Apple - Is there a keyboard shortcut for launching Activity Monitor?
Not by default, but you can create one in System Preferences --> Keyboard --> Keyboard Shortcuts. Or you can use spotlight:
type ⌘ + space
start typing "activity monitor"
as soon as activity monitor is highlighted in the spotlight list, hit return
Save in AppleScript Editor and assign a shortcut in FastScripts or some other way:
tell app "Activity Monitor"
reopen -- makes a new window if there are no existing windows
activate -- brings the app to front
end tell
Create in Automator an Action to launch Activity Monitor:
Then in System Preferences -> Shortcuts Tab -> Services set a keyboard shortcut for the created service: