oshiaki
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: MacBook Pro 13" early 2015 - buzzing sound when SSD being accessed

I've just received a new 13" MacBook Pro with retina display (force touch trackpad etc). When the (1TB) SSD is being accessed there is an electronic buzzing interference sound, not unlike the sound that a HDD makes when being accessed. This didn't happen on my MacBook Air which was silent. Can anyone explain this? I would expect the Mac to be silent apart from the fan but this is unusual. It's not that loud but it seems to me to be defective. I can send the Mac back for a replacement (14 day return) but will the replacement have the same issue - is it expected?

 

Apple support chat said it doesn't sound right FWIW but they couldn't offer an explanation

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), Core i7 and SSD 1TB upgrades

Posted on Mar 21, 2015 3:40 AM

by vintatsh,Solvedanswer
vintatsh vintatsh
Level 1 (15 points)
A:

Same here (Early 2015 / 256GB SSD /  i5 2,9GHz) .

Being in a very quiet room there is definitely some noise coming from the "W" / "E" keyboard area,

when accessing (especially writing on) the SSD but it's also noticeable when scrolling through webpages.

After some googling (there a lot of people with the same "problem") I think that it isn't some sort of defect.

MacBook Pro Retinas apparently tend to produce this very faint so called "coil (whine) noise" coming from inductors inside of it

trying to regulate high voltages. I think that's the tradeoff having such ultra fast SSDs.

(I'm getting around 1200 Write and 1300 Read which is just insane!)

 

It doesn't bother me that much though, I was just wondering because I couldn't figure out what part the noise is coming from

since there are no moving parts in the MacBook Pros with Retina Display (except for the fan of course).

I won't return my MacBook just to get another one with the same issue (which happened to some of the people)

and apart from this mysterious, faint noise it's perfect.

Posted on Apr 10, 2015 1:23 PM

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oshiaki

Q: MacBook Pro 13" early 2015 - buzzing sound when SSD being accessed

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  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 21, 2015 3:43 AM in response to oshiaki
    Level 9 (52,147 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 21, 2015 3:43 AM in response to oshiaki

    Your MBP is under warranty.  Have it examined at an Apple store genius bar.

     

    If you purchased the unit from Apple (not a reseller) you have 14 days from the date of the purchase to have it replaced or for a refund.

     

    Ciao.

  • by goldglitter,

    goldglitter goldglitter Mar 21, 2015 6:31 AM in response to oshiaki
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mar 21, 2015 6:31 AM in response to oshiaki

    Hey oshiaki, is it the SSD or the fan that's making noise?

  • by oshiaki,

    oshiaki oshiaki Mar 21, 2015 6:47 AM in response to goldglitter
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 21, 2015 6:47 AM in response to goldglitter

    I don't believe it's the fan, rather some electrical noise when the SSD is being accessed. Whether this is the SSD itself is unknown. I don't see how it could be given it has no moving parts. It's not especially loud, you have to be in a quiet room or put your ear to the keyboard to really hear it. It just doesn't seem normal, my MacBook Air 2011 is silent. I want a silent Mac for £2500!

  • by vintatsh,Solvedanswer

    vintatsh vintatsh Apr 10, 2015 1:23 PM in response to oshiaki
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Apr 10, 2015 1:23 PM in response to oshiaki

    Same here (Early 2015 / 256GB SSD /  i5 2,9GHz) .

    Being in a very quiet room there is definitely some noise coming from the "W" / "E" keyboard area,

    when accessing (especially writing on) the SSD but it's also noticeable when scrolling through webpages.

    After some googling (there a lot of people with the same "problem") I think that it isn't some sort of defect.

    MacBook Pro Retinas apparently tend to produce this very faint so called "coil (whine) noise" coming from inductors inside of it

    trying to regulate high voltages. I think that's the tradeoff having such ultra fast SSDs.

    (I'm getting around 1200 Write and 1300 Read which is just insane!)

     

    It doesn't bother me that much though, I was just wondering because I couldn't figure out what part the noise is coming from

    since there are no moving parts in the MacBook Pros with Retina Display (except for the fan of course).

    I won't return my MacBook just to get another one with the same issue (which happened to some of the people)

    and apart from this mysterious, faint noise it's perfect.

  • by oshiaki,

    oshiaki oshiaki Apr 10, 2015 1:23 PM in response to vintatsh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2015 1:23 PM in response to vintatsh

    @Vintash having used it for a few weeks I agree. Faint coil noise which you never actually hear unless you're in an absolutely silent room is more than acceptable given the insane performance. Not an issue :-)

  • by michithebest,

    michithebest michithebest Sep 11, 2016 3:58 AM in response to oshiaki
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 11, 2016 3:58 AM in response to oshiaki

    Read here on how to reproduce this buzzing sound: MBP 2015: Steps to reproduce buzzing sound of SSD