# Notes from the counters

Canonical: https://plottypus.com/blog

Last updated: 2026-09-24

blog

What I measure while building plottypus: where Apple Silicon reports power, when it stops, and how to check it on your own Mac.

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1. 24 Sept 2026
   
   ## [Check Mac CPU temperature in the terminal](https://plottypus.com/blog/mac-cpu-temperature-terminal)
   
   Activity Monitor has no CPU temperature or fan speed. plottypus reads SMC and HID sensors in the terminal, no sudo, and shows — when the Mac has none.
2. 24 Sept 2026
   
   ## [Mac CPU watts in the terminal, no sudo](https://plottypus.com/blog/mac-cpu-watts-without-sudo)
   
   No live watts in macOS. plottypus prints system and CPU watts without sudo: SMC rails on the M5 Pro, a held IOReport value with its age on other chips.
3. 24 Sept 2026
   
   ## [macOS 27 shows 0.00 W CPU power. Here is why.](https://plottypus.com/blog/macos-27-cpu-power-0w)
   
   On macOS 27 the IOReport Energy Model counters publish in batches, minutes apart, so per-interval samplers read 0.00 W. Evidence, the fix, and a no-sudo SMC alternative.