thermal paste (or apple's malicious marketing plans)

[nukiduz]

hi there. i'm buying and iMac soon and i'm a bit worried about that thermal paste issue. i know it's been a problem in macbooks since it rises their temperature. i don't know if this only affects to macbooks or if the thermal paste fills every mac. so my question is: could this thermal paste be some kind of dark marketing to make your computer die before its time? if this could be true and iMac are also filled with this paste, could i remove it easily not damaging the computer? thanks!

 

[Rend It]

hi there. i'm buying and iMac soon and i'm a bit worried about that thermal paste issue. i know it's been a problem in macbooks since it rises their temperature. i don't know if this only affects to macbooks or if the thermal paste fills every mac. so my question is: could this thermal paste be some kind of dark marketing to make your computer die before its time? if this could be true and iMac are also filled with this paste, could i remove it easily not damaging the computer? thanks!

It's extremely unlikely that just as Apple is seeing an upsurge in sales and popularity that they would pull a stunt like that. They've been in the black for a while now, so it's not like they're in need of more revenue (though more never hurts ).

The thermal compound issue seems to largely be a manufacturing problem. By that I mean, the design of the cooling system is plenty adequate for the Core Duos, but the implementation of it is poor. It is an easy fix, though, if you decide to do so.

-RendIt

 

[savar]

hi there. i'm buying and iMac soon and i'm a bit worried about that thermal paste issue. i know it's been a problem in macbooks since it rises their temperature. i don't know if this only affects to macbooks or if the thermal paste fills every mac. so my question is: could this thermal paste be some kind of dark marketing to make your computer die before its time? if this could be true and iMac are also filled with this paste, could i remove it easily not damaging the computer? thanks!

Umm thermal paste is what keeps your CPU from overheating, by helping to distribute heat more quickly. Without thermal paste, there is an airgap between processor and heat sink, and air is a very poor conductor of thermal engergy. If you took all the paste out, besides being a tedious job that voids your warranty, you would be increasing the chance of failure, not decreasing it.

 

[mkrishnan]

Even when unsavory types want your products to die before their time, to force you to upgrade...it's in their interest for the product to last you long enough, and satisfy you sufficiently during that time, that you will actually buy *their* product the next time around.

So, conspiracy theory or not, the iPod battery serviceability issue would fit that kind of scenario, but the MBPs, which seem to be incredibly frustrating to afflicted users, would not.

 

[Kingsly]

so my question is: could this thermal paste be some kind of dark marketing to make your computer die before its time?

NO!!

And the iMac is fine, (well, at least mine is)

 

[iGary]

This whole thing is getting crazy. I was in the Apple Store today, and FIVE people were feeling the undersides of all the MBP's....Good GOD.

 

[Demoman]

Your question does not make sense.

hi there. i'm buying and iMac soon and i'm a bit worried about that thermal paste issue. i know it's been a problem in macbooks since it rises their temperature. i don't know if this only affects to macbooks or if the thermal paste fills every mac. so my question is: could this thermal paste be some kind of dark marketing to make your computer die before its time? if this could be true and iMac are also filled with this paste, could i remove it easily not damaging the computer? thanks!

If you have made the decision to purchase an iMac, then i would hope you have already researched this fine machine, and Apple in general. If not, there is no lack of easily obtained information. If you have, then you should know Apple is not that type of company.

 

[janey]

no thermal paste == bad

although, if you do decide to remove apple's thermal paste, i recommend arctic silver..really good stuff, use it for PCs I build all the time

 

[jkieffer72]

Umm thermal paste is what keeps your CPU from overheating, by helping to distribute heat more quickly. Without thermal paste, there is an airgap between processor and heat sink, and air is a very poor conductor of thermal engergy. If you took all the paste out, besides being a tedious job that voids your warranty, you would be increasing the chance of failure, not decreasing it.

Tooooo much thermal paste is not a good conductor. From what I've seen / read the amount of thermal paste in the MBP is excessive. Several people have posted data showing that after they took apart their MacBook Pro and applied a more modest amount of thermal past their temperatures dropped quite a bit...

JK

 

[ddrueckhammer]

hi there. i'm buying and iMac soon and i'm a bit worried about that thermal paste issue. i know it's been a problem in macbooks since it rises their temperature. i don't know if this only affects to macbooks or if the thermal paste fills every mac. so my question is: could this thermal paste be some kind of dark marketing to make your computer die before its time? if this could be true and iMac are also filled with this paste, could i remove it easily not damaging the computer? thanks!

Personally, I think that anyone who takes apart their Mac that is still under warranty is completely bonkers unless they are a Apple Certified Technician.

The thermal paste is completely necessary because it allows thermal conductivity on the entire surface between the Heatsink and the Processor. The thermal paste doesn't work when there is too much possibly because of the introduction of tiny air bubbles in the mixture. Also, the thermal paste could be less of a good conductor than either of the two surfaces it is in contact with which would cause it to slow down (resist) the heat transfer exponentially based upon the amount used. (Disclaimer: This is all conjecture)

This is not a case of dark marketing or malicious intent on Apple part at all. It is just a mistake in their manufacturing process. Apple I'm sure will either:

1. Use something else besides thermal paste to fill the gaps. Like the thermal pads mentioned in another thread.
2. Retrain their assembly workers to apply less paste.
3. Have a machine made to apply the paste in a more uniform manner or recalibrate the machine if they already have one.

