Disassembling MacBook: warranty concerns?

[FullmetalZ26]

I'm planning on purchasing a MacBook soon, and I've been a bit disappointed to see that Apple still hasn't completely solved the heat issue yet. Seeing as I like to take things apart, I will most likely end up taking the unit apart to reapply thermal paste on the heatsink to hopefully lower the operating temperature a bit. (Only if the one I get runs hot, anyways.)

In any case, I was planning on getting the AppleCare 3-year warranty as well, and I'm wondering if taking the computer apart will void that, provided I don't damage anything. (I understand that if I screw something up, it will obviously be my fault, and I have disassembled and reassembled several laptops in the past, so I know what I'm doing/getting myself into.)

 

[Temujin]

It will void your warranty.
Even if you don't damage anything the warranty will still be void.

If your MB some day should brake and you need the Apple guys to fix it, and the news of your home disassembly reaches Apple then your screwed.

If Apple never hear of your home disassembly, and you don't leave any noticeable marks then you should be fine.

But according to the law your warranty is void.

 

[regre7]

Are there any stickers or tape or anything that will break if you take it apart, thereby showing that you've disassembled it?

 

[Temujin]

Are there any stickers or tape or anything that will break if you take it apart, thereby showing that you've disassembled it?

Not from what I can gather from the ifixit guide http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/86.1.7.html

 

[JAT]

It will void your warranty.
Even if you don't damage anything the warranty will still be void.

If your MB some day should brake and you need the Apple guys to fix it, and the news of your home disassembly reaches Apple then your screwed.

If Apple never hear of your home disassembly, and you don't leave any noticeable marks then you should be fine.

But according to the law your warranty is void.

What law? Apple doesn't put stickers over screws saying "warranty void if removed", like many companies do. And their warranty language states damage due to this kind of tinkering voids warranty, not the tinkering itself.

 

[kwood]

Moding the internal components does void the warranty.

Direct from Apple:
"http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25097"

The only User installable parts on the MacBook are, the RAM, Hard drive, and Battery. These upgrades you can do and not worry about the warranty. Removing thermal paste and reapplying does classify as modifying the computer.

 

[brbubba]

Moding the internal components does void the warranty.

Direct from Apple:
"http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25097"

The only User installable parts on the MacBook are, the RAM, Hard drive, and Battery. These upgrades you can do and not worry about the warranty. Removing thermal paste and reapplying does classify as modifying the computer.

Correction, it says MAY void the warranty. Also its questionable whether thermal paste is considered part of hardware, I would say no. Either way doesn't much matter, just don't tell Apple!!!

I've done the thermal paste reapplication to my macbook. The only way for them to tell is if they removed the heatsink and inspected the paste, and thats assuming there is 100% consistency in the manufacturing process. As long as the damage hasn't been caused by your application I can't imagine them calling you out on the warranty.

 

[CoMpX]

If you do in fact decide to go ahead with the "modification", hold off on buying AppleCare for now. You don't want to run the risk of voiding the warranty and then having your money spent on AppleCare go to waste.

Besides, you can but AppleCare up to a year after you buy the MacBook. See what you need in the future.

 

[FullmetalZ26]

Awesome, that's just what I needed to know. It'll also lighten the load on my credit card knowing I won't have to buy AppleCare at the same time. Thanks to all who replied