Filed under: Macbook Pro
Does the MacBook Pro fan constantly run? And a note about the whiney noise [Update]
I
have a minor dilemma, folks. If you remember, I reported on numerous problems
with my MacBook Pro, some of which Apple acknowledged, some it didn't.I'm having a new difficulty: the left-side fan of the machine is constantly running, non-stop, from the moment I turn on the machine. The Apple Store Geniuses continually tell me this is "normal" and "within Apple parameters," but I can't seem to remember my pre-replacement MBP sounding like a small aircraft auditioning for a spot on O'Hare's runway. So I ask you, dear MBP-owning readers: Is the left-side fan on your machine always on, making a sturdy and constant whooshy hum?
Oh, and one other thing: While the Genius was "testing" my machine in the back room, I glanced at his PowerBook's screen, which was open to a page diagnosing MacBook Pro problems. It mentioned the infamous processor whine, and described it as a problem with an internal component (obviously) and listed various serial numbers affected. It also -- brace yourselves -- seemed to indicate that the problem was fixed, and could be fixed on affected machines. The Geniuses seemed to be trained to tell you the problem is "normal" and a fact of life, but this page said that it certainly could be fixed by a replacement part if, and I'm paraphrasing here, the customer deemed the noise to be 'unacceptable' and threatened to return the machine. So, if the processor whine bugs you, just go to a Genius bar and demand a fix -- they'll probably oblige.
Update: In response to the 1,435,987 questions all asking the same thing: Yes, I am 100% positive the page I read involved the processor noise and not the LCD, because right above that paragraph about the whine was another paragraph describing the LCD inverter problem. They are two very separate issues, and I do -- despite allegations to the contrary -- understand the differences between them.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
jef152 said 6:43PM on 4-02-2006
my fan runs all the time as well, though it's not that loud. I have to put my ear right up against the keyboard to really hear it. I do feel the vibration of the fan through the case/keyboard when I am using my MBP, especially under high cpu usage. It doesn't seem bad enough to report to Apple though.
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RP said 6:51PM on 4-02-2006
Uh-oh. It's the return of the dreaded iMac G5 Rev. A problem. Now appearing in Macbook Pros.
My G5 still races its fans to 5400rpm, and used to shut off automatically every 5 seconds. Unplugging all the wires for 5 hours did the trick (I was getting ready to open it up, but forgot), but the fan still continues.
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Wes said 7:01PM on 4-02-2006
The left-side of my MacBook Pro was plagued by a chiriping sound. It didn't happen all the time, but when it did it was impossible to ignore. I brought my system in to my Apple Store and the Genius agreed it needed repairing.
Other than that I don't think the fan was on all the time, if it was I didn't notice it.
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Astav Sacheti said 7:02PM on 4-02-2006
I got a MacBook Pro from my university's computer store...I had the display whine (when display was at brightness above 4 bars)...I took it to the bookstore and they had it replaced...The new one doesn't have problems till now atleast...
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themohk said 7:16PM on 4-02-2006
My macbook makes the fan noise on the left too. In addition, it makes an odd breathing like noise occasionally. It also had the whiny noise, but using the mirror widget makes it go away. I was really surprised at how warm it got while i was using Pages, not what I would have thought to be the most processor intensive task.
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Daniel Jalkut said 7:17PM on 4-02-2006
It's really important to distinguish between the "processor whine" and the "display inverter whine." Can you confirm that the page you observed actually identified the problem as the "processor whine" ? If not, then we shouldn't get too excited, since it's been widely acknowledged that Apple is responding to an inverter problem (noise adjusted by screen brightness). I've heard many reports of machines going in for noise fixes and coming back with the inverter whine fixed but not the CPU whine.
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sahas said 7:18PM on 4-02-2006
i am sick of my macbook pro! i was so excited to get it, but its too loud, buggy, and bulky. i am returning mine and waiting for either a REV. B or another intelbased edition to come out. i wrote up a review a while back of the problems i experienced: http://www.skattertech.com/2006/03/macbook-pro-problems/
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markkk said 7:21PM on 4-02-2006
i have a macbook pro and there is no whine at all, which is actually more of a buzz. it doesn't have any weird noises...it is just sitting here normally doing what it should. mine is PERFECT. nothing wrong at all. my fan doesnt run that much, which if it never had i would be worried...but it turned on and i thought it was a plane outside...but i was burning a DVD in bed...on a soft surface...so that explains that.
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Morgan said 7:24PM on 4-02-2006
I havnt had any problems with my macbook.
I hear no fan, see no white line, hear no whines.
Im scared its just around the corner though.
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Christopher said 8:03PM on 4-02-2006
Do we know the baseline expected temp range for a MacBook Pro that has just booted, but running no other apps?
What temperature ranges are users actually seeing?
What does Apple claim is a safe temperature range?
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Restaurant Menu Guide said 8:10PM on 4-02-2006
my macbook pro is great... no whine or buzz, in fact its one of the best mac's i've owned thus far... over 10 and counting
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Jason said 8:20PM on 4-02-2006
It sounds like my left side fan is currently on although it's almost impossible to hear without putting my head directly next to the computer. My computer has been on for awhile though so I can't comment as to wether it remains on all the time.
