Firmware upgrade

Absolutely have not heard of anything like it, Apple likes to keep everything secret. Though I would expect one in several months.

While we never get much of an advance warning of firmware updates you might want to keep in mind that Apple use of firmware updates is a last resort for them. Apple preference is to use Software Updates to fix issues wherever possible.

I would expect specific fixes MacBook (as well as other models) under Mac OS X 10.4.7 update whenever it appears.

I talked to Applesupport today. They said that there will for sure be a firmwareupdate coming out that will deal with the mooing-issue. They couldn't say exactly when, but it WILL come.

Being thick, what is a 'firmware update'??

Very basically speaking, a firmware update is an update that modifies hardware rather than modifying software.

A firmware update doesn't change the software but actually changes how the hardware works in simple terms.

Firmware

Firmware is software/instructions that are built-in to the chips/controllers inside your computer. It's independent of the software, like Mac OS X, that's installed on your hard drive. This firmware tells your hardware, directly, how it functions and controls it. For example, a firmware update, rather than a software update, might be needed to improve Bluetooth reliability. Since the fans inside the MacBook are controlled not only by Mac OS X but also by the firmware on the logic board, a firmware update may be needed to change the way they function.

-Doug

I believe Apple posted a bluetooth firmware update:

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bluetoothfirmwareupdate121ppc.html

That firmware update is for PowerPC-based Macs with Bluetooth, not the Intel-based Macs. So far, there hasn't been a Firmware update for the MacBooks yet. There may or may not ever be one, the issues some people may be having might be solved with a Mac OS X update rather than a firmware update.

-Doug

Did the Macbook Pro already receive a firmware upgrade? If so did they fix major problems with the heat with the MBP?

They have released a firmware update for the MacBook Pro:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303880

I'm not familiar with the changes though.

-Doug

I believe apple will have to relase a firmware upgrade for macs because they are supporting the boot of windows xp.

With a firmware upgrade they would solve all the heat problems (and noise) in both systems while with software upgrade it would be a specific solution.

2 cents