Apple releases fix for throttling problem on new Macbook Pros

APPLE has released a quick fix for a problem plaguing its new top-end laptops following customer backlash over the glaring flaw.

APPLE has released a software update it says should fix a problem which prevented its new top-range Macbook laptops from performing at their best.

According to the tech giant, a simple software bug was to blame for excessive throttling on its 2018 MacBook Pro laptops which affected performance.

It comes as frustrated users were reportedly trying to hand their laptops back following a video by YouTuber Dave Lee which showed his MacBook Pro model with the highest-end i9 processor didn’t meet its speed and performance benchmarks.

The top-of-the-range, 8th-generation CPU is marketed as offering a clock speed of 2.9GHz. A higher clock rate means a processor can get more tasks done in a given amount of time. It is basically the speed the processor works at.

But when put under pressure, tests showed his MacBook seemed to throttle the speed.

There was, however, a catch. The laptop reached its advertised capabilities when it was put in the freezer.

It turns out the culprit was “thermal throttling,” a not uncommon safeguard in which computers will slow down performance to avoid getting too hot because processors can generate a lot of heat when pushed to their limits.

However the Macbook’s overeagerness to throttle meant that at least some users weren’t getting what was advertised.

“This degree of thermal throttling is not acceptable,” Mr Lee said in his video. “This is not something that Apple should put out on the market.”

“The i9 in the MacBook can’t even maintain the base clock speed,” he said.

Apple said a new software update it released should correct the issue.

“Following extensive performance testing under numerous workloads, we’ve identified that there is a missing digital key in the firmware that impacts the thermal management system and could drive clock speeds down under heavy thermal loads on the new MacBook Pro,” an Apple spokesperson told CNET.

“A bug fix is included in today’s MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Supplemental Update and is recommended.

“We apologise to any customer who has experienced less than optimal performance on their new systems. Customers can expect the new 15-inch MacBook Pro to be up to 70 per cent faster, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar to be up to two times faster, as shown in the performance results on our website.”

Originally published as Apple releases fix for throttling problem on new Macbook Pros