Macbook M4pro gets hot extremely easily. Idle temp is 51C?

Consider downloading and running this little "discovery" utility, Etrecheck. It changes NOTHING. Etrecheck was developed by senior contributor here, and uses system calls to collect often-needed information.

it contains little tests for speeds of devices, CPU utilization, memory usage, energy usage and a digest of recent problems, in one easy to use package. it does not even need to be Installed. Because less can be learned when your Mac is running great, best time to run is when your problems are actually occurring, if possible.

if you follow the directions faithfully, its report (pre-laundered of all personally-identifiable information) can be "Shared" to the System ClipBoard, then Pasted into an ‘Additional Text’ window in a reply on the forums.

Use Etrecheck Pro for free:

http://Etrecheck.com

the start a reply, click the 'additional text' icon in the reply footer, and PASTE

See if any of the "don'ts" in this Apple support article sounds familiar:

Keep your Mac laptop within acceptable operating temperatures - Apple Support

Often, workspace issues and add-ons are the root cause of overheating complaints.

Chrome is a well-known resource glutton on both Windows and Mac computers.

The EtreCheck report that Grant requests will show resource usage. I suspect Chrome and its minion "helpers" are feasting.

Even with more economical browsers, some web pages can quickly run up resource usage and temps. I recently had one product page from Other World Computing open in the background in Safari and, in under a minute, Activity Monitor showed this:

on a 27" iMac running Safari that has far better internal airflow than any Macbook Pro. The CPU temps rose from their normal browsing level fo 36-38°C to over 53°C in minutes of leaving the page open.

These unneeded interferences will also increase workload and therefore temps:

• anti-virus software
• so-called "cleaning" apps
• cheap client-side VPNs (the ones spending millions on fear-mongering TV adverts)

<< I have the same problem. >>

If you did not immediately find your solution by reading through the existing postings, you likely do not have "exactly the same problem" and need to explain from the beginning. 

That will allow Readers to think hard about your exact situation and address the exact circumstances you are facing.

https://discussions.apple.com/post/question

Chrome has always been a resource hog on Macs. I use Safari, with that and several other apps open (MS 365 suite, etc.), my 'resting' CPU temp is ~40 °C.

I have the same problem. Just restarted the MacBook Pro M4 and the temp was hitting 70 degrees. After a while the temperature went down to 51 C, but it doesn't go below 47 C at any point, even when doing nothing. Playing games like Farming Simulator 25 it instantly goes up to 91 C and get really hot, even to the touch.

I didn't reflect over this when I got the MacBook Pro M4, but started to realize it was pretty hot since the metal of the computer is "room-temperature" at best, often a bit hot, even when doing nothing. My older MacBook Air M1 was always cold to the touch, even when doing media tasks and browsing.

It feels like something is getting worse by the day, if I may be brutally honest.

Do the issues persist if you stop using such a CPU aggressive web browser? Try Safari, Firefox or Brave to test for a cooler running notebook.

Don't use Chrome. Installing Google on a Mac obviates most of the advantages of having one. If you are required to use Chrome, buy a Chromebook.