2011 iMac Heat Issues

[johnfkitchen]

Oddly since all 3 had problems with their iMacs they have all bought new PCs.. not Mac. Sad..

It's still not confirmed that heat was the issue, but it seems they had genuine problems, and they were not resolved to their satisfaction.

I don't expect problems with my iMac, but it may happen.

I always buy Applecare. It's worth it for the access to expert non-offshored advice, and if there is a hardware problem, then it, too is covered.

 

[ShiftyGray]

It's still not confirmed that heat was the issue, but it seems they had genuine problems, and they were not resolved to their satisfaction.

I don't expect problems with my iMac, but it may happen.

I always buy Applecare. It's worth it for the access to expert non-offshored advice, and if there is a hardware problem, then it, too is covered.

Hardly always and in some states/countries you have sufficient warranty. And I find their advice to be often useless, definitely compared to the information you can find with a quick internet search.

 

[mpillischer]

Easy solution to cool your iMac fires!

Hi all,

I had this same problem with my iMac getting unbelievably hot to touch on the back top of the computer (front as well, but really blazing on the back). After some research and thought, coming from the brain of a computer-phobic non-techie, I decided to see if I could solve the problem by hooking up some additional fans to cool the computer at the back. I don't mean taking apart the computer of course, just adding some additional air flow behind it.

I totally solved the problem for about $65-70, no messing with computer settings, no taking apart the computer, no AC unit installed behind my computer (although I thought about this).

I run lots of programs at once, lots of windows, lots of music, and lots of videos, so it's going to get hot. I got some of these belkin laptop coolers:http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Belkin+-+CoolSpot+Laptop+Cooling+Pad+-+Black/4635326 .p?id=1218501938631&skuId=4635326&st=Belkin%20Cooling%20pad&cp=1&lp=2
My iMac sits directly under a shelf, so I was able to hang 3 of these so the fans hit directly on the top back of the screen (see pics below). I looked at all the brands at BestBuy and this seemed like the cheapest best one, and wanting a fast solution to this I just bought one to try it. When I plugged it in to the USB and fel the pathetic little fan I thought to myself, "you're kidding me, this is a piece of crap." But I tried it anyway, and it really cooled it off. No more serious heat. It was still how on the left and right sides since the fan only rested on the computer in the middle. So I went back and got two more, and got a USB splitter (you can usually find these at Marshalls for like $5) so three fans only take one USB port on the computer.

I am so happy with these Belkin cooling fans, and this really saved my computer, that I am going to post this everywhere I can find. This is a really nasty problem to have to deal with, and this is a good cheap solution for even no-techie types. It doesn't look too bad either, but I could see some people who are obssessed with how their mac looks not liking these cheap-o laptop-coolers crowding its style. Oh well. Trust me, it works!

 

[Mihelie]

Heat Issues

I purchased one of these 2011, iMacs in question. And yes, heat is very much an issue if you game. The default settings may be quiet, but are woefully inadequate to handle the demand in a gaming environment. The fan completely failed; it and the Optical Drive were replaced under warranty ~thankfully. But yesterday once again, I experienced performance lags and today the screen became intermittently overcast in red. The sound also became muffled in certain applications. After reading several posts, I plan to investigate the fan settings, and look into SMC Fan Control. Thank you all for that tip. For the casual user this machine looks great/sounds great, but if you game as I do, you may be out of luck.

 

[Csrcsrcsr]

Mid 2011 iMac heat issues

I have noted the comments about heat and the aluminium casing on the iMac and did not seem to have a problem even after installing 12GIG Ram until recently
Installed Bootcamp on one half of the 1TB drive and installed Windows 7 on it and upgraded the Mac side to Mavericks
Often leave the system on in one or other partition as it runs on the Home Network and be the master for 2 other (XP) machines plus access to a printer and ipad
I recently noticed an increase in the heat generated when sitting in Win 7 mode - sufficiently to cause my wife to be concerned about how the heat was being dissipated as the iMac sits on a desk immediately below my book library shelves (full). Her concern is a fire risk - mine is damage to the computer
I noted that some software exists to measure the heat but have no idea how to fit a fan to get rid of the heat as it emerges
Should I simply buy a fan to blow the heat away from the shelving area or must I remove it (with all connected cabling!!!!! - no please it took days to set up!!!! -, or is there a way to minimise the heat - where is it coming from? The screen or the CPU?
The screen is on but no running progs as far as I am aware
Any suggestions?

 

[Georgio]

After a decent gaming session my 2011 iMac was so hot along the top edge you could fry eggs on it.
My solution was simply to fix a row of processor heat sinks along the top edge to help dissipate the heat, but even this was hard pressed during the Summer.
One suggestion I could make is to maybe rig up some small fans along the bottom grille to blow air up into the casing.
I was going to do exactly this, but ended up selling the Mac and buying a 2013 iMac which runs extremely cool regardless of what you're doing on it.

