Regardless of the computer I’m on I like to have a CPU monitor up and running, mainly because it’s easier to spot an errant process. Apple actually bundled one with Mac OS X, so no downloads are needed for using this quick CPU monitor. A little known feature in the Activity Monitor utility allows for a simple CPU usage/history, network usage, disk activity, and memory usage reader to be visible in the cozy comforts of the Dock. Setting it up is a breeze, done in a matter of seconds.

Follow these steps or check out the graphic, setup is easy as pie.

• Spotlight (command space) for “Activity Monitor”, otherwise its in /Applications/Utilities/
• Control-Click (or right click) on the Activity Monitor icon as it appears in your dock
• Scroll up to “Dock Icon” here you will notice there are several different options to have the dock icon display, I chose CPU usage
• That’s it! Now just keep the Activity Monitor app open (but you can close the window) and you will have a simple CPU monitor in your dock