Brand new out of the box 15" Retina Macbook Pro. Fans at full blast?

Either get it fixed or exchanged. The fans should speed up only when the CPU/GPU is being stressed, not when it is turned on.

Ciao.

No it is not normal, unless the temps go way up. As you say they aren't then there is a Hardware problem with your unit. You need to return it for a full refund. Do NOT let them fix it as that would mean it is no longer new but Refurbished. No New computer should have defective parts that have to be replaced.

I've transferred many GBs of data many times to my Late 2011 15" MBP and never heard the fans. About the only time I have heard the fans running on my Mac is when I was watching a Utube vid or doing some heavy photo editing.

Along with transferring data I have also reinstalled the OS, and other OSs then the stock version of OS X, and never had the fans run at Max speed.

Simply, IMHO, you have a hardware problem. You can ignore it or you can get a new unit that works correctly.

Apple has a 14 day No Questions Asked Return policy for full refund.

So the question is do you want a very expensive computer that may not be correct or return it and get another that May work correctly.

This is not normal. Reset the SMC, then test your MacBook Pro again. Follow these instructions - do not skip the initial steps. If it continues to misbehave return the MBP for a refund and buy another.

Power or other problems related to unexpected system sleep, shutdown, lights or fans call for an SMC reset:

Before Resetting the SMC

Try each of the following steps in this order before you reset the SMC. Test the issue after completing each troubleshooting step to determine if the issue still occurs.

1. Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit any application that is not responding.
2. Put your Mac to sleep by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Sleep. Wake the computer after it has gone to sleep.
3. Restart your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Restart.
4. Shut down your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Shut Down.
5. Restart your Mac and observe any changes. If the fans continue to run audibly for no reason, continue with the following steps:

Resetting the SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if it's not already connected.
3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

ThatDudeButch wrote:

... Meanwhile, take a look (and listen) at these will ya? LOL.

Not normal. No one would tolerate that.

Something is obviously wrong. Apple will make it right, whether it is an exchange or refund or replacement with another.

I'm also experiencing this. Brand new 15" rMBP, 2.6/512/16 configuration. Although the machine is perfectly cool, the fan speed will suddenly increase drastically for 10-30 seconds, before returning to normal.

I noticed this when I first unpacked it two days ago, but I didn't give it much thought. Now I'm realizing this is abnormal behaviour, as it's happening frequently with very light use.

Here's a screen shot:

Any thoughts? I have yet to do a SMC reset, but I'll try that shortly.

I have now unsuccessfully reset the SMC. The problem persists.

Should I contact Apple to have it exchanged? The machine is currently three days old.

You have 14 days from date of purchase to return it for full refund. After that 14 day period is up Apple will only fix what "THEY THINK" is wrong with it. So you tell me should you return it?

Malamuitten wrote:

Should I contact Apple to have it exchanged? The machine is currently three days old.

I would.

If the cause is defective hardware, the replacement will operate normally and your troubles are over. If it is not a hardware problem, Apple may fix it with a software or firmware update that could be released in a few days, weeks, or months.

You ought to at least call AppleCare and establish a service record logging the problem, otherwise they will never know. They will probably talk you through another SMC reset - tell them you already did that or do it again; it's up to you.

I called Apple today and described the issue. They tell me "it's normal, those machines are programmed to do so, even my colleagues here at the office's machines do that".

I find this terribly hard to believe. The fan noise is disturbing while working, and it must be awful for the fans' lifespan. Where do I go from here? Should I phone back and claim that they're wrong because people on the Internet say so? Or perhaps just try again tomorrow and hope for a better informed operator?

Any suggestions welcomed.