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Macbook Air core Shutdown on video

Continuing the ONGOING macbook air core shutdown problem. That for some reason the topic was locked below.

Visited 2 apple stores today both with 2 macbook air's on display. Visited youtube on one played a 10min video and played a movie in itunes on the other. Both machines had core shutdown / freezing stuttering within 7mins.

Apple staff in the shop..."No comment"

Apple where is the solution when will you admit it is an issue and when will you address it?

Macbook Air 1.6, Mac OS X (10.5.2), Iphone

Posted on Mar 17, 2008 12:11 AM

Reply
143 replies

Mar 17, 2008 3:10 AM in response to dstracey

The previous post was locked because of comments like yours. This is not a site to rant and rave on. This site was built with the following in mind: Allow actual Mac users, both current and potential, to post tech questions, learn about the MBA, and the like.

I have had my MBA from the first day they were available in the stores and have had ZERO, NADA, ZIP issues with core shutdown (and I have used it daily for more than just watching a youtube video) or freezing. You need to remember that everyone and their brother plays on those display MBAs and no telling what kind of system changes or crap gets on those display machines...Playing with the thing is very different than owing and using a MBA for your daily workflow and productivity.

Mar 17, 2008 3:58 AM in response to dburnett1

Are you stating that the people with this problem are liars?

So explain to me why on every Apple based forum there are people with this problem.

I am on my 3rd MBA with the same Issues.

If you can contribute in positive note to solve this problem please do not contribute at all. Your post is unhelpful and irrelevant to the thread.

Mar 17, 2008 7:22 AM in response to dstracey

Hi,

it seems some devices have this problem, while others don't. Unlucky as I am, I have not managed to get fingers on one of those showing the symptoms. I would love to, to help understanding what causes the problems.

Otherwise, so far no solutions for those few that have the problem. Maybe you are using it in a wrong way (surface, surroundings, ...) since getting the third MBA might be a sign for that. And no, I believe you with having the problem, I just can't judge by missing details if it is a real problem or a usage problem.

You may stop ranting and give more details. You could also give feedback to Apple and explain them en detail what happens here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookair.html - otherwise, keep to the ToU and stop ranting.

Cheers,
Volker

Mar 17, 2008 9:25 AM in response to dstracey

For what it's worth, I believe you. My first Air had that problem and it was fairly easy to make a core shut down. I could also duplicate on every Air in our local Apple store as well.

This second Air also does it, but I have to push it much harder -- I can't force a core shut down unless I have my 23" Cinema Display attached and a Parallels or VMWare VM running.

Oh -- running it with the lid closed accelerates the problem, but I can replicate even with it open.

Message was edited by: MBA in Texas

Mar 17, 2008 10:47 AM in response to dstracey

My two cents on this would be that because Intel had to shrink the cpu core in order to fit in the MBA. I would have to conclude that the core temperature is somehow reaching the point of shutting down the cpu. I don't know if this again is a case like the MacBooks had when the heat sink was the problem. But I had a feeling that heat was going to be a issue for the MacBook Air.You simply have too little space for proper airflow. Which is one reason you do not see fast CPU's in these type of laptops. Of course Apple seems to push this heat issue on many of its laptops. I for one thought the MacBook was much warmer than some other Laptops with similar specs.Some of the temperature readings showed this.
I do know that when playing online video content on my MacBook that CPU usage was very high and temperature rises on the core (CPU) were quite high.I am sure this is happening in the MacBook Air Too.

Mar 18, 2008 7:41 AM in response to BarryXSharp

The core shutdown occurs, at least on my most recent MBA, while the CPU is in the 60c range. This is no where near the thermal limit. I think this has more to do with the GPU than the CPU personally as I can get the core to drop while watching videos that only cause the CPU to idle. Also, since it happens while running a second monitor or doing very large USB transfers, it may very well have something to do with the ports and improper air flow in that area.

Apple is aware of this issue and while my current MBA does exhibit the problem, instead of draining the stock in Colorado, I am waiting to see what they are going to do about it.

Mar 18, 2008 8:26 PM in response to Marcus S. Zarra

MY first 1.6 GHz MBA w/SSD overheated within the first 6 hrs of use. It was due to a defective fan that did not rotate as it should have. AppleCare told me to take it to my local Apple Store and they promptly exchanged it with a 1.8 GHz MBA w/SSD as they don't stock CTO MBA as mine was with the 1.6 GHz/SSD combo.

