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OliveroNYC

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 5, 2020
53
31
NYC
I am finding when I use my MacBook on Zoom it is getting crazy hot. Using an external webcam but no other programs. Any ideas on how to keep things cooler?
 

mj_

macrumors 68000
May 18, 2017
1,618
1,281
Austin, TX
Unfortunately the only think you can do is to stop using Zoom. That application is known to cause an incredibly high load on the CPU on macOS due to poor optimization (read: non-existent). If that's not an option, which will be the case more often than not, you will have to live with it.
 

chrfr

macrumors G5
Jul 11, 2009
13,703
7,267
I am finding when I use my MacBook on Zoom it is getting crazy hot. Using an external webcam but no other programs. Any ideas on how to keep things cooler?
Zoom is very resource intensive. Any computer doing a Zoom call gets hot, unfortunately. This is true for most conferencing apps.
 
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mk313

macrumors 68020
Feb 6, 2012
2,074
1,150
It might not help a ton, but you could also put the laptop on a stand to increase air circulation, and/or point a small desk fan towards it to help with the same.
 

TheSkywalker77

macrumors 68030
Sep 9, 2017
2,890
2,760
It might not help a ton, but you could also put the laptop on a stand to increase air circulation, and/or point a small desk fan towards it to help with the same.
Adding to this, you could try using a fan controller app.

Assuming you have one of the older MacBooks that does have a fan. So not one of the 12-inch models.
 

OliveroNYC

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 5, 2020
53
31
NYC
Thanks all. I have been placing a gell based ice pack under the laptop when on a call and this is working. Not ideal though, so really looking forward a 12" ARM replacement.
 

mk313

macrumors 68020
Feb 6, 2012
2,074
1,150
Thanks all. I have been placing a gell based ice pack under the laptop when on a call and this is working. Not ideal though, so really looking forward a 12" ARM replacement.

Not sure of your exact setup but I would be careful with that setup that you aren’t putting the ice pack directly against the laptop. If so, I’d be worried about condensation on the laptop.

One other thought, depending on what you need to do with the zoom calls but you might want to try taking the calls on your IPhone/iPad through the iOS app if you have one. My work laptop struggles to keep up on webex calls but the iPhone app works flawlessly.
 

nmorgan997

macrumors newbie
Oct 16, 2020
1
0
I just upgraded from a MacBook Air (Mid-2013) to a new MacBook Pro and am also running into the overheating issue on Zoom. I have to disagree with earlier comments though as my MacBook Air did not get hot at all while on Zoom... and that's a much older and weaker processor.
 

theSeb

macrumors 604
Aug 10, 2010
7,466
1,893
none
I just upgraded from a MacBook Air (Mid-2013) to a new MacBook Pro and am also running into the overheating issue on Zoom. I have to disagree with earlier comments though as my MacBook Air did not get hot at all while on Zoom... and that's a much older and weaker processor.
You obviously had the special Unicorn edition because over at the MBA forum a quick browse will find loads of posts complaining about heat when using Zoom.

Screenshot 2020-10-24 at 15.15.12.png
 
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