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Vitals is described by its developer as a free, open-source native macOS system monitor for Apple Silicon Macs. Its feature list goes well beyond a few menu-bar graphs: it includes per-core CPU activity, GPU and Neural Engine monitoring, sensor readings, process details, storage and network views, alerts, and benchmarks. Those capabilities are developer-described, not independently verified, and the exact project and its current download details should be confirmed before installing.
What is Vitals?
A Reddit account presenting itself as Vitals’ developer describes the app as built with Swift/AppKit and C++. The developer says it runs natively on macOS and does not use Electron or external dependencies, and that it requires no account or telemetry. These are claims from the developer’s post, rather than independently tested findings. The post frames Vitals as an inspection tool for people who want a closer look at an Apple Silicon Mac than a basic menu-bar monitor provides.
There are other macOS apps named Vitals, and the available information does not establish the exact source repository or prove that similarly named projects are the app discussed in that post. Do not assume their download channels, licenses, macOS requirements, or features apply to this Vitals.
What can Vitals monitor?
The developer’s feature list spans several parts of the system. It describes the following capabilities, which have not been independently tested here:
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- ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — The 12MP Center Stage camera helps you look sharp in any light and keeps you in frame during video calls. Desk View lets you share your workspace. And a studio-quality three-mic array ensures you come through clearly.
- SIX-SPEAKER SOUND WITH SPATIAL AUDIO — Four force-cancelling woofers produce bold bass, and two high-performance tweeters deliver accurate mids and crisp highs. And Spatial Audio creates a sophisticated, cinematic soundstage in supported music, video, and games.
- SUPERPOWER YOUR STUDIO — Two Thunderbolt 5 ports let you connect high-speed accessories, daisy-chain up to four displays, and even fast-charge Mac laptops. And two USB-C ports are perfect for USB peripherals or charging your iPhone.
- CPU: usage by individual performance and efficiency cores, along with Apple Silicon cluster frequencies and power data.
- GPU and Neural Engine: activity monitoring, plus Metal GPU benchmarking.
- Hardware sensors: SMC temperatures, power, voltages, currents, and fan readings.
- Processes: a process tree with CPU and memory use, disk I/O, wakeups, and energy impact.
- Storage and networking: physical disks, SMART data, disk-space analysis, and monitoring for each network interface.
- Health and testing: system health checks, alerts, and CPU, memory, and disk benchmarks.
- Displays: configurable menu-bar monitors and floating panels on the desktop.
Sensor names and readings can vary across Mac models. The developer’s post invites users to share feedback about their Apple Silicon Macs, including temperature and power readings, disks, and network interfaces; it does not establish that every listed reading is available or equally useful on every model.
How does Vitals differ from a lighter menu-bar monitor?
The distinction presented by the developer is breadth: Vitals is intended for deeper inspection, while a simpler monitor can be a better fit if all you want is a few graphs at a glance. In response to a question mentioning Stats and MenuMeters, the developer characterized those tools as potentially simpler options. That is the developer’s positioning, not an independent comparison or a controlled test.
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- 4K UHD with 1000:1 Contrast Ratio - This UltraFine display with a 1000:1 contrast ratio displays deeper blacks and vivid colors in UHD clarity. With wide viewing angles, it gives creative professionals the ability to view and work with highly-detailed, digital imagery.
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- Onscreen Control - You can customize the workspace by splitting the display or adjusting basic monitor options with just a few mouse clicks.
- Ergonomic Stand - The ergonomic stand makes it easy to flexibly adjust the tilt of the screen in the optimal position for you.
- What's In The Box - Stand Body, Stand Base, Screws, Power Adapter, HDMI Cable, Quick Start Guide, Registration Card, Warranty.
Activity Monitor is another familiar option for viewing processes and system activity. The feature list for Vitals describes additional hardware-focused views such as per-core activity, SMC readings, disk SMART data, and Neural Engine monitoring, as well as menu-bar modules and floating panels. The available information does not establish how Vitals compares with Activity Monitor in accuracy, resource use, or performance.
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What should you check before installing it?
The developer’s post described Vitals as free and open source, but said the public build was not notarized at the time of posting. Notarization and distribution status can change, so check the current release information from the exact project before downloading. The available information does not confirm the matching repository, current signing status, license, latest release, minimum macOS version, or supported Apple Silicon generations.
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- Work Smart, Play Smart on a 21:9 Smart Screen - LG Smart Monitor is designed for multitasking while you work, play and watch. Connect the 34” 21:9 curved display to a laptop, desktop or gaming console to immerse yourself in your work or games. Or, with the Smart Monitor's built-in LG webOS, you can watch favorite shows from your favorite streaming apps.
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- 99% sRGB color gamut - Immerse yourself in a world of brilliant color from HDR10 that helps enhance picture quality and up to 99% sRGB color gamut expression to make games visually pop.
Confirm that the download belongs to the developer’s intended project rather than another macOS app named Vitals. If macOS warns about an unidentified or unverified developer, do not bypass the warning unless you have verified the app’s identity and obtained it from a source you trust.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who is Vitals for?
Based on the developer’s description, Vitals may suit Apple Silicon Mac users who want detailed telemetry, sensor and process views, or multiple ways to keep selected readings visible. If you only need a couple of menu-bar graphs, a simpler monitor may be more appropriate. The post specifically concerns Apple Silicon; it does not establish Intel Mac support.
Rank #4
- A SIGHT TO BE BOLD — An immersive 27-inch 5K Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View, advanced mics and speakers, and Thunderbolt 5 ports.* Studio Display is the perfect partner for Mac.
- WITH FLYING COLORS — 14.7 million pixels, 600 nits of brightness, support for 1 billion colors, and P3 wide color make everything spring to life with spectacular detail.
- ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — The 12MP Center Stage camera helps you look sharp in any light and keeps you in frame during video calls. Desk View lets you share your workspace. And a studio-quality three-mic array ensures you come through clearly.
- SIX-SPEAKER SOUND WITH SPATIAL AUDIO — Four force-cancelling woofers produce bold bass, and two high-performance tweeters deliver accurate mids and crisp highs. And Spatial Audio creates a sophisticated, cinematic soundstage in supported music, video, and games.
- SUPERPOWER YOUR STUDIO — Two Thunderbolt 5 ports let you connect high-speed accessories, daisy-chain up to four displays, and even fast-charge Mac laptops. And two USB-C ports are perfect for USB peripherals or charging your iPhone.
No independent measurements are available here for sensor accuracy, benchmark results, battery impact, or the app’s own resource use. Treat the listed functions as the developer’s description, not as tested performance claims.
Quick Recap
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- [Show Mac Colors] Calibrated for MacBook with BenQ’s exclusive color tuning, offering a vibrant P3 wide color gamut for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
- [Expand MacBook with USB-C] Connect and expand your MacBook display with a single USB-C cable.
- [Integrated MacBook Controls] Adjust brightness and volume directly from your MacBook keyboard.
- [Versatile Connectivity] 2 HDMI and 2 USB-C ports—The dual USB-C ports deliver 90W for your MacBook, and 15W to charge your iPad or iPhone.
- [Adjustable Stand] Adjust height, tilt, swivel, and pivot for maximum comfort.
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