Portable EF System Monitor

Every running item on your computer uses a certain amount of system resources. Even if individual consumption seems not to have an impact on your system, when they all add up, you experience a drop in performance.

Keeping an eye on usage is not only useful for keeping track of a specific program, but also helps in testing and developing applications a little better. Depending on what resource you want to track, utilities like Portable EF System Monitor display corresponding info directly on your desktop.

Running it brings up a compact window already set to monitor certain details like Windows uptime, CPU, memory and space usage. Additional details like connected user, date and time, as well as PC name are also in plain sight.

Elements can be customized in several ways, but don't expect the new style to be a lot different than the original. First of all, each row can be tweaked separately. Sadly, customization depends on the type of active monitor, in which case you're limited to font color for most.

The memory tracker for instance, benefits from more options, such as multiple types to display usage, background color as well as text alignment. What's more, you can't drag the window edges to arrange rows differently. However, modifying the general font type and size automatically changes window size so all details can fit. When not active, a system tray icon provides instant feedback for one selected resource.

What pulls practicality from the dust is the possibility to connect to a remote computer to gather data. Multiple instances can be launched so you can keep an eye on your own computer and others from the same network.

Last but not least, you can add more trackers and there's an impressive array of system info you can keep an eye on. Selection can be a little difficult though, with the list putting all drivers at your disposal so you can choose corresponding services. The bad part is identification of simple elements such as network usage are hard to pick, while the good part is that can track anything.

Portable EF System Monitor lives up to expectations, although the first impression might not inspire much potential. Taking your time to get to know the application reveals that behind the rough visuals and shallow customization options there are a lot of powerful monitoring utilities that provide thorough, real time updating info on anything running on your computer and remote ones.