apple news/media reports

05/18/2006, 3:15pm, EDT

Thursday, May 18th

Firmware update fixes MBP heat issues

Apple's firmware update, which the company issued this Tuesday, appears to remedy MacBook Pro heat issues reported by numerous frustrated users. Apple said the SMC Firmware Update addressed intermittent boot issues at the time of its release. Users began reporting an increase in the usage of the fans in their MacBook Pros within hours of the update, and with the help of diagnostic tools said that their machines were running up to eight degrees cooler, according to InformationWeek. "The fans are now working like they should," wrote one user of Apple's support forums after installing the update. "Although the computer is much louder when being taxed, it's much much cooler. In fact, the area above the f-keys is just warm to the touch because the fans are actually forcing the air all the way out of the machine."

Whining

Early indications suggested that the update also fixed the MacBook Pro's unusual whining noise, though many other users are still experiencing whining even after updating.

MacBook Pro users band together

The OSx86 Project recently put out a call to MacBook Pro owners experiencing whining and heat issues, in an attempt to bring Apple's attention to the matter and take its customers seriously. Participating users have been instructed to phone Apple Support on Saturday, May 20th, 2006 to tell the company about their problems with the notebooks.


Filed under: Apple

, , 4comments, del.icio.us, slashdot, digg, buzz


4 comments
Reader Reactions (Please use <i></i> for italic text)

subscribe to comments
for this article




Expand All   Global Settings
not fixed here
0
05/18, 3:55pm, EDT
I did the update right after it came out and my MBP 1.8 isn't noticeably cooler. It hovers around 62 degrees under light use according to the CoreDuoTemp app. Perhaps this is a bit cooler inside, but the exterior of the case is just as hot as ever.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2005
User is offline
Fans
0
05/18, 4:35pm, EDT
I hadn't associated it with the firmware update until I read this article, but last night the fans on my MacBook Pro did go full blast for the first time I can remember. I thought it was just because of the warm weather. :)

[fletcher]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jul 2005
User is offline
70?C can't be normal...
0
05/18, 5:05pm, EDT
...and the idea is the fan shouldn't really come on very much, anyway - who wants to listen to that all day...? It's why I buy a fluid bearuing drive laptop in the first place!
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2002
User is offline
Short term fix
0
05/18, 5:43pm, EDT
All this firmware update does is change the temp at which the fans are activated. Do a google search for the heat issues and see the REAL PROBLEM!!! The terrible overuse of the silver thermal paste on the MBPro is the what is causing the overheating issues. Poor quality control. I hope the new MB don't have the same issues. Does anyone know if Asustek also constructed the MBpro model?
Forum Regular
Joined Aug 2004
User is offline
Your Comments

In order to post comments: If you are a registered member, please login with your MacNN Forums username and password otherwise please uncheck the checkbox below.


Registered Member?
macnn forums login:

macnn forums password:

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

RSS Feeds

Have the latest content delivered to your desktop via RSS. Use the links below to get access to a specific blog, news, or reviews feed.



  MacNN -all

  MacNN Reviews

  MacNN Podcasts

  iPodNN

  Electronista

  Left Lane News
Turn your laptop into CASH: Sell us your used laptop. Working or not. Get money FAST. Instant online quote. Shipping is FREE.

Check Out the VIERA from Panasonic!: Enter a New Visual Era with Panasonic VIERA HDTVs. An Enhanced Experience.

Check Out the VIERA from Panasonic!: Enter a New Visual Era with Panasonic VIERA HDTVs. An Enhanced Experience.

Need Mac Help?: Nationwide Onsite Service & Support Troubleshooting, Upgrades, Training troubleshooting, Training, Networking, Upgrades, Graphics, Database, Digital Video.

Mac: Browse a huge selection now. Find exactly what you want today.

Buy from The Apple Store, iTunes.com, Amazon.com, TechDepot, OfficeDepot, Computers4Sure, or donate.