As for the whine, my MacBook Pro, which was delivered yesterday, is plagued. Luckily the whine isn't very loud at all and doesn't really bother me. Overall I'm extremely happy with my computer, I still think Apple needs to step up to the plate and get rid of the whine for all of us that are kind enough to drop $2,000 on their hardware. If it was a $700 PC I would understand, but this is a $2,000 Mac and should be perfect in every sense of the word.
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David said 8:23PM on 4-02-2006
Oh you are sneaky. Sneeaky, sneaaaky.
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Lance Lindsey said 8:34PM on 4-02-2006
Yes, left side very quiet but noticeable fan-like whirl on all the time. I took it in to SF "Genius" Bar and they said that it is either the fan, processor, or hard drive - couldn't say which!!! - and completely normal. All of their power books have the same noise they told me and all their new MBP's. An irritating bunch there. They also give out the lie to potential customers of MBPs that the machine is only hot because they have to stay on all the time in the store ("since 9 AM ...etc"). Unbelievable!
My MBP also accesses (briefly spins up) the optical drive when you turn it on, restart, wake from sleep, or load iDVD.
Both noises are soft and I guess tolerable, but at this high-end cost shouldn't have to be tolerated.
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devil700 said 9:14PM on 4-02-2006
Im Very lucky because my Macbook pro is PERFECT, no whines, no fan noise...
its very fast and I love it...
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Ashton Tibbitt said 9:18PM on 4-02-2006
GOSH!!! I am soooooo jelous! It was just my 16th birthday a coulpe of weeks ago AND for some crazy reason i thought i would get a macbook pro because i had been talking about it ever since it came out. Just a dream i guess. I really want to switch because ive been stuck with a crappy dell inspiron 1000 for about 2 years now. Even if my parents could afford that right now I dont think that they would get it for me. why cant they understand why i just NEED a new laptop??? I really wish my mom would let me get a job right now so I could save up for one. Any suggestions on how to get my hands on a macbook pro??? I am sick of staring, drooling, and day-dreaming over it while at my local apple store! HELP PLEASE!!! ashton2ATgmailDOTcom
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Ben Drawbaugh said 9:27PM on 4-02-2006
I love my MacBook pro, but I suppose it is because I am a switcher and acustomed to learning to live with problems.
My fan runs all the time, but you have to put your ear to the top left of the keyboard to hear it. Sometimes I do hear a whine, but it doesn't seem to be effected by the brighness or the proccessor settings. It comes and goes and I haven't been able to nail down exactly what causes it.
A bigger problem is that I have had problems with the MacBook not returning from sleep, which is usually fixed from shutting the lid and re-opening it.
I have had about 4 kernel panics which causes the screen to fade and a square box instructing me to hold the power button for 10 seconds. After which it allows me to send a bug report to Apple.
Despite all this, I still love it and would be surprised if Apple didn't fix the problems soon.
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Ashton Tibbitt said 9:32PM on 4-02-2006
oh, and dan, if you really cant stand that "unbearable" noise, then you can just give that macbook to me! ID GLADLY TAKE EVEN A BUGGY ONE!!!!
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Paul Cutting said 11:11PM on 4-02-2006
I received my MacBook Pro in early March and soon discovered the annoying inverter whine and a left fan that wouldn't shut off. I assume the unit also had the processor whine, but I was unable to tell because the inverter noise was sooo overpowering. I took it to the Portland Pioneer Place Apple Store and Joseph (the Genius) told me the computer was defective. Twenty some days later I'm still waiting for a new replacement unit to arrive (Apple wouldn't replace it straight-up at the store because I bought it through a reseller, so I dealt with the customer relations department, politely demanding that Apple send me a new unit, which they did).
Ever since early March I've been paying attention to the various discussion boards and have concluded that a software update will NOT prove to be an effective solution for the processor whine. I don't know where it all started, but it seems that everyone is banking on Apple to release a software update to fix a hardware related problem. If anything, Apple will release an update that keeps the processor cores running at all times- enough to eliminate the whine. Such a patch will only unnecessarily consume processor power, slowing the machine down, consuming extra battery power, and making the unit run hotter.
So, to all you MacBook Pro owners who can't operate your machine in a quiet room, you need to contact Apple and DEMAND that Apple remedy the situation. Further, you need to contact all your favorite mac/non mac sites and make this problem more known, encouraging site owners and bloggers to post stories about the whine. Without negative press, Apple will likely do nothing more than releasing a band-aid of a softare update for a hardware problem.
That's my two cents.
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Daniel Jalkut said 12:07AM on 4-03-2006
Thanks for clarifying - I'm very heartened to hear that Apple has a plan of action for the CPU whine. I didn't mean to suggest you didn't understand the difference, just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.
A commenter on my blog suggests that the CPU whine might be caused by a power supply resonance, caused by a rhythmic increase/reduction in power needs by the CPU. The resonance would then vibrate a coil in the power supply causing the noise. She suggests Apple can fix it by spraying some epoxy on the coil. it sure is a nice thought!
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