Macbook Air core Shutdown on video

I am torn between getting this version of the Air or waiting for the next significant update to the hardware (perhaps software is enough).

I was really hoping that the most recent WWDC would have introduced the 1.8GHz and a larger fan as the base price Air. I suppose with some tricks of deleting other language files etc. I could make it with the 80gig HD but a larger HD would be welcome.

Something else I will throw out there: When I go to the Refurbished Mac Store on line there is always just one basic Air listed. Then at the Refurb. MB Pro there are several of the same spec listed.

Is this just an inconsistency or is there something I should know about avoiding a Refurb. Air?

So far have had very satisfied experience with refurb. iPods etc.

Devil's advocate's always welcome, but you must realize that this is a very frustrating problem for many people, so it might not always go down that well!

Your analogy of trailer and Ferrari isn't quite accurate, as most people don't buy a Ferrari to pull a trailer. However, most people do assume a laptop can drive a display without overheating and one of its core's shutting down. If the Air can't do that, then it shouldn't be on the market, or it should have some sort of label on it to advise people against doing it.

And like someone else said, it happens even when there's no second monitor attached. It happens to me when I'm using office applications.

It's disappointing, to say the least. Its sporadic nature is also odd (my boss bought an Air from the same batch as mine and his is fine). Just have to wait for some sort of fix, or advice from Apple I suppose.

Do you think we should try to raise media awareness of this issue to try and prompt a response from Apple?

gilberto_rules:

Did you wind up taking your Air back yet? You had stated earlier you were probably going to have to.

Did you mean to say your boss uses an external monitor (same one you find troublesome) with no problem?

Media: The reviews I have read have been quite positive once the reviewer got out of the realm of prejudice and into the real world using the Air for travel. So many people have had the Air live up to advertised performance. I wish we could see the percentage of units that fail to perform well.

I want one, I want one, I want one. I am scared, I am scared, I am scared.

Message was edited by: barkingmad

Hi,

Yeah I'm going to have to at least take it to the store at some point, even though it looks like there's nothing much that can be done to improve it (judging from other posts about logic board replacements, grease removal etc.). But I just need to do it to at least help make Apple more aware of the situation.

However, I've been snowed under with work recently, so I've not been able to drop it off for repair. I am on leave in three weeks time, so I'm going to drop it off with them then. Meantime, I've bought Coolbook.

Apart from this issue, it really is a great little machine. It's almost imperceptibly light when I put it in my backpack and cycle to work and back.

My question about the media was more that I've not seen any mainstream articles about this problem, so maybe we should mention it to some?

My question about the media was more that I've not seen any mainstream articles about this problem, so maybe we should mention it to some?

I have seen an article on nytimes.com that mentioned the problem. It was a stock analysis of Apple, where they mentioned problems with the MacBook Air as one of the downsides. It's some time ago, and I have not been able to find the article again. The fact that they mentioned the problem in a mainstream article shows to me that the problem is quite widespread.

My Macbook Air has severe core shutdown issues. I called AppleCare and mailed the computer in. The technicians noted that they could "not reproduce the problem". Apple is either ignoring the issue or the technicians are truly incompetent.

I can't hold a video conference in iChat or watch movies rented on the iTunes store. The problem is a lot worse when its connected to a 20" Apple Display.

I should be receiving a useless computer monday.

I'm not sure about the whole core shutdown thing as I'm a fairly simple user, but if that means when you're watching video everything starts freezing up for a couple of seconds then that is exactly the problem i've had.

I have solved it for myself, I think. I know it sounds ridiculous, but what I've done is just kept the charger unplugged when I'm watching video (it generates some serious heat!) and I've used one baby wipe like so:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn218/ElninoFT9/Photo-0035-1.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn218/ElninoFT9/Photo-0036.jpg

Having it sitting like that and wrapped slightly around the side it's kept the temperatures down at a good level and I've had absolutely no trouble watching videos. If anybody tries this let me know how it works for you, I'm delighted its fixed my troubles

Apple will probably be selling baby wipes in the Apple Store under Mac Accessories any day now!

