MacBook Pro 2010 Specs - How many fans?

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Level 1

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MacBook Pro 2010 Specs - How many fans?

Good evening everyone,

Over the past few week's I've really noticed the heat on my MacBook Pro (13" Mid-2010) starting to seriously heat up. The only modification I've made to the standard hardware is I replaced the internal harddrive with a 500GB hybrid drive - but didn't notice any over heating issues (that was back in September 2011). Anyway, tonight I've done a few searchs on the net and found a few articles and a app from "macupdate" which will let you monitor the fan speed - called "Fan Control".

This might sound like a really stupid question ... but does the MacBook Pro only have one fan installed or does this indicate a hardware issue with my laptop:

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.1)

Posted on Jan 3, 2012 4:57 AM

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Answer 1

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 3, 2012 5:33 AM in response to Captain_C

- first of all, update to 10.7.2.

- Your MBP has two fans. The "normal" lower threshold is 2000RPM. There is very little ventilation in a MBP.

- FanControl can make the fans run at higher but not at lower speeds than the Apple controls (safe).

- You can install a Widget called iStatPro, that delivers all temps, fanspeeds, memory usage etc. (free).

- your right fan should run at the same speed (approx) as the left fan: the right fan is either "stuck" or died, or the cable has come loose; if you did not open the MBP before it is probably broken, you should replace it. This is probably not too difficult, check OWC or MacFixit sites.

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Answer 2

Captain_C Author

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10 points

Jan 4, 2012 2:22 AM in response to Lexiepex

I've just got off the phone with Apple support and they were unable to confirm to me how many fans were in my MacBook Pro. I have one month left on my warrenty and it was suggested that I take in there for them to look at it.

That said, I cracked the cover and had a look - as you can see I can see one fan which spins without issue. The Apple tech wasn't able to confirm if there was another "hidden".

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Answer 3

Captain_C Author

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10 points

Jan 4, 2012 3:57 AM in response to Lexiepex

Hi Lex,

I installed the Seagate Momentus XT 2.5" 500GB 7200rpm Hybrid drive (

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/laptops/laptop-hdd), I've downloaded and installed iStatPro - I'll attach the print screen below. I've now modified the fan setting in the "Fan Control" app I've now set it to 2500RPM. I'll see if that does anything ...

The screws have been put back into the correct slots (although I'm "new" to the Mac hardware I've done PC & Server support for the past 10 years).

Wow .. that's a good response with the temps you're seeing, fan control is currently reporting my temp at 46 degrees - which as you can see differs from iStatPro. By the way -- thanks, I like the app

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Answer 4

Jan 3, 2012 5:24 AM in response to Captain_C

ssd's infamously run hot and the fan that is on the most (there are two as indicated in this screenshot) is the on that is on the side your hard drive is on.

I would let the system control the fans though, not this app. just a thought.

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Answer 5

Captain_C Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 3, 2012 5:30 AM in response to TheSmokeMonster

Thanks for the quick response, I agree that the harddrive should/could make the laptop run hotter than a normal hdd. I haven't noticed the heat until recently which made me think that there was an issue with the fan's. I haven't made any config changes to the MBP via the fan control app (in fact I've just raised a hardware call with Apple).

To be honest I know Lenovo hardware not Apple, which is why I thought I'd pose the question in the forum about the number of fans.

If the laptop does have two ... then it looks like the right one is no longer working.

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Answer 6

Captain_C Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 3, 2012 5:43 AM in response to Lexiepex

Thanks, I did a clean install of Lion yesterday (just for something to do 😉) and haven't downloaded all of the updates as yet.

I'll take a look at the fan's tomorrow morning and see if I can see any issues with them - however if I need to take anything apart I might just take it in and get it looked at under warrenty.

Thanks for your help and quick response

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Answer 7

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 4, 2012 3:40 AM in response to Captain_C

It would like to see the iStatPro display.

The Hybrid drive, what make and Model? The hybrid is not a SSD but a normal HDD with a large SS buffer in it.

I use SSD with Trim support: I never noticed the advertised "cooler run", but also not the higher temps that Thesmokemonster said (but I have enough Ram and disabled the hibernatemode 3 to 0). The Battery temp is on CoconutBattery (an app that informs you about the Battery, free): my Batt Temp is always 29-30 Celsius.

Note: Be aware of the lenght of the screws, put them back in the same place when you close the MBP before you go to the Apple Tech.

keep us informed.

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Answer 8

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 3, 2012 6:02 AM in response to Captain_C

C, I am curious what happened, so inform us here what the final diagnosis is.

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Answer 9

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Jan 4, 2012 4:21 AM in response to Captain_C

It is NOT true that your 13" MBP has two fans. All 13" MBPs ever made have SINGLE fans.

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Answer 10

Captain_C Author

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Jan 4, 2012 4:23 AM in response to eww

That certainly would make a lot of sense ...

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Answer 11

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 4, 2012 4:40 AM in response to Captain_C

Yes, eww is right (again), the 13" has only one. See the iStatPro. All looks very healthy.

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Answer 12

Captain_C Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 4, 2012 4:45 AM in response to Lexiepex

Thanks everyone for your help ... I wont take my warrenty claim any further. Once again, the knowledge sharing of the tech community forces home why I joined this industry.

Happy New Year.

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Answer 13

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 4, 2012 6:47 AM in response to Captain_C

Same to you 🙂

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