Mac studio v1 fan noise - it's going to be one of the loudest Macs at idle.

[vddobrev]

If noise is your only reason, maybe think of getting one and utilising the 14 day return policy. My Studio Ultra at full CPU chat is quieter than the 2013 Mac Pro I used to use at work (at load) and also as quiet as the M1 Mini I've got sitting underneath it on my desk (I can't hear either). If I manually ramp the fans up on the Studio, it make noise, though nowhere near as loud and my 2010 Mac Pro, but on automatic fans, it's just as quiet as the M1 Mini, regardless of what I ask it to do.

I may be one of the lucky ones.

Noise at idle is my concern, full stop. I don't want any computer I own to break my silence until I put it to load. End of story. I am not talking about full load. When I ask the computer to do extensive works - then yes, I will accept all the noise that it makes.

2013 Mac Pro is dead silent. At idle, or light every day tasks like browsing. So is the M1 Mac mini, and the Intel Mac mini 2018 that I have.

As I stated, I do not have the Mac Studio, and I do not plan to get it until all the noise posts here are present.

Not every part of the world has an Apple Store, to be entitled to 14-day return policy. In my part of the world, if I place an order for an Apple Computer, it is final. If there is a problem after I get it, then it goes for repair. There is not return. So I will not be buying a computer that is deemed noisy at idle.

 

[eddie_ducking]

Noise at idle is my concern, full stop. I don't want any computer I own to break my silence until I put it to load. End of story. I am not talking about full load. When I ask the computer to do extensive works - then yes, I will accept all the noise that it makes.

2013 Mac Pro is dead silent. At idle, or light every day tasks like browsing. So is the M1 Mac mini, and the Intel Mac mini 2018 that I have.

As I stated, I do not have the Mac Studio, and I do not plan to get it until all the noise posts here are present.

Not every part of the world has an Apple Store, to be entitled to 14-day return policy. In my part of the world, if I place an order for an Apple Computer, it is final. If there is a problem after I get it, then it goes for repair. There is not return. So I will not be busing a computer that is deemed noisy at idle.

fair play, though I guess I don't understand the concept of having multiple computers and not stressing them (I've always got something intensive for them to do, else I don't need them). I also presumed that if Apple were selling in your country (be it online or via shops) the 14 days return policy applied.

 

[vddobrev]

fair play, though I guess I don't understand the concept of having multiple computers and not stressing them (I've always got something intensive for them to do, else I don't need them). I also presumed that if Apple were selling in your country (be it online or via shops) the 14 days return policy applied.

No there is no Apple Store, but Authorized Resellers. I am in Europe. Every in-person purchase is legal an binding contract, and it is not reversible. It is up to big-chain stores to have a courtesy return policy if they wished. Online purchase is entitled for a no-questions asked 14 day returns, as it is deemed a remote-contract of sales, in which the buyer did not have the chance to examine the goods. However, this online rule does not apply for built-to-order goods. So if I ordered a Mac Studio with 1TB storage - it is mine to keep, I cannot return it. I can only return the standard configuration if and only if ordered online. Ha-ha very funny right? Well, think how many more buying privileges you guys have in your parts of the world.

Then, about not stressing the computers I own. The one that sits below my TV and is connected to my HiFi Receiver is doing media play duty - there is nothing to stress it, it is doing media playing duty.

On the other hand, the two that are on my desk are doing hard work when I ask them to, or light work when I am just browsing or doing documents. Until I ask them to do hard work, I like them to be silent, because they are on my desk and I hear them all the time... There is nothing odd about this use case, is there?

 

[eddie_ducking]

the two that are on my desk are doing hard work when I ask them to, or light work when I am just browsing or doing documents. Until I ask them to do hard work, I like them to be silent, because they are on my desk and I hear them all the time... There is nothing odd about this use case, is there?

possibly/probably not but I'm not used to everything on my desk not being silent (hell, not even quiet in some cases) but then I also used to work in data centres so I quite like the rumble of HDDs, I find it comforting.

re returns: That's a bit off. I'm in Europe too (though maybe less than I was two years ago, Brexit and all that). I can understand a generic reseller not having the return policy, but an authorised one not having the Apple one ?, that's a bit ... mean. Here in the UK, anything mail order has a 28 day return policy by law, is there nothing similar exploitable where you are ?

Re: under TV/Hi-Fi receiver, I've got a "computer" there too, it's called an AppleTV. It is truly silent

 

[vddobrev]

possibly/probably not but I'm not used to everything on my desk not being silent (hell, not even quiet in some cases) but then I also used to work in data centres so I quite like the rumble of HDDs, I find it comforting.

re returns: That's a bit off. I'm in Europe too (though maybe less than I was two years ago, Brexit and all that). I can understand a generic reseller not having the return policy, but an authorised one not having the Apple one ?, that's a bit ... mean. Here in the UK, anything mail order has a 28 day return policy by law, is there nothing similar exploitable where you are ?

