Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Mac Pro smell - almost 5 days, still there

Believe it or not, my Apple IIsi still has that smell after 17 years. Maybe not exactly the smell on the new Macs today, but it did have a smell with all Apple computers back then as well.
 
imacdaddy said:
Believe it or not, my Apple IIsi still has that smell after 17 years. Maybe not exactly the smell on the new Macs today, but it did have a smell with all Apple computers back then as well.
Click to expand...

That's strange. Maybe it's just your air ;)

Just kidding. I wonder why it's persisted so long.

Who needs a power light. Just smell the air :)
 
Three little words, one big, very common phrase explains it

MADE IN CHINA.

Everything that comes from China these days has an odor. If the odor is not particularly offensive (hard to believe it isn't) then it's an exception, as China is strangling itself in toxic chemicals and exporting those chems to the US with everything it manufactures. I recently purchased the newest iMac; the Mac itself didn't smell too bad, but the packing material was so noxious I had to seal the box back up and put it outside. It had shipped to me directly from China. My wife had to return 3 different camera cases (MIC) because the chemical odor would not dissipate after several days of airing out outside in the fresh air.

Everything – and I mean everything – that comes from China these days has an odor, be it awful, acrid or sweet, that odor is a chemical; if you smell it, it's in your body.

Now many of you may pooh, pooh this, but it is a further indication of the ever-increasing chemical pollution occurring around the world from unregulated manufacturing and the use of new and untested chemicals that are being released into the atmosphere. Forget saving the planet – how about saving us!

And since Apple began manufacturing primarily in China they've had to post a notice on their support site:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24947

New Equipment: Odors May Be Present Short-Term

New products sometimes emit an odor after being turned on and allowed to warm up. In most cases the odor dissipates after a brief period. This is normal.

In some cases, an unusual odor may be detected when a product has been turned on and allowed to warm up to operating temperature. Typically, the odor is detected when the product is new, similar to odors generated from new carpeting or a new car. In most cases the odor dissipates after a brief period.

If the odor persists, place the unit in a well-ventilated room and allow it to operate over an extended period of time (possibly 24-72 hours) or until the odor dissipates. If the odor persists, contact your local Service Provider for an evaluation.

And of course, Apple's final little disclaimer:

This article is not tied to any specific product, nor is it in reaction to any specific issue. This article is meant only to serve as general information.
 
itwiz23 said:
MADE IN CHINA.

Everything that comes from China these days has an odor. If the odor is not particularly offensive (hard to believe it isn't) then it's an exception, as China is strangling itself in toxic chemicals and exporting those chems to the US with everything it manufactures. I recently purchased the newest iMac; the Mac itself didn't smell too bad, but the packing material was so noxious I had to seal the box back up and put it outside. It had shipped to me directly from China. My wife had to return 3 different camera cases (MIC) because the chemical odor would not dissipate after several days of airing out outside in the fresh air.

Everything – and I mean everything – that comes from China these days has an odor, be it awful, acrid or sweet, that odor is a chemical; if you smell it, it's in your body.

Now many of you may pooh, pooh this, but it is a further indication of the ever-increasing chemical pollution occurring around the world from unregulated manufacturing and the use of new and untested chemicals that are being released into the atmosphere. Forget saving the planet – how about saving us!

And since Apple began manufacturing primarily in China they've had to post a notice on their support site:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24947

New Equipment: Odors May Be Present Short-Term

New products sometimes emit an odor after being turned on and allowed to warm up. In most cases the odor dissipates after a brief period. This is normal.

In some cases, an unusual odor may be detected when a product has been turned on and allowed to warm up to operating temperature. Typically, the odor is detected when the product is new, similar to odors generated from new carpeting or a new car. In most cases the odor dissipates after a brief period.

If the odor persists, place the unit in a well-ventilated room and allow it to operate over an extended period of time (possibly 24-72 hours) or until the odor dissipates. If the odor persists, contact your local Service Provider for an evaluation.

And of course, Apple's final little disclaimer:

This article is not tied to any specific product, nor is it in reaction to any specific issue. This article is meant only to serve as general information.
Click to expand...


I'd believe it. It kind of matches with my previous experiences posted previously.
 
Toxic or not, I associate the smell with a new Mac. And because of that, it's a good smell to me.
 
Hi.

I've had my Mac Pro for about 90 days now. I had hoped that the fumes would dissipate over time, but they haven't, even after 3 months of daily use. And it's not just a matter of an unpleasant odor...my throat burns every time I'm in the room with the computer on. Now that the weather is changing, I can't leave my office window open, so it's time for action.

From all of the threads in various forums regarding this problem, it seems that the removal of the excess thermal compound is the most promising solution. I've called tech support, and while the rep I spoke to hadn't personally received any calls on the matter, he confirmed this theory based on his years of computer maintenance. I will be covered under warranty to have an authorized repair center clean off the heat sinks.

Before I take it in and have to do without my computer for possibly several days, I wanted to check with those of you who have tried this approach. Did the removal of the compound actually solve the odor issue for you? Anything else I need to relay to the repair guys that might ensure a proper fix?

Thanks!

Fred

FWIW, my Mac Pro box says "Computer Assembled in USA."
 
