I'm using a 13" (late 2011) MacBook Pro and it has been getting so hot that I cannot use it on my lap, even when barely any applications are running. I have checked Activity Monitor and there are no applications taking up significant Memory or CPU power. The heat is concentrated on the upper left corner of the body, around the power inlet. I have noticed some bending of the body in the same area. Having had a swollen battery before I suspected the same thing might be happening again (as sometimes—though very rarely—the battery is not recognized). However, the location of the battery is not the location of the deformation.
What could be the cause of all this and how could I try to reduce the heat and (if there is a connection) reduce further deformation?
EDIT: Here's a picture of the area affected by the mysterious deformation
EDIT: Here are some temperature measurements I have made (in degrees C):
- 5V/3.3V Proximity: 51
- Battery TS1: 37
- Battery TS2: 37
- Battery TS_MAX: 37
- CPU Die: 64
- CPU Die – Digital Core: 62
- CPU Die – Digital Core 0: 68
- CPU Die – Digital Core 1: 68
- CPU Proximity: 61
- Palm Rest: 36
- PCH-Thunderbold Proximity: 72 (!)
- Right Fin Stack Proximity: 51
While I realise that none of these are high enough to do damage to the hardware, the surface is already painful to the touch although the device is basically idle or performing very basic tasks, such as browsing simple web-pages. Average CPU load was around 10% during this measurement while memory was at around 50%. The measurement of 72 degrees (C) around the thunderbolt port confirms my observation that the upper left corner is particularly hot; though I don't know what parts are located there that could cause such heat. I think that the heat originates from this area and the fans only turn on once it has warmed up the entire device. Note also that the heating up occurs whether I am charging the device or not.
Best Answer
There's nothing significant that could cause your Late 2011 MBP to swell in that area. In fact, that area has a fan mounted there, which makes it quite unlikely that something could get hot enough to cause frame damage.
My speculation:
If you've had swelling in the past then your frame is probably still bent from the swelling of the first battery. The initial heat and pressure could have caused the logic board to press against an opposite end. Furthermore, the heat damage could have created soft areas of aluminum that are slowly being modified by the heating and cooling caused by charging.
Here is the parts breakdown for curiosity sake.