DesktopActivity: It’s The New Way To Monitor Your Mac’s System From The Desktop

Despite using a Mac since way back in the previous century I refuse to lay claim to the title of Mac Power User, or Mac Geek.

Suffice it to say that I’m a fangirl of most things Apple. And, for better or worse, I’m incredibly curious about how my Mac works, so the Menubar is loaded with little utilities that do this and that, including system monitoring. Is there a better way?

Clear Way The Cluttered Desktop

When I’m working on my Mac I keep a relatively clean Desktop. Sure, there are files, and folders, and photos, and documents, and notes and snippets, and stuff scattered about.

As each day ends I make sure the Desktop goes back to a near virgin-like state (can anyone who’s not a virgin, be nearly a virgin?).

There’s just enough OCD in me to make sure everything gets put back where it belongs.

This week I found a not-quite-so-handy system monitor app for the Mac. It’s called DesktopActivity. And, sadly, it is what you think it is.

DesktopActivity monitors your Mac. It displays CPU information, RAM numbers, Storage usage, Network throughput, battery life, time and date, and current weather conditions.

What is there not to like about a blend of all that information on your Mac’s screen? See if you can spot the error of DesktopActivity’s ways.

It’s visually attractive. The information displayed is useful and easy to digest at a glance.

The graphic can be moved elsewhere on the Mac’s screen and be positioned wherever you prefer.

So, what’s wrong with DesktopActivity? It works. It’s cheap. It’s attractive. What’s wrong?

Please. It lives on the Mac’s Desktop with all the other clutter that lives on the Desktop. And, by nature, the Desktop is also covered by all your Mac’s app windows.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind a utility that does not reside in the Menubar.

Mine is too crowded with utilities as it is. But a graphic monitoring app that needs to be positioned on the Desktop is inviting itself to be covered up by all the other app windows in use at the time.

If you’re suffering from acute obsessive compulsive disorder and your Mac’s Desktop is obsessively pristine, Desktop Activity is a nice addition.

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Comments

Tomy says:

Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 5:47 AM

I’m using it, DesktopActivity is a good app.
bummers says:

Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 6:26 PM

I like how this works. It’s colorful and attractive, but you’re right about it being obscured by other windows. It needs to float on top.
Don Parr says:

Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 6:48 PM

Thanks, Alexis, yet another app I really didn’t need but, thanks to your review, and having an available space on the left side of my 24″ iMac display, well, had to give it a go dontcha know . I actually quite like DesktopActivity. I was thinking it might replace iStat Menus but alas, that isn’t the case . Instead, it compliments it. DesktopActivity is great, as far as it goes but, it doesn’t display system (cpu) temperature which I like to keep a check on. It also compliments but won’t replace WeatherMan . In the future, with a few modifications / additions, it exhibits the potential to successfully replace WeatherMan and iStat Menus on my system. For now though, I’m content to utilize it as a compliment to the two . Although I now feel like my system is over monitored . Thanks for bringing this aesthetically pleasing utility app to our attention, you value vixen you .