Help, stomach cramps from smell/fumes of MacBook

I'm new and don't know how to start a new post so I am seeking help here.
My Macbook is emitting a horrible toxic smell which gives me immediate stomach cramps leading to diarrhea the minute I turn it on if any part of the machine is resting on my stomach. I didn't realize the smell was from the computer until I took it to my parent's house and my mother told me it stunk. I thought I was getting sick from a toxic house. Recently my Seagate hard drive crashed and I replaced it with a new 160 gig drive. At the same time the Apple Store replaced the keyboard and lower inside case because it was cracked. Since then the smell has become unbearable. I can't stand to have it on even if I have it on a tray or table.

My Macbook is still under warranty. I originally purchased it in Sep 2006. Can anyone tell me if there are reports of similar problems and where I should go for help. I love the machine and have owned Mac's since day 1 and I rely on it for daily research. I am also concerned because I am chemically sensitive.
 
I think it's the coating on the mobo. When I replaced the hdd in my iBook G4, the smell came back for like 3 weeks and those 3 weeks were the best weeks of my life. jk.
 
I'm sure apple has their own cologne or smell that they want their product to smell like.

Its like crack everytime I get a new mb, mbp, mp I always take one big whiff after I opened up that box and its forsure not the smell of the styrofoam~!
 
Sean Dempsey said:
What is this smell coming from the mac pro? It's not bad, or unpleasant, but ever since I took it out of the box, it's had this aroma, sort of like a new car smell?

It's not faint, if I leave the room for a while and come back, it's definitly lingering in the air.

Is this just me?
Click to expand...


I niticed it also with my MBP.. It came from China and smelled like what I imagine a Chinese factory worker might smell like...
 
I also love that smell also :D

there are not only Apple's products but also most of the new electronics have the same smell...
 
I think Mac Pros are made in the USA. Well at least mine is (stock 2.8). But somehow they still have the same smell as their china-made companions.
 
itwiz23 said:
MADE IN CHINA.

Everything that comes from China these days has an odor. If the odor is not particularly offensive (hard to believe it isn't) then it's an exception, as China is strangling itself in toxic chemicals and exporting those chems to the US with everything it manufactures. I recently purchased the newest iMac; the Mac itself didn't smell too bad, but the packing material was so noxious I had to seal the box back up and put it outside. It had shipped to me directly from China. My wife had to return 3 different camera cases (MIC) because the chemical odor would not dissipate after several days of airing out outside in the fresh air.

Everything – and I mean everything – that comes from China these days has an odor, be it awful, acrid or sweet, that odor is a chemical; if you smell it, it's in your body.

Now many of you may pooh, pooh this, but it is a further indication of the ever-increasing chemical pollution occurring around the world from unregulated manufacturing and the use of new and untested chemicals that are being released into the atmosphere. Forget saving the planet – how about saving us!

And since Apple began manufacturing primarily in China they've had to post a notice on their support site:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24947

New Equipment: Odors May Be Present Short-Term

New products sometimes emit an odor after being turned on and allowed to warm up. In most cases the odor dissipates after a brief period. This is normal.

In some cases, an unusual odor may be detected when a product has been turned on and allowed to warm up to operating temperature. Typically, the odor is detected when the product is new, similar to odors generated from new carpeting or a new car. In most cases the odor dissipates after a brief period.

If the odor persists, place the unit in a well-ventilated room and allow it to operate over an extended period of time (possibly 24-72 hours) or until the odor dissipates. If the odor persists, contact your local Service Provider for an evaluation.

And of course, Apple's final little disclaimer:

This article is not tied to any specific product, nor is it in reaction to any specific issue. This article is meant only to serve as general information.
Click to expand...

Yeah um its just how new stuff smells

like a car made right here in the USA smells funny

Personally i like the smell

It is unique smell only apple products have!!!
 
I don't get what you lot are doing. When I first got my Power Mac, sure there was this smell but it never stunk the place out like what varnish would do. The most it lasted was like a day, two the most because it was an entire new computer. I mean the display came as well, as they usually send out the most fumes, but nowhere to the extent causing sickness.

Even when I got the Mac Pro February/March this year, the smell only lasted half a day. In fact I think it was less. Even then, the only way you could smell it was when I was connecting everything to the ports. Though 9/10 my windows are always open.

I've never suffered sickness or any other problems with this. So I have no idea what these certain individuals are doing, and it was anything but toxic.
 
I've had mine about a week but there's no "new small" anymore...perhaps it because I've left it on all night for about a week?
or the fact I have roomies who use too much cologne? or maybe because there's a large pot of green tea next to it?
whatever the reason, it sure as hell smelling great!!!


anyway.. it's still working even though I've had the lid off already! swapped out the default gfx card for something 'thought to be better' but sadly not the case... then later, slid out the "L" cover and rooted around inside. Now I'm shopping for RAM! I'm thinking about 8Gb RAM upgrade or more, plus a couple of high performance hard discs... should i go for the Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 or WDC's alternative?? I dunno.. I'm still looking.
 
UltraNEO* said:
I've had mine about a week but there's no "new small" anymore...perhaps it because I've left it on all night for about a week?
or the fact I have roomies who use too much cologne? or maybe because there's a large pot of green tea next to it?
whatever the reason, it sure as hell smelling great!!!


anyway.. it's still working even though I've had the lid off already! swapped out the default gfx card for something 'thought to be better' but sadly not the case... then later, slid out the "L" cover and rooted around inside. Now I'm shopping for RAM! I'm thinking about 8Gb RAM upgrade or more, plus a couple of high performance hard discs... should i go for the Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 or WDC's alternative?? I dunno.. I'm still looking.
Click to expand...

when will you use 8GB of ram???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back