Macbook Air and throttling, core shutdown, etc.
I thought I'd add something to the numerous, but often lacking, rants about the well-known "core shutdown" problem with Macbook Air. I've reported it to Apple, and they have replied that they believe they will be able to fix it via a software/firmware update, but I am doubtful.
One point that noone (that I've found) have mentioned is that PRIOR to shutting down the core, the CPU has already been running at minimum (600 or 800 MHz) speed for a long, long time. In other words, this phenomenon doesn't simply cut your CPU in half - by the time it gets to that, it's already cut it to about 1/3 by throttling. Then that's cut in half again. No wonder those video encoding jobs in iTunes take ages...
I paid for a 1.8GHz machine. I expect every single one of those those GHzs to work for me whenever I need them. Of course, I'll keep the machine on a flat surface and keep the vents unobstructed. Anything else would be unfair. But under near-ideal conditions I expect to get what I paid for.
I've seen Apple state that this is "by design". It's a feature, not a bug. UP YOURS, APPLE! I promise I'll make sure you learn a lesson (at least in Norway) if you try that bullshit with me.
I'm pissed off.
/Eirik