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Mac studio v1 fan noise - it's going to be one of the loudest Macs at idle.
- Thread starter AdamSeen
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In theory it has nothing to do with it. But for the sake of keeping things comparable for people, it's always better to state what OS version people are running. In addition, often times an update to the system fixes problems that it (theoretically) doesn't address and should not fix. Yet it does.
I wonder if it is like the tingling sensation on the Macbooks which seems to be 220v thing and no on 120v.
forums.macrumors.com
Also would explain why most or no youtuber mentioned it as most are in the Us so 120v.
MacBook Pro at 220 volts, could feel current through aluminum case
I recently traveled to Europe with a MacBook Pro, and plugged it into the outlet with a travel converter. My understanding is that the brick on the magsafe cable works as a transformer and it is safe to plug into a European outlet. I've never had a problem with other laptops. Everything...
forums.macrumors.com
Also would explain why most or no youtuber mentioned it as most are in the Us so 120v.
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With Macs Fan Control we set the dual fan to 1100 RPMi, it doesn't seem to effect cooling performance but makes fans considerable less audible. Source: Mac Studio fan control and fan noise. Tested on both M1 Max & Ultra
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I had no idea this was a 220V thing, it's even worse on my iPad but I somewhat feel it on the MacBook as well.I wonder if it is like the tingling sensation on the Macbooks which seems to be 220v thing and no on 120v.
MacBook Pro at 220 volts, could feel current through aluminum case
I recently traveled to Europe with a MacBook Pro, and plugged it into the outlet with a travel converter. My understanding is that the brick on the magsafe cable works as a transformer and it is safe to plug into a European outlet. I've never had a problem with other laptops. Everything...
Also would explain why most or no youtuber mentioned it as most are in the Us so 120v.
Got to say this fan noise thing is a major bummer.
Well I am not totally sure but the Macbook official charger is not grounded it seems as only to pins in the EU, bout grounded is usually 2 pins and a hole.
My Macbooks have it with the official Apple charger, did not check actually if it does it to when I charge it over the usb-c from the screen.
Anyway not sure if 120v / 220v is the issue will see if more people comment on that.
i just took a look at the specs for my official apple power supply on my MBP and other than a pin converter to mate to the outlet, it should be good to go 220V/50 or 60 Hz. no transformer required.I wonder if it is like the tingling sensation on the Macbooks which seems to be 220v thing and no on 120v.
MacBook Pro at 220 volts, could feel current through aluminum case
I recently traveled to Europe with a MacBook Pro, and plugged it into the outlet with a travel converter. My understanding is that the brick on the magsafe cable works as a transformer and it is safe to plug into a European outlet. I've never had a problem with other laptops. Everything...
Also would explain why most or no youtuber mentioned it as most are in the Us so 120v.
adding the transformer to down step to 100/110V is unnecessary and probably adds audible transformer noise.
yes I just wonder how they handle it in the studio… and if it is not the assembly location like some thought but more the location where it is used
The MBP feeling current through 220V mains is a problem since the dawn of time. It has to do with the Apple power bricks despite having a 3rd metal contact for ground (it is the button shaped metal sticking out once you pull out the swappable plug part), but the actual plug itself does not have ground connecting to it. There are stray currents inside the chassis that are not accounted for but low voltage enough to not be harmful.
I doubt this has anything to do with the fan noise issue discussed.
I doubt this has anything to do with the fan noise issue discussed.
Is there any technical reason that this couldn't happen? Seems like a good solution if it's possible.
MaxTech just did a comparison of the M1 Mini vs. Mac Studio. At one point he said, "both machines are completely silent." So much variation in opinion on this issue!
There isn't much variation in opinion. One post claims that all of the people who got machines for review said they were quiet because Apple gave them specially picked machines. Well, here's Parker Walbeck's comparison, published this afternoon, of a built to order Mac Studio/Ultra and a high specced 16" MacBook Pro/Max. He specifically notes that the Ultra is quiet, especially in relation to the MacBook. I had a base Studio Max for two weeks and was happy enough with the performance and noise level that on Friday I turned it in for a $1200 upgrade.
I'll accept that some people find the Studio noise level unacceptable, but I think that they are a tiny minority.
Well, I can definitely hear the whirring of the fan in the Studio in his review. I hear NOTHING when sitting 12-18 inches away from my iMac Pro.
I am way, way less concerned about what the Studio sounds like under heavy load (by all accounts, it's quiet), and far more concerned about what it sounds like at idle (not totally silent). That's just me.
What Walbeck is showing is a comparison of levels. The audio in his videos goes though processing, probably including compression that makes quiet sounds in particular sound louder, followed by an overall adjustment to a loudness target. The objective is to make the audio clear if you're listening through AirPods on the street or in a subway train.
In other words, the audio in the video does not emulate you sitting 12" to 18" from your iMac
That's why what he says about the sound is important.
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The thread is about the fact that the Mac Studio is one of the loudest at idle - not at load. Mac Studio is in fact very quiet at load comparatively to many others, but alas, whilst useful to know it has never been in doubt.
The MacBook Pro is significantly quieter at idle than the studio. At load, it’s the other way around.
I prefer - as do many others - quieter at idle machines - hence the thread and the many comments in support of that preference.
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Yeah. That's what I was trying to say, but you said it better.
I think most of the complaints are of the High pitched sound than of the actually airflow itself though.
My Mac Studio arrived today and as is expected, one of the loudest Macs at idle.
Good:
Bad:
Ugly:
Overall, I would likely keep it if 1,100 was the default and it didn't exhibit the terrible whine. So maybe with a firmware update and the whine fixed, I'd buy it.
For now - I'm sending it back. I might wait to see if the iMac Pro makes a return next year.
Good:
- The fan sound is more pleasant than the Mac Pro 2019 blower. It is much less annoying and doesn't feel like it's cramming buckets full of air every second. I think many people will be fine with it.
- When forcing it to 1,100 RPM it is easy to tune out - It is still louder than an iMac Pro at 1,100 RPM.
Bad:
- At the default 1,300 RPM it is more noticeable. It is not "silent"
- It has a higher fan speed than is needed at idle. The fan speed is overkill at idle.
- It's going to be hard to clean - Dust may be a problem in future.
Ugly:
- It exhibits a whine at 2.14Kh. This tone varies a lot in terms of when it appears. It is annoying.
Overall, I would likely keep it if 1,100 was the default and it didn't exhibit the terrible whine. So maybe with a firmware update and the whine fixed, I'd buy it.
For now - I'm sending it back. I might wait to see if the iMac Pro makes a return next year.
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Is the Mac powered by 110V or 220V?
If you cover half of the holes with your palm (to seal it so air doesn't flow), does the whistling and noise stop? Try the left side especially.
220v. It does reduce the noise but doesn’t always deterministically stop . Especially on the left side. But note that is the left side when the studio is facing forward. I’ve got it until Friday so happy to run more tests to help you guys until then.
I'm taking it from the rear view when you're looking at the holes. Definitely check it out, I'm curious!
Another one with 220V and you can hear the sounds…
One guy complaints that smaller fan size = unpleasant noise. Another guy complaints that Mac Studio is a too big factor form with overkill cooling system. Apple makes a form factor they can utilize for many years under variety of usage.