Closed Screen, External Monitor, Heat, and Fans

We have our MBP connected to an external Dell Ultra 22" dvi monitor (awesome!). We use apple BT keyboard and mighty mouse (again awesome!). Now, my concerns:
1. Screen damage from keyboard - I've read (to my disbelief) that mac laptop/portable machines can't be closed without some type of material laid on the keyboard to protect the screen. Is this true? If yes, does this cause a heating problem?
2. We use the MBP for email, web surfing, calendar, etc. Nothing very heavy at all. The fan comes on after 20-30 minutes of working and the machine is very hot (iStat 140F for processor and graphics processor).
Since moving over to mac at the release of the intel processors, I've bought 4 (17" imac, 20" imac, 24" imac, and now a 15" MPB). I do love the look and the OS but some of the issues are kinda silly. I can't believe we tolerate it so well.
Anyway, thanks for looking and any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Leo

1. Screen damage from keyboard - I've read (to my disbelief) that mac laptop/portable machines can't be closed without some type of material laid on the keyboard to protect the screen. Is this true? If yes, does this cause a heating problem?
While many of us use some fabric that sits between the keyboard and the screen, such as ScreenSavrz its not needed. There is some clearance between the keys and the screen. I like it there just to be sure As for creating heating problems I don't keep the fabric on the keys while its own.
2. We use the MBP for email, web surfing, calendar, etc. Nothing very heavy at all. The fan comes on after 20-30 minutes of working and the machine is very hot (iStat 140F for processor and graphics processor).
My MBP runs between 50 and 60c which is right in the ball park of your temps. Ambient temperatures also effect how quickly the MBP will warm up. That is, if its 32c (90f) then the mbp is going to get hotter quicker. I recommend a little app called SmcFanControl It gives you the ability to set the fan speed and thus provide better heat management on your MBP.
Since moving over to mac at the release of the intel processors, I've bought 4 (17" imac, 20" imac, 24" imac, and now a 15" MPB). I do love the look and the OS but some of the issues are kinda silly. I can't believe we tolerate it so well.
Well all computers and operating systems have their own idiosyncacies. Overall I think Macs and OSX are so much superior to windows and Dells that I don't mind some of the stuff we need to put up with

Similar Messages

  • I just bought a new external monitor (ASUS), and I have DVI adapter plug. When I connect it with my Macbook pro - the monitor remain black (even tho it is 'on')

    I just bought a new external monitor (ASUS), and it have DVI and VGA plugs. I bought the DVI adapter to connect with my macbook pro laptop. But the external monitor remain black… so I turn it off then turn it back on, it said "No VGA signal". Does it means I have to use VGA adapter instead? I am not sure how it work, I am very new to it… I hope you can help me out!
    Thanks!

    Use the Transfer Purchases command in the File menu of iTunes.
    (60931)

  • Turning Off LCD when on External Monitor - BootCamp and XP OS

    Hello,
    Not sure why, but after updating to BootCamp 1.4, the latest Radeon video drivers, and the latest Mac firmware, my MBP no longer shuts off the LCD when hooked up to an external monitor (Samsung 193P on 15 pin analog). Have tried using the CCC program provided by ATI, to no avail. The XP settings also do not seem to make any difference...any thoughts, clues greatly appreciated. Looks like the system sees both the LCD and external as one and the same (listed as monitor one, instead of LCD as one, and external as two).
    Steve

    Why leave it open?
    I don't know about the OP, but when I use my MBP for watching movies on my external LCD TV, I know the space above the F keys gets crazy hot. I don't want to risk closing the LCD screen which lays right on top of that furnace, potentially exposing it to damage--especially since movies are around 2 hours in length.
    So I'd rather have my lid open when I watching a movie to let the MBP breathe, but I'd rather not see the MBP's screen lit up (distracts from the movie).
    That's my personal reasoning.

  • Running with lid closed, no external monitor?

    Is it possible to run with the display closed without having an external monitor connected? Closing the display without external monitor hooked up always seems to cause computer to go to sleep. Do they do this for heat reasons?

    It is just a feature when you close the lid the comp goes to sleep. If you have a external keyboard have you attempted to wake your laptop by pressing a few keys? I know this will wake the laptop if you have a external monitor connected, you may also just click the mouse button to.

