Buzzing sound from MBA

[nph]

Since I have the SSD is the buzzing sound I hear from the middle of the computer the fan?
If I get close to the laptop I hear a buzzing sound. I thought it was supposed to be rather quiet?

Hope I don't have to bring it in to Apple given the perfect screen I got!
From the postings of all other SSD owners I took it that the MBA with SSD was whisper quiet but the buzzing I hear after playing a HD video makes me wonder if it is the fan making that noise.

Any idea?

Thanks

 

[nph]

Or is the reason I hear the fan that it is so quiet otherwise?
Strangely enough I can hear it even at 2500 rpm.

What do you other SSD owners think, do I have a broken fan?

Scottsdale, how is yours?

 

[tubbymac]

The fan doesn't make a buzzing sound on mine. I can't even hear my fan until it ramps up with video, and when it does it's a whoosh of air sound, not a buzz.

When the hard drive on my machine stops with inactivity the only sound I can hear is the Intel Core 2 processor whine. It sounds like a combination of morse code and electrical coil whine and is very faint unless you get your head close to the machine.

Is that the sound you're talking about?

 

[nph]

Hi

Yes, that is what it sounds like and when it ramps down in I hear it much less and have to put my ear close to my machine. I focused on the fan since that ramped up as well when watching video.

So this is the sound of the Core Duo 2 that I have read about. Nothing to worry about then in other words?

Thanks

 

[tubbymac]

You have nothing to worry about if it is indeed the CPU whine, as all Intel Core 2 Duo notebooks I've ever come across make the sound. It's a high frequency sound though so some people can't hear it since their hearing has already degraded.

To make sure it isn't the fan hold your computer in the air and rotate your machine while listening to the noise. Shake your machine too (I'm only suggesting this because you have a SSD - anybody with a HD do NOT try this as it may damage the HD platters). If the noise does not change it's probably not the fan.

Also try scrolling around with the trackpad. The noise will stop and start based on CPU activity. The more your CPU gets used the less the sound will sputter.

Finally look up "CPU whine" on youtube. A few people have recorded how it sounds on video. If it sounds like the videos you're fine.

 

[nph]

Interesting, I just shook it like you suggested and it went away so I believe it was the fan that was a little of center.
What do you think?
Now it is eerily quiet.

 

[mhnajjar]

For some reason, I have never heard the CPU whine that everyone talks about. Are there any videos or audio clips for this tubby?

nph, it seems that you finally found a screen like mine but you never mentioned where you got it from! I got mine from Mars

The MBA that I have now is the most perfect machine I have ever seen in my life. Even the mouse button has the best balance compared to all the 100s I tried before!

 

[nph]

I ordered mine from Amazon.
first charge which took 4 hours also gave me 4 hours with wifi on and surfing only.
Looks perfect to me!

 

[tubbymac]

Interesting, I just shook it like you suggested and it went away so I believe it was the fan that was a little of center.

If the noise changed when you shook it, that's the fan. If shaking it reseated the fan properly and the noise is now gone, you're good for now. Eventually you'll want to Applecare the fan though. Normal fans are pretty resistant to shaking and rotating.

For some reason, I have never heard the CPU whine that everyone talks about. Are there any videos or audio clips for this tubby?

There are better videos, but this is one I quickly found on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwToJ2ZXB3w

The loud, whoosh of air noise is the fan. The very low volume high frequency "ringing" type sound is the cpu whine. It's the sound in the video that goes away when the user moves his mouse, but then it comes back a few seconds after.

 

[mhnajjar]

Thanks tubbymac but I have never had this whine on any of my Macs or my wife's Vaios!

 

[andrewp]

I had the same issue as you. Like a metal piece was touching the fan, however when I opened it up, I didn't find anything.
I had to send it in twice, they didn't notice anything the first time , however the second time they changed the whole fan and added new cooling pasta. This solved the problem, so I guess that's your only option...

 

[nph]

I guess that is the only option but so far it hasn't come back. knock on wood!

 

[Scottsdale]

There is no noise from mine at all. The only thing I hear is vibrations when I put my ear right next to the back of it. Definitely an extremely quiet laptop - never had a laptop this quiet until the MBA.

I think the other reply was correct. If shaking it changes the sound it's the fan. Would wait and see if it continues before letting them touch it. I hate taking my Macs in unless a logic board is fried. I have had bad experiences like missing screws and other broken parts when taking in. The only person I truly trust is myself. In fact, if I were you, and the fan is problematic I would consider changing it myself. Lots of nice photos and instructions at ifixit.com.

Definitely seems minor. I wouldn't get too worked up unless it is still acting up a few weeks from now.

Best wishes and congratulations.

 

[mhnajjar]

There is no noise from mine at all. The only thing I hear is vibrations when I put my ear right next to the back of it. Definitely an extremely quiet laptop - never had a laptop this quiet until the MBA.

I think the other reply was correct. If shaking it changes the sound it's the fan. Would wait and see if it continues before letting them touch it. I hate taking my Macs in unless a logic board is fried. I have had bad experiences like missing screws and other broken parts when taking in. The only person I truly trust is myself. In fact, if I were you, and the fan is problematic I would consider changing it myself. Lots of nice photos and instructions at ifixit.com.

Definitely seems minor. I wouldn't get too worked up unless it is still acting up a few weeks from now.

Best wishes and congratulations.

Seconded