Re: under TV/Hi-Fi receiver, I've got a "computer" there too, it's called an AppleTV. It is truly silent

On my desk mini computer like Mac mini or Mac Studio must be silent at idle, my requirements.

Apple TV only does 48KHz out, and I want my lossless Apple Music to play at highest possible rate like 24bit/192KHz, which, by the way, the new M1 Macs in all their glory do not support. That is why I have an Intel Mac mini 2018 under the TV for the music and media duty.

 

[vddobrev]

re returns: That's a bit off. I'm in Europe too (though maybe less than I was two years ago, Brexit and all that). I can understand a generic reseller not having the return policy, but an authorised one not having the Apple one ?, that's a bit ... mean. Here in the UK, anything mail order has a 28 day return policy by law, is there nothing similar exploitable where you are ?

I am more like in Eastern Europe, although in the EU. Not a generic reseller, an Apple authorized one. If you order a custom built aka BTO, then the return policy does not apply. Think how screwed I am, right. For any default or standard configuration the return policy is honored...

 

[funkahdafi]

However, this online rule does not apply for built-to-order goods.

That's actually not correct. If you are in the EU, the online-14-day return policy is your right by law, including Apple BTO products. Apple's BTO products are not custom-made products under the law's exceptions.

 

[PianoPro]

FWIW - Setup for test

2010 Mac Pro and Mac Studio Ultra sitting 8" apart, front of each Mac aligned horizontally. Microphone in middle between Mac Pro and Mac Studio, aligned horizontally with the front of each.

Rear of Mac Studio 2.5" in front of monitor (i.e. some sound reflecting back from monitor toward Mic).
Rear of Mac Pro well behind monitor (i.e. sound from rear of Mac Pro partially blocked by monitor).

Relative SPL

Room with both Macs off - 26.6 dBA
Mac Studio Ultra only at idle - 28.0 dBA
2010 Mac Pro only at idle - 34.1 dBA

No high pitched (2 kHz - 3 kHz) whine detectable with spectrum analysis or by ear an inch from rear of Mac Studio

 

[vddobrev]

That's actually not correct. If you are in the EU, the online-14-day return policy is your right by law, including Apple BTO products. Apple's BTO products are not custom-made products under the law's exceptions.

Good to know. But the online retailer in my EU country has this in their terms of sale. Perhaps they need to be reminded this law, or otherwise I will have to fight them with a lawyer, if I need to return it.

 

[alias.archi]

For me, the problem is that I need 32 GB of Ram and I don't want a laptop that I don't need. What is the best solution at the best price? MacStudio! That's why I kept it. The fans blow a little hard but I think either get used to it or lower the rotation speed with TG Pro. Then, as I have an AppleCare I would change it under warranty when these concerns are resolved.

 

[Traverse]

For me, the problem is that I need 32 GB of Ram and I don't want a laptop that I don't need. What is the best solution at the best price? MacStudio! That's why I kept it. The fans blow a little hard but I think either get used to it or lower the rotation speed with TG Pro. Then, as I have an AppleCare I would change it under warranty when these concerns are resolved.

I agree that there is a gap in the desktop lineup (that maybe can be filled by an M? Pro mini). If I didn’t project that I needed a laptop within the next two years I would have also taken a gamble on the AppleCare + lottery.

 

[anson42]

I received my base Studio (with memory and storage upgrades) a couple days ago, ordered March 24, made in Malaysia. My observations from a day of setting it up and using it for light work: from 18” away I can hear the fans, no audible whine other than air flow out the back. From 36” away with the Studio towards the rear of the desk and fans 6 inches from the wall I can hear the slightest whisper of air flow noise, definitely not silent in my quiet room at night but also easy to ignore. The fan in my RAID unit is far, far louder when it is in use and I just relegate that to background noise. If any audible whine develops I will definitely try to exchange it under AppleCare.

My final placement of the Studio is under my desk resting in NewerTech’s dual Mac mini shelf – with slight mod to elevate the Studio a 1/4” – and in that position I hear nothing unless I duck under the desk. So far so good.

