Whining MacBook Pro? You're not alone
posted Mar 14th 2006 7:00AM
We’ve been hearing the er, noise about whining MacBook Pros for awhile. Now however, the problem seems to
be widespread enough to warrant our, and possibly Apple’s, attention. As sister site TUAW points out, the
high-pitched hissing/whining/squealing seems to be associated with an idle processor and does not affect all new
MacBook Pros. However it affects enough to have sparked feverish discussion in your choice of Apple-related forums. And
as these things go, several “fixes” have been suggested including keeping the Photobooth app running in the
background to keep the processors busy, installing/uninstalling certain widgets, and disabling the second core
processor altogether. Of course, many are simply holding out hope that a future firmware drops to
sort it out all lickety-split quick. But that would require Apple to first own-up to an issue, which they have
yet to do (publicly) thus far.
ey, this is bs. I have my 2.16 macbook pro w/ 1 gb of ram and a 120 gb hardriver, and i never had any of these problems
So b/c you have a MacBook that fails to exhibit any of these particular issues, it most certainly means every single other one also must not be afflicted?!
I have a similar config and like fshiz....fshizzle...the first one to comment on this post don't have any problems at all, but that is not to say other people aren't having a problem. Obviously they are, and I hope Apple makes something public soon. As the previous owner of a PowerBook with a defective screen I can relate to the frustration a lotta folks are feeling with a pretty expensive purchase.
Anyway. You can rule out this being a subjective issue - mine is whisper quiet, no other way of describing it really.
I have a 2003 dell first-gen centrino laptop that occasionally does this too: and I mean occasionally, as it's heppened about five times in two and a half years and I fixed it by just restarting.
ch424
This is really pretty much just par for the course for Apple. Their reputation for the build quality of their hardware has always been undeserved - going all the way back to the exploding(!) PowerBook 5300's. Then there were the cracking Cubes, the spotted screen iBooks, now the "whining" MacBook Pros. There have been other issues I'm forgetting too - someone else can feel free to fill in the gaps.
I own an iPod and have had no real build quality issues (though the dock connector has always been a bit askew when I plug a cable in), and I have no problem with Apple generally or what they do. But when was the last time you heard about something like this from Dell customers? Or HP? And their reputations for quality are far lower than Apple's, despite having a lot more customers and a lot fewer consistent complaints about particular issues like this.
Dammit... then ch424 goes and blows half my argument out of the water before I'm even done writing it.
WHAAAT?!!!? But I was under the impression that Macintoshes were perfect instruments handed down from God to Steve Jobs on the mountain top.
i got the really annoying one that happens anytime the screen brightness is *anything* except at the VERY highest or OFF.
like when the screen does the half-dim before turning off? maddening.
then i have an intermittant one that is much less annoying than the screen one... and yes. it is fixed by turning on the cam with an app (photobooth / ichat / QT broadcaster) and turning it off again. for whatever reason.
the brightness one is far far far more annoying than the other though.
hi,
i have the whining problem too. I phoned today with apple and the phone agent said: they are working on the problem and it will be fixed. She extra phoned with apple irland and asked about it.
Apple has been getting themselves in some pretty deep crap lately. Hopefully they will offer to fix any Macbook Pro's with this problem for free or offer a solution to the problem.
If it's not one thing, it's another.
There are also problems with the airport card (actually on the intel board) dropping connectivity at regular intervals. That is annoying me.
The whine on my MacBook (stock 2.0) is noticeable in a quiet room. Turning one core off or loading the processors does work. If you turn off the second core, the you can hear the faintest whine from the screen.
I don't think this is a huge issue, at least for me. If the whine signifies an electrical problem that might make my machine prone to later hardware problems, only then would I want it fixed. I don't do heavy audio processing, so I can turn off one core if I really need absolute silence.
Apples quality control is teh grabbage.
