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My Macbook Pro Retina is too cold in the mornings

arian19

arian19

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 9, 2008
369
62
So I just bought a MBPr, I understand that the aluminum body is supposed to act like a heat sink for the macbook. But when I go to use my macbook in the morning it's utterly too cold to even place on my lap without getting frost bite.

What can I do? Does anyone have any methods for keeping it warmer that work? I was thinking about keeping it under the covers? Or putting it in a sweatshirt. But then I was scared of being one of those people who treat there dogs like humans and dress them up... except instead with a MBPr.

P.S: I haven't install Flash with this new MBP, so I can't heat up my laptop using it.
 
arian19 said:
So I just bought a MBPr, I understand that the aluminum body is supposed to act like a heat sink for the macbook. But when I go to use my macbook in the morning it's utterly too cold to even place on my lap without getting frost bite.
Click to expand...
What about not putting it on your lap until it warms up? The same applies for when it gets too warm. The obvious solution is to set it on something else if it's too uncomfortable to be on your lap.
 
GGJstudios said:
What about not putting it on your lap until it warms up? The same applies for when it gets too warm. The obvious solution is to set it on something else if it's too uncomfortable to be on your lap.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, that's true... but I should also mention that I am scared of the battery degrading because of the extreme cold, and sudden heat change that happens when I turn on my MBP. I would prefer to prevent it from getting too cold.

As the Apple website states

Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
Storage temperature: –13° to 113° F (–25° to 45° C)
Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing

My computer is usually 5-7° C in the mornings. Which is below the operating temperature.
 
arian19 said:
Hmmm, that's true... but I should also mention that I am scared of the battery degrading because of the extreme cold, and sudden heat change that happens when I turn on my MBP. I would prefer to prevent it from getting too cold.

As the Apple website states

Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
Storage temperature: –13° to 113° F (–25° to 45° C)
Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing

My computer is usually 5-7° C in the mornings. Which is below the operating temperature.
Click to expand...
How are you measuring the temp of your MBP? It's not less than 10° in the room, is it? If not, your MBP will warm up once you turn it on. As long as you're not trying to operate it where the ambient temp is outside that range, you have nothing to worry about.
 
arian19 said:
But when I go to use my macbook in the morning it's utterly too cold to even place on my lap without getting frost bite.
Click to expand...

time to look up the definition of frost bite XD....


5-7 degrees celcius is well within the –25° to 45° C recommended when not in use...when you turn the machine on it reaches its operating temp in a matter of minutes.

All of that aside, the temp's listed on the apple website are the 'safe' temperatures of the room your using the computer in, not the temp of the actual hardware...please correct me if I'm mistaken.....so unless your room/house is 5 degrees celsius in the morning theres nothing to worry about
 
blooperz said:
All of that aside, the temp's listed on the apple website are the 'safe' temperatures of the room your using the computer in, not the temp of the actual hardware...please correct me if I'm mistaken.
Click to expand...
You are correct.
 
GGJstudios said:
How are you measuring the temp of your MBP? It's not less than 10° in the room, is it? If not, your MBP will warm up once you turn it on. As long as you're not trying to operate it where the ambient temp is outside that range, you have nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...

Okay, you win! lol I can't deny that logic.

butttttt, I feel like it wouldn't hurt to get something like this, to store my MBPr in.

http://www.amazon.com/OGIO-Tube-Sock-Messenger-Bag/dp/B00371L9QI
 
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that won't passively provide any heat when the computer is turned off =p ... unless your macbook is warmblooded hehe



but it's not a bad idea to have some sort of sleeve or bag to protect the laptop anyways when its not in use
 
arian19 said:
Okay, you win! lol I can't deny that logic.

butttttt, I feel like it wouldn't hurt to get something like this, to store my MBPr in.
Click to expand...
You can if you want, but I doubt it would do anything to keep your MBP warm when it's off or asleep, as it doesn't provide any heat source, and unlike a person, your MBP has no "body heat" to retain when it's off or sleeping.
 
Seriously where do you store your MBP over night? Does it get that cold in your room?

In the winter, when I would take my MBP to work it would often get quite cold, despite being in a backpack. I don't think it ever took damage from this.

Note that dressing it up won't help with the temperature. What you could do is to keep it turned on over night - you can install chrome and loop a flash video there ;)
 
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LOL never heard anyone complain about their computer running too cool...and really shouldn't be a problem after your computer is on for a few minutes..
 
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arian19 said:
Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
Storage temperature: –13° to 113° F (–25° to 45° C)
Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing

My computer is usually 5-7° C in the mornings. Which is below the operating temperature.
Click to expand...

I don't see any issue here then.
That 5-7° in the mornings is your STORAGE TEMPERATURE..not operating temperature.
Once your computer has been running for a few minutes THEN it'll reach it's operating temperature.
 
Stop using it like this? :p
 

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snorkelman said:
Stop using it like this? :p
Click to expand...

The arms, wrists, and hands would touch the cold aluminum. Not (only) the lap.

----------

A case for your MBP may help prevent freezing your lap, but it would not prevent freezing your arms.
 
I still have a Dell Inspiron 6400 in my care that I used to use as a broadcast laptop for streaming football commentary.

It was used for 3 years in all weathers (up in the gantry of a stand) but in the winter it was regularly used in temperatures running as low as -5C.

Just trying to point out that these bits of kit will take much more abuse than we think!

I wouldnt worry about temperature....

ps - The Dell still runs fine, even on Vista
 
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