When does my MacBook heat up?
My MacBook Pro generates a lot of heat, especially if it doesnt sleep on closing the lid. (It seems to like to not sleep if theres a USB device or an ExpressCard connected). Consequently sometimes Ive noticed it really really hot. I need to get to the root cause but also start to manage this heat. On my Xserve I can see each and every individual fan and its related speed and temperature. Not so on the desktops, but I reasoned, they must have similar technology because the fan kicks in at times.
My MacBook is an A1286, MB471LL/A which was the unibody aluminium model immediately before SD slots were introduced
Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.53 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
What can I do to control the temperature?
I searched for a utility to help me understand this issue. I ran the Apple System Profiler (By choosing 'More Info') from the Apple Menu. This was no help. So to google. As usual someone has trodden this path before and I quickly found
 smcFanControl
What does it do?
Well its unobtrusive - it installs on the menu bar, and its just out of the way. Some people dont like menu bar apps, but its the right place for this one.
Once its installed you can see the temperature, and the fan speed, and by clicking the application you can adjust them. My mac quickly cooled when I turned the fan up.
I do think its a bit of an issue, this temperature heat up. Several times now Ive closed the lid on my mac and put it in my bag only to find it ultra hot and hibernating having eventually run out of battery and in deep sleep. I will keep searching for an ultimate solution, but at least Ive got a way to watch whats going on..
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Last Updated on Saturday, 05 September 2009 07:53 |
