markfromnewportbch

Q: Burned on stomach from Macbook

I just got my second burn on my stomach in as many years. WTH is going on? It was so hot when I woke up I have a ring on my stomach. My girlfriend couldnt touch it becuase it was to hot to handle.

 

Nothing was blocked on the computer, all vents are open on the back etc.. Why call it a laptop if its not able to be in your lap without it burning you. Can someone please help with this?

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), iOS 9.3.2

Posted on Jun 1, 2016 9:24 AM

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Q: Burned on stomach from Macbook

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jun 1, 2016 9:34 AM in response to markfromnewportbch
    Level 9 (60,677 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 1, 2016 9:34 AM in response to markfromnewportbch

    Apple sells computers they refer to as Notebook computers, such as the MacBook Pro.

     

    Apple does not advocate using them held closely against you body, because they may get hot.

     

    Mac notebooks: Operating temperature - Apple Support

     

    If you think your notebook computer is getting too hot or has other problems, an appointment for an evaluation at the genius bar at an Apple store is free, in warranty or out.

  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Jun 1, 2016 9:34 AM in response to markfromnewportbch
    Level 7 (22,873 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 1, 2016 9:34 AM in response to markfromnewportbch

    I believe Apple calls them a Notebook.

     

    Keeping it on a hard surface helps air moving underneath as well as open in the back for the fans.

     

    Yes they can get very warm to the touch.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Jun 1, 2016 9:41 AM in response to markfromnewportbch
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 1, 2016 9:41 AM in response to markfromnewportbch

    markfromnewportbch wrote:

     

    It was so hot when I woke up I have a ring on my stomach.

    Were you sleeping with the computer on your stomach? Yes, vents could have been blocked by that.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 1, 2016 10:21 AM in response to markfromnewportbch
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 1, 2016 10:21 AM in response to markfromnewportbch

    markfromnewportbch wrote:

    Can someone please help with this?

    Do not sleep with a computer on your stomach.  (I don't, even if the MBP turned off)

     

    Ciao.

  • by markfromnewportbch,

    markfromnewportbch markfromnewportbch Jun 3, 2016 11:15 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 3, 2016 11:15 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    After posting my issue regarding me getting burned from the Macbook, I received a call from Apple regarding the issue the same day.

     

    Before I go into the outcome of what Apple said, I would like to address that I am prone in bed after a surgery so this is why I am laying down with my laptop on my stomach. Falling asleep with it on me is something I don't recommend and I agree with everyones comments.  But, while taking medication for my surgery, I do get tired.. and it happened.

     

    After speaking with Jorge Luna at Apple about my burns and waiting for a call back, I did a test to see if the Macbook would over heat on a cool surface as suggested to always do when using this product and it did the same exact thing. Its so hot you literally cant touch it. So, whether or not you use the Macbook on a cool surface or on your person, it does not change the over heating issue of this unit whatsoever.

     

    If a laptop is able to physically burn you, your skin, then its absolutely possible to damage another surface or worse yet, ignite and possibly start a fire. Which has happened repeatably in the history of this unit. I suggest you search the web and look into this yourselves. After temps reach 120 fahrenheit , skin will burn.

     

    Here is a pic of my stomach directly after the incident, I will be adding a video showing the max heat the computer omits while a thermometer is under it.

     

    I didnt ask for anything from Apple, they contacted me, said they want to look into the issue and if they found that their product was liable, they would repair the laptop. When they called back, they simply said that there is nothing they can do. No service repair, no replacement, etc.. I find this completely unsatisfactory. I have only bought apple products and feel that the customer service is completely unsatisfactory.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-06-03 at 11.11.55 AM.png

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 3, 2016 11:32 AM in response to markfromnewportbch
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 3, 2016 11:32 AM in response to markfromnewportbch

    If you are confined to a bed for medical reasons, are you not provided with a table to eat your meals?  Use that when you use your MBP..

     

    Running resource intensive applications in a MBP can generate internal temperature well into the 90°c+ range and if really pressed, higher than that.  Overheating is a relative term because it entails what applications are in use and what actual temperatures are being produced.  All I can say is that I have measured temperatures of 52°c+ on both my MBP and the charger exterior and it has not burned my skin.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Jun 3, 2016 11:33 AM in response to markfromnewportbch
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 3, 2016 11:33 AM in response to markfromnewportbch

    markfromnewportbch wrote:

     

     

    If a laptop is able to physically burn you, your skin, then its absolutely possible to damage another surface or worse yet, ignite and possibly start a fire. Which has happened repeatably in the history of this unit. I suggest you search the web and look into this yourselves. After temps reach 120 fahrenheit , skin will burn.

     

     

     

     

    Have you ever used a heating pad? If so, have you ever actually read the instructions? Hot things in contact with human skin for a long period of time is not necessarily good. That's why Apple specifically recommends against using the device in the way you did.

     

    My MBA used to make my legs red if, in the summer, when wearing shorts, I set it on my legs for extended periods of time. I solved the issue by purchasing and inexpensive lap desk (at Bed, Bath and Beyond, I think). It's a nice contoured piece of wood with a removable cushion on the back. I'm sure Amazon sells similar items.

  • by steve359,

    steve359 steve359 Jun 3, 2016 11:48 AM in response to markfromnewportbch
    Level 6 (14,032 points)
    Jun 3, 2016 11:48 AM in response to markfromnewportbch

    If the MBP is on your stomach for hours on end (even when sleeping ... a time you could unconsciously push it onto the floor), the lap desk for me would make great sense ... insulate the heat and is much more comfortable than flat metal against skin.

  • by markfromnewportbch,

    markfromnewportbch markfromnewportbch Jun 3, 2016 11:58 AM in response to steve359
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 3, 2016 11:58 AM in response to steve359

    Again, if you read my posts it doesn't matter if the laptop is on my person or surface.

     

    I'm guessing youre not reading the post or these comments are coming from Apple.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Jun 3, 2016 12:11 PM in response to markfromnewportbch
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 3, 2016 12:11 PM in response to markfromnewportbch

    markfromnewportbch wrote:

     

    Again, if you read my posts it doesn't matter if the laptop is on my person or surface.

     

    I'm guessing youre not reading the post or these comments are coming from Apple.

    Yes, it does matter. The notebook (it's not a laptop) is designed to be used on a hard surface, not a squishy surface like a human abdomen.

  • by Jim Allen2,

    Jim Allen2 Jim Allen2 Jun 3, 2016 12:19 PM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 3, 2016 12:19 PM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Does it have a dGPU?

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Jun 3, 2016 12:22 PM in response to Jim Allen2
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 3, 2016 12:22 PM in response to Jim Allen2

    Jim Allen2 wrote:

     

    Does it have a dGPU?

    https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

  • by Jim Allen2,

    Jim Allen2 Jim Allen2 Jun 3, 2016 12:26 PM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 3, 2016 12:26 PM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Still doesn't answer the question - if it has the 2GB dedicated to video it has a dGPU.  These supposedly run hotter and consume much more power. The reason why I'm asking is that I'm debating getting the dGPU rMBP. If the dGPU causes it to get that hot - I may reconsider it.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jun 3, 2016 12:30 PM in response to Jim Allen2
    Level 9 (50,238 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 3, 2016 12:30 PM in response to Jim Allen2

    Operating temps for correctly running Macs are the same, using them directly on your body is not recommended, dGpu or otherwise

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