08/22/2006, 10:10am, EDT

Tuesday, August 22nd

MacBook update constantly runs fans

Apple's recent update to its MacBook line of Intel-based laptops, which the company said was to adjust "fan behavior," has resulted in fans that run endlessly to cool the device. Apple's own discussion forums reveal that the MacBook fans run continuously at a low speed, ramping up when necessary to move more air through the enclosure, according to InformationWeek. Apple in early June admitted that an oversight during its laptop production may have caused some of its new MacBooks to overheat, saying that some users experiencing warmer-than-usual running temperatures should check for the presence of a clear plastic covering which was inadvertently left in place over the rear vent.

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macentric

This is a good thing!

08/22, 11:23am, EDT

I no longer burn my lap using my MacBook. I for one would certainly prefer a tiny bit more noise to cooking myself.

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Donnellk

a good update

08/22, 11:57am, EDT

It's been a good update for me. A tiny extra amount of noise (noticeable only if you're straining to hear it), no noticeable loss of battery life, and significantly less heat. A winner all around.

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troymurray

Who cares, still great!

08/22, 12:01pm, EDT

I don't care if the fan is running all the time or not, as long as it doesn't sound like a cow, is quiet and keeps the system cool I'm happy.

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testudo

Re: who cares

08/22, 12:46pm, EDT

Well, you might, when you see your battery life diminish faster then you'd like...

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ATPTourFan

testudo...

08/22, 2:16pm, EDT

How much draw do you think that fan pulls, Testudo? I can guarantee it draws less than the difference between running your portable display at full brightness compared to half brightness.

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chas_m

rubbish!

08/22, 4:57pm, EDT

This report is completely untrue. Your forum posts are worth the paper they're printed on. I carefully checked my MacBook after installing the update, and discovered that at light load the fans DO NOT RUN AT ALL, just as before. They DO perk up and run more often than they did before, which I expected and am not bothered by, and they rarely reach full blast anymore (which they did often when I would put the system under a heavy load).

So, the result of the update for me was cooler system, fans activating more often but less intensely. Exactly what I wanted.

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ZinkDifferent

testudo...

08/22, 5:03pm, EDT

Chas_m points out: "So, the result of the update for me was cooler system, fans activating more often but less intensely. Exactly what I wanted." ... and testudo being dead wrong, as always.... Ahh, consistency!

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