Apple Releases MacBook Air Software Update

[bobsaget611]

Its finally here ran software update and this is now available and says:

This update is recommended for all MacBook Air computers, and addresses issues with video playback and processor core idling. Third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update.

[shrtmkr]

OMG, is this real :) I will report right back as soon as I install the update.

I AM HAVING A CORE SHUTDOWN AS I TYPE RIGHT NOW!

[costabunny]

Well I have been fortunate enough not to have seen a core shutdown, but this is good news (if it works).

[ducatidoc]

honestly, regardless of if it works or not i am still going to CL my 1st gen mba in a few weeks for these new penryns due out any day... am REALLY hoping that apple has put these past 200+ days to good use in their engineering dept and worked out all of the kinks.

[shoulin333]

Just updated!!

w00t going to try it out now, if nothing im going to get some AS3 tomorrow

[alphaod]

Ooh, must call father to tell him to update… he only updates when I tell him :rolleyes: He's not exactly a computer wiz.

EDIT:

Only 83KB?! I didn't know that was still possible!

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Apple today released MacBook Air Update (http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/macosx_updates/macbookairupdate.html), addressing issues with video playback and processor core idling.

What’s New in this Version
This update is recommended for all MacBook Air computers, and addresses issues with video playback and processor core idling.
Third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update.
The update weighs in at 368 KB and requires OS X 10.5.4.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/22/apple-releases-macbook-air-software-update/)

[Some_Big_Spoon]

Will this stop the BS one core at 100%, the other core at zero, and the computer turning into a useless $3000 doorstop until you shut it down, take a walk around the block and boot back up? :-/

[Mindflux]

Will this stop the BS one core at 100%, the other core at zero, and the computer turning into a useless $3000 doorstop until you shut it down, take a walk around the block and boot back up? :-/

No. It'll fix the whiny users that are about as intelligent as a door stop. Happy?

[CWallace]

Well at only 368K I am guessing it is modifying OS X and not the actual firmware.

[Some_Big_Spoon]

Knew I'd get a quote like that, just knew it. Serves me right for posting anything remotely negative...

No. It'll fix the whiny users that are about as intelligent as a door stop. Happy?

[costabunny]

No. It'll fix the whiny users that are about as intelligent as a door stop. Happy?

Ouch harsh! lol

Personaly I haven't experienced this 'shutsown'thing, but anything that stops repeated threads about it is a good thing....

[Rocketman]

"Third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update."

What I want to know is what software that is so I can install it immediately.

Rocketman

[gcmexico]

there goes coolbook:mad:

[ayeying]

Its coolbook. Furthermore, it seems to be on the OS level and not the firmware level because installing 10.6 doesn't give core shutdowns even passing over 100 deg C.

Edit, I installed this patch and it seems to be keeping my CPU pretty cool even with youtube running.

[lidomkj]

I do not know if this was fixed as part of my repair by apple or if it was the download, but I just watched an entire movie in iTunes without any problems, temps hovered at 58* without any stutter or core shutdown.

I was not able to do that before and this is the first movie I watched that was over 2 hours since the repair and just installed the update tonight.

Thought I would share.

[ayeying]

This update just changes 2 files.

/System/Library/Extensions/AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext

[gcmexico]

I deactivated coolbook to install this...my temps immediately shut up 10 degrees after reboot!

this happen to anyone else?

[ayeying]

I deactivated coolbook to install this...my temps immediately shut up 10 degrees after reboot!

this happen to anyone else?

Im at 71 deg C right now with 6200rpm fan. Im connected to a external monitor while running internal and booting up vista in vmware fusion. So far, the temps aren't going any more higher then with coolbook enabled for me.

Edit: oh, and im on youtube on the external screen. my cpu is at 100% both cores but no shut downs and my temps aren't going above 75 deg C. Its actually down to 69 now.

Edit 2: I believe this patch has fixed the core shutdowns. I cannot get the core to shutdown no matter what I do and I've pegged the CPU to 100% for nearly 5 minutes now.

Edit 3: Okay, apparently, the fix is just to fix the core shutdown, however, you basically run at a 0.8GHz CPU to prevent overheating. Using the MSR Tools from this link:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=459306

You can test it out yourself. I'm running at 50% (0.80GHz) instead of 1.60GHz but my cores don't shutdown.

[mac jones]

Wow.. seems sort of specific.

They even mention Coolbook. (indirectly)


perhaps I won't need that any longer :D

[ducatidoc]

You can test it out yourself. I'm running at 50% (0.80GHz) instead of 1.60GHz but my cores don't shutdown.

so basically we now have 800MHz core duo's? no performance beyond 800 MHz at all?

[ayeying]

so basically we now have 800MHz core duo's? no performance beyond 800 MHz at all?

It drops to 800MHz when you're maxing the system out and pushing it onto the brink of overheating. After I closed off youtube I was able to get 75% speed back until my temps reached low enough until i got 100% throttle back

[gcmexico]

Im at 71 deg C right now with 6200rpm fan. Im connected to a external monitor while running internal and booting up vista in vmware fusion. So far, the temps aren't going any more higher then with coolbook enabled for me.

Edit: oh, and im on youtube on the external screen. my cpu is at 100% both cores but no shut downs and my temps aren't going above 75 deg C. Its actually down to 69 now.

Edit 2: I believe this patch has fixed the core shutdowns. I cannot get the core to shutdown no matter what I do and I've pegged the CPU to 100% for nearly 5 minutes now.

Edit 3: Okay, apparently, the fix is just to fix the core shutdown, however, you basically run at a 0.8GHz CPU to prevent overheating. Using the MSR Tools from this link:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=459306

You can test it out yourself. I'm running at 50% (0.80GHz) instead of 1.60GHz but my cores don't shutdown.
*
my temps are high but no shutdowns...this update definitely addresses the core shutdown issue...job well done Apple?

[xparaparafreakx]

The only way to test this is Logic Studio and play the tutorial file, Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disko (the 5.1 version to a sound card)

[ayeying]

The only way to test this is Logic Studio and play the tutorial file, Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disko (the 5.1 version to a sound card)

or you can just run "yes" in terminal. there's many ways to create a core shutdown. It appears that Apple has fixed this problem

[xparaparafreakx]

I would do yes but I want to try normal situations. I can't get my to shut down but even before it rarely shutdown anyway.

[nagromme]

My Air hasn't had any problem, but I'm all in favor of prevention. I'll let others be the guinea pigs on any update though!

[saisrujan]

Coolbook worked flawlessly for the past 4 months and now Apple wants me to take it out. If I had an option, I'd stick with Coolbook, but I can't really stay away from updating for too long. So, I have these questions:

How do I remove coolbook? Would deactivating be equivalent of removing (as far as Apple is concerned)?
If I need to totally remove coolbook, will dragging the application to trash do the job?
If I am not happy with Apple's solution and want to fall back to using Coolbook, do i have an option, or will coolbook stop working once i install this update?

[BWhaler]

I've had this problem, notably playing video--something I like to do while working on other things.

I really hope this fixes the issue. It sucks to pay $3,200 for a Mac that I have to let cool down when watching a movie or videos online.

Fingers crossed...because I absolutely love the MBA otherwise. Love it...

[macwall]

I've had this problem, notably playing video--something I like to do while working on other things.

I really hope this fixes the issue. It sucks to pay $3,200 for a Mac that I have to let cool down when watching a movie or videos online.

Fingers crossed...because I absolutely love the MBA otherwise. Love it...

my friend's macbook air is still running very hot to the touch

[dudup]

Ladies and gentlemen,

Fire up your Software Update NOW!!!

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macbookairupdate.html

What’s New in this Version

This update is recommended for all MacBook Air computers, and addresses issues with video playback and processor core idling.

Third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update.

For information on this update, please visit this website:

About MacBook Air Software Update
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2883

[ntrigue]

Coolbook worked flawlessly for the past 4 months and now Apple wants me to take it out. If I had an option, I'd stick with Coolbook, but I can't really stay away from updating for too long. So, I have these questions:

How do I remove coolbook? Would deactivating be equivalent of removing (as far as Apple is concerned)?
If I need to totally remove coolbook, will dragging the application to trash do the job?
If I am not happy with Apple's solution and want to fall back to using Coolbook, do i have an option, or will coolbook stop working once i install this update?


Simply open CoolBookController and choose UNINSTALL under Preferences.

On another note. I uninstalled CoolBook and Restarted then I performed Software Update and Restarted.

My Geekbench was 2214. I relicensed CoolBook and restored my settings and achieved a 2469! I LOVE this software!

[dudup]

Yeah, definitely "old". Thanks! ;)

[darwin022]

Ran the update, took a while... long reboot.

Whatever this updated and whatever caches/preferences/etc. this cleared out worked wonders. All applications opened 5x+ faster than before the update (quicksilver, simplifymedia, adium, mail.app, firefox). The machine is actually responsive again. Too bad I can't run this update once a month. Hopefully the responsiveness sticks

[aleni]

i use only 800mhz set by coolbook for adapter and battery settings, i didn't really notice the speed decrease because all i do just listening to music and browsing websites. the battery holds a little long too.

just disable coolbook and installed this update. everything is fine, no need to uninstall coolbook, just disable it and restart.

[FireArse]

Edit 3: Okay, apparently, the fix is just to fix the core shutdown, however, you basically run at a 0.8GHz CPU to prevent overheating.

Now I'm not going into a PB 12 vs MBA debate here - but the 12 inch can play YouTube without dropping the CPU speed for heat reasons. I don't think throttling the CPU to half what it can do in this day & age is acceptable. It certainly wasn't 4 years ago with the PPC's.

F

[abc861]

i could open up to 20 videos and trailers in different tabs on firefox or safari, and it ran smoothly using cookbook. but now after updating, 3 online videos feels laggy. i reactivated my cookbook immediately. i guess it's that the update limits the clockspeed by too much (fluctuated from 800 to 1200 mhz even with video playing) of cos you won't get any core shutdown. but performance is drastically reduced as it never reaches 1600 (or 1800 mhz for 1.8 model). stick with coolbook mates. i think the voltage setting you get in coolbook really helps lowering the temp and should avoid or greatly limit the chance of core shutdown. coolbook with smcfancontrol on mba is still the best in my opinion.

[Malcster]

Now I'm not going into a PB 12 vs MBA debate here - but the 12 inch can play YouTube without dropping the CPU speed for heat reasons. I don't think throttling the CPU to half what it can do in this day & age is acceptable. It certainly wasn't 4 years ago with the PPC's.

F

Agreed, but you only require this if you have an MBA with the fault (Apple, it is a fault despite you trying to hide it with a cpu remap) luckily there seem to be some ok ones around (fortunately mine included) which don't get the cpu core issue.

Consequently im very reluctant to update, ive grabbed the updater from the apple website and will just file it somewhere for now i think.