Fools
http://glovestudio.com/squatsquat/index.php/2006/03/13/squatworthy-applecare-repairs/
I have an iMac Core Duo that's phenomenal, but holy cow does my iPod nano have a scratched face! :) It doesn't bother me, probably because I am desensitized to the money that I spent on it. If it FELT like I spent a lot of money on it, I'd be mad. It just seems like a small purchase to me.
To #6 (Jeff) .. I do know your point. However, as an IT Manager, yes, Dell and HP have these problems and more. Don't get me wrong, most of their models are fairly decent, but some of their laptops especially have some serious issues as well. On the other hand, some of their laptops are great. The Dell 700m is really nice, for example. Note that Apple WILL actually *finally* pay attention to this at some point and fix it, and it may just be a software update, which would be great. I would imagine if people are going things with software to fix it (i.e. turning on the camera program and turning it back off), they should be able to fix it with software.
Anyway, my point it, Dell and HP hit or miss with their models, and due to the fact that they have 12-15 models each, they can do that. You probably already know that most of them are just ODMs anyway. But with Apple, an issue with a model gets A LOT of press, because they have two laptops and three desktop products. They're pretty responsibly about fixing them, as long as it isn't going to cost them an arm and a leg (unfortunately) like the iMac G4 mid-planes and power-supplies.
Man, I should proofread. :)
well my Dell inspiron 4100 is also whinning in idle. I complained about that years ago. But dell didn't do anything about it because the support couldn't hear the sound through the telephone...
maybe it is just an intel thing :). And all computers make some kind of sound. I can hear my old television to.
People, here is the real cause of the problem. I have a Dell D610, and it exhibits a faint whine as well. The whine is not mechanical, nor is it the screen.
Purely and simply, it is a stray ground loop within the laptop. Extra feedback is getting into the audio circuits, and creates noise/whining most of the time. It is worse when the laptop is not plugged in, because then there is nowhere for the charge to go.
I suspect it has something to do with the way circuitry is arranged on the mobo, and the fact that the whole case conducts probably isn't helping anything. Dell had been trying to fix this for years, and (though they have improved it) it has not gone away. Get used to it if you have it, because nothing short of a major hardware revision will fix it (replaced mobo at the least).
That whine you hear is coming from the fanboys.
You know, I have an Mac as well as 3 PC's, and after playing in both camps I've determined that Apple users are complete pansies. If you don't like your shiny, stylish new MacBook because it whines like you, I'll tell you what, I'll trade you for my Hewlett-Packard zd7000 which has a fan noise like the jet engine on an F-14 Tomcat.
It's a freaking computer, just use it and shut the hell up already.
Thank you valued Apple customer for purchasing a first generation MacBook Pro.
Seriously people, if you want to be an early rider on the Apple bandwagon then you have to accept the fact that there are going to be minor issues with anything brand new. There were issues with the very first G3 iMacs, G4 iMacs, G5 iMacs... the very first anything.
And for the record I've heard this "whine" on one of the MacBook Pro I looked at. The optical drive on my fourth generation PowerBook G4 makes more noise when empty. take any thin laptop into a quiet room, you'll hear things that make your gut cringe.
The real whining here is coming from the Microsoft turncoats that think everything Mac is Jesus-Christ perfect.
The whining comes from the people whining about the fanboys
My iPod nano has a terribly annoying flaw that Apple introduced with the 1.1 software update 3+ months ago and still hasn't bothered to fix. Oh wait, they did write a support article that tells me to:
1. Don't touch the iPod controls for at least 5 seconds.
2. Press the Center button up to 4 times allowing 1 second to elapse between each press.
3. If the iPod does not return to its normal screen, either repeat steps 1-2 or reset your iPod using the steps documented here.
Apple's quality control is definitely garbage.
How do you disable the second core?
sounds like the chirp problem with the rev A PowerMac G5s. I have one, it chirps just like a lot of those old 80s computers. i think its bad ass. computers do make noises just like anything else, get over it.
