4 ms·

There was a hack (using the most liberal idea of a hack) a few years ago that was even simpler: just put a thermal pad into your MBA. Apparently it still works.

by mannyv 3y ago

There was a hack (using the most liberal idea of a hack) a few years ago that was even simpler: just put a thermal pad into your MBA. Apparently it still works. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m1-air-with-thermal-pad-mod.2272939/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m1-air-with-thermal-pad...

zuhsetaqi 3y ago
While this benefits performance it does hurt the battery because the battery suffers from the heat of the chassis. And of course like others already mentioned you can’t comfortably touch the bottom of the laptop.
Reason077 3y ago
Yep, can confirm this works great in the M1 Air. I've been running mine this way since I got it way back in 2020. Greatly lengthens the time you can play graphics-intensive games before thermal throttling starts to occur and your frame rate goes choppy.
- germinalphrase 3y ago
  How do you find surface temps under non-gaming loads, i.e. does this limit your use of the MacBook to desk only?
  - Reason077 3y ago
    If I'm gaming I do usually use it plugged in to my external monitor with a mouse and keyboard, and the lid closed. And it certainly does get quite warm during extended sessions, but not blazing hot like my previous Intel MacBook Pro did. Under non gaming loads (for me, that's mostly web, iOS development in Xcode, and streaming movies/TV) the M1 Air barely ever gets even slightly warm.
    - germinalphrase 3y ago
      That’s great. Thank you.
- evanjrowley 3y ago
  I wonder what the performance improvement would be for a newer PTM7950 thermal pad. These have a different chemistry versus traditional thermal pads. They actually get better over time.
  - rowanG077 3y ago
    That would be way too thin. PTM7950 is not intended to be used as a thermal pad.
TazeTSchnitzel 3y ago
To pre-empt the inevitable question about why Apple didn't do something so seemingly obvious: it's a trade-off to avoid the device getting uncomfortably, maybe skin-burningly hot under load.
- summarity 3y ago
  Indeed, there are also surface temp regulations for consumer devices (eg why certain action cams shut down much earlier in the EU)
- rhinoceraptor 3y ago
  Even a very reasonable CPU temperature under load like 60C, you can only touch a surface that hot for about 5 seconds before being burned.
- someNameIG 3y ago
  Reading that thread it also seems to heat the battery more, prematurely degrading it.
rhinoceraptor 3y ago
This hack will always work, they must thermally insulate the laptop case, otherwise the laptop is a huge burn hazard. About 43 C is the threshold for pain, anything above that will cause burns.
- Reason077 3y ago
  In my experience, even with the thermal pad installed, the M1 Air does not generate anywhere near enough heat to become a burn hazard. It can get pretty warm under heavy GPU loads, but not scalding hot like previous-generation Intel MacBooks.

by mannyv 3y ago

zuhsetaqi 3y ago

While this benefits performance it does hurt the battery because the battery suffers from the heat of the chassis. And of course like others already mentioned you can’t comfortably touch the bottom of the laptop.

Reason077 3y ago

Yep, can confirm this works great in the M1 Air. I've been running mine this way since I got it way back in 2020. Greatly lengthens the time you can play graphics-intensive games before thermal throttling starts to occur and your frame rate goes choppy.

germinalphrase 3y ago
How do you find surface temps under non-gaming loads, i.e. does this limit your use of the MacBook to desk only?
- Reason077 3y ago
  If I'm gaming I do usually use it plugged in to my external monitor with a mouse and keyboard, and the lid closed. And it certainly does get quite warm during extended sessions, but not blazing hot like my previous Intel MacBook Pro did. Under non gaming loads (for me, that's mostly web, iOS development in Xcode, and streaming movies/TV) the M1 Air barely ever gets even slightly warm.
  - germinalphrase 3y ago
    That’s great. Thank you.
evanjrowley 3y ago
I wonder what the performance improvement would be for a newer PTM7950 thermal pad. These have a different chemistry versus traditional thermal pads. They actually get better over time.
- rowanG077 3y ago
  That would be way too thin. PTM7950 is not intended to be used as a thermal pad.

TazeTSchnitzel 3y ago

To pre-empt the inevitable question about why Apple didn't do something so seemingly obvious: it's a trade-off to avoid the device getting uncomfortably, maybe skin-burningly hot under load.

summarity 3y ago
Indeed, there are also surface temp regulations for consumer devices (eg why certain action cams shut down much earlier in the EU)
rhinoceraptor 3y ago
Even a very reasonable CPU temperature under load like 60C, you can only touch a surface that hot for about 5 seconds before being burned.
someNameIG 3y ago
Reading that thread it also seems to heat the battery more, prematurely degrading it.

rhinoceraptor 3y ago

This hack will always work, they must thermally insulate the laptop case, otherwise the laptop is a huge burn hazard. About 43 C is the threshold for pain, anything above that will cause burns.

Reason077 3y ago
In my experience, even with the thermal pad installed, the M1 Air does not generate anywhere near enough heat to become a burn hazard. It can get pretty warm under heavy GPU loads, but not scalding hot like previous-generation Intel MacBooks.