M2 MacBook Air Gets Speed Boost With This Novel Cooling System
Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air takes a unique approach to thermal management, foregoing the traditional fan in favor of a passive heat spreader for its energy-efficient M2 chip. This prompted the innovative minds at Frore Systems to explore the potential benefits of an active cooling solution. Introducing their novel solid-state active cooling system, the AirJet Mini, Frore Systems conducted rigorous benchmarks on the modified MacBook Air, revealing some noteworthy outcomes.
Frore Systems, armed with $116 million in funding, positions the AirJet Mini as a revolutionary thermal solution. The key to its prowess lies in a piezoelectric cooling chip within, boasting tiny vibrating membranes operating at ultrasonic frequencies. These membranes draw air through inlet vents at the top, expelling it as high-velocity pulsating jets from the bottom, creating a virtually silent and efficient cooling mechanism.
Initially, head-to-head benchmarks indicated only marginal improvements in the modified MacBook Air’s performance compared to its unaltered counterpart. However, as the tests progressed and the fanless MacBook Air’s throttling kicked in to control temperature, the AirJet Mini-equipped laptop surged ahead significantly.
Installing the 2.8mm thick AirJet Mini into the slim MacBook Air chassis was no small feat for Frore. It involved precision work, including milling off 0.3mm from the laptop’s lid to accommodate the airflow system. Sacrifices were made, such as removing speakers, the Wi-Fi antenna, and the internal keyboard connector. For those seeking simplicity, opting for a MacBook Pro with a traditional fan might be the more straightforward choice.
While the benchmarking tests addressed performance, a crucial aspect left unexplored was the real-world impact on battery life. The AirJet Mini drew five watts from the MacBook Air’s USB-C port in the test setup. Frore assures that properly integrated, the AirJet Mini chips require only one watt of power, with idle power consumption as low as 0.1W or 0.2W. The AirJet Minis remain inactive until needed, ensuring efficiency.
The AirJet system is set to make its debut in a $499 barebones Zotac mini-PC, designed for constant connection to a power source, mitigating battery life concerns. Beyond laptops, Frore envisions applications in 4K webcams, doorbell cameras, LED light bulbs, and more. While the future of Frore’s cooling system in the PC industry remains uncertain, the startup asserts that the AirJet Mini is already in mass production, with plans for larger and smaller versions underway. The question remains: could this be the next big leap in PC cooling technology? Only time will unveil the answer.
Originally posted 2023-11-30 08:44:26.