Level 2

162 points

Noise from inside the MacBook Pro

When I turn off my MacBook Pro, hold it horizontally and shake it a little bit, I can hear a rattling noise from inside the notebook. It is not very loud and sounds a bit like a set of keys rattling. Is that normal?

MacBook Pro 15" 2.8GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 7, 2009 12:50 AM

63 replies

Nov 15, 2009 10:24 PM in response to W M R

My Macbook Pro is exhibiting the EXACT same sounds. I feel like its getting worse and very annoying when the computer is on your lap and you re in a quiet environment. The glass like pops are driving me crazy and this is the second Macbook Pro I got in the past month. My first MBP I had had a similar sound coming from it when holding the bottom or moving it every so slightly. My first MBP had a whole list of other problems including a 130 degree CPU with no spinning fans so apple replaced it immediately. Let me know what Apple tells you, as I will probably be contacting them soon.

I don't have time to go to them right away as the computer is operating normally otherwise.

W M R Author

Level 2

162 points

Nov 15, 2009 10:48 PM in response to crizzle22

I took my one to an Apple Support Partner last week and they told me, that there is nothing to be worried about. They said, that there is not much room inside and that there can be some things rubbing against each other.

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Nov 15, 2009 11:17 PM in response to W M R

I'm intrigued! What inspired you to do the shaking in the first place! Not sure it is something I'd do as a matter of choice (though I guess my own Mac notebooks suffer far worse when bouncing around in four wheel drives in the Australian outback on occasion)

Just don't try it with a baby. They (like computers) don't respond well to a bit of shaking!

Could it be related to the HD Sudden Motion Sensor, perhaps? The optical drive would seem to be another likely candidate.

Cheers

Rod

W M R Author

Level 2

162 points

Nov 16, 2009 3:13 AM in response to Rod Hagen

We didn't shake it in the first place. I noticed it, when I had in on my lap and when I carried it around (while it was turned off - so it can't be the Sudden Motion Sensor either).

Greetings from Austria to Australia (I like it there!)

Nov 16, 2009 4:00 AM in response to Rod Hagen

Just to re-iterate, there is NO shaking required to start this noise. It is triggered by the slightest tilt or touch. I think I also ruled out the SMS.

Nov 16, 2009 4:09 AM in response to W M R

"there is not much room inside and that there can be some things rubbing against each other."

Hmmm. Why does this not comfort me...? 😉 Were you satisfied with that answer? In the past I've had a powerbook, and first gen macbook and neither of them ever made this glassy noise.

P.S. Is it me or do apple store attendants/geniuses seem to vary hugely in quality nowadays? I'd prefer someone tell me they have no idea as to the problem than b'sh*t me with a fast answer...

Nov 16, 2009 7:43 AM in response to W M R

Mine is also triggered with the slightest tilt. Even bumping the desk that the computer is sitting on will trigger the noise. Inputting headphones into the jack and removing them will input the noise. The pinging is not from shaking the computer. Something inside is moving. I'm still going to read a few more responses here before I decide to go to apple and wait for a "genius" to look at it.

W M R Author

Level 2

162 points

Nov 16, 2009 10:56 AM in response to FamilyJules

FamilyJules wrote:
"there is not much room inside and that there can be some things rubbing against each other."

Hmmm. Why does this not comfort me...? 😉 Were you satisfied with that answer? In the past I've had a powerbook, and first gen macbook and neither of them ever made this glassy noise.

P.S. Is it me or do apple store attendants/geniuses seem to vary hugely in quality nowadays? I'd prefer someone tell me they have no idea as to the problem than b'sh*t me with a fast answer...

Of course I'm not too happy about it, but since I had to get my Notebook replaced twice (my first MacBook Pro had a crooked lid and the second one a faulty hard drive), I'm quite glad that this one only makes funny noises. Even though this one starts to behave strange already as well. Sometimes it boots twice (when I turn on my MacBook Pro, it does the regular chime and apple logo, but after about 5 seconds the screen goes black and it restarts, somehow like it does with an update... )

It seems to me that Macs are just not perfect (a bit like humans perhaps...)

Nov 22, 2009 10:57 AM in response to W M R

Recording of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJmpervXe9M

Now pretty sure its coming from my Hard drive (320gb Seagate 7200rpm)

Nov 24, 2009 1:33 PM in response to Synergy879

Thats definitly the sound mine makes. Although I cannot reproduce it to be as frequent as yours in the audio recording. I cant seem to figure out what it is. I have the same computer as you but with a 500 GB 5000 rpm hardrive.

W M R Author

Level 2

162 points

Nov 24, 2009 11:51 PM in response to crizzle22

Yes, that is the noise! And it's triggered by movement, whether the MacBook Pro is on or off. What can be done about it by Apple though, as it seems that we all have that noise in our machines...

wm8s

Level 1

13 points

Jan 14, 2010 7:55 PM in response to W M R

I'm having the same problem. It's interesting that we all recognized the sound as glass. It must have something to do with the trackpad.

Lutetia

Level 4

1,874 points

Jan 14, 2010 8:16 PM in response to Synergy879

My new MacBook Pro (December 2009) produces a very delicate glass-like ping or chinking sound, once in a while.
I'm not really worried about it as my iBook G4 also made similar sounds from time to time, even when it was new.

sakuik

Level 1

0 points

Jan 16, 2010 3:28 PM in response to wm8s

I'm experiencing the same glass or metallic ball like sound from inside my MBP. It seems to come after the MBP is warmed up. I noticed that is reproducable by pressing the center of the bottom lid.

Anybody got a response from Apple on this problem?

Jan 16, 2010 4:45 PM in response to W M R

I had it too.. I think it disappeared after I have changed the original hard drive two days ago..

Message was edited by: eduardoll

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Noise from inside the MacBook Pro