MBP running hot?

I'm in the market for a new laptop and I (surprise, surprise) love the new 15" MBP. I've read in a few reviews that it runs "uncomfortably hot" after a short period of time and wanted to know if this was true. Can it literally be use on a lap for an extended amount of time or no?

Also, is it possible to get the Core Duo (instead of CD2) in the new MBP body? This would be in order to try and save some money but, I don't want to sacrafice too much just to save a few dollars. Thanks!

 

Get the C2D. Not so much for 64 bit (fairly useless) and slight increase in speed, but for FW800 and DL dvd burning. Plus the ability to use 3 gigs of ram as opposed to 2.

My CD MBP doesn't normally get hot. I only have it get hot when I'm running Linux and XP under parallels as well as running about a dozen other apps. Only very rarely does it get hot enough where I don't want to keep it on my lap. But since it's winter and my apartment is cold, I kind of like that :-D

Most of the big heat problems that you've probably heard about were to do with the old version of the MBP. Apple fixed that with a logic board replacement around August, and subsequent CD MBP and C2D MBP have run much cooler. I've used MBP before the logic board replacement and they were blazing hot all the time, no matter what.

I can play WoW and not have the unit get anywhere close to hot, and usually it doesn't really get warm. Unless the battery is charging, but all laptops will have their batteries get hot/warm when they are charging.

Also keep in mind that the unit is only 1" thick. I will be a bit warmer than other laptops with the same hardware, but keep in mind, most of those have the air vetns that blow the same hot air straight on your legs. And my experience is those can't relaly be used on your lap, because if you block the air vents too much, they over heat and shut down. My Sager had that problem all the time, I HAD to use it on the desk or it would overheat.

 

No heat issues with my C2D MBP, not even in Windows while playing games in my experience so far. It will get warm, but not hot.

 

If you are going to buy a new MBP, buy from Amazon. It is cheaper after rebate. And the rumors about heat issues, that's for the Core Duos and they have been fixed in the Core 2 Duos. You may be able to find a good deal on a refurbished MBP C2D on Apple.com though. You just have to be quick cause they disappear fast!

 

My macbook pro runs cool everywhere it matters-the wristpad, touchpad, and keyboard. Otherwise I didn't have any issues. I love how quiet these things are...I only heard the fans twice in one month. Oh and I believe macmall has rebates too, and if you work for the federal or state government (including military) or are a student, then you can get a discount if you buy straight from Apple.

 

Amazon is still cheaper than Apple with either military or educ. discount. Not sure about govt or developer though. Military discount is actually not as great as educ. discount.

Apple.com with educ. discount
Blackbook $1399 + 6.5% tax = ~$1486 shipped

Amazon after rebate
Blackbook $1499 - $100 rebate = $1399 shipped

 

MBP from amazon: 1849.99
MBP from apple: 1799.99

Same specs. Keep in mind that the Amazon rebate is mail in... So that could take a long time to get back to you.
And I dunno about you, but Amazon is really odd with their shipping. I get some stuff in 2-3 days, other times it's like 2 weeks, even if everything is in stock.

Now, not everyone has to pay taxes... but the tax for apple is roughly $87 and free (for me) from amazon. Which brings them to right about the same price point. But you can also get a $100 rebate on printers from apple.

Also, to get free shipping from Amazon, you have to use their slow ass shipping which for me, takes a 5-7 business days. Everything I get from Apple takes like, 2-3 days.

But both places are good, just thought I'd make a further comparision there.
But the ADC discount can potentially be greater as well.

 

You can actually fill out the rebate online. No need to "mail-in". Let's see how long the rebate takes...Apple was able to do it in 3.5 weeks.