Heat - 2010 MBP vs. 2013 MBA vs. 2013 rMBP

[chorion]

Hi all,

I currently own a mid-2010 13" MBP fitted with an SSD. I use it a lot on my lap, and heat is an issue. I am considering getting a new machine, either a base level 13" MBA, or an 8 GB 13" rMBP.

My question: Which would generate the most heat for my use (which is mostly MS Office, web browsing, sometimes youtube videos)? Would heat be a problem with either? Would the difference in heat from my C2D machine be significant?

Thanks in advance.

 

[accountforit]

The newer machines run much cooler . Either one that you choose will be dramatically cooler .

 

[chorion]

Thank you very much.

I take it that the rMBP will typically run a little bit hotter than the MBA?

 

[UBS28]

The newer machines run much cooler . Either one that you choose will be dramatically cooler .

The 2010 15" is cooler than the new machines, so it's not always true. It's due to the quad core vs dual core.

 

[whitedragon101]

The 2010 15" is cooler than the new machines, so it's not always true. It's due to the quad core vs dual core.

Do you have both units or are you extrapolating from the TDPs of the chips ?

edit : never mind. I did some digging and as you can see below the raw Anandtech numbers agree with you

 

[whitedragon101]

Would the difference in heat from my C2D machine be significant?

Thanks in advance.

Found some hard numbers for you.

Maximum bottom case temperature (under load) :

2012 i7 retina MBP 15" = 41.8C
2009 Core 2 Duo 2.4ghz 13" = 32.2C
2010 Core 2 Duo 2.53ghz 15" = 35C

Sources :
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3762/...ly-2010-reviewed-shaking-the-cpugpu-balance/6
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6023/the-nextgen-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-review/12

 

[accountforit]

The 2010 15" is cooler than the new machines, so it's not always true. It's due to the quad core vs dual core.

Well this information would be great if the OP were considering a 15". Unfortunately, they aren't.

 

[chorion]

Well this information would be great if the OP were considering a 15". Unfortunately, they aren't.

This was still illuminating info.

Any directly comparable info on temperatures for the two machines I am considering vs. my 2010 13" MBP would be perfect. My guess is that the MBA will be considerably cooler than the rMBP.

 

[ohbrilliance]

My 13" 2013 rMBP runs very cool and barely ever gets warm at all. No figures to show you, but it's night-and-day compared to my 2007 MBP… I'm going to miss the old laptop next winter, as it served to keep me warm while working on the couch.