Apple issues SMC and Firmware update for all unibody MacBooks
Today, Apple issued both SMC and Firmware updates for their entire line of unibody MacBook computers, and the MacBook Air. Read on to discover what was changed for each system, and how you can get the updates. MacBook
SMC Firmware Update 1.2 (Download Page)
This update "improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights on the MacBook (late 2008) model."
EFI Firmware Update 1.3 (Download Page)
This update "fixes several issues to improve the stability of the MacBook (Late 2008) model."
MacBook Pro 15"
SMC Firmware Update 1.2 (Download Page)
This update "improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights on the MacBook Pro (late 2008) model."
EFI Firmware Update 1.6 (Download Page)
This update "fixes several issues to improve the stability of the MacBook Pro (Late 2008) model."
MacBook Air
SMC Firmware Update 1.1 (Download Page)
This update "improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights on the MacBook Air (late 2008) model."
EFI Firmware Update 1.1 (Download Page)
This update "fixes several issues to improve the stability of the MacBook Air (Late 2008) model."
To download these updates, you can either launch Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update), or download the appropriate installer packages from the Apple Support Download website. There are additional installation instructions that you will need to follow after the download completes.
Has this update improved your MacBook/Pro/Air's performance? After you install, come back here and let us know!
Update: As our commenters have pointed out, older MacBook and MacBook Pro models do not require these updates. Our apologies to everyone who has been frantically clicking Software Update.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
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Today, Apple issued both SMC and Firmware updates for their entire line of unibody MacBook computers, and the MacBook Air. Read on to...
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Software Update kept giving me the option to download and install, but after clicking "Install" and entering my password, it would never actually shut down and install. I had to manually install both updates, which worked fine.
December 12 2008 at 4:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI recently upgraded my unibody macbook pro to 4 GB of Crucial RAM.... After I did this, the Macbook was locking up several times a day... I installed this update yesterday morning and haven't seen a single lockup since.
December 12 2008 at 9:37 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAh, see? I should have read further down.
I'm glad this firmware update addressed the RAM issue. I had to return my 4GB kit because I couldn't sit on it and wait for the issue to be fixed, but now that it's sorted (I'll still check around and see if others have the same happy story) I'll probably pick up 4GB again soon.
Not that games running in Windows XP can get any benefit from it, but it's handy to have in OS X.
I don't know what everyone is talking about. I just bought a White Macbook from a buddy of mine about a week ago. It's almost a year or so old. And I could notice a difference after the firmware update. Everything runs just a little bit smoother now. Not alot, but a semi-noticeable difference.
December 11 2008 at 9:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replymy unibody mb said it didnt need the updates, and when i checked system profiler, it said i was on those new versions currently. i just got the machine over a week ago- so i guess it was already loaded from the factory?
strange..
Installed both on my MacBook (not Pro), worked fine. The loud beep also scared me, I jumped out of my chair by about a foot. :P
December 11 2008 at 12:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI don't know if this was coincidence or not. After the EFI/SMC updates, I haven't been experiencing the issues with MiniDisplay port to DVI when hooked up to an external display. It used to wack out when the MB's display when to sleep mode, but I only tested it out last night.
December 11 2008 at 10:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFunny... I think I had the same problem... my external cinema display would either go black, or "all fuzzy" when I woke the MBP...
I called AppleCare and the guy found nothing on this...
Mine too. It shows a static-filled screen, then pops to normal on the DVI adapter. On the VGA adapter, the MacBook was sending the wrong resolution to my monitor when set to native monitor resolution-- The MacBook said it was sending 1920x1280, but the monitor said it was 1280x1024, and the results were unwatchable.
AppleCare took care of me, mind you (solution, switch to the DVI adapter) but it's weird that the Late 2008 unibody MacBook doesn't agree with analog display on my monitor, but the Late 2007 white MacBook handled it just fine.
As usual with all 1.0 product, there are little bumps in the road. Apple always sorts them out, though. I'm betting this firmware also helps with the RAM issues (not accepting most 4GB kits without freezing).
And for anybody griping, just remember: If this were Dell or HP, you wouldn't get firmware updates or fixes anywhere NEAR as fast as you do with Apple. If it were because of Windows, you wouldn't get a fix for a long time. Apple is pretty fast when it comes to fixing problems with their systems.
I have a MBP 15" Late 2008 and when I try to install the updates manually, a popup tells me that my computer does not need these updates.
December 11 2008 at 4:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThink I'll wait a few days before doing this one as I've had none of the issues that have been described despite having a 4Gb unibody MacBook. Firmware updates are scary!!!
December 11 2008 at 1:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI also experienced the loud beep and nearly lost my mind... thought my macbook was dead! LOL
December 10 2008 at 10:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOn my macbook, only the EFI 1.3 update was listed in software update... I followed the link you provided and downloaded the SMC update and it installed just fine. Usually if it's not listed it tells me that my system doesn't need it... anyone else experiencing this?
December 10 2008 at 10:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI believe that they wanted you to install only one update at a time. They gave you the EFI first, and when you returned after rebooting you were presented with the SMC update.
December 11 2008 at 12:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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