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Re: undefined

#181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately this is a very common problem with basically all modern high-end laptops that have a macbook-like form factor (e.g. not bulky gaming laptops with lots of cooling & ventilation). It's just not physically possible to make a machine that combines high end power hungry hardware, adequate cooling for that hardware, and a compact form factor. It's very sad that this is such a widespread problem and that there…

> It's just not physically possible to make a machine that combines high end power hungry hardware, adequate cooling for that hardware, and a compact form factor. Yes, and that's why it should be illegal for firms to sell broken devices as we can read in this thread. Stop pretending everything can be smaller and prettier, just build stuff that works no matter what it looks like. Apple is also guilty on the smartphone…

> They have basically pioneered the "throwaway phone" paradigm we are deep into now.

I'm still using an iPhone 7 for 5 years now without issue, which is longer than any dumb phone I had in the past. Nobody is forced to buy the last iPhone every year, especially since they don't bring a lot of improvements anyway.

Re: undefined

#182

I also recently discovered that something like 12% of CPU on my 2020 macbook air is used whenever I'm in a room with anything greater than perfect silence, by 'coreaudiod', because it apparently is constantly listening to the microphone built in near the keyboard and spending cpu cycles trying to filter out background noise. Apparently running the signal desktop app in the background is enough to keep coreaudiod cons…

The coreaudiod issue might have to do with apps that use the mic "priming" it by keeping it active even when there's no call. Some chat apps do this to avoid the 1-2s delay associated with turning on the mic, so audio starts streaming as soon as the call starts.

macOS Monterey is going to make it more obvious in UI when an app is using the microphone. Hopefully sunlight is a good disinfectant and acts as a forcing function for apps to fix up their behavior.

Re: undefined

#183

I also recently discovered that something like 12% of CPU on my 2020 macbook air is used whenever I'm in a room with anything greater than perfect silence, by 'coreaudiod', because it apparently is constantly listening to the microphone built in near the keyboard and spending cpu cycles trying to filter out background noise. Apparently running the signal desktop app in the background is enough to keep coreaudiod cons…

> … 'coreaudiod', because it apparently is constantly listening to the microphone built in near the keyboard and spending cpu cycles trying to filter out background noise. Apparently running the signal desktop app in the background is enough to keep coreaudiod constantly wasting battery. Because signal is open and has been granted permissions for microphone and speakers, even if no call session is open? There’s an ap…

macOS Monterey (likely release this month or next) has this built-in.

Re: undefined

#184
post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I also recently discovered that something like 12% of CPU on my 2020 macbook air is used whenever I'm in a room with anything greater than perfect silence, by 'coreaudiod', because it apparently is constantly listening to the microphone built in near the keyboard and spending cpu cycles trying to filter out background noise. Apparently running the signal desktop app in the background is enough to keep coreaudiod co…

I believe Hey Siri functionality is handled by lower level audio chips, not in user land. At least that’s how it’s done on the iPhone

"Hey Siri" on macOS is done in hardware, using the onboard T2 chip (not the CPU).

Or, when using newer AirPods with H1 chip, the "Hey Siri" listening is done on the AirPods.

Re: undefined

#185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Imagine having to buy extra fans to use your device at full power.

My 2018 MacBook Pro will throttle if you try to use both the GPU and CPU under full load. My 2017 Dell XPS 15 would throttle if you looked at it. And the coil whine could be heard across the room. My 2021 M1 MacBook Air is completely silent and barely gets warm under full load. It only has 8GB of RAM and outperforms the XPS and MacBook Pro. It also cost less than half those machines.

The m1 is very early still for compatibility, also doesn’t have 32 to 64 GB Ram. That might work for you but not everyone is the same.

Looking forward to seeing the new 16” MBP with Apple silicon, but I suspect ubiquitous software compatibility will be 3 or 4 years away similar to when Apple switched from PowerPC to intel

Re: undefined

#186
post #6

Also applicable to 2018 MacBooks. Apple laptops are not able to cool themselves if used to any medium or higher capacity. A laptop cooler or cabinet fans underneath to draw air away are a must if you want anywhere close to the cpu power you are purchasing. An external keyboard is also a must to own a MacBook 2015-201i+ if it’s from the special years of dust existing on Earth,

Imagine having to buy extra fans to use your device at full power.

The price tag reminds me 3very time I set it down on the desk that it’s more like having a portable desktop you move around with you.

Avoid the i9s

Re: undefined

#187

Charging from the wrong side will also fry a charge IC. That's what partially pays my bills, my business offers MacBook board repair.

[deleted]

Re: undefined

#188

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This has been a known (albeit apparently not well known) issue/solution since the first USB-C macs were introduced. The cause is the placement of internals and sensors and their proximity to the ports on each side. You can “prove” (demonstrate) it without opening the case by taking a stock MBP, putting it under medium load that’s enough to generate heat without other factors, then compare fan speed and performance wi…

See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. People have looked at the sensor placement and conjectured that kernel_task CPU usage is related to it doing some sort of throttling. It's a good hypothesis! But nobody has finished the job by going through a trace and actually checking that the kernel is doing that. That's the missing portion I'm asking for.

> conjectured that kernel_task CPU usage is related to it doing some sort of throttling

Well it’s definitely doing some different thermal management depending on the port side you use. And performance definitely differs between those cases. Whether it’s technically throttling is kind of immaterial to whether this solution is meaningfully useful, in my opinion.

Re: undefined

#189
post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My 2018 MacBook Pro will throttle if you try to use both the GPU and CPU under full load. My 2017 Dell XPS 15 would throttle if you looked at it. And the coil whine could be heard across the room. My 2021 M1 MacBook Air is completely silent and barely gets warm under full load. It only has 8GB of RAM and outperforms the XPS and MacBook Pro. It also cost less than half those machines.

The m1 is very early still for compatibility, also doesn’t have 32 to 64 GB Ram. That might work for you but not everyone is the same. Looking forward to seeing the new 16” MBP with Apple silicon, but I suspect ubiquitous software compatibility will be 3 or 4 years away similar to when Apple switched from PowerPC to intel

Yes, everything I use is already M1 compatible. And unless you need to run multiple VMs the 8GB of RAM doesn't seem to be an issue for anyone. What do you use that isn't compatible?
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