Macbook Air M1 - Passive Cooling and Waterproofing Discussion

I saw a forum post where someone was wanting a waterproof Macbook Air.

I'm not sure why someone would want this.  The poster stated that it was for the sake of innovation, like adding needless features alone is considered to be innovative.

I explained that I've never spilled any liquids on any of the notebooks I've owned.  Sure, I'm speaking for myself, but self-restraint would prevent folks from accidentally spilling liquid on their notebooks.  I'd explained how I made sure I wasn't drinking over or even near my notebooks...that simple rule stopped me from ever having to worry about liquid damage repairs.  What of notebooks (in bags or backpacks) getting wet if caught in the rain?  Always check the weather before you leave an establishment, or don't take your notebook with you when/if you know it's raining.  If you need to go and you know it's going to rain, bring an umbrella or put your notebook inside a ziplock or plastic bag...it doesn't have to be airtight unless you're going underwater with it.

Some then made a quip of it being super simple to implement since the MBA was already sealed.

Wait.  What?

He thought that since the MBA had no fan, that the case was sealed (ie, no air gaps)

I told him that there is no way that the case is 100% sealed, even while the system is fanless.  I couldn't back this up, as there are no pictures or articles stating that there are no ports/ducts in the case, but I followed my gut.

I looked under my MBA M1 2020 and saw that there's a long rectangular cut underneath the display (when the display is lifted up).  At first I thought that this was where the ports were - I thought it was one elongated port, but I was wrong.  I felt along the port when opening and closing the lid, but couldn't find anything that suggested a true duct.

I powered down the notebook (not hibernated/sleeping).  I then closed the notebook and flipped it upside down.  I took a straightened plastic-covered paper clip and poked along the elongated duct.  I found that there are indeed two ducts within that elongated cut.  I thought they were hinges because they're covered by soft rubber pieces, but they flex away when prodded.

I also found this article: How The MacBook Air Cools Itself 2022 - The Mini Blog

That article clarifies some things.  

While it doesn't mention the two ducts, it does depict them.  The article explains that there are passive cooling mechanics designed into the system.  One passive cooler is the aluminum bottom plate.  It dissipates heat.  The system also has copper heat pipes, which are depicted within the article.  The article also explains that the CPU portion of the SoC (System on Chip) has what's called a cold plate over it, which helps dissipate heat.  

The below picture is an edit of what was depicted in the article.  The red circles indicate where the two cooling ducts are.  The copper heat pipes are circled in yellow.

What does this have to do with waterproofing a MBA?  Everything.  The MBA does not have fans and heat sinks on the hot bits to mitigate heat, as does the Macbook Pro and other non-Mac notebooks.  the MBA relies upon passive cooling.  A sealed case will cause issues with a system that uses passive cooling as the aluminum bottom alone won't wick the heat way.  What heat that is not dissipated by the aluminum bottom will not be able to leave the system, which is why the current MBA has the heat pipes and "exhaust" ports (the heat pipes absorb the heat and the pipes are pointed toward the ducts as another dissipation method).

The MBA as it currently stands, is nowhere near being waterproof-capable, as you'd have to redesign the whole passive cooling system to account for the fact that the system needs to be air-tight to prevent liquid damage.

I explained to the forum poster that the ports are in place and that I've verified that they are ducts (showed him the pictures in the article and explained to him that I checked the ducts and they are indeed ducts).  He hasn't said a word in reply.

Now, with all that being said, his question was in regards to the new MBA (2022 M2).  Since the new MBA isn't yet released to the public, all I had to rely upon is the outgoing MBA (2020 M1).  

Note that I saw the bottom of the new 2022 M2 (internet picture) and saw that it has the same telltale elongated cutout on the bottom of the case, so I'm betting that the new MBA has the same exact ducting, since that system also uses passive cooling.