(no subject)
Well, it wasn't a cat attack, but my new PowerBook's hard drive crashed. I'm beginning to wonder if their sexiness is also a problem. I like to think of my usage of it as being somewhat normal. I browse the net, email, RSS. I keep spreadsheets and documents. I write a little bit of code. I play a game every so often...
So yeah, WoW is a bit taxing on the system. Within minutes of logging in and getting going, the fan kicks in. The GPU (even with its 128MB) is guaranteed to be filled in minutes if not quicker. Any and all available RAM will be allocated to it. And then, there's the reading of the client side data all neatly stored in /Applications/World of Warcraft/Data files.
So let's compare the new 15" design to the old TiBooks. The full metal jacket body is supposed to help radiate the heat. There are vents located to the bevelled sides towards the underside of the system. And then the backside vents neatly hidden from view by the hinge that runs the width of the backside. The old TiBooks weren't really encased within a Titanium body, but merely had titanium paint applied to the body (kind of like goldleaf, only thicker). The body edges weren't bevelled and the vents were on the sides pointing out on the horizontal plane. And it had two hinges to physically separate the screen from the body. The heat dissipation via the body wasn't inherent in the design.
And there's the flaw with the new sexier aluminum PB. Just under fifty percent of the available surface area to be used for heat dissipation is destined to sit flat on an insular surface (typically speaking, although a few millimeters in underside clearance is still there for proper thermal dissipation). Directly above the heat pockets composed of the battery, the hard drive, and the processor chips is another insular surface in the mainboard composed of silicon. This pretty much leaves the venting to perform the major task of pushing out the heat. And that's obvious to the touch. While there is a noticeable amount of heat when you put your hand on the upper surface, you can actually probably burn yourself if you put your hand on the hinge bar. Likewise, the underside has been known to cause some "mild irritation" if left in your lap too long.
So, let's assume that the PowerBook's heating problems were the cause of my recent hard drive woes in my 1.5 GHz and 1.67 GHz models. Even though AppleCare covers the problem, I was left wondering if I had some shared culpability due to neglect. What does Apple have to say on the heat / overheat subject?
From the PowerBook manual section titled Safety, Use, and Care Information:
"Using Your PowerBook
When using your PowerBook or when charging the battery, it is normal for the bottom of the case to get warm. For prolonged use, place your PowerBook on a flat, stable surface. The bottom of the PowerBook case functions as a cooling surface that transfers heat from inside the computer to the cooler air outside. The bottom of the case is raised slightly to allow airflow that keeps the unit within normal operating temperatures. In addition, the computer vents warm air from the back of the case."
"As your PowerBook operates, it’s designed to keep itself within safe thermal limits. The fan comes on and stays on to keep the PowerBook operating at normal temperatures. The bottom of your PowerBook may become warm because it’s designed to let heat dissipate through the case. This is normal. For more information, see “Using Your PowerBook” on page 74." (Note the page 74 is where the previous quoted text is located).
When I get my PB back, I am going to be investing in one of those laptop platforms. It's the least I can do to attempt to avoid yet another meltdown. But I do have to wonder why Apple thinks that the minimal amount of underside clearance is sufficient for heat dissipation. I have to wonder at the amount of field testing that has been performed, and what that actually consists of. I have to wonder if they're setting up a support problem that could be avoided. I would be even more worried about things like this if I was a stockholder.
So yeah, WoW is a bit taxing on the system. Within minutes of logging in and getting going, the fan kicks in. The GPU (even with its 128MB) is guaranteed to be filled in minutes if not quicker. Any and all available RAM will be allocated to it. And then, there's the reading of the client side data all neatly stored in /Applications/World of Warcraft/Data files.
So let's compare the new 15" design to the old TiBooks. The full metal jacket body is supposed to help radiate the heat. There are vents located to the bevelled sides towards the underside of the system. And then the backside vents neatly hidden from view by the hinge that runs the width of the backside. The old TiBooks weren't really encased within a Titanium body, but merely had titanium paint applied to the body (kind of like goldleaf, only thicker). The body edges weren't bevelled and the vents were on the sides pointing out on the horizontal plane. And it had two hinges to physically separate the screen from the body. The heat dissipation via the body wasn't inherent in the design.
And there's the flaw with the new sexier aluminum PB. Just under fifty percent of the available surface area to be used for heat dissipation is destined to sit flat on an insular surface (typically speaking, although a few millimeters in underside clearance is still there for proper thermal dissipation). Directly above the heat pockets composed of the battery, the hard drive, and the processor chips is another insular surface in the mainboard composed of silicon. This pretty much leaves the venting to perform the major task of pushing out the heat. And that's obvious to the touch. While there is a noticeable amount of heat when you put your hand on the upper surface, you can actually probably burn yourself if you put your hand on the hinge bar. Likewise, the underside has been known to cause some "mild irritation" if left in your lap too long.
So, let's assume that the PowerBook's heating problems were the cause of my recent hard drive woes in my 1.5 GHz and 1.67 GHz models. Even though AppleCare covers the problem, I was left wondering if I had some shared culpability due to neglect. What does Apple have to say on the heat / overheat subject?
From the PowerBook manual section titled Safety, Use, and Care Information:
"Using Your PowerBook
When using your PowerBook or when charging the battery, it is normal for the bottom of the case to get warm. For prolonged use, place your PowerBook on a flat, stable surface. The bottom of the PowerBook case functions as a cooling surface that transfers heat from inside the computer to the cooler air outside. The bottom of the case is raised slightly to allow airflow that keeps the unit within normal operating temperatures. In addition, the computer vents warm air from the back of the case."
"As your PowerBook operates, it’s designed to keep itself within safe thermal limits. The fan comes on and stays on to keep the PowerBook operating at normal temperatures. The bottom of your PowerBook may become warm because it’s designed to let heat dissipate through the case. This is normal. For more information, see “Using Your PowerBook” on page 74." (Note the page 74 is where the previous quoted text is located).
When I get my PB back, I am going to be investing in one of those laptop platforms. It's the least I can do to attempt to avoid yet another meltdown. But I do have to wonder why Apple thinks that the minimal amount of underside clearance is sufficient for heat dissipation. I have to wonder at the amount of field testing that has been performed, and what that actually consists of. I have to wonder if they're setting up a support problem that could be avoided. I would be even more worried about things like this if I was a stockholder.