OSx86 Project Web Site Calls For MacBook Pro Protest Day

by , 2:50 PM EDT, May 3rd, 2006

Since the laptop began shipping in February, some MacBook Pro owners have complained about excessive heat as well as a whining sound that emanates when the computer is idle. The OSx86 Project Web site, declaring that "something needs to be done," has called for a protest day on May 20. They want all MacBook Pro owners who have experienced those problems to flood Apple's support line with phone calls.

The site complains that Apple isn't taking the issues seriously and has said that the excessive heat and noise are within the computer's specs, so they feel that a protest like this one will focus attention on the problem. The site said: "This is nothing malicious and we do it with the most admirable of reasons - telling Apple we love their characteristically high quality and won't settle for less. Since we pay for the ability to call technical support when have an issue, we should use it."

When reporting the plans for the protest, DailyTech said that some MacBook Pro owners have discovered the cause of the excessive heat: too much thermal grease applied to the CPU, GPU and northbridge, which keeps heat from dissipating. Reporter Tuan Nguyen said that users who cleaned off the extra gunk found that their laptops ran cooler than before. Such an operation will void the user's warranty, however, as OSx86 Project pointed out.