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

[phrehdd]

Depending your needs, the Mac mini M1 `ìs``powerful.... IF :
* You do not need powerful GPU (not my case), but suffisant for image editing with saying Pixelmator pro
* You do not need huge RAM. It's one of my casual problem. 16Go is Ok, but sometimes I've got memory pressure in yellow (but never red or intensive swap) ==> I use lots of apps open simultaneously including Xcode, VScode, assembler/disassembler, safari with 20+ tabs, mail, spotify, WhatsApp (but no VM and/or docker)
* You do not need many USB ports
* You do not need to plug more than 2 monitors

I honestly think the "YMMV" holds true here. I wasn't as lucky as you. Had memory swaps with far less open and suspect it often had to do with Safari and or Firefox tabs open as being the biggest hogs of RAM. Everything else you posted seems to be spot on. I'm going to miss my M1 512/16 as I find channels today to put it up for sale.

The big brother Studio Max has so far, been a charm for me and to date, has been very quiet. At this moment, I have only mail and Safari open (with 7 tabs) and the system quite happily surrenders over 8 gigs of RAM to these two apps.

Last - if I didn't have these memory challenges, I think this Mini M1 would have been with me for a long long time. It really is a marvel of design.

 

[zebullon290276]

I honestly think the "YMMV" holds true here. I wasn't as lucky as you. Had memory swaps with far less open and suspect it often had to do with Safari and or Firefox tabs open as being the biggest hogs of RAM. Everything else you posted seems to be spot on. I'm going to miss my M1 512/16 as I find channels today to put it up for sale.

The big brother Studio Max has so far, been a charm for me and to date, has been very quiet. At this moment, I have only mail and Safari open (with 7 tabs) and the system quite happily surrenders over 8 gigs of RAM to these two apps.

Last - if I didn't have these memory challenges, I think this Mini M1 would have been with me for a long long time. It really is a marvel of design.

What does « ymmv » is ?
So you’re right, webbrowserd are memory hogs.
Maybe a mac mini m2 with 24Go (or m2 pro if apple could… huuu sorry !) should do the job instead of an powerfull but silent-lotery mac studio

 

[phrehdd]

What does « ymmv » is ?
So you’re right, webbrowserd are memory hogs.
Maybe a mac mini m2 with 24Go (or m2 pro if apple could… huuu sorry !) should do the job instead of an powerfull but silent-lotery mac studio

YMMV - your mileage may vary.

I think the power of the M1 is great, its just the handling or lack of, for memory. I guess everything that is old is new again. Integrated graphics and in some cases, memory has been around for years as has memory management (issues). Hopefully, Apple will acknowledge this as they certainly do know the challenge.

M2 w/ 24 would be a nice machine. If the M1 had a 32 gig RAM option, I think that might have been the keeper for me.
Meanwhile I'll simply call the Studio Max the Mini on steroids.

 

[Feek]

Hi guys,
I thought I would buy a Mac Studio in replacement of my old 2011 Mac Pro, but those noise problems are getting me in doubt. The best solution might probably be to wait for an M2 Mac Studio fixing this, but... Do we have any idea about when it might be released?

Buy it. If it’s not quiet enough for you, return it. You have nothing to lose.

 

[Danyx11]

Buy it. If it’s not quiet enough for you, return it. You have nothing to lose.

Not so easy, if I wanna try under real conditions I would have to install a lot of softs/plugins, transfer licences that I should delete from my current Mac Pro etc, and as I use a lot of stuffs this might lead to a huge waste of time (not even speaking of reseting, repacking and sending it back) if it ends being too noisy.

A Mac Mini M2 with 24Go RAM sounds really good to me, I just found out that it should be released in a few monthes.

 

[TightLines]

Not so easy, if I wanna try under real conditions I would have to install a lot of softs/plugins, transfer licences that I should delete from my current Mac Pro etc, and as I use a lot of stuffs this might lead to a huge waste of time (not even speaking of reseting, repacking and sending it back) if it ends being too noisy.

A Mac Mini M2 with 24Go RAM sounds really good to me, I just found out that it should be released in a few months.