I've not had any issue whatsoever with my new MBA and I run it pretty hard at times. My fan RPM kicks up to 6500 and temps never exceed around 86ºF/30ºC over extended periods. This should be the expected behaviour of the MBA.

Mar 19, 2008 10:26 AM in response to BarryXSharp

I had the exact same issue, with one core shutting down when temp reaches 60-62C.
I went to the apple store, explained how annoying it was and that my MBA was practically unusable because I couldnt even watch a video without triggering some kind of erratic behavior.

They started a torture-test right in front of me, running five youtube videos, the chess application (computer vs computer mode), the itunes visualizer, garageband playing a loop, etc. I have a menubar app that shows the activity of the two cores and the temperature reached.

During the torture test, both cores went up to 100% activity, and temperature went up to 82C (a temperature my MBA never reached at home) but the cores never shut down.

they kept the MBA for two days and then called me telling me they couldn't make the core shut down even one single time.
My conclusion is that the MBA only works when you use it on a flat cold surface. If you use it on your lap, if you put it on your mattress or on any soft surface (isn't that how people use a laptop most of the time though?) it will be almost unusable, because the vents are at the bottom of the MBA and get obstructed very easily.

What's weird though is that the CPU temperature even in those conditions (on my lap or on my bed) never went above 65C. So it's not the CPU overheating, it must be something else.
I m going to pick up my MBA at the apple store this evening and make a few more tests. But I'm puzzled.

Mar 19, 2008 11:05 AM in response to childlost

on page 58 of the User's Guide:

+Handling your MacBook Air+
+_*Set up your MacBook Air on a stable work surface that+_*
*_+allows for adequate air circulation under and around the computer. Do not operate+_*
*_+your MacBook Air on a pillow or other soft material, as the material can block the+_*
*_+airflow vents*._ Never place anything over the keyboard when operating your computer.+
+Never push objects into the ventilation openings.+
+The bottom of your MacBook Air may become very warm during normal use. If your+
+MacBook Air is on your lap and gets uncomfortably warm, remove it from your lap and+
+place it on a stable work surface.+

Apple is not at fault when the user fails to follow explicit instructions.

Message was edited by: Rhyd

Mar 19, 2008 11:10 AM in response to childlost

If you torture test it, then yes it's unusable on a soft surface. Is this surprising?

However, for general web surfing, email, and other none CPU/GPU intensive things it works fine on your lap or even on a bed.

Honestly, I just don't understand why anyone would be puzzled by this. You can see where the vents are. Blocking them stops air flow, the results are pretty predictable.

Mar 20, 2008 6:12 AM in response to childlost

I don't think you can judge the shutdown condition solely based on CPU temperature. I would not be surprised that there is a combination of factors causing a shutdown. It makes sense that if there is no ventilation a core would shutdown earlier since the temperature will spike faster in those conditions. Without knowing how Apple or Intel have setup the logic to determine when a shutdown occurs it's impossible to say for sure.

Mar 20, 2008 4:19 PM in response to dstracey

It's more than just on a bed -- or at least for me.

I was able to get the core to shutdown while using it flat on a desk, in an air-conditioned office.

Sure, I had a movie on repeat for about 15 minutes to do it. But, the fact is that if it is over-heating in perfect conditions, then in normal conditions, it's a real problem.

I tried taking it to an apple store, and was told, sure, we'll look at it, but don't expect a response for two weeks.

I think I'd just be happy with my money back, and I'll switch it for a mac book pro.

Mark

Mar 23, 2008 3:10 PM in response to Mark Assad

Hi.

It seems, that my posting was deleted, because it had two links in it for freeware tools to help document the problem.

Anyway: here is what I said without the links:

Same problem here. Youtube Videos or normal videos played either with mplayer or vlc.

I didn't buy a laptop so I can't watch movies.

It's winter in Europe now; what's going to happen in summer? The core shuts down while opening a few RSS feeds in Safari?

Menumeters is a very useful freeware to see directly when a core is deactiveated.

I totally regret buying the MBA right now and I'm very thankful for finding this thread to see that it's a general construction error and that I'm not alone.

Cheers
M

P.S.The freeware temperature monitor shows the temperature of the processor and has been updated for the MBA.

Macbook Air core Shutdown on video

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