[King t.]

i just ran the update, haven't noticed any changes so far :apple:

[ozsu]

Simply open CoolBookController and choose UNINSTALL under Preferences.

On another note. I uninstalled CoolBook and Restarted then I performed Software Update and Restarted.

My Geekbench was 2214. I relicensed CoolBook and restored my settings and achieved a 2469! I LOVE this software!

I would be very interested in learning what your CoolBook settings are. Incidentally, although others have indicated that they set speed to 800Mhz, I cannot find any setting below 1200 in the drop-down menu. What am I missing?

[jackfrost123]

Pretty pathetic response from apple, stooping really low, both too little (800 mgz? what? a powerbook g4 would be a better option thus...) and too late...:eek:

[guzhogi]

According to AppleInsider, the core shutdown thing is for when the MBA gets really hot. Shutting down one core should let the computer cool down. I don't have an Air so I don't know how much that's true so don't flame me on it. If true, it makes sense. I'd rather have a computer that gets a little slow at times rather than one that dies from overheating. I'm sure there are people here that would be the opposite. Whatever.

[The Toddfather]

According to AppleInsider, the core shutdown thing is for when the MBA gets really hot. Shutting down one core should let the computer cool down. I don't have an Air so I don't know how much that's true so don't flame me on it. If true, it makes sense. I'd rather have a computer that gets a little slow at times rather than one that dies from overheating. I'm sure there are people here that would be the opposite. Whatever.

The point is, at $1800 to $3000, it shouldn't do either.

[Kar98]

Jeebus, a $3,000 notebook and you can't even watch youtube videos on it? Ouch. :rolleyes:

[Pedromiguel20]

Jeebus, a $3,000 notebook and you can't even watch youtube videos on it? Ouch. :rolleyes:

Now you can ;-) Btw it starts at $1800.

[bananas]

cool.

I'll be installing it right away.

[SirOmega]

Jeebus, a $3,000 notebook and you can't even watch youtube videos on it? Ouch. :rolleyes:

Thats just as much Adobe/Macromedia's fault for writing a horrible Mac flash client (which version 10 is supposed to address).

[colonels1020]

Yay, they fixed the core shutdown issue! Now I can finally go buy a MacBook Air! :D

[bananas]

i could open up to 20 videos and trailers in different tabs on firefox or safari, and it ran smoothly using cookbook. but now after updating, 3 online videos feels laggy. i reactivated my cookbook immediately. i guess it's that the update limits the clockspeed by too much (fluctuated from 800 to 1200 mhz even with video playing) of cos you won't get any core shutdown. but performance is drastically reduced as it never reaches 1600 (or 1800 mhz for 1.8 model). stick with coolbook mates. i think the voltage setting you get in coolbook really helps lowering the temp and should avoid or greatly limit the chance of core shutdown. coolbook with smcfancontrol on mba is still the best in my opinion.

I prefer Apple provided solutions to problems with my Mac, rather than third party solutions that I have to pay for. I'd say everybody should update.

It seems to me that this update helps balancing the load between the cores. (I have to admit that I've been using this update only for a few minutes now)

[Santa Rosa]

Pretty pathetic response from apple, stooping really low, both too little (800 mgz? what? a powerbook g4 would be a better option thus...) and too late...:eek:

Powerbook G4 aint no Macbook Air no matter what speed its running at.

[queshy]

Hmm, I've never had the core shutdown before (had the computer since like February), but hopefully this update will make things faster/cooler!

[shoppy]

Powerbook G4 aint no Macbook Air no matter what speed its running at.

That is simply because it is better. The air is a wannabe 12" PB replacement. I have both and the air struggles at best with the spinning ball of annoyance.

[Olvenskol]

Pretty pathetic response from apple, stooping really low, both too little (800 mgz? what? a powerbook g4 would be a better option thus...) and too late...:eek:

I have to disagree. Instead of dropping one processor to zero and the other staying at 1600 MHz, they drop two processors to 800 MHz. This is similar computing power (more, in most cases) and handles the heat issue, which is the goal of either technique. It's a perfectly reasonable approach, one they should have adopted originally.

Tiny computers have heat management issues. It's the nature of things. Some manufacturers start by simply throttling the CPU speed in the first place. Others have more sophisticated techniques.

Everyone agrees the heat dissipation in the Air could be better engineered. But that means a hardware change. With software, your options are limited to alternate heat management strategies (which this update does) or undervolting the CPU (which Coolbook does). The heat management approach this update takes is better than the original one, so it's a good update (assuming it all works correctly). Nothing pathetic about squeezing more out of the hardware.

[King t.]

so after installing the update, I put the MBA to the test with Isquint, and the temp. maxed to 83 degrees, fans are spinning at 6200rpm. :eek:

[chadder007]

Now I'm not going into a PB 12 vs MBA debate here - but the 12 inch can play YouTube without dropping the CPU speed for heat reasons. I don't think throttling the CPU to half what it can do in this day & age is acceptable. It certainly wasn't 4 years ago with the PPC's.

F

Agreed....the users paid for 1.6 or 1.8 ghz, not 800mhz. If they let it become bad enough I would think there would be a lawsuit or something.

[iNtaCt]

Hello ;) My question is a little stupid but anyway.... Where can i find this update ?! In software Updates or somewhere else ?! Thank you

[Olvenskol]

Hello ;) My question is a little stupid but anyway.... Where can i find this update ?! In software Updates or somewhere else ?! Thank you

I just installed mine. Found it using Software Update off the Apple-logo menu.

[iNtaCt]

whats the name of the update? thank you

[Olvenskol]

whats the name of the update? thank you

Didn't notice, sorry. It was the only one available for me, so I just grabbed it.

[iNtaCt]

u can see it in the list of installed updates already ?! Could u make this for me ?! PLS
I want to be sured that i have installed all updates and everything must be fine...

[Olvenskol]

Agreed....the users paid for 1.6 or 1.8 ghz, not 800mhz. If they let it become bad enough I would think there would be a lawsuit or something.

Technically, the update improves performance over the original software (since two cores running at 800 MHz is more computing power than one core running at 1600 MHz). In any case, many notebook computers using CPU speed management to help with heat issues, so I have a hard time seeing a lawsuit being successful.

I think the Air could have been better engineered in terms of its heat dissipation. My guess is that the prototypes ran ok, but the tolerances are tight and manufacturing variance (e.g. too much thermal paste) can easily push the heat management into the not-so-good zone for individual machines. Apparently lots of them!

However, the *software* update is reasonable. I think they should have gone with this approach in the first place. My guess is they didn't think core shutdowns would be as frequent or as long as they have proven to be for many people.

[Olvenskol]

u can see it in the list of installed updates already ?! Could u make this for me ?! PLS
I want to be sured that i have installed all updates and everything must be fine...

I had to look around to find it! Never done that before ;)

Anyhow, in my log it's called:

2008-08-23 11:49:29 -0700: Installed "MacBook Air Update" (1.0)

[iNtaCt]

thank you so much :)

[alphaod]

Interesting--my update was only 83KB.

[n0de]

Mine was only 83kb too.

I think the real test is WoW. Those players seem to have been the most affected by the core shutdowns and high temps. I don't play, anyone out there who does and has applied the update?

[Kebabselector]

Anyone know if Safari is less snappier? :D

[macsmurf]

Tiny computers have heat management issues. It's the nature of things. Some manufacturers start by simply throttling the CPU speed in the first place. Others have more sophisticated techniques.


Who does that? I have never heard of any laptop that throttles the CPU to avoid heat issues (except Macbook Air). I consider a laptop not running at the advertised speed to be a faulty laptop, unless it does so to conserve battery power and I can turn off that behaviour.

[EspressoLove]

... PB 12 inch can play YouTube without dropping the CPU speed .... I don't think throttling the CPU to half .. in this day & age is acceptable. It certainly wasn't 4 years ago with the PPC's.


scroll to DFS here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerPC_G4), and look it up (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_frequency_scaling)
Though I admit you are right smarty, it probably wasn't there 4 years ago. Happy? Proud? Smart?
P.S. every arrogant DA should look up those, stop posting ignorant crap.

Agreed, but you only require this if you have an MBA with the fault (Apple, it is a fault despite you trying to hide it with a cpu remap)

Totally agreed here Malcster, MBA's hotplate if indeed PofS.
Was even thinking about manufacturing copper one, but realized it won't sell being unholy for macheads.

Pretty pathetic response from apple, stooping really low, both too little (800 mgz? what? a powerbook g4 would be a better ....
pathetic you say ....

....the users paid for 1.6 or 1.8 ghz, not 800mhz .... a lawsuit or something.
wow, just wow ... just cant stop wondering :))))

Who does that? I have never heard of any laptop that throttles the CPU to avoid heat issues (except Macbook Air). I consider a laptop not running at the advertised speed to be a faulty laptop ....

Yeah, macsmurf put it better then others - YOUR IGNORANCE is not a bliss for others.
And it doesn't make industry change KNOWN;) practices for you either.

So, with all compliance with our freedom of expression, I call for you - stop expressing BS, and educate yourself.

P.S. Sorry, wasn't defending Apple or MBA, but tired or reciprocal stupidity & lack of effort to stop it. Hope wasn't too harsh - LOVE MR, and want it to be QUALITY resource, for a good of all of us.
P.P.S. done venting :rolleyes::D

[EspressoLove]

Just wonder, what would you do guys to Apple (or to me:confused::D)
If I'd tell you - it's not just MBA - for years you were getting "less computer", than you've "paid for" :D:D:D

[pilesofstones]

@EspressoLove

Brilliant reply! Cheers.

[AppliedMicro]

since two cores running at 800 MHz is more computing power than one core running at 1600 MHz
I fail to see, how that'd be "more computing power".

Actually, processing power doesn't proportionally scale with the number of cores - but it heat dissipation doesn't, too. Plainly put, 2x 800 MHz provides less performance than 1x 1600 MHz (depending on how "multithreaded" applications are) - but, generally, also less heat dissipation. So the improvement with this updates seems to come in terms of thermal characteristics - yet not with more processing power.

All this talk assumes, of course, that the pre-update MBA still ran one core at full 1.6 GHz if the other was shut down. I really don't know if that is the case - but I'd tend to doubt it, at least where people experienced severe sluggishness in their machines. But if those machines didn't, then the advantages with the update installed should be even greater.

I think the Air could have been better engineered in terms of its heat dissipation. My guess is that the prototypes ran ok, but the tolerances are tight and manufacturing variance (e.g. too much thermal paste) can easily push the heat management into the not-so-good zone for individual machines.
I don't believe this has been a slip in engineering. I'd rather tend to think that they wanted to get the MacBook Air out in January at Macworld, even without processors really ready for primetime (=no 45nm Low Voltage CPU available). ULV CPU were out of the question for Leopard, hence the custom CPU provided by Intel - a deliberate compromising right from the start, IMO.

[macsmurf]

Yeah, macsmurf put it better then others - YOUR IGNORANCE is not a bliss for others.
And it doesn't make industry change KNOWN;) practices for you either.


