Only the *Updater* gets installed in the Utilities folder- you have to go there and run it it seems. It makes sense that there wouldn't have been an updater there already.
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MacBook Air SMC Update 1.0
- Thread starter duffyanneal
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Watching YouTube videos actually seems quite processor intensive as the video stuff is being done in flash rather than as a proper application, and it seems quite badly written. My MacBook Pro (2.33 Merom, pre-SR) gets much hotter watching YouTube than watching a DVD or a local video file.
So, I'd guess that a MacBook would also be no better. I've had no other heat issues with this laptop.
Okay. Fairly convoluted and complicated for the average Air user, I'd say. But I'm game. Then what happens? Everything just work?
Uh, wrong. Had my girlfriend's 2.16 hand-me-down (from me) WhiteBook side-by-side with my Air, running the exact same videos. And guess which one never stuttered, which one's fans never went nuts, and which one I didn't ultimately have to restart to get it to calm the F down. Lucky you that yours runs perfect, but mine does not, and as this is my second Air, I think I'll return to what I was happy with and wait for them to get the kinks out...
I'm not sure if you've been thru the MacBook forum here on MacRumors much, but YouTube (and Flash in general) causing MacBook fans to run loud isn't an uncommon complaint.
My response was purely in answer to the first quote above mentioning that the files weren't there before. My MBA is running fine, so until this 'fix' is confirmed to improve things I'm going nowhere near it.
I would assume once it runs it's intended to improve things, but from some of the responses it seems many already have this SMC firmware version anyway. I'm as confused as the rest.
Just speaking from experience. And yes, I understand Flash may cause the fan to crank up, but the difference with the MacBook is it comes down relatively quickly and does not stay cranked up for 5+ minutes (if not until you restart) and does not slow down Safari and whatever other applications you may have running. Nothing against the noise, just the effects of the noise.
My response was purely in answer to the first quote above mentioning that the files weren't there before. My MBA is running fine, so until this 'fix' is confirmed to improve things I'm going nowhere near it.
I would assume once it runs it's intended to improve things, but from some of the responses it seems many already have this SMC firmware version anyway. I'm as confused as the rest.
Yeah, sorry, didn't notice that either, that the file ended up in the Utilities folder. "Get info" says it was created March 5th, so I'm guessing it couldn't have already existed. Interesting. Now I'm totally confused as to what to do. Do I wait it out and cross fingers my second Air gets fixed, or just exchange for a BlackBook? Still seems odd to me that the tech support guy I was on the phone with litterally right before Apple Care stops taking calls never mentioned this...
SMC Version???
Since this is an SMC updater wouldn't it make sense to compare the before and after SMC Version, found right above the Serial Number in system profiler instead of trying to figure out the week built? I unfortunately didn't think about this until after doing the update but mine now says SMC Version: 1.23f9. Anybody have a different one?
Since this is an SMC updater wouldn't it make sense to compare the before and after SMC Version, found right above the Serial Number in system profiler instead of trying to figure out the week built? I unfortunately didn't think about this until after doing the update but mine now says SMC Version: 1.23f9. Anybody have a different one?
MacBook Air SMC Update 1.0
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Apple has released the MacBook Air SMC Update 1.0, aimed at fine tuning the cooling of the MacBook Air.
Article Link
Apple has released the MacBook Air SMC Update 1.0, aimed at fine tuning the cooling of the MacBook Air.
Article Link
Sweet
Addendum: Seems mine was already updated. I feel like I've noticed less fan noise since 10.5.2. Could that be the reason why some of us don't have to run it? I received my Air on the very first day they were in the US with the first shipments... there's no reason why it should have more recent software.
Addendum: Seems mine was already updated. I feel like I've noticed less fan noise since 10.5.2. Could that be the reason why some of us don't have to run it? I received my Air on the very first day they were in the US with the first shipments... there's no reason why it should have more recent software.
Not just Flash
For the record, Flash may stress out the system a lot (or even the most), but my (returned) MBA was loud without using Flash. iTunes would have it blasting. Word sometimes would and sometimes would not send it blasting. Playing a quicktime movie would send it blasting. Youtube may be the ultimate test but anything where the processor got above 15-20% usage on a regular or continuous basis would send it into 6200 mode.
