Macbook Pro gets hot with USB C Hub

[DevonG]

Hello everyone,

I have purchased my first Macbook Pro and have been getting used to it. I purchased two different USB C Hub expanders, the goal is to plug in one device into my Macbook Pro and have my external monitor, keyboard and mouse come up (desktop replacement). I bought two different ones as I keep having this issue where the laptop gets extremely hot to the touch right above the touch bar. Even to the point the fans will kick on high and not turn off. Here are the units I purchased...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08864SHJL/?tag=macforums0e4-20

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hyper-hyperdrive-ultimate-11-port-universal-usb-c-hub-usb-c-docking-station-for-laptops-space-gray/6349957.p?skuId=6349957

After I had problems with the first one I attributed it to the unit being a cheap Chinese product. Got the second one in store and same result, anyone else having this problem? Or does the Mac computers not work well with these devices?

 

[ferrarr]

Get a small desktop fan and point it across the back of the MBP.

 

[DevonG]

Thanks ferrarr, I am looking into one of those as well.

I think I might have found the possible problem, I think it might be the Razor keyboard and mouse... I have a wired Razor Keyboard and mouse that hooks into the hub. I know that sounds odd but I am using the hub right now with just a wireless logitech mouse and charging my iphone and I am not having issues.

Anyone ever hear of something similar?

EDIT: Could it be a driver or something? New to MacOS but I know those keyboards traditionally on Windows will prompt to install a Razor driver upon plugin. Could the Keyboard not be compatible with MacOS?

 

[chscag]

Could the Keyboard not be compatible with MacOS?

I doubt it. I haven't run into a keyboard or mouse that couldn't be used on a Mac. Not all functions may be available on third party keyboards and rodents, but for the most part they will work. There are problems with some third party BT and wireless keyboards that prevent a Mac from going into recovery because it's not recognized until after boot up.

As for your USB-C hubs causing your machine to heat up, that's very likely because of the heavy load you're placing on your MacBook Pro with the devices attached to the hub.

Probably not a good idea to run that way over a prolonged period of time. External fans are really no help because all that heat being generated is from within the machine. The fan is only going to cool the outside of it.

 

[DevonG]

Probably not a good idea to run that way over a prolonged period of time.

I completely agree and really only have been plugging in the usb hub for testing purposes. I have determined the Razor keyboard and mouse is the cause and is putting too much of a draw. I have been running the evening on my hub with just a logitech mouse and the charger and it has been fine. Will just have to trade in the Razor stuff for a either a Apple Keyboard mouse or maybe will opt for a wireless logitech combo.

Thanks everyone for the responses!

 

[Kenney]

Look at "Mac Fan Control" in the App store.

 

[ferrarr]

Fans are meant to cycle the air. They will help move the hot air away from the MBP.

 

[DevonG]

Fans are meant to cycle the air. They will help move the hot air away from the MBP.

I agree that a cooling pad is still going to be in order. When I do some workloads that put the i9 under load the computer gets super hot, examples are 7z compressing large file (20+ GB) or when playing a video game like Starcraft. Though, that is rare and in this case what had me freaking out was the minimal load and the computer was getting really hot.

I appreciate everyones help on this subject. On a side note I will say I have really been enjoying my first Mac, I have not used an Apple computer since the early 2000's when I was in school and really did not care for then back then. The experience has been pretty good.

 

[chscag]

You mentioned above that your MacBook Pro has an i9 CPU. Those babies run hot regardless which chassis they're in. When cranking up video games and compressing large files, you're likely reaching some very high temps. That sends both fans into a high RPM and noise.

Not much you can do about that as the i9 is noted for producing lots of heat under load.

I agree, a cooling pad is probably a good idea. And.... make sure you purchase Apple Care Plus. You now have one year from date of purchase to add Apple Care Plus. Apple just recently changed the time frame that AC+ can be purchased. More $$ for AC+, but in my opinion, it's a necessity especially for that machine.

