MacBook fan update

[Mactel]

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/m...pdate.html

[Kiva]

how do I know if I need this?

kiva

[blusubaru]

I just installed it. So far it seems as if it kicks the fan on at a lower temperature. My fan didn't used to come on until the 170 range. Now the fan is on a lot sooner. It used to get to 180+ on each core under a sustained load. Now it's hovering around the 150-160 range and seems to be running cooler overall, though the fan is running all the time. Maybe it won't burn my lap so much anymore! Just sounds like a freaking PC now, not nearly as quite as my iBook was.

[blusubaru]

Letting it sit idle the processor gets down to 118F whereas it used to get no colder than 149 unless the lid was shut. Once it got down to the 120 range the fan throttled back progressively to almost silent now at 118-122. Good thing to, I was about to call APPLE and get a little upset with the fan running as loud as it was for as long as it was.

[chas_m]

[quote Kiva]how do I know if I need this?

kiva
It's for MacBooks. It's a MacBook SMC firmware update. Hmmm. Wonder how I could determine if I need this??

Will it run on my iMac? My Cube? My Pippin?

Wow, if only Apple could be clearer about this stuff. A firmware update for MacBooks -- nope, that just doesn't give me enough information. I'm flummoxed.

[Kiva]

jeez, dude...like there aren't updates apple releases that we shouldn't install sometimes. I was just inquiring as to whether it was *necessary*..

the latin root for sarcasm means "tearing of flesh." WTF are you so pissed at that you feel the need to be such a d!ck?

kiva

[modelamac]

Do you really think Apple would provide a firmware update without a clearly established need for it?

Of course you don't have to install it, but you run the risk of heat-related component failure over the long term. Fans reduce the potential for heat problems. Period. Apple has determined this one should be implemented to minimize the occurence of heat-related problems.

I agree with chas_m on this one.

[Kiva]

your 2nd paragraph explains it well. chas_m just went to sarcasm and insults - hardly informative.

I installed a firmware update on an optical drive that destroyed the thing. If i didn't have the backup, the thing would have been hosed (or very difficult to resurrect).

The "high and mighty" attitude of some of the tech-advanced people on this and other forums can be disgusting sometimes...step out of the box for a minute and consider that other people may not possess the knowledge you do.

kiva

[blusubaru]

RIght on Kiva.

[$tevie]

Anyone else remember the G3 firmware update that kept Blue & White G3s that had been updated from being able to use a G4 upgrade?

It never hurts to ask.