MacBook Pro M1 - Smell?

[bloodbuzz_ohio]

Hey guys,

I'm using a MacBook Pro M1, just on my second week now. On the second day I sensed an odor, that I would describe as warm chemicals. It's my best try at describing it tbh.

The MacBook as never been hot, the fans never kicked in, it's working flawlessly, no problems at all. The thing is, if I get close like 2 centimetres from the keyboard, specially near the usb-c ports, speakers, or even underneath near the vent grill, I still get the same smell.

It's bugging me because I don't know if its a regular thing with MacBooks or not. My only experience was with a MacBook Air 2020 with intel processor which I used for 2 months before gifting it to my SO. I don't feel like I ever felt the same smell with it as I'm sensing with this one.

Should I be worried?

 

[chscag]

Maybe it's the smell of newness, like that new car smell that lingers for a few months after you purchase it?

 

[bloodbuzz_ohio]

Hello @chscag and thank you for your reply.

It could perfectly be, although a friend told me the same and actually told me to smell the box. The box smells completely different. I would call that the smell of new. Not this one...

 

[1240766]

I suggest spending less time smelling your computer and more time using it

 

[thehighwaystar]

Smells like Tim spirit, I believe

 

[bloodbuzz_ohio]

I suggest spending less time smelling your computer and more time using it

Smells like Tim spirit, I believe

You guys are good I'll give you that.

 

[torncanvas]

I don’t smell that yet, but I’ll report back if I do. Only the new device smell, aahhhhhhh.

The one idea I’d have is if there was an anti-microbial coating like the new Acer ultrabooks, but I’ve not heard of any feature like that with M1 devices.

 

[bloodbuzz_ohio]

@torncanvas are you using your M1 intensively?

 

[torncanvas]

Not yet but I intend to, I got mine for sculpting and other 3D work that will tax the GPU quite a bit and likely the CPU some at the same time.

 

[delsoul]

Suffering from a case of ONOS...overprotective new owner syndrome

 

[Runs For Fun]

Maybe it's the smell of newness, like that new car smell that lingers for a few months after you purchase it?

I love that smell of new tech.

 

[anubis1980]

my ps5 dual sense controller smells... although I haven't posted about it on the ps5 forum as I don't like admitting that I smelt it haha. smells of Oil and I dunno electricity when the haptics kick in.

I am ashamed to say I have just smelt my MBA and it doesn't smell, I was hoping for Eau de tech , but nothing.

 

[widEyed]

Maybe it's the smell of newness, like that new car smell that lingers for a few months after you purchase it?

that smell of carcinogens you mean?

 

[bloodbuzz_ohio]

Not yet but I intend to, I got mine for sculpting and other 3D work that will tax the GPU quite a bit and likely the CPU some at the same time.

Let me know when you do.

Suffering from a case of ONOS...overprotective new owner syndrome

No man, I switched from a Air 2020 i5 bought 2 months ago, I never felt said smell.

 

[ArPe]

If you have sudden change in your sense of smell you need to get tested no joke.

 

[Runs For Fun]

Let me know when you do.



No man, I switched from a Air 2020 i5 bought 2 months ago, I never felt said smell.

Man feeling smells sounds like it would be one heck of a trip. Now I’m trying to imagine what certain smells might feel like. ?

 

[Robeckhard]

My M1 Macbook Air gave off an odor the first few days and went away after using. Just that "New Mac" smell haha. Should be nothing to worry about.

 

[JustinTheAppleNewbie]

I can't smell any type of weird smell from my mbp m1, to answer note to your question.

I have a question tho. First of i know the mbp m1 isn't a gaming laptop but i still wanted to try and play some of my favorite titles to see how they would run. I started by playing league of legends. For a while i wouldn't notice any fans or difference in heat of the mb, but after about an hour it got really hot. I shut it down to try and cool it down. But i just wanted to ask other ppl about it to see if it was a thing to be expected with this laptop and it's hardware or if for some reason the one i have recieved had some kind of malfuncion of any sort. To note; the fans did not kick in even considering the temp. the laptop reached.

any input on this matter is much appriciated. sorry for my bad english, and for intruding on a different subject than the question at hand i didn't know how to post my own question on this site.

Thanks!

 

[torncanvas]

The GPU has a noticeably higher TDP than the CPU, so gaming will get it hotter. However, I’ve not heard of it getting that hot when under stress. The fan should be kicking in, yes; try to check stats for the fan to see if it’s running, since depending on your conditions you may not be able to hear it if it is.

 

[ght56]

My 16 inch had a weird smell out of the box...I believe this scent was actually caused by the rubberized coating used on the charge cord. It dissipated pretty rapidly though.

 

[Captain Trips]

but after about an hour it got really hot. I shut it down to try and cool it down. But i just wanted to ask other ppl about it to see if it was a thing to be expected with this laptop and it's hardware or if for some reason the one i have recieved had some kind of malfuncion of any sort. To note; the fans did not kick in even considering the temp. the laptop reached.

I haven't had a chance to play any games on my M1 MacBook Pro (8 GB memory, 256 GB SSD), but I want to.

However, there are some good conversations on gaming with the M1 Macs in this forum (Apple Silicon (Arm) Macs)

You may find an answer in one of those and you will increase the chance of other people noticing your question / concern and possibly be able to help you.

 

[russell_314]

I can just imagine this conversation ? ? ?


Apple tech support: Hi my name is Tim and how may I help you today?

Customer: Yes my new MacBook just doesn't smell right

Apple tech support: It doesn't what

Customer: You know I took a couple deep sniffs of it trying to see what the M1 chip smells like and it's just not right.

Apple tech support: I see... Let me put you on a brief hold while I look up your issue

 

[Nozuka]

My M1 Macbook Air gave off an odor the first few days and went away after using. Just that "New Mac" smell haha. Should be nothing to worry about.

Same for me, with the Air.

And then i started using the included power cable and that was even worse, lol. (was using the one from my previous device at first) it was also a bit sticky and i had to clean it first... but that has also started to fade.

 

[russell_314]

Same for me, with the Air.

And then i started using the included power cable and that was even worse, lol. (was using the one from my previous device at first) it was also a bit sticky and i had to clean it first... but that has also started to fade.

Your power cable was "sticky" on your new MacBook? Are you sure you didn't get a return ? ? ?

 

[Cariffo]

Well i can smell it too on my new MBP... been using it for just a couple of days so im curious
I do notice it sometimes tho when i move it or so. Guess it will go away eventually, dont remember it on my old MBA 2018 tho.

And yes, the cable feels kinda weird and smells kinda weird also. Way worse than my old cable... but for the good of the planet maybe? i kinda believe its because of using some recycled plastic or so.