Apple MacBook Pro 15 inch latest model (2018) is a top class laptop with qualified specifications. The Laptop use Core i9 -8950HK processor with six CPU core and working frequency of 2.9 GHz. However, the laptop is apparently unable to handle the heat generated by the powerful processor.
It was found by YouTuber named David Lee who tried 15-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9 processor, for video rendering with Adobe Premiere software. Immediately after starting rendering that is very burdensome CPU, MacBook Pro do “throttling” alias reduce the speed of the processor to reduce the heat generated. Core i9 recorded only runs with a frequency of 2.2 GHz.
“The i9 processor on the MacBook is not even able to run base clock speed. Forget about turbo, “Lee said. Because of this throttling , the rendering process takes more time, so it finishes in 40 minutes. To ensure that the problem is overheated, Lee re-runs the same video rendering. But this time he put a MacBook Pro laptop into the fridge when rendering.
The result? Apparently the MacBook Pro is able to complete the rendering in a much faster time, ie 27 minutes. That is, the effort of thermal damping aka throttling on 15-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9 reduces laptop performance significantly.
Throttling itself is actually a fair process that is applied in most device processors. However, Lee said that throttling the 15-inch MacBook Pro with the Core i9 “is unacceptable”. Because of the beautiful shape? Why is a 15 inch MacBook Pro with Core i9 overheating?
Lee speculated that the cause might be the casing of the beautiful, thin, and minimalist laptop, but it sacrificed airflow in the internal component chamber. As a result, as summarized from Mobile Syrup, Friday (20/7/2018), the beautiful laptop is too hot because it can not afford to waste heat generated by the processor.
In the video, Lee had recording the outer appearance of a 15-inch MacBook Pro with a thermal camera to see the external temperature of the device’s shell. In certain areas around the CPU, ie at the top of the keyboard, the temperature is seen through the range of 43 degrees celsius.
Ironically again, the 15-inch MacBook Pro 2017 with Core i7 processor is capable of completing the same video rendering in a shorter time of 35 minutes. Though the specifications are under the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9.
Lee helped present Gigabyte’s Windows 10 laptop, Aero 15X with Core i7-8750H capable of completing rendering in just 7 minutes. Although Premiere Pro in this case is more optimized for Windows rather than Mac OS, the difference in performance between the 15-inch MacBook Pro berprosesor Core i9 and Windows laptop should not be so far.
Apple sells 15-inch MacBook Pro with a starting price of 2,399 US dollars (with a Core i7 processor). Prospective buyers can upgrade the processor to the Core i9 with a starting price of 2799 US dollars. Official 15-inch MacBook Pro with maximum specifications, including Core i9-8950HK processor, 32 GB DDR4 RAM, and SSD 4 TB storage media reaches the range of 6,699 US dollars.