For the record, Flash may stress out the system a lot (or even the most), but my (returned) MBA was loud without using Flash. iTunes would have it blasting. Word sometimes would and sometimes would not send it blasting. Playing a quicktime movie would send it blasting. Youtube may be the ultimate test but anything where the processor got above 15-20% usage on a regular or continuous basis would send it into 6200 mode.
Anybody try running the installed icon?
If the update is to install the updater, what happens when you click on the installed updater icon. Does it make any attempt to go out and get more firmware? My MBA is returned so I can't try this myself.
It may be that Apple is laying the framework for an SMC update to come rather than issuing the update now. Maybe that's why it's not trumpeted by Apple but only really appearing on the rumor sites.
At least it seems like they know they have a problem and that they are starting to address it from the engineering side.
If the update is to install the updater, what happens when you click on the installed updater icon. Does it make any attempt to go out and get more firmware? My MBA is returned so I can't try this myself.
It may be that Apple is laying the framework for an SMC update to come rather than issuing the update now. Maybe that's why it's not trumpeted by Apple but only really appearing on the rumor sites.
At least it seems like they know they have a problem and that they are starting to address it from the engineering side.
Dell seems to be able to make a quiet laptop
From CNET today:
The notebook I'm [that is, CNET is] testing--a Dell Latitude D830 with a 64GB flash hard drive from Samsung--hasn't emitted a sound in three days. Flash drives, which store data in NAND flash memory, don't require motors or spinning platters. Thus, there are no whirring mechanical noises.
Dell Latitude
Compare that with my T42 ThinkPad. It sounds like a guinea pig got trapped inside, particularly during the start-up phase. Vzoooot. Cronk, cronk, cronk. Zip, zip. (Pause.) Gurlagurlagurla...zweeee.
The lack of a mechanical hard drive also means lower power consumption and less heat. In turn that means the fan rarely, if ever, needs to kick into action. As I type, for instance, the notebook is running eight video streams-- two from CNN, two from CNET, two from MSN, a video on new bands on Crackle, and a pirated Led Zeppelin video on YouTube--and the fan won't trip over. The computer is running on battery power and the videos, with a few minor gulps, are all running smoothly.
****
Notice the the difference between the MBA and this.
Core 2 Duo; NVidia Quadro Graphics. Price $1,768 rather than $3,000 from Apple. Come on Jobs. If they can go silent why can't we????? (Granted it does weigh 6 lbs but how about a silent MBP if not a silent MBA?)
Link: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9890211-7.html?tag=nefd.top
From CNET today:
The notebook I'm [that is, CNET is] testing--a Dell Latitude D830 with a 64GB flash hard drive from Samsung--hasn't emitted a sound in three days. Flash drives, which store data in NAND flash memory, don't require motors or spinning platters. Thus, there are no whirring mechanical noises.
Dell Latitude
Compare that with my T42 ThinkPad. It sounds like a guinea pig got trapped inside, particularly during the start-up phase. Vzoooot. Cronk, cronk, cronk. Zip, zip. (Pause.) Gurlagurlagurla...zweeee.
The lack of a mechanical hard drive also means lower power consumption and less heat. In turn that means the fan rarely, if ever, needs to kick into action. As I type, for instance, the notebook is running eight video streams-- two from CNN, two from CNET, two from MSN, a video on new bands on Crackle, and a pirated Led Zeppelin video on YouTube--and the fan won't trip over. The computer is running on battery power and the videos, with a few minor gulps, are all running smoothly.
****
Notice the the difference between the MBA and this.
Core 2 Duo; NVidia Quadro Graphics. Price $1,768 rather than $3,000 from Apple. Come on Jobs. If they can go silent why can't we????? (Granted it does weigh 6 lbs but how about a silent MBP if not a silent MBA?)
Link: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9890211-7.html?tag=nefd.top
If the update is to install the updater, what happens when you click on the installed updater icon. Does it make any attempt to go out and get more firmware? My MBA is returned so I can't try this myself.
It may be that Apple is laying the framework for an SMC update to come rather than issuing the update now. Maybe that's why it's not trumpeted by Apple but only really appearing on the rumor sites.