 

[marklcfc]

I received my base Studio (with memory and storage upgrades) a couple days ago, ordered March 24, made in Malaysia. My observations from a day of setting it up and using it for light work: from 18” away I can hear the fans, no audible whine other than air flow out the back. From 36” away with the Studio towards the rear of the desk and fans 6 inches from the wall I can hear the slightest whisper of air flow noise, definitely not silent in my quiet room at night but also easy to ignore. The fan in my RAID unit is far, far louder when it is in use and I just relegate that to background noise. If any audible whine develops I will definitely try to exchange it under AppleCare.

My final placement of the Studio is under my desk resting in NewerTech’s dual Mac mini shelf – with slight mod to elevate the Studio a 1/4” – and in that position I hear nothing unless I duck under the desk. So far so good.

I'd like something like that but can't find it to purchase here in the UK, is there anything similar to this around?

 

[fstoprm]

I picked mine up at the Apple Store on day of release in the U.S. and it's dead quiet. I mean zero noise even when running X-Plane or Davinci. I could not ask for more!

 

[anson42]

I'd like something like that but can't find it to purchase here in the UK, is there anything similar to this around?

The shelf I purchased was not designed for the Mac Studio but it happens to work well when I lift it off the base of the shelf to avoid the bottom perforations from being blocked by the opening designed for the smaller Mac mini base. I expect at least one option designed specifically for Mac Studio under-desk mounting in the not so distant future.

 

[3Rock]

I picked mine up at the Apple Store on day of release in the U.S. and it's dead quiet. I mean zero noise even when running X-Plane or Davinci. I could not ask for more!

Just to add mine to the mix. Got mine recently and was a little bit concerned from all the noise complaints, but I had mine really up close to my ears and I can’t hear much of a sound at all. Mine is the Mac Studio max not the ultra.

 

[dogface1956]

On my desk mini computer like Mac mini or Mac Studio must be silent at idle, my requirements.

Apple TV only does 48KHz out, and I want my lossless Apple Music to play at highest possible rate like 24bit/192KHz, which, by the way, the new M1 Macs in all their glory do not support. That is why I have an Intel Mac mini 2018 under the TV for the music and media duty.

You don't want to use the DAC's in a computer anyway since there is so much stray noise generated, you want to use a external DAC, I use one of these for my MacMini to stereo interface.

DAVE

Welcome to the world's most advanced DAC, Preamp & headphone amplifer. DAVE is the ultimate no-compromise pure audio HiFI experience. Made in Great Britain.

chordelectronics.co.uk

Sounds great.

 

[vddobrev]

You don't want to use the DAC's in a computer anyway since there is so much stray noise generated, you want to use a external DAC, I use one of these for my MacMini to stereo interface.

DAVE

Welcome to the world's most advanced DAC, Preamp & headphone amplifer. DAVE is the ultimate no-compromise pure audio HiFI experience. Made in Great Britain.

chordelectronics.co.uk

Sounds great.

I am not using the DACs of the Mac mini, this is supported digital audio out via HDMI. I have an external DAC, it is the multichannel receiver.

 

[StudioMacs]

Finally received my Mac Studio M1 Max today.

I currently can’t hear it over the sound of my MacBook Pro’s fans during migration assistant, but when I first turned the Studio on the sound was much quieter than gently rubbing my palm across fabric.

It’s much quieter than I expected it to be based on the cutaway images showing the case is larger than the Mini due to increased cooling and larger fans. I don’t think it would be reasonable to expect it to be any quieter than it is.

 

[FredT2]

I just got a Studio Max today. It is not loud, but the fans definitely make more noise that my iMac Pro. I would be fine with that but for the high-pitched whine that it makes in addition to the fan noise. That I cannot live with. Is this whine showing up in the Ultras as well?

 

[lcubed]

no whine on my ultra.

 

[Apples Apples Everywhere]

I just got a Studio Max today. It is not loud, but the fans definitely make more noise that my iMac Pro. I would be fine with that but for the high-pitched whine that it makes in addition to the fan noise. That I cannot live with. Is this whine showing up in the Ultras as well?

Some one else here bought an Ultra with the same issue. You can likely find a post about it.

 

[StudioMacs]

I just got a Studio Max today. It is not loud, but the fans definitely make more noise that my iMac Pro. I would be fine with that but for the high-pitched whine that it makes in addition to the fan noise. That I cannot live with. Is this whine showing up in the Ultras as well?

Didn’t i read that you ordered 2 at the same time but got one early, like 2 of weeks ago?

 

[FredT2]

Didn’t i read that you ordered 2 at the same time but got one early, like 2 of weeks ago?

Indeed I did. The first one is fine, no whine.

 

[GlenK]

So happy I got a quiet one. My Ultra makes virtually no noise at all. Putting my ear to the back I slightly hear the fans running and a slight breeze comes out but I'm sitting about 2' from it and not a sound!!