It's not entirely clear if you're talking about my ignorance, but I'm going to assume that. :)

There is no doubt that it is possible to implement an OS that makes use of throttling to avoid heat issues. However, the real reason for using this technique is to conserve power, whether it be a server or a laptop.

To use the technique in laptops in order to make up for an inefficient heat dissipation system is, in my opinion, evidence of a faulty design.

I'm quite confident to claim ignorance and I ask again: Who does that (except for Apple)?

[EspressoLove]

.

[EspressoLove]

Technically, the update improves performance over the original software ...

However, the *software* update is reasonable. I think they should have gone with this approach in the first place.

To my knowledge core shutdown's "management" is fully implemented on a chip itself. Which while not barres Apple form "messing" with it, is designed to implement it OS'independently, when CPU itself "senses danger".

A lot of functions being passed to BIOS/FW to manage overall thermal environment. Such as running fans, etc.
Unfortunately OS can not "lighten up" (or "sense" the need for it) computing load, so CPUs for a long time have been managing this themselves.

So, to your points : I don't know what Apple did with this update, but gut feeling it's only a patch from afar, not really addressing "core" issues here (both inefficient cooling "system" & often strange logic of shutdowns - when temps are not that high).
Still hope this patch does enough to push shutdowns enough from every day's experiences.

P.S. going to buy MBA before this christmas, so keeping fingers crossed :cool:

[AppliedMicro]

Yeah, macsmurf put it better then others - YOUR IGNORANCE is not a bliss for others.
And it doesn't make industry change KNOWN;) practices for you either.
Call it "ignorance" or not... of course computers, especially notebooks have been known to throttling down in order to avoid heat issues. Just as 80 GB aren't really 80 GB of hard drive capacity, 5 hours battery runtime aren't always 5 hours of battery runtime, etc. etc...

But still... in these cases, vendors usually have their small asterisks, footnotes and fine print denoting (at least "hinting" at) these facts. So the question or claim of wrongfully advertising is not totally without validity...

[macsmurf]

Call it "ignorance" or not... of course computers, especially notebooks have been known to throttling down in order to avoid heat issues. Just as 80 GB aren't really 80 GB of hard drive capacity, 5 hours battery runtime aren't always 5 hours of battery runtime, etc. etc...


Could you be a bit more specific here?

[EspressoLove]

I'm quite confident to claim ignorance and I ask again: Who does that (except for Apple)?

Sweet lord ...
OK, I appreciate your attitude :rolleyes::D
In a sense - everybody does this, as this is done on CPU itself (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpeedStep)
OS can only alter it a bit, and it's not "permitted", as this will void Intel's warranty.

Think of it as a car, e.g. BMW 335i, say you have 60K warranty & 150MPH top speed.
You bet, if you run at 150MPH all the time, it would fall apart far sooner than 60K miles.
And if BMW will honor your warranty is another matter.

BTW, BMW has this mode (sorry, don't remember terminology) - when after a dash of autocross on a hot day, it becomes "weak" :rolleyes::p
Wow, Never thought about it before, but it's exactly what core shutdown looks and feels like .... :confused::eek::cool::p:rolleyes::D


P.S. it's not just Intel, it's AMD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerNow!) and PowerPC/G4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerPC_G4#PowerPC_7447.2F7457_.22Apollo_7.22) as well.

[EspressoLove]

@EspressoLove

Brilliant reply! Cheers.

Thanks, I appreciate.
Don't want to be hostile or evil, but cant help getting mad sometimes ...

[macsmurf]

Sweet lord ...
OK, I appreciate your attitude :rolleyes::D
In a sense - everybody does this, as this is done on CPU itself (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpeedStep)
OS can only alter it a bit, and it's not "permitted", as this will void Intel's warranty.


The last time I checked the OS actually had a lot of control over the throttling. I can find that for you if you like. Let me direct you to the Speedstep FAQ for the point I'm trying to make:

"By default, when the notebook computer is plugged in to the AC power, the processor will run in Maximum Performance mode and when it is running from the battery, the notebook will run in Battery Optimized Performance mode. If you wish to override this option and have it run at maximum performance at all times even when plugged into the battery, change both options to maximum Performance."

So, as you see, Speedstep is meant to be used to conserve power and not to make up for an inefficient heat dissipation system. Also, you can turn it off, and that won't void your warranty.

Think of it as a car, e.g. BMW 335i, say you have 60K warranty & 150MPH top speed.

You really don't have to dumb it down, I'm quite capable of understanding these issues :)


You bet, if you run at 150MPH all the time, it would fall apart far sooner than 60K miles.
And if BMW will honor your warranty is another matter.


A CPU is designed to run at 100% for years. To do this will not void your warranty, but using insufficient cooling may.

[EspressoLove]

Call it "ignorance" or not... of course computers, especially notebooks have been known to throttling down in order to avoid heat issues. Just as 80 GB aren't really 80 GB of hard drive capacity, 5 hours battery runtime aren't always 5 hours of battery runtime, etc. etc...

But still... in these cases, vendors usually have their small asterisks, footnotes and fine print denoting (at least "hinting" at) these facts. So the question or claim of wrongfully advertising is not totally without validity...

Well yeah, you might "argue" of course.
But nobody demoted "caveat emptor", so do your research.
They've done their "defense" for sure.

And BTW I don't believe it's a bad thing actually, just like with cars, I appreciate ability to occasionally spurt to 150 MPH, when it's only realistically reliably sustains half of that.

So, in parallel, CPU still allows you occasionally reach e.g. 1.6 Ghz :p
And as a bonus few Core 2's even can spurt to ~5-10% over the "label" for quick stints, when second/other core is not under load.

[macsmurf]

So, in parallels, CPU still allows you occasionally reach e.g. 1.6 Ghz :p And as a bonus few Core 2's even can spurt to ~5-10% over the "label" for quick stints, when second/other core is not under load.

I'm sorry, but that's just not true. CPUs can run at 100% for extended periods (years) of time with adequate cooling.

[AppliedMicro]

Could you be a bit more specific here?
May I refer you to wikipedia quickly?
Sorry, this great late night movie has just started on TV, which I have been waiting for months (and it's a bit tedious for me, phrasing it all in English)
Thanks for understanding ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte

And BTW I don't believe it's a bad thing actually
Of course not.
Technically, it's a great thing.

I would, however, say that the advertising might be misleading for the less tech-savvy (but then... most of them would probably not really care or complain, would they?)

[alphaod]

I don't think throttling the CPU to half what it can do in this day & age is acceptable. It certainly wasn't 4 years ago with the PPC's.

F

Just on other computer the computer halts. :rolleyes:

[macsmurf]

May I refer you to wikipedia quickly?
Sorry, this great late night movie has just started on TV, which I have been waiting for months. Thanks for understanding ;)


Sure, no problem. What I'm looking for is specific products that use throttling to make up for an insufficient cooling profile in contrast to how the technology is normally used (to conserve battery power). Unfortunately, wikipedia is not help here.

[EspressoLove]

... Let me direct you to the Speedstep FAQ for the point I'm trying to make:

"By default, when the notebook computer is plugged in to the AC power, the processor will run in Maximum Performance mode and when it is running from the battery, the notebook will run in Battery Optimized Performance mode. If you wish to override this option and have it run at maximum performance at all times even when plugged into the battery, change both options to maximum Performance."

So, as you see, Speedstep is meant to be ....
Yeah, now I see where you got it form ;)))))
It's Energy Saver ;)))))

From the works of it it feels like it has some effect on CPU regimes ...
I deduce it from Macbook being cooler when on battery (THOUGH! adapter and battery settings actually on custom with me).
It's as I've said some functions can be accessed by the externalities ...
But, CPU is a "foreign" part designed to support millions of hardware configs.
So all those functions implemented in CPU's own management, having real "last say".
(esp. in a potential danger situations)
... and with that I'm curious as to how much difference Apple can bring with that update, without Intel working out it's part ...
just not sure this issues could be really flashed like firmware.


A CPU is designed to run at 100% for years. To do this will not void your warranty...

Exactly, it runs 100% all the time, but this moment's 100% might be bit different from the previous one's.
And it's actually done to ensure reliability, and that they don't have to deal with warranty.

Yeah, it's done apparently without your knowledge :p
Wake up already, it's been there for years, will be, and with Nehalem's "Turbo Mode" going to be even more treacherous :eek::p:D

[macsmurf]

Yeah, now I see where you got it form ;)))))
It's Energy Saver ;)))))

From the works of it it feels like it has some effect on CPU regimes ...
I deduce it from Macbook being cooler when on battery (THOUGH! adapter and battery settings actually on custom with me).
It's as I've said some functions can be accessed by the externalities ...
But, CPU is a "foreign" part designed to support millions of hardware configs.
So all those functions implemented in CPU's own management, having real "last say".


Exactly, it runs 100% all the time, but this moment's 100% might be bit different from the previous one's.
And it's actually done to ensure reliability, and that they don't have to deal with warranty.

Yeah, it's done apparently without your knowledge :p
Wake up already, it's been there for years, will be, and with Nehalem's "Turbo Mode" going to be even more treacherous :eek::p:D

OK, I'm going to give you a quick summary and then re-iterate my question, just so you'll know what to focus on.

Power Management is a bit complex and different functions are done at different levels. The CPU handles exceptional cases and will shut down when the temperature reaches unsafe levels. A core shutdown is probably a result of such an exception. The BIOS (or EFI in Apple's case, I guess) can interface directly with the CPU and change the voltage and frequency of the CPU. How it does this is proprietary information and is only made available to BIOS engineers. However, the BIOS provides the OS with power states (AKA P-states), that can be changed to go from one profile to another. So an OS will typically have a set of P-states to choose from going from P0 (maximum performance) to Pn, where n is some natural number. Of course, the CPU can throw an exception at any time regardless of the setting and resume control.

Now, it is quite sensible to reduce power consumption when running on battery power. However, the user should of course have the option of running at full speed whenever he chooses. To use this functionality to avoid having to put a larger heatsink into the laptop is fair enough as long as you tell your customers about it.

So, the question still stands: Who does this? That is, who uses the technology to avoid using sufficient cooling, besides Apple?

I know of several laptops that allows you to disable Speedstep to the correct answer is not all of them. I suspect the correct answer is none, but I don't know, and apparently you don't either.

[did]

Today all day i was looking for info about coolbook and read many info.

i found smcfancontrol to see my RPM of fan and temp of cores
all day, before restart (i installed update but didn't restart) i had 65-70С

after read all of these posts and other info about overheated cores and bad temperature system of air i restarted

1. after restart, kernel_task, as root process which control resources between cores and which stopped second core when it overhead earlier work very hard 10-15 minutes. very strange...OS was freeze(67-70C)

2. after kernel had stopped - os was working(64-67C), but more than 7 tabs in firefox did bad for temperature(67-68) and system freezed periodicaly (kernel_task ran more than 30-140% оf CPU)...i was sure that apple just made update for antistop second core and nothing for undervolting cores for temperature for better stability cores...and i was angry

3. and i turned off air, smoked sigarette and turn on once more

it is magic - now 52-56C. What happen?
It is good, but why?

