Does apple do thermal paste service?

[Torty]

Hi,

I still use my MBP 13" mid 2012 1TB SSD and 8GB with Mojave. I don't remember when it started to activate the fan much much more often than in the past. The core pkg temp (intel power gadget) never go below 60°C.
So I researched a bit and found out that the thermal paste becomes dry after a while and should be replaced. There is a manual how to do it at ifixit. I think the risk for me is quite high because you need to remove the logic board and disconnect a lot of cables.

I saw the old MBP is still servicable at apple, do they offer such a service?

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I saw the old MBP is still servicable at apple, do they offer such a service?

I'd be surprised if they perform any hardware related work on this model as it's classed as obsolete. There was a mention regarding up to 10 yrs support here but I think only battery related?

 

[bob_zz123]

I don't think they ever offered a thermal paste service anyway, they would replace the thermal paste if they needed to remove the heatsink from the logic board (As part of a larger repair) but not as a standalone service.

 

[maflynn]

I would just bite the bullet and do it yourself. If you take your time, do your research you'll see that while intricate (especially in laptops) its not overly hard. I think the hardest part is ensuring you have the right tools, and that can easily be solved by ordering from ifixit.

 

[Torty]

I'd be surprised if they perform any hardware related work on this model as it's classed as obsolete. There was a mention regarding up to 10 yrs support here but I think only battery related?

The mid 2012 can be chosen on apples support page. Also for other issues than battery replacement. 🤔

 

[Alpha Centauri]

The mid 2012 can be chosen on apples support page. Also for other issues than battery replacement. 🤔

One never stops learning. I stand corrected!

 

[Queen6]

I would just bite the bullet and do it yourself. If you take your time, do your research you'll see that while intricate (especially in laptops) its not overly hard. I think the hardest part is ensuring you have the right tools, and that can easily be solved by ordering from ifixit.

Depends as some MBP's require the Logic Board to be stripped out the chassis. I think by the time you buy the tools & paste, factor in time it's easier to seek out a local Mac specialist to do the job.

TBH the paste is one of the last things I'd be looking at. Software and cleaning out the fan & cooler assembly would be my first go to.

Q-6

 

[TSE]

Just remember with thermal paste, less is more. Pea-sized blob in the middle, no need to spread.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

The mid 2012 can be chosen on apples support page. Also for other issues than battery replacement. 🤔

Yes, but if you walk into an Apple Store asking for a specific "tune-up" service like this (and I'd consider the thermal paste in the category of performance-enhancing services, as you're presumably interested in reducing operating temperature) you'll find they won't offer it, just as they won't upgrade RAM or HDs. They will address overall problems/failures, and it's likely they'd do it as a main logic board replacement rather than making an individual component-level repair like applying thermal paste.

But sure, you can ask them directly and see what they say. You'll have more luck working with an independent shop (like an Apple authorized service provider) which is free to offer a wider variety of service (since your warranty is expired, they don't have to worry about Apple-mandated practices for in-warranty service). But just consider - nearly any repair shop is going to have a minimum service rate that is far higher than the cost of a tube of thermal paste.

 

[Macky-Mac]

Yes, but if you walk into an Apple Store asking for a specific "tune-up" service like this (and I'd consider the thermal paste in the category of performance-enhancing services, as you're presumably interested in reducing operating temperature) you'll find they won't offer it, just as they won't upgrade RAM or HDs...

this happened to me with a 5 year old iMac that was still on their service list....not thermal paste, but still a relatively task that I wanted done

 

[Alpha Centauri]

this happened to me with a 5 year old iMac that was still on their service list....not thermal paste, but still a relatively task that I wanted done

Curious, what work did you get done? I'm still quite surprised the OP's 10 yr old MBP is still on Apple's service list.

 

[Macky-Mac]

Curious, what work did you get done? I'm still quite surprised the OP's 10 yr old MBP is still on Apple's service list.

It was a simple RAM upgrade; there's a tldr story about why I didn't plan to do it myself, but when I took it to a local Apple store, I was told that they wouldn't do it based on the iMac's age

 

[Alpha Centauri]

It was a simple RAM upgrade; there's a tldr story about why I didn't plan to do it myself, but when I took it to a local Apple store, I was told that they wouldn't do it based on the iMac's age

Right, thanks for explaining. Makes you wonder why then it was even on the service list to begin with. On a bright note, I've now looked up what 'tldr' actually stands for lol.

 

[Macky-Mac]

Right, thanks for explaining. Makes you wonder why then it was even on the service list to begin with. On a bright note, I've now looked up what 'tldr' actually stands for lol.

my somewhat vague recollection is that the staff member I talked to had to check to see if they would do the specific service I wanted. It definitely wasn't a blanket refusal to do anything at all for that specific iMac.

I suspected it was something that wouldn't be profitable for them