Is this advisable? … probably not. But if you want the best performance out of your M2 Air, this is how to get it.
Thermal Pads:
M2 MacBook Air:
14-inch MacBook Pro:
P5 Screwdriver:
Electronic repair kit:
Article:
FTC: We use income-earning auto affiliate links:
Subscribe: 🔔
Comment: 📝 Let me know what you think…
Follow: ✅ |
GEAR I USE:
-Z Cam E2-M4:
-Ninja V+ Raw Recorder:
-Sigma 18-35 F1.8:
-Manfrotto tripod:
-Sigma 150-600 F5-6.3:
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
0:38 Remove the bottom panel
2:50 Be careful with the battery
4:15 Apply thermal pads
5:40 Replace bottom cover
7:00 Cinebench
10:00 Scores
10:35 Conclusion
FOLLOW
–
–
CREDITS
– Music by Soundstripe:
TAGS
#9to5mac #apple #iphone
You aren’t the only YouTubers showing this but in no way would I take a beautiful MacBook Air M2 apart to insert heat sync pads. Voiding the Apple warranty can’t be worth the risk. I bought a simple laptop cooling tray.
Don’t use those just use low power mode it’s the best for your laptop. Thermal pads destroy your battery
I wonder how the laptop cooling pad would work. Normally, the bottom of the laptops is preforated, but not for the MacBook.
laptop cooling pads with fans wont do anything for fanless macbooks. There’s thermal insulator on top of the logic board + inner side of the bottom cover.
They DO however do amazing work if you have thermal pads installed, since the heat at the bottom can be easily taken away with the cooling tray.
@Bob Smite The bottom of the MacBooks never were perforated.
If I have to do that I might as well upgrade it. Because if something happens to MacBook Air send it to apple I’m screwed
If anyone is wondering why Apple didn’t just add these thermal pads themselves, it’s all a trade off. Yes you’ll be pulling more heat away from the CPU, but in turn transfering it to the bottom of the case. If you mainly work at a desk or don’t care about a really toasty lap this is a good trade off. If you are okay with some thermal throttling to perserve a cooler case this isn’t for you.
What if I use the desk and use a laptop fan as well? Is it dangerous?
Apple doesn’t add them because the external temperature of the case will exceed what is comfortable to touch with bare skin.
There is likely no other reason and from Apple’s perspective there really doesn’t need to be.
There could be, but any other internal temperatures can be (and probably are) monitored and the machine still throttled appropriately.
That‘s what he was talking about in this video?!
@Long Play no, it’s mostly advisable but not necessary because you won’t reach that throttle if you use simple task.
Is there a reason why you’re not recommending wearing a static discharge wrist strap or discharge mat? This doesn’t seem to be something you should be suggesting without greater warnings. If this were a wise move, I honestly believe Apple would have done it already.
The graph shows improvements in the test score by 4% to 12.5% (run 2 and run 3, the most similar and most different runs). I’m not sure it’s worth voiding your warranty, potentially damaging your laptop during install, and making the chassis uncomfortably hot to run it just a few percent faster and only under sustained load.
You‘re not voiding your warraty. Why would you think that?
@marcel151 *Any* mistake you make during this install that damages the laptop will not be covered. They’re full of tiny components and fine ribbon cables, it’s easy for someone not used to it to mess up. They explicitly call it out: “This warranty does not apply: […] 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.”
@Desmond Hawkins If you are not used to that kind of work, then don’t do it. This is absolutely easy for people who already worked on laptops.
@marcel151 Oh definitely! But of course it’s not going to stop people from trying. It’s one thing to post a video like this on a channel like Linus Tech Tips where every single laptop they get their hands on gets disassembled, but for a more consumer-centric channel like 9to5Mac it might give the impression that it’s trivial to people who probably should not attempt this mod. That’s all I meant.
Dude, I get your point, however, I wouldn’t be advising people to do this! Why would someone take an expensive device to add some damn thermal pads anyway! It ain’t worth the risk! I have an M1 MacBook Pro, and I , in no way, is going to tear my device apart! No way! I still haven’t fully paid for it yet! It ain’t worth the risk! Crazy video! Peace.
@marcel151 – So, you get my point? Cool! Thanks for your comment! Peace.
