My MacBook Pro has fever

Question

Level 1

20 points

My MacBook Pro has fever

Hi,

After 4 weeks of waiting I finally have my MacBook Pro back from Apple. They replaced the following parts:

Battery
Motherboard
Left Fan
Right Fan

The good news is the whine is less loud then before but NOT gone. It is still easily to hear in quiet environments like working at home. But it is a lot better.

What they not have dealt with is the high temperature of my MBP. And I wonder if yours are still getting as hot after being repaired by Apple. The area where my palm rests is so warm that I sometimes have to lift up my hand because it it not nice anymore.

The left speaker area and the area just above the keys is so hot that the thermometer which I used to measure the temp maxed out which means the temperature was above 43 Celsius. It feels even hotter when charging the battery.

My CPU temperature (using CoreDuoTemp) is hardly never below 55 Celsius and this is when I only run apps like Safari and iPhoto. When running other apps which needs more power the temperature of the CPU goes easily into the high 70s with the fans only running on full power when above 80.

Looking forward to hear your feedback
Clemens

MacBook Pro 2.00GHz, 1GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Sep 3, 2006 9:29 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 3, 2006 11:06 AM in response to corth

Clemens, the temperatures you reported are in the normal range.

I use an aluminum tilt stand, and have done so for many years when using notebook computers.

Two reasons: [1] The stand provides an additional heat sink and provides improved air circulation under the computer case, so the computer runs cooler; [2] I prefer the tilt for typing.

I use a KoolSink. The iLap is similar. Neither has a USB-powered fan. If you Google laptop tray or laptop stand you will find many devices for sale, most of which are sold for PC laptops.

They generally work.

I've got an antique French writing desk with inlaid wood and prefer not placing the MBP directly on the desk, as it heats up the desk surface. My aluminum tilt stand protects the desk finish, cools the computer and makes me comfortable while using the computer -- all of them desirable results. 🙂

Reply

Answer 2

corth Author

Level 1

20 points

Sep 3, 2006 11:34 AM in response to Bill DeVille

Hi Bill,

I know about the stands like iLap, etc. I'm used to use one with a fan for my powerbooks and now MBP.

The problem is that on the hot days we experienced this summer even the fan powered one would not keep the MBP cool. The stands are all very nice to use when you're working on a desk and have an external keyboard. But with the raised position I find them extremly uncomfortable to use if I travel and I do not have my external keyboard with me.

I think I'm disappointed because even my powerbooks did not get that hot where you're palms are resting (they became extremly hot on the bottom). And reading some reports here in the discussion forum and other mac websites there are users which noticed a lower temp after repair. And I guess that is what I was hopeing for.
Furthermore having a computer becoming so hot that it is uncomfortable to use may be within the technical specification but is also really bad design.

Thanks for your comment
Clemens

Reply

Answer 3

Sep 3, 2006 1:11 PM in response to corth

You may want to make sure the firmware is up to date. Something may have been lost in the logic board swap.http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/

Reply

Answer 4

corth Author

Level 1

20 points

Sep 3, 2006 1:37 PM in response to Peter Moyer

Hi Peter,

thanks for the advice. I checked but the MBP is running the latest Firmware version.

Thanks again
Clemens

Reply

Answer 5

corth Author

Level 1

20 points

Sep 4, 2006 12:01 PM in response to corth

Hi there,

after reseting my P(ower)M(anagement)U(nit) my MBP is now cooler. Not cold but just warm to the touch. And even running on 100% CPU for minutes it does not get as hot on the outside as before.

The CPU is now running not on the mid/high 50s but in the 40s when just browsing and listening to music.

This makes me much happier now because I can now use the computer for long periods without feeling uncomfortable.

Regards
Clemens

Reply

Answer 6

_ j ___

Level 1

110 points

Sep 4, 2006 1:22 PM in response to corth

i had the following replaced:

Screen Invertor
Motherboard
Left Fan
Right Fan

the cpu whine is [kinda] gone, and the high pitch buzz of the screen invertor gone.
but it seems to be running hotter though 😟
i never had any real concerns with the heat before the repair, but now im not so sure. its around10-15 degrees C hotter overall [at least]
but its hard to say, as all the temperature applications are not working correctly with this new logic board! [they just hang]
the sound of the left fan is also now noticeable [and is on for what seems like 100% of the time] and is a bit irritating.

not a great improvement.

