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Apple M5 Max MacBook Pro Experiences Cooling Issues

WireByte Staff · August 3, 2026

A MacBook Pro owner reported excessive temperatures causing the backspace key to get stuck in the chassis, a problem that could have cost $895 to repair. The M5 Max relies on two low-profile fans and a single heatpipe, which may be prone to overheating. Apple is rumored to introduce vapor chamber cooling in newer models.

Key points

  • A MacBook Pro owner experienced excessive temperatures causing the backspace key to get stuck in the chassis, which could have cost $895 to repair.
  • The M5 Max relies on two low-profile fans and a single heatpipe, which may be prone to overheating.
  • This is the second time the owner has experienced this issue, and it is unconfirmed whether custom M5 Max configurations are originating from China with poor quality control.
  • Apple is rumored to introduce vapor chamber cooling in newer models to address thermal issues.
  • Previous stress tests have shown that the M5 Max has slightly better thermals than the M4 Max, but can still easily cross the 100°C ceiling in several seconds.

A recent incident involving a MacBook Pro owner has highlighted the thermal issues with Apple's M5 Max chip. The owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported that the backspace key got stuck in the chassis due to excessive temperatures. This could have cost $895 to repair if not for the warranty.

The M5 Max relies on two low-profile fans and a single heatpipe for cooling, which may be prone to overheating. This is not the first time that thermal issues have been reported with the M5 Max. Previous stress tests have shown that the chip can easily cross the 100°C ceiling in several seconds.

The incident has sparked concerns about the quality control of custom M5 Max configurations, which are rumored to be originating from China. However, this has not been confirmed.

Apple is rumored to be addressing thermal issues with the introduction of vapor chamber cooling in newer models. This could be a step in the right direction for the company, which has faced criticism for its cooling design in recent years.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.