REAL HEAT ISSUES ::: mba gen2 (UPDATED)

byke

byke

macrumors 6502a
what sort of tems you guys getting?
i have a 1.8mhz / 128ssd ... have a couple of programs installed but not running.

OSX
skype
transmission
Adobe suite cs3
iStat

As type this, i have safari open / wifi on / and transmission on.
My temp as we speak (according to istat) is 61 celsius.

is this normal?
 
byke said:
what sort of tems you guys getting?
i have a 1.8mhz / 128ssd ... have a couple of programs installed but not running.

OSX
skype
transmission
Adobe suite cs3
iStat

As type this, i have safari open / wifi on / and transmission on.
My temp as we speak (according to istat) is 61 celsius.

is this normal?
Click to expand...

I don't have CS3 but I run the rest of the software + a few more and i get 40-55 C.
 
Update :::::
It just keeps getting warmer and warmer .....

Today I started the MBA and tried iChat (the only program open on the dock) and within 25 seconds I was up to 85C

At no point am I able to even get temps of under 50, even on startup, and if no programs are open apart from the widget board showing me my istats.

I want to open this sucker up and change over the paste ....
However I dont want any problems with the warranty etc.

Just out of interest, whats the hottest temps you guys have been getting on your 2nd gens?
 
byke said:
Update :::::
It just keeps getting warmer and warmer .....

Today I started the MBA and tried iChat (the only program open on the dock) and within 25 seconds I was up to 85C

At no point am I able to even get temps of under 50, even on startup, and if no programs are open apart from the widget board showing me my istats.

I want to open this sucker up and change over the paste ....
However I dont want any problems with the warranty etc.

Just out of interest, whats the hottest temps you guys have been getting on your 2nd gens?
Click to expand...

85-90C while handbrake encoding.
I changed the thermal paste on mine and it is a fairly easy procedure. If Apple can't tell you've done it, no warranty issues. Just make sure you don't strip any screws or leave evidence of entry. There are some pictures showing innards in a sticky in this forum.
I slightly bend down the small "L" bracket that's meant to create pressure on heat sink and processors.

I'm assuming by your post that you're not blocking vent holes in bottom. There are no others and blocking them can get it hot quick.
 
Can I ask what paste is recommended?
I have seen the arctic 5 etc, but am really unsure of what to use?

cheers
 
I use the Arctic Silver 5. One tube lasts forever. The new Air was much better (as in clean - well applied) than old one. It can be done in as little as 15 minutes.
 
It's very very obvious but... it depends where you live. Northern hemisphere is winter, southern is summer... If you live in a room at 10 degrees, against someone in Australia with 30, MBA does show different temperature... Maybe you should post your room temperature as well, and the fact that the machine's air flow is covered or not (Like using on bed or on desk.) and if Air gets any air blown at it constantly or not (It does make a good difference).

Otherwise, it's more or less pointless.
 
NC MacGuy said:
I use the Arctic Silver 5. One tube lasts forever. The new Air was much better (as in clean - well applied) than old one. It can be done in as little as 15 minutes.
Click to expand...

I am really confused now. The OP is saying that his MBA revB is hotter than revA and you are telling him that you already applied TP to your MBA :confused: Are you talking about revA while he is talking about revB?

Why is the OP the only one complaining about heat while the rest are saying that they get 40-60 degrees C?

I got the revb to reach 85C in the store within 3 minutes while having 10 youtube videos playing in the background. However, I am still waiting for mine to arrive and I really wish that I do not get this issue or it is going back since revA was a complete crapbook for similar issues.
 
mhnajjar said:
I am really confused now. The OP is saying that his MBA revB is hotter than revA and you are telling him that you already applied TP to your MBA :confused: Are you talking about revA while he is talking about revB?

Why is the OP the only one complaining about heat while the rest are saying that they get 40-60 degrees C?

I got the revb to reach 85C in the store within 3 minutes while having 10 youtube videos playing in the background. However, I am still waiting for mine to arrive and I really wish that I do not get this issue or it is going back since revA was a complete crapbook for similar issues.
Click to expand...


Yes, the OP is speaking of a Rev B, however, the point NC was trying to make was he reapplied the thermal paste to his Rev A, it took 15 minutes. Upon opening the Rev B (which is a sticky in this forum), he noted the thermal paste was applied much better than his Rev A ever was. He was noting temperatures cooler on his Rev B than his Rev A, but in comparison, he was telling the OP that his Rev B runs cooler than the OPs Rev B. The conclusion is the Rev B the OP owns runs significantly hotter than the Rev B NC and other posters seem to own.

