MacBook firmware update released by Apple

In response to ongoing customer complaints about overheated and/or noisy MacBooks , Apple on Thursday released Mac Book SMC firmware update for its line of MacBook (not MacBook Pro) laptop computers. The new firmware adjusts and manages fan speed for the MacBook.

SMC - MacBook’s System Management Controller is a micro-controller on the logic board of the MacBook and other Mac laptops. Its serves the purpose of controlling various functions, including its power and thermal management.

What exactly the new SMC firmware addresses? The details to this question are scarce but according to the users the MacBook firmware update makes a notebook's fans run continuously, although at a low speed. The fans will speed up to move more air through the case when required.

A customer identified as ‘Phjo’, who has tried the new firmware wrote, “The sound it produces now is only a bit more bearable than the mooing sound I heard from time to time.” He went on to add, “The only good news is that I don't remark the whining sound anymore (although it is probably still present).”

However, other customers reported that they could not hear the fans, or if heard, that the sound was barely audible. While there were others who didn’t seem to care.

“Next to random shutdowns the two biggest complaints from Macbook users are excessive heat and mooing,” wrote Agent McKay. “Now we have an update that appears to fix both issues, yet folks are now complaining that in a room with no air conditioner, no music playing, no television, no voices, you can hear the fan running if you put your ear next to your MacBook. This is unacceptable”

Earlier, Apple’s MacBook Pro had customers complaining about similar heat and high-sound issues. A firmware was also released for it. but MacBook Pro had more problems than that have been reported since MacBook’s formal release.

Those with MacBooks can obtain the new SMC firmware by running Software Update which is available for download at Apple’s website