June 7, 2006 1:59 PM PDT

MacBook Pro Special Report: Apple addressing issues with new revisions?

by CNET staff

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AnandTech reports that Apple is addressing a number of the issues initially reported in our MacBook Pro Special Report with a new revision of the systems, dubbed "revision D."

The report states:

"Apple said that revision D MacBook Pros have many issues addressed and improvements made, including fixes to the above mentioned issues. We were also able to get a hold of a MacBook Pro that just arrived during the week with a serial number starting with W8612, which did not exhibit any of the above issues. Many users are also reporting that their MacBook Pros become extremely hot to handle, especially in the area above the F keys and underneath the notebook itself. In fact, my MacBook Pro gets so hot that placing it in your hands is almost unbearable, and leaving it on a bare lap is next to impossible. According to Apple, the MacBook Pro should never become hot to the point of being uncomfortable."

UPDATE: Despite the AnandTech's assertion that Apple representatives claim the MacBook Pro should not become hot "to the point of being uncomfortable," MacFixIt reader Jim rightly points out a section in the MacBook manual describing heat generatd by the unit:

"When you're using your MacBook Pro or charging the battery, it is normal for the bottom of the case to get warm. For prolonged use, place your MacBook Pro on a flat, stable surface.

"Do not leave the bottom of your MacBook Pro in contact with your lap or any surface of your body for extended periods. Prolonged contact with your body could cause discomfort and potentially a burn."

As such, early revision machines may well fall within the acceptable range of product performance.

Better speakers on new revisions We've begun receiving reports from readers indicating that new replacement units from Apple do not exhibit the right-speaker distortion. Note that in-house, our MacBook Pro (which was among the first shipped from Apple) does not suffer from the right speaker distortion issue.

MacFixIt reader Brandon Demko writes:

"Sent back my first Macbook Pro which arrived in late Feb.

"First one had a horrid right speaker, TmOP hardware error, the CPU Whine and my trackpad button was a bit spongy.

"This one sounds 100% better. No more distortion on my right side speaker and the trackpad button is better. No inverter whine -- the CPU whine I think may still be there (need to double check again) but if it is, it's much quieter than my previous model."

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