2018 13" i5 MacBook Pro w/Touch Bar -- Heat Issue

[iMi]

I hope other owners of the latest MacBook Pro can help. I just got the machine. Yesterday when it was being setup, it was heating up quite a bit. I assumed the processor is working hard while photos are loaded and processed, mail is downloaded, Spotlight indexes, etc.

Today all those processes are done. I was just working on a graphically intense Pages document. In the background, I had a few Safari tabs, Mail, Music, WeChat, Daylite, and Preview running.

The Machine got pretty hot. The hottest point is directly in the middle of the keyboard. I noticed it typing. I measured it at 117+ degrees. Seems kind of hot for basic work. The Pages document is graphically intense (colorful brochure) but nothing too crazy.

Are these normal temps for this machine or is mine running too hot?

 

[satinsilverem2]

117 is just fine that's 47 degrees C and thats not even half what's the CPU is rated for (100C). I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[MacRazySwe]

I hope other owners of the latest MacBook Pro can help. I just got the machine. Yesterday when it was being setup, it was heating up quite a bit. I assumed the processor is working hard while photos are loaded and processed, mail is downloaded, Spotlight indexes, etc.

Today all those processes are done. I was just working on a graphically intense Pages document. In the background, I had a few Safari tabs, Mail, Music, WeChat, Daylite, and Preview running.

The Machine got pretty hot. The hottest point is directly in the middle of the keyboard. I noticed it typing. I measured it at 117+ degrees. Seems kind of hot for basic work. The Pages document is graphically intense (colorful brochure) but nothing too crazy.

Are these normal temps for this machine or is mine running too hot?

Hi iMi,

Noticed you from the MBA 2018 thread. Much like you, I am contemplating the switch from MBA to MBP TB.

Don’t really need the performance of the Pro, it’s just that the display of the Pro is very appealing. The MBA could handle everything I needed it to, but I found a MBP for only an additional $200, so the MBA is now boxed up.

Now, reading all the reports of the MBP being hot, I’m seriously having second thoughts. Having a hot, thicker and heavier computer with worse battery life is a big price to pay for the improved display. Moreover I do not enjoy the Touch Bar but do want Touch ID.

After spending time with both, what’s your recommendation?

 

[iMi]

117 is just fine that's 47 degrees C and thats not even half what's the CPU is rated for (100C). I wouldn't worry about it.

If the reading was 47 degrees on the chip, I'd understand. This is 47 degrees on the surface of the keyboard. If the machine was under heavy load, I would not be concerned one bit. I would expect that level of heat, but everyday office work pushing it that high?
[doublepost=1542840248][/doublepost]

Hi iMi,

Noticed you from the MBA 2018 thread. Much like you, I am contemplating the switch from MBA to MBP TB.

Don’t really need the performance of the Pro, it’s just that the display of the Pro is very appealing. The MBA could handle everything I needed it to, but I found a MBP for only an additional $200, so the MBA is now boxed up.

Now, reading all the reports of the MBP being hot, I’m seriously having second thoughts. Having a hot, thicker and heavier computer with worse battery life is a big price to pay for the improved display. Moreover I do not enjoy the Touch Bar but do want Touch ID.

After spending time with both, what’s your recommendation?

I'll be happy to offer my opinion. First, it's important to realize that if you go with the non-Touch Bar model of the Pro, you will be getting a very different chipset. The non-Touch Bar Pro has a dual core processor (7th Gen.). I don't think you'll have the same heat output on the non-Touch Bar versions as the one I have. The Air also has a dual core, but it's a newer, custom version (8th Gen.) that is tuned for efficiency. I believe it only draws 5W which is amazing. It not doubt contributes to that nice, long battery life. But this comes with a hit to performance.

How do you plan on using the machine? If I understand your needs, I can make a recommendation. It all depends on it.

 

[JPH675]

Noticed you from the MBA 2018 thread. Much like you, I am contemplating the switch from MBA to MBP TB.

x2, same thinking.

Want touch ID with T2 chip, Gen 3 keyboard, and better retina display than 2018 rMBA. Currently using 2015 rMB that has enough processing power for my needs. I valued both the retina display and portability back in 2015 over the 2015 MBA, so I bought the rMB. Having difficulty pulling the trigger on rMBA due to that screen which I highly value. Played with another tbMBP 13 earlier in October on my lap and there was quite a lot of heat. Seeing you also have heat issues, trying to figure out if that display is worth the heat?

 

[MacRazySwe]

If the reading was 47 degrees on the chip, I'd understand. This is 47 degrees on the surface of the keyboard. If the machine was under heavy load, I would not be concerned one bit. I would expect that level of heat, but everyday office work pushing it that high?
[doublepost=1542840248][/doublepost]

I'll be happy to offer my opinion. First, it's important to realize that if you go with the non-Touch Bar model of the Pro, you will be getting a very different chipset. The non-Touch Bar Pro has a dual core processor (7th Gen.). I don't think you'll have the same heat output on the non-Touch Bar versions as the one I have. The Air also has a dual core, but it's a newer, custom version (8th Gen.) that is tuned for efficiency. I believe it only draws 5W which is amazing. It not doubt contributes to that nice, long battery life. But this comes with a hit to performance.

How do you plan on using the machine? If I understand your needs, I can make a recommendation. It all depends on it.

I’m only considering the 2018 MBA (which I have beside me) and 2018 TB MBP. The 2017 Pro is not an option for me.

