This Mac is Hot! Hot! Hot!
Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:26PM EDT
See Comments (4)
Early MacBook users have been bemoaning heat problems on the entry-level laptops for several weeks now, but some wise guy figured he'd actually do something scientific to see if the heat was anything to really worry about.
Turns out it is.
Based on Krische Online's analysis (playing an entire DVD while running from battery power), the MacBook averaged 96 degrees at the end of the disc while a comparable Dell Latitude averaged only 94.4 degrees. But those numbers are misleading: You can't get burned by an average temperature: Pouring boiling water on one leg and ice water on the other leg is still going to hurt a lot, even if the average temperature is quite tolerable.
Instead, look at the maximum temperatures for both machines: 119.8 degrees for the Mac and 105.8 for the Dell. Now that's one HOT Apple, and let's not forget that a Dell recently caught on fire during normal use.
Here's another concern: The MacBook Krische tested is the entry-level model. The two other models come with faster processors that will only increase the amount of heat churned out by the notebook.
In my experience with the MacBook, Krische's tests sound right. I didn't test it with a thermometer, but based on touch and the incredible grinding of the fan when the machine is under load, there could be something wrong with the heat dissipation setup of the machine. My advice? If you want a Mac laptop, go for the better-engineered MacBook Pro.
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2 Posted by vze4grvc@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse
Being a cautious computer hobbyist/hack, I've researched lots of info before building and configuring the systems I've used or modified. Here's one variation of a tip I found to work very well. The original suggestion was to use a razor blade to spread two rice grain sized beads of thermal paste on a processor. I instead cut a 1/4 inch length from an old credit card to spread the paste thin and evenly like a patina over the whole processor. I did the same to the heat sink. Doing this gives you optimum dispersion of heat over the whole processor without excess paste squeezing out when the two surfaces are ajoined. Another note, pre-clean both surfaces thoroughly with a cloth slightly dampended with a non-oil based solvent.
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3 Posted by rcetrulo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:31PM EDT Report Abuse
Take your machine to an Apple store and they will check if it is running hotter than it should. Do not void your warranty opening it and trying to "fix" it yourself. Most of the common Joes don't have the technical expertise to do it right and these machines are a piece of jewelry, so treat them as such.
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4 Posted by randomdancer10 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:29PM EDT Report Abuse
I have a brand new macbook pro and it literally burns my lap. This has got to be destructive to the internals. Will definitely shorten the life of the machine. Returning it.
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1 Posted by kylelarimore on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse
I red in Maximum PC magazine about someone who was talking about this same problem. Aparently Mac recomends using an entire tube of thermal paste to conect thier processors to the heatsinks. Putting too much thermal paste around your processor will insulate it keeping the heat in and will make it run hotter. Most computer maker (at least all of them with any knowledge of what thermal past is and how it works) only put a few drops of thermal paste. If anyone is having this problem with a Mac they may want to try and clean up some of the extra thermal paste and see what happens.