Ask Different is a question and answer site for power users of Apple hardware and software. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
It seems that the best advice for battery longevity on my MacBook Air is to keep the battery cool. It doesn't have powerful fans like the MacBook Pro, so I would think that overheating is even more of a problem on an Air than a Pro. What are the best ways to keep the MacBook Air cool?
Note: this isn't a duplicate of this question since that question (and the answers) deals with how to prevent the fan noise.
Apple only provides a few recommendations.
Use the computer on a hard surface:
Using the computer on a soft surface like a couch, pillow, bed, or your lap can trap heat requiring higher fan activity. Using the computer on a hard flat surface like a table or desk allows for optimal radiation of heat.
Don't block the fans:
Make sure the vents remain unblocked to allow your computer to perform at its best.
On the MacBook Air, the fans are located in back.
Speaking from experience, I would say that you should be cautious of running Anti-Virus apps which actively scan your computer. They are often resource intensive, and I've noticed that these apps can conflict with Spotlight and cause the CPU usage to skyrocket for a long period of time, which heats up the battery.
I got an iLap for my wife, and it works great.
