I just got my second burn on my stomach in as many years. WTH is going on? It was so hot when I woke up I have a ring on my stomach. My girlfriend couldnt touch it becuase it was to hot to handle.
Nothing was blocked on the computer, all vents are open on the back etc.. Why call it a laptop if its not able to be in your lap without it burning you. Can someone please help with this?
MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), iOS 9.3.2
After posting my issue regarding me getting burned from the Macbook, I received a call from Apple regarding the issue the same day.
Before I go into the outcome of what Apple said, I would like to address that I am prone in bed after a surgery so this is why I am laying down with my laptop on my stomach. Falling asleep with it on me is something I don't recommend and I agree with everyones comments. But, while taking medication for my surgery, I do get tired.. and it happened.
After speaking with Jorge Luna at Apple about my burns and waiting for a call back, I did a test to see if the Macbook would over heat on a cool surface as suggested to always do when using this product and it did the same exact thing. Its so hot you literally cant touch it. So, whether or not you use the Macbook on a cool surface or on your person, it does not change the over heating issue of this unit whatsoever.
If a laptop is able to physically burn you, your skin, then its absolutely possible to damage another surface or worse yet, ignite and possibly start a fire. Which has happened repeatably in the history of this unit. I suggest you search the web and look into this yourselves. After temps reach 120 fahrenheit , skin will burn.
Here is a pic of my stomach directly after the incident, I will be adding a video showing the max heat the computer omits while a thermometer is under it.
I didnt ask for anything from Apple, they contacted me, said they want to look into the issue and if they found that their product was liable, they would repair the laptop. When they called back, they simply said that there is nothing they can do. No service repair, no replacement, etc.. I find this completely unsatisfactory. I have only bought apple products and feel that the customer service is completely unsatisfactory.
Apple sells computers they refer to as Notebook computers, such as the MacBook Pro.
Apple does not advocate using them held closely against you body, because they may get hot.
Mac notebooks: Operating temperature - Apple Support
If you think your notebook computer is getting too hot or has other problems, an appointment for an evaluation at the genius bar at an Apple store is free, in warranty or out.
If you are confined to a bed for medical reasons, are you not provided with a table to eat your meals? Use that when you use your MBP..
Running resource intensive applications in a MBP can generate internal temperature well into the 90°c+ range and if really pressed, higher than that. Overheating is a relative term because it entails what applications are in use and what actual temperatures are being produced. All I can say is that I have measured temperatures of 52°c+ on both my MBP and the charger exterior and it has not burned my skin.
Ciao.
markfromnewportbch wrote:
If a laptop is able to physically burn you, your skin, then its absolutely possible to damage another surface or worse yet, ignite and possibly start a fire. Which has happened repeatably in the history of this unit. I suggest you search the web and look into this yourselves. After temps reach 120 fahrenheit , skin will burn.
Have you ever used a heating pad? If so, have you ever actually read the instructions? Hot things in contact with human skin for a long period of time is not necessarily good. That's why Apple specifically recommends against using the device in the way you did.
My MBA used to make my legs red if, in the summer, when wearing shorts, I set it on my legs for extended periods of time. I solved the issue by purchasing and inexpensive lap desk (at Bed, Bath and Beyond, I think). It's a nice contoured piece of wood with a removable cushion on the back. I'm sure Amazon sells similar items.
If the MBP is on your stomach for hours on end (even when sleeping ... a time you could unconsciously push it onto the floor), the lap desk for me would make great sense ... insulate the heat and is much more comfortable than flat metal against skin.
markfromnewportbch wrote:
Again, if you read my posts it doesn't matter if the laptop is on my person or surface.
I'm guessing youre not reading the post or these comments are coming from Apple.
Yes, it does matter. The notebook (it's not a laptop) is designed to be used on a hard surface, not a squishy surface like a human abdomen.
Still doesn't answer the question - if it has the 2GB dedicated to video it has a dGPU. These supposedly run hotter and consume much more power. The reason why I'm asking is that I'm debating getting the dGPU rMBP. If the dGPU causes it to get that hot - I may reconsider it.
Jim Allen2 wrote:
Still doesn't answer the question - if it has the 2GB dedicated to video it has a dGPU. These supposedly run hotter and consume much more power. The reason why I'm asking is that I'm debating getting the dGPU rMBP. If the dGPU causes it to get that hot - I may reconsider it.
Sorry, I don't have the specs of the MacBook Pros memorized. I'm sure a bit of online research will turn up the answer.
Best of luck.
Well, awhile back an English boffin got burned by his Mac NOTEBOOK a bit lower down in his.... there. Blisters and all. So you're lucky, sort of.
As for the why, it is sort of normal too. All powerful modern computers run hot, it is inevitable. Some makers chose to conceal that with big, bulky plastic cases and many fans. Apple's obsession with thinness trumps all that and required the use of metal as a heat dissipator. So yes, it will run hot especially if doing intensive tasks. Which might be occurring even if not apparent. For instance, all those cutesy Adobe Flash animations and the like in webpages are a vast CPU load. Which is why these are NOTEBOOKS, not laptops, and never meant to be used against any body part (except the fingers for the keyboard and trackpad, that is).
so why does it continue to do the same thing? Read what I posted before you reply. Otherwise youre saying thing over and over. Im looking for clarity not a continued argument. And yes, I do know Apple calls it a Notebook, but we all know we buy small computers for mobility and the use anywhere, such as a persons lap.
markfromnewportbch wrote:
And yes, I do know Apple calls it a Notebook, but we all know we buy small computers for mobility and the use anywhere, such as a persons lap.
I do not use any expensive computer in my lap at least when there is any chance my legs will move and flip it onto the ground. Apple makes iPads for ultimate portability and hand-held.
markfromnewportbch wrote:
so why does it continue to do the same thing? Read what I posted before you reply. Otherwise youre saying thing over and over. Im looking for clarity not a continued argument. And yes, I do know Apple calls it a Notebook, but we all know we buy small computers for mobility and the use anywhere, such as a persons lap.
Continue to do what? Get hot when it's on your stomach? Because it can't dissipate heat properly. I'm not sure what more "clarity" it's possible for anyone else to give you. If you disagree with Apple's answer, go back and take it up with them?
markfromnewportbch wrote:
If a laptop is able to physically burn you, your skin, then its absolutely possible to damage another surface or worse yet, ignite and possibly start a fire.
Not a chance. You cannot start a fire with 120º F. If you could all the houses in Phoenix, Arizona, would spontaneously burn down. One of the most flammable substances that the computer might encounter is wood pulp based paper. And we all know, thanks to Ray Bradbury, that its flash point is 451º F. But you can get a sunburn well below 120º. So it would be foolish to put anything that gets warmer than body temperature in long-term contact with your skin. Just don't do it.
Jim Allen2 wrote:
Does it have a dGPU?
I believe Apple calls them a Notebook.
Keeping it on a hard surface helps air moving underneath as well as open in the back for the fans.
Yes they can get very warm to the touch.
Burned on stomach from Macbook