I'm not sure if the whine associated with MPBs is associated with the heat or if it is associated with something else like capacitors for example...

 

[janey]

Personally, I think that anyone who takes apart their Mac that is still under warranty is completely bonkers unless they are a Apple Certified Technician.

It doesn't take a genius to take apart a Mac (ha...ha..). It's almost expected for some of Apple's computers, hence the warranty isn't void if you open most of their desktops.

If you're just worried about whether or not the person has any technical ability (screwdriver...some other tools...) or know-how to open a Mac, you can certainly find apple service source manuals and manuals similar to them floating around the web that can tell you step by step, complete with detailed pictures, on how to disassemble pretty much any mac or mac accessory since the 80s.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

It doesn't take a genius to take apart a Mac (ha...ha..). It's almost expected for some of Apple's computers, hence the warranty isn't void if you open most of their desktops.

If you're just worried about whether or not the person has any technical ability (screwdriver...some other tools...) or know-how to open a Mac, you can certainly find apple service source manuals and manuals similar to them floating around the web that can tell you step by step, complete with detailed pictures, on how to disassemble pretty much any mac or mac accessory since the 80s.

People who are taking apart their new MPBs are crazy and the new iMacs are difficult to get apart compared to the old ones. I know it isn't that hard but there is a lot that can go wrong which wouldn't be covered under warranty if Apple found out about it.

 

[janey]

People who are taking apart their new MPBs are crazy and the new iMacs are difficult to get apart compared to the old ones. I know it isn't that hard but there is a lot that can go wrong which wouldn't be covered under warranty if Apple found out about it.

if i had a mbp with a problem that could be solved by reapplying the thermal paste, i would do it in a heartbeat.

you think applecare will even listen to you if you go and tell them that all you want them to do is reapply the thermal paste cause they screwed up in the first place, and it's not a MAJOR problem it's just a really annoying small one?

Obviously there's a possibility of error and apple will not cover damage done to the computer because of your opening it, but if you're that insecure about it, just don't do it. Clearly the people who have done it felt secure enough, and sure enough they sound happy that they did it. (i mean, i personally think Apple's warranty is a bit lame to begin with..)

 

[barneygumble]

This whole thing is getting crazy. I was in the Apple Store today, and FIVE people were feeling the undersides of all the MBP's....Good GOD.

Dude, when are you not in the Apple store


Seriosly though this is a big issue that needs fixing immediatly, i hope to buy a macbook shortly and i hope that this isn't an issue with them.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

if i had a mbp with a problem that could be solved by reapplying the thermal paste, i would do it in a heartbeat.

you think applecare will even listen to you if you go and tell them that all you want them to do is reapply the thermal paste cause they screwed up in the first place, and it's not a MAJOR problem it's just a really annoying small one?

Obviously there's a possibility of error and apple will not cover damage done to the computer because of your opening it, but if you're that insecure about it, just don't do it. Clearly the people who have done it felt secure enough, and sure enough they sound happy that they did it. (i mean, i personally think Apple's warranty is a bit lame to begin with..)

You have a point but it would still be freaky taking apart a bright shiny new MBP and doing this. I would have to wipe a gallon of sweat from my forehead while I was doing it Oh and I agree with you...AppleCare is lame...unless you are lucky enough to get a new LCD or logicboard from it...

 

[jkieffer72]

You have a point but it would still be freaky taking apart a bright shiny new MBP and doing this. I would have to wipe a gallon of sweat from my forehead while I was doing it Oh and I agree with you...AppleCare is lame...unless you are lucky enough to get a new LCD or logicboard from it...

Agreed; I'm not ripping my MacBook open either. I'm fairly experienced as a computer tech (last 6 years in IT field) and electronics technician (8 years prior to that); but I don't see the need to risk damage. I read the service guide that's floating around; lots of little wires and connectors to break!

I think Apple will make things right soon. My MacBook hasn't gone to far about 160 degrees at the CPU Core as measured by the SpeedIt kernel extension. I think it's well within acceptable limits; could probably run cooler though!

Not so sure with I agree on the assessment of AppleCare as lame... A bit pricey for the MacBook; but good insurance I think. Purchasing with the education discount eases the pain a bit also!

 

[nukiduz]

thanks dudes. now i know the paste is necessary but too much could be bad due to heat issues. by the way i wasnt accusing apple of some kind of conspiracy... i said this cause it seems that someone felt bad about my post, so sorry.

 

[janey]

Not so sure with I agree on the assessment of AppleCare as lame... A bit pricey for the MacBook; but good insurance I think. Purchasing with the education discount eases the pain a bit also!

AppleCare extends the current warranty by 2 years. IMO they should just be doing that standard in the first place. I am not about to shell out $200+ for 2 years of coverage for defects in the apple hardware or in the way they were assembled.

I purposefully did not get applecare on my last couple of Macs because it was useless to me. The level of support from AppleCare (near nonexistant and skimpy at best) and the time it takes, and the effort,...not worth it. I'd rather do the repairs myself.

I'm also comforted by the fact that if there is ever a really big issue, a la the iBook G3 logic board problems, Apple won't care if you got the AppleCare or not, and will fix/replace it for you.