Macbook Pro Issue Update (batteries, heat, whine)...

[aristobrat]

no fans?

i think the "staticy" sounds he is refering to is processor noises and such. you know when you use a really old computer and you hear it think? i would only expect that that is quieter in newer computers. not gone.

Sorry, I didn't mean to exclude fan noise.

I'm talking about the LCD screen buzz (which thankfully does have a fix) and the processor whine. Add to that the fact that people who disassemble their MBP and fix the thermal goo issue have cooler MBPs, .. the whole thing just makes me cranky.

I wish I could take everyone who thinks that they have a non-whiney MBP into some of the dead-quiet conference rooms where I work. With zero background noise, every MBP I've heard is irritating. Fortunately for most, they rarely work in those types of environments, which leaves the problem to us picky people who hate Apple's hardware and quality control. Honestly, if Apple would say anything about the fact that they're working on solving the issue, I'd feel 2 tons better. But right now I'm stuck with a laptop that I can't return for a refund, and the last time I exchanged it, I got one with MORE issues than the first one, so I'm really not sure what to do. Other than sit and wait and pray.

 

[sysiphus]

Until I hear consistent reports of MBPs without buzz, screen issues, or overheating for any reason, I'll pass on Apple's lovely flagship...even if it means getting a PeeCee. (But I'm really hoping for either a fix or a reasonably powerful iBook replacement in the next month or so as to have it for college).

 

[TBi]

Until I hear consistent reports of MBPs without buzz, screen issues, or overheating for any reason, I'll pass on Apple's lovely flagship...even if it means getting a PeeCee. (But I'm really hoping for either a fix or a reasonably powerful iBook replacement in the next month or so as to have it for college).

Good idea, although i got bored of waiting and i got mine and kinda regret it now. Hoping they release a fix for the noise as i can handle the heat. It's the noise that pisses me off.

 

[lokistuff]

Surely Apple would have notice at least a few of these issues during testing?

If so, why not just stick to the original schedule and release the Macbook's mid 2006, rather than rushing them through without proper testing?

At least then all the early adopters wouldn't have to wait so long for intel versions of MS Office, Abobe CS etc

 

[KaiMac]

Until I hear consistent reports of MBPs without buzz, screen issues, or overheating for any reason, I'll pass on Apple's lovely flagship...even if it means getting a PeeCee. (But I'm really hoping for either a fix or a reasonably powerful iBook replacement in the next month or so as to have it for college).

I think that is a safe call. I was itching to get an MBP, but not at the expense of these types of problems for that price. I was in the Apple Store in Raleigh Saturday and the MBP's in the store were scorching hot. When quizing the Sales Associates about the heat, they just rolled their eyes as if they had been pounded with this problem for weeks now. The Genius Bar guru stated they have seen a larger than expect exchange rate on the MBP's for all kinds of issues, most of which are documented here. This just proves that buying a Rev. A from Apple is always a very risky and usually regretted move. I'll hold until the Rev. B MBPs or the new Intel Powermac Desktops arrive later this year.

One more note, I found it funny that half the MBP's in the store were running XP and predictably, those were the one's all of the customers were playing with. Apple needs to give up the switch campaign.

 

[MacsomJRR]

One more note, I found it funny that half the MBP's in the store were running XP and predictably, those were the one's all of the customers were playing with. Apple needs to give up the switch campaign.

This is exactly what I am talking about. People come over to see how Windows runs. They like what they see. They restart in Mac OS X, try out iLife 06. Get hooked on OS X and voila. 2% market share becomes 5% - 10% 20% so on and so on. With vitualization under leopard the Mac will out price and out software any competitor by far. Good things are on the way from Apple.

Oh and to be fair. Jobs did mention that professional users who rely on Word and CS to as fast as possible shouldn't adopt early on (during the initial keynote at the beginning of the year).

EDIT: Also please would people stop complaining about the MBP. It freakin rocks darn it

 

[roxnadz]

I'm 100% with you.
I always knew it was "risky" to get a Rev A. but still, that should not be the case...

Y'know, not to sound like an Apple apologist, but this is just ridiculous.

Apple is damned if they do, damned if they don't. If they had waited on the MBPs until June, people would be sitting here pissing and moaning about how they couldn't get the computers out early and how they're gonna be losing market share to Dell, HomPaq and Lenovo. But Apple not only managed to bring out the MacBook Pro "earlier," but other computers as well, and all anybody can do is whine about the (relatively few) problems that happened with the launch of a new product.

Does Apple need better QC? Certainly. Is the thermal paste bit a bit of an embarassment? Sure. But I've seen quite a number of these launches and a whine and some heat issues is really not much to scream home about. Also, there are a lot of people out there with MBPs who are not having any problems at all. My Internet Operations department has given out 30 of them so far, only one has had to go back due to a bad trackpad.

But aside from all that, this is a Rev A product. It is bound to have some issues. They can't test EVERYTHING. They are not going to FIND EVERY BUG. That's why Apple is taking feedback from people and fixing the problems.

