I went to the apple store this weekend and yes > /dev/null x2 two week 17 15" MacBook Pros for a few minutes each and neither got as hot as either of my titanium powerbooks get in most normal use, so I'd say the heat is not an issue, at least not anymore.
Now the whine, that's the issue I'm waiting to be fixed.
EDIT 6.18.6: I got a week 21 recently. Lots of heat, much hotter than any previous powerbook I've had or used. Whine is unnoticable even in quiet rooms 95% of the time.
So, how long until it's "safe" to buy the new MacBook Pro?
For me, a lap top that will burn your lap isn't safe; Particularly when the problem seems to be inproper use of heat insulation.
Don't listen to the teasing of the voluntary beta-testers.
The bottom line is, the best time to buy a computer is when you NEED one, but that said, it is ALWAYS SMARTER to WAIT when a brand new model has come out like this.
To answer your difficult question, I'd say plan on waiting 6 months to a year. I am in the same boat as you, but I think it's a safe bet that the heat issues will be worked out in a few months. After 6+ months lots of other physical and software bugs yet to be discovered will be worked out, much more programs will be Intel-ready and there will be a nice bump in performance too.
You have nothing to lose by waiting unless you are without any computer to use at all right now. Patience is a virtue. Let the early adopters work out the bugs and heat problems for Apple, then reap the rewards of their sacrifices later.
Finally a MacBook Pro showed up at my poor little local "AppleCentre". No signs of any MacBooks yet (so if you'll spare me I'll talk about the MBP not the MB), but I felt up the MacBook Pro real real good.
It is HOT. AT IDLE!! I checked the Activity Monitor, and given it was just sitting there on the table, with the magsafe power connected and the battery removed, it was beyond warm. It was really quite hot on the top left and towards the back, and on the bottom almost all throughout the left half and the back portion.
Definitely a Rev A.000 machine but still, boy, I really can't imagine what happens when you load up that CPU and GPU on that demo MacBook Pro
I just got my replacement 15" MB yesterday, and the whine is allot better and so is the heat. i would say it was as cool as my 1.67 G4.
I'm glad to hear of an improvement, if I didn't hear of cases where the heat issue was sorted out, I would definitely recommend people NOT to buy the MacBook Pro AT ALL.
It's something that we hope will happen, but I don't think it will be any time soon, if at all.
Heck, I have the last of the Titanium PowerBook G4s (1 GHz) and it still has some of the same problems as the original TiBook. The paint chips and flakes, the computer runs hot, the hinges aren't great, I've gone through about 10 power adapters, the battery has a tendancy to *fall out*, etc.
That was the last TiBook they made. Then they released the Aluminum PowerBooks which had it's own set of new issues to be worked out.
Things will get better with the MacBook Pros and we have to remember that since the were among the first Macs to be released with Intel chips, they will have most of the problems. The more they become familiar with the Intel Core Duos or Intel Core 2 Duos, the better they will be at dispersing heat and stopping the 'whine'. But I wouldn't expect all of the problems to be fixed for quite some time.
In fact, we'll probably see Merom chips in the MacBook Pro before the problems are fixed, and who knows what issues the Meroms might have compared to the Yonahs. Kind of a never ending cycle.
My new 15" MBP is great. Now seems like a good time to buy one to me.
Inevitably, something better will be out in six months* or so, and in the next six months or so after that, etc., etc. That's why God invented eBay.
*I think Apple will now start to have faster product update cycles with the switch to Intel, even if they're just modest speed bumps at times. The MBP in fact has already had one small speed bump since its first release, and some initial problems have been corrected without any formally announced new revision of the product.
Now the whine, that's the issue I'm waiting to be fixed.
Just got a new Macbook Pro 2.16 Ghz. Its awesome, the heat is not a problem and there is absolutely no whine. This thing is so quite, a perfect machine. Trust me, I was worried about the whine too. The thing is, we hear all about the macbook pros that whine and nothing about the ones that don't. I'll bet better than 90% don't have the whine, its just the 10% that tell everyone else and "whine" about it. It is something to whine about, but mine has none, the two other people I know who own one don't have it. The SMC firmware update helped with heat on mine, although it wasn't terrible to begin with. I'd say its a good time to buy.
You know how people always say, don't buy rev A? Well don't buy rev B or C either...or even D...the secret is waiting for rev P.
Right on, brotha!
I've been waiting for rev P of the mac plus since rev A came out, and Michael Dell just told me Apple's going out of business! Glad I didn't make THAT mistake.
