Apple releases MacBook Air update to fix processor idling bug

[AppleInsider]

Apple on Friday night released an update for the MacBook Air meant to resolve a longstanding problem with processor idling as well as one with video playback.

The plainly titled MacBook Air Update (368KB) addresses a problem reported by users on Apple's support forums and elsewhere in which one of the two Core 2 Duo processors would shut down when heat became an issue, significantly slowing down the system until it cooled down.

The fix also mends some problems with video playback on the ultraportable notebooks.

Apple is careful to warn that third-party utilities used to adjust the clock speed and voltage of the processor may create problems and should be uninstalled before applying the update.

Regardless of whether or not the problem is apparent, Apple recommends the update for all MacBook Air owners and requires Mac OS X 10.5.4 or later.

[JSUDaniel]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple on Friday night released an update for the MacBook Air meant to resolve a longstanding problem with processor idling as well as one with video playback.

The plainly titled MacBook Air Update (368KB) addresses a problem reported by users on Apple's support forums and elsewhere in which one of the two Core 2 Duo processors would shut down when heat became an issue, significantly slowing down the system until it cooled down.

The fix also mends some problems with video playback on the ultraportable notebooks.

Apple is careful to warn that third-party utilities used to adjust the clock speed and voltage of the processor may create problems and should be uninstalled before applying the update.

Regardless of whether or not the problem is apparent, Apple recommends the update for all MacBook Air owners and requires Mac OS X 10.5.4 or later.

I love updates!!!! Makes great products even better. Can't wait for the iPhone 2.1 update next month

[mcarling]

How does one determine when a core has shut down?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by mcarling

How does one determine when a core has shut down?

Activity Montior or any of the iStats will show the CPU load on each core.

[RussGJohnson]

Thanks Apple!!! 2 hours into the update and no more core shutdowns on my 1.8 SSD air. I love updates like this. I am whole again.

[Petestein1]

The good? Apple fixed the problem.

The bad? It took almost 7 months AND Apple never actually admitted there was a problem in the first place.

I'm starting to wonder if Apple's got a bit too much going on this year.

Peter
http://www.FlashlightWorthyBooks.com
Books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime.

[mcarling]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Activity Montior or any of the iStats will show the CPU load on each core.

iStat Pro does not, but Activity Monitor does. Thanks.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by mcarling

iStat Pro does not, but Activity Monitor does. Thanks.

I use iStat Memus and can see both cores and their percentage used. I figures Pro was the same.

There is an XCode app that allows you turn off cores.

[teckstud]

I wonder if this fixes iChat freezes or is that inherent in its own power limitations?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

I wonder if this fixes iChat freezes or is that inherent in its own power limitations?

Inyour previous post where you said that the MBA was nderpowered because iChat freezes I assumed you wereoking. Apparently not.

Do you seriously think that a 1.6 or 1.8GHz Santa Rosa/Merom Intel Core 2 Duo isn't capable of processing iChat?

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Inyour previous post where you said that the MBA was nderpowered because iChat freezes I assumed you wereoking. Apparently not.

Do you seriously think that a 1.6 or 1.8GHz Santa Rosa/Merom Intel Core 3 Duo isn't capable of processing iChat?

Do I seriously think? NO I just posted it and made it up. Why are you so condescending all the time in the way you ask a question?
My bud- who owns both MBA and black MacBook told me this Wednesday night before any of these MBA threads came out. He stated it's not as powerful as his black MacBook and stalls during iChat all the time and really can't handle it very well. I never claimed it's not as powerful to run iChat but that there were limitations in its performance using iChat- big difference. Maybe it's the video card/video RAM in this video intensive program that's the issue here which you fail to mention. Aren't those a part of the power components as well?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Do I seriously think? NO I just posted it and made it up. Why are you so condescending all the time in the way you ask a question?
My bud- who owns both MBA and black MacBook told me this Wednesday night before any of these MBA threads came out. He stated it's not as powerful as his black MacBook and stalls during iChat all the time and really can't handle it very well. I never claimed it's not as powerful to run iChat but that there were limitations in its performance using iChat- big difference. Maybe it's the video card/video RAM in this video intensive program that's the issue here which you fail to mention. Aren't those a part of the power components as well?

Those sure doesn't sound like a rave reviews to me. As for the integrated video card both the MBA and M use the X3100 which offers up to 144MB from the system RAM. Before these were introduced to the MB line in late 2007 they used the GM950 which only used 64MB. These machines are specialised, but they aren't slow. If your friend is still having problems after this update I suggest he confide instead in Apple. It's quite possible he has a bad unit; especially since this is the first production of this new line.

You said iChat keeps freezing after dogging it for not "even [competing] up to the level of the MacBook." If that isn't you inferring that the Air isnt' fast enough for iChat I don't know what it. Are you now suggesting that you meant iChat video, that both comments were completely separate and you are in no way relating your friend's particular issues to the fast that you lambasting the speed of the processor twice before that comment?

Originally Posted by teckstud

You want something that slow for grad school?
Hopefuly they'll speed bump it up enough for high school.