What is the point of all this whining? Just to hear yourselves? Especially you Apple veterans...you should know better.

 

[aristobrat]

That's why Apple is taking feedback from people and fixing the problems.

What are you basing "Apple is fixing the problems" on?

There are too many threads here and other places from people who have sent their MBPs in for repair are gotten them back not fixed, and people getting recently manufactured MBPs (W8616+) are still having problems.

 

[roxnadz]

What are you basing "Apple is fixing the problems" on?

There are too many threads here and other places from people who have sent their MBPs in for repair are gotten them back not fixed, and people getting recently manufactured MBPs (W8616+) are still having problems.

And there are just as many threads here and other places from people who are sending their MBPs in and getting back ones that aren't broken. What's your point?

 

[TBi]

And there are just as many threads here and other places from people who are sending their MBPs in and getting back ones that aren't broken. What's your point?

Please send me some links to these threads and sites!!!

If i know i can maybe get a non buzzing MBP then i'd be willing to send it back and not get a refund!

 

[aristobrat]

And there are just as many threads here and other places from people who are sending their MBPs in and getting back ones that aren't broken. What's your point?

I haven't seen "just as many threads" where people are getting properly repaired MPBs back. Not on this forum, not on MacNNs forum, and definately not in the Apple Support Forums.

My point was to see what you were basing your "Apple is fixing the problem" comment on. I was hoping that you had some nugget of information that I'd overlooked, having had scoured the forums for the last 3 weeks, trying to figure out the best way to deal with my MBP.

 

[gooberone]

Hmmm

I just put in an order for a 17 inch macbook. I have never owned an Apple product, exception being the ipod. I have always been a PC owner and never thought of owning a mac until I bought an ipod 2 years ago and loved how it was so easy to use. So this will be my first mac and strangely I am not worried about all these "problems" everyone is complaining about. When I walked into an apple store to check out the laptops I was impressed with the macbooks. I think what really decided the macbook for me was the intel chip and the fact you can boot windows xp if you want.

So I honestly don't know what all the fuss is about with these hot and noisy macbooks that people are talking about. Maybe it's because the laptop I currently own (3 1/2 yr old dell inspirion) runs hot all the time and is very noisy. (not to mention it has been freezing and crashing on me very much lately!) I'd say the fan is on quite frequently and it's LOUD. But the fact my good 'ol dell runs hot and noisy doesn't bother me. I really don't mind the warmth as I am always cold and it's a nice heater. LOL. So when I think of my new macbook I can't imagine it can be any worse than what I have now! Actually, I think it will be a dream compared to what I have now.

 

[aristobrat]

Maybe it's because the laptop I currently own (3 1/2 yr old dell inspirion) runs hot all the time and is very noisy.

Exactly!

As much as a MBP will be a huge step towards quietness for you, my previous notebook was the last generation 15" PowerBook, and it was abso-fricking-lutely silent (under a normal CPU load ... fans would kick in when it got busy, but that was fine).

I like to stay up later than my other half does, and I got zero complaints using my PowerBook in bed to knock out a few emails or surf the forums until I get sleepy.

My MBP is now banned from the bedroom because if the LCD isn't set to 100% bright (which is way too bright for that situation), it makes a funky buzzing sound on top of the CPU whine, both of which irritate my partner to the point that it's just not worth bothering using it.

 

[Koodauw]

Basically any negative comments in here boil down to one of Three classifications:

1) "My Mac isn't perfect and I'm gonna whine about it." Seriously, most of the people who are complaining about excess heat, a whine, etc., are taking small, average, everyday computer laptop quirks and emphasizing them for effect. They probably wouldn't even notice such things if they weren't reading these forums. A very small percentage of actual owners probably has a legitimate complaint. Either that, or some people have unreasonable expectations from Apple about it's products. I mean, come on... NO computer is going to be able to do what you want. Don't expect Apple to be perfect, just better.

2) "Apple's quality control sucks." No, their quality control doesn't suck, it's no better or worse than any other companies. Most of the documented problems that have arisen have been from the Rev A releases. Historically, Rev A and B releases of ANYTHING are going to have larger than average quality control issues. They're working on solving them, just as any other computer company would do.

Apple releases a computer. It gets rave reviews. They release another. More rave reviews. Another and another... nothing but positives. Then they release something and there are an abnormal amount of problems with it. Suddenly the company's entire history of product releases is nit-picked to death and Apple has the worst quality control ever? yeah, right...

3) "Apple's Hardware Sucks." Well, that's just simple bias against Apple. Most that answer in such a way will say they've had bad experiences with Apple's computers, software, etc., but chances are they've never even TOUCHED one. They're posting because they think they're funny, they're trying to get a rise out of people, etc.

Well when your battery cuts out on you at 95%, I think thats a legit gripe. But i got a new one, and all is well.

There are some problems with the MPB, but nothing as bad as everyone makes it out to be, like you said.