Just got a new Macbook Pro 2.16 Ghz. Its awesome, the heat is not a problem and there is absolutely no whine. This thing is so quite, a perfect machine. Trust me, I was worried about the whine too. The thing is, we hear all about the macbook pros that whine and nothing about the ones that don't. I'll bet better than 90% don't have the whine, its just the 10% that tell everyone else and "whine" about it. It is something to whine about, but mine has none, the two other people I know who own one don't have it. The SMC firmware update helped with heat on mine, although it wasn't terrible to begin with. I'd say its a good time to buy.
edit: mine is a W8616, week 16
I waited until I thought it was safe and got one that whines. Sucks and it is a real bummer in the library... I am hoping it is fixed in 10.4.7.
I've been waiting for rev P of the mac plus since rev A came out, and Michael Dell just told me Apple's going out of business! Glad I didn't make THAT mistake.
No ones saying wait for revision "P"
I just wait for revision "B" or better on most things and the evidence of why that is a smart move is readily available on these forums.
There's a big difference from being a perfectionist and waiting for this mythical revision "P" and not doing Apple's beta hardware testing for them at your own expense. Not saying the other computers won't have their issues, but history has shown that the first run of just about any product is where the most bugs and flaws are. Knowing that, why would anyone want to shell out $1000's on a first run of a complex electronic device like a computer?
Unless you are wealthy, or absolutely NEED a computer in a hurry there is no good, practical reason to do that, especially given the evidence.
I also don't buy a new model/redesign of a car the first year it comes out. There are always more flaws and bugs in them and the factories implement small rolling improvements as they go along.
If my incoming Mac Book Pro has this heating problem am I going to be able to exchange with Apple for one that works? Or am I stuck with a defective computer?
the perfect macbook will be... the last one before a major change in architecture. it's always the same... apple works out every bug in hardware just before they roll out a new rev. A like this. so those who bought the last titanium G4's will have some super-stable machines for quite some time. same with those who bought G5 iMacs (are you listening, SDW?), or even iBooks. that's why my next machine will be the quad-G5 (refurb) as soon as the new Mac Pro's are shipping. the bugs will be worked out, the refurb will have had whatever component that is prone to failing already replaced, and still allow for the extended warranty (which is what the REAL usefulness of the refurb discount is for), and it will be compatible for at least 3-5 years, considering how many PowerPC G4 and G5 machines they have out in circulation. and when that machine can't keep up anymore, i'll be looking to upgrade anyway. windows bootablity? why bother, when my copy of virtualPC 7 will still run plenty fast on a quad G5 (though vista might not be possible...assuming it ships someday).
but the moral of the story is, if you are waiting for the "perfect" macbook, you'll have to wait until a major paradigm shift to get it. but hey, if you're willing to put up with a little turbulence, i suspect you'll be happy with the purchase whenever you decide to take the plunge.
Comments
Originally posted by SquireM
That is to ask, when do you think the updated versions that don?t have the heat problem will come out?
Also related, when will most programs be running universal?
You know how people always say, don't buy rev A? Well don't buy rev B or C either...or even D...the secret is waiting for rev P.
For me, a lap top that will burn your lap isn't safe; Particularly when the problem seems to be inproper use of heat insulation.
Originally posted by SquireM
So, how long until it's "safe" to buy the new MacBook Pro?
For me, a lap top that will burn your lap isn't safe; Particularly when the problem seems to be inproper use of heat insulation.
My MBP doesn't burn me - so now seems a good time!!
Now the whine, that's the issue I'm waiting to be fixed.
EDIT 6.18.6: I got a week 21 recently. Lots of heat, much hotter than any previous powerbook I've had or used. Whine is unnoticable even in quiet rooms 95% of the time.
Originally posted by kim kap sol
You know how people always say, don't buy rev A? Well don't buy rev B or C either...or even D...the secret is waiting for rev P.
naw!!!!! rev AA...27th time is a charm!
Originally posted by SquireM
So, how long until it's "safe" to buy the new MacBook Pro?
For me, a lap top that will burn your lap isn't safe; Particularly when the problem seems to be inproper use of heat insulation.
Don't listen to the teasing of the voluntary beta-testers.
The bottom line is, the best time to buy a computer is when you NEED one, but that said, it is ALWAYS SMARTER to WAIT when a brand new model has come out like this.
To answer your difficult question, I'd say plan on waiting 6 months to a year. I am in the same boat as you, but I think it's a safe bet that the heat issues will be worked out in a few months. After 6+ months lots of other physical and software bugs yet to be discovered will be worked out, much more programs will be Intel-ready and there will be a nice bump in performance too.
You have nothing to lose by waiting unless you are without any computer to use at all right now. Patience is a virtue. Let the early adopters work out the bugs and heat problems for Apple, then reap the rewards of their sacrifices later.
Originally posted by SquireM
That is to ask, when do you think the updated versions that don?t have the heat problem will come out?
Also related, when will most programs be running universal?
What other laptop will allow you to cook dinner on it while surfing the net??
It is HOT. AT IDLE!! I checked the Activity Monitor, and given it was just sitting there on the table, with the magsafe power connected and the battery removed, it was beyond warm. It was really quite hot on the top left and towards the back, and on the bottom almost all throughout the left half and the back portion.