[EspressoLove]

OK, I'm going to give you a quick summary and then re-iterate my question, just so you'll know what to focus on.

Power Management is a bit complex and different functions are done at different levels. The CPU handles exceptional cases and will shut down when the temperature reaches unsafe levels. A core shutdown is probably a result of such an exception. The BIOS (or EFI in Apple's case, I guess) can interface directly with the CPU and change the voltage and frequency of the CPU. How it does this is proprietary information and is only made available to BIOS engineers. However, the BIOS provides the OS with power states (AKA P-states), that can be changed to go from one profile to another. So an OS will typically have a set of P-states to choose from going from P0 (maximum performance) to Pn, where n is some natural number. Of course, the CPU can throw an exception at any time regardless of the setting and resume control.

Now, it is quite sensible to reduce power consumption when running on battery power. However, the user should of course have the option of running at full speed whenever he chooses. To use this functionality to avoid having to put a larger heatsink into the laptop is fair enough as long as you tell your customers about it.

You have this option by using 3rd party programs, Coolbook or SpeedIt on Mac. Coupled with fine(individually) tuned down-volting you can even have a stable machine running claimed speed 100% all the time.
BUT it's not the case with virtually ANY laptop out there, with off the shelf PC (Dell or Mac) you have variable Freq. & Voltage all the time. And you most certainly can find it somewhere in fine print, maybe not on Dell's or Apple's site, but Intel is a separate entity, still in this mix you call your laptop.

So, the question still stands: Who does this? That is, who uses the technology to avoid using sufficient cooling, besides Apple?

Everyone, that's why we don't see Coolboks of this world being widely adopted in wholesale production lines.
I'm not 100000% sure (don't want to search for EULAs for CPU), but I believe - you voiding yor warranty altering p-states and it's characteristics

It's just their (Dell, etc :))) products bit more "lucky" with heat issues, and don't have this scope of media attention & users ignorance by the way.

I know of several laptops that allows you to disable Speedstep to the correct answer is not all of them. I suspect the correct answer is none, but I don't know, and apparently you don't either.
It's not laptops who allow or deny "disabling" Speedstep.
You do it yourself, at your own risk using programs like Coolbook/NHC/etc

No, CPU manages all the cases, just on some of them it allows OS to have some say.
In fact you have interfaces to to CPU management open for 3rd party, which Coolbook, NHC, etc use to interfere with it's oparations.

No, OS doesn't handle P-states usually. It's Intel's developments, they want to keep it working under whatever OS you throw at it.
So this stuff managed by CPU itself, with allowances to be "suggested" by 3rd parties ...

[EspressoLove]

I understand, that it probably might felt as deceiving, for someone who was happily owning - whatever the label said fast machine, to realize that you had only 50% of it :rolleyes:

But look at that this way : guaranteed, always the same, no core shutdown performance might only yield you 500Mhz CPU, at this stage.
And if you factor in stability and SAME performance when you use your machine lying in the bed, with thick wool blanket being the base for MBA, you'd have 200Mhz guaranteed.
And no fan vents to make your life even better in this fast lane :D:D:D

[macsmurf]

Everyone, that's why we don't see Coolboks of this world being widely adopted in wholesale production lines.
I'm not 100000% sure (don't want to search for EULAs for CPU), but I believe - you voiding yor warranty altering p-states and it's characteristics

It's just their (Dell, etc :))) products bit more "lucky" with heat issues, and don't have this scope of media attention & users ignorance by the way.


The alternative explanation (which is the correct one) is that other manufaturers use sufficient cooling


It's not laptops who allow or deny "disabling" Speedstep.
You do it yourself, at your own risk using programs like Coolbook/NHC/etc


Not true. You usually do this in BIOS.


No, OS doesn't handle P-states usually. It's Intel's developments, they want to keep it working under whatever OS you throw at it.
So this stuff managed by CPU itself, with allowances to be "suggested" by 3rd parties ...

Not true. P-states are set by the BIOS. I thought I just explained that.

Well, you clearly don't know what you're talking about, but if anyone can give me an example of a laptop (besides the Air) that uses power management to make up for insufficient cooling, please let me know.

[EspressoLove]

...
Not true. You usually do this in BIOS ...
Well, you clearly don't know what you're talking about, but if anyone can give me an example of a laptop (besides the Air) that uses power management to make up for insufficient cooling, please let me know.

Sweet ... here we go again.
You impress me :rolleyes:
OK, I'm leaving to let people discuss, Update in question itself.

[darwiniandude]

Powerbook G4 aint no Macbook Air no matter what speed its running at.

Amen Brother! :)

I loved my 12" G4 powerbook as much as the next guy(was a 1.5Ghz one, 1.25gb ram), but the G4 CPU really sucks, Apple used it for far too long. ( I guess they had to)

My Macbook Air runs rings around my G5 1.6 (single cpu though) Tower, despite the slower HD in the Air.

Any test, benchmark, or subjective comparison, the Air simply kills it. The PPC chips were great in their day, EG 1st gen G3 etc, but they just didn't scale well, like the horrible pentium 4, the pentium III even was quicker clock-for-clock.

Intel has done well with CoreDuo architecture, i must give them that.

[sprice25]

I have been waiting for this since day 1. It's great to finally see an update for this widespread issue. Now that they have fixed this issue, we'll see an update air coming out soon. They can move on from Rev 1 after fixing this bug. Way to go Apple, looking forward to the new Air!!! Has this update resolved anyone's issues? It has for mine... for now at least (fingers crossed)!

[darwiniandude]

I used to run coolbook, as it helped with my coreshutdowns, but then it started making the air lockup, and i disabled it. Shortly thereafter, OS 10.5.2 or 10.5.3 (maybe even 10.5.4 can'tr rememeber) fixed the core shutdown issue for me atleast, ie with coolbook disabled & uninstalled, no matter what i through at this machine, i have no issues.

The updated appeared lastnight... should I install it?

OK, as per:
This update just changes 2 files.

/System/Library/Extensions/AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext

OK, i've copied those files to the desktop, i will run tests then install update and then post.

[Marconelly]

Cripes, this update is a complete disaster! Everyone should make sure to backup those two files before you update!

What it seems to do is it permanently locks the CPU to 800Mhz, and it seems like no matter what you run on the computer, it never goes above 800Mhz, no matter how much strain you put on the CPU.

For example, I have zoom effect enabled on Dock, and before the update, the CPU speed would jump to 1200-1400MHz when I'm quickly moving pointer over the dock, as to make the dock move smoothly. Same would happen when I move larger windows around quickly. After this update, dock and windows move around choppily as the CPU speed never goes above 800Mhz.

Much more tragic example - I have a website / presentation in Flash that I targeted to run smoothly on Air, as it's pretty much the lowest CPU speed for anyone who has somewhat up-to-date computer, and when I would run the presentation, MBA used to jump the CPU speed to 1600MHz instantly. Not a problem, it was meant to max the CPU, it's a complex and intensive presentation after all. The presentation ran smooth as butter.

Well, after this update, when I run the presentation, CPU stays at 800MHz and the framerate crawls at about 5FPS. I got really scared that my MBA has just become a useless pile of junk after this update (I really don't need a damn 800MHz computer that can't even run my own portfolio presentation, much less run any more demanding design productivity software) but thankfully, after re-enabling Coolbook (which I disabled for the duration of installation of this update), the computer started behaving just the same as before, going to 1600MHz when it's expected to. Phew...

Now the problem remains that my website (and I'm imagining, TONS of other complex Flash websites, and websites that use larger size flash videos) will become pretty much unwatchable to anyone who has MBA, after installing this update.

[Olvenskol]

I fail to see, how that'd be "more computing power".

Actually, processing power doesn't proportionally scale with the number of cores - but it heat dissipation doesn't, too. Plainly put, 2x 800 MHz provides less performance than 1x 1600 MHz (depending on how "multithreaded" applications are) - but, generally, also less heat dissipation. So the improvement with this updates seems to come in terms of thermal characteristics - yet not with more processing power.


But, processing power doesn't scale proportionally with with clock speed either, because of stalls waiting for data (memory or other data channels). In my experience, this is the more relevant factor (usually - though not always!). Given that one core can stall while the other one continues, and the stalls are a time duration that is not proportional to clock speed, the slower multi-core design *usually* wins out. Not always - depends on the task at hand. But usually, at least in my experience.

Of course core synchronization and threading overhead are issues too, so the whole thing is very complex.

[dudup]

What it seems to do is it permanently locks the CPU to 800Mhz, and it seems like no matter what you run on the computer, it never goes above 800Mhz, no matter how much strain you put on the CPU.

Although I'm not observing numbers, I surely can tell you the performance on my MBA has going way better after this update. For example, now I can watch Big Buck Bunny in 1080p Divx without any hiccups -- before, it would never reach 24 fps. Now it runs smooth as my previous MB (which had a inferior graphics chipset).


Now the problem remains that my website (and I'm imagining, TONS of other complex Flash websites, and websites that use larger size flash videos) will become pretty much unwatchable to anyone who has MBA, after installing this update.

Can you point this URL so I can test it for you? I'm curious to see this. I do some very heavy Keynote presentations, and some effects ran awful on my MBA before the update -- and I cannot test them now because they are back in my office.

[ayeying]

Cripes, this update is a complete disaster! Everyone should make sure to backup those two files before you update!

What it seems to do is it permanently locks the CPU to 800Mhz, and it seems like no matter what you run on the computer, it never goes above 800Mhz, no matter how much strain you put on the CPU.

For example, I have zoom effect enabled on Dock, and before the update, the CPU speed would jump to 1200-1400MHz when I'm quickly moving pointer over the dock, as to make the dock move smoothly. Same would happen when I move larger windows around quickly. After this update, dock and windows move around choppily as the CPU speed never goes above 800Mhz.

Much more tragic example - I have a website / presentation in Flash that I targeted to run smoothly on Air, as it's pretty much the lowest CPU speed for anyone who has somewhat up-to-date computer, and when I would run the presentation, MBA used to jump the CPU speed to 1600MHz instantly. Not a problem, it was meant to max the CPU, it's a complex and intensive presentation after all. The presentation ran smooth as butter.

Well, after this update, when I run the presentation, CPU stays at 800MHz and the framerate crawls at about 5FPS. I got really scared that my MBA has just become a useless pile of junk after this update (I really don't need a damn 800MHz computer that can't even run my own portfolio presentation, much less run any more demanding design productivity software) but thankfully, after re-enabling Coolbook (which I disabled for the duration of installation of this update), the computer started behaving just the same as before, going to 1600MHz when it's expected to. Phew...

