Does removal of the base of the new Macbook Neo, and the addition of a thermal pad, void the warranty?

The simple answer is, yes, it voids the warranty.

I have highlighted relevant portions of the warranty exclusions below from Legal - Mac Warranty Us - Apple

"This Warranty does not apply: (a) to protective coatings that are designed to diminish over time or batteries, unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (b) to cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches, dents and broken plastic on ports unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (c) to damage caused by use with a third party component or product that does not meet the Apple Product’s specifications (Apple Product specifications are available at www.apple.com under the technical specifications for each product and also available in stores); (d) to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, fire, liquid contact, earthquake or other external cause; (e) to damage caused by operating the Apple Product outside Apple’s published guidelines; (f) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”); (g) to an Apple Product that has been modified to alter functionality or capability without the written permission of Apple; (h) to defects caused by normal wear and tear or otherwise due to the normal aging of the Apple Product; (i) if any serial number has been removed or defaced from the Apple Product; or (j) if Apple receives information from relevant public authorities that the product has been stolen or if you are unable to deactivate passcode-enabled or other security measures designed to prevent unauthorized access to the Apple Product, and you cannot prove in any way that you are the authorized user of the product (e.g., by presenting proof of purchase)."

Item (g) is the catch all. The thermal pad would be an alteration. Opening the base could even be interpreted as an alteration or an attempt at alteration.

I would say that just the removal of the bottom case cover would not void the warranty. Anything beyond that (such as adding a thermal pad which is modifying the unit's intended operation) would void the warranty.

Also note that you may be given one answer by one person at Apple but when the time comes for warranty work, they may tell you something entirely different, especially if the issue was in their opinion, caused by the modification. They could even just open the MacBook, see the modification and instantly decline any warranty work, then and forever on the device. It depends on the situation.

Just leave the Neo alone. It was designed to operate in a certain way and to a certain specification.

Yes, adding something that changes the performance of the device would void the warranty. Apple engineers have not reviewed or studied the potential short term or long term effects it would have on the device.

If the customer pushed the issue at an Apple Store the issue would first go to the Lead Genius and from there to a member of the store’s management team. From there it would end. Online Apple Support is very strict on modifications. Stores have far more leeway to deal with potential customer service issues. I’ve in the past participated in those type of discussions when I was an Apple Store manager.

arcadianone wrote:

I would LOVE to, but I can't find a link that allows me to send an email to Apple Support for a direct response!?

Doesn’t matter. Any user modifications voids the warranty.

From a more practical standpoint rather than a management position, it’s not a bad idea to add thermal cooling. Just go in knowing it voids your warranty. People spend a lot more on modifying the computers in their vehicles than the cost of a MacBook Neo costs in total.

Just go into it with your eyes wide open. If it were me, I’d wait a year if the cost of the Neo or payment plan was a financial concern. Once off warranty I’d mod the cooling for sure.

People that mod their computers, autos etc. just need to understand the risks and consequences and see if the benefits out weigh the risks.

arcadianone wrote:

I would LOVE to, but I can't find a link that allows me to send an email to Apple Support for a direct response!?

Hello~ I would agree with my fellow forum users. See link below and scroll to “Connect with live support”

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

FWIW, I would still ask Apple Support to be certain.

My guess is yes. You can always ask Apple Support.

arcadianone wrote:

Thank you, I will contact the live phone support number and see what they say.

Hello once more ~ You’re welcome. Tap the phone number for other choices as well.

~Katana-San~

Why do you feel the need to modify a brand new laptop? Even with the older Macs, the thermal compound was generally fine for a few years before becoming a problem with some systems (others were fine for may years).

Besides, if the Neo's MLB is anything like the MBAir MLBs, then the heatsink is part of the MLB shielding which a very tricky to remove. They also don't use the same type of factory thermal compound as the older Macs....they tend to use an odd black paste that adheres tightly to the shield. I never took a shield completely off to investigate as I was only looking for liquid damage at the time.

SergZak wrote:

Also note that you may be given one answer by one person at Apple but when the time comes for warranty work, they may tell you something entirely different,

Very good point & very true. Each person at Apple will take a fresh look at things as they become involved in the process irrespective of what someone else at Apple may have said.

You still haven’t enlightened us as to why you would want to add a so-called thermal pad to a device this is designed from the ground up to handle thermal loads. After all the case is aluminum, a great heat sink.

Well, there’s a lot of voodoo going around about thermal control. The major manufacturers have spent tons of R&D on thermal control and venting of which Apple is the most famous because they don’t like fans.

It’s like those health supplement ads that start out with “What your doctor doesn’t want you to know” or “Read this now before it's taken down.”

The vast majority is blathering nonsense.