MacBook Pro heat

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MacBook Pro heat

I recently (a week back) got a new 2.6GHz 8GB 512 GB SSD MBP w retina display. While running Netflix or a high resolution game. Noticed that the surface near the top of the keyboard and base of the laptop got so **** hot that I could no longer touch it. I went to the apple tore and they recommended me to return it. Now I have returned it but want to get a new one. Can anyone tell me whether it is common in retina MBPs, do they get that hot???even when sitting in an apple store, I ran 6 to 7 apps and was streaming hd video and found that the retina MBP got really hot. Is it an issue with the retina MBPs?? Is apple looking into this problem????

MacBook Pro with Retina display, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 25, 2013 10:14 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Feb 25, 2013 10:18 AM in response to ParthaPratim

All computers will get hot under those same circumstances. There is nothing abnormal.

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Answer 2

ParthaPratim Author

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Feb 25, 2013 10:20 AM in response to Kappy

My friend has a non retina MBP recently purchased. His does not get heated while running Netflix or any other only streaming. Thanks for answering though.

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Answer 3

mende1

Level 10

93,624 points

Feb 25, 2013 10:23 AM in response to ParthaPratim

Note that the MacBook Pro with Retina display has got less space to keep the Mac cool, so you may notice that your fans are turned on quickly after starting using Netflix or playing a game. That's completely normal because your Mac may get hotter than other non-Retina MacBooks Pro. Fans are turned on automatically when your Mac is hot, so you don't have to worry about it.

However, if you keep using your MacBook Pro for a very long time with a high temperature, this may cause problems in the future. You can install a third-party application as iStat Menus to monitorize the temperature of your computer, if you want

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Answer 4

ParthaPratim Author

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Feb 25, 2013 10:31 AM in response to mende1

Yes, that's right. I could even hear the fans running after 10-15 minutes of running Netflix and my MBP was barely 3-4 days old. But should I worry about heat problems after spending around $2600?? So I think it definitely is a problem in the new retina MBPs and apple should do something about it. Might be that supporting such high resolution displays is the main problem why running Netflix gets my MBP so hot. There must be some solution that apple might have so that I can buy a retina MBP without worrying at all about the heat. I really admire apple products and surely want to get that retina MBPS back but without the heat problem. Will wait to buy that.

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Answer 5

mende1

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93,624 points

Feb 25, 2013 10:35 AM in response to ParthaPratim

ParthaPratim wrote:

Might be that supporting such high resolution displays is the main problem why running Netflix gets my MBP so hot.

That's obvious. A higher resolution makes your graphic card work harder, so the graphic card generates more heat.

It's up to you if you want to buy a MacBook Pro with Retina display now or wait, but I think that a new Mac won't fix that: it's just the MacBook Pro architecture that makes your Mac "hotter"

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Answer 6

ParthaPratim Author

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Feb 25, 2013 10:41 AM in response to mende1

That's what I thought. Thanks. Will wait for the new Haswell processor MBP to see if that is cool enuf to my liking.

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Answer 7

mende1

Level 10

93,624 points

Feb 25, 2013 10:42 AM in response to ParthaPratim

You are welcome

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Answer 8

Mar 9, 2013 5:39 AM in response to ParthaPratim

While I'm not running one of the new Retina MBPs, my Late 2008 Unibody MBP exhibited the same symptoms. Using iStat Nano in my Dashboard - I was seeing temperatures as higher than 80 degrees C - and I believe this was what causeda Logic Board failure on this computer. After replacing the logic board (ouch $$$) and by taking the following actions, I've significantly reduced the operating temperatures of my MBP in order of decending impact:

-Maximizing the System RAM. Upgrading from 4GB to 8GB reduced my operating temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees C. For Retina MBP owners - the amount of System Memory you have is fixed and cannot be upgraded.

-Use a snap on protective case that props up the rear of your Mac. This will permit airflow underneath the computer improving the "heat sink" properties of the aluminum casing. This made a 5 to 10 degrees C difference for me.

-If you're a regular MBP owner (this discussion doesn't specify Retina MBPs), consider upgrading your internal harddrive to a Solid State Drive (SSD).

Good Luck and Keep Cool!

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