As I mentioned, performance was not an issue with the MBA. I don’t use apps that take advantage of Quad Cores. The most demanding task I’ll be doing is iMovie editing in 1080p, something I tried with the MBA and worked very, very well.

The only reason I consider the MBP is due to display quality, brightness and additional TB ports. The performance is a bonus, but not at the expense of heat and bad battery life.

 

[iMi]

I’m only considering the 2018 MBA (which I have beside me) and 2018 TB MBP. The 2017 Pro is not an option for me.

As I mentioned, performance was not an issue with the MBA. I don’t use apps that take advantage of Quad Cores. The most demanding task I’ll be doing is light iMovie editing, something I tried with the MBA and worked very, very well.

The only reason I consider the MBP is due to display quality, brightness and additional TB ports. The performance is a bonus, but not at the expense of heat and bad battery life.

Ah, I misunderstood. Well, it sounds like the Air is actually a better fit for you. Do you think you'll ever use more than two ports at the same time? The display is what it is... there is not much you can do about it. I would not say it's a bad display by any means. In fact, it's nearly identical to the display found on the 12" Macbook. I don't remember anyone complaining about it the same way and it's probably because now people are comparing the Air to the 13" MacBook Pro as they are the same size.

I did notice something positive about the display on the new Air -- it has a much better coating that is less reflective as compared to the Pro. That was my impression at least.

Do you plan on using the Air outside or in very brightly lit ares? If not, they you will be fine. Side by side the difference is noticeable, but that's side by side. It definitely skews ones perspective.

By the way... where did you find the Touch Bar version of the Pro for only $200 more? That's a steal.
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x2, same thinking.

Want touch ID with T2 chip, Gen 3 keyboard, and better retina display than 2018 rMBA. Currently using 2015 rMB that has enough processing power for my needs. I valued both the retina display and portability back in 2015 over the 2015 MBA, so I bought the rMB. Having difficulty pulling the trigger on rMBA due to that screen which I highly value. Played with another tbMBP 13 earlier in October on my lap and there was quite a lot of heat. Seeing you also have heat issues, trying to figure out if that display is worth the heat?

I wouldn't say the heat is bothersome. I just thought it was unusual for such a reasonable workload. It may help you understand my perspective if you learn that the previous two devices I've used for travel were both fanless designs -- the 12" Macbook and the 10.5" iPad Pro, which simply did not cut it as a "laptop replacement." I have an iMac, but that's just sitting on the desk, so I don't feel any heat or anything.

That's probably why I personally notice it. It seems high to me, but who knows... could be normal.

 

[MacRazySwe]

Ah, I misunderstood. Well, it sounds like the Air is actually a better fit for you. Do you think you'll ever use more than two ports at the same time? The display is what it is... there is not much you can do about it. I would not say it's a bad display by any means. In fact, it's nearly identical to the display found on the 12" Macbook. I don't remember anyone complaining about it the same way and it's probably because now people are comparing the Air to the 13" MacBook Pro as they are the same size.

I did notice something positive about the display on the new Air -- it has a much better coating that is less reflective as compared to the Pro. That was my impression at least.

Do you plan on using the Air outside or in very brightly lit ares? If not, they you will be fine. Side by side the difference is noticeable, but that's side by side. It definitely skews ones perspective.

By the way... where did you find the Touch Bar version of the Pro for only $200 more? That's a steal.

Thank you very much!

The deal is in Sweden, I'm afraid. Not much of a deal anyways, Apple products are ridiculously expensive here to begin with.

 

[iMi]

Thank you very much!

The deal is in Sweden, I'm afraid. Not much of a deal anyways, Apple products are ridiculously expensive here to begin with.

Ah, I see. Sweden rocks and not just because I am a Volvo junkie!

Let me know what you decide to do. It's a hard decision. You'll feel great once you figure it out though. Good luck.

 

[MacRazySwe]

Ah, I see. Sweden rocks and not just because I am a Volvo junkie!

Let me know what you decide to do. It's a hard decision. You'll feel great once you figure it out though. Good luck.

Haha, Volvo's have gotten really nice during the last couple of years. I actually learned to drive in an old Volvo. Not that they were cool back then, but boy did we have fun with that car during school lunch hours when my dad was away on travel.

I've slept on it, and I'm very happy to stick with my MBA. You can read my thoughts here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...new-refurb-mba-thread-merged.1035041/page-225

 

[iMi]

Haha, Volvo's have gotten really nice during the last couple of years. I actually learned to drive in an old Volvo. Not that they were cool back then, but boy did we have fun with that car during school lunch hours when my dad was away on travel.

I've slept on it, and I'm very happy to stick with my MBA. You can read my thoughts here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...new-refurb-mba-thread-merged.1035041/page-225

Good, glad you figured it out. Sometimes sleeping on it is the best thing you can do. Enjoy the new Air!

 

[jsamuels]

Hi iMi,

Noticed you from the MBA 2018 thread. Much like you, I am contemplating the switch from MBA to MBP TB.

Don’t really need the performance of the Pro, it’s just that the display of the Pro is very appealing. The MBA could handle everything I needed it to, but I found a MBP for only an additional $200, so the MBA is now boxed up.

Now, reading all the reports of the MBP being hot, I’m seriously having second thoughts. Having a hot, thicker and heavier computer with worse battery life is a big price to pay for the improved display. Moreover I do not enjoy the Touch Bar but do want Touch ID.

After spending time with both, what’s your recommendation?

I just switched from a MBA and have no heat issues. But, everyone's experience is different.