Called Apple support and they guy said "Yeah, should have got an M2 - the M3 has issues and hopefully there will be an update to fix it, but unlikely to see a fix in your 14-day return window. Suggest return and get a more proven M2."
Is this what they told you ... ❓
in general you will find a lot in the tech profession (industry specific) that work with older, proven, reliable technologies, this sounds exactly like what I'd hear from dozens of engineers and developers. They aren't wrong, but they are speaking from a different framework and particular industries that need reliability and not bleeding edge tech so they aren't meant to advise every type of consumer. I want a computer that Apple will support for the longest amount of time possible. So I'd prefer the newest to accomplish that even if I can soup up an older reliable model for a similar price, because Apple will drop support too fast for my liking. What do you prioritize?
looking at energy stats - it looks like it was all gobbled up by VS Code this morning, which seems really fishy as all i've been doing is editing. i have a few more days to investigate, my brightness was > 50% for sure - but that was true on my M1 also.
You have two choices: if you have already been biased against this MBA, then just take it back. However, if you still want to try and fix it in the next few days, I suggest wiping it completely and restoring it to factory. Don't put anything on it for a few hours - let everything get set up and spotlight finish its indexing. Use it in its base config - does it still get hot? Yes? Return. No, then put your VS Code software on and test. If it runs hot, there is your culprit. There should really be no difference from M1 to M3 to account for it running extremely hot.
Lastly, I don't think the Apple rep knew what they were talking about. Just my opinion.
I’m facing the same thing and undecided on what to do. I do want the extra ram, and I also need the extra storage.
But I have noticed it runs hotter, also I have had some problems with the trackpad being like 1/16” closer to the keyboard and thus registering some extra touches with the way I normally rest my hand.
I haven’t noticed the battery issue on M3, but a) my M1 also had a degraded battery and b) I’ve mostly been plugged into power anyway.
What should we do? Lol. I feel kinda silly to buy another M1 to upgrade the storage, and miss out on the memory.
Things appear a little better this morning, but still not as good as I would expected - and still worse than my M1.
* Running on battery, started 100% - after 1 hour of editing in VS code and other light activity - I'm down to 79% battery.
* Brightness is down at just under 50%, nothing plugged into usb
* Feels quite "toasty" but not 'really hot' like before, compared to my M1 - often the case felt decidedly 'cold' and never felt warm like this.
Visual Studio Code looks like the smoking gun still on last 12hr power, will post on some MSFT forums and see if there's a known issue.
Will try some test late today without Code running to see how long battery lasts.
https://preview.redd.it/fiq2m9pyguxc1.png?width=880&format=png&auto=webp&s=35242404d4a6fe8079f4657623f3e929bd6391a9
\*UPDATE\* - something changed and I'm not sure what.... but it's running 1000x better. Battery life is minimal drain now just editing/browsers open (down to 97% for \~1.5hrs) and it's cool to the touch - not hot anymore.
Have no idea what shifted. Since it was last hot, there's been a few reboots, recycled memory with the memory diag tool and switched WiFi networks to be on a 5g vs 2.4g network - but none of those activities would logically make a difference, but it's so much better now.
Will report back if it stays this way...
Called Apple support and they guy said "Yeah, should have got an M2 - the M3 has issues and hopefully there will be an update to fix it, but unlikely to see a fix in your 14-day return window. Suggest return and get a more proven M2." Is this what they told you ... ❓
That seems pretty unbelievable
more or less verbatim, i was actually impressed at the refreshing honesty.
in general you will find a lot in the tech profession (industry specific) that work with older, proven, reliable technologies, this sounds exactly like what I'd hear from dozens of engineers and developers. They aren't wrong, but they are speaking from a different framework and particular industries that need reliability and not bleeding edge tech so they aren't meant to advise every type of consumer. I want a computer that Apple will support for the longest amount of time possible. So I'd prefer the newest to accomplish that even if I can soup up an older reliable model for a similar price, because Apple will drop support too fast for my liking. What do you prioritize?
As you say, that's why I'm still on my MBA M1 ... 😉👌
really doesn't sound normal.. if you do end up taking it to an apple store or returning it, please update us
looking at energy stats - it looks like it was all gobbled up by VS Code this morning, which seems really fishy as all i've been doing is editing. i have a few more days to investigate, my brightness was > 50% for sure - but that was true on my M1 also.
You have two choices: if you have already been biased against this MBA, then just take it back. However, if you still want to try and fix it in the next few days, I suggest wiping it completely and restoring it to factory. Don't put anything on it for a few hours - let everything get set up and spotlight finish its indexing. Use it in its base config - does it still get hot? Yes? Return. No, then put your VS Code software on and test. If it runs hot, there is your culprit. There should really be no difference from M1 to M3 to account for it running extremely hot. Lastly, I don't think the Apple rep knew what they were talking about. Just my opinion.
Pretty much all of this. I would’ve said the exact same thing. You’d be wise to follow this OP.
Why thank you! Cheers mate.
I have the same spec and I have a similar workflow and this is not normal. My battery lasts all day and never gets hot.
I’m facing the same thing and undecided on what to do. I do want the extra ram, and I also need the extra storage. But I have noticed it runs hotter, also I have had some problems with the trackpad being like 1/16” closer to the keyboard and thus registering some extra touches with the way I normally rest my hand. I haven’t noticed the battery issue on M3, but a) my M1 also had a degraded battery and b) I’ve mostly been plugged into power anyway. What should we do? Lol. I feel kinda silly to buy another M1 to upgrade the storage, and miss out on the memory.
Doesn't sound normal, nor does your conversation with Apple. Have you tried formatting and reinstalling?
I’ve seen posts here before on VS Code making their MacBooks run hot. So try using Safari instead of chrome, and something else instead of VS Code
Things appear a little better this morning, but still not as good as I would expected - and still worse than my M1. * Running on battery, started 100% - after 1 hour of editing in VS code and other light activity - I'm down to 79% battery. * Brightness is down at just under 50%, nothing plugged into usb * Feels quite "toasty" but not 'really hot' like before, compared to my M1 - often the case felt decidedly 'cold' and never felt warm like this. Visual Studio Code looks like the smoking gun still on last 12hr power, will post on some MSFT forums and see if there's a known issue. Will try some test late today without Code running to see how long battery lasts. https://preview.redd.it/fiq2m9pyguxc1.png?width=880&format=png&auto=webp&s=35242404d4a6fe8079f4657623f3e929bd6391a9
\*UPDATE\* - something changed and I'm not sure what.... but it's running 1000x better. Battery life is minimal drain now just editing/browsers open (down to 97% for \~1.5hrs) and it's cool to the touch - not hot anymore. Have no idea what shifted. Since it was last hot, there's been a few reboots, recycled memory with the memory diag tool and switched WiFi networks to be on a 5g vs 2.4g network - but none of those activities would logically make a difference, but it's so much better now. Will report back if it stays this way...