Have fun.

 

[DevonG]

Those babies run hot regardless which chassis they're in.

Agreed. Seems to do fine under basic loads such as web browsing and Spotify but when placing under load it gets hot and loud but, I love the performance. The i9 in this laptop gets specific task done faster then the i7 from my old gaming tower I bought in 2016.

I started having some of the same heating issues the other day when plugging in my Behringer sound card. I think the issue is, as weird as it sounds, is a heating issue do to powering devices. If I have a few devices that don't need to be powered via USB everything seems fine.

I think I am going to have to spend the cash and get a true "docking station" for my Macbook Pro. Something like we use from my work for the Lenovo and Dell computer.

Thanks for everyones help on this! I will also highly consider purchasing Apple Care+

 

[DevonG]

You now have one year from date of purchase to add Apple Care Plus.

So I just bought this computer from Bestbuy, brand new less then a month ago. I went and looked at what would it cost to get Apple Care+ on this computer and according to Apple I don't have any devices that qualify with my Apple ID, I also tried the serial and it says that this computer does not qualify. If I have a year, why?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

You should call Apple Support and figure and they will tell you why the device doesn't qualify, we can't tell you.

 

[DevonG]

You should call Apple Support and figure and they will tell you why the device doesn't qualify, we can't tell you.

I guess I was more looking for reasons you all have seen a device not qualify that is brand new. I know you guys are not Apple, so you wouldn't have the exact answer.

 

[ferrarr]

So I just bought this computer from Bestbuy, brand new less then a month ago. I went and looked at what would it cost to get Apple Care+ on this computer and according to Apple I don't have any devices that qualify with my Apple ID, I also tried the serial and it says that this computer does not qualify. If I have a year, why?

I would assume, it is because Apple sold it to Best Buy, and Apple can not control what has happened to it, since it left their control?

 

[MacInWin]

I guess I was more looking for reasons you all have seen a device not qualify that is brand new. I know you guys are not Apple, so you wouldn't have the exact answer.

I've never seen a product I bought from an Apple reseller (Best Buy is one) that was not recognized by Apple. Did you register the Mac with your AppleID when you bought it (i.e., signed in to your Apple ID from the machine)?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

I guess I was more looking for reasons you all have seen a device not qualify that is brand new. I know you guys are not Apple, so you wouldn't have the exact answer.

There could be many reasons, the serial number is invalid, the machine is older than you think it is and thus does not qualify. But Apple will tell you for sure.

 

[DevonG]

I would assume, it is because Apple sold it to Best Buy, and Apple can not control what has happened to it, since it left their control?

Nailed it! Apple told me that cannot verify the sell date of Bestbuy purchases. Though, I would say weird that they couldn't see it when I logged into the computer the first time with my Apple ID.

Either way, I appreciate it everyone!

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Nailed it! Apple told me that cannot verify the sell date of Bestbuy purchases. Though, I would say weird that they couldn't see it when I logged into the computer the first time with my Apple ID.

Either way, I appreciate it everyone!

What does you logging into the machine with your Apple ID have to do with the sell date? If someone buys a used machine 4 years after it was first purchased and uses their Apple ID on it for the first time, its sell date was still 4 years ago, it suddenly doesn't become that newer day.

In this case, you should be buying AppleCare+ from Best Buy themselves and not Apple since Best Buy can verify the sell date.

Visit: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/services/applecare/pcmcat748300453862.c?id=pcmcat748300453862

 

[DevonG]

What does you logging into the machine with your Apple ID have to do with the sell date?

Was answering someone else in the thread... Please see comment from MacInWin response to me....

 

[MacInWin]

That was me who asked. I presumed that Apple would see a new device in that AppleID. I get warnings all the time when I log in with a device in a new location, or new device. Even if I use a VPN and then log in to iCloud.com, I get the warnings. So my thinking was that Apple would know about the new device when it is used to log into iCloud.com for any reason.