13" macbook pro exhaust system

I was just wondering how the air flow happens. On my old asus the air would flow in through the keys, and out the back, so I'm wondering how the macbook does this, as I use a silicon key protector, so if the air does flow through the keys, I would be cooking the Mac.

 

Does it feel warm? If not, then don't worry.

On those i've looked at the fan system is where you open the screen lid on the rear.

 

The MBP 13 has a rather unique cooling system. The exhaust is behind the screen hinge, unless I'm sorely mistaken. So basically ensure that you keep the rear end of the thing free to allow air to escape. The heat-sink in these machines supposedly sits on top of the motherboard, which is to say that some amount of heat will probably escape through the keyboard. Try to use the key protectors only if you have to, like when you're travelling or have too much dust around. I have always found that keeping your hands and fingers clean is a much less hazardous and healthy endeavor . If the keyboard could be silicon-covered without any obstruction to air-flow, I suppose one of the companies would have come up with a covered keypad, wouldn't they? Every notebook has some gap around the keys, even the chiclet styled ones. That's because they are supposed to be there to allow ventilation, in some amount at least.

 

Warm air can come from the keyboard area on all MBPs though I have heard that more comes from the 13" models. The vent system will take care of circulation though, due to the keyboard design, warm air will also come out of the keyboard. I use my MBP in clamshell mode all the time (hooked up to my HDTV with the lid closed) and it has been fine though, whenever it gets hot, I open the lid.

I think a keyboard cover is fine since the MBP isn't pulling air in from the keyboard but rather letting a small amount vent out. It only becomes problematic with the MBP has all of its fans running on high, then you might want to think about taking the keyboard cover off just to let some of the hot air escape. Otherwise, the ventilation system at the hinge of the display is more than adequate.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have been running some test while looking at the temps via smsfancontrol, the cover does not seem to matter, as the temps stay the same. I like the way the cover feels lol, so I'll continue keeping an eye on it, but for now it seems 50c is normal standby cover or no cover. I will take it off if the fans start running hard though, as a safety precaution.

 

good call! Try and not use the cover when you are pushing the cpu/intel hd3000 chip too hard... like when you are gaming and stuff like that. Rest of the times, it should not matter. cheers