MacBook Pro (C2D) as main computer?

[AngelGuy7]

I am about to purchase one of the new C2D MacBook Pro’s and use it as my main computer. When I am home I plan on connecting it to an LCD, mouse, keyboard, etc… and use it with the screen closed. I actually have plans to use it like this most of the time and I usually leave my computer on 24/7 while it’s churning away at things.

Is this in anyway bad with the heat the MBP generates? Does anyone else have this type of setup with a MBP?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[andrewfee]

The machines are designed for closed operation, it's fine. My new MacBook Pro runs a lot cooler than my old Powerbook did anyway, I doubt you'll have any problems as long as there's space for the heat to escape. (vents are along the back, almost the full width of the machine)

 

[xfiftyfour]

I am about to purchase one of the new C2D MacBook Pro’s and use it as my main computer. When I am home I plan on connecting it to an LCD, mouse, keyboard, etc… and use it with the screen closed. I actually have plans to use it like this most of the time and I usually leave my computer on 24/7 while it’s churning away at things.

Is this in anyway bad with the heat the MBP generates? Does anyone else have this type of setup with a MBP?

Thanks for the advice.

I do this. It works well, but when I'm running Photoshop and the like, the fans start to go a bit crazy. When that happens, I just open it up a bit to help vent the heat. The fans calm down shortly thereafter.

Must say, though, in general, this MBP C2D runs a lot cooler than my MB before it did.. I'm a lot less worried about any bad side effects with this than I was with my MB.. boy that thing racked up some heat sitting in clamshell mode..

 

[AngelGuy7]

Thanks for that info. I'm just concerned with all that I'm reading about heating issues and the fact that I would leave it on all the time (mostly with the lid closed, but occassionally with it open when I'm using it away from my desk.)

This will be first my Mac and I just want to make sure all goes smoothly with my switch.

 

[ChickenSwartz]

I agree with andrewfee it should be fine. You might consider placing the computer somewhere were it can get good air flow under it. The heat flowing out is better than it getting to the screen. That is the only thing I would worry about.

 

[ironjaw]

Is it there a problem with leaving the power cord connected to the mac 24/7? Does it not diminish the quality of the battery when left charging all the time?

 

[Scottyk9]

Heat of the external case is not an indicator of "over-heating". The whole design of using a heat conducting material for construction is that the entire computer acts as a heat sink to dissapate heat from the internal components. From this perspective, the heat is a good thing, and I think it represents good design. Whether or not you are comfortable with this on your lap is another story, but I personally haven't found much difference bw my g4 powerbook and MPB (CD not C2D).

However, like any electronic device, more use may "wear" it out faster, but I wouldn't think this would apply to a notebook any more than a desktop.

Apple suggests a full discharge / recharge cycle at least once a month for battery health, which is what I do.

 

[AngelGuy7]

I definitely plan on making sure it has ample ventilation all around. I guess having the MBP on 24/7 would be comparable to having a Mac Mini on all the time... right?

 

[Chundles]

Might be a consideration for you to pop something under the corners of the MBP to raise it up a bit, about 2 - 2.5cm to let extra airflow around the underside of the machine.

When I'm encoding video on my iBook I use three hockey pucks (two on the front corners and one at the back) to let air in underneath and it keeps it dramatically cooler.

 

[Mac'Mo]

yeah it can serve as a desktop replacement

 

[F0kke]

I plan on using my new MBP the same way and have another question. I have an LCD display with a normal (non DVI) plug. Can I use the converter to DVI (which came with the screen) with it and plug this into my MBP?

 

[AngelGuy7]

I plan on using my new MBP the same way and have another question. I have an LCD display with a normal (non DVI) plug. Can I use the converter to DVI (which came with the screen) with it and plug this into my MBP?

Yeah, I'm in the same situation as you. Apple actually supplies a DVI to VGA adapter with the MBP's so you shouldn't have a problem there.

 

[F0kke]

Yeah, I'm in the same situation as you. Apple actually supplies a DVI to VGA adapter with the MBP's so you shouldn't have a problem there.

Cool, thx!

 

[Westside guy]

I am about to purchase one of the new C2D MacBook Pro’s and use it as my main computer. When I am home I plan on connecting it to an LCD, mouse, keyboard, etc… and use it with the screen closed. I actually have plans to use it like this most of the time and I usually leave my computer on 24/7 while it’s churning away at things.

Is this in anyway bad with the heat the MBP generates? Does anyone else have this type of setup with a MBP?

Thanks for the advice.

I just got my new MBP, which I take it to work and use it exactly the way you describe (and, before that, was using my Powerbook like that for the past three years). It doesn't get unduly hot running in that mode.

Another option is to leave it open and use both screens (not mirrored obviously) - that can be handy at times, if you're running a lot of apps.

Edit: Just wanted to add that if you can get a DVI-capable monitor you will see obvious improvement over using the DVI-to-VGA cable and your current monitor. When I first plugged in my mac to our new (at the time) Dell monitors, my boss walked in and asked "Why isn't my display that crisp? Is it because of your Mac?" I wanted to say "yes", but I explained about DVI. He then went out and bought a DVI card for his PC.

 

[GraceMolloy]

I'm turning my old Windows Box into a NAS this weekend ... so ...

I LOVE using this thing with a 2nd Monitor. It works Wonderfully. Though the fans will start chuggin' awfully hard if I'm doing "intensive".

But then that's kinda par for the course I'd say.

 

[NorCalLights]

Is this in anyway bad with the heat the MBP generates? Does anyone else have this type of setup with a MBP?

If you're worried about the heat at all (and don't mind a little extra fan noise) you can use a Fan Control to up the base speed of your fans. I use it to switch between "lap" mode (louder but cooler) and "desk" mode (warmer but quieter). I use my computer in extended desktop mode at my desk, so the lid is open. You may feel better about running yours with the lid closed and the fans running a bit faster.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/23137

Fan Control won't let you slow your fans down lower than the factory threshold, so there is no danger of going out of spec.

I just want to stress, however, that these computers are designed to run in clamshell mode, so there is no real reason to adjust the fans. It's just a piece of mind thing. And it can't hurt...

Hope that helps...

 

[iW00t]

I'm sure you will be happy using a MBP as a main computer. You might want to invest in a more robust storage solution like the SOHOTANK

http://www.stardom.com.tw/product list.htm

Quite a pain to upgrade storage in anything apart from the MacPro.