Response from Apple Shop - should i bother?

[Buffalo]

Hi guys

Regarding the temp issues i enquired about on here a few weeks ago (MBP), i contacted teh apple shop as the computer as only a week old. I got fobbed off basically and ended up following the advice of the gurus on here (thanks ) and after installing various firmware upgrades, appear to be getting sensible temperatures recorded on the computer now.

Anyway i get a phonecall from the shop end of last week, saying that they could "fit me in now" After chatting with the bloke it transpired that he knew less about this temp thing than i picked up from reading the various discussions we had on here. Nonetheless (without prompt) they offered to re-apply the heat grease to the chips incase there was too much applied (as some reports suggested). Should i bother..?

I think i am now getting decent temperature numbers (around 25-35'c idle/low work and around 65-75'c at 100% CPU effort) and am no longer as worried as i first was. The computer is otherwise fine and i am undecided whether to bother or not. Last thing i want is to give the computer back and end up with a directly related problem...

Has anyone else bothered to do this..?

[thepassenger]

Personally I would. If I recall one or more batches of Mac's had far too much thermal paste applied to them, causing some heat issues. It would also mean that the processor would heat up quicker than anticipated and begin throttling itself down in speed.

[magic torch]

I wouldn't bother, especially if you're going to extend the Applecare.

Do you know who would actually carry this out? Some are more equal than others.

[combemarshal]

I would, otherwise it would invalidate any warenty you have.

[agent006]

combemarshal said:

I would, otherwise it would invalidate any warenty you have.

How?

[magic torch]

Having taken apart and repaired 1000s of portable Macs I've seen a large discrepancy in the amount on thermal paste applied (and supplied for repair).

If you're seriously considering the 'repair' it may be worth e-mailing me, there's some things I couldn't publish on a public forum.

[cyberface]

I'd take Magic Torch's advice over mine here - but myself and a few of the Ars Technica crew have found absolutely no difference when re-applying thermal paste properly on an MBP that suffered from overheating.

In short I don't think the thermal paste is the problem. If Apple are offering to replace the unit (like they did with mine) or replace internal components, then I'd take it because the existing heatpipe assembly may be duff. If all they're offering is to clean up and reapply paste, I'd not bother as it could make it worse.

That said, your temps now sound healthy (as long as you're not getting throttling to attain those temps).

[magic torch]

cyberface said:

but myself and a few of the Ars Technica crew have found absolutely no difference when re-applying thermal paste properly on an MBP that suffered from overheating.

That's what I'm saying.

[Buffalo]

They've only offered to re-apply the grease as far as i can recall...

Likei sai di am not worried so much now as seemed to have a big improvement on recorded temps via the firmware upgrades, but then again i don't want to cause damamge via negligence a year down the line when i could have had it sorted now.

Unfortunately from prior experience, i am sceptical of the competence of "specialists" when it comes to this sort of thing... Can't decide if i am being over cautious but it didn't help that the guy who phoned appeared to be less knowledgeable than me... Hmm

I'll buzz you a line Magintorch, cheers.

[combemarshal]

agent006 said:

combemarshal said:

I would, otherwise it would invalidate any warenty you have.

How?

Simple really, they have offered to rectify a know problem and you have/will refuse, if say the CPU fries itself do you really think they won't say 'I told you so'!!!

[magic torch]

combemarshal said:

agent006 said:

combemarshal said:

I would, otherwise it would invalidate any warenty you have.

How?

Simple really, they have offered to rectify a know problem and you have/will refuse, if say the CPU fries itself do you really think they won't say 'I told you so'!!!

The repair is down to the individual service provider. As long as the serial number shows the unit is in warranty (Apple guess the purchase date), the service provider can carry out any repair they see fit.

The main thing Apple care about is how quickly it's diagnosed and repaired. They severly penalise the AASPs for not meeting targets relating to this.

The heat issue is not even recognised by Apple (outside a firmware update). I checked their service exchange system last night.

I'm an Apple Authorised Portable Technician btw.

But, you're right other manufacturers would probably be different.