Activity Monitor vs. a menu bar system monitor
Use Activity Monitor when you want to inspect a specific slowdown or see a list of processes. Use a menu bar monitor such as Wisp when you want selected system readings visible while working in another window. Start with the tool that answers the question you have now.
Inspect a specific slowdown in Activity Monitor
Suppose a photo editor pauses repeatedly while exporting a folder of images. Open Activity Monitor, choose CPU and look at the process list while the export runs. Note which process is active and whether its activity changes when the export finishes.
At the bottom of the CPU view, Apple separates System, User and Idle activity. Use those figures to see the overall state while the process list gives you individual entries to inspect.
Keep a system reading visible in Wisp
If your goal is to notice a change while the photo editor stays in front, choose the Wisp readings you care about in its Menu bar settings. CPU and memory are useful starting points for this example. Open its dashboard if you want more context about a change you saw.
The reviewed Wisp 1.0.3 release requires macOS 26 or later. Reading availability depends on the hardware and the data macOS provides. If Wisp shows a missing reading, record it as unavailable.
Choose a display you will notice
Activity Monitor offers Dock icons for CPU or network activity. Choose View, then Dock Icon to see those options. Wisp can display selected CPU, memory, network and disk readings in the menu bar. Choose the placement that stays visible in your working setup.
Choose one signal that fits your task. For example, if you are watching a file upload, keep an eye on system network activity. Open a detailed view when you have a specific question about what changed.
Move from a glance to an inspection
During the export, note when a Wisp reading changes and what you were doing. If the same pause happens again, open Activity Monitor during that stage and inspect the process list. Compare the two observations by time and workload.
If the export has already finished, write down when it paused. Repeat the same stage if you can and open the process list during that stage. This gives you observations taken under comparable conditions.
Questions
Can Activity Monitor show activity outside its window?
Yes. Apple documents CPU and network activity options for the Dock icon.
Where do I start if I need to inspect one process?
Open Activity Monitor during the workload and inspect its process list in the relevant view.
Which macOS version does the reviewed Wisp release require?
Wisp 1.0.3 requires macOS 26 or later.