[seanyepez]

I've seen the 667- and 800-megahertz PowerBook DVI's at the Apple Store, but I haven't had the chance to hear one in a quiet environment. It's a good thing that the stores are crowded, but I'd love to know how loud the current machines are. How often do fans come on? Are the fans quiet/silent at their "low" speed?

When a 667-megahertz PowerBook's CPU is at 100% usage, does the machine's fan come on at its "low" or "high" setting? How does cooling on 800-megahertz PowerBooks work?

The machines at the Apple Store weren't very hot, but then again, there was good circulation under the machines and I don't remember them all that well. How hot do the machines get? Are they uncomfortable to use on one's lap?

If anybody would elaborate on this topic, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm on the verge of buying a new PowerBook before Macworld and I'm concerned about the intricate yet sometimes-overlooked details of the series. Thanks in advance!

I know it's a bit off-topic, but how's AirPort reception versus the older "Onyx" PowerBooks?

[craigthomas]

I'm in the same boat...looking to buy just before MW...hoping to see some deals by then.

I have the Ti 500 now. It gets more than a tad hot, but nothing that would prevent me from buying it. And, if you decide to buy one, get a cool-pad. These great little gems keep the ventilation clear under your computer and the heat off your lap - where your computer probably shouldn't be anyway.

[k2man]

I have a Ti 800. The only time the big fan comes on is when I'm playing a game (Wolf, Medal of Honor, or Warcraft 3 for about 30+ minutes), or when I leave the machine to do long Sorenson encodes in Cleaner (like 20-30 minutes+). Even then, the big fan tends to cycle on and off (on for a couple minutes, off for a couple, etc.) As for the other stuff I do (Word, Final Cut editing, PhotoShop, Flash, iTunes, email, IE), the Ti doesn't even break a sweat. (One note regarding volume: I don't have hands-on experience with older Tis, but I have noticed that my friend's Ti500's fan is noticeably louder).

As for the secondary fan, I think I've noticed it once, period (since buying it a week after the 800 shipped). Maybe it's on more, but I honestly don't notice (I do wear headphones 50% of the time).

And as for heat, I had a Pismo before the Ti, and they seem to be in the same ballpark regarding bottom panel temps. I can keep the Ti on my lap for a good 45-60 minutes without having to put a magazine between my legs and the machine.

End result: fan noise and heat have never been an issue for me with this machine...

[seanyepez]

What do you mean "small fan" and "big fan"? The TiBook has two fans of equal size. They function at two different levels.

Do you mean the fans get loud when you're playing/encoding?

[mrmister]

I have a Ti800 DVI, have used a 550 for a while and owned a 500 from the beginning of the TiBooks, and let me tell you--there is a world of difference in the latest ones. Much, much quieter and less hot. Especially quiet--the "stage one" fan, when on, is pretty much inaudible to me--it's quieter than the new iMac's fan in quiet mode, if that helps. My fan rarely kicks up any higher--generally only on a lot of ripping or encoding video, and it still isn'tr as loud as the 500 or 550.

Heatwise it's better too, though it still gets quite warm--but you don't have to worry about burning your thighs anymore, which I did with the 500.

Oh, and Airport is stronger on my 800, though the range isn't farther--it just seems to get more bars and never drop signal within the same range the old Ti used to reach.

That's how i see it,

md

[seanyepez]

Thanks! Is it a machine you can sleep with? I have a dedicated computer room, but I like to bring a portable to my nightstand. I'll use the computer a little, and then I'll fall asleep. I was able to do this with my Pismo and its liquid-bearing hard drive. Is the TiBook silent at idle?

[Mac Zealot]

I dunno about you, but I *like* sitting with a nice warm laptop.. especially on nights when it's cold <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Used to do that with my old laptop I'd set it next to me and fall asleep playing a game on it.. good bed heater lol.

[BrunoBruin]

I have the new 667, and a friend of mine has the "old" 667. His gets too hot to have in his lap, while mine never gets more than warm. His sounds like a hairdryer all the time; mine is dead quiet. The only time the fan has kicked into high was after about two hours of iTunes visuals. Other than that, my Ti is quieter than my Cube with Radeon!

My AirPort reception seems exactly the same as my old iBook, but I'm never more than two rooms away from the base station. I get full signal all the time.

