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Is this heat normal?

G

GreenStripe

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2009
81
0
I just got a 15" macbook pro last week and i've been noticing some issues with heat.

Whenever I have the magsafe plugged in, the laptop will eventually get very warm (the processor temp reading 170 degrees or so). However, when it's not charging or plugged in, it mostly stays around 120-130. The weird thing is, even if it's not charging and the magsafe is just in, it will still get to those hot temperatures.

They don't really bother me, but I don't want to damage my laptop, or perhaps it is damaged already.

So, is this normal or ?
 
r.j.s said:
What are you doing at the time, anything processor intensive?
Click to expand...

No, I'm just using ichat, itunes and perhaps safari. the total %cpu usage is usually around 20%.

Also, if it makes any differences I plug my charger directly into the wall and I never hear any fans in my macbook
 
r.j.s said:
Sounds like your fans are dead, call Apple or take it in to a store.
Click to expand...

Well, I can hear something if i put my ear directly on my macbook that sounds like fans

:\ Do you know what teh turnaround time is on a repair, I just got this laptop a week ago and I really am going to need it this month.
 
About a week if it needs sent away. Better than having no laptop because it cooked itself.
 
Yes, that's too hot.

Apple has a problem developing efficient cooling systems. It's affected many of their systems from Laptops to the Pro boxes.

You have two choices. You can purchase a laptop cooling stage or you can install smcFanControl. The smcFanControl is free (donation ware) but will cause dust bunnies to accumulate a little faster.

Cooling Stages:
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02239.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02241.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02242.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02244.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02245.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02197.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02179.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02246.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02248.html
http://www.cheap-battery.com/cb02220.html
etc. ;)
 
Tesselator said:
Yes, that's too hot.

Apple has a problem developing efficient cooling systems. It' affected many of their systems from Laptops to the Pro boxes.

You have two choices. You can purchase a laptop cooling stage or you can install smcFanControl. The smcFanControl is free (donation ware) but will cause dust bunnies to accumulate a little faster.
Click to expand...

Did you read the thread? It sounds like the fans are dead. At 170º they should be roaring.
 
I have hte laptop plugged in right now and am waiting for it to get hot so i can see if the fans are loud enough to hear.

Do you think if I bring the laptop to an apple store, will they be able to exchange it immediately since i just got it a week ago?
 
Yes, I read the thread. He said the fans are moving. So they ain't busted! :D

It's Apple's fault. This is a common condition! It's the reason smcFanControl was created in the first place actually. :)

Take the steps prescribed in pittster's link and then install smcFanControl... or get a cooling stage. :)

PS: You have's House's face as your avatar but your diagnosis kung-fu is weak. :D

.
 
r.j.s said:
Did you read the thread? It sounds like the fans are dead. At 170º they should be roaring.
Click to expand...

At 77C? My fans didn't start to come off idle till 85 or so. This seems to be "normal" from what I've been reading. I think Apple went a bit too far to keep fan noise low. I'm using Fan Control now like it a lot. Still think it's a shame that I have to.

However, for all I know, the machine may be able to handle these temps just fine. But it feels mighty hot to the touch, and for a little bit more fan noise the temps stay quite low.

John B.
 
johndoe588 said:
At 77C? My fans didn't start to come off idle till 85 or so. This seems to be "normal" from what I've been reading. I think Apple went a bit too far to keep fan noise low. I'm using Fan Control now like it a lot. Still think it's a shame that I have to.

However, for all I know, the machine may be able to handle these temps just fine. But it feels mighty hot to the touch, and for a little bit more fan noise the temps stay quite low.

John B.
Click to expand...

I think you're right. I think it's normal - for Apple.

It is however a little too hot. My laptop runs DVD movies at 32C and idles at between 24C and 27C as an example. Over 50C is dangerous. He said his was usually 48C ~ 54C (120f ~ 130f). The 76C (170f) is REAL cause for concern - but not uncommon for Apple unfortunately. :(

.
 
Tesselator said:
I think you're right. I think it's normal - for Apple.

It is however a little too hot. My laptop runs DVD movies at 32C and idles at between 24C and 27C as an example. Over 50C is dangerous. He said his was usually 48C ~ 54C (120f ~ 130f).
Click to expand...

Indeed, normal for Apple. But not good, and not a good idea. Your temps are pretty nice. I have Fan Control idling at 1800 RPM and the temps are around 39-43. Any climb above that and the fans start to speed up. What a concept! I really don't like how cooling performance is much worse in Bootcamp. Flight Sim X can generate some real heat.

Apple has problems here, and programs like FanControl and smcFancontrol show that it shouldn't be too hard to fix.

John B.
 
so i'm unsure of what to do

Should I just let my laptop go on as normal, getting incredibly hot

use fan control

or call Apple and try to have them repair it.

I would just call Apple, but it seems as if all macbook pros are having this happen, so would they actually repair it or ?
 
r.j.s said:
They might, but chances are they will repair first.
Click to expand...

I thought they will trade it for a new one on spot within 14 days of purchase?

Tesselator said:
I think you're right. I think it's normal - for Apple.

It is however a little too hot. My laptop runs DVD movies at 32C and idles at between 24C and 27C as an example. Over 50C is dangerous. He said his was usually 48C ~ 54C (120f ~ 130f). The 76C (170f) is REAL cause for concern - but not uncommon for Apple unfortunately. :(

.
Click to expand...

What laptop do you have that idles between 24C and 27C?! I've had many laptops, from Dell to Acer to IBM and now Apple, and none of them idled below 35C. My current MBP idles in the low 40C and high 30C, and my white MacBook in the high 40C, but I think I may have kinda screwed the MacBook up :p

GreenStripe said:
so i'm unsure of what to do

Should I just let my laptop go on as normal, getting incredibly hot

use fan control

or call Apple and try to have them repair it.

I would just call Apple, but it seems as if all macbook pros are having this happen, so would they actually repair it or ?
Click to expand...

Install SMCFanControl to make sure the fans really are working. There is no way SMCFanControl will harm your computer.
 
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