Now the problem remains that my website (and I'm imagining, TONS of other complex Flash websites, and websites that use larger size flash videos) will become pretty much unwatchable to anyone who has MBA, after installing this update.

Well, apparently everyone else doens't have this problem. I know I don't. My CPU don't get locked to 800MHz, it just drops to 800MHz if I push the temps too hot. After it cools down to sub-70s, it regains 1200/1400/1600 speeds.

[.product]

thankfully, after re-enabling Coolbook (which I disabled for the duration of installation of this update), the computer started behaving just the same as before, going to 1600MHz when it's expected to. Phew..

Anyone else re-enabled CB after this update? Since installing CoolBook I've never had a problem, so I'm considering ignoring this update permanently.

[abc861]

Anyone else re-enabled CB after this update? Since installing CoolBook I've never had a problem, so I'm considering ignoring this update permanently.

i did. after updating, the system is less responsive. as i said before, they make the mba rarely reaches 1600.

[macenforcer]

lol. I have never seen so many people crawl from out of the wood work to defend apple and the crapbook air in my life. Sorry but it doesn't run at its speed unless its just sitting there. The isight in it is pure blurry crap. It has no ports. The battery is non-removable. It overheats and the fans run at 6200rpm when checking email. No software update is going to fix crappy engineering. Just get a macbook pro, at least that runs at its advertised speed, its list of issues not withstanding. The macbook air is a junker folks. Lets move on.

[trentiles]

lol. I have never seen so many people crawl from out of the wood work to defend apple and the crapbook air in my life. Sorry but it doesn't run at its speed unless its just sitting there. The isight in it is pure blurry crap. It has no ports. The battery is non-removable. It overheats and the fans run at 6200rpm when checking email. No software update is going to fix crappy engineering. Just get a macbook pro, at least that runs at its advertised speed, its list of issues not withstanding. The macbook air is a junker folks. Lets move on.

Funny how I have never had ANY of the issue's you mention on my MBA.

[raremage]

lol. I have never seen so many people crawl from out of the wood work to defend apple and the crapbook air in my life. Sorry but it doesn't run at its speed unless its just sitting there.

Well, not really. It works just fine until you push it, it's at the edges of performance that it suffers. The real issue is that the edges on an MBA come up on you much more quickly than expected, or (in my opinion) are reasonable.
The isight in it is pure blurry crap.
Haven't had problems with it here, although I just use it occasionally for a quick video chat.
It has no ports.
It has few ports, which we all new before buying it.
The battery is non-removable.
While true, I have never -and still do not- see this as an issue. I've purchases spare laptop batteries in the past and never ever made good use of them. While I am no longer a true road warrior, I spent 4 years on the road and never found a time when I would use that spare battery instead of just plugging in.
It overheats and the fans run at 6200rpm when checking email.
While the first part is true, the second is just a blatant untruth. Normal business functions work just fine on an MBA. Video mashes it. This patch appears to help with that issue and extend the MBA's limits a bit.
No software update is going to fix crappy engineering.
Well, if the engineering involves bad drivers, EFI, configuration or system management, it will. This appears to be at least partially the case here, since everyone claims that Coolbook is a big help. If Coolbook helps, then software apparently can fix crappy engineering.
Just get a macbook pro, at least that runs at its advertised speed, its list of issues not withstanding.
We finally agree (somewhat). If you need more than the Air can provide, a Pro is a better choice.
The macbook air is a junker folks. Lets move on.

I really want to love my MBA, but it has some engineering shortcomings.

On the other hand, it's not a total piece of crap as macenforcer says - just has limits. This update appears to help address some of the limitations.

[darwiniandude]

Well, instalelled the update, mine is still rock solid as it has been since the 10.5.2 or 10.5.3 or 10.5.4 update (whichever one fixed something on the air so i no longer had core shutdowns even with coolbook uninstalled/disabled.

I'm now playing two DivX movies in quicktime from another machine (G5) through airport (eg the movies aren't hosted locally) playing music in itunes, lots of safari windows open, with an external screen attached with screen sharing active on that screen, showing the desktop of my G5 machine in the other room.

Fault less. I'm not saying some people don't have issues with the Air, I'm just saying that I no longer do. I did used to get coreshutdowns prior to that 10.5.X update whichever it was.
If anyone needs the kexts, I did back them up and can email/post 'em if needed. You'll need the free kexthelper of course, or type the usual terminal stuff. (EG It's more than just drag and drop to revert the update)

So this update is good for me.

Geekbench prior Apple Macbook Air Update:
2039
Geekbench after update:
2079

(difference is within error margin, so it hasn't slowed mine down, I doubt it's made it faster probably a mistake)

Interestingly, my G5 1.6 Ghz machine gets 980 in Geekbench, geeze they're a slow hunk-o-junk. :) OK as a media server though.

[Olvenskol]

i did. after updating, the system is less responsive. as i said before, they make the mba rarely reaches 1600.

I'm using both Coolbook and the update and haven't experienced this. I just ran 10 minutes of video and, while the fans did get to 6100, my CPU cores stayed at 1600 MHz for about 90% of the time, which occasional dips to 1400 MHz for sub-second durations.

[macshill]

Cut's through butter like a warm knife.

http://i37.tinypic.com/2ynl6aq.jpg :apple:

[shrtmkr]

Cripes, this update is a complete disaster! Everyone should make sure to backup those two files before you update!

What it seems to do is it permanently locks the CPU to 800Mhz, and it seems like no matter what you run on the computer, it never goes above 800Mhz, no matter how much strain you put on the CPU.

For example, I have zoom effect enabled on Dock, and before the update, the CPU speed would jump to 1200-1400MHz when I'm quickly moving pointer over the dock, as to make the dock move smoothly. Same would happen when I move larger windows around quickly. After this update, dock and windows move around choppily as the CPU speed never goes above 800Mhz.

Much more tragic example - I have a website / presentation in Flash that I targeted to run smoothly on Air, as it's pretty much the lowest CPU speed for anyone who has somewhat up-to-date computer, and when I would run the presentation, MBA used to jump the CPU speed to 1600MHz instantly. Not a problem, it was meant to max the CPU, it's a complex and intensive presentation after all. The presentation ran smooth as butter.

Well, after this update, when I run the presentation, CPU stays at 800MHz and the framerate crawls at about 5FPS. I got really scared that my MBA has just become a useless pile of junk after this update (I really don't need a damn 800MHz computer that can't even run my own portfolio presentation, much less run any more demanding design productivity software) but thankfully, after re-enabling Coolbook (which I disabled for the duration of installation of this update), the computer started behaving just the same as before, going to 1600MHz when it's expected to. Phew...

Now the problem remains that my website (and I'm imagining, TONS of other complex Flash websites, and websites that use larger size flash videos) will become pretty much unwatchable to anyone who has MBA, after installing this update.


did the update, results are same. No core shutdowns but I can't say this is better

[saisrujan]

...

[SLCentral]

did the update, results are same. No core shutdowns but I can't say this is better

Yeah, this is ridiculous. Completely worse then it was before with CoolBook. I tried to watch an HD podcast in Quicktime, and it couldn't play. Worked well for five minutes, and then it dropped down to 2FPS, and processor speed was at 800MHz. WTF Apple? $1800 is a lot to pay for a notebook, and I'd expect a lot more then this.

[Mindflux]

Cut's through butter like a warm knife.



Wow, congrats. too bad that's not butter.
:rolleyes:

[saisrujan]

-

[shrtmkr]

i made a reservation to the genius bar today, any suggestions?


BTW it goes back to normal after a restart, and lasts acting fine for god knows how long. And thats what the genius will do when he first sees the machine.

[saisrujan]

In coolbook, my voltage setting is set to 0.9V across the board - from 800MHz to 1600MHz and this worked flawlessly before. Then, I uninstalled coolbook, installed Apple's update. After reading reports that the update pegs CPU to a max of 800MHz, I wanted to experiement.

I wanted to check what coolbook shows once i disable and re-start it. I unchecked coolbook active and re-started the machine. "Coolbook Active" and "Throttling Active" are unchecked. Now what do I see? The CPU idles at 800 MHz and bumps up now and then. and along with voltage goes up (0.9750V for 1200MHz etc), but throttles down back to 800MHz when the extra load is gone. It's doing as if Coolbook is active, with voltage settings different from what i had set.

I enabled coolbook and CPU throttling and restarted. And it's doing the same thing. It's bumping up the voltage even if I set voltage to 0.9V across the board.

Did my coolbook stop working after the update, or did Apple disable coolbook and came up with their own CPU Voltage and frequency throttling setup with this update?

Update: Coolbook started working again, and my MBA now runs at 0.9V at all frequencies. Coolbook still IS the best $10 I spent on my MBA.

[dthree36]

how do you uninstall this update? I don't think I like the new results, My fans never spun up like this before the update and coolbook. Is there a way or once on it is there to stay?

[Mhaddy]

Well I can echo many other comments in this thread (particularly ayeying (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6093128&postcount=19)): Apple did fix the core shutdown issue but only by dropping the CPU speed to 0.8GHz per core (found out by running MSR Tools). This still results in the unbearable lag while using the computer and in essence, hasn't really fixed anything for me from a usability perspective.

[Olvenskol]

Interesting how people are getting such different results. For me, with Coolbook, it runs pretty much the same as before: which is to say both cores generally keep at 1600 MHz when there is enough work to do and the heat tops out around 75 degrees (max fans) when I push it long enough. Under normal load (office programs), the fans are at minimum. Nothing really glitches for me: I've never seen a video hiccup for example.

Maybe different units are better at heat dissipation? In which case I guess I got a good one.

[jpdouros]

This update fixed the problems I was having with World of Warcraft. It definitely still runs slower than it should on this GPU (which is all related to the OSX video drivers... it runs much better in Windows on the same hardware), but my cores aren't shutting down anymore and overall performance is definitely improved. For anyone still having problems, use /console set maxfps 15 (I'm running at 10 right now and it's fine as well).

[iNtaCt]

so i used coolbook and i found that my cores are on 800 mhz but when i start application they atomatically went on 1200 or 1600 and when application is started they went back to 800 mhz is it ok ?! or something is wrong ?

[jflamm]

The MBA simply has cooling issues - the physical heat dissapation of the CPU is too much for the chassis and ventillation system. Software cannot fix this. Yes, you can lower the voltage of the CPU using hacks which Apple doesn't recommend or install the "software update" which essentially confirms there is a problem.

The fact of the matter is if you run the machine at full tilt (which is not a crime or abuse) it cannot expel the heat generated by the CPU fast enough to maintain the speed, even with the fans blowing at 6200 rpm.

Personally, I think clocking down a system to half speed to alleviate a design problem is not playing fair ball. The processors are designed to clock down to save batteries - but if you have the machine on your desk with adequate ventillation, you should be able to run it at its rated speed. Apple should have just used the 1.2GHz part to begin with.