Either that or an optional cooling unit complete with an electric pump, radiator and fan to cool water flowing through tubes leading into and away from the lap top.

As far is I know, there is only one solution to deal with the problem. In my case, when I started using my MBA, I couldn't even play video for 5 minutes because of the core shutdown.

I have installed CoolBookController (costs ca. £5), and spent a couple of hours setting it up. I did exactly what they say here: http://plasmadesign.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/macbook-air-core-shutdown/ (see also the discussion above)

Since then, I haven't experienced even the slightest problems, instability, or anything else. So scrape up £5 (or equivalent), install the software, and enjoy your laptop. Don't expect Apple to fix it soon, because the software needs some processor stability checking while setting it up. That would be difficult to fix by a simple Apple update. But there exists a simple, inexpensive solution, so go for it!

Message was edited by: Host at poster's request

PS: The edit timed out and I wasn't able to edit my entry properly so I make another; sorry for duplication.

k.sonek:
Thanks for writing.

I was joking and being silly. Just getting "ridiculous" with the Elnino889. The water cooler thing is a description of a cooling device used for removing the heat from a fancy metal welding machine. It weighs about 30 kg! It would definitely keep the laptop cool though!

Ha Ha Ha

Actually it is ridiculous that we have to have this discussion over and over for months now! Apple needs to get real here!

I did copy your http into my notes for future reference. I am about to order a new lap top any day. Perhaps tomorrow. This would be my first lap top, however I have owned Macs since 1990. I tell my self it would be smart to wait for the next generation of Air that will have this problem fixed but I am getting impatient ! ! ! Then I look at the MB pro and drool except for the weight. People here are getting tired of reading my same old deliberation. I wish Apple would provide this solution you suggest for current MB Airs. "Installed" from the factory. If wishes were horses then beggars would ride. ( as long as the beggar has $1800.00 ! )

I need the lap top now not months from now. Two months? Six months? For the next upgrade. I have read lots of good experiences other people have had; that is no over heating etc.

It is difficult to accept I could spend so much money and then have to spending hours of my time, as you have, to "repair" my brand new purchase as soon as I get it.

Thanks again for your advice.

Message was edited by: barkingmad

I've tried CoolBook and it does help but not too much.

I can't undervolt my MBA without it crashing. Every chip is different I suppose.

Does 100% of the Macbook Air production have the core shutdown problem? How many MBAs have been sold?

i just bought my MBA couple weeks ago. i thought it was my MBA's problem.... now i know its not only my MBA's problem, most people have the same problem. i hope apple gonna fix it soon.

Be careful of the word "most". I am guessing but it is probably more on the order of a few percent of the total MBAs sold.

Be sure to read a forum members post who goes by the handle "knarfy" in _MacBook Air Fan Running Constantly_ thread dated Jun 28, 2008 9:26 PM

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1408421&tstart=0#7466536

it was most encouraging and enlightening.

Oops that doesn't quite get you there but it is in that thread on *page six*. It is the long entry with the four numbered speaking points

Message was edited by: barkingmad

Message was edited by: barkingmad

The problem is getting worse as time goes by on my machine. Previously, it would only shut down a core if I pushed the machine. Now, it happens with normal use. Right now I was doing nothing (the computer was downloading a file from internet), time machine starts, and bam, one core shuts down, kernel_task shoots up to nearly 100% of cpu, and the machine becomes unresponsive. On top of that, time machine slows to snail speed as kernel_task is taking all cpu, backing up 1kb/minute or so, so the computer has now been useless for 15minutes... Finally, TM stopped, and both cores are back up.

This is getting really unacceptable. It's at the point were I would not dare take the MBA to do a Keynote or Powerpoint presentation out of fear that the core will shut down in the middle of the presentation is there is some animation or video.

True, I'm writing this from home in the afternoon without airconditioning. In my airconditioned office I have not experienced a core shutdown.