Macbook Pro 2018 overheating, and other strange problems

I just replaced my still working 2015 13" MBP for a 2018 15" MBP. The reason was that there are some loads that the 2015 is already slow in.

Imagine my surprise when I found that the 2018 model gets very warm on loads that the 2015 can handle well without heating up. I am about to go back to store until I read this post.

It's disappointing to see that it's not a hardware issue but an inherent flaw. Now I have to love with my decision to switch. I would switch back if I could.

Sad to read these posts on overheating of the MBP. I am in desprite need of replacing my current 2008 which also has an over heating issue that started out of the box. Come on Apple — this has been a problem for MBP for a very long time. Figure it out.

I just purchased the i7 2.6 w/16GB. Running Capture 1 Pro12. Laptop gets hot on my lap. Have been testing for a couple of days now. When on solid surface, the heat does not seem to build up. I understand that the heat is really not an issue as all MBPros..from the past to now use the aluminum case to dissipate the heat created. This is why Apple does not find this to be a problem (not talking about recent throttling and fix).

My issue is the battery life and RAM usage. It is terrible. This is supposed to last 10 hours with just basic use? After one hour, it went from 100% to 82%. 30 minutes more to 77%. Then ran an export of 139 files at full .jpg resolution and now dropped to 64%. I got 16 GB RAM, compared to MacBook Air 2013 with 4GB. It ran fine but was slow on import and export. I figured 16GB would be more than anything I could need. I don't do video. So, under normal use with my editing program; I am using a total of 12 GB+. How can this be? I only had 4 before? I know that the new system and screen use more RAM..but what?????? So, will this meagre 16GB now limit me if I want to browse and do other things while I edit and process? What would be the usage against 32 GB for the exact same system and use? Will it still only be 12? I don't know...yet.

The Macbook Pro is not a laptop computer and it is not designed to be used on one's lap.

With respect to memory use, you don't understand that modern opperating systems use all available RAM to increase speed and efficiency. If you had 32 GB RAM then maybe 28GB would be used under normal circumstances. What benefit is unused RAM providing, none.

???

It is a notebook computer not a laptop computer. Your link specifically says " If your MacBook Pro is on your lap and gets uncomfortably warm, remove it from your lap and place it on a stable, well-ventilated work surface. Take special care if you have a physical condition that affects your ability to detect heat against the body."

So what do you do with the 68% memory that is not being used? Modern OSs use all available RAM to store recently and often used data/apps. This gives instant access to needed resources. When additional RAM is needed by another app then the stored data is immediately replaced with the newly needed data. Once again, what is the advantage of having unused RAM? Maybe on old slow systems there may have been an advantage but this is 2018, new systems have figured out how to best use all available RAM.

But you are welcome to argue symantics and spout old technogy.

Bob, you are right about ‘lap’ use. But the rapidity of heat buildup and extreme temps are not good in any event. Your reply regarding RAM is a specious argument as noted by jasun. Apps and internal processes do not use all available resources if they do not require them. Your logic implies that the more ram you have, regardless of the actual requirements, will result in faster and more efficient machine. You are wrong. Experts do declare that overpurchasing RAM can be gratuitous and wasteful.

And last, no reply regarding battery life?

Of course theoretically too much RAM is wasteful and never used. But I've never run across such a situation. I guess if one was to get 32 GB RAM and only ever use his computer to write an occasional email the 32 GB RAM would never be used. But if one is writing Word douments, reading/writing email, browsing, editing music, watching videos, etc., then all the RAM would be used not only a portion thereby saving RAM unused for whatever reason.

With respect to the battery, different users and environments will experience different battery use. The numbers published by Apple are theoretical more than practical.

To tell you the truth. I don't know many who actually do all of those things at one time. I haven't been able to edit photos, watch a video, edit music, and do all of those other mundane tasks you describe all at one time. If I could, we would be in agreement.

