I had this problem on Maverick on a ThinkPad X201 tablet (computer overheating and rebooting), and as a workaround kept my computer underclocked (using the CPU frequency scaling applet for the GNOME panel). After using that way for a while (maybe for a few months to a year), I tried again a few months ago with normal CPU settings. The rebooting problem was fixed (presumably by some update): the CPU speed would now be throttled when the computer overheats (kicks in at about 82 degrees C), avoiding a reboot (when it hits 100 degrees). (Of course, the underlying problem of slow fans remains.)
I had this problem on Maverick on a ThinkPad X201 tablet (computer overheating and rebooting), and as a workaround kept my computer underclocked (using the CPU frequency scaling applet for the GNOME panel). After using that way for a while (maybe for a few months to a year), I tried again a few months ago with normal CPU settings. The rebooting problem was fixed (presumably by some update): the CPU speed would now be throttled when the computer overheats (kicks in at about 82 degrees C), avoiding a reboot (when it hits 100 degrees). (Of course, the underlying problem of slow fans remains.)