HACKER Q&A
📣 stanislavb

Do you have issues with your new 16' MacBook Pro?


I've been holding off from buying a new Mac for quite some time (owning a Mid 2015 15' model). Now that the new 16 inch models seem right, I've been considering an upgrade. Unfortunately, there's a number of complaints about popping sound (from some people) and serious issues with the fans/heating from many others. There are some suggestions about disabling turbo boosting and other "hacks" related to the fans and video card (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkmdHVfk4XE). Then, what's the reason of buying such an expensive laptop just to disable its power!?

I'm curious, is it that bad or these are just some single cases with more attention than necessary?

  👤 WaltPurvis Accepted Answer ✓
The reported problems with fans/temps seem widespread, but I've personally experienced none of that. I have the i9 with the mid-range GPU option and I'm using four external monitors. I run it exclusively in clamshell mode, and perhaps that's less prone to problems. All I can say is I've had zero problems with it, and whatever noise the fans might make I haven't heard them above the sound of my desktop tower's fans (which admittedly are set to "hurricane wind tunnel testing" level).

Bottom line, my experience with the new MacBook is its really damn fast and rock solid.

👤 iends
I get graphics card related kernel panics about once per week. Usually, related to opening and closing the lid. Often the panic message is “Bad Magic”.
👤 kevinherron
No, mine is fine. No crazy fan or heat issues when hooked up to my LG 5K either.

It manages heat and power generated by a build better than my 2016 and 2018 did.

👤 rayhendricks
No problems. I have the base model thigh with the i7.