Repasting a MacBook

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Thermal hacks for fanless MacBook Airs

  • Popular mod: add thermal pads between SoC and bottom case so the chassis acts as a heatsink, delaying throttling.
  • Supporters say the goal is added thermal mass and spreading heat, not better dissipation; it buys “burst” performance time.
  • Downsides: much hotter bottom surface, possible battery/part stress, and the irony of then insulating it with a plastic shell.
  • Some users reject any hack that makes a fanless Air hotter or thicker, preferring to upgrade to a Pro or newer Air instead.

Is repasting worth it?

  • Many readers feel the post reads as “Do not repaste your MacBook”: modest gains (~5°C, small benchmark bump) vs high risk (e.g., damaged Touch ID/power button).
  • Others note the benefit of the same temps at lower fan RPM and significantly cooler idle, especially for heavy compile/video/CAD workloads.
  • Concern: standard “PC” pastes can pump out in laptops, leading to worse performance months later; phase‑change materials or putty‑like compounds are recommended instead.
  • Some users report big wins on older Intel MacBooks with premium paste or liquid metal; results on newer Apple Silicon seem more marginal.

Repairability and DIY experience

  • M‑series MacBooks are seen as far less friendly than older unibody MacBooks or ThinkPads/Dells/MSI laptops, where RAM, SSD, fans, and paste are straightforward to service.
  • Ribbon cables and Touch ID flex are described as fragile and nerve‑wracking; others argue they’re generally robust if you know where connectors are and avoid pulling on the cable.
  • Adhesives on cables cause many mistakes; using proper pry tools and guides (e.g., teardown videos) is considered essential.
  • Older Apple laptops were hackable enough that people did DIY GPU reflows in ovens or with heat guns.

Thermals, dust, and longevity

  • Reports range from extremely dusty interiors causing fan noise to near‑pristine M1/M1 Max machines whose fans almost never run.
  • 90–100°C under load is described as “normal” by some, but others worry about electromigration and prefer extra thermal headroom even if the device won’t outlive them.
  • Question of whether M1+ models can be dust‑cleaned without opening remains unanswered in the thread.

Apple vs alternatives, service, and lifecycle

  • Several argue it’s more rational for professionals to lease/replace laptops every ~3 years for large productivity gains than to “penny‑pinch” with repasting.
  • Others push back on cost and e‑waste, advocating maximizing the life of existing machines.
  • Corporate anecdotes: MacBooks are less failure‑prone than some Dell fleets, reducing support overhead.
  • Apple tends to replace whole assemblies (logic board/top case) rather than repaste; some suggest independent repair shops or authorized providers for safer repasting.