Should I let my MacBook cool down with the lid open, or shut?

Question

Level 3

525 points

Should I let my MacBook cool down with the lid open, or shut?

Sadly, this MacBook gets VERY hot.

I was wondering, when I am done with it, should I let it "cool down" with the lid open, or closed?

First I thought it would be better with it open as there would me more room for the air circulate. However, the air vents are on the back, and are blocked when the screen is open!

So should I close the screen to let the vents get air, or let the lid open for more air to circulate throughout?

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Scott

Black MacBook 2.0Ghz CoreDuo/2GB RAM/120GB HD & 500MHz iBook G3/640 RAM/160GB HD, Other OS, OS X 10.5.x Leopard on the MacBook, and OS X 10.4.11 Tiger on the iBook

Posted on May 22, 2009 9:06 PM

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Answer 1

May 22, 2009 9:11 PM in response to sdschramm

HI Scott,

Make sure the vents on the back aren't covered by a clear plastic cover.

It's fine to close the lid after you shut it down.

http://digg.com/apple/AppleFesses_Up_To_MacBookBooboo?FC=PRCQ0

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

May 22, 2009 9:23 PM in response to sdschramm

"VERY hot" is rather subjective. You need to install an app or widget that will tell you in degrees how hot it is. Then you can make the determination if something is wrong or not. What I am saying is, if it is running significantly hotter than the next MacBook, while doing the same tasks, then it needs some professional attention. If it is running properly then it makes no difference if it is open or shut when you turn it off or put it to sleep.

It does not generate any more heat once it is sleeping or off so you could wrap it in a blanket if you wanted and it can not possibly get any hotter than it was while you were using it. In other words, it cannot hurt it in any way to close the lid or leave it open once it is sleeping or off. any damage cause by heat will occur while it is generating heat, not while it is cooling off, regardless of how quickly or slowly it cools.

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Answer 3

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

May 22, 2009 10:36 PM in response to sdschramm

It's more important to figure out why the computer is heating up and to make sure the fan is working properly.

Install the iStatPro widget to monitor your temperatures. Does the fan come on when you're using your MacBook?

The widget monitors temperatures inside the MacBook as well as the speed of the fan. It should always be at least ~1800RPM.

~Lyssa

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Answer 4

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

May 23, 2009 12:48 PM in response to Lyssa

Yes, I have iStat installed.

At bootup, the tempt starts at 120*f. After 15 mins of use it gets around 150*f and the fans kick on. Sometimes it gets higher then that!

The fans run at about 1900rpms at startup/idle, and once in use, like right now it is 163*f, and the fans are up to 6188rpm!!! Now they are spinning down to 5000rpm and the temp is 127*f. This is odd.

This macbook just came back from Apple Care as it is one of them which the "high pitched noise" issues.

They replaced the screen (not related), the logic board, heat sync, and heat "pipe" However, it it still buzzes and still gets hot.

So I don't know what to do now, other then call them back and tell them it still isn't fixed. I guess I could tell them about the heat issue as well.

I'll report back.

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Answer 5

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

May 23, 2009 12:54 PM in response to sdschramm

Open up Activity Monitor (Applications>Utilities). Make sure "All Processes" are being shown. Does any process take up high (20%+) amounts of CPU?

If not, try a SMC reset:
1) Power off the computer
2) disconnect MagSafe adapter & battery
3) Hold down power button for at least 5 seconds
4) Reconnect MagSafe and battery & power up computer

And if none of that help other things to do are:
1) run the computer while logged out of the current account & in a brand new one
2) use the original install discs to do an Archive & Install of the OS
3) if you're feeling adventurous, do an Erase and Install

If you decide to go with steps 2 and/or 3, make sure your data is backed up!

~Lyssa

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Answer 6

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

May 23, 2009 3:41 PM in response to Lyssa

This is defiantly a hardware issue.

I've been having numerous other hardware issues with this Macbook and sent it in for repair. They sent it back with nothing fixed, plus another issue with my display now.

There is nothing on this computer, so yes, I did an erase and install, and even went back to tiger, using the original system disks that came with it. After reinstalling, it sill gets hot and the fans still run loudly. All of my other problems are there as well.

I called apple care to set up another repair and one of the troubleshooting steps for one of my other problems was to start up the computer with the option key held down. Even the computer just sitting there at the boot loader, after about about 10 mins the fans would be running full speed and the heat would be flying out.

Something is defiantly wrong with the hardware. Hopefully they will fix the right parts this next time when I send it in. Heck, I don't even care if the replace it with another one - I mean I don't have any data or anything on here, so I don't even care at this point. I just want a machine that will WORK, and have nothing that I will have to worry about in the future.

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Answer 7

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

May 23, 2009 9:43 PM in response to sdschramm

How many times have you had the machine repaired? Most folks around here recommend that after the 3rd repair, the user should request a replacement computer--not just a repaired one.

If you're having major hardware troubles, ask for a replacement computer the next time you go in. If the Genius who assists you can't or won't give you the replacement, ask to see his/her supervisor.

~Lyssa

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Answer 8

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

May 24, 2009 2:00 PM in response to Lyssa

lol, no apple stores near me, i've been MAILING them in!
Its been serviced twice now. They said that if I get it back this time next and I am still having the issue, they would replace it.

So I'll have to report back after I send it in and get it back again.

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Answer 9

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

Jul 15, 2009 4:31 PM in response to sdschramm

Well, I never did figure out why or what was causing it, but I no longer have to worry about it as this computer was sent back and replaced with a 13"MacBook Pro (that I paid the difference of). So no longer have to worry about this.

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