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Does laser etching void the MBP warranty?

G

guitargoddsjm

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 25, 2008
391
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MA
Does laser etching void the MBP warranty?

I have an almost one year old 15" MBP, and it's getting to be the time where I start considering buying AppleCare. I learned last week that my school has a design lab with a laser cutter. I'd like to get something simple etched on the top surface (i.e., the back of the screen), but I don't want to do this if it voids the warranty (especially if I buy applecare).

I know this has been asked quite a few times before, but the answer is always fairly hazy at best. Some people say it's a cosmetic procedure, like applying a sticker or decal. Others say Apple might deny service because the laser could cause display damage (though I'm doubtful this could happen). There's a video floating around Youtube of Leah Culver getting her 2006ish MBP etched with ads she sold, and in the video she mentioned that it doesn't void the warranty "because it's a laser."

Anyone have any ideas? Has anyone etched their Macbook and gotten it serviced after?


If it doesn't void the warranty, does anyone have any suggestions? I had a few different ideas...
  • A phrase, like "Think Different" in one of the corners
  • Something that makes use of the apple logo (like Pacman eating the apple)
  • a full pattern on the entire surface, probably something subtle

Thanks in advance!
 
It will void the warranty of any part etched (the case) and any part that might have been damaged by the etching. As the screen and lid are a single part when it comes to replacements you'd be voiding the warranty on the entire screen/lid/top assembly.
 
robbieduncan said:
It will void the warranty of any part etched (the case) and any part that might have been damaged by the etching. As the screen and lid are a single part when it comes to replacements you'd be voiding the warranty on the entire screen/lid/top assembly.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input! Can you say this with confidence? Have you had experience with this?

If the laser cuts deep and burns through the back panel, I could understand this being the case. But if done properly, an etching should remove a very small layer of material, like a scratch (which wouldn't void the warranty).

Apple also offers etching on iPods, and I highly doubt they perform this before assembling the device.

I called Apple this morning and spoke to a CS rep, and she said it wouldn't void the warranty, but I'm not sure she really knew.
 
just put stickers on it. : ] i mean, is laser etching that important to you? isn't it kind of costly? plus it's permanent unless you cover it. might as well just use a sticker in the first place in case you end up not wanting it on there, you can just peel it off.

seems kind of a sketchy topic i would ask apple directly as well just to be positive if it's something you really want to do.
 
Archlord said:
just put stickers on it. : ] i mean, is laser etching that important to you? isn't it kind of costly? plus it's permanent unless you cover it. might as well just use a sticker in the first place in case you end up not wanting it on there, you can just peel it off.

seems kind of a sketchy topic i would ask apple directly as well just to be positive if it's something you really want to do.
Click to expand...

Spoke to a CSR this morning:
guitargoddsjm said:
I called Apple this morning and spoke to a CS rep, and she said it wouldn't void the warranty, but I'm not sure she really knew.
Click to expand...

Also, I mentioned that I have a laser cutter at school:
guitargoddsjm said:
I learned last week that my school has a design lab with a laser cutter.
Click to expand...


I would much rather have an etching on my computer than a sticker. An etching would be subtle and blend into the material, while a sticker just kind of pops out and looks like an eyesore. I also hate sticker residue (yeah, yeah, I know about Goo Gone :p)

Anyways, still playing around with the idea. I'll probably mock up some design ideas this week and post them up here
 
sorry man, admittedly i just read the title.

when i suggested stickers i wasn't thinking an apparent ugly standard sticker, more/less a sticker with black text and a transparent background (custom stickers? heh) so it gives it a simple sharp black text effect. if stickers aren't your game though that's totally fine.

if you spoke with a CS rep and you were told you could, then i would say that's enough to go with. if you're still thinking otherwise though i would get a second or third opinion on it from different apple reps.
 
Get a Squaretrade warranty instead - it has accidental protection (i.e. you're covered for spills and drops). If you ever have a problem, take it to Apple and ST picks up the bill. I'm 99% sure etching won't void the ST warranty, but in any case they just pay the Apple bill for you so I doubt they would even know about it.
 
guitargoddsjm said:
Thanks for the input! Can you say this with confidence? Have you had experience with this?

If the laser cuts deep and burns through the back panel, I could understand this being the case. But if done properly, an etching should remove a very small layer of material, like a scratch (which wouldn't void the warranty).

Apple also offers etching on iPods, and I highly doubt they perform this before assembling the device.

I called Apple this morning and spoke to a CS rep, and she said it wouldn't void the warranty, but I'm not sure she really knew.
Click to expand...
call them again or send them an email but record the conversation/email, so you have proof you first got permission from apple.
 
No, man---, don't laser the surface of an unibody machined part from solid aluminum. The design and the engineering of a Mac is so beautiful that etching will probably destroy the outside esthetics. I’m not sure about the warranty but I will not mess up the surface of an unibody machined part. It is amazing how beautiful the MacBook is if you could take it apart and see how that unibody aluminum is machined from inside with a luxury of details.

RF,
 
RoyalFlushAK(s) said:
No, man---, don't laser the surface of an unibody machined part from solid aluminum. The design and the engineering of a Mac is so beautiful that etching will probably destroy the outside esthetics. I’m not sure about the warranty but I will not mess up the surface of an unibody machined part. It is amazing how beautiful the MacBook is if you could take it apart and see how that unibody aluminum is machined from inside with a luxury of details.

RF,
Click to expand...

I'd rather tattoo myself with Lindsay Lohan quotes then destroy the top of my MacBook
 
Hey dude,

I work at an Apple store in Australia and can safely say that if you don't cause any damage to the internals of the MBP, then your warranty still stays. For example, we had a guy once trying to engrave the bottom of his MBP, and (somehow) the engraver went too far into the shell and into the logic board. Unfortunately we couldn't do anything about it.

However as a disclaimer, if anything does go wrong with your screen or the upper aluminium shell, some 'Geniuses' will diagnose it as your fault. You've gotta ask them to inspect it more closely if such happens. A trick to make any Apple store employee give you the upper hand is to tell them that you will talk to the manager.

That ALWAYS gets me. And etching is awesome, it adds style and originality to your device, especially if you have the resources to do so! Enjoy!

- Mike
 
A laser etching shouldn't void your warranty. But just to save you some headaches, if something happens and you need to get a replacement at the Apple Store, cover the etching with a sticker first. The Geniuses won't spend their time trying to remove a sticker under the suspicion that there will be something there. That will save you some headaches, in case they decide to blame the etching for whatever issue may arise.
 
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