We’ve all been hearing the same thing - and thats been for the last few months… going back into late 2021… so don’t hold your breath… I’ve given up on waiting for an upgraded Mac Mini… even M1 Pro or M1 Max option with capabilities to increase RAM and Graphics would be nice… but its been nothing since the base M1 release. I am done waiting.

 

[zebullon290276]

We’ve all been hearing the same thing - and thats been for the last few months… going back into late 2021… so don’t hold your breath… I’ve given up on waiting for an upgraded Mac Mini… even M1 Pro or M1 Max option with capabilities to increase RAM and Graphics would be nice… but its been nothing since the base M1 release. I am done waiting.

I agree that M1 pro will never be released. But as M2 is out on MacBook Air and MacBook pro 13, I really think at least there'll be a M2 Mac mini w / 24Go (and iMac 24'').
But (unfortunately) I don't think a M2 pro Mac mini will be released, this year or in the beginning of 2023. I really think apple has never planned to build an iMac/Mac mini with a Mx Pro. If so, an iMac/Mac mini M1 Pro should already been released, and it's not.
I'd really love an Mx Pro Mac mini, but I think it's only in my most silly dreams

In my case, I'll certainly switch for a M2/24Go Mac mini or a M3/32Go Mac mini (will this happens ?), but only when my M1 Mac mini will slow down too much. It's not the case at this time.

I don't want to "try" a Mac studio and return it if it is noisy. Simple reason : The "coil whine" can appear some weeks/months later according some user posts in this thread. I really think the Mac studio is unreliable at this point, and in my case, it's not an option to buy it (and so, it is because I can leave without a Mac studio).

If you agree, I propose to stop this discussion as it is not in relation with the original theme of this thread. Anyway, we can create a new thread to discuss/debate about choosing Mac studio vs Mac mini and the futur upgrades of Mac mini (there is already a thread on this latest theme).

 

[ponzicoinbro]

I don’t know why or maybe it is obvious.

But when I use the classic iTunes visualizer in the Music app the M1 Max gets quite toasty.

Of course the room was hot too.

But lots of intense apps didn’t generate so obvious heat coming out the back.

 

[phrehdd]

I agree that M1 pro will never be released. But as M2 is out on MacBook Air and MacBook pro 13, I really think at least there'll be a M2 Mac mini w / 24Go (and iMac 24'').
But (unfortunately) I don't think a M2 pro Mac mini will be released, this year or in the beginning of 2023. I really think apple has never planned to build an iMac/Mac mini with a Mx Pro. If so, an iMac/Mac mini M1 Pro should already been released, and it's not.
I'd really love an Mx Pro Mac mini, but I think it's only in my most silly dreams

In my case, I'll certainly switch for a M2/24Go Mac mini or a M3/32Go Mac mini (will this happens ?), but only when my M1 Mac mini will slow down too much. It's not the case at this time.

I don't want to "try" a Mac studio and return it if it is noisy. Simple reason : The "coil whine" can appear some weeks/months later according some user posts in this thread. I really think the Mac studio is unreliable at this point, and in my case, it's not an option to buy it (and so, it is because I can leave without a Mac studio).

If you agree, I propose to stop this discussion as it is not in relation with the original theme of this thread. Anyway, we can create a new thread to discuss/debate about choosing Mac studio vs Mac mini and the futur upgrades of Mac mini (there is already a thread on this latest theme).

I'll be happy to confirm with you "weeks/months later" if my Studio Max begins to make noise. I have heard about coil whine, some lines having different parts than others, and that the noise is more related to the air intake/exhaust. If it as you say, I would not be surprised if some legal action is directed at Apple.

 

[ckimax]

I'm new in the forum and going to have my first Mac Studio on next days since ordered one at refurbished store yesterday. I'm a little bit worried about this "feature"... But searching in the web, I've founded this app:

TG Pro User Guide

Extend the life of your Mac with TG Pro. Monitor all internal temperatures, use full fan control, check diagnostics and get local/email notifications. Supports all Macs from 2008 to 2019. Try it now for free.

www.tunabellysoftware.com

Can help according your opinions?

