14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has quietly released new firmware updates for users of its Late 2008 notebooks, the 13-inch unibody MacBook, the new 15-inch Pro, and the revised MacBook Air. The updates improve the behavior of the notebooks' battery charge indicator lights.
On its Support page, Apple reveals that version 1.2 of the MacBook and MacBook Pro SMC firmware updates improve “the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights” on the two new computers.
As revealed in Apple's “How it's made” video on the new MacBook, both Late 2008 notebooks sport an eye-catching LED indicator that shows the life of your laptop's battery. Apparently, both the indicator light of the Power Adapter, as well as the lights on the notebook have been in need of assistance.
Apple adds that the updater application will be installed in the /Applications/Utilities folder and will launch automatically. The company urges users to follow the instructions in the updater application to complete the update process.
Talking about the MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update 1.1, Apple reveals that this update also “improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light,” this time “on MacBook Air (Late 2008) computers.” The same installation details and instructions apply.
On the pages describing the new firmware updates, Apple also links to a knowledge base piece explaining what SMC Firmware Updates are. According to the company, these refer to the System Management Controller (SMC) firmware update for Intel-based computers. The SMC is a micro-controller on the logic board that controls the power functions for a MacBook. The controller handles various functions, like power and thermal management, the Sleep LED, and battery, fans Sudden Motion Sensor, ALS, and even the power switch.
There are two ways to update the firmware of your MacBook. Either use the Software Update mechanism in Mac OS X (Apple Menu -> Software Update), choosing the firmware currently available for your notebook, or download the standalone installer using one of the links below.
Download MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.2 (Free)