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Which Mac is easiest to open, clean the fans, repaste the CPU
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None of them…… 🤪
They all use Apple Silicon, which is none-user serviceable, and cannot be removed (easily).
They all use Apple Silicon, which is none-user serviceable, and cannot be removed (easily).
I don't think you understand my question.
I think, logically, it would have to be the Mac Pro.
I didn't say anything about upgradable, I didn't say anything about removing and replacing anything.
I know everything is soldered etc.
My question is strictly about which of them is easier to open, disassemble and clean. Clean the dust from the fan and the fins, remove the heatsink to replace the thermal paste, then put it back together.
No upgrades. No replacement of anything.
I guess you didn't understand my original question either then.
Agreeing with him/her about what?
Hmm… the latest would be Tower Mac G4, I think…
Probably the MacBook Air, since it doesn’t even have fans and so you can skip that step entirely.
It does have a CPU though, right? With heatpipe and some kind of thermal paste which is going to need replacement sooner or later. Still, what you say makes sense.
No heatpipes. You can see exactly what the setup is here at around 1:20 —
Interesting, though it still needs thermal paste. And it's a pain to do it, though easier than most other Apple computers. Thanks.
The Mac mini seems pretty easy to take apart from what I’ve seen, check it out on youtube. Same with the Studio but that’s a big investment
I don't like guessing. I prefer facts.
None makes no sense unless they were all the same exact computers. Some of them have to be easier.
You must have watched different videos. The one I have watched showed crazy amount of disassembly to reach the CPU.
Oh he understood perfectly, I don't think you fully grasp how far apple goes to sealing the computers.
I recommend heading over to ifixit and taking a look at their teardowns and you'll get a feel of what it will take. Whether that's too much or do able is for you to determine.
The question was simple and clear. Out of respect to the site I will stop replying to anyone who doesn't actually pay attention.
One last time, not that it will change anything.
I am not asking if they are easy. I am not asking if they are worth it. I am not asking if I can upgrade them. I am not asking if they are a pain to do any work on them.
All I am asking is which is the EASIEST.
*sigh*
One last time, not that it will change anything.
I am not asking if they are easy. I am not asking if they are worth it. I am not asking if I can upgrade them. I am not asking if they are a pain to do any work on them.
All I am asking is which is the EASIEST.
*sigh*
„No removing or replacing ANYTHING“
Goes on and says they want to remove the heat sink and replace the thermal paste.
And you’re wondering why people think you aren’t quite clear with your wording.
Facts, not guesses.
Goes on and says they want to remove the heat sink and replace the thermal paste.
And you’re wondering why people think you aren’t quite clear with your wording.
Facts, not guesses.
I don’t understand why people still obsess about replacing thermal paste. It’s not 15-20 years ago when there were notorious issues with too much/too little thermal paste being applied. These days thermal paste in a Mac is good for ten years or longer, essentially the life of the Mac. There are even models where if proper tools aren’t used to remove the heat sink you’ll end up damaging the logic board, all to re-apply thermal paste for no reason. Clearing dust out, sure, no worries, but skip the thermal paste. I say this as an Apple Certified technician that repairs Macs every day. It’s easy to pop open the M4 Mac mini to blow the dust out of the fan fins, probably the easiest of the current desktop lineup other than the Mac Pro. Any of the notebook models it’s just as easy, pentalobe driver and a suction cup to remove the bottom case.
My 2015 15” MacBook Pro is pretty easy open and close to do that. Lot of screws though that you need to keep track of and not lose.
And I and others said go to ifixit with their tear downs and see for yourself
Just search for each Mac
It doesn’t look that hard to me, especially considering how infrequently you might need to do it. I guess it would depend on how often you plan to replace the thermal paste, and it might even be worth just getting a thermal pad and calling it a day.
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