I am not anti-Apple, but denying the heat problem is rather silly. I like the MBA and I plan to seriously take a look at the MBA with a cooler processor if it gets released. I find the other comprimises to be reasonable tradeoffs.

[lidomkj]

My plan is to wait to see how this update holds up. If I am still having issues (already had 1 repair on it), I will try to negotiate an exchange after the pending new Air is released or if they release the aluminum macbook with LED screen.

[PittAir]

lol. I have never seen so many people crawl from out of the wood work to defend apple and the crapbook air in my life. Sorry but it doesn't run at its speed unless its just sitting there. The isight in it is pure blurry crap. It has no ports. The battery is non-removable. It overheats and the fans run at 6200rpm when checking email. No software update is going to fix crappy engineering. Just get a macbook pro, at least that runs at its advertised speed, its list of issues not withstanding. The macbook air is a junker folks. Lets move on.

Two questions:

(1) Do you have one?
(2) Do you travel at all for work?

[jackfrost123]

AS IT TURNS OUT THE AIR IN TERMS OF HEAT DISSIPATION IS CRAP AND INTEL'S PROCESSORS ARE SHI T. Some people would have us convincing that issuing an update that runs the cpu is some sort of technological triump. Stevie and Otelini might have been kissing each others as sses off at the keynote but both delivered a very **** t ty product. It's a shame that since the vast majority of us demanded a true utraportable with a SMALL FOOTPRINT like the powerbook g4 12 1.5 ghz we got something in between that turns out it can't even reach the processing speed of the four year old g4. That is very very embarrasing. very embarrasing. They should have known that intel had sh it tdps and used a smaller cpu, they choose the bigger ones to be ahead of the competition and they got their as ses handed to them. Too bad. They wanted to make the thinnest laptop, they did, too bad it's sh it in dissipating heat...they should have made it fatter...

And stil you get morons disputing these simple facts, trying to make the truth and the actuality of the matter stand on its head...

DONT GET ME WRONG, I LIKE THE AIR (wHAT COULD HAVE BEEN) AND APPLE.

[abc861]

I'm using both Coolbook and the update and haven't experienced this. I just ran 10 minutes of video and, while the fans did get to 6100, my CPU cores stayed at 1600 MHz for about 90% of the time, which occasional dips to 1400 MHz for sub-second durations.

what i described is when i have coolbook deactivated. your got that result because you still have coolbook working.

[Maven1975]

The performance on several programs have dramatically decreased since I installed this update. (VMware, Office, Adobe, Safari.. you name it)

It was bad enough that I could not use the computer outside during the day here in Phoenix because it would lock up in 5 minutes, now I have poor performance indoors.

MBA 1.8 SSD

[jflamm]

First - I AM an Apple fan boy, but logic is logic.

I had a MBA 1.6 SSD for a few months. I liked it - didn't like the heat and fan. I installed Coolbook and was able to run the machine at .9V and stable. I sold it - not because I didn't like it - but because I felt it had issues and decided to wait for these to be fixed in the next version since Intel had already announced 45nm parts and I didn't want to be stuck with a $2700 machine in September when the fixed one came out.

Some facts (please, not a Windows vs OS/X, Apple vs Lenovo, Toshiba, or Sony etc.):

I now have an Thinkpad X300 - again, not saying it is better or worse ... but it runs at average of 45 - 60 C. When it hits about 48 the fan goes on and it cools down. The chip in the X300 is the same footprint as the MBA except it runs at 1.2GHz vs 1.6/1.8.

Sony TZ, Sony SZ, Sony Z, Toshiba R500, Lenovo X61, X301, X200 - all machines between 2-4 lbs that do not overheat. Again, not saying which is better or worse, point is it can be done.

Yes MBA is thinner and sexy and cool looking - and it fails to have a working heat dissapation system. It's simple - Apple messed up on this one. Thin is fine if you can make it work. Clocking the thing down to half speed is not a solution - it means you should have put a lower frequency chip in.

Undervolting it is not a solution either - not all chips can be undervolted - there are differences in production. This also would account for some differences in overheating among different machines. When you design a machine, it should work under conservative parameters. MBA just doesn't work under average parameters - that's very clear.

It's not like Apple doesn't have a track record - ask any MBP owner (except Penryn) and they will tell you they run hot. I also owned a MB - ran hot.

Honestly I think there's a heat guy at Apple who they should have fired years ago. Just hire someone from Sony or somewhere else who knows how to do it and fix the damn machine. Give him a good severance package and be rid of him (or her).

For the people who are fine with the machines clocking down, running at high fan rates, or just running hot - great. More power to you. Please don't claim these things don't happen though - when an update from Apple comes out that "addresses" these problems.

I like the MBA and am hoping the 45nm versions fix the problem - by lowering the heat. Good luck selling your 1st gen MBA on Ebay.

p.s. Can someone tell me that I am imagining that my non-jailbroken iPhone 3G has been backing up for over 3 hours and why it immediately quits to Springboard (Finder) whenever launching a 3rd party app. Oh - that's another forum ... yeah and I know it doesn't happen on YOURS which means the problem doesn't exist, right? (Steve says the problem does exist for this one but I'll have to wait until September).

The difference between Apple and other companies is that I still love them despite the failures. Bless them - they're doing something right.

[AidenShaw]

Stevie and Otelini might have been kissing each others as sses off at the keynote but both delivered a very **** t ty product.

Since Otellini and Lenovo deliver a usable product in a similar form factor using the same chips - could it be Jobs?

Since Otellini and Sony deliver a usable product in a similar form factor using the same chips - could it be Jobs?

The MacBook Cube Air is the defective item, not Intel's chips.
__________

I've also been surprised to hear of the "core shutdown" problem since the beginning. Intel chips are proud to do "core slowdowns" to deal with heating issues, only Apples use "shutdown" as far as I know.

A not unusual refrain in our service department goes something like:

User: Laptop's crap, after half an hour or so simply crawls, can't run Office without lags, can't pay a DVD, ...

Tech: Let me look at it... (opens it up) What color is your sofa, is it blue?

User: Yes, how could you guess the color of my furniture?

Tech: Look at this big wad of blue lint between the fan and the fins of the heat pipe. Put a newspaper or magazine down to protect the laptop from the sofa.No "core shutdown", just a smooth slowdown to prevent overheating (I've seen Yonahs throttle down to around 200 MHz).

[ntrigue]

What it seems to do is it permanently locks the CPU to 800Mhz, and it seems like no matter what you run on the computer, it never goes above 800Mhz, no matter how much strain you put on the CPU.


You are wrong on so many levels. It took me less than 30 seconds to launch YouTube play one video and take a screenshot as attached. A moment later it went to 1600MHz. Two YouTube playing never went above 46C!

[Marconelly]

Well, apparently everyone else doens't have this problem. I know I don't. My CPU don't get locked to 800MHz, it just drops to 800MHz if I push the temps too hot. After it cools down to sub-70s, it regains 1200/1400/1600 speeds.
I made note of it and CPU temp was 52-56 celsius while I was testing this update. I don't know if that's too much as to lock the CPU to 800Mhz mode, but that's a pretty regular working temperature since the day I got MBA, so for me it would be unacceptable to have CPU at 800 most of the time I'm using the computer :\ Besides, looks like I'm not the only one who noticed this issue if this thread is anything to go by.

Keep in mind, I never had a core shutdown, before or after installing Coolbook (I used MBA for maybe one week before installing coolbook), but after this update, I got an equivalent of core shutdown (both cores locked to 800Mhz) the moment I started using the computer, and at a temperature that's not really very high.

You are wrong on so many levels. It took me less than 30 seconds to launch YouTube play one video and take a screenshot as attached. A moment later it went to 1600MHz. Two YouTube playing never went above 46C!
I am not wrong, and I'm describing step by step what I experienced. Your attached screenshot is not really proving anything to me, as it shows you are running coolbook (I'm running it too, and with it running there are no problems - computer works the same as before, just as I mentioned later in my post). It's without Coolbook running and with this new update installed, that I experienced the problem.

Can you point this URL so I can test it for you? I'm curious to see this. I do some very heavy Keynote presentations, and some effects ran awful on my MBA before the update -- and I cannot test them now because they are back in my office.
I don't have it online yet, it's still not complete enough so that I feel comfortable putting it online.

[mhnajjar]

You are wrong on so many levels. It took me less than 30 seconds to launch YouTube play one video and take a screenshot as attached. A moment later it went to 1600MHz. Two YouTube playing never went above 46C!

What is that 1800 MHz? :rolleyes:

[unitysong]

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/mwsf08/

Remember this? Skip to 56ish minutes to hear Apple's CEO talk smack about products similar to the MacBook Air and how they use slower processors (the example given is 1.2GHz) because their "thermal envelopes" can't support what the MacBook Air can.

Now that I've updated my MacBook Air, it runs stable without relying on third party software, at the cost of running at half the speed it was advertised at. I can't keep waiting for a legitimate solution like a service program or recall. This product needs a "thermal envelope" that can support the processor as advertised, and a response and acknowledgement in less than 6 months next time.

[jflamm]

Stick a running MBA inside a manila folder running Steve's keynote HD and watch it go up in flames: now THAT'S a thermal envelope!! ;)

[SUPERSTEVE9219]

just reading through this thread it seems like people that didn't uninstall coolbook before and people that did are having different results.

Just to clear things up can people state
1. if they uninstalled coolbook before the update
2. if they installed it after the update
3. the speed their processor is running at after the update

that way we can see if the coolbook affected the update at all, so far it seems like it may have.

[riwanami]

I'm more of an amateur Mac user, so I don't know too much about CPU/Heat numbers, but I can tell you my experience since this spring. I've been having issues with my MBA since I purchased it earlier this Spring at an Apple Store in Tokyo, which is a Japanese 1.6Ghz version. I use it at home and in my office. In both locations, it is set up to a 22 inch Apple Cinema Display (the old plastic one) and Apple Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse.

1. From March until June, I used my MBA without Coolbook.

3. In June, I installed the latest/registered version of Coolbook.

4. Last weekend, before doing the latest Software Update, I did the formal uninstall of Coolbook. (After the uninstall, I deleted the Coolbook program from the applications folder)

5. Afterwards, I installed the Software Update after Coolbooks was uninstalled and the system rebooted.


I have to say that before installing Coolbook, my MBA had serious symptoms of the Core Shutdown after playing a few minutes of Youtube video or downloading on Limewire. The mouse cursor would move wildly, the entire system would come to a crawl, and it would require a reboot to cure. It sometimes happened just by having more than 5 tabs opened in FireFox (with no other software opened). The symptoms would not happen as often when I was using it on the road without the external monitor.

After installing Coolbook, I experienced none of the above. However, startup did seem a bit slower than before (Although this may be due to more files and applications being installed as time went by)

This weekend, after removing Coolbooks and installing the Software Update, the symptoms appeared again, though not as bad as before installing Coolbook. As of now, I still have Coolbook removed. However, watching a 10 min youtube video seems to jitter the mouse cursor a bit.

