Jun 2006
Apple Notebooks: Operating Temperature
15/06/06 08:55
The bottom surface and some areas between the keyboard and LCD hinge of your Apple notebook computer can become hot after extended periods of use. This is normal operating behavior. With processor and bus speeds in portable computers often matching, if not exceeding, those of desktop systems, increased operating temperatures in portable computing products are common throughout the industry.
For prolonged use, place your iBook, PowerBook, MacBook or MacBook Pro on a flat stable surface. Do not leave the bottom of the computer in contact with your lap or any surface of your body for extended periods. Prolonged contact with your body could cause discomfort and potentially a burn.
Here are some suggestions for working with your portable computer to address any concerns you may have with the operating temperature:
Apple portable computers comply with temperature limits set in national and international safety standards when used in accordance with the instructions in the user guide. Instructions include the advice not to place the computer on your lap for extended periods.
Make sure you are running the latest system software and have installed all current firmware updates. To find the latest system software, use Software Update or download system software and firmware updates from http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/.
For prolonged use, place your iBook, PowerBook, MacBook or MacBook Pro on a flat stable surface. Do not leave the bottom of the computer in contact with your lap or any surface of your body for extended periods. Prolonged contact with your body could cause discomfort and potentially a burn.
Here are some suggestions for working with your portable computer to address any concerns you may have with the operating temperature:
- When using your portable computer, place it on a hard surface, such as a desktop or a tray. A hard surface allows air to flow under the computer to dissipate heat. Placing it on a soft surface such as a towel or pillow (or lap) is not recommended because it does not allow air to flow under the computer.
- Under the Energy Saver pane in System Preferences, set the optimization to Better Energy Savings.
Apple portable computers comply with temperature limits set in national and international safety standards when used in accordance with the instructions in the user guide. Instructions include the advice not to place the computer on your lap for extended periods.
Make sure you are running the latest system software and have installed all current firmware updates. To find the latest system software, use Software Update or download system software and firmware updates from http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/.
Calibrating your Macbook & Macbook Pro battery
15/06/06 08:53
The battery calibration for the PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD) and any model of MacBook or MacBook
Pro has been updated because of a new battery released with this computer. With these computers, follow these
steps to calibrate your battery:
1. Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook's battery until the light ring or LED on the
power adapter plug changes to green and the onscreen meter in the menu bar indicates that the battery is
fully charged.
2. Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for at least two hours. You may use your computer
during this time as long as the adapter is plugged in.
3. Disconnect the power adapter with the computer still on and start running the computer off battery power.
You may use your computer during this time. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery
warning dialog on the screen.
4. Continue to keep your computer on until it goes to sleep. Save all your work and close all applications when
the battery gets very low, before the computer goes to sleep.
5. Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or more.
6. Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
Tip: When the battery reaches "empty", the computer is forced into sleep mode. The battery actually keeps back a
reserve beyond "empty", to maintain the computer in sleep for a period of time. Once the battery is truly
exhausted, the computer is forced to shut down. At this point, with the safe sleep function introduced in the
PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD) computers, the computer's memory contents have been saved to the
hard drive. When power is restored, the computer returns itself to its pre-sleep state using the safe sleep image
on the hard drive.
Pro has been updated because of a new battery released with this computer. With these computers, follow these
steps to calibrate your battery:
1. Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook's battery until the light ring or LED on the
power adapter plug changes to green and the onscreen meter in the menu bar indicates that the battery is
fully charged.
2. Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for at least two hours. You may use your computer
during this time as long as the adapter is plugged in.
3. Disconnect the power adapter with the computer still on and start running the computer off battery power.
You may use your computer during this time. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery
warning dialog on the screen.
4. Continue to keep your computer on until it goes to sleep. Save all your work and close all applications when
the battery gets very low, before the computer goes to sleep.
5. Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or more.
6. Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
Tip: When the battery reaches "empty", the computer is forced into sleep mode. The battery actually keeps back a
reserve beyond "empty", to maintain the computer in sleep for a period of time. Once the battery is truly
exhausted, the computer is forced to shut down. At this point, with the safe sleep function introduced in the
PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD) computers, the computer's memory contents have been saved to the
hard drive. When power is restored, the computer returns itself to its pre-sleep state using the safe sleep image
on the hard drive.