Over heating issue, is it because of OSX?? (windows works fine)

I certainly hope no one is surprised at the possibility that programs running under different operating systems might use the CPU differently... especially considering that we already know that Leopard has issues with wireless network connectivity (i.e., frequent inability to get or remain connected to a wireless network).

Apple definitely needs to get their collective butts in gear and address these issues. The MBA is an excellent computer, but it does seem that many of the issues that have been mentioned are caused by software.

al82 said:

There is NO reason why a 1.6 dual core should stutter when playing a 200mg episode of simpsons on avi. It must because its overheating, but why from a task my mobile phone can perform.

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As you say, it's because it's overheating. Take it back to Apple and get them to sort it out because it shouldn't overheat (mine doesn't)

clayj said:

The MBA is an excellent computer

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It is? News to me. It's very pretty but there's little about the hardware that outright impresses.

To the OP, it could be due to the X3100 heating up and causing the CPU to go into a protected state - and similar problems may occur with Vista + Aero Glass as with Leopard. Both of the more modern OS's hit the GPU heavier under normal use. XP is very lightweight in that regard. Speculation of course - I can't comment as I haven't had many issues with heating, apart from when the notebook crashes before sleep once it's bagged. This isn't unique to OS X though. I've had similar problems in XP, although never in Vista - at least, not on a non-Apple.

Some of the issues - for me, power and wireless for starters - as well as obvious ommissions given its competition are clearly hardware compromises borne of inadequate engineering, that being sacrificed to meet a marketing or stylistic goal - something that is very typical of Apple. It wouldn't surprise me that Apple has screwed up on cooling yet again. However, I'm not having heat problems with the notebook - likely because I don't use it as my main machine and all I really do on it is Citrix/RDP, web, Word and Entourage.

If you continue having problems with it despite returns and you want some usable all-round performance without having to baby it, perhaps it's time for a subnotebook that's designed as a workhorse and not as a trinket - from the likes of Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba et al. As far as cooling is concerned, they will be noisier in everyday use for the most part as the fans are going almost all the time as opposed to the MBA, but when being pushed you'll notice that the non-Apples don't ramp up to the level of the MBA.

As I bought it mainly for how it looks to use in meetings and other public engagements it's liveable with for me - but if you actually want to get stuff done on something that's well under the weight of a Macbook / Pro as your main machine, perhaps it's worth considering other (non-Apple) options.