Existing users, 
smcFanControl
Control fans of your intel mac to cool it down, monitor temp.
Version: 2.2.2
Don't use this utility
Feedback Type: Usage Tip
Contributed by: cartographer Sunday, January 07 2007 @ 02:18 PM PST
Product Platform: MacOSX
Used Product For: Have Not Tried
Recommend Product: NO
I am not ever going to use this utility unless it gets an official sanction from Apple directly. The SMC Firmware being what it is, an upgradeable component only by Apple, and the fans being something that are preprogrammed to respond to Apple's Energy Saver settings as well as processor use, I would not want to be the one forcing the fans to work when they aren't supposed to, or forcing them not to work when they are supposed to. If the latter were to happen, my machine might experience a random shutdown if I'm lucky, and if I'm not, it could overheat everything around it. Much better is find some external means of cooling your machine such as a solid metal cookie tray or external USB powered fan pad, or notebook stand.
Comments
Don't NOT use this utility! - kazura.mac
Usually I would agree with the concept of "Apple made it, let them dictate how the hardware is configured" - BUT knowing that HEAT is enemy #1 to your computer hardware AND that without this utility my MacBook Pro [core duo @ 2Ghz] would REGULARLY achieve temps in EXCESS of 180ºF !Wednesday, February 14 2007 @ 07:09 PM PST
Don't use this utility - cartographer
That 180 degrees F is not abnormal for notebooks to have. However, power supply issues are not unheard of because users don't know how to take care of their power cords. For that I've written a guide http://www.macmaps.com/frayguide.html There are cases where the battery might overheat, and there is an exchange program for that. But if the battery and power supply are good the only reason to be concerned about your heat, is if you meddled with the cooling gel yourself, or if it overheats when there is a proper cooling pad. Many people both with Macs and PCs use cooling pads with great effect. I find the cookie tray the best bet for me. And your best test for if the fans are behaving is Apple's own Hardware Test CD which ships with your Mac. If you bought it used, and are lacking that disk or need the disk because you lost it, call AppleCare.Sunday, September 23 2007 @ 07:17 PM PDT
This utility is safe. Don't listen to this FUD. - coffeemick
Read the product description of smcFanControl:"smcFanControl lets the user set the minimum speed of the build in fans. So you can increase your minimum fan speed to make your macbook run cooler. However in order not to damage your machines smcFanControl let's you not set minimum speed to a rate under Apple's defaults."
This means it won't run at a lower speed than the speed Apple thinks is appropriate at any time. It's purpose is to monitor the fan speed and temperature. You can optionally speed up the fans (minimum fan speed) to decrease idle temperature.
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Saturday, January 13 2007 @ 06:56 AM PST