Again, it's not as bad as when I first bought the computer. However for me, Coolbooks seemed to do a better job of containing the power management issue.

[aleni]

i used coolbook and set it to use only 800mhz for both adapter and battery settings. youtube never lags, the battery holds more time and the heat is never reach 70c.

i uninstalled coolbook and doing the latest software update, watched youtube video for 5 minutes and the video lags, mouse jumps everywhere but there's no core shutdown.

any idea? with coolbook, even i set both settings to 800mhz only, the youtube video doesnt lag and the mouse is smooth. i think the throttling setting in software update is making the lag and mouse jumping.

[yoavcs]

Well, prior to this update I only had core shutdowns while playing WoW.
Could watch YouTube or iTunes movies with ease.

Now, after this "recommended for all" update I am getting stuttering playback in iTunes and YouTube. No shutdown, but both cores are pegged at 100% and the fan is going full tilt.

The stuttering is annoying enough to make me stop the movie.

I am in the process of reinstalling WoW so we'll see how that plays in a few hours.

First time an Apple update has caused me trouble.

[aleni]

is there any way to undo this update, i will definitely do it and stick with my 800mhz coolbook settings!

curse the software update!

[seedster2]

The MBA in its current form is form over function.

I cannot understand how so many can say it's designed well when you virtually HAVE to use a 3rd party software in order to make it run as advertised.

Personally, I swapped mine ASAP for a Pro. I'd rather not pay to be a beta-tester

[AppliedMicro]

It's a shame that since the vast majority of us demanded a true utraportable with a SMALL FOOTPRINT like the powerbook g4 12
What's a small footprint really good for? :confused:

12" screens just don't cut it with OS X and many applications (say, for instance... MS Office in German), and without true resolution independence, 1600x1200 resolution is far from being a perfect solution. And it's still no widescreen, like every other Apple product. And at 13", the MacBook Air just fits into the same bags where ordinary paperwork does.

Honestly I think there's a heat guy at Apple who they should have fired years ago.
In my imagination, he would be just some poor guy at the lower end of the pecking order who is been told by a superior: "We're gonna built the thinnest notebook ever. Here, this is what it's gonna like. Oh... and did I mention a 1.8 GHz CPU has to go in there? Now go, come up with a proper cooling system that fits in. And stop arguing that we should make this book thicker, cause teh Steve said it's got to be that thin!"

I think, the problem is caused rather by Apple pushing the envelope in their case designs than by developing sub-standard cooling solutions.

Just hire someone from Sony or somewhere else who knows how to do it and fix the damn machine.
Well... who says they haven't actually done so?
As the rumors went...

http://www.macrumors.com/2005/07/30/apple-recruiting-sony-vaio-engineers/

[greenlightracer]

Stick a running MBA inside a manila folder running Steve's keynote HD and watch it go up in flames: now THAT'S a thermal envelope!! ;)

Thats the funniest thing I'v ever read on here. lol:p

[dudup]

Well,

So today I'm back at my office, where I use a 17" external LCD with my MBA and was having lots of core shutdowns before when using Keynote and few other apps (Safari, Mail, iChat & Yahoo! Messenger).

Guess what? No core shutdowns so far.

BUT...

After watching a very long YouTube video (like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcQ7RkyBoBc), after 8 minutes, I got both cores at nearly 80% all the time. No core shutdowns, but the very same laggy mouse cursor response of before.

Can any of you guys reproduce it?

[Foxer]

Is it weird that since March I've never had a heat/performance problem with my MBA? I never installed Coolbook, and have watched movies in iTunes while travelling both on battery and while plugged-in. When at home, my wife uses it for hours on-end (OK- mostly web surfing and Flash animation stuff) without problems as well.

I saw these concerns before I bought, so I have been on the lookout. Am I the exeption, or are there just bad units out there? Or is it possible that my performance IS effected and i just don't know it?

[dudup]

I saw these concerns before I bought, so I have been on the lookout. Am I the exeption, or are there just bad units out there? Or is it possible that my performance IS effected and i just don't know it?

By judging what others are saying, I can't tell for sure. It seems that *most* of the early adopters are having this issue, but that's not a thumb rule.

At least, without an external display mine seems fine. The problem seems to be both displays on + lengthy flash videos.

[Marconelly]

Just to clear things up can people state
1. if they uninstalled coolbook before the update
2. if they installed it after the update
3. the speed their processor is running at after the update
I have uninstalled it, tried the update, wasn't happy with the update, installed coolbook back.

any idea?
Just install and use coolbook again. It works fine even after this update.

The MBA in its current form is form over function.

I cannot understand how so many can say it's designed well when you virtually HAVE to use a 3rd party software in order to make it run as advertised.
To make it clear, my MBA ran perfectly fine out of the box. I only installed CB because I wanted to generate less heat and prolong battery life, no matter by how little. It's only after this update that I'm actually forced into using CB as the CPU otherwise got stuck into 800MHz mode.

[CJSweatt]

I downloaded the update, but after the re-boot, my computer never came back on... Operating system could not be found. I use the Air primarily for school work (written assignments, and the like), have never downloaded third-party software as described in the update description. I use it for e-mail, light internet work, and assignments like I said before....

I've been trying to re-install the OS all day, and the disc does not work for some reason. I get to the disc utility, but it never completes. I am now trying to restore from my Time Machine backup. Hopefully this works. I'm at a loss as to why this happened. Thankfully, I use my Pro for all my web/graphic work, and its functioning fine!

**UPDATE** Time Machine backup did not work. Next step, customer support. Thankfully I purchased the extended warranty, in case this happens again.

[rageboi]

Sorry for the stupid question, but how can I check the current speed that the CPU is running at? In System Profiler it never changes?

Thanks for any help!!

:-)

[wharrad]

Please don't flame me, I'm a newbie on these forums and made a mistake where I put this post earlier. I don't intend to litter the forums with my rambling over and over again, just clicked reply in the wrong tab... Sorry guys and girls...



Long time lurker... I just signed up to dismiss this car analogy people seem to be using, it's simply incorrect.

The top speed of a car and the rated speed of a processor are different.

The top speed of a processor is always above what Intel put on the tin... And actually the 1.6 and the 1.8 CPUs came off the same factory line, with the same parts and design. The reason they have a different speed is actually what Intel states the processor should run at all of the time - with the 1.8 chips being 'blessed'.

The top speed of these processors are much higher, probably closer to the 3.4 or so you can easily get from a desktop part. Intel test the CPU before stamping them to decide what speed they can run at constantly and sell it as that.

To better explain this... The 1.6 is what the CPU should be capable of running at, with full load for it's design life (10 years or so). The 'top speed' of a processor is actually what people can get out of the CPU by upping the FSB etc (overclocking). Now if you run your processor at above the rated speed, then yes, expect hiccups.

If car manufacturers were forced to put speeds or revs their engines can handle constantly, they wouldn't be so high as they currently are. In fact, I'll say a comfortable cruising speed for my car is 70 MPH, anything higher - up to and including the top speed of 120MPH - would be 'overclocking' the car and I can expect something to go wrong.



Now I am slightly annoyed as I didn't pay this much for a 1.2Ghz laptop, this one is not capable of 1.6 for more than 5 seconds (just shy of the 10 years Intel rate the CPU to).

I'm also slightly annoyed after paying so much cash, the only real solution seems to be a 'hack' which costs extra and will make the system less stable.


To those who ask 'who needs the extra power'. Well, maybe you don't, and that's excellent news for you. Unfortunately many of us picked the model that fits our requirements. My particular problem is that although I needed portability for simple work tasks, I also enjoy watching movies in my spare time. I went as far as finding a same spec laptop to make sure my h.264 encodes worked at this level. Thanks to this issue, they don't. I don't want the hassle of re-encoding my new blue-ray collection to make up for Apple's false advertising.

I put up with the other compromises, as I was fully aware of them when I purchased the laptop. I think it's a great laptop - if you need more ports and an optical drive then you want a desktop replacement. However, now I understand my inability to now play videos is a hardware problem and that sale of a 1.6 laptop is in fact a lie. The rating of 1.6 means constant use, not just the odd blip at that speed.


As for those which state it's normal to throttle down a CPU - yes it is, but only when you're not using it. It's a nice bi-product that it cools things down, but it's purpose is to save battery when idling. As soon as you want to use your CPU, it should throttle up to the maximum and stay there until it's done. Thermal protection (the original core shut-down issue) is the only technology which should be used to help prevent drastic overheating, and laptops MUST be designed so this is a very rare event (or you do something stupid like fold in bed).


Unfortunately, I think this is a manufacturing defect... Only Apple with a product recall can effectively address.

[kuehltruhe]

Hi folks!

I own my MBA (1.6GHz) since February and have been using it intensively every single day. My MBA has never had a core-shutdown yet, even though I use it to develop and compile software, watch videos, listen to music an manage my photo-library. To make it short: I haven't had any serious trouble with this machine so far.
The only thing that bothered my was the fan, so I installed coolbook (0.9V for all frequencies) which did the trick for me. The fan only goes up to max when the MBA is stressed heavily and connected to my cinema display (that seems to heat up the GPU).

To all the people that expect wonders from software-updates: The only way to make the MBA run cooler is by a) lowering frequency or b) lowering voltage. The latter option will _never_ be supported by any vendor, because they have to stick to the standards of the chip-manufacturer.
So... there is only option a), lowering frequency, left for Apple. And that is exaclty what they did. Apple simply changed the algorithm that decides which frequency to use under the given circumstances (depending on load, temperature and fan).

Cheers,
Dan

[BenjaminLo]

Hi,

I updated about an hour ago and ever since I rebooted my ventilator makes funny noises. It rattles...like a small moped motor. During the install process and before it did not do anything like this.
My question now would be: how do i remove the update. It's not showing in any folder.
Could I just remove the before mentioned files and hope for OS to replace them with the old ones on the next restart?

/System/Library/Extensions/AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext

Thanks

[Sound Evolution]

Dear All,

This is my 5th macbook (after 4 which failed), and from day one this one was perfect without any core shut down. I never stressed the machine yet though. Today I installed the update and I had a skype conversation for more then 30 minutes (with voice call and cam) while watching some youtube movies. This was impossible on any of my former macbook airs (which I all got replaced with a new one). Unlike my other macbook airs, this time the machine didn't even get hot on the left side, and no stutter or core shut down. I think this update actually works.

I do believe some MBA's have building/mechanical issues and in that case this update won't help

I'm happy and my machine works like advertised for me ;)

With kind regards,
Bas

[gcmexico]

just reactivated coolbook...this software is crap!!! MBA is now working fine again, Apple what gives?????

[AidenShaw]

just reactivated coolbook...this software is crap!!! MBA is now working fine again, Apple what gives?????

