MacBook + Heat = ?
I've been slowly moving my data from my trusty 12" Powerbook to a brandspanking new MacBook Pro. Usually I'd just move everything in one sitting but I'm taking my time on this one simply because I wanted to make sure that whatever I was using on my Powerbook would still work on the MacBook.
Yes I've been using an Intel iMac at work but since this is going to be my "production" machine, I wanted to be extra careful before saying goodbye to my beloved 12" PB. Turns out that everything runs just as it should, bar Toast 7 which seems to have a problem with verifying after burning. I'm not quite sure if this is a Toast 7 problem or a MBP problem and I'm investigating it now. As of this moment it seems like Toast 7 enjoys making coasters off and on of my DVD-R discs.
I've been reading the MBP Apple Forums as it always seems to be a good place to see what kinds of issues others have been having. I've heard of whining, and mooing of the processor, but the big issue recently has been heat. There are users on both sides of this issue surrounding the fact that it seems that Apple's MBP manufacturers put too much thermal grease on the processors. This leads to added heat build up as the processor cannot transfer the heat to a cooling tube in order for the fans to kick in. The end result for some is a MacBookPro that can cook eggs and pancakes from what I've read from some.
Apple claims that the heat being generated for most MBP is within spec, while some users claim its just too hot and have taken it upon themselves to open up their MBP to remedy the overdone thermal grease, potentially voiding their MBP's warranty. While I do not condone voiding your warranty, to each their own. I've owned a lot of Powerbooks through the years and each one has gotten hotter, not cooler as each has had a newer and faster processor as its heart. Faster usually equals more heat and or more cooling.
I ran some tests on my MBP just to be sure and it hovers between a 58-62 degrees C when doing some common tasks and will go up to about 82 and then back down to about 76-78 degrees C when maxing out the processors. I can hear the fans start blowing when it reaches this point as well. I rarely use my MBP on my lap so while heat is a concern for me, it doesn't affect how I use my MBP for the most part.
My advice is to really look at your situation and figure out what you can live with in reguards to your MBP. There are a lot of great Laptop Cooling Devices
Don't let the crowd sway you. Make a decision about your MBP's heat or if you really are concerned, again, take it to an Apple Authorized Dealer to check it out. Don't void your warranty unless you are willing to accept responsibility if something goes wrong.
I'll post more about this issue as I use my MBP or when something cool comes up in the forums.
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