While your at it, also post about how the screen only angles back 125 degrees, short of the 135 degrees from previous Powerbooks, which makes it short of unusable while using it on your lap.
Something with the inductors is my guess. They can whine and screech.
Apple's quality reputation is definately exagerated. I've owned 2 ipods a 3g and a mini and both have died on me.
Boo Hoo.
You hear a whining sound when your face is up against the screen I really feel sorry for you. Boo hOO the battery isn't as good as it was on the 15inch PowerBook but its 4-5X faster. People lighten up. The MacBook Pro has no severe problems. I love the fact its just as hot on my lap as an old Pentuim 4 laptop 3 years ago. People are so stupid about these little problems. To me my MacBook Pro is the most solid machine I have ever been on. I can run like 9 programs all at the same time. There is NO OTHER machine like this on the market.
(Whoever wrote the javascript that 'verifies' e-mail addresses here needs to read RFC 2821; this thing rejects perfectly valid e-mail addresses.)
The reports I've read say it gets quieter when you use the CPU more.
Sounds like #27 is probably right, it's an inductor.
To convert the voltage coming off the battery to the voltage needed by the CPU, they use what's called a "switched mode DC/DC converter."
It's sort of like a transformer, but switches at a very high speed, tens, maybe hundreds, of kilohertz. Depending on the input voltage _and_ the current being drawn, it may change the speed that it switches at.
If it is switching at an audible frequency, it might vibrate enough for you to hear it. If you start using the CPU more, it'll start drawing more power, and that will affect the switching - in this case, apparently enough to make it inaudible.
It's a common problem on many devices I've used, but it does vary a lot in intensity. Some devices are only audible in a very quiet room, some of them I've never heard.
I have a MacBook Pro 2.16 / 2GB / 100Gb 7200 HD. I had one of the first in the country. No problems at all. Zero. Zilch.
I have the money and wifey approval to get a new macbook to replace my 12" 867mhz (1st gen) powerbook. I'm waiting till 2nd rev macbook though, 1st gen apple products traditionally have problems. like overheating/loud fans!
Watch this and tell me it's not a big deal:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lm_gfeeORK8&search=macbook
Here's a nother video of the sound:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oRp1W_bN4rA&search=macbook
I have done some investigating into this problem and come up with a simple application you can run to eliminate most of the "CPU whine." The noise is distinct from the "display brightness" noise. But running my app may be less obtrusive than running Photo Booth or one of the other workarounds.
http://www.red-sweater.com/blog/105/all-work-and-no-play-makes-a-quiet-macbook-pro
I have an Intel iMac 2.0 and I also hear the whining sound. Its very faint, but its very annoing! I don't know if its the same issue with the mbp, but the sound is real. I think its an electrical issue with the iMac. I can hear the sound even when the computer is OFF; the sound only goes away whe I unplug the computer from the power outlet.
Post #1 is an idiot...I love my mac products but the new MacBookPro I received from Shanghai...where they all come from....had the noise and only messing with the display brightness would stop it...not an option for a new machine costing me $3700! Apple took it in for repairs but couldn't say when replacement part would be shipped from manufacturer so after 2 weeks of having my computer in their repair shop they are replacing my MacBookPro with a new one. Wish me luck.
I've read on a few sites for a quick fix for the macbook whine is to install the mirror widget that utilized the iSight camera. Install it, use it, and then you can delete if if you want, something about the cleanup process for that widget has been fixing a lot of people's wining problems.
Will somebody please remind me what the problem with early adopters is?
Oh, that's right - since modern business standards all but forbid truly valid heuristical evaluations, early-adopters are essentially the guinea pig test pool for brand new products.
In other words, your pains in dealing with this issue are a byproduct of your willingness to participate in Apple's cleverly disguised testing phase for their new MacBook Pro, which will most likely be truly ready for purchase in another year or so.
However, rest assured - Apple thanks you for your involvement in insuring a great product for future, more market savvy users.
