Apparently since last summer Apple has changed how my olde MacBook Air deals with the heat. Last summer the machine would get hot and then it would slow down, disabling one of it’s processor cores. I’d observer that in my Menu Meters where on processor would go idle. This summer they are doing something different and the Menu Meters report that both processors are running at 50%; which they aren’t. Rather the operating system has decided to slow them down. If you look at the process tables it shows a kernel_task eating all those cycles. So, it’s out with the cold packs again.
Get Coolbook. Install. Reboot. Case closed.
(No, you don’t even have to do the undervolting game.)
What Coolbook does is give you more control over the power consumption etc. What the ice packs do is let you run full tilt while having a nice cool machine in your lap. The cool machine in your lap is particularly delightful on an unair-conditioned summer’s day.
I think I’m happy.