[urrl5201]

Check out link on Apple Ti forum:

<a href="http://discussions.info.apple.com/[email protected]^[email protected]" target="_blank">http://discussions.info.apple.com/[email protected]^[email protected]</a>

Some say 800 Ti is warmer than 667 DVI, but I am led to believe both are cooler than older versions. How much cooler the 667 DVI is compared to the 800 I don't know.

[gorickey]

I agree with that above Apple link post...

The 667 DVI is incredible, I have previously owned a Ti500, and the 667 DVI makes the old one a far off memory. The heat just doesn't happen, for whatever reason, it doesn't get very hot, if anything...just luke warm. The only time my fan has come on was when I was installing 10 things in one sitting, or when using VPC for an hour or more. It's dead quite as well, half the time I am wondering if it's even working it's so silent.

I find the Airport range to be exactly the same as my older model.

Oh yeah, did I mention fast? Jaguar is going to be a dream on this little badboy...

[SMacEslin]

I have both a Pismo 400 and an 'old' Ti667. The Pismo is comfortable to hold in my lap for an indefinite period of time. The Ti on the other hand gets too hot to hold after about 15 minutes of minimal usage, and the fan is on quite a bit. Hopefully what everyone says is true about the newer systems (quiter and cooler)...

[Carl Norum]

I really hope the new 2-fan system makes the machine quieter. My father's old-style PB 667 is really loud when the fan is going full blast - to the point where it disturbs conversation in the room. My PowerBook fund is growing very slowly, so I don't really have to worry that much about the current models, I suppose.

[gorickey]

Also, the 667 DVI has a single fan; however, the DVI 800 has 2 fans...just something to keep in mind!

[Todd Corzett]

I have a Ti800 and can say it gets a little warm. I've never had a laptop with any power (had a 5400, but that's it). The area just above the keyboard seems to get the warmest, and even then it's not too bad. I have mine on a CoolPad at almost all times. It's nice because it keeps the bottom of my baby from getting scratched up if I slike it/swivel it. It also puts it at the right angle for typping --- not to mention cooling it down.

The first time the high speed fan came on I was really supprized. It wasn't the noise, but the LED in the top-middle of the keyboard. Most of the time I use my computer while watching TV or something, so the noise has never been an issue. Also, I can't stand silence - it actually is more annoying than a constant noise to me (then again I'm weird). I have two other computers running in the room at the same time (B&W and a PC) and those drone out the Ti800 - though I can't hear them over the room fans I have going.

Airport ... iteresting thing. I have it setup in my house and it's great at times, and then others it's a pain. I discovered yesterday that I will have full signal when I'm using the trackpad, but no signal when I use an external mouse (my arm ends up getting between the computer's antenna and the base station). Once I move my arm out of the way the signal goes back to full again... Makes me think I have a lead plate in my arm or something...??

I would definatly recommend getting the Airport and then locating the base station in an area that allows for the use you need (might require running longer ethernet cables than you wanted -- but it's better than having no signal!)

-Todd...

PS - Keyboard shoud be arriving shortly ... you still need the option key? When I deliver it I might be able to give a little demonstration of how hot the Ti800 gets when doing tasks.

[Stogieman]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Originally posted by seanyepez:
<strong>Thanks! Is it a machine you can sleep with? I have a dedicated computer room, but I like to bring a portable to my nightstand. I'll use the computer a little, and then I'll fall asleep. I was able to do this with my Pismo and its liquid-bearing hard drive. Is the TiBook silent at idle?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">I do the same thing with my TiBook 800. It sits on the nightstand downloading/uploading from Carracho servers all night.
The hard drive may make a chirp or ticking sound every now and then but unless your doing some heavy DVD ripping, the TiBook is completely silent.

[iDaver]

I use my 667 DVI in my lap most of the time. I devised a little platform out of plexiglass with four large rubber feet on top to hold it and let it and my legs cool off. I found it too hot without. (It's not bad with long pants but intolerable with shorts.)

For normal everyday surfing, email and word processing, the fan rarely comes on. It usually comes on low when the battery is charging. It kicks into high with iTunes, playing a DVD or anything else that is processor intensive.

Since little of what I do requires a (hot) G4, I'd trade this thing in for a fast G3 if it had the same display, which is this PowerBook's best feature.

[seanyepez]

Thanks for all your input, guys! The third-quarter employee promotion just came out, and I guess it's time for me to get a new PowerBook!