 

[61132]

Just received my MBP 15 inch this week. I have the processor whine, which I fixed. I also have a weird speaker "hiss" when I boot or wake up the computer. Its about 5 seconds of "tv snow" type of hiss, then it fades out. Anyone else have this problem? I called apple and they said that its probably the speakers "starting up". My PB never did this though.

 

[61132]

I would trade it in for a 17 inch, but the 17 is just so big, I think it could be annoying to carry around, especially impossible to use on a plane, maybe not? Anyways I don't travel that much. But its just soo big, lol. Guess I would just have to get a new case.

 

[TBi]

Just received my MBP 15 inch this week. I have the processor whine, which I fixed. I also have a weird speaker "hiss" when I boot or wake up the computer. Its about 5 seconds of "tv snow" type of hiss, then it fades out. Anyone else have this problem? I called apple and they said that its probably the speakers "starting up". My PB never did this though.

How did you fix the whine? I'm very interested as i'm thinking about returning my MBP because of the whine.

 

[aristobrat]

I'm very interested as i'm thinking about returning my MBP because of the whine.

I returned mine for a full refund last night and bought an Intel mac mini to hold me over until I start hearing regular reports that the thermal goo is properly applied and that there aren't any odd whines that can be silence with kernel extensions.

 

[skagen5555]

i'm glad my macbook works perfectly. No whine whatsoever. Not to mention, i bought an antec artic cooler(with bulit in fans) with little rubber stubs from home depot (for separation of laptop and surface) and it works perfectly. I put my laptop on the cooler and the cooler on my lap, i use my macbook for HOURS and it's cool.. even cold a lot of times cause of the fan. Things can be fixed... the whine.. sorry for those who have it, but the fact that your laptop can't sit on your lap can be easily remedied. It's not THAT big of an issue, it's only 35 bucks and you can find cheaper ones as well. The heat is not a big deal at all. THe whine.. no problems, my macbook is perfect cept one dead pixel near the bottom... so i LOVE MY MACBOOK PRO!

 

[aristobrat]

It's not THAT big of an issue, it's only 35 bucks and you can find cheaper ones as well.

I'm guessing that you don't commute with your MacBook Pro.

 

[61132]

For those of you that have a 17mbp, size wise, is it too big to travel with, is it usable on an airplane? I am thinking of upgrading since they do not have the problems my 15mbp has. I do not travel on an airplane that often, but I do take it to work everyday, so I don't know if it will be a pain. And I also would have to find a new case for it.

 

[macreator]

For anyone not reporting the whine, turn off Bluetooth and see if you are still whineless.

I didn't notice the whine on my MacBook Pro until weeks after I got it because I had been using it with my Bluetooth Apple Wireless Mouse and Keyboard.

When my MacBook is connected to the keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth, the whine magically goes away.

It comes back when I get out of range of the mouse and keyboard.

 

[georgespot]

Are the 17-inch MBPs have the same problems as the 15-inch ones?

I'm dying to buy a Macbook Pro. The Pro I think because I want the extra screen space, and I'm also concerned the non-Pro won't be able to extend the desktop to an attached monitor. Those are really my main reasons. But we all know the problems the MBPs have been having. I hear the processor whine and the pulsating screens have been fixed (on what now, rev D?), but they're still hot as hell (the heat-paste-stuff issue).

Does anyone know if all those problems, including the heat issue, have been fixed on the MBP 17-inchers? It'd be a good sign if they were, suggests there will soon be a fix for the 15-inchers.

I'm debating whether to wait for WWDC in August before buying a MBP. I *hope* they'll be updated then, with a keynote and press release signal, and with the Merom processors. The Merom processor will be nice, but it will be nicer to have all the kinks worked out from the first model of MBPs. Then again, that's early August and awfully ambitious for Intel.

This raises my last question: historically when do the back-to-school deals begin? July, August? And what are the deals usually? (I've recently returned to school and now qualify for these deals.)

 

[Surreal]

it gets hot..but NORMAL hot at worst. the 15 was too hot on the top even. the area near the magsafe connection, on the bottom, gets the hottest, but it is nothing to get too riled up about.

but wat i suggest EVERYONE who is concerned about the heat do, is go into the apple store in the early even ing and pat down the 15 (carefully) and the 17. i did it with the 15 a month ago and knew i didnt want it. you figure that those will get o the hottest temp by then because the heat has dissipated as much as it can.

the 17" is great though. i havent used it in silence yet, but i have noticed no whine.

 

[GannonMt21]

Heat

I just got my MBP 15.4" today. I have not heard the whine and I've been on it for hours. It sure does heat up my lap. My iBook would get warm but not like this. I got a temp stat widget and the highest temp I've seen it display is 40 C or 104 F is that still warm for a notebook. My legs are red when I get up. Ick. My parents got me this to upgrade my iBook for my freshman year in college so I won't have it on my lao in class but it sure does suck when I'm at home. Any suggestions?