[ccwillows]

I have been using my MBP in lid closed mode for about two months with a 23" Cinema. I took it to an Apple Store 3 weeks ago for a few reasons. It was getting very hot (I bought a Kingwin 3 in 1 fan/usb hub/media reader to help, but it still seemed pretty hot.) It also seemed to be running slow without the snappiness you'd expect from a dual core, even when running basic programs like Safari. When I removed the power cable, the battery completely failed.

The genius agreed that it was too hot, it was running slow, the battery failed and said they would try to address the whine, as well. He thought they would need to replace the logic board.

I told him I was operating in lid closed mode and he said that the faster processors weren't designed to be run that way all the time. He said that without the side air ports, a lot of heat escapes through the top. So even though lid-closed mode is documented in the MBP manual, at least one genius thinks it is too hot that way. I'm not sure what I'll do when I get it back. I bought it with the intention of running in lid-closed mode.

(To be fair, it was also very hot when running with the lid fully open, on battery, on my lap.)

They have had the computer for 3 weeks, now. The status reads "Part on order." I have called several times and their phone tier system seems designed to reassure you that "it could be any day, now." That was 2 weeks ago. I finally reached a Tier 2 person who said it was the battery on hold until June 16th. The battery? She said she could expedite it, though. That was a week and a half ago.

I called again. Another person told me that they were also waiting on the thermal sensor or something, but it had arrived that morning so they would have it done "most likely" by the end of this week. I checked my online status today (the end of the week)...it still says "Part on order." I asked what repairs they were making, they said it was the Main Logic Board, the Thermal Sensor, and the battery.

I have used Apple since 1990. I have always purchased refurbished or used computers. This is my first experience with a new Mac and with having to use AppleCare. I am thoroughly unimpressed. I still love Apple products, however, and will wait patiently for my baby to be returned, hopefully in perfect working order.

Thanks for listening.

[skyman]

I feel your pain. I am on my 4th MBP. Week 17 build. This unit is better than the last but still runs HOT and has the whine.

If I were you, I would call an escalate the issue and demand they send you a replacement unit.

Apple is well aware of the problem and replaced mine 3 times.

P.S. I did not purchase Apple Care.

Good Luck.

[ccwillows]

Your 4th? Wow. I thought my situation was bad. Sorry to hear you still have the whine and the heat. I guess they pushed these out the door too fast. It seems like they don't have "Pro" support or "Pro" consideration for their "Pro" products.

I think they did escalate the issue when I called about my battery, but I didn't ask for a replacement because it sounded like it would be resolved by the end of last week. If this continues I may have to reconsider my options.

Thanks for commiserating.

[ccwillows]

Just to update, I finally got the MBP back today after 3 weeks. They replaced the Thermal Module, Main Logic Board, and Battery. The battery seems fine, so far. The computer feels a lot faster than it was. However, it feels just as hot or hotter than before. It also still has the digital whine coming from the upper left. I haven't done the firmware update, yet.