Apple Sics Lawyers on SomethingAwful

[BJ_M]

"Apple has sent a threatening letter to SomethingAwful about a post in its forums that describes how to fix the overheating in some MacBook Pros by applying thermal paste properly, according to a post on Gizmodo. The post includes a brief excerpt from Apple's Service Source Manual which Apple wants removed. Gizmodo continues: 'the real problem [is] that the image shows the extremely sloppy manufacturing process that is causing the MacBook Pro to run at temperatures as high as a 95 degrees Celcius under full load.'"

[BJ_M]

The post includes a brief excerpt from Apple's Service Source Manual which Apple wants removed. Gizmodo continues: 'the real problem [is] that the image shows the extremely sloppy manufacturing process that is causing the MacBook Pro to run at temperatures as high as a 95 degrees Celcius under full load.

No, that's not the "real problem". Apple goes after anyone, anywhere, that ever posts or reproduces anything from their service manuals, which it considers proprietary, in whole or in part. It doesn't matter what circumstances in which this was posted: Apple would have gone after them, regardless.

Also, the service manual doesn't represent the "manufacturing process". It represents service instructions for service technicians.

However, all of that aside, Apple applies a stunningly ridiculous and inappropriate amount of thermal paste to the CPU and GPU in the MacBook Pro. It apparently does this both in the manufacturing process and the service process - the description and pictures of about ten times the amount of thermal paste than should actually be applied in the service manual only underscores the magnitude of the mistake. For those who might not be aware, thermal paste is not a case of "the more, the better": after a point, it fails to transfer heat, and the heat gets dissipated in an uncontrolled and unintended - and potentially damaging - way. And that's what's happening in the MacBook Pro. When a proper amount of thermal paste is applied, the MacBook Pro runs MUCH cooler, with heat actually transferring to the heatpipe, and the fans turning on when necessary, resulting in a massive drop in operating temperature (not to mention feeling like you're using a small campfire on your lap).

Inevitable Apple bashing aside, I'm actually quite surprised that, given its attention to detail, no one at Apple in any of its product design, engineering, manufacturing, or service operations, nor anyone at Asustek (the contractor that manufactures the MacBook Pro), realized that this is an utterly stupid amount of paste to be applying. I'm just dumbfounded that this made it through whatever QA is in place (and, again, Apple bashing and first revision products aside, keep in mind that Apple has the BEST QA and least need for service across the entire industry, consistently, and has for years, according to consumer reporting and tracking organizations like Consumer Reports).

In any case, Apple also hasn't commented or acknowledged this because it NEVER does so until there is a fix in place (or when it knows a specific fix is already in the pipeline). And yes, it is a "simple" fix, but as anyone who understands a complicated manufacturing process knows, it can take a while to implement any change.

In any event, because (regardless of what anyone may or may not say) Apple is the best in terms of responding to and remedying these kinds of problems when compared to other vendors[1], I have no doubt this will be resolved. I do hope Apple provides a free process for current owners to have this problem resolved at any Apple service facility.

[1] In other words, if anyone is going to say "Apple sucks" on this front, 1.) anyone can come up with service or product nightmare anecdotes from any vendor, and 2.) all other vendors are worse in all categories, if you accept Consumer Reports' rating processes.

[Conquest10]

It is really nasty in there.

http://home.sc.rr.com/mixedbag/MBP/Photos.html

[yoda313]

Ha and I thought everything was paradise at macland. And know apparently they can get viruses too :P :P :P

[lordsmurf]

Fair use, under the educational exemption. I don't see how this could not qualify.

[BJ_M]

It is really nasty in there.

http://home.sc.rr.com/mixedbag/MBP/Photos.html

what a mess is right

[Faustus]

Apple lawyer can be a bit... overzelous at times. This is one of those times.

If I had money for everytime someone threated to sue SA...


edit: here is the thread btw
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1867138

[lordsmurf]

I can see how linking a PDF of the book may cross the line, but not an excerpt photo.

[adam]

Holy crap look at all that thermal paste. It looks like they used a paintbrush to apply it.

[Cobra]

...or a shovel!

That's ridiculous amounts to apply. I apply only a thin smear to the heatsink and the CPU heatspreader. Just enough to make contact properly, and no more. I always get excellent heat transfer.

[offline]

Even back in the pre-mac days, apple were heavy handed. Nothing has changed.