15-Inch Retina MacBook Pro Users Experiencing Fan Issues Related to SanDisk SSDs?

[foobarbaz]

Not surprising, the same thing even happens in my regular MBP with a 3rd party SSD and with FileVault turned on.

We're used to the idea that fans shouldn't speed up, unless we're doing something with the CPU, but those fast SSDs also get hot (and FileVault keeps the CPU at a baseline, too).

It's just that I/O activity is much harder to track down compared to the CPU activity that's easily visible in Activity Monitor. So when the fans spin up, it looks like a mistake.

 

[lifeinhd]

I think it's just a characteristic of the rMBP.

Definitely not. Right now on my rMBP I have iTunes, Firefox, JEdit, Word, Excel, Preview, Terminal, and TextEdit open, and fans are at 2153 RPM where they belong.

It's a damn sight better than my old '06 MBP where the fans would spin up if you touched it.

 

[DHagan4755]

These retina models are radio active. There's a greater chance you'll get one with a problem than without.

 

[inlinevolvo]

I hope apple gets over its bitter fight with samsung soon because let's face it, it's apples customers that are paying the price by having inferior suppliers come in and take over what samsung did right. I'm glad my rmbp has a Samsung ssd and screen. These reports only make me feel more confident in the resale value of my unit.

 

[xekret]

These retina models are radio active. There's a greater chance you'll get one with a problem than without.

Not a problem here.

 

[henryhbk]

Try a SMC reset

This happened to my daughter's 15" rMBP and a SMC reset took care of the behavior. In general when fans go nuts without provocation (Civ V I am looking at you!) that's a quick and easy thing to try.

For those who don't know how to do that here is the excerpt from the Apple Support directions on SMC reset:

Note: Portable computers that have a battery you should not remove on your own include MacBook Pro (Early 2009) and later, all models of MacBook Air, and MacBook (Late 2009).

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Note: The LED on the MagSafe power adapter may change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

 

[xekret]

I haven't had a problem yet and I hope it stays that way. It does get a little warm when watching videos and its choppy when on the HD4000. I use smc fan controller and gfx card to solve the issues.

 

[HenryDJP]

And much as my inner fanboy hates to say it, but Samsung parts are always the best parts in Apple products.

Just look at the display even, and the SSD now.

Understandable and agreed. Just because Samsung a Sh** for morals company doesn't mean they don't turn decent parts for computers.

 

[RichardF]

The guy needs to get his priorities straight. His first problem is he needs to reevaluate how much Coldplay is in his music library, the cooling fan is a distant problem in comparison.

+1

This is hilarious.

 

[emt1]

I noticed this on my 2012 rMBP and it occurs on my 2013 as well, although less often than it did with the 2012. It is definitely related to the SSD. It occurs when I read/write large amounts of data.

 

[RichardF]

Now, if I wanted to buy one of these computers, there would no way to tell before opening the box which screen and SSD it is build with - for instance by looking at the serial number/ production week, correct?

 

[smulji]

I wonder if the upcoming release of OSX 10.8.3 will help resolve this problem?

 

[paulold]

My last two MBP's have done this on occasion. (And no, I don't have a retina display MBP.) If I check the Activity Monitor when I hear the fan in overdrive, I will usually see a huge spike in activity. I've always thought it had to do with Adobe Flash since it usually happened whenever I was using a website with Flash elements. Flash is the only thing that causes my laptop to act weird. I would recommend folks try disabling/uninstalling Flash to see if it still happens.

 

[IGregory]

I've experienced the problem on several occasions. I restart and it goes away until it happens again.

 

[thadoggfather]

If I had a rMBP with Samsung SSD/LCD, I'd hold onto it with utmost confidence

Still loving my 2011 Air with the appropriate Samsung goodies

Can't wait to have my iPad3 back on Monday (tried a 4, returned it for IR and weird yellowing on one side that was distracting) that I think has a Sharp screen since its one of those good DY units (I've had bad DY units too). And not going to upgrade my iPhone for a long while since mine has a good screen also and no vertical interlacing (probaby a Sharp screen too)

You gotta ask yourself:
Do you buy standalone LG monitors/TV's?
Do you buy Sandisk SSD's (I'd think your purchase quest would end with USB flash drives)?

