Filed under: Hardware, Macbook Pro
Apple quietly responds to whining (of MacBook Pros)

Rickard Almqvist at MacInTouch is reporting that Apple has apparently (and finally) produced a tweaked version of the MacBook Pro logic board in response to everyone's whining - MacBook Pro whining, that is. Rickard received a letter from Apple detailing the new board and stating that it was brand new, "only a few days old". Also of note is the need for new installation DVDs that contain 10.4.6, not the 10.4.5 discs the machine originally came with. And just for all you skeptics out there, Rickard has also posted a picture of Apple's letter on his blog, so you can let your "that was Microsoft Worded" and "Photoshopped!" naysaying fly.
Here's hoping MacBook Pros everywhere can finally stop whining. The one question I have is: are you going to be sending your MBP in for the new board? Or is iTunes usually blaring loud enough for you to still wonder what all this 'whine' talk is about?
[via MacDailyNews]
Thanks Miguel

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pete said 2:12PM on 7-07-2006
It looks like there's more than one person that received this letter after sending in his/her MBP. This comment from Macintouch reader Lee Givens
"The first REAL revision of the Main Logic Board seemed to have happened around June 21st. My MacBook Pro 2.16 died and I sent it in. Seven days later, I got my MBP back, but with a new set of DVD install disks and a letter stating that I have a "New Version MLB installed" and it says that "Apple installed a differenct version of the Main Logic Board (MLB). The new MLB provides equal functionality to the one it replaces." ---Except for the whining and high-pitched noises. This one even seems cooler.
It seems the new MLB requires 10.4.6 DVD installer, since the older (10.4.5) won't work."
And Paul Frye
"Like Lee, My MacBook Pro went to maintenance in early June.
It sat awaiting a motherboard for almost 2 weeks, but the one that was installed (and yes, Apple also provided a new install disk set) so I can replace the originals (10.4.6 vs 10.4.5). This machine is running perfectly now. No noise, much less heat and it has been 100% reliable after extensive i/o disk burning activity (Home movies) with iMovie and iDVD..."
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Brian said 2:16PM on 7-07-2006
I'd really like to know if the new logic board will also improve the problem with the distorted right speaker. Any hardware guys out there know?
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cozart said 2:25PM on 7-07-2006
any indication as to when machines will ship with these updates? i'm getting a MBP the first week of August and would like these issues to be solved so that i don't have to send it in immediately after purchasing it.
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kevin said 2:28PM on 7-07-2006
what kind of name is "rickard?"
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Matthew Fitzsimmons said 2:30PM on 7-07-2006
I've never had the whine problem with mine, so I don't know what the big deal is.
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SC said 2:32PM on 7-07-2006
So what do you do, just take your macbook pro to an apple store?
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Tim said 2:51PM on 7-07-2006
My MBP doesn't whine but it does get quite hot, anyone suggest that I send it in? I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.
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Matt Stocum said 3:07PM on 7-07-2006
Odd, when my machine came back from service (with a new unrelated issue) I got the DVD install media and was a bit confused, no letter though. June 21st is definitely when the board was released, they had just about everything on hold until then.
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Stephen Mortensen said 3:18PM on 7-07-2006
last time I called Apple I was yelled at cause they replaced the shit several times already... think it'd be worth it again to give it a shot? this whining is SUPER annoying.
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manny said 3:21PM on 7-07-2006
i can confirm this, i got my macbook pro back july 3rd and it had the letter and new install disks, there is no more whine. and it seems to run MUCH cooler.
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tony the tiger said 3:36PM on 7-07-2006
This is GRRRRRRREAT! Now to find a 1-3week window to send my laptop in for repairs without causing unpaid downtime from work.
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Jay said 3:52PM on 7-07-2006
I got mine in July 3rd as well, unit runs cooler and makes no noise. However, when I plug the power cord in there is a slight whine, but you have to hold your ear so close to the keyboard to hear the sound it might as well not be there. (when unpluged no sound can be heard).
I got the letter and the replacement disc, and I am now very happy with my system.
Jay
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Brian said 4:20PM on 7-07-2006
I've always said my tinitus is louder than any perceived whine.
That being said, my MBP 2.0 was shipped off to Apple Repair yesterday for a problem where it shut down unexpectedly while on battery power. From reading around, it could be caused either by the logic board or the battery, although the Genius I talked to indicated it was the logic board on the repair authorization.
Only time will tell whether I get the new logic board. I could stand for it to run cooler, too - 65° C (159° F!) is a bit toasty for normal usage...
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cozart said 4:21PM on 7-07-2006
so how much cooler is it running?
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Will said 4:46PM on 7-07-2006
So, since I went to the local Genius bar, and the "Genius" told me that the whining is normal, how can i get this replaced? Have you guys had good luck calling apple?
I also mentioned how the fans never come on, and he said that they come on when the computer gets to a certain temp. I asked him what the temp is, and he didn't know. What a genius. If you don't want to help people, then at least you could learn a better lie, so people belive the BS.
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Kevmbpro said 4:52PM on 7-07-2006
Nowhere in Apple's letter to him did it say that the replacement logic board was"a few days old" - it was a form letter that they send out EVERY time they replace the logic board.
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unreal mccoy said 5:04PM on 7-07-2006
Its funny... I rarely notice the whine, but when I read articles on TUAW that remind me that its there, my ears start to bleed...
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ThirdJAL said 5:42PM on 7-07-2006
I've had my own MBP logic board replaced three times now in desperate attempt to get rid of all of those noises. Not once have I received a letter along with my repair detailing the change and *never* have I gotten a new OS X install DVD. This gives me new hope. Off to the Apple Store I go!
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Steve said 6:27PM on 7-07-2006
Oddly enough my macbook which seemed to have a power supply whine seems to have lost it with the most recent os upgrade to 10.4.7. Weird huh?
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alexander s. said 7:07PM on 7-07-2006
kevin =>
"Rickard" or "Rikard" is a scandinavian version of the english Richard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard
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