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Why I Drilled Holes in My MacBook Pro and Put It in the Oven

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Re: Why I Drilled Holes in My MacBook Pro and Put It in the Oven

#3

This is what happens when function plays second fiddle to form.

You'd think after 10 years having model after model of aluminium built laptops, Apple would have found a way to solve the heat issues they always have... but nope, they still think it's a good idea to put the heat exhaust vent right up against the bottom lip of the screen where it is still blocked when the machine is in use.

Re: Why I Drilled Holes in My MacBook Pro and Put It in the Oven

#4
post #3

This is what happens when function plays second fiddle to form.

You'd think after 10 years having model after model of aluminium built laptops, Apple would have found a way to solve the heat issues they always have... but nope, they still think it's a good idea to put the heat exhaust vent right up against the bottom lip of the screen where it is still blocked when the machine is in use.

My guess is they don't care as long at the vast majority make it past their warranty date

Re: Why I Drilled Holes in My MacBook Pro and Put It in the Oven

#6

This is what happens when function plays second fiddle to form.

Apple moved from PowerPC to Intel because the new generation of PowerPC chips wouldn't run cool enough to put in a laptop.

Intel had long been pushing for cooler chips and longer battery life. Beginning with its Centrino line and the Pentium M processor.

Apple hopped in right after the Core chips landed (dual core), and these chips were amazing for Apple. They could continue with the macbook pro design with a new and faster chip.

Then Intel went on a speed binge again and tried to yield the most bang for your buck, sacrificing thermals and battery life.

Now finally with the Haswell chips they took a step back and tried to improve battery and thermals. And hopefully Broadwell will be even better.

Re: Why I Drilled Holes in My MacBook Pro and Put It in the Oven

#7
post #3

This is what happens when function plays second fiddle to form.

You'd think after 10 years having model after model of aluminium built laptops, Apple would have found a way to solve the heat issues they always have... but nope, they still think it's a good idea to put the heat exhaust vent right up against the bottom lip of the screen where it is still blocked when the machine is in use.

Where else can one put air vents on a laptop? The sides are taken up by expansion ports and speakers. The front is blocked by the battery. The bottom is often obstructed by blankets, clothing, etc. The top is for the keyboard, trackpad, and palm rest.

Putting vents at the hinge actually makes the most sense. It guarantees ventilation ports won't be fully obstructed. The vents face away from the user, reducing fan noise. Air ducts are short, since that area is close to the CPU/GPU.

It's hard to cool a laptop that can generate 85 watts of heat. Moreso if one cares about it looking nice and being thin. You may not like the trade-offs Apple chooses, but they put a lot of thought into their industrial design.

Re: Why I Drilled Holes in My MacBook Pro and Put It in the Oven

#8
post #3

This is what happens when function plays second fiddle to form.

You'd think after 10 years having model after model of aluminium built laptops, Apple would have found a way to solve the heat issues they always have... but nope, they still think it's a good idea to put the heat exhaust vent right up against the bottom lip of the screen where it is still blocked when the machine is in use.

I have always used an external laptop cooler with my macbook.

Re: Why I Drilled Holes in My MacBook Pro and Put It in the Oven

#9

This is what happens when function plays second fiddle to form.

Apple moved from PowerPC to Intel because the new generation of PowerPC chips wouldn't run cool enough to put in a laptop. Intel had long been pushing for cooler chips and longer battery life. Beginning with its Centrino line and the Pentium M processor. Apple hopped in right after the Core chips landed (dual core), and these chips were amazing for Apple. They could continue with the macbook pro design with a new and…

So why didn't apple adapt their cases to fit the new thermal profile by placing a couple ghastly holes where they were needed?
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