2011 Macbook Pro 13.3 Overheating *VIDEO*

[Kariya]

I was just saying that his head was up Apples butt. To be an apologist you would have to think on your own and believe something truly then defend it. I was indicating that this was not the case. There was no hidden meaning to that. A little harsh? Maybe. I never did well with english so I could always be misinterpreting the word apologist too.

I am sorry for coming of as patronizing or condescending, it was not where I wanted to go in my posting.

Fair enough.

MacBook Pro & Heat are two words that will continue coexist in the same sentence in every generation, as long as Apple is obsessed with thinness/design and continue to use aluminium enclosures. It's an issue that dates back to even non-aluminium PowerBooks. The Titanium PowerBooks had their keyboards melting in some cases.

Bottom line things have been worse compared to this revision.

Also people have varying sensitivity/tolerance to heat.

 

[brentsg]

There is a line on both sides that probably needs to be walked in order to not be perceived as an Apple swinger or a hater. Many have not found how what that is and I am sorry that I see it that way.

Well enough here, I am off to recommend that everyone installs an SSD and 8GB of RAM so they can watch youtube and facebook.

Right, and you're bashing away on people that don't have a problem. Plus you're still insisting that everyone does have a problem.

This is the exactly the behavior you're talking about.

Again, if you suffer from this issue then get it fixed or exchanged. It's probably a combination of some browser plug-ins not handling Flash elegantly, and the poor thermal paste application that's persisted for years with some percentage of units.

Regardless what's been said, or how it's perceived.. decoding flash video at 1080p is not a trivial CPU task when there's no hardware GPU assistance.

 

[Jakeblu]

Its a laptop, they get hot especially when at full load and flash and macs have never really got on although 10.2 is better.

If you are so unhappy buy a Win machine they never get hot. Do they ?? Well maybe you ought to google 'excessive laptop temps' and see how many of the hits are related to Macbook pro or win machines you might be surprised. Of course you could always buy a desktop its maybe better suited to you

 

[doug in albq]

Yes, most every post between this one and my last one has been propagated by an "apologist." Sorry the truth hurts so much at this forum.

Much, much more truth can be found at the actual Apple support discussions.

Read this: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2764570&tstart=30

that thread about heat on the 2011 MBP has 375 replies and near 118,000 views.

Macrumors had more truth in the past. today it seems to be inundated with kids and untruthful Mac Apologists.




and yes, I am a Mac lover and I probably have vastly more Apple gear than you....Does not mean I am going to be a blind Apologist for Apple!

Apple needs people like me to point out their weaknesses, Apple does not need an army of Apologists, save that for Microsoft.

EDIT: I also suspect that the 10.6.7 update gimped-down the actual processing power of the machine to save it from crashing/freezing so much—I have read many forums about how 10.6.7 made gaming benchmarks slower on MBP's, like for the game Starcraft.

 

[Bigmacduck]

Test it with h264 video instead of Flash

Adobe Flash heats up all computers. My Windows Notebook (HP Elite Book) fans run at full speed as well and it is producing lots of heat coming out of the exhaust. I often fear that my case is melting.

On MBP it is no different with Flash than on the PC. Lots of heat. The MBP has smaller exhausts than most PCs but due to its aluminum body, it acts like a large heat-sink.

The video in te first post talks about normal web browsing. But watching Youtube video in a browser has nothing to do with normal web browsing.

I recommend to test watching a h.264 video on youtube and compare the temperature with Flash video.

Here is a link to a h.264 1080p video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N2YWRJ-ppo

 

[Bigmacduck]

Use SMC Fan Control and set higher minimum rpm

I recommend using SMC Fan Control and set higher minimum rpm as a default. I use 3200 rpm as a minimum. That keeps the the temperature in check and the MBP steps up the fan rpm less frequently. 3200 rpm is still pretty silent and should not be disturbing in average environments.

When doing more intensive work (i.e. Parallels with Win 7 and VPN) and connected to power supply, then I use a minimum rpm of 4000, which is still below the normal ambient noise of an average office environment.

 

[kemel]

I just tested the video the OP used on a 3+ year old Sony Vaio 15" Core2Duo with 4gb ram using RealTemp. It stayed constant between 90-94c...

Tested the same video on my new 13" MBP i7 and it stayed around 60-72c at the most according to iStat Pro.

So, I guess it's not only these new SB MBP with the heat issue using flash and 1080p youtube videos.

Here's a screenshot from the Sony:

 

[Macsavvytech]

The Thing a lot of people over look is, if you compare the actual temperature of MBP with the Actual Temperature of a PC with similar specs that isn't in a 4" case :S. Then the Temperature of the MBP is actually about the same or often lower. The reason a lot of people worry is aluminium gives of heat so well, so when people read about overheating they immediately feel the bottom of there MBP and declare it as over heating. Once the more techsavvy monitor the actual temperature they declare that it feels hot because it is 80 or so Celsius. In actual fact the MBP are very good at keeping themselves at acceptable temperatures, 80C is not hot for a computer. From what I have seen from this thread, the OP's fans don't kick in he should get his 13" replaced.

 

[NickZac]

you sure seem to think you know a lot dont you? If its not a debate quit debating the guy

See below.

*Yawn* Every revision has heat complaints. Ditto for thermal paste applications.

2010 MBP Heat question

MBP reached 106 degrees

Heat on my i7 MBP

Core i7 MBP hits 100C

MacBook Pro too HOT

MacBook Boiling Hot

Hot i5 MBP

MacBook Pro Heat Dissipation

MacBook Pro heat problem

MacBook Pro heat causing pain in hands

PowerBook G4 Overheating

Whats new

You think this is hot? you must not have used a Core Duo machine.

Edit: Is mitchell248 incapable of getting a point across without being patronizing/condescending? If people don't agree with you it doesn't make them an apologist, it just means they dont agree with you. Your viewpoint isn't necessarily gospel.

 

[Wicked4u2c]

I just tested the video the OP used on a 3+ year old Sony Vaio 15" Core2Duo with 4gb ram using RealTemp. It stayed constant between 90-94c...

Tested the same video on my new 13" MBP i7 and it stayed around 60-72c at the most according to iStat Pro.

So, I guess it's not only these new SB MBP with the heat issue using flash and 1080p youtube videos.

Here's a screenshot from the Sony:

Wow dude, their is either something wrong with your computer or your picture is BS! Your load temps were 97.4% meaning your CPU was under full load so no wonder your laptop was heating up that much. I have a Core2Duo and here is my video showing how cool it runs....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvdYSyzTEhI

 

[dhtmlkitchen]

I agree, bitching about it on forums does nothing to rectify any real problems, though is does help to promote perceived problems.

Complain to the manufacturer if you want a product fixed or improved, not to other end users.

If every end user did this when they had a problem, products would be improved and so would user forums!

That would be true if and only if Apple would definitely stop producing defective products upon learning of their defects.

Discussing the problem publicly means that we all get to learn about the severity and prevalence, as well what exacerbates it. That can help benefit potential customers, possibly dissuading them from buying what appears to be a maldesigned product. And in so doing, it can be beneficial to consumers by forcing Apple to realize that they're losing out on potential customers.

Indeed this is no fluke. And as such, there is an incentive for Apple to do something about it as they cannot as easily ignore it.

I confirm this issue personally. My wife's 15" MBP has this problem as well, e.g. can't type email, gets too hot; gotta close it and take a break for a bit. Obviously no good.

Other than public discussion, how can a potential customers know about this issue? From seeing it in a cool Apple store, where the laptop is sitting on a table, and not burning one's lap? Probably not. While Apple can profit by selling their current line of MPB to new users, they can be expected to do so.

The heat issue may very well be resolved in a later model. Regardless, it should ahve never made it to market in the first place.

 

[iMackPro]

Well, I must say that I am really disappointed with the current 2011 Macbook pro lineup. This was my first Mac, I must say that I was really excited to finally own one. As I started using it, I noticed how hot the laptop was getting and how loud the fans were. While I was typing a simple E-mail, my palms were getting really hot and was a very uncomfortable feeling. I've been around friends who have own previous models and all have been very quiet and also fairly cool.



I started to get curious so I started reading the temps and it was a staggering 90c degrees! This was just while web browsing, having iTunes loaded and just doing normal day to day stuff. I immediately went online and did a Google search for "2011 Macbook Pro Overheating". I come to find out that it is a common problem. What was most disappointing to me was the fact that Apple is fully aware of this problem and has disabled Turbo Boost on the 13.3" Core i7 while running Bootcamp. So technically speaking, your better off buying the Core i5 model as it will run faster.

I decided to return the laptop, I feel it's deceiving to buy a product that really doesn't perform at it's full potential (It's like buying a Ferrari and only be able to go 60MPH). My batter life was also terrible, I was lucky if I got 3.5 hours under normal web browsing. I think this had a lot to do with the fact that the fan kept spinning at full speed every 2 minutes.

I hope this post doesn't come off as a flame, but rather constructive criticism on Apple's design to improve their products. I truly believe that Apple needs to redesign their Macbook Pro lineup to accept modern processors that run a lot hotter compared to when the Macbook Pro was first introduced. The fact that it has no ventilation in the bottom like every computer out there poses a huge problem with newer processors. I understand the aesthetics portion of the design, but I would much rather have a few small vent holes to keep the processor running cool and maintain a longer life for the hardware.

Lastly, before anyone say's that I got a "defective" one I want to say that this was my 2nd 2011 Macbook Pro as the first one was returned due to the same problems. Here is my video of my experience - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_azMBStJnY

sounds faulty, your fans should have already helped out, did you have it sitting on a surface where it couldn't breathe? maybe like a bed or a blanket?

 

[Icekill]

I'm watching that 1080p youtube video on a brand new Macbook Pro 15" 2.2 and the temp is never over 60ºC with fans at 2400rpm by smcFanControl, so i don't really understand how some of you can have it at over 90º unless it's a problem related only to the 13" ones.

 

[2499723]

I'm watching that 1080p youtube video on a brand new Macbook Pro 15" 2.2 and the temp is never over 60ºC with fans at 2400rpm by smcFanControl, so i don't really understand how some of you can have it at over 90º unless it's a problem related only to the 13" ones.

Perhaps it is an issue with the 13" models alone. As I have said in some of my other posts, my experience with temps has been similar to the OPs.

 

[Al Coholic]

The GPU and CPU are in the same die. Of course you are going to see a higher temp on the 2011. Why can people not grasp this?

...This is just physics, and it's the way Intel designed it to work. In addition to this, Intel has given us turbo.

All this is a given. Nobody is blaming Intel. It's Apple who didn't compensate with the necessary design changes to help with heat dissipation. The just crammed newer tech in a MBP13 unibody used for older C2D processors. It's not meant to dissipate this kind of heat.

Why can't people grasp *this*?

 

[Jakeblu]

All this is a given. Nobody is blaming Intel. It's Apple who didn't compensate with the necessary design changes to help with heat dissipation. The just crammed newer tech in a MBP13 unibody used for older C2D processors. It's not meant to dissipate this kind of heat.

Why can't people grasp *this*?

Sure it is , if I was you I would get a Dell or a HP or a vaio or an acer or any of the other notebook manufacturers out there. Perhaps there all Apple design faults

Notebooks run hot, its the nature of the beast some run hotter than others but remember the only time your notebook is overheating is when it shuts down. If you cant live with a hot notebook buy a desktop instead.

 

[ZombieZakk]

ok i am sorry but these temps are unacceptable i was able to have mail,safari, chrome, itunes and word open while a 1080p video was being played on my 2011 13" i5 without ever hitting temps over 71 degrees. Is i played SC2 for a while id be in the 85 range but it cooled down quickly back to 52 once game was closed i think your fan may be defective i would take that in.

I had to return my 13" for a defective hinge so i decided to save up and will be going with a 15" mbp this summer.

 

[brentsg]

All this is a given. Nobody is blaming Intel. It's Apple who didn't compensate with the necessary design changes to help with heat dissipation. The just crammed newer tech in a MBP13 unibody used for older C2D processors. It's not meant to dissipate this kind of heat.

Why can't people grasp *this*?

Again, they seem to gave compensated just fine on some units. Mine has no problem with this content so it is designed just fine. These are manufacturing glitches that are showing.

 

[brentsg]

Wow dude, their is either something wrong with your computer or your picture is BS! Your load temps were 97.4% meaning your CPU was under full load so no wonder your laptop was heating up that much. I have a Core2Duo and here is my video showing how cool it runs....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvdYSyzTEhI

That is strange. I think my 2011 13" was only using about 30% CPU to decode that at 1080p.

 

[nufanec]

Okay, the same video that the OP is showing on a 2010 CD2 2.4 processor in 13 MBP my max CPU temp is 62*. That is in 10 minutes of 1080 video with my mail program open and writing an email in a small window. The OP sees 91* in OSx with no other programs open.

I also never saw over 20% CPU usage (out of 200%) so dont tell me that I am missing the load that I am placing on the CPU.

I am tired of people saying this is normal and how all macs are. Fine, the temps are within spec of what the processor can handle but it has gone from the temp that the computers before 2011 ran at only 3-5% of the time to the temp that they run at 80% of the time. My 2011 I7 15'' get so ridiculously hot working on a word file that its embarrassing. The fans go from 2000-6000-4000-6000 ect ect every 30 seconds.

I think its time for people to stop looking at only the maximum temperature that is seen and start using the thing between your ears and notice how often it sees that temperature and how little the process is that causes it! The op's computer may not have been overheating but it certainly is running far too hot for what is being done.

If the computer is running at 91* it is using more energy than my wifes computer at 62*. Bottom line is that they have the same battery and the 2011 will not last as long on a charge. It will also be louder as the fans will have to kick in sooner.

There is no excuse for it and the Apple nutswinger "this is normal" line is just a way of saying I am unable to comprehend the difference between loads on the computer. If he were running handbreak for an hour straight, yes this 91* temp is normal but its not for youtube.

What you're not understanding is the difference in architecture between the two models. The 2010 13" model has a graphics chipset (NVIDIA 320M) that is discreet from the processor - meaning it is a physically different chip, mounted separately on the main logic board. The new 13" uses the Intel integrated solution which is on the same die as the CPU - ie, the CPU and GPU are part of the same chip.

When you watch a youtube video (or any Flash video), Flash offloads the playback of the video file to the GPU. The effect this has is that it decreases CPU load to be used for other tasks while the GPU renders the video. This is where the difference in architecture between the revisions comes in to play. On the old model, the processor will remain relatively cool and the GPU temperature will increase separately. On the new model as they are integrated when the GPU is under load, the CPU temperature will also increase because the are the same chip.

Just because you don't understand something does not mean it is faulty.

 

[nufanec]

I'm watching that 1080p youtube video on a brand new Macbook Pro 15" 2.2 and the temp is never over 60ºC with fans at 2400rpm by smcFanControl, so i don't really understand how some of you can have it at over 90º unless it's a problem related only to the 13" ones.

The 15" has a discreet GPU that will be used to decode Flash video, so the CPU remains cool while the GPU temp will increase. The 13" uses the Intel integrated solution which is on the CPU die and therefore the CPU temp increases when the playback is offloaded to the GPU. It is not a fault, it is how the Intel chips work now.

 

[Al Coholic]

Notebooks run hot.

Really? Ya think? Some hotter than others it seems. That's the whole freaking point of this thread.

So what's the acceptable limit to this inherent law of physics?

If every engineer would merely adopt your "that's just the way it is" philosophy we'd still be driving Edsels and wiping our arses with corn husks because they did the job.

You just don't plop an extra 10watts of CPU and IGP into the same laptop chassis that was designed for a C2D and merely "accept" the higher temps as progress. Who the hell wants to listen to a 6k RPM fan that's noisier than grandma's vintage hoover while it drowns out the video sound?

Sorry, but it's plain to me that Apple hastily implemented Sandy Bridge just to get out of C2D land because they were forced to and simply chose to ignore any consequences.

 

[FOX160]

To be honest I got sucked into these Heat issues
After purchasing an Apple 13 inch i5 base model.

This thing has been on all day and night by my Daughter and
it never gets hot and is silent has hell and its in a hard plastic case.

 

[Jakeblu]

Really? Ya think? Some hotter than others it seems. That's the whole freaking point of this thread.

So what's the acceptable limit to this inherent law of physics?

If every engineer would merely adopt your "that's just the way it is" philosophy we'd still be driving Edsels and wiping our arses with corn husks because they did the job.

Hey man if its an apple design fault then buy one of the other makes, problem solved, or maybe not

BTW if you do search for overheating notebooks you might notice the timespan of the hits, seems this problem has been going on for quite a number of years. One might even say its an inherent design fault with notebooks Like I said previously maybe you should stick to desktops

 

[mizzoucat]

Normal or not, this is completely unacceptable. My 13" i5 reaches 91 degrees by simply syncing my iPhone 4 with iTunes. My cheapo $400 Acer can handle similar tasks without sounding like a freaking jet. Apple needs to do something about this immediately!