  • Busted screen, external monitor connection won't work

    My PowerBook G4 screen busted a year ago after it fell off a table. I had been successful is using an external monitor up until a couple weeks ago. I have tried a couple monitors and cannot see anything but a white screen. I know a signal is getting from the Mac to the monitor, but only a white screen.
    Any ideas on how to get an external monitor connection again?
    Thanks.

    Hi, Bob.
    I know a signal is getting from the Mac to the monitor...
    How do you know that? Does the external monitor display something other than a white screen at any point during the startup process? In other words, can you really be sure the Mac is ever sending anything other than plain white to the monitor?
    As louie says, there's almost no testing you can do without a working display.
    What changed a couple of weeks ago, just before you started having this problem with the external monitor? Had you moved the computer and/or the monitor, connected any new devices, disconnected the monitor, upgraded your OS, etc.?

  • External Monitor, iBook, and SwitchResX

    I recently got a 19" external monitor for my ibook this Christmas. The screen image is blurred and stretched. I called both the monitor company and apple, but neither one was helpful.
    I saw some discussions about SwitchResX. I downloaded it and have been tinkering with it, but am very confused. Can anyone help me?
    ibook g4   Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

    The best connection is DisplayPort.  DP 1 and 2 are no different.  DVI is also a digital connection and high quality.  VGA is fine for most people but is not able to display some of the high end resolutions.
    You can only use one connection in each of the numbered connection blocks.  For instance, you can use DP1 and DP2 at the same time.  You cannot use DP1 and DVI1 at the same time.  Nor can you use DP2 and DVI2 at the same time.

  • Why does my external monitor name and resolution change when I close the lid?

    When I close my lid on my early 2001 MBP, the external monitor reverts to a lower resolution.  I am not even able to select the proper resolution.  
    I am using VGA (I need VGA for my KVM).   When the lid is open, the monitor sees the correct monitor, and I can set the correct resolution.   When the lid closes, it only shows a genertic VGA monitor and defaults to a lower resolution.  I am not able to change the resolution up when I have the lid closed as well.   Does anyone have any insight into this?

    Show Hard Drive on Desktop...
    Finder  >  Preferences  >  General  >  Show these items on the Desktop.

  • Macbook, External Monitor (TV) and Windows

    I have been trying (for ages) to get Windows to display on the TV. I can do it on the Mac side, with a DVI connector, but Windows doesn't work. No that I have upgraded to Leopard, I had hopes. Is there some setting I need to make this work? The Macbook says it is using Intel Mobile adapter.
    When the DVI is hooked up in Windows my screen flashes. The external monitor 2 will not accept that it is there.
    Thanks

    As far as I know, Apple only sells one kind of DVI connector for around $20. Based on your statement about inputs to your TV, you should get an Apple Mini DVI-->DVI cable. Then, you'll need a DVI to HDMI cable to plug into your TV. I don't know your setup, but you probably should get one that is 6' unless you need a longer one.
    You will also need a separate audio cable with jacks at each end similar to the kind that fit into your headphone out from your MB. In order to get sound, you will need a audio input that is tied in with your HDMI input. I don't know if your set has this setup. I have a Sony with 3 HDMI inputs, but only one of them has a separate audio input jack. If you don't have this audio input jack, you can run your audio to a separate stereo amp. Or you can go with the Component option which will definitely have an audio input.

  • T440 external monitor options and resolution

    Hi
    I note that the T440 has VGA and DP external monitor ports
    Can anyone tell me...
    1. How many external monitors can I attach and use simultaneously?
    2. What is the maximum external resolution of those monitors?
    Thanks

    The best connection is DisplayPort.  DP 1 and 2 are no different.  DVI is also a digital connection and high quality.  VGA is fine for most people but is not able to display some of the high end resolutions.
    You can only use one connection in each of the numbered connection blocks.  For instance, you can use DP1 and DP2 at the same time.  You cannot use DP1 and DVI1 at the same time.  Nor can you use DP2 and DVI2 at the same time.

  • External Monitor--Stalling and skipping, rendered cross disolves.

