Where are the vents?

Question

Level 1

15 points

Where are the vents?

Seeing as heat is a big issue with these powerful little guys (late 2008 MBP), it would be useful to know where the vents are.

Specifically:
Where is the air intake?
Where is the air vented out of?
What effect does the display angle have on circulation?

I can't figure it out... Anybody?

Al MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 6, 2008 2:38 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Nov 6, 2008 9:29 PM in response to ogdoad8

I would say the same as the last model looking at breakdown photos of the unit. Air is drawn in via the keyboard and vented out the back near the hinge.

I had mine running with the lid open about an inch, and after a few minutes, the fans were revving up and it was getting warmer to the touch.

If you are going to run these with an external monitor attached, I would not keep the lid totally closed.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support' (designed exclusively for an iPhone/iPod touch)

Reply

Answer 2

ogdoad8 Author

Level 1

15 points

Nov 7, 2008 5:28 PM in response to preller

This is the specific link:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/First-Look/Mac/MacBook-Pro-Unibody

Pretty pictures, but they don't really answer the question how best to not block the outtake, etc. I get the idea that generally the air comes out around the hinge area... Just wherever it can, or what?

And does it suck air/dust in through the keyboard and the optical drive?? The whole thing just seems so tight and sealed up.

Reply

Answer 3

iSMH

Level 5

4,310 points

Nov 8, 2008 9:53 AM in response to ogdoad8

It pulls air in around the keys, and the two fans blow it out across the back, where the black hinge meets the body. If you turn the unit around, you can see opening in the case along the hinge.

Apple build their products to ventilate well, the best thing you can do is use the unit on a hard surface. Those feet give enough room for air to get under the unit, but soft surfaces aren't good.

Reply

Answer 4

preller

Level 1

15 points

Nov 6, 2008 3:37 PM in response to ogdoad8

look on ifixit.com, they disassembled every macbook and took photos of it.

Reply

Answer 5

trilobyte

Level 3

545 points

Nov 6, 2008 5:23 PM in response to ogdoad8

What preller said. From what I've seen, all the ventilation is happening at the back of the unit, at the monitor hinge.

Reply