Reply

Answer 7

_ j ___

Level 1

110 points

Sep 4, 2006 1:23 PM in response to _ j ___

p.s can someone remind me how u reset the PMU? - its gotta be worth a try

cheers.

Reply

Answer 8

corth Author

Level 1

20 points

Sep 4, 2006 2:08 PM in response to _ j ___

Hi,

1. Switch of your mac
2. Remove the battery and the power cord
3. hold the power button for 5-10 seconds
4. put the battery back in and connect the power cord
5. start your mac

done

cheers
Clemens

Reply

Answer 9

Sep 4, 2006 3:06 PM in response to corth

The Temperatures you reported are REALLY bad, but unfortunatly not very uncommon. what i do to improve it, is when im at my desk...take out the battery, and just plug it into the wall. the temp goes from 42C to about 37. It really takes the heat down....other than that try and iLap or a cheaper version. also if u have a battery that qualifies for the recall you might want to exchange it...its free and people have said it dramatically improves the computers temperature...i just ordered mine yesturday, and i'm waiting for it...to find the Exchange Program go to the Support Tab on this website and then look on the lower right and click on "15-inch macbook pro" under "Exchanges and Extentions"...good luck!

dotcomname

Reply

Answer 10

corth Author

Level 1

20 points

Sep 4, 2006 3:19 PM in response to DoTcOmNaMe

Hi,

the battery is already a replacement. As I said, since the PMU reset it got a lot better (at least when the laptop is not charging).

The drawback when you do not have the battery installed is that the CPU is only running with 1GHz and never higher. Yes, that keeps the temp low but you paid £1700 for something which is not running at full speed 😟

Kind regards
Clemens

Reply

Answer 11

corth Author

Level 1

20 points

Sep 5, 2006 2:15 PM in response to corth

Bad news. Just 2 days after resseting the PMU it is running hoter then it was before. No changes made. No other apps running. CPU Core Temp. at least in the high 50s being nearly idle.

Case temperature on the left palm rest so warm that my hand starts sweating. Left speaker and above the funtion keys so hot that it can not be touched for long.

Bottom so hot that I burn my fingers!

Guess I have to call Apple again tomorrow morning 😟

This really *****.

Reply

Answer 12

_ j ___

Level 1

110 points

Sep 5, 2006 4:03 PM in response to corth

sitting in front of my macbook actually makes me sweat.

the heat this thing gives off!

at least my heating bills will be smaller this winter.

Reply

Answer 13

corth Author

Level 1

20 points

Sep 7, 2006 1:47 PM in response to corth

Hi there,

just an other update. I spoke to Apple again today about my heat issues. They said they we're not able to reproduce the heat issue when my machine was tested from the Apple technician when it was in for repair. The rep on the phone said they had my MBP running for more than 4 hours on high load and it was not running to hot. But she also understood my concern and when I told her the case temperatures I measured she understood that this can not be comfortable to work with.

As the Apple technicians could not reproduce the problem she offered to exchange the charger. She explained that she had an other customer with excessive heat problems and with a new charger this problem disappeared. It's worth a try and I do not have to send my MBP just yet. Only got it back for a week.

Kind regards
Clemens

Reply

Answer 14

maroulis

Level 1

10 points

Sep 7, 2006 3:12 PM in response to corth

I have had this MBP for less than 1 week, everything is fine and temperature is MUCH better than my PB G4 however I find disturbing the following stat from CoreDuoTemp

09/07/2006 5:03: 1 day 10:32 - 22% - 1.67GHz - 71oC

just to clarify, I'm off the charger (in fact my puppy just ate the 2nd one this week LOL) so i'm on battery and have Excel, Parallels, Firefox, Mail and Notes open...

Reply