs?

      By understanding more about your workflow and the circumstances surrounding the slowness, we'll be better equipped to offer you targeted assistance and solutions.

       

      Looking forward to hearing back from you so we can help resolve this issue!

       

      Best regards,

      Anshul Saini

      Doug A Roberts
      Community Expert
      Doug A RobertsCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      December 12, 2023

      What's the resolution of the non-laptop monitor?

      Sharpenson
      SharpensonAuthor
      Known Participant
      December 12, 2023

      It's an Apple Studio Display which is 5120x2880px

      Anshul_Saini
      Community Manager
      Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      December 21, 2023

      Hi @Sharpenson,

       

      I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing performance issues with Adobe Illustrator on your MacBook Pro 14 with M2 Max when using an Apple Studio Display. The fact that Illustrator lags significantly when your MacBook Pro 14 is open, it might be worthwhile to explore a few possibilities:

      • Graphics Configuration: Check the graphics configuration settings in Illustrator. Under "Edit" > "Preferences" > "Performance," you can adjust settings related to GPU performance. Experiment with disabling GPU settings to see if it has any impact.

      • Bluetooth Interference: If you're using Bluetooth peripherals (like a mouse or keyboard), there could be interference causing lag. Try temporarily using wired peripherals to check if the lag persists.

      • Mac Safe Mode: Boot your MacBook Pro into Safe Mode to isolate potential software conflicts. Safe Mode loads only essential macOS components, and this can help identify if any third-party applications or drivers are causing the lag.

      • macOS Update: Ensure that your macOS is up to date. Apple releases updates that may address performance-related issues. You can check for updates in "System Preferences" > "Software Update."

      • External Display Settings: In "System Preferences" > "Displays," check the arrangement and color profiles for your Apple Studio Display. Adjusting these settings may have an impact.

       

      These details will help in narrowing down the possible causes of the lag you're experiencing. If the issue persists, providing more details about your macOS version and any specific Illustrator versions you've observed this behavior on would be helpful. Your cooperation is appreciated, and we're here to assist you further.

       

      Best regards,

      Anshul

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices