smcFanControl — Cool Your MacBook Pro

Clodas writes, "smcFanControl 1.1 is a simple GUI that lets you control how fast each fan spins on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or Mac Mini. The temperature of my MBP when idle averaged around 63 degrees celsius. After running smcFanControl 1.1, my temperature dropped to 43 celsius within 10 minutes of use. This now allows me to sit my MBP on my lap, something I was unable to do previously since the machine got so hot. I have my fans set to spin at a minimum of 3000 RPM and I still don't hear the fans spinning. Apple by default has them set to 1000 RPM. I really recommend smcFanControl 1.1 for any that feel their MB, MBP, or Mini are too hot to handle."

Comments

Uh huh

[nodwick]

I have my fans set to spin at a minimum of 3000 RPM and I still don't hear the fans spinning. Apple by default has them set to 1000 RPM.

And how long does your battery last between recharges now?

macbook pro redesign

[posterlogo]

I think this heat problem was generally regarded as a major source of delay for the merom macbook pro's as a simple update wasn't going to cut it this time -- the whole interior had to be redesigned to allow for better cooling. Let's hope they got the problem fixed. I also wonder why the fan speed wasn't considered an adequate fix -- is there something inherently unstable about this? Don't fan's in other laptops run that fast?

You think it would work correctly from the factory

[klubar]

What a hack... You think after you've dropped a couple of bills on a brand new computer it would be designed to work correctly.

Seriously guys...why can't Apple make a laptop that doesn't double as a Friallator? It seems that with all that computer power available in a laptop, the system could do a better job at adjusting fan speed... perhaps on the power control panel there should be various settings... simmer, roast, boil and flame (Apple with Sony batteries only). Alternatively, Apple could come out with a line of cookware design to work with your laptop.

Re:fan failure, not battery life, the issue

[ben there...]

Yeah, but who really cares about the fan? When it's dying, you'll know it. All sorts of freaky noises will spew from your system. $20 to replace a fan vs. up to $300 to replace a component that failed because of heat.

Re:You think it would work correctly from the fact

[arodland]

Well let's see. An ordinary sort of DC fan such as you might find in a laptop might draw 50mA. At 12V, this is 600mW. The battery in the MBP 15" has a capacity of 60Wh, meaning that it could run the fan for 100 hours. Alternately, suppose that using your lappy, you draw 20W with no fan activity, so the battery lasts 3 hours. Now run the fan 100% of the time, you're pulling 20.6W, and the battery lasts... 5 minutes less. I wouldn't worry too much. :)

Re:Yes: PowerBook

[Macthorpe]

Am I the only one here that objects to the term 'lap-safe'?

It's a LAPTOP. If you can't put it on your lap, surely it ceases to be described as one!