1
[Linus Tech Tips] "Apple please watch this." (Installing fanless active cooling in the M2 Air, at the cost of most of the I/O) (www.youtube.com)
submitted 2 years ago by [B] to c/apple@hardware.watch
94 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [S, B] 1 point 2 years ago (2 children)

TLDW: This video shows this device called the "Frore AirJet", which is an active cooler that uses piezoelectrics rather than fans to push air through at 1700 pascals.

The Verge article on them: https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/27/23975368/frore-airjet-apple-macbook-air-fanless-mems

The LTT team had to do a lot of modifications (remove the speakers to use the speaker vents for airflow, and remove the MagSafe port, one USB-C port, the keyboard's input cables, and the Wi-Fi antenna), but they were able to get the following results:

Cinebench score Power usage
Normal 15" M2 Air 8200 Around 14.5W
Modded 15" M2 Air 8600 Around 19W
M2 Pro 8700 Around 19.5W
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (2 children)

    All that for a relatively tiny bump? I thought it would be a lot more drastic

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    It’s extra dumb because

    1. you are pulling significantly more power for a tiny performance bump, so less “power on time” for the same device

    2. that computer he’s trying to make exists and called MacBook Pro m2. Now MacBook Pro m3

    Why would they degrade the user experience for MacBook Air while increasing performance on LONG and intense applications, a case NOT expected by the MacBook Air customer and also step on the toes of MacBook Pro.

    This product is dumb and good thing it doesn’t exist lol.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    You actually don’t know what you’re talking about, why are Apple fanatics so confidently ignorant. It’s performing BETTER because it has a higher thermal headroom and still runs cooler. You’re literally complimenting Apple for have poor thermals with your roundabout logic. Astonishing the mental gymnastics you’re pulling off.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    It’s performing 5-7% better for 30% less battery life while a similarly priced, slightly more expensive 14 inch MacBook has much better cooling and better features with even more battery life. This doesn’t solve a problem it makes the air a worse product by lowering battery. The air is for nothing more than light work. I can’t imagine anyone who wants one of those would say “yes I’d rather have 30% less battery life for 5% more performance and 1 C cooler on the chassis”.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent