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2017 MacBook Pro 13 non-TB Review

It might be worth it to get a free program like Macs Fan Control to monitor the temperature of different components during various tasks. Rather than changing the fan settings, you can take a look at the temperature read outs. I'm sure you could get info on other folks with the same laptop via forums and compare them. It might help you pinpoint a problem. The laminate coming off really is worrisome.

I have a different problem where my fans go on high randomly and the CPU is throttled by the system because of faulty thermal sensors...the computer thinks it's overheating (it's not) and throttles up the CPU to keep other programs from using it and making it meltdown. For me, this is a hardware problem...but I have a 2012 rMBP and it's long since past warranty.
 
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g
ocnitsa said:
It might be worth it to get a free program like Macs Fan Control to monitor the temperature of different components during various tasks. Rather than changing the fan settings, you can take a look at the temperature read outs. I'm sure you could get info on other folks with the same laptop via forums and compare them. It might help you pinpoint a problem. The laminate coming off really is worrisome.

I have a different problem where my fans go on high randomly and the CPU is throttled by the system because of faulty thermal sensors...the computer thinks it's overheating (it's not) and throttles up the CPU to keep other programs from using it and making it meltdown. For me, this is a hardware problem...but I have a 2012 rMBP and it's long since past warranty.
Click to expand...

good suggestion - would be good if Apple ad suggested it during my 2 (wasted) visits - I will look into this
which specifically app do you recommend?
can it be done from the command line as I try to minimise additional software to minimise problems...
[doublepost=1507736809][/doublepost]Update 15 - 11/10/2017
  • So my customer service rep seems to be avoiding me now. I have tried calling her yesterday and today after the last call dropped (and she promised to call back if that happened, because it happened before).
  • So far I have tried 20, yes twenty, times today.
  • The calls get dropped mysteriously. Go to weird beeping noises then get dropped. Once to voicemails.
  • They've assigned another agent who I also can't get through to.
  • They keep emailing me (automated) to say they tried to contact me but I never get a missed call. I keep telling them they must be using a wrong number but they keep ignoring this. They did call be at the very beginning. So I assume its a tactic.
DL3h55sW0AAzrrP.jpg:large
 
project_2501 said:
video evidence of overheating and fans going crazy

watching BBC iplayer, browsing the web:

even fresh install of OS causes overheating and fans to go crazy

I'm documenting this as I want Apple to acknowledge design fault and refund my laptop.
Click to expand...

After watching your video I was curious so decided to run my own quick test. Of course this is just anecdotal, but I spent 17 minutes with a 1080p video playing on you tube while browsing the Internet in another window (using Safari). Had Axure, iTunes, and Activity Monitor also running in the background. About 10 tabs in Safari.

My fan didn't come on once. Stayed at 0RPM the entire time. This is without a case and not in clamshell mode, but still, something definitely seems wrong with your machine. The fan shouldn't rev up from watching video and browsing the web, and my 2016 is completely quiet.
 
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Thanks for doing that. It confirms there's something wrong with my machine.

Apple still won't accept it.
 
What a disaster! Hope Apple resolves this soon.

Have you tried sending a formal letter to Tim Cook or to Cupertino, explaining the issues and linking to this thread?

That could get action.

Do you all a "lemon" law there?! In the U.S., certain states require a company to refund the money or provide a replacement if they've tried 3 times to get it fixed or the third replacement failed.

Maybe there is a tough national consumer board or a TV consumer watchdog reporter where you live who would cover the story.

You deserve a replacement!

eddjedi said:
Yes a loud fan is annoying, but so is a loud kettle, but you can't boil water without noise either.
Click to expand...

Actually, you can easily boil water without noise, at least not the irritating whistle of a kettle! Just put water in a saucepan and boil it! It'll make a gentle, rolling, bubbling sound when it boils!

And, with the MacBook, and most MBPs doing what the OP is, there will be NO fan noise (the first because it has no fan, the second because most units don't behave this way!).
 
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project_2501 said:
g


good suggestion - would be good if Apple ad suggested it during my 2 (wasted) visits - I will look into this
which specifically app do you recommend?
can it be done from the command line as I try to minimise additional software to minimise problems...
[doublepost=1507736809][/doublepost]Update 15 - 11/10/2017
  • So my customer service rep seems to be avoiding me now. I have tried calling her yesterday and today after the last call dropped (and she promised to call back if that happened, because it happened before).
  • So far I have tried 20, yes twenty, times today.
  • The calls get dropped mysteriously. Go to weird beeping noises then get dropped. Once to voicemails.
  • They've assigned another agent who I also can't get through to.
  • They keep emailing me (automated) to say they tried to contact me but I never get a missed call. I keep telling them they must be using a wrong number but they keep ignoring this. They did call be at the very beginning. So I assume its a tactic.
DL3h55sW0AAzrrP.jpg:large
Click to expand...

I’ve been using Macs Fan Control. It’s free. I like it because you can just look at temp for diff components and it does have a log feature. Don’t know if any of it is possible via command line.

I don’t know if you have access to this feature in UK, but we have an organization called Better Business Bureau in US that Apple is a part of. BBB has a complaint mechanism that Apple is required to respond to (or they lose status with BBB). I’ve complained on there before and it did result in Apple calling me back. There is a specific division, I think that works on those calls and is distinct from vanilla customer service. If there is something in your country that is familiar that Apple participated in, you might try that avenue. Even if you aren’t US, you might try complaining through the US BBB site. Could be worth a try and it’s just an online form. I’d request a new unit due to the laminate peeling. Is it still within warranty? Because, If there is a physics defect occurring, I’d forego getting them to investigate and just ask for a new one. Even if they did it once already...
 
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thanks Saturn007 and ocnitsa . I will try complaining via the BBB (even though I'm in the UK) and I will look into software which monitors the temperatures of various components in the device. I still think Apple should have done that during the 2 visits they sent me on to service centres...
 
project_2501 said:
thanks Saturn007 and ocnitsa . I will try complaining via the BBB (even though I'm in the UK) and I will look into software which monitors the temperatures of various components in the device. I still think Apple should have done that during the 2 visits they sent me on to service centres...
Click to expand...

What they should have done is look at the laminate and replace the laptop. They aren’t really in the business (in my experience) of diagnosing moderately complex problems. Usually, they just resort to “replace the logic board” which at this point means replace the computer, for the most part. Good luck. I know how frustrating it is dealing with hardware trouble. In my case, it’s 2012, though...so pretty reasonable.
 
Update 17 - 12/10/2017
  • After yesterdays 22 calls trying to get to the Apple Customer Service Representative, I finally got through today on the 3rd attempt. He denied he was allocated to my case, despite sending me an email, and acted upset as he wanted a different customer of his to call.
  • We spent minutes arguing consumer law. In the end, and I don't know why based on two previous wasted visits, I agreed to take the laptop to the Covent Garden store again. Again!
 
In those videos, your fans seem to be running near 100%. Given you're just watching youtube videos, that's not normal. eddjedi, I cannot understand how you can argue that it is! One youtube video should not require the amount of CPU activity that would require the amount of fan speed that project_2501 is experiencing.

I have a 2016 nTB model, and while playing two HD youtube videos and doing some photo editing, the fan is spinning at 1000 rpm. This was also while I was lying down having the laptop sitting on my chest. I had to download a fan speed app to tell me this; at 1000rpm I cannot hear the fan unless I have my ear touching the exhaust port in a silent room. When I'm sitting at the table, I have never heard the fan come on at all except for when gaming.

Have you tried to see whats loading your CPU so much? Or is it just the fan spinning without the laptop actually getting hot?
 
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raymanh said:
Have you tried to see whats loading your CPU so much? Or is it just the fan spinning without the laptop actually getting hot?
Click to expand...

The task list shows nothing unusual - the browser is at the top of the CPU consumption list. But you would expect that as nothing else is running in most of m scenarios.

Yes raymanh, the laptop gets very hot at the top right, which is also the reason the screen display glue is staring to weaken when used in clamshell mode.
 
more evidence.. using Mac Fan Control tool I can show the fans going crazy with just a youtube video .. not sure about reported temperatures.. its very hot to touch

DMDtvbEWkAELFWB.jpg:large
 
I honestly think the 2015 13 inch 16gram MacBook pro is one of the best ever made. I constantly go back and forth about getting a 2017 (absolutely love the build and size difference) but think it would be such a waste for me. (not for the actual pro users that make a living on one however)
 
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project_2501 said:
more evidence.. using Mac Fan Control tool I can show the fans going crazy with just a youtube video .. not sure about reported temperatures.. its very hot to touch

DMDtvbEWkAELFWB.jpg:large
Click to expand...

Yeah, something is definitely wrong. My 2016 never gets like that from just watching a video. My fan rarely goes to 1200 RPM and even then you can’t hear it. The only time it goes higher is when I’m gaming (to be expected) or installing windows updates in boot camp.
 
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TigeRick, raymanh

Update 19 - 14/10/2017
  • On the advice of forum members I reset the SMC.
  • Sadly this hasn't improved the overheating.
  • Here is a screenshot of streaming BBC iplayer and using the web (not intensively either, just google docs), and after about 15 mins we have CPU temperatures about 90 degrees C !!
DMIahllWsAYwbYT.jpg:large

.. and only 30 minutes later the fan is climbing over 5000, hitting 5300 sometimes...

DMIgxPmW0AA-d15.jpg:large
 
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Are you sure the SMC was reset?

My mac was taking a long time to boot once so I tried resetting the SMC and NVRAM. I did this a few times, following the apple instructions, and nothing improved. So I did it again, specifically the SMC, but this time holding the keys down for 20 seconds and viola, the boot time magically went down to normal.

Maybe in the first 5 or so tries the SMC wasn't actually reset and in the final 20 sec attempt it was, or maybe it actually required 6 SMC resets.

Also if you haven't reset the NVRAM, you may as well try.
 
Fthree said:
I honestly think the 2015 13 inch 16gram MacBook pro is one of the best ever made. I constantly go back and forth about getting a 2017 (absolutely love the build and size difference) but think it would be such a waste for me. (not for the actual pro users that make a living on one however)
Click to expand...

Only benefit to the 2017's for anyone is being half a pound lighter. Tons of downsides. I can't believe how much effort is now required to change the volume with that stupid TB...
 
raymanh said:
Are you sure the SMC was reset?
Click to expand...

I too tried it again for 20 seconds. No improvement. Fans over 5000rpm after half an hour of basic YouTube streaming.

I did hear a bootup sound after SMC reset which I don't get normally suggesting it was indeed reset.
 
project_2501 said:
I too tried it again for 20 seconds. No improvement. Fans over 5000rpm after half an hour of basic YouTube streaming.

I did hear a bootup sound after SMC reset which I don't get normally suggesting it was indeed reset.
Click to expand...

Your machine is definitely faulty. I have 18 tabs open in chrome, itunes, word and messenger running in the background while streaming youtube for the past 45 minutes and my fan has been hovering around 1200 rpm.
 
Jamalogo10 said:
Your machine is definitely faulty. I have 18 tabs open in chrome, itunes, word and messenger running in the background while streaming youtube for the past 45 minutes and my fan has been hovering around 1200 rpm.
Click to expand...

I just wish I didnt have an ongoing bureaucratic battle with Apple. I've travelled twice to service centres where they don't listen and only do a bootup diagnostic test (boot, press D). Twice. And apple won't move until I go again. GRRR!
 
If I were you, I would have just taken the damn thing to the fanciest Apple store nearby and put it there as a demo unit. Hopeful by the fear of people seeing a faulty unit they will get something done for you.

On the other hand, if there's nothing else they could do then I will just sell the damn machine, even at a loss. Think of it this way, say you sell for a loss of £300, you're actually paying £300 for a peace of mind. The longer you keep looking at it, the bitter you become.
 
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