Firmware updates released for all new MacBooks

Apple tonight released a rash of SMC and EFI firmware updates for all the new "unibody" notebooks: including the (Late 2008) MacBooks, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs. The updates are only for the new Late 2008 MacBooks though – not for all MacBooks. If you need the updates, they will show up in Software Update.

For those unfamiliar, SMC Firmware Updates refer to the System Management Controller (SMC) firmware update for Intel-based computers. The SMC is a micro-controller on the logic board that controls the power functions for your computer. The SMC controls various functions, including:

• Power and thermal management, the Sleep LED, and battery.
• Controlling the fans, supporting Sudden Motion Sensor, ALS, and the power switch.

The Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) boot ROM consists of an on-board flash EEPROM that includes the hardware-specific code and tables needed to start up the computer, load an operating system, and provide common hardware access services.

Personally, I'd wait 72 hours before installing these SMC and EFI updates and read what the feedback is. Also, you should definitely create a bootable backup before installing them because they involve some pretty low level code and can give you some bad juju once in a while.

TUAW provides the details:

MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.2 (Download Page) This update "improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights on the MacBook (late 2008) model."

EFI Firmware Update 1.3 (Download Page) This update "fixes several issues to improve the stability of the MacBook (Late 2008) model."

MacBook Pro 15" SMC Firmware Update 1.2 (Download Page) This update "improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights on the MacBook Pro (late 2008) model."

EFI Firmware Update 1.6 (Download Page) This update "fixes several issues to improve the stability of the MacBook Pro (Late 2008) model."

MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update 1.1 (Download Page) This update "improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights on the MacBook Air (late 2008) model."

EFI Firmware Update 1.1 (Download Page) This update "fixes several issues to improve the stability of the MacBook Air (Late 2008) model."