"About MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update 1.2
This SMC firmware update adds compatibility for the latest service replacement batteries...
Boot ROM or SMC Version Information:
After this update has successfully completed, your SMC Version will be: 1.23f20 (M82)
After this update has successfully completed, your SMC Version will be: 1.34f8 (M96 & M96A) For more information, please visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2368 (their general "About the SMC Firmware Updates" doc.) "

After problems many have seen with the last 2 MBP firmware updates, personally I'd be tempted to follow the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" golden rule, unless perhaps if you've had a battery replaced recently (from the comments).
Apple's also updated their doc listing EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs to include this update.

"Hello Mike, again greetings from Poland :)
Just want to share my experience on the new (mid-2009) Macbook Pro 13" 2.26GHz equipped with the WD 500GB WD5000BEVT "Scorpio blue" drive. Some people have problems with the new macbooks after applying the 3Gbps SATA patch. I installed this update on the second day after migrating my data to the 13 incher. I have absolutely no problems, no slowdown, beach ball, freezes etc. Actually nothing changed after the update (other than reported Sata speed of course). The 2.26GHz 13" MBP boots faster than my previous 2.5GHz penryn "classic" mate MBP.
The new MacBook Pro is great - I love the unibody case, the screen, the new touchpad and SD card slot. And let's not forget my main reason for this switch - the new battery!

Along the new Nvidia based mini I think the new MBP 13" is just a perfect Mac, something we have been waiting for for a while.

Here you have the drive's info from System Profiler. The drive was bought from 3rd party, not Apple. The machine's ram was upped to 4GB at the same time.

Apple system profiler info:

NVidia MCP79 AHCI:
Vendor: NVidia
Product: MCP79 AHCI
Speed: 3 Gigabit (emphasis mine)
Description: AHCI Version 1.20 Supported

WDC WD5000BEVT-75ZAT0:
Capacity: 465.76 GB
Model: WDC WD5000BEVT-75ZAT0
Revision: 01.01A01 (drive firmware)
Serial Number: WD-WXN509L11379
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
Volumes:
Macintosh HD:
Capacity: 465.44 GB
Available: 284.08 GB
File System: Journaled HFS+

Take care and keep up the good work.
-Grzegorz W."

If you've updated a new MacBook Pro using the EFI 1.7 firmware update, let me know if you've had any problems with an upgraded (non-OEM) hard drive (std or SSD). Include details on MBP and drive used, thanks. (Also adding these as a drive upgrade database report.)

" Hey Mike, I've averaged an nVidia logicboard repair, once a week since beginning of the year. The replacement boards show rework to the nVidia GPU area. (replaced 8600M GPU) I've only seen 2 replacement boards show up as dead on arrival, needing to await a replacement. (I test them twice before returning to the owner)
For owners going through this, note your hardware MAC address (onboard ethernet ID) will change as the ethernet is built-in to the board that is replaced (i.e. If your security is based on the MAC address) Your mac repair person should note the label now covering the old MAC address in the battery bay.
Airport card (unless defective) is not replaced. (name withheld by request) "

And a follow-up to a reader's failure post in Thursday's news.:

" Hey Mike, A follow up on my Nvidia meltdown. Just taken my MacBook Pro to the Apple Store, they hooked up a test HD - labeled like 'Nvidia Macbook Pro test' 2mins later I'm told the good news, it qualifies under the repair extension programme - should take 5-7 days. I was a tad worried about having the pink/ green squares and some people not being so lucky with a free repair.
I asked what gets 'done' - a new logic board. (required as the GPU is soldered to the mainboard)
Cheers, Phil "

This weekend I added all of last week's reports to the original page on MacBook Pro (Nvidia 8600M) GPU/Video Failures.

• EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs (updated for MBA SMC 1.2 update - see above)
• OS X 10.5: Security tips for using Time Machine over a network
• iPhoto and Aperture applications may not support sRAW images from Canon cameras
• Troubleshooting a MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro that won't turn on
• About integrated video on Intel-based Macs
• Configuring email accounts in Mail

• Jobs Returns to Work as Apple CEO
• Computershopper's (2009) MacBook Pro 17in review
• (Mid 2009) 13-inch MacBook Pro review (creative mac)
• For games, no big rush to speedy iPhone 3GS
• Slow Backups Return with iPhone v3.0 Update
• Dear ATT: It's Time To Produce Results, Not Public Statements
• PhoneSuit Turns iPhone, iPod Touch into Portable Projector
• Original Command and Conquer on iPhone (via emulator)
  
  Software/Updates:
• 1Password 2.9.21
• Warpack: Grunts game for iPhone/Touch
• Chax 2.2.2b1
  
  Not Mac Related:
• StarCraft II Developers Talk
• Mythbuster Adam Savage fights $11,000 (roaming) ATT bill with Twitter army
• Sony Mulls PSP Phone For Gamers
• Raven's Eric Beissman talks about the highly anticipated Wolfenstein game
• Hulu closes the door on PS3 owners, doesn't tell us why
• Zune HD 16/32GB from $249 with 720p movie downloads?
• AMD DirectX 11 White Paper Released