Kballweg
User
| Posts: 4 |   |
|
MacBook Heat??? - 2006/06/04 14:02
While waiting for my MacBook I've dropped into obsessive worry that it will be too hot to actually use on my lap. About 75% of my home use is my 1.2 G4 iBook sitting on my lap for hours at a stretch. While it can get warm at times, it has never gotten uncomfortable.
What are people actually experiencing with the MacBook? Please mention processor speed, as that would be helpful.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write
access. |
rwahrens
User
| Posts: 12 | |
|
Re:MacBook Heat??? - 2006/06/09 13:58
I've had my White 2.0 MacBook for about a week. It is a pleasure to use; a good balance between useability, power, and portability. WiFi reception is great, screen is very good (except in bright sunlight), and with a gig of RAM, works without a lotta spinning beachball nonsense.
Heat? Not much of a problem for me. I've yet to hear the fans kick in much, and I regularly run the batteries down into the teen percentages. Consequently, it is a very quiet machine!
However, I will warn: Apple, in their various writings about heat issues with the MacBook family (includes the Pro) they warn that putting the MB directly on a blanket or other insulating material for extended periods can allow heat to build up inside the case, as the base of the case is meant to transfer heat away from the unit. They advise you to use something to allow air to circulate around and under the base to help cool the MB.
In my experience, yes, the bottom gets hot. Heat is subjective, therefor your milage may vary. Some like it hot, so it doesn't bother, others can't take it. Also, time of year, and ambient temp where you are will make a difference, too.
So go to a convenient Apple store near you and check 'em out. They're great machines!
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write
access. |
Kballweg
User
| Posts: 4 | |
|
Re:MacBook Heat??? - 2006/06/27 10:24
Well, having had the MB 2GHz for two weeks now heat did prove to be a major issue for my particular one. Either my fan is mighty quiet, or not functioning. I did the check for the plasitc covering the vent, and that was't the issue.
Using it the first day, I was very optimistic that I could stick with the old habits I had with my G4 iBook, which was very lap friendly. Ended up actually "roasting" my upper left leg as a result of several hours of use, to the extent that it is still sensitive to heat, and pressure weeks later. It's the frog in boiling water concept, the heat rachets up gradually, and the nerve become desensitized. No blistering, but definite undesireable effects.
Reading other people's responses I found this a little hard to believe, until I installed a utility called Hardwware Monitor and was able to see that the average processor core temp was 176 F, when plugged in to the charger. Way too hot for prolonged use in direct contact. That was with light use, if I had been doing video compression, not sure what it would have hit.
It would drop to 155ish F, with the charger unplugged, so that was a clue. I'm still not sure if my fan is running. Where others complain about noise, I never hear mine. In trying to find some way to check the fan, I ran across several suggestions to try a PMU (power management unit) reset. This addresses both fan trigger temps, and charging issues that can cause overheating.
To do a reset: shut down, take out the battery, and hold the power on button down for five seconds, then put the battery back in and reboot. Since then I've been runing an average of 145 F, and think the fan may have come on (based a push of air).
So the answer to my own question is that your milage may vary depending on the luck of the draw. So, do be careful to monitor at first, as there are obviously some variables that can cause it to be more than unpleasent for prolonged use on your lap.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write
access. |
TheWizardofAz
User
| Posts: 2 | |
|
Re:MacBook Heat??? - 2006/07/27 20:44
I ordered the MB the first day it was offered. It came all the way from China in less than a week. It's a very hot running machine. Burning a DVD it hits over 180. It's on its second motherboard, Apple replaced it under warranty within 2 weeks of receipt, to get the heat down. It didn't do much frankly for that. It's too hot for lap usage, that's for sure. I would heed Apple's warning on that. Other than that. I like it a lot. It's my first Mac laptop. I've been an Apple user since the IIc.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write
access. |
Buddhabobb
User
| Posts: 1 | |
|
Re:MacBook Heat??? - 2006/08/15 22:19
I've had my MacBook since the day they came out and to me it is fantastic. It got hot on my legs when I used it as a laptop, which is how I use it... but not scorching hot... just sweaty hot. So, I got one of those Targus Chill Pads for $20 and it works beautifully. It's a little, apparently cheaply made thing that really does it's job. You plug it in to your USB port and the other end into the Chill Pad unit, then set your laptop on top of it. You click the "on" switch and two little 3 inch fans start to blow onto the bottom of your MacBook, with the air exiting through channels in the chill pad out the back. We had that heat wave here in the Napa Valley where it was over 100 degrees farenheit for 10 consecutive days... and the I used my MacBook every day with no heat issues. The chill pad is no problem to use, and so unless I am traveling... the MacBook and chill pad are always together. Just to add, that my sons both have Toshiba laptops that REALLY do get hot... Even though their little fans are blowing loudly, those units are unusable directly on the lap in warm weather. My MacBook runs cool compared to them. And lastly, I read the weird stories of problems with the first MacBook Pros, but I thank myself for taking a chance and getting a MacBook... I enjoy it everyday. Overall, apple makes a great product. I've owned many since 1985. Best of luck. Bob
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write
access. |
|
Forums