> Another theory is that this should report 50% CPU usage, because even though that CPU-intensive program is causing the CPU to consume all of its available cycles, it is not consuming all off the cycles that are potentially available.

if they would be available wouldnt the CPU scaling kickin and ramp up the frequency as required? i think in this case it should really show up as 50%...

otherwise its somewhat similar to battery charge status... apparently nobody wants to know what percentage of the initial full capacity is left but just how much is left from what is potentially available... so in a low power state were throttling is done permanently at some frequency i would just like to know how much capacity is actually left...