The Apple MacBook Pro is equipped with multiple USB Type-C / Thunderbolt ports for charging and connecting accessories. However, whispers suggest not all of the charging ports have been created equally.
Reports have emerged suggesting that using the left-sided port to charge the laptop exponentially increases strain on the CPU, causing the MacBook Pro models in question to slow down (and warm up) considerably.
A few months back, a StackExchange user consulted the macOS Activity Monitor and found charging using the left port taxed the CPU to 494.3%. It was all due to the kernel_task process, which is designed to help manage the temperature of the CPU (via CreativeBloq). The issue was particularly problematic if a peripheral, such as an external monitor was also plugged into the left side of the MacBook Pro.
Related: MacBook Pro 2020
However, a potential solution published this week may involve simply the right-hand port to charge the laptop instead. Doing so should enable the MacBook’s temperature to drop somewhat and, in turn, make the laptop more usable. Or so say those inconvenienced by the issue.
Indeed a new post on the Apple StackExchange simply reads: “If your MacBook Pro runs hot or shows a high % CPU for the kernel task, try charging on the right and not on the left.”
Things I learned today: which side you charge your MacBook on can affect CPU usage. https://t.co/nofb2fnm4M
— Digital Rebellion (@digitalreb) April 23, 2020
This finally explains what high kernel_task is, and why it happens. I spent so much time on it; wrote radars, escalated to Apple support; replaced hardware (!) to finally see that it‘s temperature emergency code because I plugged in the LG 5k monitor left. https://t.co/BGuB4ySU9o
— Peter Steinberger (@steipete) April 24, 2020
It’s not clear whether this is an issue Apple is conscious of, or plans to do anything about, the issue, but it might be something the company would consider rectifying with a software update in the coming weeks, should enough users kick up a fuss.
In a support document Apple explains the kernel_task process as follows: “Activity Monitor might show that a system process named kernel_task is using a large percentage of your CPU, and during this time you might notice more fan activity.
“One of the functions of kernel_task is to help manage CPU temperature by making the CPU less available to processes that are using it intensely. In other words, kernel_task responds to conditions that cause your CPU to become too hot, even if your Mac doesn’t feel hot to you. It does not itself cause those conditions. When the CPU temperature decreases, kernel_task automatically reduces its activity.”
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.