Hendrik Holtmann's smcFanControl, a free (but donation-friendly) program released under the GNU public license, just got upgraded to version 2.0. The new version, which now works with all Intel Macs, controls your fan speed while monitoring your computer's internal temperature.
The new version sits in your menu bar (unlike version 1.0, which was a regular dock-based application) and introduces fan setting presets and the ability to detect whether you're running on A/C or battery power. This is a great way to keep your Mac cool while controlling the noise from your fan.
Thanks, Mark Fleser.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-16-2007 @ 6:05PM
Eli Hodapp said...
Yeah, I noticed this today when I was checking my Application Update widget out of boredom. I'm glad that it moved to the menu bar (I hate having extra items in my dock) but I wish it could either have a more minimalistic display, or match my MenuMeters.
That's really my only complaint for an otherwise awesome app. I generally keep my fans set at about 2500 RPM, which is only barely audible in the quietest rooms and keeps my MacBook Pro cool to the touch almost all the time.
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2-16-2007 @ 6:09PM
Mark Gilbert said...
Just thought I would have a go with this on my 24" iMac since I had used previous versions on my girlfriends MacBook. i ran it and the fan speeds seemed ok, but the temperature was reporting as -127 degrees Celsius. Rather chilly I must say. So I think it would be fair to say some problems with certain Macs.
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2-17-2007 @ 5:19AM
xmichelo said...
I used to have this software installed on my MBP. I removed it when I discovered "FanControl" ( http://www.lobotomo.com/products/FanControl/ ).
FanControl installs itself at as a preference pane, and run as a daemon, adujsting the fan speed according to the user settings. Once you've found the settings that suits you, there's nothing to do anymore.
Unfortunately, it seems it works only with MacBook and MacBook Pro.
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2-17-2007 @ 12:06PM
Greenline said...
Very nice, I liked the old version and this is much slicker.
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2-17-2007 @ 2:59PM
Brandon Caballero said...
Quick question, say you have your fan speed set to something low, and your MacBook gets overheated, would it just shut off or override this app and increase fan speeds?
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