Confused by the pink pad during installation

Framework Laptop 12
1

New customer, currently going through the physical installation. On step 5 of the main DIY installation guide there’s an image of someone inserting the SSD, with nothing between the SSD and the inside of the casing. However, there’s a comment by someone named Andy who has posted an image featuring a pink pad stuck to the casing. I have the same pink pad, seemingly pre-stuck.

Other forum discussions seem to indicate it’s a thermal pad, but I’ve seen mixed opinions on whether it should be removed; and of course, the installation guide shows nothing. This is further confused by some discussions attributing overheating problems due to the plastic sticker on the SSD, rather than the thermal pad. Should I remove both, neither, one of them?

I would appreciate experienced advice so I can continue with setup.

2

I kind of feel like removing it is for the best. If it stays it is touching the touch cover of the 12. You are sending heat into the keyboard. No one wants a keyboard that makes your hands sweat, let alone the wear and tear implications of unnecessarily heating it.

My 2 cents.

3

I noticed that the pink thermal pad was a little too thick and the M.2 SSD would not lay down flat. I was able to secure it under the clip and it seemed to be held in there fine, so I left it as is. I haven’t run into any overheating issues with temps hovering around 39-40C under normal everyday use.