"Fix" MacBook Neo Cursor Lag: Record 1 Pixel of the Screen Every 10 Seconds(gist.github.com)
218 points by retroplasma 1 day ago | 101 comments
tl;dr: A workaround for cursor lag on the new MacBook (likely related to ProMotion/variable refresh behavior) by running a tiny background app that continuously captures a 1x1 pixel region of the screen every 10 seconds via ScreenCaptureKit, forcing the display into a higher refresh state. The provided bash script compiles a Swift menu bar app ("Unlag Neo") that handles permissions, login-at-startup, and optional pausing during fullscreen apps. Frames are immediately discarded; the capture exists solely as a side effect to keep the cursor responsive.
HN Discussion:
  • Technical speculation about the underlying cause involving hardware/software cursor transitions
  • ~Simpler alternative fixes exist, like changing cursor size
  • The fix is bad because it forces compositor to handle cursor instead of hardware overlay
  • ~Hacky workarounds tend to persist long after the bug is fixed, creating cruft
  • Broader lament about laggy cursors and degraded software quality in modern OSes