If it's got an Apple logo, suddenly all is forgiven.

Sharp and Samsung should be running the display department, and Samsung/Intel/Crucial for SSD (I heard M4 is good, but I haven't had a 3rd party 2.5" SSD since X25-M days I believe in 2010 with my 13" MBP)

bad parts make bad electronics.

in the same way bad ingredients can't all of a sudden become an amazing meal.

 

[iGrip]

I am so frustrated with all these problems with my rMBP. It has been months since an update and it makes me feel as though apple doesn't think there is really a problem. I paid a lot of money for what could be considered their best and flag shop mac. I am a product design professional and that is who the rMBPs are catered to. My whole job is done on our computers. The graphic glitches are a big deal when designing. Also, the not waking from sleep and loosing data. The fan issue bugs because it uses my battery like crazy when I am only browsing the internet. The inconsistent wifi connection prevents fluid and quick research and referencing (which I do all day long).

I have done everything to fix the problem myself from clean reinstall and no restore from time machine, 6 lengthy visits to the apple store, and patience for updates.

The most frustrating part is Apple almost haven't even acknowledged these issues over the past few months. The apple store geniuses have been very nice but haven't provided any real solution.

I am over reacting or is this as big a deal as I feel it is?

You are not over reacting. ISTM that Apple's best days are behind them.

 

[adildacoolset]

Sandisk makes good SSDs based on AnandTech's testing. And it was a Samsung SSD that recently had a software glitch that resulted in data loss in Anand's testing. All SSDs have the potential for firmware issues. As for the LG vs Samsung screen, the Samsungs are less prone to image retention, but the LGs have better color gamut.

A quick calibration can solve the gamut issue. But it cannot solve image retention.

And data loss may happen with anything, and that's why it's a good idea to back up any computer regularly. If the PC is backed up regularly, then it'll be less of an inconvenience than having fans constantly speed up.

Mind you, a firmware update might solve this issue.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Apple should just buy SanDisk.

 

[thadoggfather]

I hope this Image Retention-LG thing really bites them in the butt.

They need to learn a lesson or two already.

 

[iGrip]

[*]On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.

A three-fingered salute? And I thought that stuff was over once we got past Windows 95!

Little did I know that it is still alive and well in Apple land.

 

[Bubba Satori]

And much as my inner fanboy hates to say it, but Samsung parts are always the best parts in Apple products.

Just look at the display even, and the SSD now.

Any revelations from your outer fanboi?

 

[jonmitz]

My brand new (less than a week) 15" rMBP has this issue. It happens fairly often, I'm hoping it is indeed a software fix because I dont want to have to swap out my computer.

It doesnt cause any issue other than annoyance (max fan speed is pretty loud)

e: It has a 512 SSD

 

[spazzcat]

I haven't had any issues with this, however I have had issues with my rMBP staying on when the lid gets closed. I come back to the machine a few hours later and the bottom is warm.

It might have something to do with Power Nap, I turned it off and haven't had many issues with it now.

Power Nap is the issue, I had the same issue until I turned it off.

 

[Adam22]

i know its a bit off topic but i dont know if i should get a 15' macbook pro or a 27'imac base model with fusion .....

 

[thadoggfather]

My brand new (less than a week) 15" rMBP has this issue. It happens fairly often, I'm hoping it is indeed a software fix because I dont want to have to swap out my computer.

It doesnt cause any issue other than annoyance (max fan speed is pretty loud)

e: It has a 512 SSD

If it were me, I'd return it.

Let Apple determine if it's fixable or not first. Then re-buy if need be.

Haswell refresh is gonna crush these slight bump 15" rMBP's anyways. Rev B as some are calling it.

But if I had a Samsung SSD/LCD I'd be more happy than a quicker machine, call me weird.

I did it with iPad3, returned to it from the 4 (not knowing 100% who makes it, but my eyes don't lie). The 'dynamic contrast' issue WilliamG has a thread about and it still not resolved was icing on the cake.