    I am watching my video on an external monitor. Every now and then during playback, the video freezes and the audio continues, only to start up again after a few seconds. I have remedied this problem by exporting the video once it is done to a Quicktime movie, but it is somewhat annoying during playback. Any ideas?
    Second, after I render, I am viewing the video on the external monitor and cross disolves skip irregularly. A transition will skip, I will go back and replay it, and it won't skip again. After exporting, the skips are gone, but it doesn't help during proofing of video. Is there any setting that can remedy this problem.
    Thanks for the help.

    The first thing Iwould look at would be the RT settings in the timeline. Click on the RT dropdown and make sure you are in "unlimited RT" rather than "Safe RT". Also you might lower the playback quality. I've seen this in Imac G5's with not enough RAM
      Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

  • World of Warcraft from Core 2 Duo to i7: heat and fans

    Hi,
    I've been playing World of Warcraft on my 2008 Core 2 Duo 2.93MHz for some time now, with moderate rendering settings, at 1024x640 in window mode so I could check mail and other things. I was very satisfied with the whole thing.
    I recently upgraded to the top 2.66MHz i7 with 8MB RAM. With exactly the same settings WoW now uses apparently more CPU cycles and brings CPU heat between 70° and 90°. Therefore fans quickly jump towards 6000rpm. I tried to lower the settings, to no avail.
    And I thought with that new machine I could use WoW with full resolution and settings...
    Is there something I should be aware of?

    Hi
    My i7 macbook pro also runs very hot, i.e. 90 degrees when playing Championship Manager or Dragon Age Origin with all settings at max.
    Mind you, the i7 in the macbook have turbo boost speed around the same as you old macbook, also it have hyper threading which increase the core temperatures.
    So overall, the i7 have more transistors than the core 2, so it will produce more heat and require more air flow to cool it therefore faster fan speed.
    for me, I've stooped play games on the macbook for the reason as I don't want the CPU to operate so close to its maximum temperature for long period of time.
    I'm don't think its harmful to the macbook to play games continuously. But I don't think the macbook is not designed as a game laptop, and no other applications I use stress both the CPU and GPU close to 100% at the same time for any long period.
    But I do have a PC if I want to play games.
    Message was edited by: 88_King

  • My MBP wouldn't start this morning, it was just stuck on white screen with grey logo and fan running.  I replaced my magsafe power cord and resolved starting issue.  Now I can't connect to internet and iTunes won't load???  Help?

    This morning I was just getting the white screen with logo and status bar with fan running.  I thought it was an issue with the power adapter so I went out and replaced it.  MBP will start now, but won't connect to internet.  I have full wi-fi signal.  Also, when I try to launch iTunes, it just quits right away.  Please help? 
    -A

    Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
    1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
    If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed with reinstalling OS X.  Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files.  After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

  • Heat and Fan on Retina MacBook Pro

    Hi Guys,
    This is my first post in the forums and I just wanted some advice on an issue. I know there are existing discussions - but I've read conflicting answers in each. I'd like to know if the fan and heat I'm experience on my brand new 15 inch mid-2014 Retina MacBook Pro is normal.
    I use Adobe Premiere Pro CC to edit 1080p video for a YouTube channel. I've noticed that after I begin exporting the fans kick in within seconds and the heat jumps up substantially. Idle, the temperature I've measured with SMC fan control is roughly 35-40 degrees, but within a minute of exporting - this jumps up to around 98/99 degrees. I understand that the fans would start after a certain amount of time and that the temperature would rise. But is it normal to rise to 99 degrees????
    I've not noticed this with games, but just when exporting.
    Thanks for any help.

    That screen shot is very helpful. You have a four core CPU and each core can handle two threads so the %CPU can be over 100%. In your case, it's over 700% total usage with 800% being all there is available, so your rMBP is working very hard indeed. While I start cranking up the fan speed using smcFanControl just as you are, there's just so much the fans can do given that load. And we don't know how hard the graphics coprocessor is working, and that just adds more heat. I suspect the lower temperature may be because the intake ports may have been partially blocked on your lap; it really doesn't take much given their location. It looks like your laptop is doing the best it can.
    There's a reason why five large fans were used in the Mac Pro towers (not counting the graphics card fan).

