Mac users - operating noise levels

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Hi mac users,

I've got an older powerbook, a lombard i think? (like a '99/'00 model with the black curvy case) and I'm finding the shrill whirring buzz of the machine's operation is driving me nuts, I think it's gotten slightly louder lately. Do other users find their macs noisy? (I am noise sensitive but I think even an NT would find the ringing 'buzz' annoying). I use the 'spin down hard disc' function when I'm on a web page for a while but it's annoying to have to bother to do that.

I'm probably going to get a new mac in the next 12 months or so (I think there's a new model release due later this year), but I really need something quieter so I would be interessted in other's opinions on mac noise.

Also one of the features I most miss about desktop models is the switch resolution function, (great for my middle-aged eyesight - I find the override/change fonts thing annoying and it doesn't always work, wheras switch res always works), does anyone know if they've managed to produce a laptop screen that can switch res like desktop models can?

Don't know much about the laptop world of macs, but I have noticed that as the macs drives get more powerful, they get louder and louder! My G4 at work sounds like a rocket going off whenever you start it, and the fan is ridiculously loud. My work mate has a problem with his powerbook, that sounds similar to what your describing - the screen defaults everytime the machine restarts, meaning he has to reset everything in the system preferences each time.

I got 15inch PowerBook 1.33 GHz recently and it's fantastic and the most silent computer I ever had, all you can hear is hard drive spinning (which is also silent too).
Fan comes on only when I play games, but it's not a high pitch sound, it's quite pleasant

Laptop computers use LCD screens that have one native resolution (1280x864 on this PB) and although they can scale down resolution, it is a little fuzzy because the graphics card has to output picture of lesser resolution to a screen with bigger numbers of pixels, which makes it bad for reading and such.

But I think you'll be satisfied with whatever new mac laptop you get because they are incredibly more advanced and silent now, interface of Mac OS X has bigger elements, graphics, fonts etc. than OS9 which makes it much easier for reading and handling.

As for those loud G4's... Old PowerMacs were somewhat loud, depends on model, but I've tried new PowerMacs G5 and they are super-silent, they have 9 fans and you almost can't hear it.

I just got a new powerbook and its the most silent computer i've ever used.

I bet it is the Hard Drive going bad! They go bad super fast! I had a iMac that the Hard Drive died in 6 months. But that was due to a mechanical problem. The Hard Drive makes grinding noises usually. It depends. You have an older mac.

Austin

Which edition iMac was it? There is a known problem with the original slot-load models where the Hard Drives go bad mechanically after typically 1-3 years..

Is the whirring noise you hear only when the cooling fan is on? If so, you probably have some clumps of dust stuck between the fan's fins and the grill it blows the air against.


Mike

Mmm... Vantec Tornado Fans on my computer.
Its like running a vacume ;D

The dual 867 Mhz aka "Windtunnel"??? That's what I'm running.....Sounds like a jet taking off when I reboot....

You might try to pop open the hood and check the air intakes for clogging. I had one that I used on my desk for a few years and it did the same thing. I got it apart and found dog and cat hair and dust had completely filled the intakes but they are more or less hidden behind a cowling of sorts. The fan was squealing in the choked environment. Immediately afterwards the operating temp fell off, the noise stopped and I got quite a few mhz back in speed. FWIW, Kenorri

No, seriously vantec tornadoes...

YOU"LL HAVE TOO SPEAK UP, I LITTERALLY CAN"T HEAR YOU.

I've got a G4 iBook that's as quiet as anything. There's a little whirring and clicking when it's booting up, but once it's settled down, I have to put my ear against the casing to hear it. Even when it's running a 3D game, it just gets a bit hot rather than loud. I've got a G3 iBook too, but it's slightly noisier with a clickier HD and a higher pitch to the fan. Compared to my main rig with it's athlon 2600XP running with an open case, there's not much to complain about.

My old 190 and 1400cs powerbooks are louder than the G4 and G3 though, with the 190 being the worst. Interesting how mac portables are getting quieter as they get faster.

I bought a new ibook 12" about 3 months ago. ahhhh the silence! Kept the old Lombard for emergencies.