Your Mac is Alive!

Yesterday, my roommate pointed out that while my Powerbook (G4) was closed, the light on the front would go from dim, to bright–over and over again.
The more I looked at it, the more it looked like the Powerbook was breathing.

Unfortunately the only Mac I have is a Powerbook, so hopefully someone else could confirm this on other models.

Does someone else have an explanation for this besides Mac’s being alive?

Technorati Tags: apple, powerbook, mac

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I Like This Tip!

Written by Brad Jasper on November 15, 2005 at 4:06 pm - Your Mac is Alive! has 9 comments - Categorized in Humor

9 Responses to “Your Mac is Alive!”

1. 
   mike
   It means that the computer is asleep. If you have the lid open, and put the computer to sleep, it does the same thing. When the computer is awake, that light is steady on. It's basically a cool indicator light as to whether it's asleep or not. November 15th, 2005 at 4:32 pm
   
   
2. 
   Robert
   My Power Mac (G4 MDD) does this too. Interestingly, not only the white LED in the power button (on the tower case) but also the white LED on the 17" Apple Studio Display (connected via ADC) "breathes".
   
   At night, after I turn out the light, it's almost spooky! November 15th, 2005 at 5:39 pm
   
   
3. 
   ben
   yea, my mini does it, as well as my G5 at work, except its the LED on the monitor that does it, havent noticed anything on the tower. November 15th, 2005 at 5:44 pm
   
   
4. 
   Bill
   I've always referred to it as a "pulse," kinda like a heartbeat while sleeping. Breathing's a good one too, though.
   
   AFAIK, it's just a way for you tell instantly (without having to open the computer) whether it's off or sleeping. It's standard on all models, I believe. November 15th, 2005 at 6:09 pm
   
   
5. 
   White Roses
   Yeah, my iBook G4 does it as well. But it's sneakier. Instead of the light being on the latch release, it's under the plastic near the release. When it's off, you'd never know it's there.
   
   I always thought of it as snoring. November 15th, 2005 at 6:20 pm
   
   
6. 
   Brad
   Hey everyone,
   
   Thanks for all the feedback.
   
   A part of me (reluctantly) knew there was a reason for it...I just liked the idea of my Mac being alive :) November 15th, 2005 at 6:23 pm
   
   
7. 
   Ben
   This has long been a feature of sleepy Macs. The first PowerBook to pulse like breathing was the Pismo (2000). PowerMacs have pulsated in the power button light since the PowerMac G4s. The first ones, like the Pismo, used green LEDs. The following year or so, lights were white, like today. November 15th, 2005 at 7:25 pm
   
   
8. 
   Maya
   Ya I have a MacBook that does it. I just think that it snores :P It's breathing in and out...In and out... September 7th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
   
   
9. 
   dover123107
   i dont but its so anoying. i have to either keep my mac open at night or close it and make it face a wall. and it happens with my macbook pro September 30th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
   
   

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