Apple has released a firmware update to address the random shutting down of its MacBook laptops.

MacBook users were previously required to take the laptop in for service, but the MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.1 promises to fix the issue with an update that is less than 1MB.

Users looking to install the update are required to run OS X 10.4.7 or higher.

Reports of the problem began to appear in early July. By August, the issue had grown so widespread that angry users launched MacBookRandomShutdown.com to complain about the problem. 

According to Apple, the shutdowns were caused a by a problem with the MacBook's internal monitoring system.

Users in Apple's support forums complained that their MacBooks were shutting down several times daily. Some users added that after the shutdown, they would have to press the power button several times before the laptop would start up again.

Following the release of the firmware update, users at the Mac Book Random Shutdown site have reported that the update is helping with the issue, although they are reluctant to declare the problem officially solved.

"My MacBook had been experiencing [random shutdown] for over six weeks to the point where it would shut down within 10 minutes of every start up. I installed the SMC firmware update this morning, and it's run now for 7 1/2 hours without a problem, at 2GHz and with almost no fan noise," wrote 'Fru'.

After nearly four months of frustration, however, users seem to be sticking to a 'wait and see' approach to the fix.

"For me it's working, at least for now," wrote MacBook Random Shutdown blogger 'Mackey'.