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This week: Apple has issued a patch that significantly increases performance for all 2018 MacBook Pros, but there's one glaring problem it doesn't fix... Plus, we talk new HomePod features from iOS 12 beta, and we wrap up with your emails!
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Thanks to
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Consumer Reports says MacBook Pro thermal throttling is a feature not a bug
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Consumer Reports came to the Apple's defense this week. The consumer-testing organization points out that other laptops with top-tier processors are also subject to thermal throttling.
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“Most processors have had this capability built in for years,” says Richard Fisco, an electronics testing program leader at Consumer Reports. “I would rather have the system throttle and take a lot longer to do things than just let itself get fried.”
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They recommend a desktop
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“If you absolutely need bleeding-fast speed — perhaps you’re a programmer who regularly compiles large applications or someone who edits huge amounts of high-resolution video — a high-end desktop may be a better bet than a souped-up laptop,” wrote Consumer Reports.
Apple issues thermal throttling fix for 2018 MacBook Pros
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Apple saw Dave Lee’s video, and worked with him to figure out what was going on.
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Turns out, a major part of the problem was actually a big in the firmware, which was preventing the fans from coming as often or as high as they should.
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“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. A bug fix is included in today’s macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Supplemental Update and is recommended"
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Apple went on to say this should result in better performance for every version of the new MacBook Pro, even i7 models.
Core i9 MacBook Pro - After the Patch
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Dave confirmed that now, MBP fans actually come on, which increased performance on the i9 to the save level achieved with the MBP in the freezer.
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In his tests, the 2018 i9 model is now 30-35% faster than the 2017 i7 model.