Surprise gift with Macbook AirM4 - A built in heater !!

Do your have any other third party processes running on startup? Post the free EtreCheck report using the Additional Text option when posting and it will show these processes.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

Specifically for Chrome, you probably have 3 processes running on startup whether you are using it or not that contribute to heat and Chrome has always been known to be power hungry. It is due to the extensive amount of CPU use where you will find many not recommending it, but that is your choice. The more CPU cycles used, the more heat will be generated.

https://chromeisbad.com/

There is no fan in the M4 MacBook Air. It must use radiant cooling through the case, and if you have it inside of a third-party case, or on a soft surface, that will impede cooling.

Any process that sustains higher CPU/GPU usage may cause the Air to heat up. If you are using more RAM than the Air is configured, then it will swap to secondary storage causing additional heat build up.

Chrome is historically a bad actor regarding excess CPU/GPU usage and with three tabs open in it, it would depend upon the content of those tabs and whether it was streaming media or frequently refreshing.

Do you also have one of the apps identified here that was using a Private Framework not designed for Developers and causing excessive heat and battery drain? Make sure the identified apps have been updated.

https://www.macobserver.com/news/developers-push-fix-for-macos-tahoe-gpu-slowdown-in-electron-apps/

• Claude
• Discord
• Docker Desktop
• Figma
• GitHub Desktop
• Notion, Obsidian
• Pocket Casts
• Signal
• Slack
• Visual Studio Code

At the time of the article these apps have not been updated, so you will need to check:

• 1Password
• Bitwarden
• Cursor
• Dropbox
• Windsurf

Adhivkta wrote:

...

3) In Chrome, I’m only reading simple articles or visiting a few government websites.

This is not relevant. Installing Google Chrome installs all of Google's full time personal information-harvesting, -uploading and automatically updating components. You cannot install Chrome without them. Stated another way, Chrome is the Trojan that installs the Google virus. By installing Chrome, you effectively ceded control of your Mac to Google. Google does not care if it overheats, performs poorly, drains its battery prematurely, results in accelerated hardware failure, or all the above. As long as it remains installed its mission is complete.

Uninstall it. If you are required to use Google products, then buy a Chromebook. You wasted money buying a Mac. Return it for a full cash refund, assuming that is an option for you.

I have a tool kit installed on my MBA M4. In use, the CPU runs between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit, occasionally hitting 175. My old MBP (intel) would often hit 180-190, and that was with two fans.

Adhivkta wrote:

Well, I appreciate your input.

1) It’s not kept on any soft surface, nor inside a third-party case.

2) The MacBook starts heating up within about 15 minutes, even though it’s not using anywhere near 8–10 GB of RAM, let alone swapping.

3) In Chrome, I’m only reading simple articles or visiting a few government websites.

Even my 256 GB SanDisk stick becomes very hot within 10–15 minutes without any data transfer.

You now know why your MacBook heats up when Chrome is installed, so it is up to you what you want to do about it. To identify other processes besides those Chrome Keystone processes running on your computer you would need to follow up with the EtreCheck report. Did you read the article in the link provided?

I have no such issues with my M4 MBA.