If apple made a...

If apple made a thicker version of the MBP (say 1.2-1.4") for better cooling, would you prefer it over the <1" MBP that seems to heat up quite a bit? obviously, this question is just for fun, and to see what people's responses are. Apple will obviously never settle for a laptop that fat. Personally, i think i would cope with the heating issues for the thinness. I love how the MBP is amongst the thinnest of [high spec] notebooks without it being it's "main thing".

 

If apple made a brick that didn't do anything, people would still buy it.

But back to the question, I don't think heat would be an issue.

 

They don't need to make it thicker, they could always add a little depth to make the radiator for the heatpipe cooler wider or longer.

 

just thicker? no.... thicker and much better specs? possibly, depending on the specs.

 

It's pretty obvious the OP doesn't know much about Apple's notebook computers. The Powerbooks were much thicker (namely the 12" Powerbook) and they were just as hot then as they are now. It's not a space issue, it's the fact that Apple uses the metal housing as a heatsink to cool the internals along with the fans. It's passive cooling.

 

The cpu and gpu cooler is not using the casing as a cooler. It is a heatpipe cooler connected to cooling fins and a fan that is insulated from the metal body. It has a fan making it active cooling. Using a case for a cooler is a terrible idea as it would make the computer way too hot for using on your lap and possibly too hot to touch.

 

You're correct, sir.

If they actually invested in higher quality parts (to match the price), cooling would be better. All they have to do put their "brilliant" engineers in a thinktank, underpay them for a while, and I'm sure they can solve something as simple as better cooling.

As for the gentleman that said it's passive cooling: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_cooling

Google is your friend, dear sir.

 

Before purchasing my MBP I had a HP and it never ran cool; it was always hot. I can't honestly see where my MBP is worse than any other laptop that I've had to use...

 

it is part passive and part active cooling... it isn't purely passive since it does have fans... They do factor in the amount of extra cooling received just because of the metal case.

 

LOL!! At least some of the folks on this forum would, for sure.

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LOL! Thats the best thing since iHome!

 

They should just remove that silly optidrive. Who use CDs anyway.

 

powerbooks were also last made in 06. theres been quite an advance in technology since 06. also, you dont think with a bit more space in a laptop, cooling would be easier? if you were in a 3' x 6' x 2' box, dont you think it would get just a little bit hotter than if you were in a open room? logic is also your friend.

but like i said, the post was to see if people would sacrifice thinness for better cooling. I was only interested in the answer because heating laptops seems to be a big subject on this apple board.

 

Thicker..., maybe heavier..., cooler than a mbp. Definitely I'd go with an iMac, then.

 

Thicker, better cooling, and more performance minded GPUs.

Wait, shouldn't that be the distinction between the MB and MBP anyway?

 

Well you cant really build a product around people who like to put the laptop on their knees while being naked. Those "runs hot problems" are kinda "solved" with:
1. Put notebook on table
2. Put notebook on bed
3. Wear jeans (its not hot through it)
4. Get some defensive shell which will absorb heat (which most people do anyway)
5. Just move the notebook when it gets hotter
6. Buy notebook cooler
etc etc.

Sure its a "workaround" but i rather do that then have more bulky notebook. I never put it on my knees anyway and even though i am heavily into gaming i never got a crash yet due to overheat etc.

They do indeed need to distinguish mbp from mb, since they are kinda identical atm.

 

Honestly, I don't know what people complain about. I have NEVER had an issue with my MBP when using it on my lap from being too hot or using it while lying in bed.

The only time it gets warm (but still not unbearably hot or anything) is when I'm gaming for hours on end (still never had a single crash or overheat issue in Windows 7 on this thing, playing pretty recent/new games). Even then, I'm not exactly gaming with it on my lap; how is that even remotely comfortable to game in this position?!

 

I did mention the 12" Powerbook which was considerably thicker and it was very hot back then. I've been on Macs for 15 years and the heat has been an issue since day one. Thick or thin is not the issue for the excessive heat.

 

My point was that they were just as compact back then as they are now. the hardware took more space, so they had to be thicker in order to fit the components. if the current MBP had more space, it would obviously cool better. it may not be the issue, but giving the components more space would be a solution, or it would at least help. I'm not suggesting that they should make them thicker, im saying that if they did, it would help the heat issue, and you are refuting that.

 

Not necessarily. More space = more area to build up hot air. What you need is proper circulation and airflow. Simply having more space isn't going to really fix that issue. I'm not even really sure why you're arguing this anyways; you yourself just stated that you don't suggest they make it thicker, so why even continue to argue a moot point?

Looking at any laptop forum here will yield plenty of people who complain about heat. Laptops inherently have this issue. Go peek into the Dell forums and look for the 1645 and overheating.

I own plenty of laptops (4 at this point in fact!) and I've owned 3 MacBook Pros. Not a single one of them ran nearly as hot as my Dell, HP or my Toshiba. I wouldn't sacrifice a single thing about Apple's design to be quite frank and I still don't see how people find MBPs to be ridiculously hot. They really should take my Dell for a spin to see what overheating really is.

 

False premise entirely based on primitive and inapplicable logic, that you lightly demonstrated. Amateur thermodynamics is not a hobby I would suggest you endeavor.

Larger confines would only present the opportunity for a larger battery, and/or higher capacity fans and heatsinks. Isn't gonna happen though.

 

would more space not grant the opportunity for better airflow? anyways, i agree its a moot point, but just fun discussion. nobody's calling anyone harsh names [yet]!

there would be no spec increase in this hypothetical laptop, just better cooling. you disagree with me in that apple would be unable to make the laptop run cooler, given the same specs, but more space?

this topic seems to have quickly turned from "yes or no" to "bash on the newby OP"

 

Honestly, a thicker laptop with more space for a bigger fan would be technologically a step back, I wouldn't buy that. A cooling system based on a fan or better air flow starts to sound obsolete. I don't know why, but we are thinking in blowing and in airflow, and maybe this is not the solution for cooling.
For many people the hot is not an issue, but to me is a big issue and one of the main reasons why I have just ordered a MBA 13 instead of the more powerful MBP 13 (ok. yes, it looks nicer as well...).

 

It's not really a fun discussion when it feels like you're ignoring people's comments and repeating your same stance. All we're going to get out of this is more of "nah-uh, I'm right" back and forth.

More airflow is required, not just a simple "increase the space". And to be honest, any "bashing" that might be occurring, you're kinda inviting it on yourself.

 

I'm not refuting anything, but thanks for clearing your point and dismissing mine.

 

Ahhh, the reasons I don't venture into the Mac forums.

I've seen six MB/MBPs fail due to overheating. Only a single PC of mine has, and that was because my idiot roommate was using it on a very large blanket while gaming.

I've also measured two MBPs under max load at 80c at the outer case. If you're trying to tell me 80c wouldn't burn you... Well, keep living in the dream world.

I do though, wish that Apple would shuffle things, or alternatively make a third model. Keep a similar design, but for a more high end market, with better GPUs, and better cooling, at the cost of some weight/thickness. Hell, maybe even professional GPUs (Quadro/FirePro). Then I'd buy one.

Wouldn't that be a solution to fit everyone's desires? A low end, a mid end, and a high end machine. MB / MBP / MBx?

 

The problem with your post is that data like this is completely arbritrary. So is mine and everyone else's.

I've owned 4 MBP's and never had a single overheating issue or failure. I've owned numerous non-Apple laptops that overheated/died/failed/etc.

 

On a complete tangent...why do people put laptops directly on their laps anyway - it's awkward, uncomfortable at best, and none too great for your posture (or your neck) either

Wasn't there this huge shift to calling them notebook computers several years back? Whatever happened with that....

 

Love the eye rolling. Yep, the usual newbie looking to create enemies here and all within his first 20 posts. I can see now who and what I'm dealing with. Don't bother to respond, please?

 

haha, chill out man. i just disagree with you. so all of a sudden its war? geezz. YouTube - The Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love?

 

I've been using laptops on my lap for years. It's never been awkward or uncomfortable for me, and my posture and neck are fine. Maybe you're doing it wrong...

 

It's good that it works out for you, but most workplace ergonomics specialists (we have an entire department at my company devoted to this, oddly enough) would easily say that using a laptop on your lap is actually really bad ergonomically. Obviously every person is made differently though.

 

"Ergonomics specialists"? Hmm. I just find it difficult to believe that using a laptop on your lap could be bad, ergonomically.

 

We have a section of our HR department that is dedicated to ergonomics in the workplace and for travelling. Most of the workforce are consultants who travel (the global company size is over 100k people now) and as such, the company is constantly scrutinized for providing adequate ergonomics for employees, including training and fulfilling any requests to make the workplace / travel settings more comfortable.

Sitting with a laptop in your lap strains your neck/back because you are looking down at something. To be properly ergonomic, you need to be looking straight ahead of you, not higher or lower. As I said though, every person is different and not everyone is affected equally by everything, but in general, I would strongly recommend against spending excessive time sitting with a laptop in your lap.