@Darin Campbell No, I don’t get your point. You are exaggerating. I just wanted to mention that it’s not the end of the world when you do that to the M2 Air. You even won’t lose warranty since it’s easily reversible. If you could upgrade the Mx MacBooks I would’ve taken my 14″ Pro apart like my 2012, for sure. I just don’t do it because I don’t need to do it.
@marcel151 – All I can say is, I believe, that this task would be dumb! I will leave it at this- If someone wants to take their property and do this to it, more power to them! It’s their device and NOT mine! They have every right! Still, dumb and stupid to me! Regards!
@Darin Campbell As I said before, chill. I wouldn‘t say that it‘s dumb as it definitely works. But if you need that mod I think you have chosen the wrong laptop.
@marcel151 – Oh, I don’t need it! Never would need it! YOU can say what YOU will! Still, a dumb thing to do! APPLE knows how they want their devices to be! Remember- these laptops were designed by engineers and people who are highly educated in this type of work. They sure, as hell, don’t need some wanna be tech guy doing crazy things with their products. They have all ready, I am sure, consider the factors that some people feel must be corrected. As I have all ready stated, to each his own! Do what you will! Whatever makes YOU happy! After the smoke clears, it is still STUPID!!! A rose is still a rose. Have yourself a nice day! Peace.
Great video! I’ll add the thermo pads after a year or two. For now, I’ll keep it original
Quite a few tech reviewers who specialise in repairing macs already put out videos saying this is a really bad idea and will damage your laptop.
@Alex agreed
@吉吉翰 Gigi Han Don’t think now, think long term.
@Kalvin Loc How is it damaging when batt temp remains 30+°C? I have been using my MBA M2 for video editing and thats the battery temp I’ve been seeing. When you ahve a claim, try to back it up with something concrete.
How on earth can running a lower temp be damaging?? OMG some people are blind Apple fans
@boomish69 maybe research how you achieve those lower temps
If you have 1200 bucks you don’t need and you don’t care about warranty give it a go.. otherwise DO NOT DO THIS!
Already paid so much for such computer, still so much to be done to improve the performance (which is supposed to come with or built in by Apple)!
I’m curious to see how the modded Air will perform in actual work flows instead of benchmarks
Back in March when Apple did not come out with a basic 27-inch 5K iMac to replace my iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) I purchased a MacBook Air M1 chip with 8‑core CPU, 7‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine, 16GB unified memory, 2TB SSD storage. Now there is this same thermal pad solution for the M1 MacBook Air to help cool it.
Thing is as a normal I do not have the need. If I was still in the production world I know I would not be using a consumer device to work on any production. I would step up and purchase something out of the Pro section of the grid of consumer laptop/desktop – professional laptop/desktop.
Know young people talk about the high price of Apple products. Thing is my original $ 2,500.00 128K 1984 Macintosh when adjusted for inflation in todays (August 2022) dollars would cost now cost me $ 7,129.72. So please quit complaining about the cost of Apple products, and purchase the best tool for the job you are doing.
Now back to the issue that started all of this. I feel it is a major fail on Apples part that they did not look at something like a vapor chamber cooling solution on products like the MacBook Air, and iPhone. Would like to see a third party vapor chamber cooling solution modification for the M1, and M2 MacBook Air.
No McAir yet. Awaiting fall announcement (if any). More than likely opt for the Pro but we will see. And I doubt I’ll mod as I always purchase the maintenance package. Saved me enough times to be worth it to me. If I thought I needed to mod I’d get a more featured Mac product.
Thanks for a good vid.
Got my first call of someone using this video and they punctured the battery lolll
Apple doesn’t recommend using it on your legs anyway it’s in their user guide
Best thermal pad thickness is 1mm, as 1.5mm will make the back cover very very difficult to close.
Yes, I am use 1.5mm one,, I take 5 minutes to close the back cover :…(
Did anyone else cry when he sliced that razor blade over the wooden desk, and later over the aluminum panel?
Dont stress, thats not a razor blade. it’s a pry tool with a thin blunt edge, its not cutting or scratching either the table or the back panel
I mean, if you’re going to do this, why not pair it with a high quality laptop cooler to transfer away all that heat? Decent, quiet ones aren’t all that expensive, and they do a great job of mitigating thermal throttling.
Get some airflow to the back panel, that should give another boost. That, at the same time would likely also reduce the amount of heat transferred to the battery.
Experts! Need expert help, I must have done it wrong, it chimes but there is nothing on the display. A friend told me to buy a solder iron but I don’t know how to use it, any help appreciated.