Definitely a Rev A.000 machine
I just got my replacement 15" MB yesterday, and the whine is allot better and so is the heat. i would say it was as cool as my 1.67 G4.
I'm glad to hear of an improvement, if I didn't hear of cases where the heat issue was sorted out, I would definitely recommend people NOT to buy the MacBook Pro AT ALL.
It's something that we hope will happen, but I don't think it will be any time soon, if at all.
Heck, I have the last of the Titanium PowerBook G4s (1 GHz) and it still has some of the same problems as the original TiBook. The paint chips and flakes, the computer runs hot, the hinges aren't great, I've gone through about 10 power adapters, the battery has a tendancy to *fall out*, etc.
That was the last TiBook they made. Then they released the Aluminum PowerBooks which had it's own set of new issues to be worked out.
Things will get better with the MacBook Pros and we have to remember that since the were among the first Macs to be released with Intel chips, they will have most of the problems. The more they become familiar with the Intel Core Duos or Intel Core 2 Duos, the better they will be at dispersing heat and stopping the 'whine'. But I wouldn't expect all of the problems to be fixed for quite some time.
In fact, we'll probably see Merom chips in the MacBook Pro before the problems are fixed, and who knows what issues the Meroms might have compared to the Yonahs. Kind of a never ending cycle.
Inevitably, something better will be out in six months* or so, and in the next six months or so after that, etc., etc. That's why God invented eBay.
*I think Apple will now start to have faster product update cycles with the switch to Intel, even if they're just modest speed bumps at times. The MBP in fact has already had one small speed bump since its first release, and some initial problems have been corrected without any formally announced new revision of the product.
Originally posted by giant
Now the whine, that's the issue I'm waiting to be fixed.
Just got a new Macbook Pro 2.16 Ghz. Its awesome, the heat is not a problem and there is absolutely no whine. This thing is so quite, a perfect machine. Trust me, I was worried about the whine too. The thing is, we hear all about the macbook pros that whine and nothing about the ones that don't. I'll bet better than 90% don't have the whine, its just the 10% that tell everyone else and "whine" about it. It is something to whine about, but mine has none, the two other people I know who own one don't have it. The SMC firmware update helped with heat on mine, although it wasn't terrible to begin with. I'd say its a good time to buy.
edit: mine is a W8616, week 16
Originally posted by kim kap sol
You know how people always say, don't buy rev A? Well don't buy rev B or C either...or even D...the secret is waiting for rev P.
Right on, brotha!
I've been waiting for rev P of the mac plus since rev A came out, and Michael Dell just told me Apple's going out of business! Glad I didn't make THAT mistake.
Originally posted by Homestar06
Just got a new Macbook Pro 2.16 Ghz. Its awesome, the heat is not a problem and there is absolutely no whine. This thing is so quite, a perfect machine. Trust me, I was worried about the whine too. The thing is, we hear all about the macbook pros that whine and nothing about the ones that don't. I'll bet better than 90% don't have the whine, its just the 10% that tell everyone else and "whine" about it. It is something to whine about, but mine has none, the two other people I know who own one don't have it. The SMC firmware update helped with heat on mine, although it wasn't terrible to begin with. I'd say its a good time to buy.
edit: mine is a W8616, week 16
I waited until I thought it was safe and got one that whines. Sucks and it is a real bummer in the library... I am hoping it is fixed in 10.4.7.
Originally posted by slughead
Right on, brotha!
I've been waiting for rev P of the mac plus since rev A came out, and Michael Dell just told me Apple's going out of business! Glad I didn't make THAT mistake.
No ones saying wait for revision "P"
I just wait for revision "B" or better on most things and the evidence of why that is a smart move is readily available on these forums.
There's a big difference from being a perfectionist and waiting for this mythical revision "P" and not doing Apple's beta hardware testing for them at your own expense. Not saying the other computers won't have their issues, but history has shown that the first run of just about any product is where the most bugs and flaws are. Knowing that, why would anyone want to shell out $1000's on a first run of a complex electronic device like a computer?
Unless you are wealthy, or absolutely NEED a computer in a hurry there is no good, practical reason to do that, especially given the evidence.
I also don't buy a new model/redesign of a car the first year it comes out. There are always more flaws and bugs in them and the factories implement small rolling improvements as they go along.
but the moral of the story is, if you are waiting for the "perfect" macbook, you'll have to wait until a major paradigm shift to get it. but hey, if you're willing to put up with a little turbulence, i suspect you'll be happy with the purchase whenever you decide to take the plunge.
just get the extended warranty.
Originally posted by Nar1117
Where can i find out what week my MBP is based on its #?
Fourth and fifth place of the serial number, e.g. "17".
I'm not sure why you think it matters, though.