  • Software to Monitor CPU and Fans

    I have an MSI 785G-E53 with a Phenom II x2 (with all 4 cores unlocked).
    What program can I use to monitor the CPU core temps, fans, maybe even the hard drives too?
    I tried both speedfan and coretemp and neither looked like they pulled the CPU core temps, but maybe I was doing something wrong.
    Should those work?  Is there a better utility to use?

    Quote from: lexluthor on 11-December-10, 21:18:02
    Is that because I have the cores enabled?  Are you saying that if I didn't do the core unlock, those apps would work?  There's something about unlocking the cores that's "breaking" those apps?
    Yep, exactly that. I had the same thing when I unlocked my Athlon II X3 440. I don't know what it is exactly but unlocking the cores stops the sensor from picking up the core temps.

  • Pavilion dv7 - heating and fan problems, hinge broken - DO NOT PURCHASE THIS JUNK!!!

    This message is targetted towards people looking to purchase an HP Pavilion dv7 series of notebooks. Hopefully they are scanning these boards prior to purchase, something I (very) regretfully did not do.
    My system: Intel i7 Q720 @ 1.60GHz, 8GB, ATI mobility radeon HD5650 1GB, Windows 7 home premium 64 bit.
    Almost immediately, there were severe overheating problems. Even under normal use (1- 4% CPU, Word, Excel etc.) it became too hot on the left side to keep on my lap. My kids actually burned their hands on that part. I once used it on a table with a vinyl tablecloth. It actually melted the vinyl!
    Running any CPU/GPU intensive software causes a shutdown due to overheating, a real nuiscance with playing games or watching video in HD. Just as a test, I ran one computationally intensive program overnight while I kept the machine in my freezer. Even then, it overheated and shutdown! (I have not overclocked; just running my software on the hardware as purchased).
    Even in normal use, the fan runs very high, and is very noisy. It is so noisy that I cannot leave it on in my bedroom.
    Finally, because of the positioning of the vent, I am certain that the intense heat weakens the left hinge. I am very careful with how I open lids, always with both hands on the lid. Within two months, the left hinge cracked. I argued extensively with HP, but they insisted that it was my fault, and I was charged for the fix.
    I'm wondering whether the designers ever turned on (let alone stress tested) these units prior to selling this piece of !@#$.
    Added bonus: within 4 months, the hard drive failed, though I can't pin that on HP. While the drive was getting replaced, I went out and bought an Acer. It had better specs than the HP, was cheaper, lighter, and even with the CPU at close to 100 percent, the heat is hardly noticable, and the fan is barely audible.
    I bought HP because most of the scientific instruments in our labs is manufactured by HP, and it is truly high quality , high precision equipement, some of it running for over 25 years problem free. From that, I really trusted the HP name, I trusted that their PC division would have equal quality and standards. !#$% was I wrong! I'm glad they're getting out of the PC business.
    The only reason I'm keeping this junk is because I took the extended warranty at the store, and under it, after three major repairs, they will get me a new notebook of equal or greater value. I can't wait for that inevitable third breakdown!

    The dv 7 eg 4012  is the biggest disapointment:
    the hinge brakes, it has an overheating problem!!!
    Be prepared to replace it after 12 months or pay the bill for the repairs, hundreds of dollars.
    I purchased the laptop directly from the hp online store about a year and a half ago.
    First of all I had to install the latest drivers because hp is not making sure it comes with up to date drivers.
    To find out what the problem was I had to contact the costumer service about 6 times.
    After about 12 months the laptop startet splitting at the left hinge.  The HP Costumer Service looked at the photos and told me this, Quote:  "We have received the attachment of broken hinges and find it is an user damage hence, the service of the Notebook would be done on chargeable basis."
    Before you want to buy a hp laptop, please type into google:  broken hinge hp laptop
    And you will see hundreds of posts of disappointed costumers.
    Even class action lawsuit have been taken out against them.
    For me, this was the last time that I invested about a 1000 Euros( bought it in Europe) in a product which needs to be replaced after a year and a half.
    Please stay away from this product,
    except you have plenty of time and money to keep this machine alive.

Maybe you are looking for