DIY disassembly of m11x for thermal paste application

I'm wondering if it's easy to disassemble an m11x r3 to reapply thermal paste. I have never taken apart any laptop before, but I consider myself moderately knowledgeable PC user (just haven't needed to deal with laptop stuff before). I have experience taking apart my desktop PC and anchoring a new heat sink (LGA775 chip), but I'm not sure if I can do this one myself.

Is it worth replacing the thermal paste at all in the first place? I've read numerous threads here, does it really do wonders for longevity?

 

go here and take a look at this thread. it has a Lot of information on doing exactly that. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...k-tim-temperatures-benchmarks-overclocks.html

Lots of pages, but worth the read through if you are seriously considering doing this.

 

Also, here is a video of a basic teardown. It does not go so far as to take off the heat sink and reapplying the thermal paste though. That is a slightly different process and takes more work. But it should get you closer to your goal. Alienware M11x Teardown **READ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO REPLACING PARTS** (Official Video) - YouTube

Be Careful when you are taking it apart. Note the placement of cords, plugs, add-on cards, etc. You want to put it back together Exactly how it was when you took it apart. If you run a cable incorrectly and get it in the wrong spot you can cause all sorts of issues as it could become pinched between other things.

And try not to touch any circuits if you can help it. Hold the board by the edges when removing it from the case. Be gentle with the plugs. I have had cases where the sockets on the mainboard actually pull loose when you try to unplug the cable and need to be resoldered on. Note that in that video the tech removes the ribbon cables Incorrectly! They have tiny flip-up fasteners which apply pressure to the ribbon. If you flip up those fasteners it makes the ribbons easy to remove and re-insert.

These little portable pc's have much tighter tolerances than any desktop computer does. Do not make the mistake of thinking that if you have fiddled with the innards of a few desktop pc's that this will be just as easy. They are different animals entirely.