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."

Re:Uh huh

[4D6963]

Interesting question tho, I wonder what's the extra power drain. If someone could give an estimate.

Undervolting

[Aardpig]

I think it would be even better if you could unvervolt the MBP. My 2.26GHz Pentium M Sonoma system used to run very hot (95C) under full load (e.g., mprime); by undervolting from 1.35V to 1.18V, I've cut that down to 75C. Not only does this solve a heat problem; my fans are also quieter (since they are under less stress), and I have a substantial power saving to boot (recall, power consumption scales as voltage squared).

1000 posts. Hmmm, maybe I should get out more...

Re:Finally!

[JimDaGeek]

Amen to that! I just got my first Mac (macbook) and really love it. However I have really hated how hot it gets. I just purchased a Lapinator [lapinator.com] and hope that will help when it arrives.

I am glad that this code is under the GPL. Instead of having to have a GUI app always running to make sure the fans stay at a certain RPM, maybe I or another can rip out the guts and make it a cron job that runs every 5 mins or so?

OT:
P.S. Does anyone know of a good Mac usenet/email group for learning all I can about the Mac? Professionally, I have been programming Windows and Linux for 10 years so I do not want my hand held or told "you don't need to know that". A lot of the tips/solutions/etc I have been finding for Mac releated questions have been more for the "I want it to just work and don't care how" crowd. I am more of the "I love Linux and want to get dirty with my new Mac" crowd.

Apple sits back and relaxes

[Pliep]

So there you have it. Apple can sit back and relax while others fixe their "hot MacBook" problems. I think anyone who uses this app should return their machine to the store and claim a cooler machine or their money back. If we simply install a tool and then be happy, when is Apple ever gonna fix problems like these?