
In order to not damage your machine, smcFanControl does not let you set a minimum speed to a value below Apples defaults. It allows you to increase your minimum fan speed to make your Intel Mac run cooler.
Use smcfancontrol software#
You can easily integrate the software into the system bar and create multiple modes for different cooling requirements. smcFanControl lets the user set a minimum speed for built-in fans. It lets you control the minimum fan speed of both laptop and desktop Macs with Intel CPUs.
Use smcfancontrol download#
SmcFanControl won't allow you to set the fan speed lower than Apple's default, so there shouldn't be any risk from using this app. smcFanControl is free to download and comes with a few essential features. I've been using it to increase the fan speed when I have the machine on my lap, and reduce it again when it returns to the desk.
Use smcfancontrol install#
It's important to note that smcFanControl is just an app - it doesn't install any components (unless you want it to run at startup). But in exchange for a cooler lap, I think it's worth it. Perhaps slightly reduced battery life, and a bit more wear and tear on the fan components. smcFanControl is free to download and comes with a few essential features. The downsides? More fan noise, obviously - although 3,000rpm was fine for my ears (though I probably wouldn't use that setting in a library). Perhaps if you're wearing noise a cancelling headset it would be bearable. but I was having trouble enjoying it, thanks to the 747 that seemed to be landing nearby. When I set the fan to max speed, I saw an even nicer temperature drop. Later today, I hope to get some more empirical data through a USB temperature probe. Using smcFanControl, I upped the speed to 3,000rpm, and saw a notable (two to four degrees Celsius) temperature drop.

But on my lap, it gets just a bit too warm. It works with the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Intel-powered minis, and it works well.Īpple sets the fan's speed at 1,500rpm, and this works well when I have the machine on the desk. As seen in the picture at left, this simple app gives you a slider to set the minimum speed for your laptop's fan(s). While I can't do anything about the first problem, thanks to smcFanControl, the second issue is now completely within my control. The only two things I'm disappointed in are the size (I love the 12" form factor) and the high case temperature (especially in the bottom left corner). Generally, I've been thrilled with the MacBook's performance, despite having to send it back to repair a way-too-warm power adapter (the repairs were successful). The price and performance of the MacBook struck a sweet spot with me, and I purchased one of the first black units to show up in the Portland area (I waited to see them in person so I could judge the reflective screen's performance for myself). When the MacBooks were announced, I made my purchase decision relatively quickly - I wanted something faster than my PowerBook G4, but didn't want to spend $2K+ for a MacBook Pro.