To Jason (post #16) - here are a number of ingenious ways to fix the the scratches on your IPod
http://www.xsorbit1.com/users/dennx/index.cgi?board=ipodservice&action=display&num=1035865379&start=45
When the first Commodore 64 came out, it needed some tweeking too, but I bought it anyway because I could afford it (still runs flawlessly). So apple has a MINOR problem that will be fixed in a matter of time. I think it is great that people with a lot of money can go out and buy AMAZING products like this, test drive them for a bit, and let me know I should wait for the 2nd generation. It isn't like we didn't know there might be some issues early on.
I'm happy I have chosen to hold off. Until then... You new MacBook Pro Users should keep photobooth running. :-)
This happened to the Intel iMacs as well, witness this report:
http://www.crazyapplerumors.com/?p=322
Wow. I had that exact same whining. I called and they took it back and sent me a new one that is nice and quiet. For a while though - I thought I was losing my mind or hearing things. Nice to know I'm not.
For everybody that keeps telling the mac fanboys to shut up:
My first Mac, so I'm definitely not a Mac fanatic. I just got a new MacBook with all the fixings, and within 10 minutes of having the thing plugged in I'm searching for "macbook noise". There's a band soundchecking 50 feet away and it's still easy to hear the whine.
So don't just assume that people are whining. It's freakin' loud and beyond annoying. (I have Photobooth running and it's perfectly quiet now, but I'll definitely try to swap it for one that doesn't have this issue.)
I have a MBP 1.83Ghz and i have this whining sound, turning off the brightness "fixes" it, not Photobooth though. But about that AirPort Express problem, that the connection drops periodically, i fixed that by lowering the TX-rate on my wireless router (D-Link 614+ Rev_B). Hope this helps
Well, I have more good news. After reading all of this, and worrying my tail off, I am happy to report (I have a MBP that arrived today, 100@7200, 1GB, 2.13) that my cat makes more noise).
In fact, I can't hear the unit when anything is going on, and whine of my old Dell laptop (A D610) is like a freight train compared to this.
Honestly, after all my worries about noise, and everything I read, I honestly can't hear any noise in my laptop except for the slight hum of the hard drive if my cat is purring next to me.
+1 Apple.
Just gotta add that a coworker of mine received his from MacMall's first shipment, and the period key cap would, without fail, pop off if your keystroke landed on the forward half of the key cap.
After a call to MacMall revealed that they "don't have that the kind of relationship with Apple" that would allow them to do an exchange for such a problem he called Apple.
Their R&D department wanted it so they could eliminate any potential future occurences of the problem, and prepaid overnight shipping for him to send in the MacBook Pro and exchanged his keyboard, then overnighted it back to him.
It was his first Mac and, after a disappointing Day 1, he was quite happily surprised by Apple's willingness to make sure his experience was a good one. Bonus points for them.
This seems to be fixed in the new Macbook Pro Firmware download available at apple.com/support/download/
Nevermind - I'm just in an area where I couldn't hear it as well. :P
the firmware update didnt fix it on my macbook.
I had so many problems with the macbook pro.
First, my power adapter didn't work right. It wouldn't send power to my laptop, because of the defect in the connector. I took it back to the store and got a replacement on the spot. Which was good.
Second, after 1-2 weeks of use, I started noticing that my LCD lid was warping. I called appleCare and they sold me the extended applecare package. I decided to buy the package, after seeing several manufacturing issues. The lady on the phone was polite and told me that the lid warping was a manufacturing problem. She then told me that I should return it as soon as possible, because if it get worse, the store might think that it was dropped.
Once I got to the store, it was another story. The "genius" tried to come up with all kind of excuses not to take it back. First he told me that it must be because I was right handed (what the?) He tried to come up with several excuses, and eventually blamed it on my targus laptop sleave.
However, after arguing for several hour, he gave in and exchanged a new macbook for me. It turned out to be an older rev, (which I knew has even more problems). I requested that he give me a newer rev unit, but he refused. I decided to take the chance and take the exchange unit home.