 

[Killerbob]

Get the Mac Studio, it is a GREAT Mac, and IF you can hear the whine, install any of the many fan control apps. Decrease the RPMs, and that should decrease the noise. I say “if” you hear the whine, because most folks do not have this issue, and because even if your Mac Studio does have a coil whine, you likely will never notice it - it may fade away in the background noise in your particular surroundings.

 

[southerndoc]

Get the Mac Studio, it is a GREAT Mac, and IF you can hear the whine, install any of the many fan control apps. Decrease the RPMs, and that should decrease the noise. I say “if” you hear the whine, because most folks do not have this issue, and because even if your Mac Studio does have a coil whine, you likely will never notice it - it may fade away in the background noise in your particular surroundings.

I'll be honest here... I can tell the whine of the fan is there when my HVAC, air filter, etc. aren't running. Meaning if my room is totally quiet, I can *barely* hear it. It's enough that I know it's there, and when I first noticed it, it was annoying. Now I don't even notice it anymore. My computer is mounted under my desk so it might be more noticeable if it was sitting on top of my desk.

Initially I said I had buyer's remorse, but now that it's settled I'm fine with it.

 

[kofman13]

I'll be honest here... I can tell the whine of the fan is there when my HVAC, air filter, etc. aren't running. Meaning if my room is totally quiet, I can *barely* hear it. It's enough that I know it's there, and when I first noticed it, it was annoying. Now I don't even notice it anymore. My computer is mounted under my desk so it might be more noticeable if it was sitting on top of my desk.

Initially I said I had buyer's remorse, but now that it's settled I'm fine with it.

is it like a wooshy neutral fan sound like wind? or is it more of a tonal pitch wine or whistle or buzz? i could live with wind sound, but not a tonal whine pitch

 

[southerndoc]

is it like a wooshy neutral fan sound like wind? or is it more of a tonal pitch wine or whistle or buzz? i could live with wind sound, but not a tonal whine pitch

Initially it was a very faint "whir" of a fan. Now it's got more of a higher pitched whistle type noise. It's barely audible though.

 

[phrehdd]

I'm new in the forum and going to have my first Mac Studio on next days since ordered one at refurbished store yesterday. I'm a little bit worried about this "feature"... But searching in the web, I've founded this app:

TG Pro User Guide

Extend the life of your Mac with TG Pro. Monitor all internal temperatures, use full fan control, check diagnostics and get local/email notifications. Supports all Macs from 2008 to 2019. Try it now for free.

www.tunabellysoftware.com

Can help according your opinions?

Rather odd. Studio came out after* 2019. The software link you show says it works with computers from 2008-2019.

 

[Killerbob]

Rather odd. Studio came out after* 2019. The software link you show says it works with computers from 2008-2019. Not likely to work with the Studio even with Rosetta.

I can confirm that TG Pro works fine on a Mac Studio, even on Ventura beta 5.

 

[phrehdd]

I can confirm that TG Pro works fine on a Mac Studio, even on Ventura beta 5.

Very cool and thanks for sharing that it works well with M1 Macs. I'm curious, would you alter the fan rate on the Studio for any specific reason other than possibly noise?

 

[mciarlo]

Posted this in the other thread, but just in case: BasicAppleGuy just released an interesting article speculating that the whine is actually caused by the holes in the case causing whistling. Worth a read for more details on the issue, testing, and possible fixes.

Relevant bit:

So the first thing I did was take my hand and cover the back of the Studio, covering as many of the holes as possible. The whistling instantly stopped, though that could have been due to me muffling it. But as soon as I removed my hand, the sound didn't immediately resume, like it would have the sound just been muffled. Instead, it took a second for the air to begin flowing again, and at that moment, the whistling returned. Eureka, the holes were the culprit!

 

[Killerbob]

Very cool and thanks for sharing that it works well with M1 Macs. I'm curious, would you alter the fan rate on the Studio for any specific reason other than possibly noise?

I actually have TG Pro installed so I can monitor all the temps, and not really because I want to alter the fan speeds. But if I were to change the fan speeds, it would be to counteract the pressure I was putting on the machine - i.e. to control temps. My Mac Studio is so quiet, no fan noise and no whine, and I am in a quiet environment, but it wouldn't bother me if I could hear the fan - I am in the basement of our house and can hear the A/C when it kicks in...