When running any programs on the Rev B, such as 10 YouTube videos, you will most likely pull those temps up high as you noted. However, the fans should kick in and help eliminate some of that heat. Regardless, the Rev B is indeed capable of getting hot depending upon what you're doing no doubt. All computers are.
 
byke said:
Update :::::
It just keeps getting warmer and warmer .....

Today I started the MBA and tried iChat (the only program open on the dock) and within 25 seconds I was up to 85C

At no point am I able to even get temps of under 50, even on startup, and if no programs are open apart from the widget board showing me my istats.

I want to open this sucker up and change over the paste ....
However I dont want any problems with the warranty etc.

Just out of interest, whats the hottest temps you guys have been getting on your 2nd gens?
Click to expand...


While I don't have the problem with my Macbook Air, a couple of months ago I noticed my Macbook pro was running WAY hotter than it had been (I monitor temps regularly on all my laptops).

It occured to me to check activity monitor, and there I discovered that even while supposedly idling, the processing was at 50% or more.

I tracked it down and realized that for some reason, the epson wireless printing software I had installed was taxing the processor constantly. I un-installed the software and the MBP went back to running nice and cool.

So, unless you've already checked, I would closely examine your activity monitor to see what the processor use is. If it's more than 4 or 5 percent while idling, there's some kind of program that's running in the background. Then, if possible, disable that program.
 
ugh.... still talking about thermal paste and heat problems in a REV B????

Maybe I will wait to replace my Rev A.

Any core shutdowns reported? I don't care so much about heat as long as there aren't performance issues.... I cannot handle stutter or shutdowns again.
 
Well I spoke to apple today, and was advised to take my MBA to a repair house.
I then spoke to a really good authorized repair house where I have been
to before and was advised to return the unit to the store.

I decided to ask nicely if there was any other options as I really like this
computer (only used it during the weekend, but was very impressed) and
while it didnt have the 4 finger swipe, overheated and had a kinda short
battery life .... It did have a good screen with no stripping. And a good
screen is the most important thing for me.

Now I know there are many posts on the new MBA regarding all these
different issues, and I cant say how many people these issues effect
(it could only be a small amount) but I will say this.

I was so impressed with this laptop that I have decided to keep it,
and have it looked at and subsequently repaired. Now this could mean a
new fan, or even a whole new logic board. But my main point is, that even
though this is an expensive system ....
(and there are some issues posted on here with various build quality issues).
That this is truly a great designed machine.

And my main priority is to get a machine that is built as it was originally intended
by the apple design house. yes its the long way round to get this done, but based
on what I have read on the forums, its quite hard to get this from the box.

But the point is, after trying out this machine and seeing how well its functions
and its functionality, I am willing to go that extra few steps to achieve that.

And considering I have had 1 imac I have been very happy with, and 4 apple
laptops that I have all sold because I didnt like them, i think it says allot.

I can understand that many people felt they got their fingers burnt with the
REV A MBA .... and I fully understand that, but even with my poor luck of not
getting the perfect "as to spec build" MBA 2, I must say I dont feel let down as
since my warranty will hopefully cover me, and I can have any parts replaced
and installed by a somewhat less stressed individual .. and with parts that I have
allot more faith in (compared to the MBA 1)

So if you are thinking about a new MBA 2 .... dont be put off by all the negative
posts so far. Yes there are issues (for some, myself included), But I dont feel
these wont be addressed unlike the MBA 1. And quite honestly the new MBA 2
is a really nice laptop to use, and once its fabrication / assembly is perfected
it will (at least for me) be very hard to find a nicer laptop.

If I could make some changes to the MBA 2 in a realistic-al manner,
I would suggest a better battery, as I dont think this will hold the test of time.
And a better isight camera.
 
byke said:
It did have a good screen with no stripping.
Click to expand...

I will be returning a second rev b (both week 45s from the same store) and I'll take a little heat / fan noise for a perfect screen anyday as it was the one reason I chose MBA over the alu macbook.

You are wise to keep your MBA and get it fixed if possible.
 
mark34 said:
ugh.... still talking about thermal paste and heat problems in a REV B????

Maybe I will wait to replace my Rev A.

Any core shutdowns reported? I don't care so much about heat as long as there aren't performance issues.... I cannot handle stutter or shutdowns again.
Click to expand...

This is an anomaly. Mine runs really cool as do lots of others. No core shutdowns or performance issues. Really.
 
took some time to test today - after about 60 minutes of solid Logic 8 Pro recording and mixing, on battery power - iStat reported my cpu at 65 degrees Celsius / 149 farenheit.

Nice and cool by my standards considering the CPU was between 30 to 80 % the entire hour.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top