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Quiet/Cool MacBook when playing flash videos

T

Tim018

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 31, 2009
108
1
My girlfriend has a 2011 13" macbook i5 w/ mavericks and it's been a good computer for the past couple years, but it has one issue that is pretty annoying. When playing full screen videos in chrome it spikes the cpu usage up to about 50-60%. The fans get really loud and and the bottom is really hot.

When I look in the activity monitor, I see a bunch of items named google chrome helper, the top one usually quoting 100%+ cpu usage. (yes, i'm aware that adobe flash and osx are not exactly friends :) )

Is there any way help this? I'm a computer science student, so don't be afraid to hit me with technical ideas.

Things I've tried: update osx/chrome, repair permissions, pram, smc, restart, daily/monthly/yearly scripts, check for no extra chrome extensions

Thanks guys!
 
What runs best on the Macintosh? Is firefox still a hog?

Thanks again!
 
don't be too concerned with the bottom heating up...this has always been an issue with Macs. Best thing to do is to make sure you're getting the most airflow to your mac(put it on a raised surface). Or even pick something that'll raise your mac with minimal surface contact so heat can be distributed more evenly.
 
Awesome, I'll give it a shot, thanks guys.

I've always switched back and forth between platforms and am very happy with my thinkpad right now since it is so cool and quiet. For the sake of curiosity, are there any macbooks in the current lineup that run with little/no fan noise and little external heat? I may switch back next time I buy a new computer, but fan/heat is enough to keep me away.

My worst experience is my Dad's $3k+ 1st gen retina 15" that idles at 80c with fans at 4-5k and about 3 hrs of battery.

By the way, I have zero interest in a platform war, I use and enjoy all three every day, so that is a non-issue.
 
Tim018 said:
Awesome, I'll give it a shot, thanks guys.

I've always switched back and forth between platforms and am very happy with my thinkpad right now since it is so cool and quiet. For the sake of curiosity, are there any macbooks in the current lineup that run with little/no fan noise and little external heat? I may switch back next time I buy a new computer, but fan/heat is enough to keep me away.

My worst experience is my Dad's $3k+ 1st gen retina 15" that idles at 80c with fans at 4-5k and about 3 hrs of battery.

By the way, I have zero interest in a platform war, I use and enjoy all three every day, so that is a non-issue.
Click to expand...

Your dad's computer obviously has a defect, a retina MBP, even the first gen, should idle at around 30-35c, 40c tops.
 
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