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Macbook Pro Retina heat issues?

For any of you that have the new Macbook Pro with Retina Display, are you guys feeling excessive heat along the keyboard and on the aluminum directly under the screen? Just wondering, because I am. Let me know. Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4), 15" Retina Display Macbook Pro

Posted on Jun 14, 2012 9:16 PM

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128 replies

Jul 16, 2012 12:09 PM in response to alexpadden

Yeah, I'm having a similar issue. When I use the MBP Retina on a hard flat surface, I find that the air blowing out between the keys, on the top left of the keyboard, becomes too hot to leave my fingers in place.


My fingers, on my left hand, tend to relax on the top left the between the number row and the qwerty row. The air coming from between the backtick and tab keys is hot enough that after a few minutes i have to remove my hand because it feels like it is burning my finger tips. The aluminum on the top left is warmer than the rest of the chasis. However, none of the aluminum is what I would call hot to the touch (including the bottom). I have not noticed this in other configurations and never had this on a previous MBP.


It's worth noting that I also have both the power and the thunderbolt ethernet adapter connected. The thunderbolt connector feels warmer than expected, but I don't know if it is generating or dissipating.

Aug 4, 2012 6:11 PM in response to alexpadden

i have this problem to some extent too, however i notice it's worse in this uncharacteristically warm summer (above what the reccomended termperature of operation is). when it's not excessively hot, it's completely fine and the aluminum actually helps to diffuse the heat away from the upper left and carry the cold from the rim to the centre. the surface that you use it on is a big factor too. a bed or a pillow will insulate the heat more and continue to heat it as well as possibly blocking the vents. a counter or other hard surface where the little pads on the bottom can do their job and allow for a small amount of airflow is best. other than that, running a lot of programs in the background can generate more heat too. there's many other factors that can contribute, but if it continues to be an issue, it couldn't hurt to take it in and see if it's defective.

Aug 5, 2012 4:40 PM in response to GTCA

Can any one not facing any problems place the temperatures he has while on normal use and heavy use! and tell us what app he used to get the temperature
I tried calling mac to get the correct temperatures or acceptable they didn't have a clue if you can post the acceptable temperature would be great cos mine is reaching with hd video up to: 80 degrees Celsius= 176 F


Please some one do us a favor and post the temp Graphic, CPU & platform controle hub, in light use and harsh use!

Aug 5, 2012 6:16 PM in response to alexpadden

This is after 3 hours of moderate use: http://imgur.com/Xk4f1 These are the processes that are currently running: http://pastebin.com/65PNzE4v


Macbook Pro Retina (Base Model) with 16GB memory and 256GB SSD.


I originally had issues with the first MBPR that I received (See page 1 of this thread). It heated a LOT. After using XCode 4.3, It'd heat up like crazy, even when I was just coding and not compiling (I only had Chrome running along with it). I called Apple and they sent me another model in a week, and it runs nicely. It heats up but usually when I put a very heavy load on it.

Aug 5, 2012 9:05 PM in response to davydany

This mine in a normal usage.(Celsius)


User uploaded file


I'm using Xcode 4.4 and even when I'm in an iPad/iPhone simulator and it changes the graphic card to Nvidia it's a little bit more like GPU goes up to 40-45.


Check you Activity Monitor to see if there is something else running high besides Xcode.


Xcode shouldn't make your MBPR heat up. Maybe the previous one had some problems.

Aug 6, 2012 3:26 AM in response to davydany

ok good thanks @davydany my temp are slightly higher by 2 degrees i guess its cos i have the 2.6/ 16gb/512gb retina but thanks for the pic ! now i can travel in peace knowing i don't have a defected model!


My conclusion is that: (AVG in c/f for the highest temp on evaluation )


30-45 c = idle light usage= 86F-113F


46-55 c= moderate usage=114F-131F


56- 70 c= AVG usage= 132F- 158F


71 - 83 c= Intense USAGE=160F-182F


83 -92 c= HARSH usage+ 183F- 198F


That's my conclusion based on a week of tests Hd video, 4k resolution video, Avid programs .... games ..apps

Aug 8, 2012 7:02 AM in response to NAiDO

Yesterday I was watching moive on my MBP Retina, I found the computer is extrmely hot, I usually didin't notice the heat until yesterday. I shut down all the application, leave the computer idle, after 10mins it's still that hot. Then I unpluged the hemi to my external dell 24" display, another 10mins the computer seems cooled down a bit. Is that problem? I have iStat Pro, when idle the GPU is around 40C, with enternal display it's around 60C, right now I have serval apps running and its at 65C. Guess it's not a problem them when I saw the data you been given. Cheers mate

Macbook Pro Retina heat issues?

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