Then guess what happenned? This unit got the buzzing noise issue. I decided to call Applecare again, to try to see if I can at least get my old defective unit back. The tech support person was quite polite, but she was honest that she can't do anything abou it. She suggested that I keep this unit and call customer relations tomorrow. She also mentioned that there's no directline and that I will have to go through a computer voice maze.
I'm very sad to have switched to apple.. I've never had any problem when I was using sony laptops (and I had like 3 sony laptops before switching to this macbook.)
I wish I can get my $3000 back :(....
ps. I installed the firmware and it does not fix the problem.
I have also downloaded the firmware and still have a whine. I use the photobooth work arround. Im hoping that Apple will release a real fix soon.
I have the whining noise as well - and indeed if I run the Photo Booth app it goes away! An OK solution for now I suppose ... but if anyone learns of Apple "fixing" this problem in some tangible way (in other words, not solving the problem by giving me a new MacBook Pro), please post the info. The noise isn't a huge deal ,except when I'm using the laptop in a meeting where you can actually hear it over a person speaking!
What I find irritating are solutions which alleviate the symptoms but do not cure the malfunction proposed.
I have a whining mac book pro, this sucks especially since I was hoping this purchase to speed up my work but Photoshop, Dreamweaver and for some reason my Cross platform Final Cut Studio has problems to. I feel like I got a defective unit. This sucks I hope they are able to fix this problem.
Since I have a new battery, my macbook no longer whines .....
hi. i just got my MacBook 2.0Ghz 2 days ago.
can anyone help? the photo booth is showing a blank green screen.
have tried quiting the application and
have tried restarting the mac but both to no avail.
i'm really new to mac.
have been surfing for forums on this problem and so far haven't found any.
help!!!
thanks
I am having the same problem with photo booth, any help would be much appreciated.
I found a fix for the green screen problem. Google 'osx reset PRAM', you should find a tutorial on it from apple.com. Otherwise, what you do is shut down your computer, then right after you press the power button, hold down control-option-P-R buttons until you hear the booting sound twice, then release. It should be fine after that.
Running Photobooth stops the whine on my MBP. It seams strange that if running a program made by Apple, they can't figure out an easy way to stop the whine without running the program.
The MacBook Pro noise is a problem which annoys many people, judging by the number of posts. There is, however, no known solution to the problem (other than getting a replacement macbook) only workarounds. One work around is occupying the CPU, as the noise appears when the CPU is idle. Some suggested turning on the Mirror widget, then turning it off, putting the MacBook to sleep and waking it again (the noise will be gone until the next sleep). How about doing something useful with the CPU instead? Today I downloaded a client to the Folding@home distributed computing service, which does molecular research into cancer and other diseases. It works great, occupies enough CPU for the noise to disappear, but at the same time does not interfere with other tasks (it only occupies the idle time, and in case you want to do some rendering, you can always switch it off).
Apple must know by now about the problem, so let us wait for a solution to the MacBook whining, and instead of whining ourselves, let us turn the situation into something useful, by supporting, for example, molecular caner research.
I have this problem too, but not on a Mac. I'm using a brand new Dell E1505 Core 2 Duo @ 2ghz. Nothing that actually fixes it yet has been found.
yup, I have a MacBook (not Pro) and it definitely slightly whines every now and then. IT's only annoying when it gets really high pitched, but my refridgerator definitely drowns it out at night. Awkward when your in class and its silent and all you hear are the buzzings of MacBooks and MacBook Pro's alike... Hope theres a fix for this soon. If not, I guess we'll all just live with it, or send it back...
I just bought a NEC Versa E3100 and I seem to have the same problem. Not so much a whine but a very very fast beeping (sounding almost like a whine) when the processor is down. It comes and goes and even goes when I move the scroll button on the mouse to scroll the screen. Anyone have any more suggestions?