How noisy is the Mac Studio M1 Max?

I talked to the (German speaking) support today and asked if this noise issue is known and whether I could expect an update which solves the issue but the guy did not even understand what I was talking about - at least that was my impression- and couldn't provide me an answer except that I could return the device...

The problem here is only 14 days, since the first Mac Studio deliveries, jutubers not counting. They must have had earlier units made/other units, the rest of us waited longer than scheduled. And with the next Mac delivery, we are hearing from more users with the Mac noise and beeping. Still not clear if it's dozens or hundreds of people. I'm sure it will be a while before Apple figures out what's going on and support can sort it out. So far, they don't know anything anywhere.

hmm - checked the Mini as well now: on auto mode it runs on 1800 which is the minimum (max is 4800) and produces literally no sound. But indeed the air blown out of the MacMini is much much warmer than from the Studio. So it seems that Apple allows the MacMini to reach a higher temperature.

I would not be to optimistic about this topic, the thermo-managment of the M-1-Max is cheap and lousy, again we have fallen into the marketing trap of Apple. A nearly 4000 Euro computer with such performance is just ....

A bit off topic, but I got my Mac Studio Ultra two days ago, and though I haven't stressed it out yet (not sure I can) I have yet to hear its fan. All great so far. When I place my hand at the rear vent it's quite cool. My Thunderbolt monitor and old Mac Pro 2013 ran warmer.

I'll chime in also, I have the base ultra, and it is disappointingly loud, it is noticeable, very un apple like in my opinion. It is constant, never ramps up or down, just sounds like a small blower, I've heard worse, but for the money, I expected better. For example, with just safari open and my typing this, it can hear it easily 3 feet away. Hope they fix with some sort of software, but I doubt it, after all we are still waiting for that Apple Display camera "software fix"...

I am based in Germany. If the voltage makes a difference I would expect that the US MacStudios are running on 1100 rpm by default. Is it like this ?

BTW: I found this webpage - not sure if it was mentioned somewhere above already - it clearly shows that the MacStudio is one of the noisiest Mac in the past years: https://quietmac.netlify.app

I’ve been part of that thread from the beginning and if you follow you’ll see people have not gone back and re voted. They also break down between the max and ultra models the those figures are not right from the get go. It’s also been somewhat evident that some who have voted either never received their CTO orders yet or never bought one, yet still voted. All I’m saying is I’d not put to much stock yet as I myself can only vote one but am on my 3rd unit.

dchao99 wrote:

The power supply converts AC into DC, and fan speed is modulated by PCM, so fan speed is independent of the mains power frequency.

These units are using use Switching Power Supplies, rather than a huge transformer in their first stage. The first stage of a switching power supply chops up the incoming power, (by switching it rapidly off and on) to generate transient fields used to generate smaller-voltage power outputs provided to the next stages, which are then rectified into DC, regulated, and provided to the computer.

Power supply operation does indeed change (and therefore the sounds made directly by the power supply itself may change as well) depending on whether the source is 120 Volt or 240 volts. That is why there may be differences depending on input voltage.

I'm in Scotland, so the UK mains voltage is 230 volts, within a tolerance of +10% / - 6%.

I too was wondering if this noise issue is related to power, as all the usual YouTube "Techies" do not seem to be pouncing on this issue, as we all know.. they love a drama to get traffic to their sites!

I cant believe that Apple are making a ££££ computer with any noise! its a disgrace.

I record and mix in the same room and need silence, especially tracking, my Macbook Pro 15" 2015 is TOTALLY silent all the time.

I wont be going for Mac Studio M1 or Ultra.

Very interesting. How long have you had the Mac? Apple still hasn't discovered this problem. It probably only affects some units. Have you tried the test, cover/seal half the vent holes? I wonder if the problem is only on one side or both? My unit whistle on the left side, looking at the rear.

That doesn't sound good. Definitely try the test, no air should pass through even in a rounded corner. If there was a problem at both halves, that would be a sign that there is a whistling problem at the fan or in the cooling design.

It's on YouTube so everyone can see it even if the link is deleted. In my opinion, the problem is quite complex and seems to be related to the overall fan and airflow design. Unfortunately, the fans can't be turned off completely because otherwise the warm air won't come out of the case. So there probably won't be a software solution for this and the devices will have to go in for repair at some point. Hopefully, Apple will admit the problem so that they will at least cover the costs.