Categories
MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro Heat Generation (Updated)

With the disclaimer that this isn’t at all scientific, I wanted to comment on the heat generated by the MacBook Pro, a frequent question. I tested the PowerBook G4 (1.5GHz, 2GB, 120GB) and a MacBook Pro (2.0GHz, 2GB, 120GB) running all night while sitting on a Podium Coolpad from RoadTools. The ambient temperature on the bottom rear middle of the PBG4 was about 112 degrees and the MBP was about 104 degrees Fahrenheit (as measured by a digital thermometer).
In practice the MBP seems to get about as hot as my PowerBook G4,15-inch when used extensively on “Normal” power conservation, especially when plugged into AC power.
UPDATE: 2006-0228:
After running the MBP for about six hours straight last night the surface temperature at the top of the keyboard (above F2 and F4) was as high as 126 degrees Fahrenheit (as measured by a digital thermometer). The bottom temperature was about 106 degrees at the hottest location (running on a Podium Coolpad). It appears that the MBP is no cooler than the PowerBook G4 and may, in fact, run hotter.
What is your experience with the temperature on the MBP?


With the disclaimer that this isn’t at all scientific, I wanted to comment on the heat generated by the MacBook Pro, a frequent question. I tested the PowerBook G4 (1.5GHz, 2GB, 120GB) and a MacBook Pro (2.0GHz, 2GB, 120GB) running all night while sitting on a Podium Coolpad from RoadTools. The ambient temperature on the bottom rear middle of the PBG4 was about 112 degrees and the MBP was about 104 degrees Fahrenheit (as measured by a digital thermometer).
In practice the MBP seems to get about as hot as my PowerBook G4,15-inch when used extensively on “Normal” power conservation, especially when plugged into AC power.
UPDATE: 2006-0228:
After running the MBP for about six hours straight last night the surface temperature at the top of the keyboard (above F2 and F4) was as high as 126 degrees Fahrenheit (as measured by a digital thermometer). The bottom temperature was about 106 degrees at the hottest location (running on a Podium Coolpad). It appears that the MBP is no cooler than the PowerBook G4 and may, in fact, run hotter.
What is your experience with the temperature on the MBP?

By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.

One reply on “MacBook Pro Heat Generation (Updated)”

re: BG4 was about 112 degrees and the MBP was about 104 degrees Farenheit
Yes, but isn’t the MBP 8 degrees closer to the 98.6 degrees that you wish was sitting on your lap?

Comments are closed.