Otherwise, my laptop 'at rest' uses up 5-6GB of RAM. And browsing, emails, and working on my Office files only adds up to 1GB or less. It looks like Apps working in background with the new operating system eat up more RAM than earlier machines and OS.

I migrated my MacBook Air 2013 TM Backup to the new MBPro. So they are running just about the identical programs and apps.

Apple has no answer.

And, the battery life, as claimed by Apple, is 10 hours. This is under 'normal' conditions. This is not their top number but one that they feel comfortable in promoting. It is more like an average. Some users have gotten more and others less. 40-60% less is not acceptable to me. I am running another test this evening focusing on the screen brightness. We'll see what happens. Tomorrow into Apple's local store and have them check out the battery. I refuse to accept this product if the battery does not perform reasonably.

So, I went to my local Apple store and my 'Genius', who was more than helpful, advised to change out the laptop for a brand new one. I have had it now running for 3 days---with High Sierra as my OS X. So far it has been running normally as I would expect. What is interesting is that, while at Apple, the issue of battery drain was not really addressed with any specificity. Yet, there are blogs/threads out 'here' that discuss the battery drain issue when moving into Mojave--and I only had the latest updated version. So, I am holding off d/l Mojave until I hear more and possible fixes. The heat problem was reduced as well.

Of course my original unit could have had a problem. So, if anyone has the same 2018 15.4/2.6 unit and is running Mojave without any issues; I would like to hear back.

Thanks for the feedback.

I am having the same issues and just purchased my macbook pro in december. Its not even a month old yet and is sounding like a 3 year old computer when I am simply watching a youtube video. Going to the genius bar on friday and hopefully will get some answers!

Your trip to the Apple store will not yield any answer that is satisfactory. You must restore the original OS X High Sierra and forget about Mojave until Apple does another update that addresses these problems. Or return it for a full refund.

This is a silly argument. Firstly, where does Apple say it's NOT a laptop? Nowhere.

Wrong...the real answer is, everywhere.

It may not seem obvious, but it's extremely consistent, it is not an opinion, it is a provable fact:

Apple does not use the word "laptop" to describe portable computers on apple.com.

Go to various official Apple product and support documents and do a search on the word "laptop". You won't easily find it, or it might not be there at all. Apple is so systematic about avoiding the word "laptop" that it must be part of their editorial style guide.

The word Apple uses is "notebook." Look at the name of this category on the Discussions forums: Notebooks. Not "Laptops"

Same on the MacBook Pro product page. The word "notebook" is used there, the word "laptop" is not present.

This is a very intentional choice of words that several companies have chosen to use to avoid issues like complaints or lawsuits about computers that get too hot against the skin. Instead the official support documents advise you to use your notebook on a flat surface for proper ventilation around and under the case.

I have a 5 day old MacBook pro custom built and it is running so hot I feel like it’s damaging the computer. Same thing with phone support. They ran diagnostics and found nothing wrong. Advice :keep it on the desktop. 5600.00 and I can’t use my computer while watching the TV because it is too hot to be comfortable??? Seriously? After reading through this forum, I will be returning it. I am so sad.

Hi guys. Experiencing the same issue. Got my first one in december 2018 replaced it with a new one after 14 days, which came in yesterday - started working on it today same issue! As soon as you work on it and it can be a simple task such us browsing or answering a few emails on safari it is overheating like crazy. If you don't it cools down. Also the battery drains like 1% per minute if you are working on it. I don't even know what will happen when I start working on 2 screens, after effects and photoshop (did not even install them). My config is 13", i7, 16gb ram.

So as far as I understood it was not a hardware issue. If it has really to do with mojave, how can I go back to high sierra with this new mbp?

Anyone else found any solution in the meantime. I'd really like to keep this as this is my first mac after windows, but neither on windows I experienced this. My HP spectre still has a 3-5h battery life after 3 years full usage, while this one *** after being on it for only 3 hours.

Thanks!

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