I have noted the comments about heat and the aluminium casing on the iMac and did not seem to have a problem even after installing 12GIG Ram until recently
Installed Bootcamp on one half of the 1TB drive and installed Windows 7 on it and upgraded the Mac side to Mavericks
Often leave the system on in one or other partition as it runs on the Home Network and be the master for 2 other (XP) machines plus access to a printer and ipad
I recently noticed an increase in the heat generated when sitting in Win 7 mode - sufficiently to cause my wife to be concerned about how the heat was being dissipated as the iMac sits on a desk immediately below my book library shelves (full). Her concern is a fire risk - mine is damage to the computer
I noted that some software exists to measure the heat but have no idea how to fit a fan to get rid of the heat as it emerges
Should I simply buy a fan to blow the heat away from the shelving area or must I remove it (with all connected cabling!!!!! - no please it took days to set up!!!! -, or is there a way to minimise the heat - where is it coming from? The screen or the CPU?
The screen is on but no running progs as far as I am aware
Any suggestions?

 

[Fatboy71]

So I’m getting mixed feedback on this. I’m really wanting to get an iMac (new model 21”), but I’m hearing a lot about heat issues. Its mixed. Some people say that these over heat way too much, and buying it without Apple care is dumb.

From the Late 2012 iMac, these only have one fan instead of the two that used to be in models before this.

The reason for this is the airflow in the Late 2012 onwards iMac had been redesigned and as such only needs one fan. Also the large aluminium back on the iMac, gets rid of heat very efficiently. The flip side to only have one fan is that it results in a quitter machine.

I can only assume that the people you talked too who say that the iMac over heats way too much, either know nothing about the iMac or don't even own an iMac.

If the overheating issues that you mention were true (which they aren't). Then it would be pointless Apple releasing such a machine if they would be plagued with overheating issues.

I got my iMac in January 2013 and it is quiet, gets upto 54c on a really hot day and that is when under load. Touching the back of the iMac or in the area of where the grill is, you can feel that it is barely lukewarm.

The iMac is a cool running and quiet machine to sum it up.

 

[johnfkitchen]

Recent iMacs will feel hot to the touch. This a good thing, not a bad thing.

Here is how it works. The electronics inside consume electrical energy and the result is heat. That heat could either be trapped inside and thus fry the electronics (keeping the exterior cooler for a while), or it can be swiftly channeled to the outside and dissipated to the surrounding air, keeping the internals at a safe, lower temperature. That requires the exterior of the computer become hot enough to transfer the energy to the air.

The reason why iMacs and MacBook Pros have aluminum cases is to facilitate the removal of heat energy from the inside.

That said, it's not a good idea to surround any electrical appliance with anything which serious blocks air flow. If it looks like the iMac is ingesting hot air which it has just expelled, than that's not a good situation.

 

[Dirtyharry50]

So I’m getting mixed feedback on this. I’m really wanting to get an iMac (new model 21”), but I’m hearing a lot about heat issues. Its mixed. Some people say that these over heat way too much, and buying it without Apple care is dumb. I was looking between this and the 13” MBP, but the specs obviously have me leaning towards the iMac. Can anyone offer any suggestions or some further backup to this? I’d hate to spend 1200+ dollars only to have tons of problems with this.

I have a mid-2011 27" iMac and it does have issues with heat only when I play demanding games. To protect itself, the video card is shutting itself off and in a few moments it tends to come back on but it will keep doing this until I give up on the demanding game. Otherwise for all other tasks, it works fine heat-wise.

These do get warm and it is normal. The aluminum enclosure acts as a massive heat sink and helps to move heat away from the components inside. So the enclosure getting warm or even hot is not something to be concerned about.

I too have a problem with my Superdrive. It isn't reading anything anymore.

Lastly, my screen was never sealed properly and leaked in dust and dirt and looks pretty bad now.

You'd think with all of that I would tell you to not buy a 2011 iMac but I won't. This does not happen to everyone. I just got "lucky" here. What I will tell you is absolutely ALWAYS buy Apple Care with any iMac. They are not user serviceable and Apple Care is a smart investment. I sure am glad I bought it.

The beauty of Apple Care to me among other things is that it includes on-site service. So next week when I call in these problems which I have been procrastinating about, a tech will come here to me and fix them.

And, if any of the fixes do not work for some reason they will come back repeatedly and fix them again until they do. If it gets to three times they cannot fix something, I get on the phone and ask for a new iMac and get one.

So I am not worked up about this because any computer can develop issues no matter who makes but something that makes Apple a good buy, especially with Apple Care is that they stand behind their products and want you to be happy with them.

So yeah, I'd go right ahead and get the computer you want. Just make sure you get Apple Care too and you won't need to worry about anything.