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why is my macbook really hot?

Hey guys I just bought a 13.3 inch macbook pro from the apple store a few days ago and I have noticed when I am using it, it gets really hot. Like to the point where if I have it in my lap its buring my legs. I am only surfing the web and using microsoft office when it gets hot. How can I stop this?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on May 27, 2012 11:14 AM

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Posted on May 27, 2012 11:55 AM

The reason your MacBook is getting hot is because you are using it on your legs. In order to keep cool it must be on a hard flat surface so that air can flow beneath it. When it is on your legs, it sinks down, airflow is cut off, and heat collects.


There are two solutions to this problem:

1. Use your MacBook on something hard and flat (like a desk), instead of on your legs.

2. Download an app that allows you to control fan speed. I recommend smcFanControl. This is a safe and simple app that allows you to increase your MacBook's fan speed. It is free and can be downloaded here: Download Now (Here is the website: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23049/smcfancontrol)


When you are using your MacBook on your lap, set the fanspeed to "Higher RPM" and it should stay cooler. (To go back to the original fan speed you can choose "Default" or quit smcFanControl.


Example:

User uploaded file

Hope that helps!


Ask if you have any questions!


-James

38 replies
Question marked as Best reply

May 27, 2012 11:55 AM in response to ryantmeaney

The reason your MacBook is getting hot is because you are using it on your legs. In order to keep cool it must be on a hard flat surface so that air can flow beneath it. When it is on your legs, it sinks down, airflow is cut off, and heat collects.


There are two solutions to this problem:

1. Use your MacBook on something hard and flat (like a desk), instead of on your legs.

2. Download an app that allows you to control fan speed. I recommend smcFanControl. This is a safe and simple app that allows you to increase your MacBook's fan speed. It is free and can be downloaded here: Download Now (Here is the website: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23049/smcfancontrol)


When you are using your MacBook on your lap, set the fanspeed to "Higher RPM" and it should stay cooler. (To go back to the original fan speed you can choose "Default" or quit smcFanControl.


Example:

User uploaded file

Hope that helps!


Ask if you have any questions!


-James

Jun 13, 2012 1:40 AM in response to Anuj Goel

First of all, to be more specific in the word or term " laptop ".....


When IBM came out with the Thinkpad, they said it was small enough to let it sit on your lap. Hence the word " laptop "......


Nowhere in the computer industry states that your "laptop" was made to sit on your lap while you work.


Ever tried sitting on a chair and working on your laptop sitting on your lap for 2 hours + ? Doesn't feel comfortable yeah?


Where do i get this info? I don't know, maybe my 30+ years being in the computer industry in both manufacture and design of computers and notebook. Maybe the fact that I used to be a computer instructor back in the 90's.


In any event, the main topic was the orginal poster's comments of his laptop is getting hot.


Why don't we help try to solve that issue instead of getting off track.


Beter yet, why don't you read sig's comments " Chapter 5 - Safety Information "


Just my .02 cents.

May 27, 2012 11:23 AM in response to ryantmeaney

Burning your legs? Read the User Guide that came with your MBP. Chapter 5 Safety Information. Just in case you need some help:


"Proper handling Set up your MacBook Pro on a stable work surface that allows for adequate air circulation under and around the computer. Do not operate your MacBook Pro on a pillow or other soft material, as the material can block the airflow vents. Never place anything over the keyboard when operating your MacBook Pro. Never push objects into the ventilation openings.

The bottom of your MacBook Pro may become very warm during normal use. If your MacBook Pro is on your lap and gets uncomfortably warm, move it to a stable work surface. "

May 27, 2012 11:37 AM in response to ryantmeaney

To get any meaningful advice, you will need to install something like iStat Pro which will give you exact temperatures and fan speeds inside your MBP. When you do experience 'hot' conditions, check Activity Monitor (in your Utilities folder) and see what applications are active. With specific facts one can determine if you do or do not have a problem.


Ciao.

May 27, 2012 12:46 PM in response to ryantmeaney

I like smcfancontrol too. I believe apple design mbp to be quiet rather than cool. Minimum 2500 rather than 2000 makes a big difference.


From a physics point of view, with a smooth aluminium bottom surface and no grilles it's a tenuous argument that the 1/16 inch gap between mbp and desk will assist cooling. Indeed if your leg gets hot you are conducting heat away faster than a thin air gap would. However the important thing to avoud is sitting with your knees up and blocking the hinge gap where the fan air comes out.


But yes i set it to 3000 rpm on the lap, or use a tv dinner lap tray.

Jun 13, 2012 12:53 AM in response to snowboarder4x4

Ok, 1st thing is that a laptop means top of your lap, and not a hard flat surface. So an MBP should be supposed to be used on a 'lap top' only and not essentially a hard flat surface.


2ndly , even when I am using it on my worktable , its still getting hot somewhere around the charging point on top left corner.

So, I guess we must have a better solution.


Is a cooling pad useful to this situation or is a pre-requisite ?

Jun 13, 2012 1:48 AM in response to Bimmer 7 Series

Simple answer to his question is it's supposed to get hot - the unibody is a heatsink. The main heat sink area is under the rear left hand side. Thisis to keep down noise, and the fans are only supposed to speed up under heavy loads. It will not damage itself, and it will not shut down so long as the hinge area is not blocked. If it's uncomfortable then use smc fan control and set the minimum speed above 2000, or use a lap tray, piece of plywood on the lap, whatever.


On an older mac then checking the fans for dust may be required but he says this is a new one.


These comments may well become obsolete with the new MBP retina model which seems to have vents along the sides??

Jun 16, 2012 6:23 PM in response to LD150

I've always used my MBP's on my lap. 13" 2009 model, 15" 2010 model, 15" 2011 model, and my new 15" retina 2012 model. Never had a problem, and even when the CPU/GPU would get up near 200 degrees F, it was never uncomfortable on my lap... Been spending most of the last two days now with the new one on my lap installing everything and copying all my data from my old SSD to the new one. No problems.

Jun 21, 2012 2:56 PM in response to Bimmer 7 Series

"Ever tried sitting on a chair and working on your laptop sitting on your lap for 2 hours + ? "


Do it all the time! 🙂 It works well except in very hot weather or, for me, when Preview is using 125% of CPU saving annotated PDFs. In those cases, I prop it up so that only the back edge touches my leg.


This is a vintage MacBook Pro, early 2008. Have the MBPs gotten hotter?


I even use mine with shorts on!


Do the MacBook Airs run cooler? I would think so, but have read conflicting reports.


This would be a major factor in whether I buy an MBA or an MBP--I want an actual laptop!! 😎

Jun 21, 2012 3:15 PM in response to AstroMacMan

AstroMacMan wrote:


...

This is a vintage MacBook Pro, early 2008. Have the MBPs gotten hotter?


I believe so yes, as a result of higher speeds and with Lion. My i7 cores, when running iphoto library build, can get to 210F within a minute. The fans run up to full speed like an airplane starting, and you can not wear shorts! Surf the web or run Office and it's cool.

Jun 22, 2012 12:14 AM in response to ryantmeaney

Additionally, even though Ryan was only surfing etc, just like windows, on a brand new mac, Osx will spend time in the background indexing files if they have been copied over from a previous computer. That kind of cpu intensive activity will heat up a quad core in no time . Activity manager is the place to go. Although just what 796% cpu actually means is a intriguing on i7 as I render a DVD.

why is my macbook really hot?

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