 

[phrehdd]

I actually have TG Pro installed so I can monitor all the temps, and not really because I want to alter the fan speeds. But if I were to change the fan speeds, it would be to counteract the pressure I was putting on the machine - i.e. to control temps. My Mac Studio is so quiet, no fan noise and no whine, and I am in a quiet environment, but it wouldn't bother me if I could hear the fan - I am in the basement of our house and can hear the A/C when it kicks in...

Thanks much for the response. Whats your take on the temps within during different types of tasks/events?

As for noise - I am smiling here as I am doing a rather primitive copy of data from a NAS to an external drive attached to my Studio. I am using a direct ethernet connection to the NAS. Between the 5 drive NAS and the Studio...there is almost no noise to speak of other than some mild sounds from the NAS when changing files. I'm hoping with the new NAS and Studio combo I will be just as lucky with a very quiet room while they do their thing.

 

[zebullon290276]

Thanks much for the response. Whats your take on the temps within during different types of tasks/events?

As for noise - I am smiling here as I am doing a rather primitive copy of data from a NAS to an external drive attached to my Studio. I am using a direct ethernet connection to the NAS. Between the 5 drive NAS and the Studio...there is almost no noise to speak of other than some mild sounds from the NAS when changing files. I'm hoping with the new NAS and Studio combo I will be just as lucky with a very quiet room while they do their thing.

So I understand you said that your NAS make more noise than your Mac studio, right ?
If so, can you please tell me how long do you have your Mac studio ?

Thank you

 

[phrehdd]

So I understand you said that your NAS make more noise than your Mac studio, right ?
If so, can you please tell me how long do you have your Mac studio ?

Thank you

I have the Studio just over 3 weeks.

However, this NAS (QNAP TS-559p) dates back to 2010 and has been used on and off again through the years. It has gone through Samsung drives then 5x Seagate 4tb drives (still using them now for many years). The NAS should be louder due to its type of fans and when running the then popular RAID 5, all drives are engaged at any time. It has sort of a bubbly sound when working. In its best days, it was a real workhorse for me.

 

[simacc]

Hi guys,
I thought I would buy a Mac Studio in replacement of my old 2011 Mac Pro, but those noise problems are getting me in doubt. The best solution might probably be to wait for an M2 Mac Studio fixing this, but... Do we have any idea about when it might be released?

Seriously, let's keep perspective, compared to a Mac Pro 4,1 or 5,1 the Mac Studio is virtually silent, if the noise off a cheesegrater does not bother you, don't even hesitate to buy one of these re noise...even if you get one of the "noisy ones" (p.s. they're all the same), it's still way way quieter than a cMP.

Oh yeah and you mentioned real world usage, generally not relevant for music, it's nearly impossible to get the fans above idle using music software...the noise it makes when you plug it in is basically all it will ever make...basically, in real world usage, you'll hit a single core overload that stops the project way before the fans would spin up...

My solution was to just stick it in the corner out of sight, actually on top of my cheesegrater lol...problem solved...sure it would have been nice to have it on the desk right in front of me, but so what.

 

[fcracer]

Unfortunately, after several months of use, my Studio Max, which was used in this review, has developed the high pitch noise that so many on this forum have experienced. I've taken some measurements and updated the review.

You can find the updated noise section here: https://fcracer.com/mac-studio-review-for-photography/#noise

 

[zebullon290276]

Unfortunately, after several months of use, my Studio Max, which was used in this review, has developed the high pitch noise that so many on this forum have experienced. I've taken some measurements and updated the review.

You can find the updated noise section here: https://fcracer.com/mac-studio-review-for-photography/#noise

Wow, very bad
I don't believe the whine is due to rear vent holes because the "whine" comes after several months. I think there is an electrical component that failed in many Mac studio. Maybe the power supply, maybe the fans, maybe all of them.

Thank you for your very detailed review, sadly it just confirms to me that I'll never buy a Mac studio until I can see Apple publicly recognizes and fixes it.