You bought a Mac, and Apple only cares about phones now - too bad...

Oh, wait. Oops, that's right, the Iphone 3G is a bit of a piece of crap too!

Maybe The Steve will get things under control soon - but in the meantime keeping buying those overpriced Apple trinkets (the fuel bill on his Gulfstream is really quite high these days).

[aleni]

after this machine updated, coolbook doesn't work anymore for me.

i set coolbook only to use 800mhz for both adapter and battery settings, but now it keeps throttling to 1200, 1400 and 1600 running jewelquest game. eventhough i only set coolbook to use 800mhz, so i think my coolbook doesn't work anymore like it used to be staying only at 800mhz.

darn!

[King t.]

well I haven't had any problems so far, temp. has also gone down.

I wants used isquint and did not have any core shut down, during isquint my temp. was by 83 degrees and the fans were spinning by 6200rpm.

[1rottenapple]

I'm skipping this update after my core shutdown issues were solved by coolbook. Not worth it from what I read here. All I know is, I watched two shows at the same time with coolbook installed, al the while downloading 4 items each 150mb or more, one after the other. Temps were 85 degrees but not a stutter or hint of a shutdown. no:eek::D jittering mouse either.

[gcmexico]

You bought a Mac, and Apple only cares about phones now - too bad...

Oh, wait. Oops, that's right, the Iphone 3G is a bit of a piece of crap too!

Maybe The Steve will get things under control soon - but in the meantime keeping buying those overpriced Apple trinkets (the fuel bill on his Gulfstream is really quite high these days).
*
don't get me wrong...the core shutdown issue sucks...but I'll take the MBA and 3g Iphone over any of the other crap that is out there...again with the overpriced comment..geez...who cares no one is asking you to buy anything

[Sound Evolution]

Dear,

Sorry... But I don't understand why most of you are dissing this update. I couldn't be happier!

I just had a skype conversation for over 3 hours, and the MBA don't even got hot. This was 100% impossible before on any of my former MBA's. The normal procedure was that after 10 a 12 minutes everything start to stuck, and the computer slow down and skyping was impossible.

Like I said, the machine works flawless and like advertised. It is not slow in any ways, and I never ever have a core shut down anymore and I can do everything I want to do. Yes the fan is noisy sometimes... but at least no hiks or stutters.

If anyone still have problems after the software update, you should go back to Apple and let them fix it.

With kind regards,
Bas

[jflamm]

Dear,
I just had a skype conversation for over 3 hours, and the MBA don't even got hot. This was 100% impossible before on any of my former MBA's. The normal procedure was that after 10 a 12 minutes everything start to stuck, and the computer slow down and skyping was impossible.
Bas

That's because your machine is dropping the frequency to stay cool. It certainly works for you and that's great :) You don't need that much horsepower to do audio compression - it is done on cellphones using a single core ARM.

Not really fair if one wanted to play a blu-ray movie though - which should be possible on a 1.8GHz dual core machine. I think the (valid) complaint is that if one pays for a machine advertised to run at a certain speed, it should. I think that's fair.

[aleni]

try watching youtube videos for 15 minutes, and see if the video seems to be lagging and the mouse is getting jerky jumping. because mine had it without the core shutdown.

Dear,

Sorry... But I don't understand why most of you are dissing this update. I couldn't be happier!

I just had a skype conversation for over 3 hours, and the MBA don't even got hot. This was 100% impossible before on any of my former MBA's. The normal procedure was that after 10 a 12 minutes everything start to stuck, and the computer slow down and skyping was impossible.

Like I said, the machine works flawless and like advertised. It is not slow in any ways, and I never ever have a core shut down anymore and I can do everything I want to do. Yes the fan is noisy sometimes... but at least no hiks or stutters.

If anyone still have problems after the software update, you should go back to Apple and let them fix it.

With kind regards,
Bas

[wharrad]

Dear,

Sorry... But I don't understand why most of you are dissing this update. I couldn't be happier!

I just had a skype conversation for over 3 hours, and the MBA don't even got hot. This was 100% impossible before on any of my former MBA's. The normal procedure was that after 10 a 12 minutes everything start to stuck, and the computer slow down and skyping was impossible.

Like I said, the machine works flawless and like advertised. It is not slow in any ways, and I never ever have a core shut down anymore and I can do everything I want to do. Yes the fan is noisy sometimes... but at least no hiks or stutters.

If anyone still have problems after the software update, you should go back to Apple and let them fix it.

With kind regards,
Bas


Well, the problem is it won't do 1.6Ghz when you need it... If it works great for you then maybe just some of us have dodgy laptops - and of course, most people only post when they want to get a rant off their chests.

But on the other hand, my 400 Mhz phone will run Skype without it cutting out, so it might be worth you checking if you can reach 1.6 (or 1.8). One day you'll need it to keep running newer software, or if you're like me, you want to watch HD video.


Yeah, I'm going to pop around to the store as soon as I have a chance, just to see what they say. It's a couple of hours drive, so maybe tomorrow if I can get free. Will keep you all posted, who knows, they might even swap it out for one that works and I'll be happy.

[Sound Evolution]

Well, the problem is it won't do 1.6Ghz when you need it... If it works great for you then maybe just some of us have dodgy laptops - and of course, most people only post when they want to get a rant off their chests.

But on the other hand, my 400 Mhz phone will run Skype without it cutting out, so it might be worth you checking if you can reach 1.6 (or 1.8). One day you'll need it to keep running newer software, or if you're like me, you want to watch HD video.


Yeah, I'm going to pop around to the store as soon as I have a chance, just to see what they say. It's a couple of hours drive, so maybe tomorrow if I can get free. Will keep you all posted, who knows, they might even swap it out for one that works and I'll be happy.

Dear,

The truth is somewhere in the middle. I had 4 MBA's before all with failures and I all send them back. Strange enough my current one (the fifth) was right out of the box! No core shut down and I was able to watch HD1080P movies straight from the start. So that makes me think that the problem is also mechanical.

The fan of my 5th macbook sounds different then the MBA's I had before. A little louder and some kind of aircraft alike sound. It makes me think they change the fan. Also the airflow underneath the ports feels stronger.

I can say, that my current machine can play HD movies, is super fast with my heavy CAD software, and I can watch youtube movies as long as I want.

For that reason I believe it should be possible to have a correct working MBA, so keep going back to Apple till you have one that works fine. I did it, and I'm happy.

With kind regards,
Bas

[ayeying]

Dear,

The truth is somewhere in the middle. I had 4 MBA's before all with failures and I all send them back. Strange enough my current one (the fifth) was right out of the box! No core shut down and I was able to watch HD1080P movies straight from the start. So that makes me think that the problem is also mechanical.

The fan of my 5th macbook sounds different then the MBA's I had before. A little louder and some kind of aircraft alike sound. It makes me think they change the fan. Also the airflow underneath the ports feels stronger.

I can say, that my current machine can play HD movies, is super fast with my heavy CAD software, and I can watch youtube movies as long as I want.

For that reason I believe it should be possible to have a correct working MBA, so keep going back to Apple till you have one that works fine. I did it, and I'm happy.

With kind regards,
Bas

The problem is mechanical. It is pretty much how the heatsink was installed on the system. Improper install can drastically increase the temp and ruin the effectiveness of whatever that heatsink can provide. Thats why you see some MBA being extremely capable for any type of work while others have problems. The heatsink install is not 100% identical, its put on by a worker.

[Sound Evolution]

The problem is mechanical. It is pretty much how the heatsink was installed on the system. Improper install can drastically increase the temp and ruin the effectiveness of whatever that heatsink can provide. Thats why you see some MBA being extremely capable for any type of work while others have problems. The heatsink install is not 100% identical, its put on by a worker.

Like I said before somewhere on this forum. The design is good I believe, the build quality is not what it should be. None of my MBA's was built flawless. In all cases the display is not aligned good, the trackpad is uneven, and there are several dents and small damages and scratches on the casings. It gives some indication how they get build, and not with the care and precision as it should be.

Other then that I love the design and I'm very happy with the MBA. But the build quality needs to be improved!

With kind regards,
Bas

[fastuning]

Hi, i have many problems since the update.


I install the update in a 1,8ghz with CoolBook installed, i reboot it, and watching a youtube video... the video came with lag... very slow... in this moment i run COOLBOOK and see that isnt activate, and the frequency was 800 mhz.

so i activate the coolbook app again and i restart it to apply.

now the problem is that the temp of the computer go soo high to above 90º watching a simple youtube video and the compute go automatically to sleep.

how can i solve it? how can i unistall the update?

[Constantinos]

Hi, i have many problems since the update.


I install the update in a 1,8ghz with CoolBook installed, i reboot it, and watching a youtube video... the video came with lag... very slow... in this moment i run COOLBOOK and see that isnt activate, and the frequency was 800 mhz.

so i activate the coolbook app again and i restart it to apply.

now the problem is that the temp of the computer go soo high to above 90º watching a simple youtube video and the compute go automatically to sleep.

how can i solve it? how can i unistall the update?

Maybe you did not notice that instructions said clearly that coolbook has to be uninstalled before running the update?

[gcmexico]

Hi, i have many problems since the update.


I install the update in a 1,8ghz with CoolBook installed, i reboot it, and watching a youtube video... the video came with lag... very slow... in this moment i run COOLBOOK and see that isnt activate, and the frequency was 800 mhz.

so i activate the coolbook app again and i restart it to apply.

now the problem is that the temp of the computer go soo high to above 90º watching a simple youtube video and the compute go automatically to sleep.

how can i solve it? how can i unistall the update?
*
same thing happened to me, temps went all the way to 85!!! I reactivated coolbook and used these settings for both adapter and battery...after a restart everything finally went back to normal even with the update install...temps now at 47

600 mhz at .9V
800 mhz at .9V
1200 mhz at .9V
1400 mhz at .9V
1600 mhz at .95

Throttling: high
Temp limit: 75C

[rageboi]

I have raised this issue (CPU won't run at max speed etc) with AppleCare.

A support engineer is due to contact me this week with information.

I will post an update once I have heard back.

[Sound Evolution]

Dear All,

Still not a singe core shut down or a decrease in speed (since the software update).

I do some heavy CAD tooling with the MBA. Fast as lightning and not core shutdown. I watch 1080P HD movies, yes screaming fan but no core shutdown or stutter.

Rendering with my cad programs is much faster then it ever was on my powerbook G4, and not a single sign of speed decrease.

Even when watching movies in bed, with the bottom of the MBA tight to my blanket don't create a core shut down. Last time I skyped with my girlfriend for more then 6 hours (yes it was a lonnnnng and heavy night... :D) no core shut down, and on the background I was able to do some CAD work and all lightning fast.

What can I say. I'm so happy. The machine works fast and flawless. The only downside is the fan but I accepted it.

I love my MBA!

With kind regards,
Bas

Ps: 1.8Ghz/SSD and no coolbook