At least it seems like they know they have a problem and that they are starting to address it from the engineering side.
It says the same thing, that the update has already been installed. But you may be right since the update was very small in size (can't remember exact size). So maybe Apple will release the proper update later??
Not so fast
Not from an thermal engineering point of view.
The MBA chip is dissipating 20 W of power; the Dell about 35W. The MBA has issues with the heat generated by one video. The Dell can handle multiple videos. Unless you are saying that the Dell has a 3lb heatsink and that's what it takes to dissipate 35W, then something else is going on here. Perhaps it's firmware, perhaps design but Dell can manage to run multiple videos and dissipate 75% more wattage than Apple figured out. Now maybe it might take .25 lbs or 3 mm more to dissipate the heat correctly but if so that's a tradeoff I personally would welcome. (Don't all flame back with that you don't want the extra weight; I know many think differently). The MBA is louder than my iMac, my HP dv2000, my kid's ibook, my wife's lenovo. I had a 2-3 year old HP with a Pentium M that had a 20 W TDP envelope and made no noise. I was ever hopeful that the MBA would go back to those quiet days of yore.
Not from an thermal engineering point of view.
The MBA chip is dissipating 20 W of power; the Dell about 35W. The MBA has issues with the heat generated by one video. The Dell can handle multiple videos. Unless you are saying that the Dell has a 3lb heatsink and that's what it takes to dissipate 35W, then something else is going on here. Perhaps it's firmware, perhaps design but Dell can manage to run multiple videos and dissipate 75% more wattage than Apple figured out. Now maybe it might take .25 lbs or 3 mm more to dissipate the heat correctly but if so that's a tradeoff I personally would welcome. (Don't all flame back with that you don't want the extra weight; I know many think differently). The MBA is louder than my iMac, my HP dv2000, my kid's ibook, my wife's lenovo. I had a 2-3 year old HP with a Pentium M that had a 20 W TDP envelope and made no noise. I was ever hopeful that the MBA would go back to those quiet days of yore.
I need help...
All, I apparently have a week 1 MBA (W88012) and this update has made the fans be pinned to 6200 RPM's after 5 minutes of YouTube viewing. I think this is beyond ridiculous for a $1800 laptop. As I purchased it sometime last month I dont believe the Apple store will exchange it for a MBP. Does anyone have an idea of how I can get them to exchange it even though I am obviously past the 2 weeks. Not only the fan issue but it also takes a retarded long time to charge (7+ hours)
All, I apparently have a week 1 MBA (W88012) and this update has made the fans be pinned to 6200 RPM's after 5 minutes of YouTube viewing. I think this is beyond ridiculous for a $1800 laptop. As I purchased it sometime last month I dont believe the Apple store will exchange it for a MBP. Does anyone have an idea of how I can get them to exchange it even though I am obviously past the 2 weeks. Not only the fan issue but it also takes a retarded long time to charge (7+ hours)
At their discression, they can give you an exchange any time during your warranty. Don't have any personal experience with exchanging a MBA, but from reading posts here, it seems to happen frequently, and outside of the 14-day return window.
Larger size = more space = less components packed in tight = less heat. Don't quit your day job, you'd never make it as an engineer.
Bs
BS. The Dell is does not have significantly more space between components as if that alone would increase the air flow enough (with no fan running) to keep the device cool enough.
There is no reason that my iphone can surf the web and play youtube without a 6200 rpm fan and the MBA cannot.
I suggest we don't start a credentials flame war. My engineering degree, masters and 25 years in the engineering field may (or may not) top yours.
Cannot see why you can't just entertain the possibly that Apple screwed something up if Dell's is silent and the MBA has a heat problem. You're not the idiot who did the MBA heat calculations are you?
BS. The Dell is does not have significantly more space between components as if that alone would increase the air flow enough (with no fan running) to keep the device cool enough.
There is no reason that my iphone can surf the web and play youtube without a 6200 rpm fan and the MBA cannot.
I suggest we don't start a credentials flame war. My engineering degree, masters and 25 years in the engineering field may (or may not) top yours.
Cannot see why you can't just entertain the possibly that Apple screwed something up if Dell's is silent and the MBA has a heat problem. You're not the idiot who did the MBA heat calculations are you?