Originally Posted by teckstud

MacBook Pro? It doesn't even compete up to the level of the MacBook- did you not read the reviews? See MacWorld's please.
A friend of mine who has the Air and the Black MacBook confided to me Tuesday that the Air constantly freezes up when iChating.
I guess your specifications are for something ultralight be it slow and travel between classes- whatever.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Those sure doesn't sound like a rave reviews to me. As for the integrated video card both the MBA and M use the X3100 which offers up to 144MB from the system RAM. Before these were introduced to the MB line in late 2007 they used the GM950 which only used 64MB. These machines are specialised, but they aren't slow. If your friend is still having problems after this update I suggest he confide instead in Apple. It's quite possible he has a bad unit; especially since this is the first production of this new line.

So I take it that your the Tim Russert of AppleInsider - good for you for looking up my past threads. I promise however that I will not post your past thread which you deleted due to its offensiveness .
What you haven't mentioned is whether you yourself use iChat extensively with the MBA or not?
Also I stand by the MacWorld review of the MBA - did you read it? 3 and 1/2 mouses- not great. Perhaps you should re-read it: http://www.macworld.com/article/1318...acbookair.html

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

So I take it that your the Tim Russert of AppleInsider - good for you for looking up my past threads. I promise however that I will not post your past thread which you deleted due to its offensiveness .
What you haven't mentioned is whether you yourself use iChat extensively with the MBA or not?
Also I stand by the MacWorld review of the MBA - did you read it? 3 and 1/2 mouses- not great. Perhaps you should re-read it: http://www.macworld.com/article/1318...acbookair.html

Those posts were in this thread, not too hard to search the page. I've read plenty of MBA reviews, I'm well versed in its HW, and I've used one but decided it didn't fit my needs because of battery life and the lack of it being user-replaceable.

I need a solid 8 hours of juice for flights and a non-removable battery that doesn't last as long as the MB's battery doesn't fit my needs, but I'm not cynical because didn't cater a product to my exact needs or outperform everything else that had come before it.

[Bergermeister]

I have an MBA, am typing on it right now, and use it for all sorts of things without any problems (outside the first one that died and the second one that had a tilted screen). It isn't as powerful as the MacPro that I have at work, but then, it isn't as big, either.


iChat works fine.
iLife works fine.
Curio works fine.
ToonBoom Studio works fine.
Amadeus Pro works fine.
Seashore works fine.

I get tons of good work done on my MBA and am very happy with the purchase.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Those posts were in this thread, not too hard to search the page. I've read plenty of MBA reviews, I'm well versed in its HW, and I've used one but decided it didn't fit my needs because of battery life and the lack of it being user-replaceable.

I need a solid 8 hours of juice for flights and a non-removable battery that doesn't last as long as the MB's battery doesn't fit my needs, but I'm not cynical because didn't cater a product to my exact needs or outperform everything else that had come before it.

Good try but they were posted yesterday on an different thread.
What I can't believe is that you're ranking on me and yet you don't even have the MBA or any connection to it? What's that about?
ANd is it cynical to not have needs for something that has:
pros: light
and cons: slow, slow and limited?
(MacWorld's points not mine).

[ahmlco]

On my MBA I've found that Adobe Updater is the worst offender in regard to processor overloading. Downloading a simple PS update can peg the processor at 100% for hours at a time. Computer gets so hot it shuts off the battery charging mechanism.

Of course, Flash video players come in a close second...

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Inyour previous post where you said that the MBA was nderpowered because iChat freezes I assumed you wereoking. Apparently not.

Do you seriously think that a 1.6 or 1.8GHz Santa Rosa/Merom Intel Core 2 Duo isn't capable of processing iChat?

Interesting why anybody would ask the question, "I wonder if this fixes iChat freezes or is that inherent in its own power limitations?" as if this was an popular issue. But then, you are responding to somebody who comments negatively on just about everything related to Apple.

By the way, Solipsism, I sent you a private message referencing a previous post of yours.

Thank you again.

[NYCMacFan]

I have had this problem all the time where one processor freezes. I could see it on activity monitor when I had too many programs running and/or when I had it on my lap and exhaust was slightly exhausted and/or when my apartment was hot.

So I am very happy for the fix. Hasn't frozen since, but will have to see longer term.

Now if they could just speed up the syncing/backup of the iphone.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Abster2core

Interesting why anybody would ask the question, "I wonder if this fixes iChat freezes or is that inherent in its own power limitations?" as if this was an popular issue. But then, you are responding to somebody who comments negatively on just about everything related to Apple.
.

??/ You obviously must not have read the thread topic then. It's not that difficult to comprehend why it would be asked or unreasonable to ask it. It's a legitimate question.
You must be only interested in monitoring posts with "negative comments" even if they're legitimate- too bad.

[hillstones]

iChat runs just fine on my single-core PowerPC G5 iMac. It certainly does not need an Intel Core 2 Duo to perform well. Sounds like a software problem if it keeps freezing.